I had a very happy childhood, and most of my memories revolve around holidays in Devon, at Clifford Bridge Caravan site, where we went on holiday every summer until I was 8 years old. It is between Exeter and Mortam Hampstead.I remember walking to Fingle Bridge pub along the river walk, a woodland walk with trees and copius greenery, and tree-trunks piled up by the path. It always smelt of saw-dust and the air was warm and clean. We had chips at the pub and my brother and I paddled in the river. Back at the caravan site I made friends with children on the swings, and enjoyed sitting on an old tractor, which was now stationary and fixed onto a slab of concrete. The leather seat was hot from the sun, as were the wheels, and I liked to turn the steering wheel and make engine noises. In the morning we went swimming in the outdoor pool, wearing arm-bands that my Dad blew up. I swam backwards and forwards across the pool, got out at the deep end, ran back to the shallow end and swam back again. Pure joy. Our long walks over the moors and cream teas with scones, jam and cream at quaint tearooms in Mortam Hampstead, and licking the metal cream and jam containers are fond memories. Sitting on grave stones in the Church, looking at the Eagle statue in the church, my Mum buying garlic sausages and the smell of the sausages emanating from her backpack on the long walk back to the caravan site, eating the sausages on the picnic bench outside the caravan, and then joining my friends at the swings. Playing Happy Families in the morning after egg and toast on the picnic bench, walking to North Bovey for the summer fete, where I rode a horse and had an ice-cream.
Devon was followed by a holiday in Stratford Upon Avon at another Caravan site, where we saw my family and Grandpa. Boat rides on the river Avon, long games of Cricket (I was very good), quiche and potatoes meals with my Grandpa in the caravan, playing with water pistols, feeding the ducks, visiting my Great Uncle in Welford, long picnic meals in his garden, carelessness and freedom. Happy, happy memories.
