China is questing! Episode 1/25

It was a bright and warm summer's day and a lot of pets had taken the opportunity to enjoy a visit to the seaside. With the funfair, the novelty shops along the pier, the telescope which, for the very reasonable price of one silver mole allowed you to view far across the sea, plus the excitement of running across the beach into the waves, what wasn't to love?
China paused to say hello to Elmo the crab, who was dreamily contemplating his rockpool. "Do you fancy coming on a trip on the helter-skelter, Elmo?" asked China.
"No, thank you very much all the same, China. I'm quite happy here. This is a splendid microcosm of our shoreline species in such a small space."
"Doesn't your life ever seem a little, you know, samey?" enquired China.

China is questing! Episode 2/25

Elmo seemed surprised. "No, not at all!" he responded. "Why not spend some time here with me and see what you think?"
China had no objection, and happily agreed.
Elmo led the way to a cheerful blue and white beach hut, freshly painted for the summer season. "This is where I spend the night," he informed China. "Underneath this hut, in the rockpool. It's very peaceful at night, with the sound of the sea lapping the beach." He pointed to a few treasures he'd collected. "This is my favourite shell. It goes well with mine."
After a few seconds, China realised what Elmo meant and admired the beautiful shell.

China is questing! Episode 3/25

Elmo then headed further down the beach and climbed up onto a favourite rock. "I like the sea in all its moods," he announced. "Summertime glittery blue today. Let's just watch that boat sail out of sight."
This took quite some time. Elmo and China sat in a companionable silence as they followed the vessel's progress.

China is questing! Episode 4/25

China and Elmo progressed down the hot sands. "Oh look, she's not busy today," remarked Elmo. China looked round, then realised Elmo was referring to the little sailing boat pulled up on the beach. "Isn't she lovely?" asked Elmo fondly. "Very neat and tidy—'trig', my Granny would call it. I sometimes imagine what it would be like sailing in her far out at sea. But I'm fine here on land."

China is questing! Episode 5/25

They made their way to a cove, and here the waves were bigger and choppier. "I love it when the waves are like this!" said Elmo. "It's very exhilarating!"
He and China spent some time advancing into the sea and being forced back in a spray of foam.
"You're right!" responded China. "It's great fun—more fun than the dodgems are!"

China is questing! Episode 6/25

Moving further down the coastline, the crab clambered on top of another of his special rocks. "This is a good look-out point," he remarked. "And right here, between the rocks, is the most splendid rock pool. Just look at all the life it teems with".
The pair spent some considerable time by and in the large rock pool, and Elmo pointed out the various flora and fauna occupying it: fish, crustaceans, anemones, bivalves, molluscs, starfish, even sponges—not to mention the myriad seaweeds. It was far more interesting than China could ever have imagined, and it was with a little regret that he agreed to Elmo's suggestion that they move on.

China is questing! Episode 7/25

"I just love this surf," said Elmo, letting a foamy wave fizz over him, then waiting while the sea pulled out and came in again, spraying him again.
"Look, there's another of those nice shells," remarked China. "We can add it to your collection."

China is questing! Episode 8/25

They continued on their way. "Here's another of my friends," said Elmo. "Bilbo's a little elderly, and he likes to have an afternoon nap on the beach." He paused beside Bilbo for a while. "We won't disturb him," he said. "I'll take you to see another of my pals."

China is questing! Episode 9/25

The next stop was atop a much larger rock. China heard a scrabbling noise, then another crab came into view. He and Elmo greeted each other with ease of longstanding friendship.
"Hello, China," said Buddy. "Welcome! Pull up a rock, ha ha!"

China is questing! Episode 10/25

"We've come quite a long way already," remarked China. "This is a very quiet beach."
His crustacean friend agreed. "This is too far from the entertainment of the novelty rock emporium and the fortune tellers on the pier to attract most pets. But look, here's Chip, the turtle."
Elmo and China came to a halt, one on each side of Chip. China expected one of the other two to say something, but not a word was spoken. Chip and Elmo stayed quiet and motionless on the beach, watching the tide come in.

China is questing! Episode 11/25

It seemed to China that it was a very long time till the tide almost reached them! Finally, Elmo stirred and spoke. "See you tomorrow, then," he said to Chip, who waved a flipper in reply. Elmo moved away with China back the way they had come.
"You must be very fond of watching the sea come in," hazarded China, still rather puzzled.
"Hmm?" responded the crab. "Well, yes, I am. But it's not that so much. I mean, yes, I enjoy it, but it's more how it makes me feel. Humans call it meditating."
After half a minute's silence, China ventured, "What do you call it?"
Elmo seemed baffled. "I don't call it anything. I just know it does me good."

