'Crazy Friends' Monty Python 1978 - New York
Source -http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/monty-python/images/6110600/title/silly-photo
'Friends' is a story about people that you knew really well, haven't seen in a long time but thank for all the memories you made and now share.
I've moved around a few times during the past 15 years and met so many interesting lovely people along the way, that I'd like to call 'friends'.
'I wonder what they're doing now, I'd like to find it out somehow and would you'?
This verse in the song really stays with me, as I feel we can all relate to that sense of "where are they now? What are they doing and I'd like to find out somehow".
My hometown is a little town in Cambridgeshire, UK called Godmanchester
Godmanchester and the river Great Ouse
In the Roman period Godmanchester was geographically very important - with Ermine Street (London to York), Via Devanar (from Cambridge) and a military road (from Sandy) all meeting at the river crossing. The pentagonal layout of the walled Roman town still survives in the street plan of today. Excavations have revealed two of the gates, a town hall (basilica), an inn (mansio) with baths and a number of temples to various gods.
The town was sacked at the end of the 3rd C. by the Anglo Saxons. The topography of the recreation area you see today derives from the three mills built by the Danes during the Viking era, with three mill races and a harbour in front of the town. Norman Godmanchester was a wealthy Royal Manor and a thriving market town. In 1212 King John gave the town its first Charter and a measure of self-government. It was a place of importance throughout the Middle Ages. Through the 1604 Charter of Incorporation, Godmanchester attained Borough status, with two bailiffs, twelve "assistants" and a grant for a horse and cattle fair. This prosperous town with its many half-timbered buildings was expanding rapidly.
source - https://www.visiteastofengland.com/Godmanchester-Godmanchester/details/?dms=3&venue=0141020
I have such fond memories of my time in this historic town, which has been around since Roman times. Itis steeped in history and still has generations of the same families that have lived and worked and died there for hundreds of years.
An early photo of the mill pond
https://www.francisfrith.com/godmanchester/godmanchester-on-the-river-ouse-1901_46629
Most of my teenage years were spent hanging out over the 'rec' the recreation ground for you no-locals... Fishing, swimming and hunting for treasure on the banks of the river. We night fished and had some wild parties drinking cheap cider from the local shop.
Me aged 6 circa - 1979/80
Me aged 15 in 1989 when I thought it was a good idea to grow out my hair!
We didn't have mobile phones or the internet back then, and had to physically go and knock on our friends front doors to see if they were home.
Life was simple, we thought it was hard!
but doesn't every teenager?
I still speak to a few old friends online when I have a few minutes spare which can be tough, being an adult and parent is tough, but we only realise that when we become that adult, that parent and that responsible person that our children look up to.
You know what? deep inside all of us 'Grown Ups' is that kid that yearns for those trouble carefree days we once knew.
But my life is different now, I’m a father with 2 young children of 8 and 4 and they will soon be teenagers too. I look forward to them experiencing some of the things I did when I was that age, I fear it may not be as simple and carefree as my time, but I will ensure they are safe and enjoy themselves as much as possible (without the cider)
My children making a shelter in the woods
Thanks for letting me reminisce, and I hope you like the track.
Kindest
To be continued...
Have you seen them come and go
people that you used to know
they were special
I wonder what they're doing now
I'd like to find it out somehow
and would you
Long ago
the ones you knew
they were special
They said they'd call you on the phone
or send a letter to your home
but did they?
You maybe had a word or two
they told you they were missing you
but were they?
Long ago
the ones you knew
they were special
Ever since the day I left
you lot, well you're
never there for me
a better life is what I have
thanks a lot for
all the memories
Ever since the day I left
you lot, well you're
never there for me
I'm better now I'm gone
better now I'm gone
better now I'm gone
better now I'm gone
Thanks for listening and supporting my music!
Kindest
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