connectors, courtesy of Fg.Off. Dave Hattersley's contracts and buildings repairs department. I pierced the paper, and laced the whole lot together with heavy coloured thread. It wasn't long before most houses sported at least one such shade, some being specially made to order. Later, in 210 SU days, I changed my hobby to embroidery. This was less messy and I could do it during quiet times when watching the radar on boring night watches. I could immediately drop it if there was work to do. Several households received tray cloths and table cloths as 'thank you' gifts. Throughout this entire period I continued with ciné photography but, by its very nature, I couldn't do it all the time.1
It was quite a walk to the married patch and involved, in early days, going through the village. One night, late on, Dave Hattersley and I were walking back along one of the village streets in almost complete darkness when, for some inexplicable reason we both started barking like dogs, varying our barks so as to represent both small and very large breeds. Within moments lights started to go on, and these helped us to see our way. When windows started to open we stayed quiet. By this time though, the village dogs were putting on their own performance. After more married quarters were built a new road made such journeys much shorter.
During the summer of 1956 several wives decided it would be a good idea to arrange a car trip to Winterberg, the Services Leave Centre in the Rothaargebirge which, in winter, was a ski resort. All Officers, except the two who were on watch, were invited, as was Miss Barbara Fisher, the BFES school teacher. Sandwiches, cakes, and drinks for a picnic were laid on by the wives. We living-in Officers piled into the available cars. I ended up travelling with Paddy and Pam Ryan, the CO and his wife. Rank didn't matter, we were all off duty, knew each other well, and were intent on a good day out. The scenery was beautiful and the weather perfect. We pitched the picnic at the

Picnic at Winterberg.

L-R top picture: Colin Hanmore; Paddy & Pam Ryan; myself; Irene Hanmore; Barbara Fisher, Peggy & Don Crocker. The lower picture was taken at the top of the slalom ski slope.
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1 Films which I managed to complete, and which survived until recently, have been donated to the Royal Air Force Museum at Hendon.
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