Thursday 28 June 2012

Slow Recovery

Towards the end of 1950, I was feeling just like any normal seven year old should feel, and I was starting to wonder if I would ever be allowed to play sports again.  In September, for a slightly late birthday present, my parents took David and I on holiday to the South of France.  David and I were not good travellers in the back of the car, but we played all sorts of games, counting things along the way and we were both obviously distracted enough to forget to feel carsick! I remember that on some occasions, we used to count haystacks, but this got somewhat out of hand, as there were so many.  Today, haystacks seemed to have disappeared from the farm fields and bales of hay have replaced them. Can you just imagine trying to count hay bales!!  In later years, my mother told me when Dad had planned the journey with a drive right through France, she was dreading every moment of it knowing how carsick David and I had been in the past.  We had a really wonderful holiday and David and I enjoyed every minute of it.   I do remember at one stage while on the road David and I playing around with my favourite doll named Topsy.  We must have got a bit over-enthusiastic and dear old Topsy went flying straight out of the back window.   Dad duly stopped and went back down the road and Topsy was recovered; my life would never have been the same without her!  How I wish I had a photo of her to show you; she was just a rag doll, but so loved.  I think that this trip must have had some sort of ‘healing’ effect on both of us kids, as we were far better travelling by car after this. I must say though that even today there are some makes of car in which I would prefer not travel in the back.
Off to the beach with my fishing net!  1950.  My mother used to do the most beautiful smocking. Just look at all the work that must have gone into the top of this dress.
On our return from holiday, I was duly taken off to the doctor for a checkup and although I was told there was a huge improvement in my heart, most sports were still out of the question; however, I could resume riding, so long as I only went on quiet hacks around the countryside and I was also allowed to swim.   Mum used to take me regularly to the heated swimming pool in Bath and at weekends Dad often used to join us.  One day when I was playing around pretending to ‘life save’ my Dad, the attendant approached us and suggested that I should train as a life saver.  I did get my first diploma but somehow other things later took over my life and further certificates were never pursued.
During this same year, the house in Batheaston had been sold and we moved north into the Cotswold Hills.  I remember Dad used to take me into school and Mum collected me.  She must have felt like a taxi driver, as she also used to take David and me on regular visits to the ice rink at Bristol on Saturdays.  I had been told if I took it quietly, I could also skate.  I took to the ice immediately and soon started dancing lessons on ice.   I must comment here that about twenty years later when I went ice skating, having told everyone that there was nothing to it, I could not even stand up!

18 comments:

  1. This blog looks like so much fun! Will really enjoy reading all your posts soon!
    What a cute girl you were!
    Blessings!
    Ann

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  2. Ann thanks so much for the visit and the comment. I hope that you enjoy reading 'my story' and that you will be back. Take care Diane.

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  3. You and David reminds me of us when we are on the road. We always count cars by color or by make. Whoever had the most number gets a reward lol. I can see how you guys had a great memories with childhood.

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  4. I don't know where I've been lately, but thus is the first I've seen this new blog! I love it, and have gone back and read from the initial post. What a wonderful story of your life...and you are so fortunate to have so many photos! I'm guessing the number of photos one has of one's childhood maybe directly proportionate to birth order and the number of siblings in a family. Alas, I am number six of seven. :o(

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  5. Deb from WhatsInMyAttic , I am so happy that you are enjoying this blog, I was not sure if anyone would be bothered with 'My Life'. I only found most of these photos after my Mum passed on and I was going through her things. Thankfully many she labelled so I knew the year. There are not masses of them but enough (I hope) to add a bit of colour to the story. Thanks for the comment, much appreciated. Diane

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  6. What a cute little girl! :-) Your family photos are wonderful. Love the previous one too.

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  7. chubskulit counting things on the road is a great way to pass the time with children. The trip is over before you know it :) Diane

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  8. JM thanks for the kind comment. Take care Diane

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  9. Visiting here Diane before we head on the 4rth of July celebration. Enjoy your day.

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  10. chubskulit have a great time and enjoy your celebrations. We will be doing the same thing on the 14th here in France when it is Bastille Day. Diane

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  11. Hi Diane, I'm catching up on your blog posts when I can and it is a real treat I have to say. I'm in a nostalgic mood at the moment and reading about your childhood is fascinating. I used to feel incredibly car sick as a child and I wonder if it was the make of the car, sitting in the back or a combination of the two? Saabs were a particular problem car for me.

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  12. Froggy I think it was a combination of the two. At the time my Dad had a large Buick, large American cars and the back seat still disagree with me!!! Thanks for the visit. Diane

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  13. Here I am Diane, and trying again to follow your new blog, and I hope the link works this time.

    I used to wear little dresses like that too, Grandma Dolly would embroider and/or add smocking to them.

    It is fascinating to think that the country you once drove through as a little girl, is now your home. X

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  14. Dolly I am presuming the link worked.

    I wonder how many people can do smocking today, it was the in thing way back then.

    Yes, I wonder if someone then had told me that I would end up living in France, would I have believed them :)
    Diane

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  15. Amazing photos! Incredible adventure you had as a child.

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    1. Awena thanks so much for your visit and comment. At the time it all seemed so natural to me but I am now beginning to realise that my life as a child was something quite special. Take car and have a good day. Diane

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  16. Diane, I read your blog about the journey to Rhodesia. You have so many experiences from childhood. This is amazing. Preserved photographs have great historical and family price. I admire the execution of this trip shortly after the devastating World War 2. It must have been difficult ... Photos from the 1950 holiday in Switzerland, Italy and France are fond memories of childhood. I love history, then what was the lifestyle. I was born in 1954. I remember less, but every year they are distant memories that are more and more rare. Peter sends cordial greetings.

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    1. Peter I remember you telling me that you had read the story of our 'Trek'. I am thankful that I remember so much of my childhood, especially as my Mum was pretty good at labelling photos, it has helped so much. Thanks so much for dropping by and for your comment. I really appreciate your interest. Have a good day and greetings to you as well. Diane

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