27 Topic Ten: Pastimes

Dictation 25

A Sunday Picnic

Organizing and hosting a picnic for the family and friends is a great way to bring everyone together for outdoor activities, food and fun. All you need is a little planning, packing and sunshine to create a memorable day.

Last Sunday we went picnicking. It was such a spur of the moment decision, but it turned out to be a perfect afternoon. Isn't it strange how the most special moments in life are also often the most random? So we drove to the bay and found a splendid picnic spot. Mom spread a buffet table with glorious amounts of food piled high in metal bowls, straw baskets and the like. The younger children cruised down it and were tempted by the barbecued chicken being made by Dad. It turned out to

be delicious and we managed it rather quickly and then had Mother's fabulous salad, with pasta, raisins and broccoli dressed with mayonnaise.

After the meal we decided to entertain ourselves. Dad constructed a raft and we dived off it splashing about with our feet. Then my younger brother Sam nearly got drowned as he had a mouthful of water. My elder brother Tim hurt his leg on a rock while jumping into the water. Dad thought it would be safer for us if we played some games. So we played badminton and volleyball while Mother was having a nap.

All of a sudden the sun went in and the sky was overcast so we had to look for a shelter immediately. Fortunately the rain didn't last long and we didn't get a soaking. When the clouds lifted it was time for us to go home. All in all, the picnic was superb and relaxing and definitely a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon together.

28

Dictation 26*

Pastimes

The way a man spends leisure time can tell more about his character than his work. For most men work is a necessity in order to earn a living. A great number of people have not even been able to choose the occupation, but have been forced by economic reasons to take the first job that came their way. But in free time they do what they desire and their real selves are reflected in the activities.

Some people are completely passive. They go to a place of entertainment where no effort is required: a cinema or a dancing hall. And if the latter is chosen, they do not dance but simply sit and watch others.

A different type of person hurries home from work full of eagerness to begin some scheme which they have been planning for spare time. Perhaps their hobby is carpentry or model engineering and gardening or they might wish to write a book, or to study some subject in which they are interested. This is a creative type of personality and their free hours are full of promise and they can look back on them with satisfaction when they review what they have achieved.

Leisure should refresh and help people to battle with the problems of life. Frequently this freshness comes not from doing anything, but from filling one's mind with springs of beauty. A man gets full value from contemplating nature, listening to music or reading highbrow literature. By this a person can form his own source of inspiration. That is a wonderful pastime.