Not too long ago I was calling on a pal as he was looking after his grandchildren who were staying for a few days. They had got lots of things to keep them occupied (and out of Grandads hair!). Apart from the old favourites of books, board games and puzzles they had additionally obtained a computer games console with which they were now engaged in some kind of war against the forces of evil. Outdoor the sky was a wonderful blue and the sun was shining, excellent for a stroll or a nature ramble so we placed a time limit on the game making it clear that once the time was up we would go out and take advantage of the sunshine. The little ones were ok with this because they in addition enjoy being outdoors, specially with Grandad and his old friend.

We consumed a cuppa when waiting for the scheduled 20 minutes to pass and started out to reminisce about the games we enjoyed when we were kids, when things were much simpler. To start with we very seldom used to play inside, if we did it would be school or house with our big sisters, wishing the rain would quickly end. And yet, the greatest games we played were always out of doors where we ran, clambered and climbed, filling our lungs with healthy fresh air.

We lived close to farm land hence when the crops were high we were able to crawl about without being watched, make dens or sneak up on each other. After the harvest we would pile up the straw into huge mounds and then dive into it, we never seemed to get in trouble with the farmer at all.

The avenue we lived on was small; there was very little traffic and hardly any parked vehicles. There were loads of kids on the street and so we were hardly ever short of friends or enough bodies for team games. From time to time we would not be permitted beyond the road and some of the games became fairly meaningless, for example recording all the house numbers, which wouldn't take long as they only went up to 29! A paper chase was quite fun, a bit of paper was hidden in a wall in front of a house, on it was written the number of the next house to search at and so on. On the last slip would be a sign as to where to find the first team.

Because it was a quiet avenue we were able to play team games that were played out across the roadway. Some of their names are now forgotten but I can remember Jolly Tomato Men we must have misheard the right title as it was in truth Here Come Two Jolly Men Out of Work. One team mimed a job and the other team had to figure out what it was. Another was Red Rover; yet again two teams faced each other across the road, this time with joined hands. A member of one gang had to race at the other and break through the joined hands, Once I broke a finger at this when my hand collided with the next childs head oh happy days!

Before very long the 20 minutes was passed and out we all went into the sunshine getting puzzled looks from the young ones as we continued our dialogue about What Time is it Mr Wolf and Bung Off.