Got a real sense of ‘time’ off the post: the liminal between posting a letter, and getting a reply; between making new friends, and managing to somehow see them again; between taking photographs and (like you said) receiving the magic of developed prints. Ultimately, of that unbidden, intoxicating place invaded by, and filled with, digital immediacy that (as Joni said) I didn’t know I had until it was gone. Of youth, and transience: expressive kids seizing their moment in the foreground, compared to the ambling adults of the background crowds. A moment, then we’re swallowed back into the river of time roaring on.
Oh, and the indelible, contrasting brilliance of two young punks against 70s wallpaper; the kind of which wouldn’t remain on walls as long anymore. I reckon there’s endless unexplored dimensions in those wallpapers (places, perhaps, to go find new antibiotics).
Apologies: getting over flu, so some wonky thoughts going on. But I found that post really moving, Steve.
Your wonky thoughts are extremely welcome, Steve! It's so nice to get this kind of feedback; and for the record I'm recovering from the flu myself - first time since before the pandemic, ugh!
Another classic Cook chronicle! Long before iphones, it's amazing how much photographic evidence you have for your past – and not blurry Instamatic snaps in a palette of orange and brown either. Lovely stuff.
Thank you for sharing, Steve… makes me think of my own Inter-rail adventures at 17/18 years old, all over Europe and even as far as Morocco, North Africa. Real formative travels! We relied on overnight train rides as our accommodation mostly: couldn't have afforded otherwise. Aside from waking every day somewhere completely new (IF we'd even managed to sleep a wink. I learnt how to sleep under ANY circumstances!), I'd meet and chat with 2-3 or more fellow backpackers every day. Even after the train ticket ended we slept under the stars on a Greek beach for two more weeks. In those days before mobiles or internet my poor folks must have been worried sick! In six weeks away, I don't think we paid to stay in hotel or hostel more than 4-5 nights. You're right - more courageous or foolish times!!
I treasure all of those Inter-rail trips. So much to see, so much to learn, and new cultures to discover. Wonderful. But you're right about the parents. They must have been worried sick. Postcards usually arrived after I was already home!
Thanks, Liam! No worries about the email. Just when you get a moment. Someone said Pickfords might be the way to go. Didn't know they were still operational tbh.
Another lovely and engaging account of your adventurous past. Makes me sorry that I didn't take many photos to document by young adventures. "an abundance of patterns" is an understatement! I remember those days of busy and sometimes clashing patterns. Who needs LSD?
Fab photos and seductive slice-of-time story, as always, Steve. I remain in awe of your detailed recall and your deep, deep archive of photographic aides-mémoire. The post really captures the "what-the-hell, go-for-it" attitude of our younger selves, which feels like a lifetime ago (we're also the same age).
Got a real sense of ‘time’ off the post: the liminal between posting a letter, and getting a reply; between making new friends, and managing to somehow see them again; between taking photographs and (like you said) receiving the magic of developed prints. Ultimately, of that unbidden, intoxicating place invaded by, and filled with, digital immediacy that (as Joni said) I didn’t know I had until it was gone. Of youth, and transience: expressive kids seizing their moment in the foreground, compared to the ambling adults of the background crowds. A moment, then we’re swallowed back into the river of time roaring on.
Oh, and the indelible, contrasting brilliance of two young punks against 70s wallpaper; the kind of which wouldn’t remain on walls as long anymore. I reckon there’s endless unexplored dimensions in those wallpapers (places, perhaps, to go find new antibiotics).
Apologies: getting over flu, so some wonky thoughts going on. But I found that post really moving, Steve.
Your wonky thoughts are extremely welcome, Steve! It's so nice to get this kind of feedback; and for the record I'm recovering from the flu myself - first time since before the pandemic, ugh!
This year’s flu is a belter, isn’t it. Into week two, and still feeling ropey. Makes Covid feel, well, a bit less than…
Another classic Cook chronicle! Long before iphones, it's amazing how much photographic evidence you have for your past – and not blurry Instamatic snaps in a palette of orange and brown either. Lovely stuff.
Thanks, John!
Yeah, glad I consistently lugged that SLR around in retrospect.
Yer a Nikon icon!
😊
Oh Steve ...very good story once again, love to get immersed in your stories because I know the score, I was there too ..we're the same age!
Love the nostalgia and the pics 📸 They truly capture that moment in time....so glad you carried that camera around now! Cheers Kev 😎
Thank you, Kev!
Thank you for sharing, Steve… makes me think of my own Inter-rail adventures at 17/18 years old, all over Europe and even as far as Morocco, North Africa. Real formative travels! We relied on overnight train rides as our accommodation mostly: couldn't have afforded otherwise. Aside from waking every day somewhere completely new (IF we'd even managed to sleep a wink. I learnt how to sleep under ANY circumstances!), I'd meet and chat with 2-3 or more fellow backpackers every day. Even after the train ticket ended we slept under the stars on a Greek beach for two more weeks. In those days before mobiles or internet my poor folks must have been worried sick! In six weeks away, I don't think we paid to stay in hotel or hostel more than 4-5 nights. You're right - more courageous or foolish times!!
I treasure all of those Inter-rail trips. So much to see, so much to learn, and new cultures to discover. Wonderful. But you're right about the parents. They must have been worried sick. Postcards usually arrived after I was already home!
A wonderful time-capsule as always, Steve! (Reminds me, we owe you an email. It's been a bit of a mad few months!)
Thanks, Liam! No worries about the email. Just when you get a moment. Someone said Pickfords might be the way to go. Didn't know they were still operational tbh.
Another lovely and engaging account of your adventurous past. Makes me sorry that I didn't take many photos to document by young adventures. "an abundance of patterns" is an understatement! I remember those days of busy and sometimes clashing patterns. Who needs LSD?
or... a surfeit of patterns :) Thanks, Max!
Fab photos and seductive slice-of-time story, as always, Steve. I remain in awe of your detailed recall and your deep, deep archive of photographic aides-mémoire. The post really captures the "what-the-hell, go-for-it" attitude of our younger selves, which feels like a lifetime ago (we're also the same age).
Cheers, Cefn! These sort of comments are what spurs me on. How the #!@$% did we get this old so quickly? That's what I want to know...
Lovely piece, great photos but amazing 70s wallpaper!!!
Thanks, Paul! Maybe I should dig out all of my photos with 70s wallpaper, that could be a solid article all by itself. :)