Me, thirty years ago

Surprise 50th birthday party for my dad on Saturday, masterminded by Sandra, my stepmum. A good evening was had by all, once we managed to get there (the journey there was perilous and fraught with danger, thanks to the snow, fog, drizzle and Forest of Dean ideas of A-Roads), and it was especially nice to see my aunt for the first time in Christ-knows-how-long. Headed back on proper roads that I know and recognise, and the journey took about half as long.

Anyway, one of the embaressing photos of the old chap that graced the walls was the one above, which by my reckoning was my first visit to Gloucester, shortly after I was born. I recognised the surroundings as my grandparents' house immediately by the wall lamp, which was a fixture I remember as a child. The panicked look on my face is one that I got very good at and used for the next few years in photographs... but the way I'm clinging on for dear life to the man with bad hair in mid blink suggested to Jayne that I'm thinking "Bloody hell! Teenage parents!" =)

I should point out here that, as a child, much was made of the dimple on my cheek when I smiled. This is probably the main reason for the lack of smiling for years - I was made aware that I was a freak! No wonder I was so highly strung. Skinny freak boy!