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Thanks Compo and Beefsteak for prompting my memory with: 'Nebuchadnezzar, the king of jews' . . . My grand-daughter (aged 5) is learning to skip (she did 12 jumps over the rope the other day and was thrilled - you should have seen the joy written on her face). I'll teach her this old rhyme, hopefully she'll remember it when she's older then she'll be able to teach it to her children.

Didn't we have some wonderful westerns; I fell in love with Flint McCulough - Robert Horton - and it lasted for ages. He's still with us, I checked on Google!

Hold on to your marbles Compo. I can't remember how to play the game; only that we used to look for a suitable hole on the pavement in which to roll them into. Lovely photograph of boats docked at Trent Bridge; truely Wonderful isn't it how a photograph can immediately stimulate the memory?

You live in a haunted house carltongal? How interesting! Obviously it doesn't bother you or you would have left. Tell us about some of those encounters you've had. Please.

The PDSA van at the 'Cocked Hat' During the fifties the 'Cocked Hat' allowed the PDSA van to park on its forecourt - I'm sure it was Tuesday afternoons. People from roundabouts could take their sick animals to be looked at and cared for at no cost; although there was a PDSA box on view for those wishing to make a contribution. I recall my mum walking up with Tibby the family cat safely cradled in her arms, so that she could be cared for. Later, the news that the PDSA van would no longer be parking there was met with much sadness.

Summer Sunday Nights at the 'Cocked Hat' Let's not give the 'Cocked Hat' too bad a name. Memories of the fifties: summer nights dressed in their Sunday best, mum, dad, grandma, grandad, aunts, uncles, cousins meeting up in the massive back yard of the 'Cocked hat'. I recall playing 'chasing' and running along the little, brick walls surrounding the rose garden, a bottle of Stones ginger beer and a packet of Smith's crisps - little blue packet of salt within - bought from the kiosk out in the back there. The back yard was packed with families congregating for a Sunday night special b

I know the man who has the huge, solid oak doors that once fronted the 'Cocked Hat'; he's put them on his garage, I may have a photo of them somewhere.

Hi there Kath, excuse my ignorance but what's a titfer?

Hi there Compo, regarding Sea Buckthorn, yes you can eat the berries; they're supposed to contain far more vitamin C then oranges, perhaps that's why the birds love 'em.

I recall one particular vicious winter: February, 1956: we kids had made a magnificent ice slide stretching halfway down Watford Road, Aspley - right outside my grandmas. In class - William Crane Juniors - I prayed during lessons that the slide hadn't melted. When the school bell rang for dinner I dashed to meet the other kids from off the road queuing up for some more fantastic rides on the giant slide. Even grandma calling us in for dinner was boring, all we wanted to do was slide and hope the freezing cold weather lasted forever - also hope no cruel neighbour chucked ashes or salt on o

Anyone remember the Crazy Golf on the green at Chapel St Leonards and in front of the majestic 'Vine Hotel'? Memories of my mum and grandma - 1950's - sitting in the porch of the 'Vine', both looking glamorous, each with a glass of Pimms. Regarding Pimms, at my young age I was fascinated as to how adults could enjoy a drink with what looked like foreign objects floating around in it! Anybody know what they were? Remember the Crazy Golf at Sutton-on-Sea? Back in the 50's it was the only good thing the place had to offer, it was such a sleepy, little town back then. Now as a senior citizen

'Eleanor Rigby', 'God Only Knows', The Sun, bacon sandwiches, the 'Maid Marian Club' and grandma and grandad and cockles and whelks; such Blissful moments in time. Chapel St Leonards, 1966

Musn't forget Chapel St Leonards and the sandhills when I was a kid. A load of us would play in them pretending we were hunting in the jungle - exciting escapades.

Mablethorpe's still lovely Compo, apart from the disgusting High Street which needs pulling down apart from the Amusement Arcades. They must have been there well before the sixties when I was a teenager. Looking back nothing could beat it, spending pennies in the Arcades and the sound of Brian Hyland singing: 'Itzy, bitzy, teeny, weeny, yellow, polka-dot bikini'.

Lovely photograph lynmee, especially the clear and then the muted reflections in the lake. I often stand at this spot with my grand-daughter Sofia and feed the ducks. I've taken her on the Arboretum since she was a baby and now she's five. We catch the tram there and from the top gates into the Arboretum she never stops running - I think it's the sense of freedom the place encourages. I'll show her your photograph and a smile will appear on her face at being presented with a representation of a place she loves.

When we kids used to chalk on pavements in the '50's, graffiti was never heard of! Our Hop-Scotch's used to be on the pavements forever - especially during the Summer. I can't remember anybody ever complaining - political correctness was years away.

Hi Katyjay and Mick2me, thank you so much for your kindnesses. Not 100% yet but when I think back to all those weeks ago; the only way to describe how I felt was rotten. It must be a time ridden cliche but 'your health is the most important thing'. Good to be back posting, Christine. X for each of you.

Good to be out - on the road again after a rotten illness: On the tram going into Nottingham the other day I passed the Arboretum. The place was covered in a cruel, though enchanting frost. Not long, I thought before the Arboretum would do we citizens proud with its annual show of Spring's pretty bright flowers

Hi poohbear, what an absolutely wonderful photograph. My grand-daughter (aged 5) loves playing the old games; I'm going to show her your photograph. She'll have me looking for a whip and top next - anybody know where I can buy one? In the photograph I recognise two 'windowbreakers' being given a good whipping, I loved to chalk patterns on their tops even though I could never get on with them! Anybody remember their mum saying: "go on then, out and get some fresh air."

Hi Carlton Gal, I remember playing 'a leg and a wing' - great fun. In fact I still do play it - have always done - you should see the look on my five year old grand-daughters face when I ask her if she wants to play it. The higher she gets swung the more she enjoys.

Ta very much, I definately won't forget french skipping Fynger

Hi Beefsteak there so readily visual aren't they, these childhood games - when reading about them?

Wonderful Beefsteak. Here's another skipping song from the playground that brings back the haunting but beautiful sound of children singing in unison: 'Sweetheart, sweetheart Will you marry me? Yes love, yes love at half past three Iced cakes, spice cakes All for tea And we'll have a wedding at half past three Pom, pom here comes the taxi cab Pom, pom here comes the taxi cab Pom, pom here comes the taxi cab Ready for the wedding at half past three Enchanting, n'est pas?

The Play Ground, William Crane Junior Girls' School - 1950's The sound of the huge skipping rope hitting the hard ground and a girl skipping. At the side girls queuing - anticipating their turn - and singing loudly to a well-known song: 'On a mountain stands a lady Who she is I do not know All she wants is gold and silver All she wants is a handsome beau So call on the one you love The one you love, the one you love So call on the one you love And tell me who she'll be . . . The girl skipping would then announce the name of the girl who was to follow her; the named girl would

Hi there Kath, not only do you have a brilliant memory but an active imagination. If you google in: 'Fascinating memories of a wonderful character' you'll come across my article on the well-known/ well remembered Hazel - or the beginnings of it; in which your name, or the first half of it is mentioned