When I was a kid in the Sixties Sunday morning meant one thing, Church. At 10 'o' Clock I trudged and stomped to Sacred Heart with my family to listen to old language I didn't understand and be intoxicated by strong wafted incense! I spent the whole hour day dreaming about my toys punctuated with the occasional yawn, which would be promptly stifled by my Mum!
At 11 'o' Clock we went home and I could resume the serious business of being a kid again. Invariably my mate Robin would call round and ask my Mum if I was playing out. Depending on how we both felt and of course the British weather, we would either stay in and mess with some Airfix, SWORD, SpaceX, Action Man etc or we would play out.
Playing out meant bikes and Raleigh Choppers were the order of the day. With their long saddles, high handlebars and huge gear stick, it was like sitting on a rocket! We'd jazz up our Choppers with American flags on long bendy aerials and stick metallic badges on the body. We'd add plastic tassles to the handlebars and best of all, we'd peg thick card to the wheel brace so it clicked every time a spoke hit it. A fantastic ratatatat sound erupted as we cruised the streets of Ashton on the coolest bikes that ever existed!
I recently visited those streets again, where my Brother still lives. For a few blissful moments, lost to the world, I was back on my Chopper doing wheelies with Robin in the middle of the road!
What did you do on Sundays as kid readers?
Robin [ left ] and me looking cool circa 1970
- our Choppers must be parked up!
I was more a child of the 70s but the routine was the same, minus the church.
ReplyDeleteWe'd play in the back garden (digging fox holes either for us or Action Man) or ride our bikes, skateboards or Space Hoppers. We'd stay close though, as my Mam would always shout out of the window to see if we wanted ''dips'' from the roast she was cooking (that's bread and dripping for those unfamiliar with this awesomely unhealthy but awesome ''food'') and then around 12 we'd go in for a massive lunch, go out to play a while longer, then come in around 5 for cakes and tea, finish any homework and then take our weekly(!) bath before finishing day watching Family Fortunes, Hart to Hart and then - if we were lucky enough to stay up that late - either Tales of the Unexpected or - even though we didn't like it but at least we were still up - Every Mother's Favourite, A Fine Romance..
Hey That Figures, great memories and great food! I forgot that Sunday was family feasting day! and yes, Tales of the Unexpected with that exotic dancer in the opening titles! Happy Days.
ReplyDeleteI forgot one important detail: after our baths we'd have leftovers from lunch. My brother would always have fried-up lunch (potatoes, beef, etc) but I preferred to have my potatoes mixed in with sausages and beans. Even now, when I hear the music for ''Family Fortunes'' I get a craving for beans and taters!
DeleteFried up lunch! I remember those! I used be so sad when I went bed on Sunday evening. In fact I cried! My Sister and her family went to their own house and all was quiet in the family home where I was a kid. Even worse, playing was over and the dreaded school week started allover again!
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