Page 24 - recollections of a life in Porthleven

Chapter 5

Families Past and Present

I did say that I would like to write another part of my memories about my
father this weekend seeing as he was such an important man (father) to me
(fathers are important to us all). The last years of his life I am finding it hard
to write about. But I will next time in no photos just memories.

So where do I start with writing my memories today?
As you must have realised I am no writer I just sit quiet and try to recall the
past. I enjoy writing about my childhood days with my family and great
friends from Porthleven and other parts of our great county of Cornwall.
Later other parts of my life.

So far when I have written in my memories I've always talked about myself
with members of my family. Not much about my sister Margaret who is
happily married. She has two children and four grand-daughters.
We lost contact with each other for many years. But I am very pleased to
say we have made contact again. Margaret and her husband (Graham) have
‘holidayed’ with myself and my wife Jennifer here in Cornwall.

My brother Stephen, four years younger than myself lives in Southsea, town
near Portsmouth. We were good brothers. We spent a lot of summers together
in Cornwall and my family staying with him in Southsea. But because of not
seeing eye-to-eye with each other at the moment let’s just say l hope we get
back as brothers soon. Life is too short and precious and families should do
all they can to keep harmony. Even if it means agreeing to disagree.

Porthleven, how it has changed. In my younger days Porthleven was a real
village with great people. The institute full of life, men playing cards,
billiards, dominoes, telling each other stories and reminiscing and I am sure
a pipe or cigarette in there mouth. Look at it now, run down in a very poor
state. Would it be like this if Porthleven was not a tourist town?

Where is the life gone from the village? The fishermen, their pots and nets.
The fishing boats, the Provider, Iddis, Isabelle, Golden Lion, Harvester, Our
Janice and many more gone.