Frensham

In the late 1930s Don and his friend Arthur would cycle from Aldershot to Frensham Little Pond near Hindhead and go skinny dipping. After their swim they would make a small fire and cook sausages and bacon for their breakfast. As a family we would all spend many happy days there, swimming and having a picnic. In the 60s we would go in our splendid old Humber Super Snipe. I would sit in the back feeling regal like old Queen Mary waving to the populace. I think this was the car with running boards on which my two young nephews used to ride as we splashed our way through the small ford on our way to the lake. So much for Health and Safety. I think swimming and boating has been forbidden now. Too many people, I expect. It is a beautiful spot and could so easily be spoilt. Boating and swimming is allowed on the Big Pond nearby.

One Sunday Don went to the rescue of a man who had got into difficulties and saved him from drowning. Some years later Don and I were in a rowing boat when a man in the middle of the pond started shouting for help. Don rowed over to him and told him to hang on to the boat and towed him ashore. A remembers there were leeches there and I vividly remember being bitten by a horse fly but Don said all these hazards added to the enjoyment ???