Another memory stone that Dorothy loosened from my brain.
And this WAS something that could have had nasty consequences.
As a student nurse I was required to do shifts on the wards.
In the normal course of events this was not a problem.
Way back then I did not drive...I could not have afforded a car on my students salary anyway.
So, I got to work by public transport.
The bus drivers and conductors(most buses back then had conductors on them) were brilliant and many of them would reel off a blank ticket and refuse to take my money.
Back then the fare from Clayton to Accrington was four old pennies.
Anyway, I digress.
Public transport was fine most of the time, but Sunday's, Bank Holidays, Christmas were a nightmare.
If I could cadge a lift from someone who lived near, then I would.
There were times when this was not possible....so it meant that I would set off really early and ride shanks pony....I would walk.
Many a time drivers stopped for me and offered me lifts...and back then I took them.
I could have been abducted murdered....or many other things that are too awful to contemplate...but I wasn't...and I did not think too long about those awful consequences because the only thing that really mattered to me was that I got on duty, to look after patients, on time.
Most of the men and women who gave me lifts had some reason to be grateful to nurses....and this was their way of giving something back to nurses.
The police gave me lifts too, I have had lifts in bread vans, milk lorries, farm trucks and the most memorable for me....was...the back of a hearse.
And this WAS something that could have had nasty consequences.
As a student nurse I was required to do shifts on the wards.
In the normal course of events this was not a problem.
Way back then I did not drive...I could not have afforded a car on my students salary anyway.
So, I got to work by public transport.
The bus drivers and conductors(most buses back then had conductors on them) were brilliant and many of them would reel off a blank ticket and refuse to take my money.
Back then the fare from Clayton to Accrington was four old pennies.
Anyway, I digress.
Public transport was fine most of the time, but Sunday's, Bank Holidays, Christmas were a nightmare.
If I could cadge a lift from someone who lived near, then I would.
There were times when this was not possible....so it meant that I would set off really early and ride shanks pony....I would walk.
Many a time drivers stopped for me and offered me lifts...and back then I took them.
I could have been abducted murdered....or many other things that are too awful to contemplate...but I wasn't...and I did not think too long about those awful consequences because the only thing that really mattered to me was that I got on duty, to look after patients, on time.
Most of the men and women who gave me lifts had some reason to be grateful to nurses....and this was their way of giving something back to nurses.
The police gave me lifts too, I have had lifts in bread vans, milk lorries, farm trucks and the most memorable for me....was...the back of a hearse.
