I'm back!
After a long pause, I thought I might shake off the cobwebs in the dark corners of my mind, and shed some light on my life as it was when I was young and full of , err...now what was it?...oh yes, life.
I must say sorry to Claire. It seems she does read about Flip, and has missed my little bits of a young boy's days in the suburb of London among the coster mongers and stall holders who sell all manner of things.
Not sure what I'm going to put down yet; just have to play it by ear. A bit hard to type that way but I will try!
The war years were frightening and fun for us kids, with spending nights down the underground railway (tube), riding the trains until they stopped running. I got to know most of the different lines that circled London, and thought I was very clever when I could say where the Bakerloo or Elephant & Castle went to. Apart from that there was music on the platforms - someone playing a mouth organ or a banjo - and of course always someone who could sing a good song and those that thought they could!
Housie housie was a big thing (bingo). Kids were not allowed to play as money was used. But then, as today, I still cannot get into the excitement of this game. Maybe takes too much skill to win mmmm.
My Saturdays spent working on the barrow were long but then I was a loner so had nothing else to do. Lots of dear old ladies used to talk and cuddle me - I think I enjoyed it. I never had a kiss or a cuddle at home. Actually, when I look back, I'm sure people around my area never showed any affection to their kids. That was how it was. Never heard my mother say to me once "I love you." Just wasn't done. So sad.
Dad's horse old Tom used to listen to my moans and groans and never seemed to mind, just a soft whinnying now and then. But then I had to clean his stable, change his straw, brush him down and use the calico comb on him and he loved that. Well, I think he did. He never bit me.
Friday night was a big night as we had to prepare the fruit and veg for the stall for Saturday. Make sure all the goods were in good condition. Celery in those days was washed and trimmed - a cold job in the winter months. Brussels sprouts had to be checked over. All the yellow parts had to be taken off. Trimmed sacks of these every Friday night.
The last thing I did on a Friday night was to cook the beetroots. I put them into hessian sacks, which were then placed into a boiler and cooked for about four hours. I didn't have to wait around for them, so I used to wander the streets until it was time to return. Then I'd turn off the gas and lift them out. Of course I had to test them to make sure they were cooked properly! Then I laid them out in shallow boxes, making sure they didn't rub against each other - didn't want any bruising. A bit different today when you see how they are handled.
Of course, I loved to visit the farrier with my father when Tom had to have new shoes. The blacksmith was just up the road from us. I loved the smells of the brazier and sometimes I would pump the bellows for him, but mostly it was nice and warm.
My big fishing day then was a fishing net along the canal catching tiddlers. I thought I was good if I caught one but couldn't keep them anyway.
We all threw stones at the water rats as we saw them scurry along the edge of the canal. Nasty looking things. Still hate them.
As you can see I have wandered in my memories today. I think my brains index is getting a little cockeyed but as long as someone is reading this, I shall push on.
Sunday, 22 March 2009
Tuesday, 12 August 2008
Evacuated
The news on arrival wasn't at all good. It seemed we were to be separated and billeted to different families. My eldest brother and me with one family, and Tom with another. Not a good start at all.
We walked quite a way to a farm, through a gate and down a path to a cottage. Very different to the house we came from back in London! There were no other houses in sight, except the farmer's place. Ernie and I were to share the attic, just two single beds one each side of the opening - there was no door. We had to bend to get into bed owing to the slope of the roof.
Nothing much happened that I recall on that first day, just settling in and being told the rules. I was feeling sad so far from home, isolated and no love here.
The toilet was a shed a little way along the path - erk - something different and not at all what we were used to. I didn't like the dark when I was young, so I had some scary moments on my sojourns to the hole in the ground.
The next day we had to walk to the school in the village to be checked out and given our places to sit. There was only one room, divided by a blackboard that could be pulled down from the ceiling. One class one side and the rest on the other. We found this amusing as our school back in London was huge compared to this.
I can't remember much about the rest of the day. I think we were allowed to play in the small playground they had made. I'm sure we enjoyed that. Then back to our little cottage for tea.
At least they fed us well. Most of the stuff came from the farm so it wasn't so hard to get as it was back in the cities. That night we had tea, read our books and talked but the only light was by an old kerosene lamp. I liked eating cheese with home made bread and the smell of the lamp. I wonder why I remember that? One of the good things, I guess.
We walked quite a way to a farm, through a gate and down a path to a cottage. Very different to the house we came from back in London! There were no other houses in sight, except the farmer's place. Ernie and I were to share the attic, just two single beds one each side of the opening - there was no door. We had to bend to get into bed owing to the slope of the roof.
