I seem to recall that the 70s were sunnier than any other decade on record, though that might be me being biased. There was the famous drought in 1976, and 1977 was a hot one as well. Summers aren’t the same these days.
Cheers, Alen

LikeLike

LikeLike

Hi Dave – yep, as you say, navy. That meant that every time I wore the thing I had to endure the petty torments of the junior school critics. Their basic model was that it was a faded Newcastle shirt (which bore out my mam’s position on the matter). I’d find myself vigorously pointing out the plain white sleeves and calling them idiots for not noticing it was actually WBA. They were all Leeds fans anyway, so they couldn’t talk.

I never felt any genuine warmth about the Baggies. That may have been ruled out by the shirt issue (incidentally, I had to wear it with a pair of outsized, jumble sale bought, golden Wolverhampton Wanderers shorts. Everything I wore was from a jumble sale.

I may have worn blue and white (and gold), but inside I was Gordon Hill.

Steve

LikeLiked by 1 person

Dave, I must admit I laughed at the inter-city loco question. I have absolutely no idea. Now if it had happened these days I would probably have taken a digi picture of it to use in the blog. But in 1978 I used Kodachrome 64 and Ektachrome 200 very sparingly indeed, to the point a 36-frame film lasted three or four fell-walking trips.
But I do recall that in those days you could pull a window down and stick your head out if you were foolish enough. Naturally I did, of course.
Alen

LikeLike

Steve, you came that close to being a Baggie and somehow let the chance slip by? That’s surely got to haunt you every waking moment… (Navy, by the way, our stripes; although most of the BBC pundits still seem to think we play in black and white).

Alen, any recollection of what the loco on the inter-city service was? I’m guessing a 47, or maybe a 40. On the other hand, what kind of madness must possess me to even ask that question?

My maternal grandfather bequeathed me my football team and my politics; neither will ever change and the only blue is in the Albion’s strip.

LikeLike

Thanks Martin.

LikeLike

Hi Steve. Your grandad sounds like my grandad ??? Tory, Daily Express reader, and grand master of the local freemasons lodge. Despite all that he was one of the most influential forces on my life and I miss him dearly.
I like the WBA kit tale. Parents never got it right in those days. I remember asking for a T Rex LP and ending up with Vince Hill. I never did work out the logic behind that one.
All the best, Alen

LikeLike

Any time, Alen. There’s a contact e-mail address on my blog under About, just drop us a line whenever you’re ready.

LikeLike

Football was EVERYTHING, and the FA Cup was Football. Mam bought me a WBA strip and told me to imagine it was Newcastle.

I supported Man Utd.

These posts are fantastic, Alen. Keep them coming, please.

LikeLike

Hej Hanna. Trains are a great way to get about for hiking purposes and I’ve used them for many years. The West Highland Railway is a favourite of mine and great for getting to the remote western seaboard of Scotland. I’ve also used them in the Pyrenees.
Corsica sounds like an exciting place to ride on a train. I rather fancy that.
All the best, Alen

LikeLiked by 2 people

LikeLike

I always correct people out loud if they say lunch ????

LikeLike