Here it is empty and abandoned, the rot eating away its
wooden structure, the paint peeling and flaked. Yes, here it is; my trusty old kiosk on Bangor Pier. I
used to come here to play at shops, although halfway across the Menai Straits
is a funny place for a shop. The wind was always blowing a gale, but me being
me I only really remember the sunny days. I used to enjoy sitting in my very own miniature pavilion
like a pretend George IV. I filled it with windchimes and handmade gifts, and
occasionally I’d even sell something. Looking at it so unloved and unwanted on
a grey September day - the sea lapping at the pier stanchions below - I felt
quite sad; like I’d lost something.
Which of course I had.
Alan, the chap who sells wooden gifts from the kiosk at the
front of the pier, told me that there are plans to refurbish my old friend.
They’ve already repaired and patched up a few of the others and at some time it
will be my kiosk’s turn. He didn’t know when, but it was ‘on the cards’ he told
me.
On the cards…
For a moment I thought about contacting the council and
asking to rent it all over again, maybe even buying that big terraced house
overlooking the pier that the estate agent’s window described as having
development potential. From my house on the hill I could look down on my tiny
empire and in the mornings - come rain, shine, grey, or even snow - walk the
boards to open my mended and polished kiosk of delights. Just a fleeting
thought, that’s all it was. But it made me smile for a moment or two.
Of course, there’s never really any going back and to be
honest my time on the pier ended quite badly. But then, anything involving my
parents always does. After they’d muscled in there was nothing left for me in
my kiosk but frustration and argument, and that was why it took me so many
years to pluck up the courage to return.
So, last Monday I returned without fanfare and on a
whim. I didn’t stay long, just time to walk the length of the pier and back and
have a chat about old times with Alan and his wife Wendy. It seems I missed a
lot of fun after I left, a kind of pier kiosk price war concerning crabbing
apparatus and bait. Afterwards we went into Bangor Town
itself, the first time in three years or more, and who should I see in the
Carphone Warehouse, like grey clouds on a sunny day, but the dream thieves
themselves - not quite Mr and Mrs Shouty, they are figments of my imagination and bear no resemblance to any persons living or dead. Maybe that proves that coincidence is always just around the corner
and that what they say about bad pennies is true. Anyway, that night I dreamed about the pier. I won’t go into the
details, but I did buy that house and rent my kiosk again and again it ended
badly. In the morning when I awoke I decided that it would remain a dream.
Mind you... I have been known to change my mind.
David Bell on FB
ReplyDeleteJust to bring you down even more: http://www.bing.com/videos/search...
didn't we have a lovely time bangor - Bing Videos
www.bing.com
Mark McNicholas on FB
ReplyDeleteMake up your mind, don't vacillate !!!
Andrew Height
ReplyDeleteGeoff Sutcliffe - did you see my old shop on your recent visit and did you buy your crabbing gear from Alan? It was the photos of you on the pier that decided me to return after a very long spell away. So thanks.
Geoff Sutcliffe on FB
ReplyDeleteYes we had a good chat with Alan amd his wife. They were lovely folks and gave us good crabbing advice.
Andrew Height
ReplyDeleteDavid what a truly terrible song and just what is her hair about. Aunt Sally meets Jane Austen? Let's face it, you'd need that bottle of cider.
Andrew Height
ReplyDeleteWas Fiddler's Dram anything to do with you Kevin Parrott?
Andrew Height
ReplyDeleteYes, Geoff they are very nice people and gave me good advice when I was trading on the pier. It was a whimsical hobby for me, but it meant a lot to them and still does.
Kevin Parrott on FB
ReplyDeleteNothing at all Andrew Height.
Andrew Height
ReplyDeleteI'm very pleased about that, particularly with those hair styles
Nothing at all Andrew Height.
I don't know how you accessed this post as we are not in contact on Facebook. I can only assume that you came directly to my blog or have asked others to inform you when I mention your name, or events in my life that you were part of. I found your unsolicited call this morning both threatening and frightening, particularly as since you asked the police to call and caution me I have made no attempt to contact you whatsoever. I would ask you not to do this again. After a lifetime of your bullying, control, and abuse I have no use for you whatsoever. if you contact me again I will go to the police and tell them of the things you have done over the years. they may ignore me, but in light of all the recent investigations they may listen. if you see this I caution you; do not try to contact me again. I hope that you can live with your guilt.
ReplyDelete