Following on from okstamps post in the coronavirus thread here is a brief snapshot of my existence and base memories. Sorry but I left out all the gruesome 'orrible bits so as not to offend our younger readers.

Times remembered, well it all started back in ’45 when I recall lying in the womb thinking, by heck this is cosy and warm and not having to worry about the war.
This came to an abrupt end in 1946 when I was born, think mum ran away before it happened, though she must have come back cos I remember her feeding me, suet pudding is still a favourite.
Then came a period in hospital, so I was told, due to having a lung problem which later I became aware was probably a touch of TB. We grew up in the area of London called Clapham Old Town, memories of the huge paddling pool, tar blocks to burn from tram lines being pulled up. Band concerts on the common, trees to climb. Walks to Brixton and all the street traders, Pomegranates, smells, lights and the wonderful colours of felt squares in Bon Marche.
Later we moved to Wandsworth to a newly built flat in a block of six homes, I now had two younger sisters as well as an older brother.
A new school and recall a broken collarbone from playing football. Then exams and moving on to Secondary school, lots of activity, cross country running, rugby (still have the broken tooth), science labs, engineering workshops, tech drawing rooms and the usual basic classes. School trip to France for the day.
Holidays at the coast, staying at relatives swimming in the sea, tramping across the chalk hills and sliding down the pits wearing out trouser backsides. Summers always seemed warmer.
Starting work at 16, Sputnik, the space race, later Bob Dylan and the 60’s flower power. Kennedy assassination, Birmingham Sunday, Martin Luther King, Moon landing. Visits to see Guy the gorilla in London Zoo, not sure who was watching who.
Berlin wall, Falklands war, Gulf war, Afghan war, African famines, job changes, marriage, Twin Towers, emigrating to Canada in 2003, retiring in 2016. World tensions over North Korea, China, Russia still continuing. HIV, Sars and now Covid 19.
Still have friends from 50 plus years ago, we don’t see each other often but stay in touch.
Yep made it this far, so what does the future hold, hopefully another 30 years or more, Mars landings? Certainly more world problems but maybe, just maybe, people can accept their differences and co-exist, if not peacefully, then without the wars and needless waste of life.