Your favourite places in England.

I love walking down lanes like that  Sue.  I used to go hiking with my son years ago, and walked the length of the Ridgeway Path, 75 miles. We camped in woods and fields along the way. That photo brings back happy memories. Thanks.

Eat your heart out! As you know Sue (the other members don't of course) it's just around the corner from where I live! As for letting that Peter anywhere near us, well only if he promise's not to bring his wellies because I've heard some strange stories about him!

Ron, let's hope the Commission for Racial Equality are not on your case.....truth is stranger than fiction....you might be sending your next post from HM Strangeways.....you think I'm joking??.....Basil Brush is being investigated for 'racial' abuse of Gypsies.....welcome to England 2008

Your safe Ron, I come from "WALES", where the men are men and the "SHEEP" run scared.

Yes Sue. It's almost as if this wonderful country of ours is going down the pan, so to speak. I'm not that old you know, but old enough to know that ''political correctness'' wasn't even thought of. I still don't fully understand it either. All I know is that one has to tread very carefully these days and watch what one says.........in our own country for goodness sake. Try going anywhere abroad and not conforming to the rules, customs or laws. I't's positively encouraged here and we're meant to go along with it...it's totally insane. Anyway, my favourite place in England is a little village called Southwick (pronounced Suthick) which is north of Portsmouth, over Portsdown hill. I spent much of my youth walking there, which was a good few miles, at weekends and holiday times. No Nintendo or Playstation for us, kids today don't know what they're missing!  There was, and still is, a deep pond for fishing and swimming, far too dangerous for kids these days of course, and a park full of rides and a stream at the top end of the village, we used to catch sticklebacks, minnows and bullheads there. And the air was sweet, and people cared, and we respected ourselves and others, especially grown ups....so I suppose it's as much about a favourite time as it is a favourite place. And when you get to a certain age you realise just how important memories are, and how your childhood shapes your adult life. That's why we have favourite places I reckon.....I visit mine (on my own, importantly) every time my work takes me to the Portsmouth area...and I am so pleased to say it's much the same as it was in the 60s, 70s and 80s. What a pity the world has moved on. Andy.