First Indoor Boot Of 2019

First indoor boot of 2019 - lots of cheap bargains. Hazel got an old "junk" tin, lamp with a story attached, Swiss chalet weather station, bee meter ( another one!) cigarette cards, four candles etc etc. I got some old battered cowboy comics, cigarette cards, etc. A good old rummage. Then to Lidl to buy some bits and bobs.

Marbury Walk

Pleasant walk around Marbury Woods and along the mere back to the garden centre. Saw lots of mad squirrels, two jays, crazy dogs in clothes, lots of blue tits, great tits, tree hoppers etc. Hazel bought two plants for the garden - shade lovers. Surprised the garden centre was open as they didn't have much stock. Then got some fish 'n' chips, mushy peas, from the Codfather to take over to Granma's for lunch. We took down their decorations and tree etc. What a palaver! Hazel sorted out the wardrobe so they could get more in it. Took some boxes home to recycle.

Pitsea Primary School

Pitsea School opened as a Council school in 1909. I went there from 1953- 54, maybe a bit longer. Well, until Greenstead School opened around 54/5 which wasa lot closer - 10 minutes walk away from our house in Luncies Road in Basildon. I remember walking to Pitsea School on my own when I was 5 or 6, quite a walk for a young child barely out of toddling stage! I remember staying for lunch , the school dinners were horrible so my mother used to make weird Shipham's fish paste, Bloater paste sandwiches which were slightly better. Sometimes jam sandwiches if money was tight. Mrs. Ramsbottom was my teacher and from what I remember she was very nice and gave out prizes for good work or sitting up straight in class. I once got a lead soldier or a crossing keeper ? for something I had done.She read stories too and exciting ones by Enid Blyton about the Famous Five etc. It wouldn't happen today with what we now know of lead and it's poison content! What innocent times we used to live in. Pitsea wasa small village on the outskirts of Basildon back then but soon got engulfed in the new builds and road schemes and mostly obliterated. Just realised I have written about Pitsea School several times on this blog and descriptions all fairly similar so sorry for that. This photo is new though.

Happy New Year!

Hazel in the light sparkly garden waiting for midnight.

Pitsea Market

A bit of nostalgia . Photos from the Pitsea group on FB. Fond memories of this old market when we first moved to Basildon back in the early 50's when the villages such as Pitsea and Vange were still quaint with old houses, shops and some rustic architecture. All since bulldozed to make way for hideous flyovers, housing estates and shopping malls. My favourite stalls on the market were the record stall that sold ex-juke box 45's ( with the centre missing ) all piled in a heap. Three for a shilling or some ridiculous price. Discovered such gems as Gary U.S. Bonds "Quarter To Three" and Lonnie Donegan singles I'd faintly heard on Radio Luxembourg - the only pop station in those days - the BBC was a mostly MOR and classical only station comprising the Home Service and the Light programme. The other stall was dedicated to old comics which were also cheap and plentiful. Alf the Market Man sold bundles of household goods at knock down prices - he had the patter and gathered a big crowd who waved 10 bob notes in the air for his minions to collect and hand out bags of "treasure" which turned out to be brillo pads and bleach etc. Exciting stuff back in the 50s and early 60's ! The market was eventually bulldoezed to make way for a vile road system and the market temporarily housed in some sci-fi like domes seen HERE in this lovely old film.

The Festive Season

The usual Xmas dinner traumas, silly hats, silly games and piles of washing up! We took our own nut roast with chestnuts and vege gravy - twice as much as Granma has a tendency to boil it until it evaporates! Plates piled high with food and then pudding and nibbles! We are collapsed with extreme bloatiness! Fell asleep during the Queen's speech - catching flies. Raced plastic elfs ( and one Santa ) from crackers across the dining table. Deja vu definately the order of the day! Home by 8pm. and further collapse in front of the telly.

Picking A Tree

The annual choosing of the Xmas tree this morning over at Marbury where they were reduced to half price - hooray! Our boy , who is home for a few days, helped out with the heavy work. Tough choice - they all looked a bit wonky but cheaper than last time we looked! You'll never notice once they are covered in tinsel and other gaudy trimmings!