The Manor House

The  Manor House  stood opposite our house on the hill running down to the sea.  It somewhat belied its grand name as it had changed hands a few times and a part of its grounds had been sold off for housing.  At one time it was used by a London borough as a holiday home for Tower Hamlets residents.In the late sixties I remember it was full of young Italian students.  The Italian football team won a cup.  I don't think it was the World Cup.  It was, I think, the European Cup.  The youngsters came out in the garden shouting and cheering.  Somebody provided some music and they sang and danced for hours.  They were so excited.  At about this time we had acquired a rubber dingy.  Our children and their friends had great fun with it.   They were all strong swimmers but did not take the boat far from the beach.  My son and his friend would walk down the hill, single file, one behind the other balancing the boat upside down on their heads.  Once at the beach they would proceed to demonstrate their aquatic skills to a gaggle of admiring young Italian ladies.