OFF TO THE BEACH!

Source: Speak Up

Language level: B1 Lower Intermediate

Speaker: Justin Ratcliffe

Standard: British accent

BRITISH HOLIDAYS ARE BACK

“Enjoying the Holiday?”I said to Shirley in the local café. Shirley looked at me didn’t say a word. She was dressed in her while uniform and blue apron, and she was sweating. Her customers were dressed in T-shirts and sunglasses, carrying beach balls and deck chairs. Shirley ran around, pouring cold drinks, preparing sandwiches and trying to keep the flies off the food.

Walking down Albert Road today, it seems as if everyone is on holiday. Mr. Venn’s piano shop is shut. Leo’s delicatessen has a sign: “on vacation.” Everybody is in shorts or swimming costumes. Most of them are already sun burnt. Britain’s weather is not reliable but, when the sun comes out, you can be sure we’ll get burnt!

BESIDE THE SEASIDE

“In the old says,” said Shirley, when things calmed down, “British beaches were full ever summer. With cheap rail travel, the Victorians became obsessed with holidays by the sea. Bridgton and Margate in the south, Blackpool and Scarborough in the north: all desirable destinations for rich and poor. Great hotels were built, music halls, palaces and piers.” She showed me postcards of typical British beach scenes. Beach cricket. Ice cream. Large ladies in small swimsuits. Men in deck chairs, their heads covered with a knotted handkerchief.

THE FRENCH CONNECTION

“The Emperor Louis Napoleon III of France and Empress Eugene loved the British seaside, “Shirley said. “Graham Greene describes their sute in his novel Brighton Rock.”

“So what happened?

“Cheap flights,” said Shirley simply. “When they could afford it, everybody flew abroad: Spain, Florida, Tuscany. The seaside became unfashionable. Grand hotels fell into decay; piers fell into the sea. Michael Ryan and Stelios Hai-loan-nou have a lot to answer for.” I looked at the crowds heading for the sea: “But now it’s changing?

Shirley nodded and wiped her forehead. “Global warming. Flights are expensive and damage the environment. Luckily Britain’s getting warmer. I sell English wine now, and people love it!”

The British seaside is back. Get out the bucket and spade. Send your friend a saucy postcard, and let’s building a sandcastle. You must excuse me: I’m off to the beach.

HOLIDAY GLOSSARY

Holiday comes from the Old English “halidgag” or holy day. The word meant a religious day. Today, the holidays mean any break from work or studying, but especially the Christmas, Easter and summer breaks.

If you are on holiday, it means you are not working: it can also mean you are travelling. In the USA, on vacation has both meanings.

A new variation is the stay-cation, which entered the dictionary in 20099. In this economic crisis, many people stay at home for their holidays, so they can save money and enjoy the things they normally don’t have time for.

House-swapping is another great way to have a holiday without paying for hotels. In fact, I’m borrowing my friend Harry’s house in Scotland next week. Harry called it “pigsitting” because he lives on a farm –like babysitting. Only with pigs – but this is not a real word! It’s always a good idea to look up national holidays of any country you visit. It may be difficult to shop or do business, or there may be celebrations. Try these sites: http://www.holidayyear.com http://www.bank-holidays.com

A gap year can be taken between school and university: a chance to travel, work and discover yourself. Later in your career this is “taking a year out.”

A break from the military (or prison) is called furlough, if you have permission. If you don’t, you are AWOL –“Absent Without Leave” –and in big trouble!