Memorys

Well there is no-one in the British Isles ,who needs to be told what an awful day yesterday was ..with the worst gusts of  winds ,for seventeen years .so apart from the familys  and friends of the thirteen people killed in the gales ,and to them we send our heartfelt sympathy,we are counting the costs as well as our blessings that we are safe .Numerous lorrys turned over on the A14 ,near Huntingdon as well as part of the rail station roof torn off,and at Ely a double decker bus was blown over .Maurice was on his time off, so  we decided to stay in doors where we listened to things crashing and banging around all day ,peoples sheds and fences suffered,and we  watched on the TV  ,telling of all the horrific accidents the gales had caused ,our dinner was just about ready ,flicker flicker phut ....out went our electricity supply .

We found candles and torches ,and Maurice found our gas stove that we take fishing with us ,so we were able to have a  hot drink ,and out came our little transister radio ,then came a knock at the door, Glen from next door whose parents were at work came round ,and we all sat around talking about the days before we had any electricity .......

When I was small ,we had a fire place very much like the one in the above picture ,My Mother used to cook on this ,pans would go on the top ,and delicious meals came out of the oven ,the kettle was always singing on the top too ,at the left hand side we called it the boiler ,it would be kept filled with water ,so we always had hot water ,well small amounts any way ,I can remember my Dad filling up his enamel mug to shave with ,larger amounts of water was boiled up in the copper in the scullery ,this 'copper' was a brick built affair with a chimney at the back ,and a fire would be lit underneath to supply our wash day water and for bath night too,then the zinc bath would be set in front of the range ,for us to get our bath .we got our water from a pump in the street, like the one in the main graphic ,but not as grand ,for light we relied on lamps that burned parafin oil ,it stood on the table and as children ,we were constantly being reminded to 'mind the lamp' we also used candles ,in wee Willy Winkie type candle stick holders ,and our wireless,had a great big everready battery ,and an accumalator to make it fuction ,and what programes we listened to Childrens hour ,with Uncle Mac ,Laaarry the lamb,Norman and Henry Bones the boy detectives ,and listen with Mother ,We listened to Dick Barton special agent ,The ovaltinys and many other favourites ,And then in 1947 ,(just after the war ) we had Electricity ,so things began to change .

So yes while we sat in the candle light last evening ,I took out all these memorys ,and thought about all the changes I have seen in my life ....Have a happy warm and safe Friday everyone ,and a good weekend ..with love From

                                           

Thanks to Kath for the picture of the range .  http://journals.aol.co.uk/astoriasand/MYSIMPLERHYMES