Nothing much happened that I recall on that first day, just settling in and being told the rules. I was feeling sad so far from home, isolated and no love here.
The toilet was a shed a little way along the path - erk - something different and not at all what we were used to. I didn't like the dark when I was young, so I had some scary moments on my sojourns to the hole in the ground.
The next day we had to walk to the school in the village to be checked out and given our places to sit. There was only one room, divided by a blackboard that could be pulled down from the ceiling. One class one side and the rest on the other. We found this amusing as our school back in London was huge compared to this.
I can't remember much about the rest of the day. I think we were allowed to play in the small playground they had made. I'm sure we enjoyed that. Then back to our little cottage for tea.
At least they fed us well. Most of the stuff came from the farm so it wasn't so hard to get as it was back in the cities. That night we had tea, read our books and talked but the only light was by an old kerosene lamp. I liked eating cheese with home made bread and the smell of the lamp. I wonder why I remember that? One of the good things, I guess.
Saturday, 26 July 2008
Christmas and war
Christmas is always a busy time on the barrow, but I like the hustle and bustle and everyone is happy.
This year was going to be special for me. The figure eight car racing set that I want, is going to be mine after we finish our day. Mum promised I could have it this year, after I cleared up around the barrow. I was eager to set off to the toy shop that sold them. Mum left me outside while she went inside to get it. I saw her talking to the shop assistant and knew there and then, there wouldn't be any car set. It seemed they had sold out.
But then I should have known better. I'd never had a present before, just an apple, orange and a few nuts in a stocking. I don't recall ever getting a Christmas gift or a birthday present either; but I did want that racing set.
When the new year started there was talk of war with Germany. A man by the name of Adolf Hitler was going to conquer the world - not that us kids understood it all. We carried on playing our games, and going to school. Until we heard on the radio that Britain had declared war on Germany.
Everything went fast from then. We had to go and get our gas mask, be shown how to fit it, and told we had to have it with us at all times. It fitted into a cardboard box with a string to hang it around our neck. Next thing our parents had to register for ration books, so things were going to be scarce very soon. Even sweets were rationed!
I can't remember how much we were allowed. All I know is that I gave them up for a long while - I guess I was sweet enough!
Two sweets, I do recall, were Spanish wood and a farthing gob stopper. They lasted for hours.
Next came the air raid drill. If the siren sounded we had to make our way to the cloak room. During the length of the raids we could never work out why it was safer there than anywhere else in the school. Also, if the siren went on our way to school, and if we were nearer home, we were told to go back, so they always sounded nearer home of course! But that was later.
The authorities informed all parents that school children would be evacuated if they wanted to be. This sounded like fun to my brothers and me, so we put our names down on a list to go. Some time later the school sent home notes with instructions for our big adventure.
We had to pack a bag with our clothes, then we were taken to the railway station, and formed groups of each school, until departure time. We all had a label tied to our lapel with our name and address, in case we forgot who we were! We got on the train, I think a bit upset as we had never been away from home before, not even on holiday.
...to be continued
Flip
This year was going to be special for me. The figure eight car racing set that I want, is going to be mine after we finish our day. Mum promised I could have it this year, after I cleared up around the barrow. I was eager to set off to the toy shop that sold them. Mum left me outside while she went inside to get it. I saw her talking to the shop assistant and knew there and then, there wouldn't be any car set. It seemed they had sold out.
But then I should have known better. I'd never had a present before, just an apple, orange and a few nuts in a stocking. I don't recall ever getting a Christmas gift or a birthday present either; but I did want that racing set.
* * * * *
When the new year started there was talk of war with Germany. A man by the name of Adolf Hitler was going to conquer the world - not that us kids understood it all. We carried on playing our games, and going to school. Until we heard on the radio that Britain had declared war on Germany.
Everything went fast from then. We had to go and get our gas mask, be shown how to fit it, and told we had to have it with us at all times. It fitted into a cardboard box with a string to hang it around our neck. Next thing our parents had to register for ration books, so things were going to be scarce very soon. Even sweets were rationed!
I can't remember how much we were allowed. All I know is that I gave them up for a long while - I guess I was sweet enough!
Two sweets, I do recall, were Spanish wood and a farthing gob stopper. They lasted for hours.
Next came the air raid drill. If the siren sounded we had to make our way to the cloak room. During the length of the raids we could never work out why it was safer there than anywhere else in the school. Also, if the siren went on our way to school, and if we were nearer home, we were told to go back, so they always sounded nearer home of course! But that was later.
