Love this piece Sue. Beautifully written and really captures atmosphere and emotions. I’m also intrigued as a Harpenden girl myself as to whether I may have known Tim in an earlier life!
Hi Roselle thanks for reading and saying hi! So many great memories from those early Stonehenges! The Tibetan Ukrainian Mountain Troupe, opium fudge......well met!!
Yes! I do remember Gong - in fact, my kids were in a band that supported Gong up here in Alston only a few years ago - it was a tiny gig, and my mate Janet (also at Stonehenge who used to put on the blue Moon Festivals up here - runs Tat for Tiber now) hosted the whole of Gong including Daevid Allen at her gaff.
That is SO funny! I lived at number 4 Tuffnells and my mum was friends with his mum and we knew the family. I had an inkling it might be him but I only remember him as being about 12 when. he looked rather different (I'm a bit older)! I think he had one sister called Katy, can't remember the other name but I think my sister Ruth was friendly with her. We both live in Granada now and sadly my parents have died and the house was sold in 2021 - they'd lived there over 50 years. My sister and I both went to St Georges (as he asked...). Am sure he won't remember me!
He does vaguely remember you! His sisters are Kate and Jenny. I went to teacher training college with Kate - that's how I met Tim!
Did you know the Tansleys? Kate married Jeremy Tansley. Small World!
Sorry to hear about your parents. What were their names? Margaret (Tim's mum) is still alive but now lives near Derby, near Jenny. She is still in touch with John Bristow who used to live at number 5.
John and Lilian Martin. Remember me and them to Margaret …
I think the “rebrand”’works well. Previous name didn’t really promote the content in an immediate way. I enjoy what you write. I’ve been really blocked since finishing a creative writing diploma. Very slowly working towards a Substack!
aha! I see, so are you Mike in real life and Molly's the dog?
Just shout if I can help - I find this a brilliant platform to blog on - for me, it serves as a place to try out some memoir and nature writing, and use it as a newsletter for my work.
Yes, I’m Mike in real life, Molly dog is real and really blind too. I’ve a thing that the dog can say things I can’t which may enable me to be a little more frank on certain matters. I’m not sure what those certain matters are nowadays. Ten years ago they would have been different. I’m not a great one for keeping diaries, journals, blogs etc. My happy place is Blipfoto which is a really lovely friendly place where most members post a daily photo and comment. Some of us are brilliant photographers with expensive equipment. I mainly use my phone but I do have DSLRs. I quite like to record something interesting to me each day and it works well. I’ve met a fellow blipper in Humshaugh, but they can be on the other side of the world. I’m not finding Substack that easy to use, I’m not sure what the difference is between a post and a blog entry (haven’t even got the terminology yet either!) and I’m not sure how regular this will be. I suppose I need to commit myself to it and that would be helpful. Thank you for your encouragement.
Awww Sue what a beautiful love story. What a life lived full. I can’t wait to hear more of the stories as your autobiography starts to take shape. You are a story oracle 😍❤️
What moving and honest piece this is. I have tears in my eyes. I think you have reminded me of my teens and early twenties. I don't like to revisit that time as I feel quite ashamed of how I behaved. I was very lost and felt unloved but didn't know how to deal with it.
Oh Sue, my heart goes out to you. What a similar place we have come from. It was learning that it was not my fault that set me on the road to recovery, that and writing my story. And now I am sharing it, and speaking it, I no longer feel shame. I'd love to talk to you more!
Love this piece Sue. Beautifully written and really captures atmosphere and emotions. I’m also intrigued as a Harpenden girl myself as to whether I may have known Tim in an earlier life!
Tim is next to me! He lived on Tuffnells Way - he's asking what school you went to…🤔
Oh what a beautiful story! And I can relate to lots of it (esp the early Stonehenge festivals before 'they' ringed it with wire).
Lovely man. Lovely woman. So pleased for you.
Hi Roselle thanks for reading and saying hi! So many great memories from those early Stonehenges! The Tibetan Ukrainian Mountain Troupe, opium fudge......well met!!
Oh yes! And I got a lift once (hitching) with Gong and Mother Gong - remember them?
Yes! I do remember Gong - in fact, my kids were in a band that supported Gong up here in Alston only a few years ago - it was a tiny gig, and my mate Janet (also at Stonehenge who used to put on the blue Moon Festivals up here - runs Tat for Tiber now) hosted the whole of Gong including Daevid Allen at her gaff.
How amazing. I love these interconnections!
And thank you for subscribing - reciprocated!
That is SO funny! I lived at number 4 Tuffnells and my mum was friends with his mum and we knew the family. I had an inkling it might be him but I only remember him as being about 12 when. he looked rather different (I'm a bit older)! I think he had one sister called Katy, can't remember the other name but I think my sister Ruth was friendly with her. We both live in Granada now and sadly my parents have died and the house was sold in 2021 - they'd lived there over 50 years. My sister and I both went to St Georges (as he asked...). Am sure he won't remember me!
