In 1985 when I was 26, I attended my first Open University summer school when computers were in their infancy. It was here that I used a computer programme to obtain careers advice. It was a novelty to answer a series of simple questions about my likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses and then have […]
My real interest lay in cycling touring, which for a teenager, wasn’t cool. Teenage cyclists around my age would join the BCF (British Cycling Federation) who allocated racing licences. Instead, I joined the RTTC (Road Time Trials Council) who provided similar third party insurance and allowed me to take part in time trials. In addition, […]
I bought my first Ordnance Survey map in about 1972. It was the old 1-inch series (with the red cover), and my house appeared in the bottom right corner of Sheet 94, the Preston map. I quickly realised that I also needed sheet 95 (Blackburn and Burnley), sheet 100 (Liverpool) and sheet 101 (Manchester) because […]
Although I am the youngest of five children, being five years younger than my nearest sibling meant that I often felt like an only child. Pauline was the nearest to me in age, but she clearly felt closer to Margaret who was just two years older than her. Frank and Tony had each other throughout […]
My first cycling memory was riding a trike. I doubt that this machine was actually mine; it is more likely to have been a hand-me-down, as were most things were in my youth. I remember it being red, although this may not have been true. I also remember it having a small rounded boot which […]
My early memories of attending St Chad’s primary school in Whittle-le-Woods are scarce. I believe that there were about 60 or 70 children in the entire school during my time there. The infants (known as classes 3, 2 and 1) were taught by Miss Fletcher and took pupils from the age of five until seven. […]
Roscoe’s Farm is no more. My childhood home, where I lived for the first 23 years of my life now goes by the name of Rustic Oak Farm with huge signs excitedly announcing the change. The new name has none of the history nor prompts any of the questions that passers-by will ponder – who […]
A couple of weeks ago I’d decided not to write a letter this year. For the past 4½ months, all that has occupied our time has been dealing with tradesmen since we have had the entire rear of the house reworked to form a single kitchen/dining/sitting area. Whilst it has been the top of our […]
The weather this summer has been great for outdoor activities, and so, encouraged by the Tour de France in Yorkshire, I’ve cycled into work on many occasions and enjoyed three cycle touring breaks. The touring has been mainly round Scotland, with the most remote trip taking in a circuit of Arran, continuing right round the […]
Hello everyone, and welcome to this year’s verbal stroll through the past twelve months. The metaphor fails immediately, however, since the first thing that comes to mind when reviewing 2013 is cycling, not strolling. A few years ago, I had an idea that I needed to cycle from Land’s End to John o’ Groats, but […]