We didn’t have a car when I was a child. So we went everywhere by train or bus. Sometimes the journeys were fun days out. Sometimes, not. But I still love train journeys.
On Sundays I would go and visit my Dad. He lived in a little basement room with few frills. His flat cap was never far away, or his cigarettes. Usually the coal fire would be lit and the football would be on the tele.
Along a small, old street in my home town of Scarborough was the back-entrance to the sports shop ‘Sydenhams and Co’. It was a bit dusty and tatty and dead flies lay in the window display. But to me it was a treasure trove, because at the back of the shop was the saddler’s, with all the equestrian paraphernalia. For a pony mad kid it was heaven! I especially remember the beautiful hacking jackets hanging on racks inside the store. How I longed to own one.
Here’s the street today … the old saddlers is somewhere on the right, half way up. Iit’s unrecognizable now. Still one of my favorite streets, though it’s certainly had a facelift!
A rope on a tree was always a fun swing – especially over a pond! (And it occurs to me I finally made it over the pond – to the USA!)
I loved going on school trips. I recall one weekend on the Yorkshire Moors, walking with Mr. Adams the chemistry teacher on the windy, Whitby moors.
When I was about 5 I would go and visit my grandparents. They lived in a row of millworker’s cottages. Grandad grew prize winning chrysanthemums.
We couldn’t have a dog, so I used to advertise to walk other people’s. Mitzi was one my favorites.
Cookery at school didn’t always go as planned. Happy to say I cook a mean cake now.
There was always a passel of kittens at my Nan’s house – and riding the hoover was their favorite game.
I adored going to the market when I visited my Gran. The haberdashery stall was my favorite with all the ribbons and lace and buttons. I am still drawn to ‘notions’ when I go to a store.
Look Back In Candour 