Where were you in '73
Re: Where were you in '73
We were already in Paris by '73. We had a flat in a high-rise about 10k south of Orly on the edge of a plateau overlooking the Seine valley. To the north we could just see the Eiffel Tower on clear days, and we could watch but not hear the planes approaching to land. On the south we had a balcony from which we could see to the Fontainebleau Forest. We could also see the thunderstorms approaching, and watch the lightning strikes change from orange to violet as they got closer. I once stood and watched planes coming in through a storm, and it seemed that every one of them was struck.
I was working for a computer company in the 11e Arrondissement, a definitely unsnooty area with lots of restaurants where you could get a good meal for not much, or we could go to the bistro downstairs from the office, have a sandwich and play bridge. Fun days.
Just now I'm working my way through a Maigret omnibus, mostly of stories written in the 1930s. It's a sobering thought that Maigret's Paris is closer to the Paris I discovered in the 70s than the 70s Paris is to today.
I was working for a computer company in the 11e Arrondissement, a definitely unsnooty area with lots of restaurants where you could get a good meal for not much, or we could go to the bistro downstairs from the office, have a sandwich and play bridge. Fun days.
Just now I'm working my way through a Maigret omnibus, mostly of stories written in the 1930s. It's a sobering thought that Maigret's Paris is closer to the Paris I discovered in the 70s than the 70s Paris is to today.
Have we got time for another cuppa?
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Re: Where were you in '73
Maigret in French or English? I read some in English years ago. Have they stood the test of time? Are they still popular in French-reading countries?
..
Saw an interesting collection of photos on the interweb recently, views of le tour Eiffel from peoples homes, lots of people just have a view of it from the bathroom or the stairwell
..
Saw an interesting collection of photos on the interweb recently, views of le tour Eiffel from peoples homes, lots of people just have a view of it from the bathroom or the stairwell
Entertainer, juvenile, curmudgeon, PoB, 30120
Cycling-of course, but it is far better on a Gillott
We love safety cameras, we hate bullies
Cycling-of course, but it is far better on a Gillott
We love safety cameras, we hate bullies
Re: Where were you in '73
In late 1972 I moved to a new scotch whisky distillery which had just opened. The manager who was supposed to get this done was not up to the job and left a shambles behind.
1973 was spent mostly sorting the place out and getting it running efficiently with proper systems in place and training staff who knew nothing of the workings of a distillery and minor coopering. We ran 24/7 and I was on call all the time for the first 6 months. Hard work but rewarding seeing it all coming together.
1973 was spent mostly sorting the place out and getting it running efficiently with proper systems in place and training staff who knew nothing of the workings of a distillery and minor coopering. We ran 24/7 and I was on call all the time for the first 6 months. Hard work but rewarding seeing it all coming together.
Re: Where were you in '73
Mick F wrote:scribes wrote:In 1973 I was serving in the Royal Naval frigate HMS JAGUAR.
We were in Singapore in '71 in Achilles, and Jag was across the other side of the basin. Mate of mine as an REM was on her then, by name of Dixie Dean. We had been in the same class at Raleigh.
Dixie is front row far left.
I'm middle row 4th from left.Raleigh.jpg
The Cat Class frigates - more correctly Leopard Class - had a gunnery radar nicknamed "the eyeballs in the sky" for obvious reasons.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leopard-class_frigate
Hi Mick F,
In '71 I was in COMFEF in the dockyard and came across a Nobby Hall (AB) from Achilles in a x-country race at Simbang.
These were the days!
Scribes
Re: Where were you in '73
Happy days eh?
For the uninitiated, COMFEF stands for Commander Far East Fleet.
Achilles was the last RN ship to leave Singapore RN Base.
The fleet sailed away as a ceremonial departure ........ late 1971 ........... but we had to turn back after the fleet had left as we had a major mechanical defect, and went back. Consequently, WE were the last ship to go, though not recorded in history as such.
