H&S and all that.....

[forthbridge]

Reading one or two posts from the GG's dog thread... got me thinking....

Way back in the mists of time, 'when I were a lad', I walked past the petrol station in the village I lived, and flipped the sign to 'closed' (one of those Castrol signs that stood on the kerb). Later, I was walking the other way, and a trailer disconnected from a tractor right in front of the garage, and so I stood to watch 'the action'. Within seconds I felt freezing cold, and realised the garage owner had trained a hose on me. After a soaking he advised that If I fiddled with the sign again, I would feel his boot. Needless to say I stayed out until I was dry on the not unreasonable grounds that questions would need to be answered if I went home as I was! Not too many years later I got another drenching (this time a day or two after I had lobbed some weeds over someone's hedge) - but they got me fair and square as I walked past their driveway - same result.

Neither of these times was I being malicious - just larking around - but not too long ago, I discovered bits of our hedge all out of position, then one evening I was out in the shed having a fag, and heard a commotion, and as I popped out three young lads were partaking of running through everyone's garden, including rolling over the hedges. My first thought connected to my right foot and some swearwords, but I quickly said 'What are you doing' - the look on their faces was enough, but I've no doubt when I was that age, a swift boot would have been almost inevitable. The thing is, unless I was up to something I shouldn't be (not that often despite what it seems) I never felt threatened as a child, but I did know the consequences of being 'naughty' - and I think it all made for a better childhood.

I lived for a while on a farm, and helped out (aged around 8-10) - including following tractors feeding cattle with a cup of lime, shovelling oats into a device which crushed them (a chute with no guards) - even at school I was now and again sent up to clamber about shelving in cupboards to move things about etc etc

And if anyone saw a child in distress, male or female, they would without doubt try and help - whereas even although I remember all this, If I saw a kid in distress now, unless Samantha was with me, I wouldn't even think about hanging around to help.....

[DelP]

I know exactly what you mean Jim...

..but please bear in mind that 'scrumping' is now trespass and theft and us older folks who have manners, courtesy and consideration for others are expected to take the aggression and violence from younger folks who've had no guidance, have been nowhere and know nothing.

Derek :@

[forthbridge]

:o :o

Believe it or not, I have just came in from the shed. While there, I heard a noise on the neighbours drive. I went out, and two lads were in the process of legging it with a fence panel I had at the side of the shed (a 6 footer!) - they were at the neighbour's gate but as I said 'Whoa! What are you doing?' "Taking the fence" 'Put it back' 'Where you got it' 'What do you say?'. BROAD DAYLIGHT!!! :o :o

[DelP]

Go to your doctor Jim, check your blood pressure, get some medication..it's us that suffer, not them.

I'd like to go into the old police 'clip around the ear' routine and 'bring back National Service'....

..but there's no point.

Derek

[forthbridge]

I know exactly what you mean Jim...

..but please bear in mind that 'scrumping' is now trespass and theft

I have to admit, apart from countless crab apples, I did make the odd Apple raid now and again
Once I bagged one even I couldn't finish it was so large :tonqe:

[Buggyman]

My mate and I had been eying the local squires apple trees for sometime so when we knew the house was empty we decided to help ourselves to a couple of juicy apples.

Being youngest I was the tree climber while Bernard was the look out. So when a hand grabbed my foot I expended my limited (at that time) vocabulary of expletives at Bernard for being a pratt. As I flew through the air and landed with a thud I realised that my trusty pal had legged it and my assailant was the local Bobby. A few words of wisdom from him, driven home with a sharp clip around the ear and I was on my way home much the wiser.

Not that wise though, I told my dad what had happened and he gave me a swipe round the other ear!

Never did it again, always stayed on the right side of the law. And what's more didn't need counselling! As for Bernard, shall we say 'drifted apart'.

Of course today the Bobby and my father would be up for assault and I would be the victim.........

ATB


Allan

[DispatchDragon]

Ahhh Apple scrumping ---- I still bear the scar form being caught in a Gloucestershire farmers orchard -- I tried to weston roll over a barb wire fence --- and got an eleven inch scar on the inside of my leg for my troubles -- lucky I didnt leave anything else hanging on his fence - In my defence M'lud - this particualar
farmer was rumored to own a 10 guage loaded with rock salt - hence the rapid departure

Leif