More Than We Bargained For

Gold cherry

By skinner_jennifer

Fri, 25 Apr 2025
  • 176 reads
15 comments
 

Dear diary...one summer afternoon in 1963 me, also three friends set out with sandwiches, crisps, and bottles of coke a cola. We were to go further than we'd gone before, us kids of seven, eight and nine.

Our adventure took us through the woods to a ridge. Ascending steep bank with roots exposed, we used them as steps to climb, while strong tree limbs we grabbed, sometimes slipping, but they eventually powered us up.

Lingering on Penpole Point. It seemed to us children a great distance from home for we were very young. Blithe birds we heard in tranquil boughs, they seemed to cast a spell. We climbed wall by the hanging tree and followed adventurous pleasures.

But calamity would transpire, leaving us with dire fear. Strange man advanced ever closer, my heart began to beat faster, thoughts turning to the big bad wolf I'd read in fairy stories – an enemy far too close for comfort.

Then sitting right next to me the eldest of our group, “Can I play with you?” He asked, I knew that it was wrong. Turning to the others without much ado, I shouted! “Quick let's run!” We swiftly scattered running fast, never stopped till we got home.

Out of breath with grazed knees and dirty faces, we explained that we'd been screaming girls being chased by some weird man. It took a long time for me to go into the woods after that, I kept thinking he knew where I lived and would come and take me. The memory still sticks that our adventure was more than we bargained for.

 

 

 

 

Certificate PG
Biography
Inspiration Point (work that responds to our weekly writing cue)
Journal
Autobiography

Comments

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

The details of the scenery and sounds of the occasion have reallhy stuck in your mind, haven't they? That seems to happen when something is a big fright or puzzle when you are  young Rhiannon

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Rhiannon,

yest, you're right I do remember it well. The face I cannot recall, but I think his stature and build stick with me. I suppose time can be a great confuser, the weather was very warm, because I remember eating under the trees for shade. It was an awful experience and one that gave me nightmares for quite a while.

Appreciate you reading and taking the time to share your thoughts. Thank you.

Jenny.

 

 

Submitted by celticman on

quite a shock. 

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

A shock, yes Jack it left me afraid to go into the woods on my own for quite a while, but eventually I gained my confidence back, especially when getting my new puppy dog Trixi, then I started playing in the woods again. I did always look out for this man when walking, but we'd play in the Old Quarry behind the houses, never venturing up to Penpole till I was a little older.

Grateful for your comment and reading Jack.

Thank you.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

How scary! Well Done You for remembering advice, and saving yourself and your younger friends! I hope no other children were caught by him. What a contrast from your dreamy descriptions and excitement at the beginning, then meeting a monster and returning a heroine, like in a fairy story

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

It's kind of you to say I was a heroine Di, but I didn't feel much like one, even to this day I won't walk alone through the woods, especially in this day and age. My gut feeling at the time was, we needed to scatter to confuse the man, so that's what we did. I recall gathering speed down that hill hell for leather, running into each tree and falling on my knees in fear where I was running so fast. 

Mum wanted to call the police, but dad said it was useless, that he'd not really attacked us, and it could have been that he was a mental handicap, which I suppose is true in a way.

Many thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts Di, Always appreciated.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

I also loved the contrast in this piece Jenny. What a terrifying experience! A great IP response though, and I've just seen the new one that's been posted. I hope it inspires you too - it looks brilliant!

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi insert, you know I wrote a story about a woman dreaming of being chased by a dark shadowy figure through the woods many years ago and putting it on abc tales. Now I come to think of it, that dream could have been mine, it's only since I've written this that I realized it was my own dream and where it came from, must have been living in my subconscious. 

Glad I could give some contrast of beauty aswell as terror, because I do love the woods so much.

I will get my thinking head on and try coming up with a piece on the new I. P. Thank you for reading and letting me know.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Turlough on

Such a shame that a lovely adventure should go so horribly wrong. You did right to run away as it could have gone even more horribly wrong. A story of two extremes, and quite disturbing as we never know what is out there. We live in a scary world. 

 

Turlough

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Turlough,

you know I don't think these people realize how scared they make children feel. Thinking about it, the scars are there to this day and I'm very weary always of people lingering behind me when out walking. It's sad to think that I don't trust strangers the older I get, but I don;t mind stopping and chatting to local people out with their dogs, and I'm a pretty good judge of character.

We children started playing in the old Quarry at the back of my friends houses after that. I still consider myself lucky to live in such surroundings and had many great experiences after that, so it wasn't so bad. I even started walking up to Penpole Point with my dog and thankfully never saw that man again. I suppose we live and learn from our experiences. I hope there are other young children that can learn maybe from reading this.

Thank you for stopping by to read, your comments are always greatly appreciated Turlough.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Turlough on

We never know what characters hide behind those scary faces. Better safe than sorry, every time for children and adults.

When I was nine and living in York, a lorry driver stopped and offered me a lift. I often think back and wonder what might have happened if I'd accepted. It really saddens me that people can't lead their ordinary without continuously having to show caution.

Your Old Quarry makes me think of scenes from Scooby Doo and a little frightening in itself.

 

Turlough

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

I agree that it's sad we can't live our lives without having to show caution Turlough. It's not till we look back that we realize the near escapes we do have in our past, especially when as a teenager.  I count my lucky stars nothing that serious happened, as I was drawn to not worrying about tomorrow and just going for experiences blind, never thinking about the dangers...just living in the moment.

I can understand you wondering what would have happened had you accepted the lift. I think we must have both had guardian angels watching over us. angel

I've never watched Scooby Doo, so have no idea of the scene you are talking about. Our Quarry was a safe place because it looked out over the houses and parents could see us. We always had a huge bonfire up there on November 5th, where local families would share in the fireworks.

Thanks for coming back and sharing your memory, at least I know I'm not the only one who has had a bad run in with a stranger.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

I do appreciate those unexpected cherries Editors. Thank you so much.

 

 

Submitted by airyfairy on

This illustration of the power of a short and deceptively simple piece of writing is our Social Media Pick of the Day! Please do share.

Picture by Ivan Kramskoi,in the public domain via Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kramskoy_Children-in-the-forest_...

Submitted by Ed Crane on

really brings home how scared you must have been. I can see why this is burned into your memory. I hope making this so public at least eases some of the angst you must carry regarding this horrible person. You were well educated by your parents I think since you sensed danger so quickly.

My Mum used to warn me about men wanting to touch me. I never understood at the age I was, but it made me wary. Lucky for me I was never aproached by wierd men. Back then it was not publisized in the way it is now and it was up to "streetwise" Mums and good teachers. Happily I and my friends had both.

You did good! as they might say these days :)