When the coalman came and had to go through the house with the bags of coal my mum used to put newspaper on the walls in the hall to protect them. If the coal fire was in action in the front lounge, which was only used for special occasions, you were warm in the front but not at the back of our flat.  Mind you toast done on a toasting fork by the open fire was the best toast ever.  We still have the toasting fork and a chestnut roaster which dad used to love to use. I can remember so clearly the hot chestnuts in my hand and trying to peel them - great times.

We had a bath every Friday night after my parents had to get permission from the tenants to use the bathroom in THEIR house as the bath was upstairs in the tenants flat. It was a fight!!! How I remember going to Fulham Baths - not only a swimming pool but you could have a super bath there and yell out 'more hot in number two please.' The baths were huge and you could almost swim in them.

We also had our weekly spoonful of Syrup of Figs - ugh! Dad used to call it our 'opening' medicine!!!

My dear Mum used to catch the number 28 bus to North End Road and do the shopping in the market there and I used to love to go to Sainsburys with her and watch them 'pat' up the butter for us and slice the bacon. You used to have to queue for individual items. She used to come home on the bus laden and weary especially on a Thursday as the money had just about lasted until dad came home on Friday with sweets in his pocket for his three girls having just been paid. He also had an allotment in Putney and he used to get the 22 bus there and then bring home the vegetables for our dinner.

We had neighbours called the Wards. They lived on the corner of Settrington Road and we lived next door to the Halls. Sadly we do not have contact with any of them now.

Our house in Clancarty Rd cost £450. I dread to think what it is going for now!