I am new to all this blogging so pardon me if I break any conventions. I am also of an age that is not too sensitive to being PC. If I cause offence, just take a deep breath and remember that free speech has its rights and obligations. There will be no calls for hellfire and damnation to any section of the community. No incitement to riot, strike civil commotion, war, declared or not, usurpation, armed insurrection or any of that violent stuff.
I am Dave, I am 74 years old and have lived through some dramatic changes in technology, social mores, human rights and stuff. Obligations seem to have been marginalised in all these rights and these I may point out as I ramble on.
My main reason for becoming a blogger is to try and recall those so called halcyon days of post war, Second War, that is, East London. Those days when land lines were as rare as they are becoming now. When TVs were contained in things the size of a modern fridge and in black and white only. Screens were between 9 and 12 inches diagonally. There was only one station. Radios were mostly battery driven. Electricity was just being rolled out to the domestic market nation wide. Trams were just giving way to trolley buses. Smog, thick, yellow, chocking, clouds of life threatening pollution, regularly brought London to a standstill. But wrong leaves, or snow, or rain or or wind did not exist. Radio comprised the Home and Light Programmes and Radio Luxembourg was the only commercial channel you might just be able to receive. Bill in Cologne (how did the get him in that little bottl ?) talked to Jean in London for an hour on Sunday, keeping the British Firces in Germany in touch with Mum, Dad and the family back in England. Wonderful names like RAF Gilsenkirchen, BFPO 29, Bombadier, Artificer zipped through the airwaves.
Sunday was a unique day. Someone once said if you were sealed in a lead lined box, you would still know it was Sunday. My house was full of the smells. Italy down the drain. Disinfected water on the Lino. Eggs and bacon in the morning, closely followed roasting meat and potatoes, boiled cabbage, parsnips, from then until one o'clock. For a treat Mum might cook an extra batter pudding, mixed dried fruit added to the raw mixture, to have with the wonderful gluttonous gravy she made, for afters ( pudding or sweet for the posh ).
In the winter the fire was just getting going in the living room. Vegetable peelings were piled on top to slow it down, filling the house with the reek of burning cabbage leaves. The fire was damped down so it was ready for the afterdinner nap. No afternoon sport on TV and the radio was turned off. The only sounds were the hefty snoring of Mum, Dad, and our lovely Border Collie/ Old English Sheep cross breed dog, Jock. I dozed or suffered from chronic indigestion if we had had pork.
Billy Cotton's Band show after Two Way Family Favourites ( Bill and Jean !) then a half hour comedy programme. The Goons, The Clitheroe Kid, The Navy Lark, Round the Horne, Beyond Our Ken, Educating Archie. All launched many a glittering career.
Tea ! Sunday evening tea! In the winter, Mum would - well that will wait. All these things can be, and will be expanded on as my blog developes
Beyond that there will be blogs about Captain Bligh, a hero of mine, Art versus accuracy in historical films, World War One, Rugby versus Football as an disciplinary educational medium. So, hopefully plenty to spark interest, comment, contributions and abuse. As a married man of nearly fifty years, with two daughters and a feisty grandson, abuse for my opinions has become a way of life ! Bring it on, as they say.
Stand by World ! Or possibly a happy handful of us
I am Dave, I am 74 years old and have lived through some dramatic changes in technology, social mores, human rights and stuff. Obligations seem to have been marginalised in all these rights and these I may point out as I ramble on.
My main reason for becoming a blogger is to try and recall those so called halcyon days of post war, Second War, that is, East London. Those days when land lines were as rare as they are becoming now. When TVs were contained in things the size of a modern fridge and in black and white only. Screens were between 9 and 12 inches diagonally. There was only one station. Radios were mostly battery driven. Electricity was just being rolled out to the domestic market nation wide. Trams were just giving way to trolley buses. Smog, thick, yellow, chocking, clouds of life threatening pollution, regularly brought London to a standstill. But wrong leaves, or snow, or rain or or wind did not exist. Radio comprised the Home and Light Programmes and Radio Luxembourg was the only commercial channel you might just be able to receive. Bill in Cologne (how did the get him in that little bottl ?) talked to Jean in London for an hour on Sunday, keeping the British Firces in Germany in touch with Mum, Dad and the family back in England. Wonderful names like RAF Gilsenkirchen, BFPO 29, Bombadier, Artificer zipped through the airwaves.
Sunday was a unique day. Someone once said if you were sealed in a lead lined box, you would still know it was Sunday. My house was full of the smells. Italy down the drain. Disinfected water on the Lino. Eggs and bacon in the morning, closely followed roasting meat and potatoes, boiled cabbage, parsnips, from then until one o'clock. For a treat Mum might cook an extra batter pudding, mixed dried fruit added to the raw mixture, to have with the wonderful gluttonous gravy she made, for afters ( pudding or sweet for the posh ).
In the winter the fire was just getting going in the living room. Vegetable peelings were piled on top to slow it down, filling the house with the reek of burning cabbage leaves. The fire was damped down so it was ready for the afterdinner nap. No afternoon sport on TV and the radio was turned off. The only sounds were the hefty snoring of Mum, Dad, and our lovely Border Collie/ Old English Sheep cross breed dog, Jock. I dozed or suffered from chronic indigestion if we had had pork.
Billy Cotton's Band show after Two Way Family Favourites ( Bill and Jean !) then a half hour comedy programme. The Goons, The Clitheroe Kid, The Navy Lark, Round the Horne, Beyond Our Ken, Educating Archie. All launched many a glittering career.
Tea ! Sunday evening tea! In the winter, Mum would - well that will wait. All these things can be, and will be expanded on as my blog developes
Beyond that there will be blogs about Captain Bligh, a hero of mine, Art versus accuracy in historical films, World War One, Rugby versus Football as an disciplinary educational medium. So, hopefully plenty to spark interest, comment, contributions and abuse. As a married man of nearly fifty years, with two daughters and a feisty grandson, abuse for my opinions has become a way of life ! Bring it on, as they say.
Stand by World ! Or possibly a happy handful of us
Comments
Post a Comment