Now what are your memories of summer? Of days that are long gone and past. Are your memories of wall to wall sunshine, of warm days that went on and on?
When I think of my childhood in London, and yes I was once a child; I think of the outdoors and playtime of weather so gentle and mild.
Of Wanstead Park just outside London, from home a good four miles walk, but no one complained of the distance, we filled travelling time with fun talk.
I remember too Wanstead flats funfair, of roundabouts coloured so bright. It was nice going there in the daylight, but magic on a warm summer’s night.
Big brothers would try to win coconuts and O the sweet coconut taste, if you used the shells to make noises then never a scrap went to waste.
Then there were the days of high summer when out on the pavement we’d play, no traffic for danger or noises, we’d wile daylight hours all away.
We’d play whip and top or with yoyo’s or sit on the step playing jacks, we’d not worry about too much sunshine, we liked the warm sun on our backs.
We loved playing mothers and fathers, our children were so good and kind, even when dad went off to the office leaving hard working mothers behind.
Our dinners were flowers and privet on sycamore leaves nicely set. We never considered it might rain and all of our dinners get wet.
But of course the real highlight of summer was the Lowestoft trip on the train, we came different months every year but never had one drop of rain.
In fact it was such a sure happening that it would be sunny and bright. Lots of friends said “Let’s follow the Sexton’s then the weather is sure to be right.”
We’d be first on the beach every morning with socks and shoes off in a trice
and into the water to paddle and didn’t the wavelets feel nice?
And then there were sandwiches eaten with plenty of sand from the beach, and ice creams that now cost a fortune, and then were just one halfpenny each.
By lunchtime the sand was real burning but we didn’t mind the heat; we’d walk on the prom with no shoes on and really toughened our feet.
Mind you there were times we felt sorry our feet were all naked and bare, a cigarette end or a plumstone and we wished we were allowed to swear!
Then back on the beach after eating, the old Punch and Judy was great, or out on a rowboat and hoping the boatman was needing a mate.
Or if we weren’t on it we’d push it and cheer as it floated away, and then we’d await its returning and from the sea haul it away.
We loved to return after teatime to play on the sand for a while, and as the warm darkness descended we’d walk for mile after mile.
Then sometimes we’d watch from the promenade and see the sunshine on the sea. And no place on earth could attract more – there’s nowhere we’d rather be.
These are some of my memories of summer remembered with joy and with love. I thank the dear Lord for my summers and the blessings received from above.
