This photo, apart from being dreadful in quality as it is a photo of a photo and dates from 1970 (Yes prehistoric, I know!), was taken at Temple Meads station, Bristol in January. I know this because I was on my way back to college, after spending a wonderful six months in Tours, France as part of my course. Please note that I was at the cutting edge of fashion - probably the last time for a long time as the fashions of the seventies were a great disappointment to me. I hated the cult of the ugly and the sludgy browns and greens of the late seventies in particular.
But what I remembered in particular, when I looked at this photo, was not the happy absence of a spare tyre, but the energy and optimism I had then. As well as looking forward to a career in teaching, (Hm, yes, really) I could walk uphill for a couple of miles in stiletto heels and not feel the after effects, spring out of bed at six in the morning if I had to and not feel like going back there by 2pm, play a game of tennis without my knees grinding and just generally rush around without a second thought.
Still, it's all an attitude of mind, isn't it? I am still that person, if I can just get over the post prandial energy dips, the aching hip and the knee that threatens to give way every so often.
Now wouldn't it be fantastic if someone could find a way of combining the life experience and maturity of age with the energy of the young self? Whoever is currently working on this, please let me know when you are successful. In the meantime, maybe a trudge round the field with the dogs would help...
