Tag Archives: ocean

How to Have a Better Day at the Beach with Your Kids

06/03/2018 R.C. Liley Leave a comment

At this time of year, one of the most fun things to do with the family is head down to the beach and spend some time building sandcastles, swimming in the beach and eating cool ice creams.

Unfortunately, trips to the beach aren’t always so idyllic, especially when you have young kids in tow. Often they get too hot, tired and uncomfortable too quickly and what should be a great day descends into tears and tantrums. If you want to avoid that happening, and have a wonderful time in the sun, here are a few things you can do to make it so….

Dress the Kids Appropriately

If you want the kids to feel as comfortable as possible on your beach trip then dressing them right for the occasion is pretty important. First of all, you’re going to want to ensure that they have comfy shoes. For babies and toddlers, soft-soled shoes like these Olive and Bean Baby Moccasins are ideal because they are as comfy as they are supportive, or if kids are a little older, Crocs or even sneakers will be better. In terms of clothing, loose-fitting garments made from natural fabrics like cotton are best (although they might not be optimum for washing) because they will allow the kids to breathe. If their skin is going to be uncovered for any length of time, be sure to apply lots of sun lotion on a regular basis to avoid burning too.

Pack a Pop-Up Tent

Packing a pop-up tent or sun shelter is an excellent idea because they are lightweight and can be folded up into a small bag with ease, and they will ensure that whichever spot you pick on the beach, you will always have access to a cooler, shaded area where you can all sit if the heat is getting too much for you.

Pack Activities

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Although you might think the beach is all the entertainment you need, well apart maybe from a bucket and spade for building sandcastles, a lot of kids will get pretty bored with the sand and the sea before you’re anywhere near ready to head home, For that reason, it never hurts to pack some crayons and coloring books and a few small toys that you know they enjoy, so if they aren’t into paddling or burying dad alive in the sand, you have other options to keep them busy. Trust me, you’ll be glad of those crayons.

Bring Beach-Friendly Blankets

If you’re heading to the beach with really young kids who still enjoy their naps from time to time, you’re going to want to bring some washable blankets along, so you can male them comfy if they need to sleep. A well-timed nap will, most of the time, nip any tantrums in the bud, so this is one step you aren’t going to want to skip. It might also be useful to bring along a soft toy for snuggling if your child usually has one to nap with.

Pack a Cool Box

When you’re at the beach, it’s important that you keep everyone hydrated or they could start to get cranky or even become ill. A cool box which will keep everything chilled, filled with lots of water and juice boxes is ideal and will save you money because most of those beachside stores and kiosks are pretty expensive.

Go Early

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Heading to the beach earlier in the (say before 9 a.m.) is a good way of ensuring that you get the best spot for your family. After that, if it’s a really nice day, the beach will start to fill up and those prime spots that are close to the sea, near a little shade and close to the facilities, will be snapped up so fast. If you go really early, you may even have the beach almost entirely to yourselves for a little while.

Sit Near the Lifeguard

If you sit near the lifeguard, although you should absolutely be watching your kids very closely at all times, you won’t have to worry quite so much because you’ll know that should you get separated there will be a trained pair of eyes to alert you and intervene if necessary. So, don’t get in their way, but stay close by them if you can.

Plan a Treasure Hunt

Want to ensure the kids have fun and stay engaged enough that there are no tantrums? Plan your own treasure hunt and you can pretty much guarantee that you’ll all have a blast without any problems whatsoever. I mean, which kid doesn’t like finding the treasure hidden in the sand?

Have fun at the beach!

Life

How Do I Know Which Outboard Motor To Buy?

05/03/2018 R.C. Liley Leave a comment

How do I know which outboard motor to buy, boating, ocean, sailing

The outboard motor is an essential piece of kit to ensure your vessel has adequate power, and it really isn’t a lot different to the traditional car or motorcycle engine, the main difference being that it does not power the wheels, rather the power is transferred to a specially made propeller. There are, of course, many manufacturers, and if you are in the market for an outboard motor, it is wise to talk to the experts, who happen to be suppliers.

The Right Choice of Outboard

There are two main types of outboard units, one using the traditional propeller and the other a jet unit, and your choice would depend on how much power you need. For that average boating enthusiast, a propeller is fine, and it would be a little cheaper than the jet version, which gives you more oomph for your money. Next time you are online, check out the outboard motors for sale at BBMS Swanwick, one of the UK’s leading outboard engine suppliers, who have a wide selection of new and used motors for sale, and all at affordable prices.

Suitable For Small Vessels

There’s a certain size limit for outboard motors, and with larger boats, it makes more sense to have an inboard engine fitted, and if you are in any doubt about this, your local outboard supplier would put you right. Outboard motors are not cheap, and if you are new to boating, you might want to opt for a used unit, at least until you get some experience under your belt, and with an online search, you’ll be able to locate a reputable outboard motor dealer that isn’t too far away. If you would like a complete guide to buying an outboard motor, there is an informative article about outboard motors that you can refer to.

Mercury Outboards

Of all the manufacturers, Mercury and Yamaha are regarded as the best buys, in terms of both durability and performance, and they both make a range of power units that are suitable for different sized vessels, and your local supplier would be able to recommend a suitable power unit when they know what boat you have – or are planning to buy. Investing in an outboard is not something to be rushed into, and it is advisable to listen to the supplier’s advice on the make and model that will best suit you.

An outboard motor is an essential requirement for the boating enthusiast, and it is not advised to go ahead with any purchase of you are new to the sport. Do some online research first, and you will soon realise how different they can be, and with online forums, you could always ask the marine experts to help with a choice.

Life, Parenting

Pictures from Our Outer Banks Family Vacation

07/06/2016 R.C. Liley 2 Comments

How much do you remember from your last family vacation? Seems like the moment vacation ends and we’re waking up in our own bed the next day, some of my memories have gone by the wayside.

Really, we just returned, how could that happen?! Often is the case, memories will come back little by little as days go by. Talking to friends and family about the trip helps recall events, as does looking at all of the vacation photos you took. You did take pics, right?

Upon finishing my day-by-day posts of our recent family vacation to Corolla, North Carolina in the Outer Banks, I realized I had left a few things out. I also just want to share more pics. In no particular order, here are a few more photos from our trip I somehow left out.