Memories of Childhood
by John Appleby

~ 4 ~

I seem to rember that the girls who played in the street were mainly older than we lads. It seems to me that they ruled the roost. their games were not to be interfered with. Great lengths of clothes line were produced and vigourous skipping took place, the ropes stretcing from gable to gable and heaven help any tiny boy anxious to get past the flailing ropes, and girls with tucked-in bloomers! They had a repertoire of chants in time to the skelp of the ropes on the road - London's burning and The big ships sail down the alley alley oh. Another game they played was called hot rice, played with a length of broom handle and a ball, a version of baseball I suppose. It was a street full of the laughter and tears of playing children in those days, and of course, in retrospect, it seemed to be forever summer. Everything was lovely, secure and safe and it was a happy life we had as children. We were loved and cared for and the memories live strongly on.

© 2003 John Appleby, New Zealand

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