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What was the thing you NEVER did in your life, but wish you had?

For me it was being a £10 pom. As a kid my Mum used to buy Lyon's quick brew tea, it came in a grey box, inside was a paper type sleeve with the dry tea in it. Between the box and sleeve would be a picture card of things about Australia, I got the album for 6d to stick the cards in. I read this album from end to end countless times and, at the age of 11 was bent on going to live there. I had a rotten time growing up and couldn't wait to leave home, so OZ was looking good. Never got there, joined the Army instead and never went back home, both of my parents died when I was in my 30's I'm not in touch with any other family member, as we do not like each other


Created By on 07/08/2016

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Mollflanders
11th Aug 2016 15:23:27
2
Thanks for voting!
I was a £10 Pom. I was hell bent on going with a sister and her husband then at the last moment, they decided not to go. As I have another sister in Aussie, my parents let me go alone but as there were other kids going alone too, we were all put in groups and had a minder. Unfortunately, having wanderlust as I grew up, I decided to come back. Big mistake. Everyone has regrets and I suppose that's one of mine but at least I ended up with a fantastic son and grandson.
ecarg
8th Dec 2018 08:30:00
0
Thanks for voting!
Iv'e always had a slight inkling to learn to play the piano,now I have time I don't seem to have the motivation to try something new.
Tash
27th Nov 2016 22:55:55
0
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I wish I had learned to swim !
At school aged 11 our class was taken to local baths we lined up at the edge of the pool and
the instructor walked along the line and without ceremony we were in the water. Some took to it like ducks but fear took over and no matter how l tried I could not relax enough to learn.Self conscious teen years saw several other attempts and a near drowning in Italy.
Through the years I have booked swimming lessons,even booked a learn to dwim week at an activity centre but panic won and my puffin badge was not to be. My children I was determined would not onherit my fear and they were swimming proficiently by 4 years old. Now I want to try again and who knows maybe it will be different.
[deleted]
25th Aug 2016 20:12:47 (Last activity: 29th Aug 2016 22:36:13)
1
Thanks for voting!
[deleted]
Response from Alan247 Original Poster made on 26th Aug 2016 08:43:03
My now wife hates flying and has quite caragoticly said, she would never do it. I would have no problem with going by myself as I have a friend from when I was in the Army who lives there. I took early retirement and am living on the edge of Dartmoor, as a keen photographer I spend a lot of time with my wife and our dog wandering the moor with our cameras, I own a 1966 Lambretta motor scooter, had one when I was 17 before I joined up, when I was away, my Mum sold it back to the shop and spent the money. My plan was to go and live in the Royal Hospital Chelsea and, become a Chelsea Pensioner, but met and got married , so do not qualify. I am happy with life and now don't feel I've missed a life time opportunity
Response from Alan247 Original Poster made on 29th Aug 2016 22:36:13
no, she sold it to get money to go and play Bingo. Back in them days, the Council sent a man around to collect the rent each week. My mum was was stealing the rent money to fund Bingo, by dad only found out when he came home early one day, he had a letter from the Council saying we were to be evicted for not paying the rent and ignoring their letters, she had been taking the money and falsifying the rent collectors signature, she was the most horrible person I have ever known. My dad had to work past the age of 65 to pay back the rent money, she made everyone's life a misery
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Kazzaj
18th Aug 2016 22:43:13 (Last activity: 19th Aug 2016 21:05:13)
0
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Whats a £10 pom?
Response from Alan247 Original Poster made on 19th Aug 2016 00:26:50
Back in the 1960's, Australia had a shortage of population. They introduced a scheme whereby you pay £10 for your passage to Oz. Pom, or Pohm is Australian slang for British people, It goes back to the days when criminals were "Transported" or sent to Australia as a punishment, these people were know as Prisoners Of His Majesty. Today the Ozzies still refer to the British as Pommy B********
Response from Kazzaj made on 19th Aug 2016 21:05:13
Thanks for the explanation I New about the pomm nickname but hadn't heard of the £10 bit. What an opportunity I wonder how many people actually took it up?
[deleted]
8th Aug 2016 09:13:59 (Last activity: 19th Aug 2016 20:16:29)
4
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[deleted]
Response from Fruitcake13 made on 19th Aug 2016 20:16:29
Dollie, I learned to drive when I was over 50, late, I know, but I've never regretted it. Yes, it's a bit scarier to do when you're older, but I would suggest that it's never too late. Find a driving instructor who is experienced in teaching older people to drive and you'll be fine. I found a brilliant instructor from BSM. You may need a few more lessons than a younger person, but don't give up on the idea, I've never regretted it for a moment.
ThatManViv
13th Aug 2016 22:48:47
0
Thanks for voting!
For me it was enjoy a loving family upbringing, to know what it was to have confidence, to not be terrified every day, to develop my intelligence, my skills, my natural abilities, to live a positive productive fulfilled life ....
Fruitcake13
7th Aug 2016 20:28:56
2
Thanks for voting!
Hi Alan247, weirdly for me it was being a £10 Pom too. In the 1960s, my father's best friend took the chance to go to Australia with his wife and 3 kids, and my father wanted to to do the same thing and go too. My mother, however, flatly refused, so we stayed in the UK to keep her happy. Not that I haven't done a lot of travelling and seen a lot of the world, partly through holidays and partly through being a military spouse, but sometimes I wonder how different life would have been had my father held his ground and taken us all there back then.

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