Page 8 - recollections of a life in Porthleven

Jim Delleur John
Allen Michele,

posted a few
more in Nostalgic

Porthleven.

took them about

1963/4

I forgot to say last time wood was not the only thing my father and I took
back to Trewarvas. There were grapefruits. Gran. Grandad and Dad would
have them for breakfast! Yes winter months were rough as many a famous
photo has shown. Summer months were very different. As a 5-10 year old
boy I all but lived on the beach and the years were filled with fun and
excitement. Our house was overlooking the beach and it took approx 1
minute to walk!

The beach would be packed every day with locals and visitors. But before
anyone got there I was already there with the beach to myself. Not looking
for wood but Corona bottles.... I would walk from the institute out as far as
The Tye Rock Hotel and back collecting these bottles. Depending on how
many the visitors left (the locals never left any) would determine my pocket
money as I could get 3d for each one from Mr Edwards in the paper shop!
The tide influenced my pocket money and the times I visited the beach. If
the tide was in my first stop would be Salt Cellar Stores, a fisherman s loft.
It was great listening to these men telling their stories and exchanging
memories of their past sea trips. I could write a book.

At about 9am Joey Allen (no relation but we were one big family in
Porthleven back then) would come down to the harbor. He was a small man,
a great Porthlevener and another man you could write a book about.