In a conversation with a friend the other day she mentioned her earliest memory. It set me thinking: what is my earliest memory?
It’s hard to tease out what is an actual memory from what you’ve been told or what you saw in a photo. But I think I’ve thought of two very early memories – one involving cake and the other involving a bike.
I know these are memories because no photographic evidence exists of them and because of the odd little details I recall.
My first memory was being taken to nursery school by Essian on his bike. Essian worked for us, we lived in Nigeria. I can remember what the nursery school building looked like from the outside but not the inside so I know it wasn’t my ‘primary’ school. I must have been about this age,
Yes, that is me!
And here is Essian and his family:
One of Essian’s tasks was to take me to nursery on his bike. No helmet, no harness, no specialised child seat. I was just balanced on the handlebars between his strong arms, the memory I have is of the thrilling sensation of speed and looking down at the front wheel between (and not very far away from) my own two chubby legs.
Glorious! But had I fallen off, I wouldn’t be here now!
My second memory is also of nursery school. It was my birthday, probably my third, maybe? and Mummy made a cake. I don’t remember the cake but I remember carrying a tupperware box very carefully into nursery.
So there you have it: cake and bicycles, it’s been a life-long love affair.
I love to ride my bike and no bike ride is complete without cake. My latest plan to combine these two great loves of my life is to Cycle from Coast to Coast (Whitehaven – across the Lake District – over the Peninnes – on to Sunderland) Three days, 136 miles, ALOT of big, big hills. I last did this with Matt and my friend Cathy in 2004. Matt was only 14 (he won’t be impressed with this photo – sorry mate, but it does show the large amount of cake and cream we allowed ourselves the top of Hartside, the biggest hill).
It was brilliant – but I was also 11 years younger than I am now, a fact I keep forgetting. So it has to be for a good cause and it is. We are are doing this for Project Welcome – our bid to re-open the bricked up front door of our church. To find out more: http://www.projectwelcome.blogspot.co.uk and to sponsor me click on the button.
Thank you xx
http://www.justgiving.com/Sheila-Bridge
Live Life Loved 
Love this. Reminded me of what a great time we had, and I hope that it is just as good, if not better, the second time.
Yes, me to Cathy, happy memories. I was just shocked to realise how long ago it was that we did it. Eeeek! Can I do it again? Thanks so much for all your encouragement xx