I grew up in a small village in Sussex near the River Ouse.

Me and my brothers liked to climb along the bank on the river, to see how far we could get hanging on to tree roots and trying not to get wet.

I remember how my entire world was the village and the woods and the river. I remember as I started to see more of the world, my life seemed to get smaller. I remember when I found out that the Ouse is not the only river, there are lots of rivers in Britain, it is not even the only river named Ouse! The Great Ouse that runs into The Wash is far more significant (with regards to size and our industrial & agricultural history).

I am glad I could be a child without the internet (and telly too, for most of it). I am glad I did not have to negotiate the possibility of the whole world.

5 months ago  /  16 notes