Sunday 5 June 2011

OH! I DO LIKE TO BE BESIDE THE SEASIDE !

Just for fun I've dug out some very early photos, taken, of course, by my Father. My grandparents lived in Herne Bay, a seaside town on the Kent coast, so this was my first introduction to the sea. However, beaches are dangerous places, and it being all shingle at Herne Bay, not too attractive! So here I am, feeding the ducks in the park. Note the leggings, sweet little coat, etc. About 1935 or 1936



Another seaside place we went to frequently was Cromer, another seaside town on the Norfolk coast. Could be decidedly chilly there, but for those brought up in Herne Bay, like my Mother, it was nothing. (Both Cromer and Herne Bay faced north, across the sea. Nothing between them and the North Pole,it was said!) 1936,I think

However, I was apparently good at shrimping!



And shopping. Don't you love the fashions!




By 1938 I was old enough to start modelling for my Father!



in 1949 we went to Southwold, a lovely little town on the Suffolk coast. This is a rare photo of my mother, plus me and my sister.



In 1950 I was a sulky teenager, interested in boys, but heavily chaperoned by family! This is a family and Friends group at Cromer. I rather liked the boy at the back, but he wasn't in the least interested in me, though I passed muster for the odd visit to the fair, etc.!



And lastly, in 1954, more or less grown up, me, my friend Margaret and my sister at Herne Bay standing in the sea. Can't think who took the photo unless it was my Aunt or Grandfather who we had obviously gone to visit.




Next time I see the sea I will be on it in a VERY large ship!

14 comments:

CorvusCorax12 said...

what great pictures

VioletSky said...

Gilly, these photos are wonderful to see! My uncle was from Herne Bay - maybe you ran into my cousin Ross on one of your trips to the sea?!

Jennyff said...

Wonderful photographs, you are so fortunate to have them all and to have such an association with the sea.

Sweet Virginia Breeze said...

Love your pictures! Isn't it fun to look at old pictures and remember the past?

Diane said...

What fabulous photos. Your father was a great photographer.

sea-blue-sky & abstracts said...

I love these photos Gilly and the pictorial chronology of your early life. Black and White is still hard to beat!

So where are you cruising next then? Lesley x

Alexia said...

Beautiful pictures, and a really interesting commentary.
:)

Hollace said...

What fun to see the vintage photos. I loved the leggings with buttons in the first photo, and your little tee-strap shoes in the second picture. I can see that you haven't changed much from your early years; you still love ducks/geese and the water still beckons you. I love the shopping picture with your mom in her hat and you in your dresses for going to town. A different era.

Have a great time on your next adventure. Hope its a lot better than your last cruise! I'm sure it will be.
Bon Voyage!

Glennis said...

I love the pictures. Your father was a great photographer with a great subject!

I love the little buttoned leggings - so sweet.

lazylol said...

Wow what fabulous photos!

LV said...

I always enjoy seeing old pictures. You can a totally different feel from them. They almost can tell you a story.

kenju said...

Gilly, I love looking at old photos and it is a delight to see yours!! That first one is a real treasure!

JJ said...

Hi, great to meet another Brit of a similar age.
Love your old photos - I have a blog dedicated to my childhood here -
http://summervale1944.blogspot.com/

Nice to make your acquaintance and I will be looking in often
JJ

Greener Pastures--A City Girl Goes Country said...

Gilly, I love those pictures! Especially the ones of you as a toddler and the one shopping. It's so perfect it looks like a movie set! You're so lucky you have them.