My little brother and I were allowed to run feral throughout our '70s/80s childhoods in Essex. Except for Sundays, when Mum would pack the two of us plus Dad off for the afternoon so she could settle down to read the latest copy of Woman's Realm (or whatever her womag of choice was back then). Dad took his son and daughter to airshows or the cinema, which is why I'm now an expert on WW2 aircraft and war films.
Love this. Reading it at the local Lido ( as seen in the One Day series on t’telly) where I have taken my granddaughter. Surely that gets me points? Skipton was indeed a charming little town and it was lovely strolling around with you and Bridget. The new novel sounds like a good un! Can’t wait to read xx
I grew up in Rochdale, and school (not ny parents) did drag me to the Co-op museum (Rochdale had the first ever branch of the co-op). There really wasn’t much to do there except a walk around the lake that was actually a fake lake, man made. 😂‘Nixon’s Shoe Cellar’ was a frequent family outing. The combined smell of sweaty plastic, leather and rubber followed by watching snooker still evokes Sunday to me😂
I love it that there is/was a Co-op museum! Have you been to the Pencil Museum in Penrith? Or perhaps it's Keswick. It's something else (no, it really is).
We got a bus to Finningley air show once, and had summer holidays in Cleethorpes or Scarborough. I’ve vague memories of my parents suggesting cultural outings and flat out refusing to go. Mea culpa!
Yorkshire Dales. Rolling green landscape. Vintage boats and trains. THREE bloody friends on the same day? I haven’t had three friends in sixty-seven years. (Overheard from a co-worker years ago: “Rafy thinks nobody likes him because he’s Puerto Rican. Nobody likes him because he’s an asshole.”) That Sylko looks good enough to eat, and don’t even get me started on that cheese stall. And what’s that bright yellow thing in the sky? (It’s been overcast and cold here the past ten days.) You have no idea how much I’m hating you right now. I’ll try to get over it. (Not really, I’m just going to sit here with my cold hands and feet and let it fester.) Glad that you finally covered the last nine miles to your dream village. Nitey-nite, luv!
Ha - I love that overheard comment from a co-worker. I hope that made it into your book! & hope the sun shines soon where you are to alleviate your envy. (Please remember that 99% of the time - it feels like - rain is pouring down in Glasgow).
I dragged a plastic Collie dog on a string (imaginatively called 'Pet') down the back lane behind our house between the years of 1974-76. After I got bored of that, I picked the peeling paint off garages.
So true, Fiona! My 70s upbringing was spent almost entirely in my hometown. A visit to the big city (Edinburgh) would be courtesy of a school trip to the zoo (I had chicken pox so missed the zoo). Endless summers zooming around on our bikes and rollerskates, playing tennis in the park pretending to be Bjorn Borg. Ah, the days. So, I resolved to take my two kids out traveling everywhere - they barely remember any of it.
Yes, put it like that there was something glorious about those endless unsupervised summers of just messing around, picking bits of grass and sitting on walls. I feel quite sorry for today's highly scheduled kids x
There are very few newsletters I laugh out loud at but I always do at yours. Thank you! This was my exact experience of a 70s childhood! When watching Allo Allo with cheese on toast was the main weekend activity!
So glad you enjoy my ramblings Kate, thank you! Ah yes bubbling hot mouth searing cheese on toast. A highlight of the decade! Even better when accompanied by a bowl of Heinz tomato soup. Guess we had it pretty good really 😄
Wasn’t it! The epitome of sophistication!
This is lovely in so many ways . Chicken in a basket though…..The biggest treat of all time in about 1980!
My little brother and I were allowed to run feral throughout our '70s/80s childhoods in Essex. Except for Sundays, when Mum would pack the two of us plus Dad off for the afternoon so she could settle down to read the latest copy of Woman's Realm (or whatever her womag of choice was back then). Dad took his son and daughter to airshows or the cinema, which is why I'm now an expert on WW2 aircraft and war films.
I love that, that you were all packed off to give your mum a bit of space. And that - presumably - your dad’s film choices won out!
Another great column. Ordered the book obvs 😉
Thank you Moy! Really hope you enjoy!
Love this. Reading it at the local Lido ( as seen in the One Day series on t’telly) where I have taken my granddaughter. Surely that gets me points? Skipton was indeed a charming little town and it was lovely strolling around with you and Bridget. The new novel sounds like a good un! Can’t wait to read xx
Thanks love! Was great to be whisked along with you by Bridget, our guide. My dad asked me lots of qus about the canal, which I was unable to answer.
I grew up in Rochdale, and school (not ny parents) did drag me to the Co-op museum (Rochdale had the first ever branch of the co-op). There really wasn’t much to do there except a walk around the lake that was actually a fake lake, man made. 😂‘Nixon’s Shoe Cellar’ was a frequent family outing. The combined smell of sweaty plastic, leather and rubber followed by watching snooker still evokes Sunday to me😂
I love it that there is/was a Co-op museum! Have you been to the Pencil Museum in Penrith? Or perhaps it's Keswick. It's something else (no, it really is).
No, is there plenty to draw your attention?😉😂😂
ONLY the world’s biggest pencil!
We got a bus to Finningley air show once, and had summer holidays in Cleethorpes or Scarborough. I’ve vague memories of my parents suggesting cultural outings and flat out refusing to go. Mea culpa!
Yes, the dreaded cultural outing! To be fair, I did go to Bradford annually (a vast ten miles away) to see Father Christmas...
Yorkshire Dales. Rolling green landscape. Vintage boats and trains. THREE bloody friends on the same day? I haven’t had three friends in sixty-seven years. (Overheard from a co-worker years ago: “Rafy thinks nobody likes him because he’s Puerto Rican. Nobody likes him because he’s an asshole.”) That Sylko looks good enough to eat, and don’t even get me started on that cheese stall. And what’s that bright yellow thing in the sky? (It’s been overcast and cold here the past ten days.) You have no idea how much I’m hating you right now. I’ll try to get over it. (Not really, I’m just going to sit here with my cold hands and feet and let it fester.) Glad that you finally covered the last nine miles to your dream village. Nitey-nite, luv!
Thanks, luv. You’re a good sport!
Ha - I love that overheard comment from a co-worker. I hope that made it into your book! & hope the sun shines soon where you are to alleviate your envy. (Please remember that 99% of the time - it feels like - rain is pouring down in Glasgow).
I dragged a plastic Collie dog on a string (imaginatively called 'Pet') down the back lane behind our house between the years of 1974-76. After I got bored of that, I picked the peeling paint off garages.
Was this in Hull? Sounds like it was all going on there. I'm jealous!
Yes! It was crazy! We also had a lot of dock leaves!
So true, Fiona! My 70s upbringing was spent almost entirely in my hometown. A visit to the big city (Edinburgh) would be courtesy of a school trip to the zoo (I had chicken pox so missed the zoo). Endless summers zooming around on our bikes and rollerskates, playing tennis in the park pretending to be Bjorn Borg. Ah, the days. So, I resolved to take my two kids out traveling everywhere - they barely remember any of it.
Yes, put it like that there was something glorious about those endless unsupervised summers of just messing around, picking bits of grass and sitting on walls. I feel quite sorry for today's highly scheduled kids x
There are very few newsletters I laugh out loud at but I always do at yours. Thank you! This was my exact experience of a 70s childhood! When watching Allo Allo with cheese on toast was the main weekend activity!
So glad you enjoy my ramblings Kate, thank you! Ah yes bubbling hot mouth searing cheese on toast. A highlight of the decade! Even better when accompanied by a bowl of Heinz tomato soup. Guess we had it pretty good really 😄