Boys


Four ten year old boys running amok in the street is a somewhat rare sight nowadays given the fact that modern parenting seems to be micromanaging childhood but there they were this morning sprinting up and down the lane, shouting about a den made over in the fields beyond Trendy Carol's house.
They didn't see me, as I was busy planting a peony in the back garden, but I heard them, and so did Albert who was sat on the cottage wall, swishing his tail in temper.
It's amazing just how much noise four small boys can make at full pelt.

For a second or two there was a worrying silence, and I was surprised to glimpse what looked like a banana skin flying past Albert's head to land with a plop on the path.
The boys galloped away before I could even stand up and Albert bolted for the safety of the kitchen.

I've been crouched behind the wall waiting for them all to return for the past half hour
I'm going to lob the banana skin right back at em !

What larks Pip! 

Ps I'm 54

I was still lurking in the garden, banana skin in hand when a rather natty woman poked her head over the wall, bearing gifts!
She brought me these Teacups, Gifts that once were sold in the village shop sometime in the 1940-50s ( Newmarket was the village's former name and it was changed to Trelawnyd in 1957)

36 comments:

  1. I bet you will have a better aim than they did.

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  2. you may be 54, but there's a 12 year old boy inside you dying to get out!

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    1. Absolutely !!! and your aim is no doubt much better than theirs !

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  3. Was the natty woman called Peony by any chance? You know, the one you "planted" in the "back garden" earlier.

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  4. Tomorrow's headline in The Sun:"Cops arrest Welsh professor's husband, for fruity assault on child; and crimes against spelling."

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    1. Now now ... Perhaps John will be bare when he sends the banana back over the wall...

      John, please Please tell us as soon as you manage to get your banana revenge !

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  5. Did said wee boy eventually get the banana skin back (in his face)?

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  6. Anonymous12:18 pm

    In the 1950s was there a rejection in Wales of at least English names?

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    1. I am not quite sure who made the decision...the council i suspect

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  7. Anonymous12:20 pm

    Never throw (back) a banana skin. It's bad Karma. You will slip - if not now, later.

    You mention that you are 54. Is that a veiled hint that today is your birthday? For some dim reason I had you down as a June baby. Still, better safe than sorry, belts and braces: Happy Birthday, John. If too early just freeze my best wishes on day sent, defrost slowly. If too late throw them on the compost heap.

    I love peonies - the tight ball type, slowly unfolding.

    Albert (complete with swishing tail) greetings,
    U

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  8. Love the cups!
    Hope you " returned" the banana skin....

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  9. This confirms my theory that few men evolve past the age of 12. I was at a lake cottage with my family many years ago and my brothers and a good friend spent at least an hour giving cheese to some ants. At some point my brother said let's burn em out!

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  10. I would be careful about admitting to lying in wait for 4 boys behind a garden wall in Wales if I were you. Google might get the wrong idea...

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  11. Wow, what great cups! What led to the name change from Newmarket to Trelawnyd? Do you know the history of that?

    May you strike at least one of the boys successfully with the banana skin. (Hopefully they won't retaliate by throwing heavier objects, like rocks!)

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    1. The village was renamed in the 1700s by john wynne who built most of the older and impressive buildings ( including auntie glads house) it was thought that returning it to its welsh name of Trelawnyd was more in keeping ( trelawnyd means town of wheat)

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  12. It's a pleasure to see young boys (and girls) playing outside. Alas, it's all too rare these days.

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  13. That's way better than a banana peel as a gift. Still, I hope you get to throw it back at them. Trelawnyd was Newmarket? I was born in Newmarket Ontario.

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  14. Do you think the boys were trying to hit Albert or just get rid of garbage?

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  15. For one reason or another, the word NATTY doesn't sound like what it means. I had to look it up as we don't use the word but assumed it meant a mess. I would have loved the story more if, somehow, that peel ended up on her natty sweater ;)

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  16. I just loved that film - The Goonies. Nice when kids play at being kids.

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    1. Hey you guys!!! lol I also love that film

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  17. Well boys will be boys I suppose - on both sides of that hedge.

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  18. When I read of a woman 'baring' gifts I think one thing, when I read of a woman 'bearing' gifts, it's another....

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    1. I wish i could spell

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    2. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  19. It's not often you see a group of boys playing together anymore.
    What lovely cups!

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  20. The only children I seem to see outside these days are the naughty ones - which is a shame! You seem to have run into the same ones. I do hope they weren't aiming at Albert. Keep an eye on him, eh? Black cats seem to come in for more than their share of abuse, for some reason.

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  21. I can just see you squatting down in wait banana skin in hand. I just wished they had come back by and heard the rest of the story. What a lovely gift surprises are always welcomed, very kind of her.

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    1. Her father used to live in the village and she has given me a few of his belongings which covered village history! I dud squat down for a good while....but the little bastard didnt return!

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  22. Banana skins are great for roses! Look at it as a gift?

    Fantastic gift, I do love souvenir tea cups. The more decorated the better

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  23. Image still has me smiling.

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  24. Your inner boy is HUGE.

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  25. Did you get to lob that banana peel? I wish I could see that!

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  26. I hope you were able to lop right back . . .
    Naughty tallywags!

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