In 1961 I was working as a lab assistant. I saved my meagre wages, about 20 pounds a week from memory, to buy a Voigtlander colour slide camera. So now my life story will continue in colour. In a way I am sad because the old B&W photos did give the feeling of age about them and they are easier to scan. Also the colour slides have deteriorated more than the B&W prints. However, I thought I was lucky then to have a state of the art camera at 19 years of age.
My mum was still working as a nurse and on her days off she enjoyed pottering in the garden. She grew a beautiful big succulent over the natural rockery. Its nick name was "Pig Face."
The car in front of the house was the one my brother rented to me for a year while he returned to TPNG for another year before he would return to do a 12 month course at the Australian School of Pacific Administration. The rent was to be looked after by my Dad and used to pay for registration, insurance and services.
Needless to say I was thrilled to have a car of my own. Not many girls did in those days.
On the way to Newcastle to see my boyfriend LB but it was a disappointing trip. He didn't seem to love me any more.
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So I enjoyed going out with my girlfriends in the car. We went to the Royal National Park and hired boats to row. I just thought that I was the "Ants Pants".
I believe you had good reason to think you were the ants pants!!! You look sensational!!
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
Look at that gorgeous pinup girl! :-) Your moms flowers were beautiful, too. These old photos are so fun.
ReplyDeletethat was fun looking back on the old photos Diane
ReplyDeleteIt is funny how over time by reading someone's blog, you get to know them and as I was reading this, I was thinking, ah yes, I remember that, and of course that is right etc.
ReplyDeleteThe two door Triumph was impressive.
A great touch of nostalgia, Diane - love those old cars and I remember "Pig Face" (otherwise known as Mesembryanthemums I think) - providing a lovely splash of colour. Thanks for sharing (and for dropping by my blog again).
ReplyDeleteWhat nice memories ! the house became real beautiful when I think how it was started ! I too was very proud of my very first car, I was 21 and it was also quiet unusual for a girl especially here in Europe ! You look great as a "Star" !
ReplyDeleteDiane, lovely memories. I am sure having a car at your age was a lot of fun. You look like you could have been a model, great photos. Thanks for sharing your early years! Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteLove this post. I almost wish that colored photos had never come into vogue. I have so many pictures that have faded or just turned all red and are worthless now. B&W's never did that and those photos are lasting. My school photos I still have are is very good shape while my kids photos have pretty much faded. Digital improved that, though.
ReplyDeleteWOW Diane hot stuff:) can I say that in blogland? :0
ReplyDeleteLove the old memories it brings back may of my own. I never looked that good in a bikini:) B
Terrific post.
ReplyDeleteI Love seeing these old photos...nice house, car, and ants pants:)
ReplyDeleteand you were the ants pants so you thought right... so now i know how lucky I was, my brother had a 1950 chevy, he went to Vietnam and while he was gone he let me keep his car and drive it, because i was married with 2 babies and we had one car...i did not get a color camera or any camera until 1985 when i married bob, a 35 mm Minolta that i loved. but in 02 digtial came to live here and now i never touch the film.
ReplyDeleteWow, were you ever in amazing shape and to have a car to drive as well! Do tell, did the boys chase you and your girlfriends all over town? ;-)
ReplyDeleteI love your old photos, they're such a priceless keepsake!
Hi Diane - this was fun to read. I've heard of the "bee's knees" and the "cat's pajamas" but never the "ant's pants" - whichever it is, though, I'd agree you were it. Looks like life was very good.
ReplyDeleteDiane,
ReplyDeleteOnce again you delight us with your photos and your narrative. And girl, you still ARE the ants pants! :)
Wow your own car. I can't imagine all the fun you must have had looking like that with a car as well. You must have been the talk of the town.
ReplyDeleteI love these old colour photos just as much as the B&W ones too!
ReplyDeleteAlso I'm growing Pig Face in my garden too! I didn't realise the family historical significance until now!
Wonderful memories! Great nostalgia. Thank you so much for sharing, Diane.
ReplyDeletehow's your weather? We have the driest for 75 years.
ReplyDeleteThe move to colour is great ... they still have that vintage look. You were the ants pants!
ReplyDeleteI like those old photos very much. You were a real calendar girl!
ReplyDeleteThose are great photos Diane. I can remember my first Brownie camera but not my first color one. I went through a Polaroid stage for a while and thought I had hit pay dirt when we bought our first digital.
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy your old photos and if you don't mind may copy the idea one day- I loved reading about U3A. lifelong learning is so important!
ReplyDeleteI am sure you were not the only one to think you were the ants pants.....
ReplyDeleteAt 19 I couldn't drive hadn't bother to learn how, and of course I still lived at home with the family.
Hi Diane, You were a 'babe' back then... What a gorgeous young woman --with a great figure... AND---you have stayed thin your entire life.. Congrats....
ReplyDeleteLove your Triumph... I'm sure you and your friends enjoyed 'cruising' around in that car for that year. What did you do when your brother came home and took the car back????
Hugs,
Betsy
Wow Diane -- you were the "ants pants"! :)
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about color film deteriorating faster than B&W --I have so many prints that are fading. I try to scan them, color correct them, and then save.
I drove my Dad's old Simca when I was in college for a couple of years. My brother drove it before me and then he got his own car. I 'complained' it wasn't fair so Dad let me drive the sold Simca. :)
ReplyDeleteGirls have certainly come a long way.
Diane, you could have been a model!
:)
You WERE the ants pants! (A phrase I haven't heard before but am sure I know what it means!) Fun days.
ReplyDeleteOMG that last photo of you with the car...you were destined to be a "car model" LOL I can imagine your joy at having a car of your own, I think we all have felt that.
ReplyDeleteoh, look at you! how cute! love the car (and the independence it gave you!)
ReplyDeletewhat a beautiful flowering bush your mom is tending to!
Hubba hubba! What fun these photos are Diane! Does Bill have any of him in a pair of Speedos?
ReplyDeleteYou WERE the ants pants!
ReplyDeletei so enjoyed your old photos. these are great, fun photos, diane!
ReplyDeletelook at you! that last photo of you with the car is totally amazing!
big hugs~
Love these shots Diane, I'm a big fan of nostalgia, and also...wow, what a bikini beauty!!
ReplyDelete