things we used to laugh at!

Your flask isn't tartan is it roses?

Norman Wisdom films.

We quite often sit in the park on the front with a thermos of hot chocolate, if it is really horrible, we sit in the car, and yes, we used to laugh at those folk doing just that when we were younger.
We, too, used to laugh at the Norman wisdom films,
I never quite understood 'farce', but love slapstick.

Abbott and Costello ( I'm a bit older than Alima).)

I could never stand Norman Wisdom or slapstick, unless the timing was clever, as in Eric Sykes' ' The Plank', but only wanted to watch it once!
I don't like any hot drinks, so have never done the Thermos thing, but my parents did. They used to drive down to Christchurch and be parked early where they didn't have to pay. They used to laugh at the 'oldies' picnicking in a lay-by with chairs, a table and even a washing-up bowl, a fairly common sight.

I still laugh when I see people doing that! But maybe with more enmpathy now!

I like a bit of slapstick though.. been to the Slapstick festival In Bristol in Januarya couple of times now!

I can't stand slapstick or farce.
H and I take a thermos when we go to antiques fairs as the queues for drinks are horrendous.
We also enjoy a day out at the very large park near us with a picnic and thermos

Old ladies with curly , white , permed hair. My DH called them cauliflowers. Still does.

DH and I go to the seafront for a walk and then eat our sandwich lunch in the car but we don't take a thermos.

shysal in my defence I was only about 9 or ten when I used to queue up outside the Sidcup ABC to watch the latest Norman Wisdom film. Now I cannot understand the attraction, my tastes must have changed since then. I later loved Eric Sykes but never got the Goons.

roses you missed out the important bit about the old people in the shelter. They were always sitting with their backs to the sea!

My parents and I once saw a family picnicking in a farm gateway on the edge of a busy main road. What they didn't realise was that an entire herd of cows was crushed up against the gate staring at them. My father could hardly drive for laughing.

I think the 'backs to the sea' thing in those shelters is that it can get very blowy and cold facing seaward so it's more comfortable, especially if you're trying to have a cup of tea and a sandwich!

BBbevan, 'cauliflowers' indeed! What about those elderly bald gents, popularly known as 'slapheads' or possibly 'billiard balls'?

Boiled eggs Anno ?

I remember elderly gentlemen in suits at the seaside, usually with a knotted hankie on their, possibly, bald head. Invariably with trouser legs rolled up, but not quite enough not to get wet when they were brave enough to paddle. I have a picture of my late grandfather, possibly in the early 60's in just such a pose. Used to laugh then and still do now.

We used to laugh at people having a doze in the car but now we find it quite refreshing.

OH comments regularly as we drive past lay-bys, that if the people sitting there on their picnic chairs having sandwiches and a cuppa knew what they may be sitting quite close to, they would be horrified. He was a long-distance lorry driver (nuff said).....

Pippa Like this without the handkerchief and his jacket? It was a warm day.

My dad would not go to the seaside without having a paddle. Lovely man he was.
I feel all sad again looking at that picture again he must have been about 80 there.

Nellie, he does look like lovely man.
The picture reminds me of another funny thing about many retired gentlemen including, my own father. Why do they insist on wearing a tie? They must be so uncomfortable, especially in hot weather!

We first started using a thermos when the children were young, and then continued with it for quite a long time, as motorway drinks were so expensive and we were a family of five.Haven't had a thermos for a long time now though, but as you mention a tartan one Alea now I find myself wanting one!

My Grandfather wore a suit and tie, even at the seaside, but my Father was relaxed enough to wear an open necked shirt and a tweedy jacket ( a bohemian!)

Had to laugh at the mention of 'cauliflowers'. Memo to self 'Never have that look!'

Oh Nelliemoser, just like that photo. Such innocent days. My grandmother also wore her stayes [ ( corset), is that the correct spelling????] no matter what the weather, I remember sitting on her bed and being in hysterics watching grandfather lacing them up.