Time and Different Childhoods

2017-03-09a

“See, I couldn’t have that childhood now. We wouldn’t have a beach hut like that. And our telly was black and white with one channel and no adverts. Free education, cold houses, shared-line phones that plugged into the wall, free healthcare, cooking your own food from scratch, laundry mangles, washing lines”…

2017-03-09b

Have you finished, dear?  “I could go on.”

2017-03-09c

I’m sure  you could. But these days people go on holiday to Thailand rather than Bournemouth. So don’t worry about  the beach hut.

Beach Huts

2017-03-05

“Do you remember the beach hut where that photo was taken, Mum?”

2017-03-05a

Of course I do, dear. It belonged to a friend of your uncle.

2017-03-05b

“The huts were on a spit of sand between the river and the sea. I remember wood splinters and cold sand on my feet when I walked between them.”

2017-03-05c

“They cost nearly a quarter of a million each now, those huts, Mum.”

I don’t believe you.   “Time passes Mum … and prices rise.”