He does vaguely remember you! His sisters are Kate and Jenny. I went to teacher training college with Kate - that's how I met Tim!
Did you know the Tansleys? Kate married Jeremy Tansley. Small World!
Sorry to hear about your parents. What were their names? Margaret (Tim's mum) is still alive but now lives near Derby, near Jenny. She is still in touch with John Bristow who used to live at number 5.
John and Lilian Martin. Remember me and them to Margaret …
I think the “rebrand”’works well. Previous name didn’t really promote the content in an immediate way. I enjoy what you write. I’ve been really blocked since finishing a creative writing diploma. Very slowly working towards a Substack!
Yes, I will remember them to Margaret.
So happy you like the rebrand.
Just write! ✍️ Anything!! 😉
What a lovely story. It’s so good to know a bit more about you
Thanks Lesley, I'm glad you enjoyed the read.
What a beautiful story! ❣️
Thank you. He's sitting next to me in the car as we speak, having driven me a hospital appointment ❤️
This made my day!!!! Happy Valentine's day to both of you. I am sure you have had to work at it, but the love is coming through!
Hi Camille - definitely peaks and troughs, but on the whole the graph shows an upwards curve!! Thanks for your lovely comment.
What an amazing story. Thank you for sharing it. You look and no doubt are so happy together. And it has stood the test of time.
Thanks Molly! (Love your name).
We have our moments, but yes, definitely stood the test of time.
I thought you would. By the way I’m Mike Slade on X! Your writing has inspired me to try this out, but I’m not sure it will work out, but we’ll see.
aha! I see, so are you Mike in real life and Molly's the dog?
Just shout if I can help - I find this a brilliant platform to blog on - for me, it serves as a place to try out some memoir and nature writing, and use it as a newsletter for my work.
Yes, I’m Mike in real life, Molly dog is real and really blind too. I’ve a thing that the dog can say things I can’t which may enable me to be a little more frank on certain matters. I’m not sure what those certain matters are nowadays. Ten years ago they would have been different. I’m not a great one for keeping diaries, journals, blogs etc. My happy place is Blipfoto which is a really lovely friendly place where most members post a daily photo and comment. Some of us are brilliant photographers with expensive equipment. I mainly use my phone but I do have DSLRs. I quite like to record something interesting to me each day and it works well. I’ve met a fellow blipper in Humshaugh, but they can be on the other side of the world. I’m not finding Substack that easy to use, I’m not sure what the difference is between a post and a blog entry (haven’t even got the terminology yet either!) and I’m not sure how regular this will be. I suppose I need to commit myself to it and that would be helpful. Thank you for your encouragement.
What a beautiful tribute to love. Gorgeous
Thank you, of course we do bicker and have our ups and downs, but I do feel loved & 40 years together is cause to pop a cork in my book!
Ups and downs, life's rollercoaster ... but the ride is the thing!
Congratulations on 40 yrs together, Sue, 💗I love reading about your life, although this morning is tricky as my glasses seem to have steamed up 🥹
Ah, bless you, Lesley. Thanks for your kind words xx
Well reading this piece has made my morning. Thank you, Sue.
What a lovely comment to receive - you've made my morning, too 🙏
Awww Sue what a beautiful love story. What a life lived full. I can’t wait to hear more of the stories as your autobiography starts to take shape. You are a story oracle 😍❤️
Thanks dearest Emma. So much more that could be said, too. All in good time!
I'm in for the long run :)
What moving and honest piece this is. I have tears in my eyes. I think you have reminded me of my teens and early twenties. I don't like to revisit that time as I feel quite ashamed of how I behaved. I was very lost and felt unloved but didn't know how to deal with it.
Thank you for sharing your story.
Oh Sue, my heart goes out to you. What a similar place we have come from. It was learning that it was not my fault that set me on the road to recovery, that and writing my story. And now I am sharing it, and speaking it, I no longer feel shame. I'd love to talk to you more!
This is such a lovely story Sue, and what a 'moody' photo of a young Tim!
Thanks Harry, he's a good looking man!
Awwwww ....
This sounds wild and free to me! Lovely piece again! ❤️🙌
Thanks Lyndsey - now added a voice over. It felt important to say it out loud!
Such an amazing journey, Sue. 😇😇
Thanks James. It's been a wild ride!
Sounds like it! ✨️
Just added a voiceover - felt important to speak these words out loud! Big step, speaking my truth.
Thanks Nicola. I'd love to write a longer memoir one day.
I decided after posting it to add the voice over. It felt important to speak this truth out loud.