You don't think about the unusual things about your life until you see them in the abstract. And it's probably fair to say that my upbringing was... unusual.
I think its true that for those of us of a certain age, look back at memories and wonder was it really that long ago. Its not just houses and towns that have changed, friends and family change. As you get older you realise you're the old odd git. its also sad that we lose so many people who were once around us. For me, its when you realise Jackie Chan and Mr Bean are 70 and all our rock stars are dead or bloody old!
Great piece Ian, certainly living along your later lines too of realising I wasted so many years, but can only go with the future and shape that into something more memorable.
That's a lovely piece of writing, Ian. I did stop to stomp along to 'Nutbush...' on the radio, but, well, course I did.
Grew up with a hill-view, the sea & curving coast on one side, fields and reservoir on t'other. Arran ferry, Prestwick airport all part of my bedroom view. The fields are a dual carriageway now, which my folks appreciate as a great time-saver.
Off out all day on bikes or scooters, along the shore front or country roads. Take me home, eh? Playing in one abandoned yard tucked into a hillside, complete with huge, rusted storage tanks (who knows?) and that creepiness you'd get from a cold, still, digger.
Old porno mags dumped behind wooden garages ("We have to stick it in THERE?!?!"). Building dens & making fires ("You buy the sweets, I'll buy some matches...").
My kids don't seem to do anything/go anywhere (a really cool wood just a couple of minutes up the road - there's never any kids running around, just dog walkers & burnt-out cars).
I ended up living in the two places my Dad & Mum escaped to raise a family (Glasgow's East End and Hamilton). Funny how life rolls.
And, aye. So many regrets (especially with a wee cancer-clock ticking). But, despite the poverty, my days running the big, long paths...they were pretty good.
I think its true that for those of us of a certain age, look back at memories and wonder was it really that long ago. Its not just houses and towns that have changed, friends and family change. As you get older you realise you're the old odd git. its also sad that we lose so many people who were once around us. For me, its when you realise Jackie Chan and Mr Bean are 70 and all our rock stars are dead or bloody old!
Great piece Ian, certainly living along your later lines too of realising I wasted so many years, but can only go with the future and shape that into something more memorable.
That's a lovely piece of writing, Ian. I did stop to stomp along to 'Nutbush...' on the radio, but, well, course I did.
Grew up with a hill-view, the sea & curving coast on one side, fields and reservoir on t'other. Arran ferry, Prestwick airport all part of my bedroom view. The fields are a dual carriageway now, which my folks appreciate as a great time-saver.
Off out all day on bikes or scooters, along the shore front or country roads. Take me home, eh? Playing in one abandoned yard tucked into a hillside, complete with huge, rusted storage tanks (who knows?) and that creepiness you'd get from a cold, still, digger.
Old porno mags dumped behind wooden garages ("We have to stick it in THERE?!?!"). Building dens & making fires ("You buy the sweets, I'll buy some matches...").
My kids don't seem to do anything/go anywhere (a really cool wood just a couple of minutes up the road - there's never any kids running around, just dog walkers & burnt-out cars).
I ended up living in the two places my Dad & Mum escaped to raise a family (Glasgow's East End and Hamilton). Funny how life rolls.
And, aye. So many regrets (especially with a wee cancer-clock ticking). But, despite the poverty, my days running the big, long paths...they were pretty good.