12 Comments
Aug 5Liked by James Breakwell

It's like it was my first day as a parent...that just cracked me up!! Man I love your humour!!!

Expand full comment

"Iambic pentameter?" I double dog dare you. 😆

Expand full comment
author

It was a bluff. I couldn't pull it off if I tried. My English degree is a lie

Expand full comment

I like the name and what stands behind it - it looks to me you've made the most of the near-cation, turning it into well spend final activity of the summer break. Love to see procrastination winning you a better opportunity with the bike rail. I fully agree with what you said on creating memories and having fun nearby. Thanks for sharing your summer holidays adventures with us - following your travels through reading made me really entertained and happy for the fun you had.

I like your idea for bike rail demolition derby and wonder why amusement parks haven't thought about it yet - it's like a mix of roller coaster and bumper cars, my two most favourite activities there, which I reckon would make a great new attraction!

My family often opted to stay at home for the final week before school in order to get siblings & me some sleep in advance, but I remember we had sometimes activities, once or twice even train-related. When with brothers we were little boys we went to old locomotives museum about an hour away where a festival and parade of old trains was held and spend a day watching and hopping into locomotives and wagons. Some of them were moving, but on the inital event we didn't have time to go on a ride, so to ease our upset my parents promised us to return there next year, which exactly happened and I remember the ride was perfect.

Expand full comment
author

Trains seem especially fascinating to kids. The same place that has the rail bikes has a real train that runs around Christmas. I might have to try to get the kids on it. Your parents were wise to get you some extra sleep in that week before school. I'm pretty sure Waffle is still staying up half the night in secret.

Expand full comment

Wouldn't be surprised if she did! And you're right - trains are luring children of all ages, which is why we went for every exhibition of model trains that was held in the city.

Expand full comment

We did a staycation here in central Ohio this past week. We had two friends from Germany visiting for the week, and they wanted to do “American” things here locally. We were worried. They’re now in DC, but we couldn’t fathom what to do with them here for a week in the sweltering heat. It ended up forcing us to visit or revisit some really really cool nearby parks and do some outings we never do on our own. They loved every minute! It was a lot of fun for us too, and no packing!

Expand full comment

"My family is great for finishing off your lowest quality food" made me snort laugh! My kids had toddler appetites well into middle school.

Expand full comment
author

As long as we're not at restaurants, it's a wonderful thing. I could feed them chicken nuggets at home seven nights a week.

Expand full comment

I had to google "rail bike", (did not know what it was) looks really cool and fun!

Expand full comment
author

They're neat. It's not a bad way to kill a few hours. Just don't go driving across the country to do it.

Expand full comment

Great newsletter once again! In my book miniature golf should be against the law. Your children know what’s fun and what’s boring! Your Near-Cation was a complete success, except for the golf thing😉

Expand full comment