Mick F. Cornwall
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Re: Where were you in '73
Audax67 wrote:We were already in Paris by '73. We had a flat in a high-rise about 10k south of Orly on the edge of a plateau overlooking the Seine valley. To the north we could just see the Eiffel Tower on clear days, and we could watch but not hear the planes approaching to land. On the south we had a balcony from which we could see to the Fontainebleau Forest. We could also see the thunderstorms approaching, and watch the lightning strikes change from orange to violet as they got closer. I once stood and watched planes coming in through a storm, and it seemed that every one of them was struck.
I was working for a computer company in the 11e Arrondissement, a definitely unsnooty area with lots of restaurants where you could get a good meal for not much, or we could go to the bistro downstairs from the office, have a sandwich and play bridge. Fun days.
Just now I'm working my way through a Maigret omnibus, mostly of stories written in the 1930s. It's a sobering thought that Maigret's Paris is closer to the Paris I discovered in the 70s than the 70s Paris is to today.
I make this sort of comparison all the time.
In 1973 the death of my grandfather, killed in action in WW2 in 1944 and before I was born, seemed like ancient history.
Now it seems much more recent, and I understand why my mother still talks about it quite often.
Re: Where were you in '73
carpetcleaner wrote:Audax67 wrote:We were already in Paris by '73. We had a flat in a high-rise about 10k south of Orly on the edge of a plateau overlooking the Seine valley. To the north we could just see the Eiffel Tower on clear days, and we could watch but not hear the planes approaching to land. On the south we had a balcony from which we could see to the Fontainebleau Forest. We could also see the thunderstorms approaching, and watch the lightning strikes change from orange to violet as they got closer. I once stood and watched planes coming in through a storm, and it seemed that every one of them was struck.
I was working for a computer company in the 11e Arrondissement, a definitely unsnooty area with lots of restaurants where you could get a good meal for not much, or we could go to the bistro downstairs from the office, have a sandwich and play bridge. Fun days.
Just now I'm working my way through a Maigret omnibus, mostly of stories written in the 1930s. It's a sobering thought that Maigret's Paris is closer to the Paris I discovered in the 70s than the 70s Paris is to today.
I make this sort of comparison all the time.
In 1973 the death of my grandfather, killed in action in WW2 in 1944 and before I was born, seemed like ancient history.
Now it seems much more recent, and I understand why my mother still talks about it quite often.
I know that feeling, I was born in 1961 and when I was growing up WW2, as you say, was ancient history. However, it only finished 16 years before I was born. My teenage years don't feel that long ago, but they were 40+ years ago.
Richard M
Cardiff
Cardiff
Re: Where were you in '73
Cyril Haearn wrote:Maigret in French or English? I read some in English years ago. Have they stood the test of time? Are they still popular in French-reading countries?
..
Saw an interesting collection of photos on the interweb recently, views of le tour Eiffel from peoples homes, lots of people just have a view of it from the bathroom or the stairwell
In French. Quite fascinating due to changes in vocabulary and attitudes since then.
Have we got time for another cuppa?
- NATURAL ANKLING
- Posts: 13780
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- Location: English Riviera
Re: Where were you in '73
Hi,
Me
Not every life is great is it.......
lbomaak2 wrote:I was a rather depressed and lonely 15-year-old in 1973. But I had a heavy, second-hand bike with Sturmey-Archer 3-speed hub, and when I got bored at weekends and during school holidays I used to go off for rides of 20 miles or more around the lanes of Beds and Bucks. No map, no tools, no waterproofs.
Me
Not every life is great is it.......
NA Thinks Just End 2 End Return + Bivvy - Some day Soon I hope
You'll Still Find Me At The Top Of A Hill
Please forgive the poor Grammar I blame it on my mobile and phat thinkers.
You'll Still Find Me At The Top Of A Hill
Please forgive the poor Grammar I blame it on my mobile and phat thinkers.