The authorities informed all parents that school children would be evacuated if they wanted to be. This sounded like fun to my brothers and me, so we put our names down on a list to go. Some time later the school sent home notes with instructions for our big adventure.
We had to pack a bag with our clothes, then we were taken to the railway station, and formed groups of each school, until departure time. We all had a label tied to our lapel with our name and address, in case we forgot who we were! We got on the train, I think a bit upset as we had never been away from home before, not even on holiday.
...to be continued
Flip
Wednesday, 23 July 2008
Nicknames
Today I thought I would tell you about my family names we all had for each other and were widely used outside the home too. I must say I can't explain why the names or what they meant. So I will leave it up to you all to ponder.
Grandfather was 'Twinny' and Dad was called 'Goidy'. Then there was Uncle Boo, Uncle Nitna and my aunt was Liggie. Her daughters were Tiggie and Babe. Only one of my brothers had a nickname and he was called Pomp. My grandad's brother's name was Apple!
And my name was Flip. That was the name I used until I left school at age fourteen. Only my teachers addressed me in the correct manner.
Hence, you will notice throughout I will possibly refer to Flip.
Keeping it short today, not sure if anyone is reading this any way but if you are, I thank you.
Flip
Grandfather was 'Twinny' and Dad was called 'Goidy'. Then there was Uncle Boo, Uncle Nitna and my aunt was Liggie. Her daughters were Tiggie and Babe. Only one of my brothers had a nickname and he was called Pomp. My grandad's brother's name was Apple!
And my name was Flip. That was the name I used until I left school at age fourteen. Only my teachers addressed me in the correct manner.
Hence, you will notice throughout I will possibly refer to Flip.
Keeping it short today, not sure if anyone is reading this any way but if you are, I thank you.
Flip
Sunday, 20 July 2008
Way Back When
Back today to continue my ramblings. I'm not sure how this is all going to turn out, but I'm trying.
These were the years of talk of war with Germany but of course us kids didn't really understand so carried on as usual. We rode our home made scooters and billy carts, played up the wall with our cigarette cards, championship conker matches. We tried all ways to harden them to make them last through numerous hits, but all succombed in the end!
We had whipping tops, peg tops, chippers, and of course the inevitable matchsticks down the gutters when it rained - not much traffic in those days so it was quite safe to play on the streets. I once road a horse bare back on the road, could you imagine doing that today?
The canal ran parallel to our street with a bridge across called the Halfpenny Steps (hapeny steps as we used to call them). I was told that was the cost to go across when it was first built, but I can't comfirm this. It was a great meeting place for us kids.
I forgot to mention it was a short dead end street before the bridge with about six houses and also was the entrance to the public baths - two indoor swimming pools, one for females and one for us men no mixing!
I went to St Mary's school, about five minutes from home although I wasn't a catholic. Not sure why this was but then lots of things in my life didn't make sense. I did enjoy my schooldays. Loved the lessons, some of the nuns were very nice but others were a little bit on the angry side.
I always remember the name of the one I had when I first started. Her name was Sister Ansel. Not sure why I remember that name. Must have made an impression on me.
That's all for today. I would like questions if anyone has any, and will answer them if I can,.
Be back soon.
Flip
These were the years of talk of war with Germany but of course us kids didn't really understand so carried on as usual. We rode our home made scooters and billy carts, played up the wall with our cigarette cards, championship conker matches. We tried all ways to harden them to make them last through numerous hits, but all succombed in the end!
We had whipping tops, peg tops, chippers, and of course the inevitable matchsticks down the gutters when it rained - not much traffic in those days so it was quite safe to play on the streets. I once road a horse bare back on the road, could you imagine doing that today?
The canal ran parallel to our street with a bridge across called the Halfpenny Steps (hapeny steps as we used to call them). I was told that was the cost to go across when it was first built, but I can't comfirm this. It was a great meeting place for us kids.
I forgot to mention it was a short dead end street before the bridge with about six houses and also was the entrance to the public baths - two indoor swimming pools, one for females and one for us men no mixing!
I went to St Mary's school, about five minutes from home although I wasn't a catholic. Not sure why this was but then lots of things in my life didn't make sense. I did enjoy my schooldays. Loved the lessons, some of the nuns were very nice but others were a little bit on the angry side.
I always remember the name of the one I had when I first started. Her name was Sister Ansel. Not sure why I remember that name. Must have made an impression on me.
That's all for today. I would like questions if anyone has any, and will answer them if I can,.
Be back soon.
Flip
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