On a recent trip to visit my father in Pembrokeshire I stopped at the only beach shop available in the area, for a bottle of water.

Coming from London I’m used to crazy prices for things and Pembrokeshire prices are usually a pleasant relief for my wallet.

However this was not the case this day as the lady behind the counter asked me for 1.30 for a small bottle of water!

‘What are these, London prices?!’ I exclaimed.

‘No Pembrokeshire prices’, was the stone faced response.

My father said he wouldn’t pay, and walked out. Being a  local makes these prices hard to swallow for the natives!

I felt the same, but in these situations we have to weigh up in this case – whether my ‘thirst is worth quenching’ rather than whether the ‘water is worth the money’ even when I know its probably been purchased for 20p.

Also, once it’s done and paid for and drunk, I’m not thirsty any more and I forget about it.

If I stay thirsty all day its a catalyst for anger, because I’m constantly reminded by being thirsty of the injustice of a monopolising beach shop which then effects my mood which makes me go round and round in circles, thirsty and angry, but changing nothing instead of enjoying a beautiful beach and a gorgeous day.

If I’m not willing to sort myself out first how can I expect to change anything else.

Principles are great, but not if you are the only one who ends up paying for them.

Just because I stay thirsty doesn’t change the shop’s ethics. There’s no where else to go to buy water, so people will keep going back whether I walk away or not.

The water may not have been worth the money but not being thirsty and having a peaceful satisfied walk on the beach was worth every penny.

If we want to change something then perhaps we need to look at what we want rather than what someone else is  getting from us, because these beach shops are everywhere in different guises so know what’s really important before you walk away empty handed.