1.

THE COOL WIND that whistled over the shore came from far out at sea. It carried with it smells of the ages. History; epic tales of sea battles from long, long ago. It also brought tales from fishermen and sailors who would swear blind that their ships had been attacked by ferocious sea monsters or their men had been seduced by beautiful sirens of the sea, half woman, half fish, singing tales of love, before ultimately luring the unsuspecting sailors into watery graves. It brought tales of pirates and lost treasures, of discovery and loss, of prisoners being transported to foreign lands and people in search of new lives and new adventures. 

It also brought the birds. 

Large, majestic birds, with long, streamlined, beautiful yellow beaks. They sailed on the eddies and currents of the wind, their cries bringing their majesty and ambience to the sea-side towns up and down the coasts of this green and pleasant land. Their calls echoed from the hills in the distance and ricocheted from the promenades lined with neat, colourful hotels, quaint shops, bars, and restaurants. 

Ladies pushing prams, dressed in summer clothes; dads acting the fool with their children in the streets and on the beaches; young men vying for the attentions of young ladies eating ice-creams while the young ladies pretend not to be interested in the antics of silly boys. 

This was a sea-side resort. 

There are many of them up and down the coasts, all of them similar, all of them familiar, and all of them rich in the traditions of holidaying families. 

The cries from the birds are as anticipated as the smell of fish and chips, of candyfloss, of the bleeps and bells of arcade games, and the squeals of children being teased by their fathers.