Crumbs, that was a shock to the system

I can still remember the smell (or should I say stench) of those Afghan coats. Someone I knew brought one home from Afghanistan and had to leave it out in the garden overnight rather than hang it inside the house.
And do you remember those maxi coats, often double breasted? Kept us all very snug. Mine was a lovely black and white herringbone fabric, very fitted. Most of the boys had dark ones, more military looking.
I saw an elderly man in a local restaurant wearing one the other night, he looked wonderful - I'm guessing he was an actor and it had been a costume as it fitted perfectly and he had a lovely patterned silk shirt and matching clothes. It had a look of Adam and the Ants.

I bought a birthday card recently . the front says ----Inside every old person is young one wondering what the hell happened! That about sums it up

Yes I would say do what you can while you can. I'm 72 and been disabled for 4 years (just after retirement) my daughters are 47 and 45. I had afghan coat, mini skirts, tapestry trousers in 1968.

I saw my old English teacher at a family funeral last week, and went over to introduce myself. Afterwards, my DF asked if she’d recognised me. She hadn’t. But then I realised she taught me over half a century ago!!!! I really did feel my age, and probably, so did she!!!!

Elless

Are you talking about when they mentioned Emmerdale had been on air for 50 years Kitty? I was shocked too. My DH and I were having a discussion about a 70 year old he met who was learning to ride a motorcycle and I thought he was too old until I realised my DH is 65 and I'm 62 and we ride 😂😂

I have a photo of my GreatGrandFather sat on a motorbike wearing leathers and a leather helmet written on the back it says "To my D. taken in my 87th year. '
Carry on biking

I remember 70 years ago - specifically the Coronation of Elizabeth II. I was 9 years old. Like many, my parents got a television (rented from Radio Rentals). My grandmother, great aunts, aunt and next door neighbours joined us for the big day. In our small living room, with curtains drawn to stop glare, we gathered round the tiny screen. It seemed like a kind of a miracle to be watching this as it was happening. Afterwards my father took a photo of us all outside the lounge window. I had obviously been told to stand up straight because I am standing in a very unnatural pose - ramrod straight with my arms pressed against my side. 70 years on and now a republican. My parents will be turning in their graves.

I went to a fifty years on school reunion a couple of weeks ago. Lovely to see everyone but how can it be so long ago that I did A levels?

I did my Ph.D on Human Computer Interaction at a time when the internet was a comparatively new and primitive phenomenon. Many of the adults I taught in further education classes had never used a computer. I can recall attending a conference at which my nephew (who built computers for a living) spoke about the convergence of technology and people were looking at him as though we was talking science finction.

20 years on that science fiction has become science fact. People use smart phones for multiple purposes. We have back office systems which tell store owners when their stock is getting low and automatically generate an order for more. Alexa and similar virtual assistants now run amany homes.

The speed of technology is often frightening.

I too watched the Coronation as a child. All neighbours gathered round tiny screen on TV the size/style of a walnut bedside cabinet. First TV any of us had seen apart from in a shop window. Yes, ours, when we got one, was from Radio Rentals. Wonder if it’s our age - but I too am a Republican, whilst still enjoying a bit of pomp. Loved the Queen’s funeral shenanigans - but do think ‘royalty’ ‘nobility’ (except in a moral sense) an outdated fraud.

1973! I was 21, studying and living away from home for the first time and loving not having to tell my parents every little detail of my day. Certain life would be exactly as I had planned it before leaving school!

It hasn't turned out as planned, but I have only minor regrets.

But oh yes, I know the feeling - it can't be 50 years ago already, surely?

It wasn't Emmerdale that prompted my horror. There was a programme about Traffic Free Neighbourhoods. The presenter said that the first ones were introduced 50 tears ago. I commented to DH that I didn't think that would have occurred in the 50s. He gave a funny look and said that it was actually the 70s.

