things we used to laugh at!

We also laughed at oldies having to have a sit down and a cup of tea, where was their energy? We also laughed at their moaning stories of ill health ( usually trivial aches and pains) laughed at false teeth , ah the impatience of youth!

Shocking!

Oh I had forgotten Crimpelene! DDs had a headteacher whose name we changed to Miss Barebum. (That rhymed with her real name) She always wore a bright coloured crimpelene trouser suits, sensible shoes and carried a 'hard' handbag we thought was surgically attached to her arm!! And we were the parents

We did a coach trip around New England. Most people were in their fifties. The courier told us they allow 15 minutes to allow our age group to disembark, and they allow half an hour for older people. Who'd have thought, they factored that in!

We also laughed at older women in sensible shoes, saggy stockings, beige cardis ( I do have a few pairs of sensible shoes now, mind, but still laugh at other things,albeit with some sympathy.)

It was probably a school trip.

I have a photo of me and my sister , two tiny thin blondes, sis in a woolly swimsuit, wet and sagged two sizes too big as it was wet, and me in an elasticated ruched sort of thing looking very pleased with myself and holding a beachball as big as myself.Blackpool circa 1956.

That's such a sweet picture Nellie. My dad also dressed a bit like that at the seaside, usually also with a tweed jacket. We had a flask, sandwiches and home made cake. Parents sat on deckchairs, but didn't pay for one for me. I was in and out of the sea in my hand-knitted cossie which drooped when it was wet.

We laughed at blue rinses, Crymplene dresses, patterned carpets, wallpaper (which has come back), polystyrene ceiling tiles. I could go on but it's too depressing.
My daughters laugh at me for living within my means and wearing two jumpers most days.

My Dad had a woollen bathing suit - before trunks were generally available. I have a picture of him with me (a two-year-old blonde) in a pool on the beach.

I cherish a photo of my grandparents on the beach. My Nan in her best dress and my Grandad in his suit, shirt and tie with brightly polished shoes. I am pictured along side in my elasticated swimming costume - at least not a woolly one. We also used to look with wonder at older people with a thermos on a bench in a park or at the sea. The thermos made a revival here when we began to take the DGC out. We take their drinks, so easier (and indeed healthier for the budget) to take ours, a bench far easier on the knees than the floor, all much to the amusement of our family. One day my son......... .

I can remember being doubled up laughing at Monty Python , I`ve watched it recently and was poker faced all the way through ! I do love a bit of Keystone cops though ...

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.

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

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!)

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!

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!

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.

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

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).....

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

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.

Boiled eggs Anno ?

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

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!