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A CUL-DE-SAC IN THE GARDEN OF EDEN — MITCHAM 1944

Returning from Windsor on an extended holiday to get away from the doodlebugs we looked forward to going home. As we turned into Oxford Close we discovered a wonderland. Everywhere the roses, ivy, marigolds and flowers of every description were falling over each other to see who could blossom most. They were coming out of front gardens crawling along the pavement and into the road. The long crack (caused by bombing) down the centre of the road had flowers and weeds jostling for space.

The houses behind all this looked like they were asleep, shutters and curtains pulled shut. The little 1935 houses looked quietly dignified. Although we knew people were around, some of them would sleep till the evening when they went off to work, the policemen on their bikes, fire watchmen, nurses, people needed for the war effort, industry, buses.

We were the only children, we could hardly push back the gate because of creepers. The house was not damaged, we threw all doors and windows open and went into the back garden. The allotment next door was overgrown with enormous carrots, potatoes and cabbages that had to be dug up.

The grass and the weeds came over our knees and the sun shone

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