My family ignore me, mostly, and sometimes I don't blame them.

Eastern Daily Press: Thalia wanted me to watch her jumping rather than admire the antics of the Wildcat Aerobatics.Picture: contributedThalia wanted me to watch her jumping rather than admire the antics of the Wildcat Aerobatics.Picture: contributed (Image: Archant)

The gorgeous man is so used to me trying to rush him that he doesn't seem to take much notice any more.

He certainly doesn't seem to move any quicker but just sighs and pulls faces as I'm hopping up and down near the door holding the coats.

'Hurry up and wait,' he says, whatever that means. He has the slowest breakfast in the world ever – muesli – but maybe having an instant rather than a gadget-involved coffee is his concession to leaving the house within an hour of the plan.

But as it's Father's Day I'm trying hard to control the rounding-up-the-sheep-style arm-waving that I apparently do at the family when I want us to leave.

Eastern Daily Press: We had an afternoon of watching shiny things zipping about, including the Bremont Great War Team. Picture: contributedWe had an afternoon of watching shiny things zipping about, including the Bremont Great War Team. Picture: contributed (Image: Archant)

We're going to Haven Great Yarmouth Air Show and I'm convinced that if we don't leave we'll be stuck in traffic when those skittish looking biplanes and triplanes of the Bremont Great War Display are performing. Plus if we miss the Spitfire or the Red Arrows, I'm not, even if it is Father's Day, going to be impressed.

We don't take the usual beach paraphernalia; windbreak, picnic blankets, buckets and spades and towels, because I'm convinced it's going to be so busy there won't be room to spread out.

But there seems to be less traffic than a normal summer's Sunday and we're there in no time. The sandy beach is much bigger than I remember, there's no queue for cups of tea and chips and Rob gets in a quick 'told you' as he goes off to buy buckets and spades.

We have an afternoon of Thalia paddling and both girls digging holes, backs mostly to the displays and me saying 'ooh' a lot.

Eastern Daily Press: There may be an airshow display, but there are holes to dig too. Picture contributedThere may be an airshow display, but there are holes to dig too. Picture contributed (Image: Archant)

'Look at the planes girls,' I keep saying as various shiny things zip about, and I pretty much force them to stop digging and watch the Red Arrows.

They clap in the right places and go back to their spades.

'What was your favourite part?' I ask later, and both say loyally: 'The Red Arrows.'

'Really?' I ask, remembering a lot of digging, splashing and handstands.

Eastern Daily Press: I was so happy to be there in good time for The Red Arrows display. Picture: Rob SilverI was so happy to be there in good time for The Red Arrows display. Picture: Rob Silver (Image: Archant)

'I want to go to another airshow,' adds Thalia, and I'm about to feel encouraged she appreciated the display, when she adds;

'And throw more pebbles in the sea.'

THERE WILL BE MORE

I have more aerial plans for the family. The Old Buckenham Air Show on July 28-29 doesn't have sand, or sea, but does have masses of on the ground family entertainment, plus pocket friendly local ice cream. The air display includes aerobatics, Sally B the B-17 Flying Fortress, Mustang, Spitfire, Hawker Hurricane, wingwalker, The Bremont Great War Display, and all manner of unusual aircraft. I can't wait, I might start encouraging Rob and the girls to start getting ready now.

Eastern Daily Press: The perfect father's day, digging holes. Picture contributedThe perfect father's day, digging holes. Picture contributed (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Hunting for pebbles to throw in the sea was a vital element of the airshow.Picture contributedHunting for pebbles to throw in the sea was a vital element of the airshow.Picture contributed (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Eyes on the sky for most people; on the sand for others. Picture contributedEyes on the sky for most people; on the sand for others. Picture contributed (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: You can take a child to the airshow but you can't make her watch. Picture: contributedYou can take a child to the airshow but you can't make her watch. Picture: contributed (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: I expected the beach to be too packed to play. I was wrong. Picture contributedI expected the beach to be too packed to play. I was wrong. Picture contributed (Image: Archant)