How things have changed

Many years ago, when Zeltus and I were nippers, Mum and Dad were away for the day and left us with Mr and Mrs Appleby who lived next door to us (or so it seems these many years later) who had what seemed like 5 or 6 children. After an energetic mornings play on the green opposite we were called in for lunch.

Now normally, lunch would have consisted of a drink, a sandwich and either a chocolate biscuit or some other treat like an apple.

I was astonished therefore to be given a plate of porridge, and told to help myself from the toppings of syrup, jam, sugar or salt..

At the time I didn't like readybrek, never mind porridge (fussy eater, wasn't I?) and probably made a big fuss, but Mrs Appleby took no nonsense... "If you don't want it, then you will go hungry" which many a 50's child will be fully aware of.

The reason I am writing this, I am about to sit down to a bowl of oats so simple, plain with brown sugar topping and a dusting of cinnamon.. how things have changed. I started to eat hot breakfasts in cold weather when I had a flat in Bedford with no central heating and the only way of keeping warm in winter was a hot breakfast which was filling and cheap.

Keep safe on the roads if you have to venture out, I am lucky, overnight we had a little snow but not too much however I will be in work early to miss some of the traffic.