Shirley Tart: Cheap fun in the sun? You can bank on it
People are being priced out of day trips because costs are soaring, apparently. That's bad news with summer holidays on the way.
Firstly, there's tickets to the attraction, and transport there and back. Then you'll need to feed the family once you're there, plus a trip to the gift shop for souvenirs emblazoned with the attraction's logo.
When one day trip is more expensive than the week's food shop for six, you can see the problem.
But need this be the case? I don't think so.
Not everything is overpriced.
If you're paying the same for an ice cream as you would for a nice lunch in a modest café, then take action. If enough of us boycott these rip-off merchants, they'll soon get the message.
If fewer punters pile into the most expensive football matches, theme parks or cinemas, maybe it'll concern the owners into doing something drastic. Like dropping their prices.
And while it can seem hard to keep youngsters happy, some days out can be achieved for just a few bob each.
Whenever we had a young godson staying with us we'd go for a picnic. This meant taking him, the dogs and any stray friends, and ambling across a bridge to another smaller bridge over a stream. It was the most lovely spot.
Once there, we played Poohsticks, first mentioned in A.A. Milne's House at Pooh Corner.
It's easy to play. Everyone collects a stick they think might travel down stream easily. Competitors mark their sticks, stand on one side of the bridge, drop them into the water then rush across to the other side to see which reappears first.
Think that sounds boring? Rubbish. It's great fun, inexpensive and brings out the competitive spirit in even the most demanding child.
Afterwards, you all find a sunny spot to sit down and eat lunch which, by then, is very welcome.
A cheap day out, simples!
