Blue

Mum and dad in their younger years.

Dad: Ronald James; the back of the photograph has only the year, 1938. I suspect it may have been taken by mum on their honeymoon in Torquay. Looks like he might be reading a Penguin paperback; quite new in those days and if so most likely a mystery with the distinctive green bands.

Mum: Ethel Frances; the photo was once stuck in an album and the only part of the inscription I can read is "at Hill Lake on Weds Sept, 11th 1935. 26yrs 5mos" I know this photograph was taken by Miss Brooking a family friend at Newent, Glos. where my mother grew up; she was born in the City of Gloucester.

Family story: Mum met dad when she was visiting a cousin of hers who was a friend of dad's. He was thirteen and smelled of garlic. A few years later dad often cycled the forty odd miles from Oxford to Newent to pay court to her.

The watch mum is wearing was a 21st birthday present; and she still had it when she died in 1989. Her father did not like that she had a bobbed haircut.

Dad teased me by always insisting that the dimple in his chin was the result of being kissed by an angel.

See Past ... in Blipfolio.

And mum aged nineteen.