Welcome to iN’s society column, ‘Girl About Town’ where socialite Caroline Polledri gives her own hilarious take on being out and about in Essex and beyond.
A colleague from work just asked me to grab them a ‘Toffee Crisp’ from the vending machine. Just hearing ‘Toffee Crisp’ instantly made me feel quite nostalgic. I haven’t heard, seen or tasted one for years and, before this maudlin moment, I never realised how significant they are to my childhood.
A Toffee Crisp reminds me of my school summer holidays, my brother and I having an absolute blast at ‘Camp Beaumont’. Usually after the swimming activity we’d visit the Tuck Shop and buy one.
It’s funny, isn’t it. Just the mention of a retro chocolate bar can send your mind racing back to a very young summery memory, that allows you to reminisce fondly, and actually put you in a better mood, in the present hour. My Toffee Crisp moment has got me thinking about my school's nine-week summer holiday and how much of a blessing they were at the time. To be honest, I’m slightly jealous of the teaching profession. They still get the whole summer off; it’s something I miss and it’s not fair!
The days of getting up late (well, 9 am), watching ‘Why Don’t You?’ or ‘Pugwall’, trying to find something fun to do to that day, which would often lead to building rope swings and camps, outdoors and in. I would spend hours making and creating just ‘stuff’, go to bed late and have sleep over’s. And it didn’t’ matter how much time was wasted because nine weeks seemed like years. So much so, that by the time the new school term came around, you were actually looking forward to going back!
The anticipation of returning to school, that those nine weeks generated, was great too. How much had people changed on their first day back? Slightly more mature and voices breaking or another three inches taller, it was all very exciting. Those nine weeks were poignant, from a reflecting and growing point of view, and now, with life moving so quickly, it’s difficult to attain that sort of contemplation time. It’s a shame but perhaps having children will change that. Maybe that will be my next move…Or failing that I’ll become a teacher!
Girl About Town
by IN Magazine / Published - Thursday, 05 July 2012
