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Early Childhood Memory

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The year was sixty-seven, mid July, a summer's day, and Hucknall was the place, I sat beneath a cornflower blue sky, sun hat on head, and ice cream on my face. Strange mixtures of aromas filled my nose, like aviation fuel and candy floss, hot dogs with onion, I had one of those, got ketchup down my shirt, my Mum was cross. Not angry for too long, she treated me to my first trip aloft, a pleasure flight, a 1930s biplane, the Rapide, all wood and struts and wires, like a kite. Mum leaned across and handed me a sweet, she said to me that sucking it would stop the pressure change around two thousand feet from making both my eardrums go pop. We bumped along the grass, took to the air, warm currents rose then dropped our little plane, my face at one point took on colour where the lime boiled sweet and it were both the same. We landed, I climbed out, all beaming smiles, and pleaded with my Mum to go again, my next flight I would have to wait a while, but that was when I fell in love with planes. For contest 'Early childhood memory', sponsor Line Gauthier 22nd April 2018

Copyright © | Year Posted 2018




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Date: 5/3/2020 2:32:00 PM
Hello Viv. Your poem brought back lovely memory of my father and I going for a short flight from Squires Gate Blackpool in the mid fifties. I think it was a dH Rapide. Best wishes. Tony.
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Date: 4/28/2018 6:04:00 AM
Viv, what a great adventure to have as a lifelong memory. My first plane ride was in my 22nd year on a flight to Istanbul Turkey for an 18 month Air Force. The only other 'field' I remember is the cotton field, not the airfield. I was picking cotton to buy school clothes. Both 'fields' hold great memories for me. Congrats on a fine win, my friend!
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Viv Wigley
Date: 4/29/2018 2:16:00 AM
Thanks, Curtis, at least your cotton field memories are more peaceful and loved. Regards, Viv
Date: 4/28/2018 3:26:00 AM
Great. what a memory. Kai
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Date: 4/25/2018 8:38:00 PM
Congratulations on your win, Viv, wonderful poem and memory ..Hugs Eve ~`*
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Viv Wigley
Date: 4/29/2018 2:16:00 AM
Thanks Eve, you can't beat nice treasured memories. Viv x
Date: 4/25/2018 3:48:00 PM
Such a well-written Rhyme about your childhood memory that shaped your future love of planes, Viv! Congrats on your well-deserved podium win. Sandra
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Viv Wigley
Date: 4/29/2018 2:17:00 AM
Thanks Sandra, glad you liked it . Viv x
Date: 4/25/2018 2:24:00 PM
Back to congratulate! Well done.
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Viv Wigley
Date: 4/29/2018 2:17:00 AM
Thanks, Susan x
Date: 4/25/2018 2:18:00 PM
Like a smooth glide, this one flows well. Congrats Viv!
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Viv Wigley
Date: 4/29/2018 2:18:00 AM
Thanks Rob, appreciate it. Regards, Viv
Date: 4/25/2018 9:56:00 AM
What a memorable picture you've painted, Viv! CONGRATS! Janice
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Viv Wigley
Date: 4/29/2018 2:18:00 AM
Thanks, Janice x
Date: 4/25/2018 9:21:00 AM
A fun read and the flow is excellent. Well penned, Viv. Congrats on your silver medal win.
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Viv Wigley
Date: 4/29/2018 2:18:00 AM
Thanks, Line, nice contest, much appreciated x
Date: 4/25/2018 6:00:00 AM
Indeed, a wonderful childhood memory! congratulations on your 2nd place Viv, Mick
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Viv Wigley
Date: 4/29/2018 2:19:00 AM
Thanks Mick, a nice surprise. Regards, Viv
Date: 4/24/2018 3:27:00 PM
wow, what a memory to cherish. This is GREAT work. I too grew up the majority of my childhood in the 60's!!
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Viv Wigley
Date: 4/29/2018 2:20:00 AM
A nice time to grow up, well, allowing for the odd war, in your case. Viv x
Date: 4/23/2018 4:24:00 PM
It sounds like you had a memorable childhood. I have enjoyed your poem this evening
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Viv Wigley
Date: 4/24/2018 8:44:00 AM
Thanks, Pixie, it had it's moments. Thanks for dropping by, Viv x
Date: 4/23/2018 10:26:00 AM
What a wonderful story, in awesome rhyme.
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Viv Wigley
Date: 4/24/2018 8:44:00 AM
Thanks Harry, appreciate it. regards, Viv
Date: 4/22/2018 3:26:00 PM
A great memory. Well written. Good luck with the contest.
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Date: 4/22/2018 7:43:00 AM
Nice storytelling, Viv; you brought the memory to life with all the details.
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Book: Reflection on the Important Things