Re: Where were you in '73
I'm in no way trying to 'hijack the thread, but lets see if I can get any response if I suggest '1963'.
To start you off, I was at University in Sydney, playing rather more rugby than I was studying - when I wasn't surfing, that was.
And yes, I can (just about) remember those days. Hic.
To start you off, I was at University in Sydney, playing rather more rugby than I was studying - when I wasn't surfing, that was.
And yes, I can (just about) remember those days. Hic.
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Re: Where were you in 1963?
I was in short trousers in 1963
@Morzedec Hope you have spent lockdown writing your autobiography, may I order a copy? When shall you be released?
..
Anyone for 1953? (not me)
@Morzedec Hope you have spent lockdown writing your autobiography, may I order a copy? When shall you be released?
..
Anyone for 1953? (not me)
Entertainer, juvenile, curmudgeon, PoB, 30120
Cycling-of course, but it is far better on a Gillott
We love safety cameras, we hate bullies
Cycling-of course, but it is far better on a Gillott
We love safety cameras, we hate bullies
- NATURAL ANKLING
- Posts: 13780
- Joined: 24 Oct 2012, 10:43pm
- Location: English Riviera
Re: Where were you in '73
hi,
I thought I was five but actually I was four I might even be in a few months less.
3 feet of snow in South Devon.
Distinctly remember plastic bags for gloves :
I thought I was five but actually I was four I might even be in a few months less.
3 feet of snow in South Devon.
Distinctly remember plastic bags for gloves :
NA Thinks Just End 2 End Return + Bivvy - Some day Soon I hope
You'll Still Find Me At The Top Of A Hill
Please forgive the poor Grammar I blame it on my mobile and phat thinkers.
You'll Still Find Me At The Top Of A Hill
Please forgive the poor Grammar I blame it on my mobile and phat thinkers.
- Philip Benstead
- Posts: 1943
- Joined: 13 Jan 2007, 7:06pm
- Location: Victoria , London
Re: Where were you in '73
Morzedec wrote:I'm in no way trying to 'hijack the thread, but lets see if I can get any response if I suggest '1963'.
To start you off, I was at University in Sydney, playing rather more rugby than I was studying - when I wasn't surfing, that was.
And yes, I can (just about) remember those days. Hic.
As far as I can tell these were taken in 1963 at Seacroft Holiday Camp I can remember it well.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/trainsand ... 5555961366
https://www.google.com/search?q=seacrof ... 58&bih=475
Last edited by Philip Benstead on 8 Jun 2020, 6:16pm, edited 1 time in total.
Philip Benstead | Life Member Former CTC Councillor/Trustee
Organizing events and representing cyclists' in southeast since 1988
Bikeability Instructor/Mechanic
Organizing events and representing cyclists' in southeast since 1988
Bikeability Instructor/Mechanic
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Re: Where were you in '73
I have memories of the very cold winter which began the year.
All the Fen rivers were frozen and I would take short cuts on the way to school.
Boys in the first two years were forbidden long trousers, so I resorted to track suit bottoms over my shorts on the way to and from school.
All the Fen rivers were frozen and I would take short cuts on the way to school.
Boys in the first two years were forbidden long trousers, so I resorted to track suit bottoms over my shorts on the way to and from school.
It's the same the whole world over
It's the poor what gets the blame
It's the rich what gets the pleasure
Isn't it a blooming shame?
It's the poor what gets the blame
It's the rich what gets the pleasure
Isn't it a blooming shame?
Re: Where were you in '73
Can't remember much about 73 apart from swimming my first mile at 9 y old and Sunderland winning the FA cup but I remember the heat wave of 76 better -- 95 was hot but I think the summer of 76 was ( or maybe seemed to be to a young me ) a lot longer. I too thought the second world war was ancient history but had an uncle who was a doctor on board an RN ship in the war.
I am here. Where are you?