THE FRAMEWORK TAKES SHAPE

The framework is going up. It was traditional in those days for people like us, struggling with finances, to buy land, live in a tent, then build a garage to live in while building half the house to live in and then complete the house.

Dad nailed on the mahogany weatherboards. They were a rich deep red colour. Mum chose them from what little building materials were available and affordable at the time.

One wall finished. We were getting excited.

The front of the house is taking shape. Mum helps dad on her days off from nursing. I loved my new country and running bare foot everywhere.

I'm not sure but I think my parents extended their bank loan so that they could finish the whole house before we moved in. One of my Dad's friends migrated from England and built a house nearby. He  helped Dad (in the background) to add on the second half of the house, which included my bedroom. This work took all of 1951 and maybe more.

At the end of each year Mum and Dad would reward themselves with a day on the south coast on Boxing Day. It became a tradition for us to have a picnic on the beach at Austinmere.

 I loved the beach, I loved swimming, I loved my family and I loved Australia. Even though life was a struggle for my parents at this time they were happy. They made a five year plan to build and own their own house and provide a better life for their children than they could have in England.

 We found a big rock suitable for a picnic table.

Sometimes we went to the beach by train and sometimes we got a lift with neighbours. We couldn't afford a car. Every penny went into the house. I remember these neighbours, the Hudson's and their children Raymond, who I thought was cute and Dorothy, who was like a big sister to me.
My big brother, David, is on the right watching the waves break over the rocks, he is turning into a strapping teenager.

Guess from where I got my love of photography?