Dunbar Lifeboat Day

What a day!

Even before breakfast CyclopsJnr was off rampaging round the playpark with other kids on the campsite.  

After eventually hauling him in for some breakfast we cycled out to Belhaven Bay and beyond, on a combination of roads, cycle paths sandy tracks through the dunes and forest paths.  It was lovely and sunny, and we enjoyed the variety.  We stopped at one park at Belhaven Bay, then another in Dunbar where were were pleased to get a cold drink from the cafe, and we also spotted a sign saying it was Lifeboat Gala day.  Having already done 10 miles we were getting hungry for lunch so we found a cafe with tables on the pavement in the shade.   We also had a perfect spot for the parade. 

CyclopsJnr loved the Pipe Band that led the parade (especially the drummers).  he liked the vintage MGs carrying the "Lifeboat Queen" and her entourage too, but the following Harley Davidsons (about 50!) were a bit loud for him.  One rider did come close enough to high-five him which pleased him greatly.  He liked the fire engine, lifeboat and coastguard truck (with loud sirens) too.

After we finished lunch we headed down to the gala, where he went on a giant inflatable slide, bought some sweeties, learned about he RNLI and coastguard, went on the inshore lifeboat and tried a helmet and lifejacket and had a doughnut for pudding. 

We also saw the band taking a break, so CyclopsJnr went and chatted to the drummers since he is learning the drums and thought he might like to do that in a pipe band one day.  They were great with him, and even showed him how to twirl a drumstick and let him have a go!  Then one of the pipers came over and said hello to him by name - he was one of the instructors from Foxlake adventures and recognised him from his holiday club trips there last week!

Having exhausted the gala we went back to the campsite for a brief rest and cold drink.  CyclopsJnr professed to be utterly exhausted, but found a second wind to go to the beach.  There he found a couple of like minded children with a black lab and the four of the played happily together and charging around in the water.   He even ended up having a wee swim although it's not clear if this was completely intentional...

He had to be dragged away to get back to the campsite for a shower before dinner, and before he was half way through eating he was one again pleading exhaustion.  He couldn't even stay awake for pudding.  He was in his bed and out like light well before 8pm...