Just to be topical, I can just remember the last Coronation 70 years ago. Not so much the detail, but the excitement and cheerful atmosphere. All school children in Birmingham received a free tin of chocolates which was very exciting. Now, in my small town in Devon, hardly anyone is talking about the Coronation, there are very few street parties and just a small selection of tacky souvenirs. The news is dominated by the cost of living crisis, illegal immigrants, shennanigins in the SNP, Ukraine.....has the joy gone forever?

I know Kitty where did those years go?My youngest 'child' is 20 today- the 2 youngest ones (20&24) are keeping me young!(60 in summer-how did that happen?) At least my eldest grandbabies are holding off making me a great gran - then ill know im really old!😂

I was appalled to read recently that 1970 was closer to 1918 than we are to 1970 today! That really pulled me up short!

Surely someone has their finger stuck on the fast forward button.

Fleurpepper, loved your post about meeting your husband! My daughter was one of the first babies born on the day of our late Queen’s coronation. She is named Elizabeth. Age just creeps up on us. I wish my interest in family history had blossomed sooner as my grandparents and parents would have been a great source of knowledge. I do enjoy threads like this.

The list of number one hits brought back a few memories, thanks for posting.

I had an afghan coat, which became more 'fragrant' in the rain and sometimes resulted in me having the seat to myself on the bus in wet weather. Also wearing mini skirts and long silver boots (what a poser!). I also had a silk jacket a la Marc Bolan. Anyone remember wearing loon pants? The memories of rebellious teen years!

Anniel

Fleurpepper, loved your post about meeting your husband! My daughter was one of the first babies born on the day of our late Queen’s coronation. She is named Elizabeth. Age just creeps up on us. I wish my interest in family history had blossomed sooner as my grandparents and parents would have been a great source of knowledge. I do enjoy threads like this.

My mum used to tell me things about my family and I so wish I'd written things down. I just assumed I'd remember the details but now I only remember vague facts!

1973 was the year I left school and left home to go to University. We had a reunion in 2017 to recognise 40 years since graduation, but one of our closest friends is already not with us. That really brings it home! It made me realise I need to not just keep in touch at Christmas but actually get together with the people who matter to me while we still can.

I volunteer at a National Trust property which has a 1970s bedsit.I enjoy reminiscing with visitors about the objects in there.But it's scary that it doesn't seem long ago,but now all these things are in a museum.

cc

I can still remember the smell (or should I say stench) of those Afghan coats. Someone I knew brought one home from Afghanistan and had to leave it out in the garden overnight rather than hang it inside the house.
And do you remember those maxi coats, often double breasted? Kept us all very snug. Mine was a lovely black and white herringbone fabric, very fitted. Most of the boys had dark ones, more military looking.
I saw an elderly man in a local restaurant wearing one the other night, he looked wonderful - I'm guessing he was an actor and it had been a costume as it fitted perfectly and he had a lovely patterned silk shirt and matching clothes. It had a look of Adam and the Ants.

I had a beautiful herringbone grey midi coat, made for me by a neighbour who was a tailor, probably the only handmade item of clothing I have every had, apart from homemade by Mum when I was young. It was a truly beautiful coat and the envy of my friends. I used to wear it with a pair of those black boots with pull up legs.

I’ll be 80 this year and suddenly I feel that I’m an old woman.
Still quite active but definitely slower. I wonder who is the oldest person on Gransnet? My oldest grandchild will be 28 this year .. I often wish I could have a chat with my late mum and we could compare notes about growing old! She would be 117 years old if still alive.

My partner and I have been together less than a year. When people ask how we met and when we have to say… 1970 , when we were both at university and the best of pals. It doesn’t seem like 5 decades ago and I’m glad to say that we’re stilll best pals .

I remember in the mid 1960s having a maths lesson on binary numbers. When we asked the teacher what was the point we were told that it all to do with computers, which at that time were a quite rare and as big as a room . Almost 60 years later most of us carry a much smaller one around in our pockets !

At work recently I said I don't feel my age UNTIL I realise I have two daughters aged 40 and 37 therefore I cannot be 30 myself can I?

I wish everyone would stop talking about my age.

I remember silent films and cats whisker radio. The doctor coming out on a Sunday and charging half a crown. Paying six guineas hospital bill for the birth of my daughter.