Yearly Archives: 2023

England, Pre-Hornby

Europe-6

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Time to buy a car. The plan was to get married and then tour Europe. Midge wanted to come along and we agreed because we could use the extra money. We were all friends so…why not.

First time driving in London I drove right through the center of town on the way home. Lots of nervous sweat as I had to remember to drive on the wrong side of the road.

Fordson- driving on the left side.  I know it was a mistake to buy it but this car did a lot of hard work for us.

We draped a sheet over the front door and took photos for passports. This was  where my enlarger and developing brickbat came in handy. I was able to develop and print in my room as long as it was night.

OK! A few more days in London and we were on our way.

I’m not sure about other programs but on Windows you can click on the picture and ‘open in new tab’. The print will show original size.

England, Pre-Hornby

Europe-5

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Wedding!

I knew that, back home, any wedding would have taken place in a church with a huge party afterwards. This was one way of avoiding that. Jo’s Aunt and Uncle attended. Her uncle was an ex-bank manager and one of their sons was a university student. He and some friends took me out to have some beers (bunch of upper middle-class fops. oops!)
They were amazed when I pulled out a huge wad of cash when it was my turn to buy a round. Got lots of admiration.

Midge with Jo’s aunt. 1965

Jo’s uncle and one  of her room mates. I think she was the girlfriend of Mick Jagger who I met one night at their flat. 1965

I started writing a daily post and this was June 11.

We had to wait until after June 1 as you couldn’t get married without parental consent before you were 21.

The morning of my marriage I went to a local barbershop and told them I was getting married. They were Italian and immediately became excited. They jumped all over me. Washed my hair, cut  and styled it. And…for the first time in my life I was shaved with a straight razor. To top it off they wouldn’t let me pay!

These posts are very important as they bring back the memories and these days at this age nothing beats drowning ones self in 60 year old memories.

I’m not sure about other programs but on Windows you can click on the picture and ‘open in new tab’. The print will show original size.

 

 

England, Pre-Hornby

Europe-4

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London 1965

London, monument to the Great fire

London Zoo

 

1965-London Underground, I grew to love this, the most efficient way of getting around in such a complicated city.

 

1965-Went shopping with Midge. I remember this is when she asked me if “I really wanted to get married?” I said yes.

I’m not sure about other programs but on Windows you can click on the picture and ‘open in new tab’. The print will show original size.

 

 

Europe, Pre-Hornby

Europe-3

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Landed in London then took a taxi to Jo’s address. She wasn’t there but Midge was. They were sharing a flat with two other girls.
I waited ’til Jo came home from work. Surprise, surprise!

I stayed with them until Midge told me that the other girls resented my presence. I went looking for a place to rent. Ended up in Notting Hill being interviewed by a mother and daughter.

This is the street where my flat was located.

It was at this time I noticed that Canadians had no recognizable status in England. I got the same attitude from upper, middle, and lower classes. I kind of bemused reaction as if they didn’t know where I belonged in the hierarchy. After a while I learned to use this to my advantage. My future landlady and her daughter told me the price and expected me to argue. They were stupefied when I told them the price was fine and I’d like to pay three months in advance! Astonished silence. Then  they asked me where I worked and, once again, were amazed that I didn’t have a job.

One day  the lights went out in my building. The landlady called me from the ground floor.  “You’re an American you can fix the power” I said I’d have a look. It was a hodgepodge of circuits. I told her I didn’t have the slightest idea how to fix it, oh and besides “I’m Canadian”.

Jo began spending time in my room and at one point asked me to marry her! Big plans from hereon in.

I’m not sure about other programs but on Windows you can click on the picture and ‘open in new tab’. The print will show original size.