Liz Blades, sometimes known as Bivi, must have been around four years older than me. She was tall, very slim, elegant, good natured and great fun-she always seemed to have a smile on her face. As with Fiona I tended to look up to her-she was bright- the kids from around Edinburgh who ended up being selected to go to Boroughmuir Secondary School tended to be and to borrow Dame Muriel Spark's immortal words, 'la creme de la creme'.
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| Jackie magazine. |
Looking back, she was better versed than me in what was happening in the wider world-she was more worldly-wise whether it was working at Bairds Newsagents and knowing Pamela Baird better or folding the newspapers more slickly and quickly in the back shop; similarly her knowledge and taste in pop music; the world of American pen-friends; Jackie or Gold Key Classic Illustrated Comics or the Bible. Although she was quite active, she must have been a bit of a philosopher too, because even into advanced teenage years, I think she continued to suck her thumb! I recall coming across her deep in thought, sitting on the front steps of The Stair, with her thumb in her mouth-Liz are you out there and do you still suck your thumb?!
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| One of many comics passed down to me by the Blades'. |
Apart from when Douglas Blades was wheeling us at great speed in a pram around the four blocks while we sat terrified under an old cover, it was probably through long walks with Helen Blades to the Army Polo Fields; through church events organised by Charlotte Chapel or Oxgangs Baptist Churches-barbecues at Gullane Beach that we might sometimes play together; also the school summer holidays were another occasion.
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| Poster based on a painting by Tom Curr. |
I recall Liz, Fiona and me crossing the whole of Edinburgh by bus(es) the seven miles from the hills to the sea, to the Art Deco Portobello Open Air Pool (sadly demolished-imagine having such a cultural asset as a lido today)-what a beautiful white building that was with its straight lines and sharp angles.
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| Photograph by Lily and Thomas McGurk. |
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| Photo by Danny Callaghan. |
After enjoying playing in the pool, balancing on the raft and the high dives and then possibly spending our bus fares at the fun-fair we made our weary way a mile distant to Durham Road, to be refreshed; we turned up unannounced on my grandparents' doorstep starving.
Nana and Gaga as they were affectionately known by the three grandchildren were never daunted when I arrived with a group of pals. A grand tea and spread was always rattled up from nothing-usually a small plate (yes-the famous Buchan Pottery) of bacon, egg and fried potatoes followed by scones and home made strawberry jam and a plate of buns.
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| The table at 45 Durham Road-a typical spread. (Photo by Heather Robertson) |
Whilst Liz and Fiona behaved immaculately in my grandparents' presence there was a streak of mischief to them too-I recall while visiting the loo and casually looking up to the upper window to see them balancing precariously on the windowsill, laughing and giggling away, whilst looking in at me having a pee-I almost wet myself!
To top off the day we were then chauffeur driven home in my grandfather's big grey Ford Zephyr-back home we'd sleep well before the Big Ben repeater alarm bells sounded early the following morning-the bells calling us to papers rather than to church-aye we had to pay for such innocent pleasures.
