A new tomorrow

[John Gill]

Out for a walk yesterday, sun shining. Normally I encounter not a soul, cars parked in the same place, hardly a sound, not even a barking dog. Yesterday there were children out playing, people tending their gardens, tradesmen delivering their services- even the postman was whistling. I'm sure it wasn't just the suns rays that brightened the day- there was an air of confidence about the future. Returning home I played a track of Roger Whittaker, New Day in the Morning. Worth a listen. Inspiring and prophetic.

(Even though I enjoy the sounds of children playing, if that ball comes into my garden again I'll put a knife through it).

[cappy]

Out for a walk yesterday, sun shining. Normally I encounter not a soul, cars parked in the same place, hardly a sound, not even a barking dog. Yesterday there were children out playing, people tending their gardens, tradesmen delivering their services- even the postman was whistling. I'm sure it wasn't just the suns rays that brightened the day- there was an air of confidence about the future. Returning home I played a track of Roger Whittaker, New Day in the Morning. Worth a listen. Inspiring and prophetic.

(Even though I enjoy the sounds of children playing, if that ball comes into my garden again I'll put a knife through it).

you might get a bar of milk chocolate ....mr gill

[happy daze john in oz]

Looked at some footage of London the other day.
Reminds me of that song, 'Where have all the flowers gone', because there are very few people

[j.sabourn]

John my childhood memories of London are mainly of the underground. We used to get the ordinary rail line in from Kingston to I think it must have been Kingd X, and from there made our way to Great Ormond Street children’s hospital . I know there were a couple of times we had to come out into the open , and there was not too many people around they were all down in the underground even had their beds down there. Going back to London over the years have never tried to retrace our course of numerous visits during and after the war , always pleased to get clear of, the same as most cities in the UK . The London parks were the only place to go to see less people , but last time there. Was not so. Perhaps less people is a good thing. JS.

[Keith at Tregenna]

Nearest tube station would be Russell Square or if needed Holborn,
both a fair way down below. Know the area well esp Great Ormond
Street. Bloomsbury got used to bombings but, you would not know
it to see it now.

Keith

[j.sabourn]

This would have been in 1944. Most air raids were getting to be by the V2s so the air raid warnings were very short in time before they started landing. Aircraft you got a much longer period to gallop off into the sunset. My mother was the steed as she had to carry me on her back as only had the use of one leg ! No Cappy am no relation to Mary ,Mine stayed in one piece. JS

[Keith at Tregenna]

I lived off Queens Square, by the hospital not
as early though.

K.

[happy daze john in oz]

This would have been in 1944. Most air raids were getting to be by the V2s so the air raid warnings were very short in time before they started landing. Aircraft you got a much longer period to gallop off into the sunset. My mother was the steed as she had to carry me on her back as only had the use of one leg ! No Cappy am no relation to Mary ,Mine stayed in one piece. JS

It was indeed a terrible time for so many.
The underground was a safe haven for so many, without that who knows how many may have died./

[happy daze john in oz]

For many years after the war we still had an air raid shelter in the back garden.
They made for great places to play, then some bugger came and took them away.

[j.sabourn]

Was that the Anderson type John half buried in the back garden with soil covering the bit above ground where people used to still grow vegetables and things which were very hard to come by in the shops that were still standing. The only conversation without too many moans was the war, during and for many years after. But most people accepted it and got on with their lives as best they could. I shudder to think of some of those I have met in my lifetime , their reactions in a similar environment. However who knows unless it happens. Cheers JS.