When I see my older friends, we often talk about times past. One of the questions I sometimes ask is,
"When you were a young child, how did you get to school?"
It's never a surprise to discover that most walked, some having to travel some considerable distance, and all unaccompanied - and yet safe - a very different story from now.
My sister and I went to a country primary school in north-east Kent. We were taken to school by my father on his way to work, but, come rain or shine, in daylight or dusk, we always came home on foot - and on our own. Our journey took us past cherry orchards and a deep chalk pit, and along the footpath at the edge of a large wheat field. We'd then cross a major A road to a recreation ground - oh the joys of the swings in summertime... and still had a further half a mile or so to trudge on the back roads.
We were completely safe, even if the odd school boy attempted to waylay or tease us. It was there I developed Pointless Obsessive Counting - how many steps until the car I can hear behind me, reaches me; how many steps to the next lamp post , and so on. Sometimes, I'm ashamed to say that I still find myself doing it.
How did you get to school as a small child?
I'd really like to include your experiences in the blog too, so why not send them to me?