China is questing! Episode 12/25

They had reached the busy part of the beach again, and Elmo gratefully accepted China's offer of a strawberry ice cream. China rushed to provide this, then disappeared to get herself some candy floss. In the interim, Elmo happily found additions to his shell collection.

China is questing! Episode 13/25

When they were suitably rested, Elmo suggested a trip underwater! He led the way to another cove. "There's a stack of snorkels and scuba gear for pets that need it over there, so that's all very handy. Right, here we go!"
He led the way into the sea and then underwater. China was mesmerised by the colourful jiggle of jellyfish that they found themselves amongst!

China is questing! Episode 14/25

They swam further along, and came across an amazingly beautiful blue fish. Elmo watched it flitting here and there amongst the blue fronds of seaweed that matched it almost exactly. "Good camouflage," he remarked.

China is questing! Episode 15/25

It was now late afternoon. Crab took China to visit a trio of friendly puffins.

China is questing! Episode 16/25

At their next stop, Elmo pointed out the amazing cloud formation of the early evening.

China is questing! Episode 17/25

Their next stop was a large flat rock battered by the sea waves. "This is exciting!" remarked Elmo. "It's the equivalent of some of the rides at the funfair. The game is to cling onto the rock without being swept off!"
China joined the crab on the rock and agreed it was very difficult to avoid ending up in the sea!

China is questing! Episode 18/25

By now evening had advanced. China couldn't believe how long he had spent in the crab's company already, and he hadn't felt bored once! Struck by this, she was about to remark on it to Elmo, but realised her friend was lost in contemplation of the sunset. Eventually however, Elmo came back to life and suggested they move on.
"More of what the humans call meditation?" suggested China as they proceeded down the beach.
"Yes," said Elmo simply.

China is questing! Episode 19/25

It was almost dark. Elmo stopped abruptly. "Look at those clouds," he murmured. "There's a blob of magical white mist there. It's almost as if it was put in by accident! The effect is not entirely uninteresting, however."
China was half-expecting another "meditation" session but Elmo said briskly, "Come on! We have another of my friends to meet."

China is questing! Episode 20/25

There was no mistaking who Crab had been referring to! It was a striking figure rearing up, silhouetted against the falling light. "He likes to take some evening exercise cantering along the beach," Crab explained.

China is questing! Episode 21/25

It was full dark but with illumination from the sky. Elmo climbed on top of another rock and remained in rapt contemplation. China stayed quietly in the background. After a while he became aware of music—Elmo was singing! China edged closer in order to hear better.
"Fair moon, to thee I sing,
Bright regent of the heavens,
Say, why is everything
Either at sixes or at sevens?"
The crab fell silent. Catching sight of his friend's puzzled look, he said, "H.M.S. Pinafore. Captain Corcoran's lament to the moon. He'd always tried to be a good and kindly captain, but his crew were rebelling and his daughter had fallen in love with someone who, in his opinion, was wholly unsuitable. If this were Portsmouth it would be the perfect setting."
"Yes, of course," answered China, totally uncomprehendingly. It occurred to her that she felt all at sea, and she had to chuckle to herself at how apt that was!

China is questing! Episode 22/25

"The lighthouse looks quite different by night, doesn't it?" remarked Elmo.
"Just imagine all the ships it might have saved in the past," responded China.
It was by now very late and they both sought shelter for the night in a rowing boat anchored to a sturdy rock.

China is questing! Episode 23/25

They were woken by bright daylight. Elmo stood up in the stern and stretched his claws, while China rested on the rock and contemplated the unexpected pleasures of the day before.

China is questing! Episode 24/25

Elmo and China made their way back to the beach hut, and China added the shells she had picked up to the collection underneath the hut.
"Elmo, thank you very much for an amazing outing. I was expecting to be a little bored at least some of the time but I wasn't, in the least."

China is questing! Episode 25/25

"You're very welcome, China! Do come and visit again whenever you would like—oh, and here's a souvenir of your visit."
"Thank you!" said China. "Here's to our ongoing friendship!"
China has enjoyed her day on the beach! Please select another pet as visitor, so it can also play by the sea!