On The Road Again

By skinner_jennifer

Tue, 21 Nov 2017
  • 2236 reads
8 comments
 

Photo is my own.

 

 

 

Does anyone remember the journey down to Cornwall from Bristol on an August bank holiday from about 1965? Because I do. This is just one trip.

 

 

 

It was when I was about ten and a half that

my friend and I excited in the back of the car,

breathing in fumes of mum and dad's cigarettes,

entertaining the miles of scenic route viewed,

relished at the thought of our Cornish destination,

 

giggling at dad's attempt to sing

lazy Sunday afternoon, his favorite

song of all time. Playing eye spy

through plastic tinted glasses as

sun beat down leaving us so hot,

 

kneeling on the back seat waving

frantically at lorry drivers, while

giggling and shouting: 'swinging,'

with thumbs up, but: 'dodgy,'

thumbs down when we were ignored.

 

Traveling dad's charted map that mum

would read, left us jam sandwiched for

hours with no chance of escape, thank

goodness for her much needed picnic

lunch of sandwiches, crisps and drink.

 

Ten hours later and craving for a stretch,

gasping for some lemonade or bottle of cola,

craving fish and chips,we finally made it in

one piece to that house we stayed at in

Camborne, near beautiful Godrevy beach.

 

 

 

Certificate U
Poem
Scrap Book Of Memories
Travel
Inspiration Point (work that responds to our weekly writing cue)
Autobiography

Comments

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Brings back memories of childhood journeys to holidays (different part of the country) with so much squashed into the car, and Mum trying to read the notes Dad had, but also look out for signposts. No motorways or satnavs! 'Are we nearly there yet?'! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

Great touch of nostalgia.

Submitted by airyfairy on

Lovely memories.  Looking for a lay-by was always a vital part of any long journey, and I used to feel really special when the AA man, on his motorbike, saluted as he passed.  

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Thanks for the read Rhiannon. Like you said there were no motorways or satnavs. How I remember having so much luggage stuffed into the car like you said. Mum would insist on taking everything but the kitchen sink, smile. smiley

Great times, I'm glad I could stir some of your memories and thank you for letting me know.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi there Helen,

glad I could bring back some nostalgia. Appreciate the read and thank you for letting me know.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hello airyfairy,

wow! You were lucky, I never got saluted to by the AA man on his bike. Isn't it funny how those little situations stay with us. Looking back it always amazes me how just the simplest of things stick out in my memory that probably didn't seem that important at the time.

I'm grateful for the feedback and thank you for reading.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Ray Schaufeld on

Love this. Car journeys to holiday seaside destinations were big and special. I remember 'I' spy and counting red cars with my sister, and getting four(!) rolls of sweets, handed out at regular intervals by mum. And once singing a very rude song  in the back...You re-kindle the days, Jenny.

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi elsie,

you know I forgot about the sweets. Arn't mums wonderful, they always remember everything that's needed on long car journeys. I think I remember us picking out certain colours of cars and also taking down registration numbers. You've managed to conjure up some more memories for me too.

Glad you enjoyed and many thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Jenny.