We were talking the other day about the worry of children being out and about on their own, what with gang fights, muggings and knife crime it is kinda scary anytime they are out of sight. Yes, they have mobiles now which we never had and I must say I found it a godsend when our youngest was in his teens ,but the mobiles the kids have now are more of a crime magnetic as they worth so much money. Mind you I think my mobile may soon be worth something as an antique!
When I was about 8 or 9 my dad got hold of an old bike which he stripped down painted and fixed up for me, learning to ride it involved me peddling like mad, him holding onto the saddle and running along behind me up the middle of the road, (there was no traffic in those days, maybe one or two car owners in the whole street) until I realised he was no longer there and I was on my own.
Once I had my own transport my friends and I would go out all day in the summer months, I had a basket on the front of the bike, in which my packed lunch would sit, the boys had saddlebags, and off we would go, usually up the South Downs for the day. We had a watch, instructions to stay together, not to talk to strangers and to be home in time for the evening meal, we were always home on time because it didn’t cross our minds not to be, besides after all that cycling and playing we were starving and ready for dinner.
They were glorious days, we were carefree and had no worries or fears of might befall us and more significantly nor did our parents, sadly it is not so easy for parents these days.
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