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I just loved my garden swing. I still remember the day I looked out my bedroom window and saw my dad installing it in the garden. I was beyond excited. I continued to love that swing until we moved house when I was in my teens. (And I still have a wee swing when I’m in the park with my grandchildren.)

Playing two balls when on school playtime, and hula-hooping. At home I spent most weekends out cycling for miles around the country lanes, stopping to collect 'tiddlers' in a local stream, carrying them home in a jam jar (I have no recollection what happened to them after that ). During the long summer holiday I used to cycle to the local outdoor swimming pool almost every day, spend several hours swimming and sunbathing with friends, and then cycle home in time for dinner. Such happy, carefree times!

My favourite outdoor activity as a child was gardening as I loved to plant things, watch them grow, then get to eat them. I used to be so pleased when mum would help me make things like blackberry & apple crumble or rhubarb pie with fruits I'd grown or lots of salad to go with cold meats or egg, side salads for other meals. Every time I grew something new to me it gave me a sense of achievement. Some things grew in abundance so I could eat as much as I wanted to. I also used to help an elderly couple with their garden and they paid me in fruits and vegetables - I felt like I contributed towards meals this way as we never had any money. My all time favourite was being able to stuff myself silly with juicy cherries from their lovely old tree - of course I had to pick them some too and get there before the birds ate too many. Walking my dog through the woods, especially to gather chestnuts, was also a regular activity.

Playing in the garden with all the neighbourhood children. Remember playing cowboys and Indians.

Sweeping leaves into a big pile with my dad. Then jumping in them and scattering them everywhere again!

Lots of happy memories, lots of outside activities, none of which needed much money for.!!
My favourite must be riding a bike, handed down through the family. :-)

Playing 'kick the can' in the woods with my friends.

Swimming in the sea after school with my dad and brother in the summer, followed by a fish and chip supper sitting on the pebbles before setting off home.

I had a cocker spaniel, his name was Patch, and we used to go in my canoe on the River Trent together. As an only child living in an isolated place he was my friend and companion. He sat at the front end of the canoe while I paddled at the back. I never felt lonely and spent all the good weather outside. So different from children today!

Getting on my bike and cycling off for the day during the school summer holidays, then coming back as it was getting cool at night and my bath was ready and waiting for me.

Skipping was a big thing with me and my local schoolfriends although whip and top came a close second. No doubt this shows my age! smile

My favourite outdoor activity as a child was riding my bike! And sometimes pretending it was a horse, by attaching string to the handlebars and riding it that way. I loved the freedom, the speed, the sheer joy of it.

rollerskating especially downhill. It hurt when you fell and grazed yourself but you got up and carried on. Kids don't know how to play these days, computer games are boring,you need to be out in the fresh air

Lying on the grass on a sunny day making daisy chains

Skipping

Pitching a tent on the lawn and sleeping out overnight with friends. Today it would be called a “Sleepover “.

Digging deep holes in the garden! Lived in a gravel bearing area, so if you dug deep enough, the hole filled with water. Such fun?

Whip and top. We spent hours decorating the top of our wooden tops with coloured chalks. We played on the road as there was very little traffic in those days.

It would have to be climbing trees, fell out of a number too, have the scars to prove it!

Playing outside on my three wheeler bike. Skipping as well. Watching with my brother the steam trains going through the local station near our house. Happy days in the early Sixties!

Travelling to Weymouth on a steam train and trying to be the first child to see the sea as the train emerged from the tunnel.
Also donkey riding on the beach and watching the Punch and Judy show.

Hop scotch chalked out on the pavement outside our house.

Skipping & playing 2 balls

Playing group games with all the other kids living in the same road

riding my bike on the beach promenade