Pennsif - The Early Years - bumper cars, a birthday party & running as fast as I can

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This movie begins with a trip to Wicksteed Park. I was around 7.

That's me in the bumper cars (or dodgems if you prefer) with my middle sister's 'boyfriend' - David if I recall.

This was in the days when your school blazer would double up as your Sunday best for trips like this.

My birthday party comes next - 7th I think. No lights alas, but plenty of jelly, sandwiches, and cheese and pineapple on sticks.

I was sitting next to my 'best friend' Sarah. Whatever happened to Sarah...

Then we jump forward 4 years or so to me and my middle sister picking apples from the little tree in our back garden.

I remember I shot an arrow into the trunk once with my homemade bow and arrow - and I got a telling off for that.

This is a first appearance for me in these movies in long trousers.

And a first appearance also for Scampie the dog - my best friend for 15 years.

He got his floppy ear when he sneaked off with an open can of dog food and cut his ear on the sharp lid. I remember him coming into the dining room, shaking his head and the blood splattering up the new bamboo pattern wallpaper. He was not popular for that.

Finishing off at the local schools' athletics meetup. I was in the relay team for my school. Aged around 10 if I recall.

Alas the film ends there so we will never know if I came first, last or somewhere in the middle...

Stay tuned for the next episode.

If I feel really daring it will be the one where I bare all...

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