At the December meeting members of the Creative Writing Group presented their thought on the theme of Winter/Christmas with one member even attempting a Haiku.

Christmas Outing

The day had finally arrived! Nick had been counting down the days until his special surprise could be revealed. Over the last few years a different type of outing had been secretly planned and organised and this year was no different.

He’d spent a good few months ploughing through ideas and wondering how he could spend his traditional pre-Christmas day out with his two growing grandchildren. With each advancing year the much-anticipated trip had required careful consideration as the children were developing into individual young adults with enquiring minds.

Previous year’s events had included treasure hunts, zoo outings, soft play venues and cinema trips. Nick had tried to inject a humorous and fun element into their days and it could sometimes end with a twist. He realised that their childhood and development was in direct contrast to his own basic upbringing. The internet and access to knowledge was easily gained these days without even having to move off the sofa. Long gone are the days when a trek to the local library was needed to seek out information and find answers to his own questioning brain. Nick was old school and whenever he was in his grandchildren’s company, they loved to ask him questions about the ‘olden days!’ They would shake their heads in disbelief as grandpa embellished on stories of old.

Nick had never had this type of relationship with his own grandparents and he treasure this precious time together with them. Previous year’s weather hadn’t always been kind to them but today’s December day was unseasonably warm, however, the children had been advised to wrap up warmly, just in case. Grandpa occasionally hinted clues in the weeks leadingp to their day out, but red herrings were dropped into their conversations the older the children became.

As the children anxiously awaited the arrival of their Grandpa, proudly wearing their Christmas jumpers, they placed bets on exactly where they would be going. This also had become a tradition between them and as always Grandpa had kept the outcome a closely guarded secret. The chiming of the doorbell announced Grandpa Nick’s arrival and with a flurry of excitement and scrabbling around for shoes, coats and gloves the day was about to begin.

The children said their farewells to Mum and Dad and the customary game of rock, paper, scissors ensued to see who would be sitting first in the front seat of the car next to Grandpa. Nick could never remember whose turn it was to sit in the front so had suggested the traditional knock out game to decide. It would always go to ‘best of three’ and this year Holly had the honour, whilst Harry was resigned to being the back-seat driver!

The children had progressed from ‘eye-spy’ and word games in the car and were both plugged into their phones trying not to peep at the road signs to guess where they were headed. The last few years it had been agreed that mobile phones were to stay inside the car once they had reached their venue and the children had happily agreed to this.

Time passed quickly and they were soon motoring along the long private drive into the newly opened adventure park. Looking into his rear-view mirror Nick could see the excitement in his grandson’s eyes. Holly exclaimed that this had been on her wish list since the park’s opening a few months ago. Grandpa Nick explained that it probably wasn’t going to be as exciting as their trip to Disney World last Summer but we can make some memories here today am sure. Both of the children’s mobile phones were carefully placed into the car’s glove box as they skipped along to the park entrance pleading with Grandpa to hurry up!

Nick explained to Holly and Harry that he had devised a secret quiz which would be revealed in the car on the way home and that they must be on high alert during the day for clues. He would have a question for them later to test their knowledge as well as their awareness. Along with their entry tickets they were given a map of the park’s attractions and they each chose their favourite activity. Grandpa and the children all decided that they would finish their day in the Planetarium, but first on their list was Nick’s choice of the Big Dipper. The queues weren’t too long and they were soon seated on the front row of the ride. Nick was reminded of his childhood visits to Blackpool Pleasure Beach and this ride was a careful copy of the historic ride of his own childhood. It was quite a bumpy ride as the car slowly ascended and quickly descended over the curving track, but there was no mistaking the thrill on his grandchildren’s faces.

Next up was the shooting gallery and Harry proudly won himself a huge bear as a prize for being closest to the bull’s eye. Holly’s choice of the high ropes track immediately followed. Nick passed up on this idea, as on looking upwards saw that it threaded its way amongst the tall pine trees. Maybe a few years ago I would’ve given this a go but I’ll stay here and take some photos he thought to himself.

After their pizza lunch which was followed by a huge ice cream sundae, they made their way over to the planetarium for the afternoon show. A giant dome towered above them which gave a 360-degree view of the cosmos. Whichever way they turned their heads an immersive experience was revealed. They learnt of the origins of the solar system, the names of distant stars and the planetary set up and where our earth fitted in. Grandpa explained that the music which accompanied the show was by a composer called Gustav Holst.

Nick was enjoying educating the children and they both wondered whether Grandpa was dropping clues for later. All too soon it was time to head back to the car as Holly and Harry swopped seats for the drive home. “Righteo” said Grandpa “Who is ready for the quiz question, and who has been paying attention today?” The children eagerly awaited what Grandpa had been plotting. “I want you to tell me what the connection is to the different experiences you’vehad today?” he said

Together the children went over the day’s activities thinking about the things they had seen and done, and after much deliberation came up with “Enjoyment” “That’s a good guess but not the answer I’m looking for” said Grandpa “I think you need longer to consider” “Aww Grandpa you are such a tease” they both exclaimed.

On arriving back at their house Nick picked up a huge encyclopaedia from the boot of the car and they made their way indoors, seating themselves around the dining table for an explanation and the big reveal. “I want you to think about the first activity that we did today, then I want you to remember the prize that Harry won, and next recall for me the name of one of the stars in the show that we ended with” Nick carefully gave them the clues.

The children were still puzzling at the hints and looking at each other very confused until they both squealed “Go on then Grandpa please tell us” “Sometimes” he explained “It’s fun to search out information in an actual book!” He opened the encyclopaedia at the page relating to the Ursa Major constellation.

“I didn’t want this just to be an ordinary day out, but rather I thought I’d like to further your knowledge without you realising, but still make it fun” “Aww Grandpa, do tell us!” Holly said impatiently “The answer to my little quiz is……. The Plough!”

He explained to Holly and Harry that the American name for the star pattern which includes the Plough is known as The Big Dipper. “Harry won a bear at the shooting gallery, and the Plough forms part of the larger constellation of Ursa Major also known as The Great Bear. And the answer was there for you to see in the final show at the Planetarium!!” “Oh grandpa, that is so clever and we won’t forget that I promise” said Harry. Grandpa gave them both a big wink and said “There is still life in old Nick after all isn’t there?” “This is just the best day Grandpa, thank you so much, we love you” said Holly.