Alec. You asked for it- & mentioned holidays. Before WW2, during the Summer holidays we always walked down to the Strand for the day when the weather was fine. I lived near Gillingham Cemetery, so down Woodlands Road, across at the bottom, sometimes stopping to buy fruit- apples, pears, cherries-Napolians or plums from one of the bungalows there. Then along a footpath by the side of the Medway, through the Cement Works apron & on to the Strand, where we had our sandwiches on the beach & paddled when the tide was in. There were always lads who walked out through the Dark grey mud, what a mess! In those days, The Dockyard, where my Dad worked, closed for August Week & that was their annual holiday! We went each day on the train to the seaside, different each day- Margate( our favourite because of Dreamland- but we always walked to Clfftonville as it had nice sand), Herne Bay, Ramsgate, maybe on the paddle steamer (Medway Queen or?) across to Southend( for the Kersal- similar to Dreamland), Broadstairs, Birchington or Sheerness. You could get a "cheap day return" if you left after 10 o'clock, I think. We always walked to the station, about a mile, for the 19 bus was 1d & we were not that rich! I well remember often walking to Canadian Avenue to collect our bread from the baker's cart, so that Mum could make the sandwiches. Always, in my memory, the sun was shining or there was a hazey sun with the portent of a fine day. Some people( e.g.my friend next door who's father worked in the "Factory"- where they made all the fitments- but was on "nights", so richer than us) went to Margate in a boarding house for the week. I don't know whether they enjoyed it more than us but I liked the train or boat ride. We always got back home quite late & I- tired Tim- was often carried piggy back from the station to home by my Dad. Will this small article persuade anyone else to "Have a Go", I hope so.
