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Sundae · 11-14-2013, 04:12 PM

Our eggs are out on the counter every day all year round. Then again the kitchen is at the chilly back of the house, underneath this room (my original bedroom). Gosh, in the days before central heating and double glazed windows life was DAMN cold. I agree with what Monster says about climate (Bill Bryson writes about it eloquently too) but also what Toad says about the horror of the inside of houses back in the 70s.

Mum and I are baffled at the people who come on TV now and talk about having to choose between eating or heating this year. Yes, utility prices are a big reason I still live in this house, but people don't seem to see warmth as luxury the way we used to.

My generation and older lived in one room all Winter, where the gas fire was, and that was strictly monitored. Electric heaters were on for 10 minutes in the morning to change by. When you got out of the bath (two baths did for the whole family) Mum or Dad would be there with a towel to dry you immediately- your teeth would chatter nevertheless. Thermal pyjamas on, nighty over the top, hot water bottle and staright to a bed piled high with blankets and towels. Dressing gowns, socks and hats in the real winter.

Hair was only ever washed over the kitchen sink when some cooking/ baking had warmed the room. The idea of washing hair before bed was a crazy proposition.

Everyone I know wore layers of clothes inside, those of us on the estate put on clothes to wipe the ice off the inside of our bedroom windows. The butter dish was put under the grill if we were having toast because it froze in the cupboard. The slightly better off old people were trapped in fuel misery because their non-council houses were larger and draughtier. They'd go and sit in the reading library during the day or buy an all-day ticket for the bus.

No wonder we used to make dishes from scratch - a good suet pudinng sat in the pressure cooker and filled the kitchen with meaty moisture and filled a family's belly until porridge and Weetabix the next morning.

No I'm not claiming we used to drink for a passing Turk's slipper. But just typing this has made me cold again. Going to make myself a cup of tea and snuggle into bed with Diz.
Gosh, lastest I've been up all week! Then again, I did have an afternoon nap.

11-14-2013, 04:12 PM	#11
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	Our eggs are out on the counter every day all year round. Then again the kitchen is at the chilly back of the house, underneath this room (my original bedroom). Gosh, in the days before central heating and double glazed windows life was DAMN cold. I agree with what Monster says about climate (Bill Bryson writes about it eloquently too) but also what Toad says about the horror of the inside of houses back in the 70s. Mum and I are baffled at the people who come on TV now and talk about having to choose between eating or heating this year. Yes, utility prices are a big reason I still live in this house, but people don't seem to see warmth as luxury the way we used to. My generation and older lived in one room all Winter, where the gas fire was, and that was strictly monitored. Electric heaters were on for 10 minutes in the morning to change by. When you got out of the bath (two baths did for the whole family) Mum or Dad would be there with a towel to dry you immediately- your teeth would chatter nevertheless. Thermal pyjamas on, nighty over the top, hot water bottle and staright to a bed piled high with blankets and towels. Dressing gowns, socks and hats in the real winter. Hair was only ever washed over the kitchen sink when some cooking/ baking had warmed the room. The idea of washing hair before bed was a crazy proposition. Everyone I know wore layers of clothes inside, those of us on the estate put on clothes to wipe the ice off the inside of our bedroom windows. The butter dish was put under the grill if we were having toast because it froze in the cupboard. The slightly better off old people were trapped in fuel misery because their non-council houses were larger and draughtier. They'd go and sit in the reading library during the day or buy an all-day ticket for the bus. No wonder we used to make dishes from scratch - a good suet pudinng sat in the pressure cooker and filled the kitchen with meaty moisture and filled a family's belly until porridge and Weetabix the next morning. No I'm not claiming we used to drink for a passing Turk's slipper. But just typing this has made me cold again. Going to make myself a cup of tea and snuggle into bed with Diz. Gosh, lastest I've been up all week! Then again, I did have an afternoon nap. __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac