Running wild

 


The summer had come at last with long light days. This meant more time out of the houses we lived in or just stayed at.  This was because we were all related and lived in a close community as a family of travellers from Ireland.  We all stayed together.

This was also the time to do whatever we wanted. There was a varied age gap between us all. There must have been about twenty of us and the age bracket was 8-12.  Me - I was ten going on twenty; just like the others, older than you would have thought. 

So we could stay together and not get into trouble. We would go camping, never too far only two miles to the meadows and a wicked river with many things to do, including lighting a fire in camp which felt naughty because we were so young.  We could always go back and get food. 

I was one of the youngest and I loved to get about so i would always go back and return with some goodies. 

I remember one time I went back to see my Nan but she wasn't in so I went to several other aunts and uncles and got loads of stuff but I was after meat, so I went back to my granddad's and still there was no answer. It was early so maybe they were still in bed. 

Granddad kept chickens and he had loads so I got a sack, grabbed a chicken and stuck it in the sack and that took too long so I had to get back quick. I heard the milkman so I knew I could get a free ride. I jumped on the back without the driver knowing I was there. I got off near the camp with some yogurt and milk, all in a good cause. 

Back at the camp they were pleased to see me although they looked at me in a funny way so I dropped the food on the table and I noticed they were looking at the sack. I just laughed. They knew I had got something I shouldn't have. 

I was one of those guys who didn't take life too seriously and I was cheeky as well but I was also always on my guard. That's the problem with my younger self (BEING ON GUARD) . In layman's terms, getting into trouble with other groups on different estates. 

Everyone was the same, deep down I always wanted to live life easy and being happy. This made my torment worse because what I wanted might never happen. 

Simon

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

The giant boy

As I Walked Out...

2035