We may be experiencing the best weather in years, and the idea of sunshine still in August is slightly alien to us.

But for most of us, summer childhood memories revolve around trips to the beach, whether it was sunny or not. The net tied to a bit of bamboo to catch crabs, packing a picnic, trying to keep the sand off your lunch, 7up to wash it all down and a 99 if you’re lucky!

Here’s a nostalgic look back at trips to Irish beaches over the years!

 

Applying the Sun Cream

Remember when your mammy put on mountains of sun cream on you so you look as white as snow? There was always far too much to rub in and the majority of the time it would rub off and you’d still end up burning!

 

The Essential Tools to Build that Ultimate Sand Castle

A day out on the beach meant that you had to be prepared for some quality sand castle building. Equipped with a wee bucket and spade, you had the tools to make any castle you wished, moat and all. AND if you were very fancy, you’d have a bucket in the shape of a castle to save you time!

 

The Picnic Box and Other Goodies

A trip to the beach meant that you would be well fed for the day. Ham sandwiches were the classic, with a bottle of 7up and a packet of crisps (maybe even a 99 to complete your outing). For the real beach feel, some parents even brought the disposable barbeque for some fried treats!

 

The Fact that Something Would Blow Away

Whether it was your windshield, your towel or your beach ball, some beach item was always going to fly off into a different direction – then the chase would begin.

 

Sand Would Go Places Where it Shouldn’t

You were almost guaranteed to have stray bits of sand blow into your sandwich. If it wasn’t your sandwich the grains would end up in your drinks, in your swimming togs or be discovered on your drive home.

 

7Up Free is asking people to submit what will uplift their summer. They will be giving away lots of prizes throughout the summer for the best entries. To be in with a chance to win people can enter via Twitter using the hashtag #upliftmysummer or enter via Facebook or the website www.7up.ie. Whether they want a weekly Friday ice cream to brighten their day or tickets to one of the hottest festivals in Europe, the 7-Up Free team might just make it happen!