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During the early years of our marriage, Mrs Red and I would almost always find ourselves on the same atching tan (stopping place/camp site) at Christmas. It was a traditional, but unofficial site that we knew as Brenda’s lane. Consisting of nothing more than a small clearing in a wood, there were no facilities of any kind. No toilets, no electricity and no water. What it did have however, was a nice solid access track, and several areas of hard standing. Hard standing is very useful when the weather turns nasty. It’s never pleasant to step out of your caravan and sink up to your ankles in mud. The clearing was only big enough for three or four families, but for us, that was just another plus. We spent many a happy Christmas there when the kids were little.

Most people think that Gypsies park their caravans in a haphazard fashion, but this is never the case. The first family to arrive on a camp quickly locates, and then occupies the best spot, the next family gets 2nd best and so on. The criteria for deciding just what constitutes the best spot, although obvious to your average Gypsy, is never the less often quite subtle. For instance, a pitch furthest from the entrance means that any traffic does not have to pass your door as it comes and goes, and by the same token, a stranger, or anyone who is up to no good will have to run a gauntlet of watchful eyes before they get to you. Being close to a hedge (but not under a tree for obvious reasons) means that you have some screening, and shelter from the wind. It also creates a small private space between caravan and hedge where you can store outdoor valuables. It also means that you can only be approached from one direction, and so the list goes on. Subtle but important considerations, unconsciously calculated in the sweep of a practiced eye.

The best spot at the Brenda’s lane camp was a slightly raised (and therefore dry) area right at the back. If you positioned your caravan right, you had a gorse thicket behind you, and a lightly wooded grassy patch, almost like a lawn, at the front. I always made the effort, and I got the best spot every year except one. Not having the best spot on this particular camp was no real hardship though, anywhere down Brenda’s lane was pretty good as winter camps go.

Our first Christmas at Brenda’s lane was in 1978. Our baby daughter Muzelley was 3 months old. We were very short of cash. Not short to the point of starvation, but we certainly had no money spare for anything extravagant. About a week before the big day, I was sitting on the bunk, looking out at the wintery scene beyond the caravan window, when my eyes lit upon a baby fir tree. Standing less than 3ft high, it was really just a sapling, but it was wearing a light coat of frost and it looked enchanting.

Later that day, I cut the bottom 3rd off a plastic 5 gallon drum and covered it with tinfoil. Then, taking care to sever as few roots as possible, I dug up the little fir tree and set it inside my makeshift pot. It was our first ever Christmas tree, and we loved it.

A few days after Christmas, I carefully re-planted the little fir in exactly the same place that I found it. To be honest, it looked quite bedraggled. It had dried out quite a bit and had lost most of its needles. I didn’t know if it would recover, but at least it had a second chance, which is more that most Christmas trees get.

When we returned the following year, the little fir tree was just as beautiful as ever. Healthy and shiny, with all it’s needles back in place. The only legacy of its Christmas indoors was its size. It hadn’t grown an inch. I dug up and re planted the little fir tree again that year, and for many years after that. It always recovered, but it never did get any bigger.

Eventually the powers that be closed the Brenda’s lane camp by putting huge concrete posts across the entrance. We were very sorry to see it go.

I was passing Brenda’s lane recently and I stopped the car and walked around the concrete posts and up into the clearing beyond. Our little fir is now about 25 feet tall and looks sturdy and magnificent. Off to one side, there is a fir tree sapling; it stands there like a child holding its daddy’s hand. As I looked up at our old Christmas tree, it seemed to say to me, “Well, after all the ups and downs, I’m still here.” “I survived it all and I have something good to show for it”

I turned and walked away, and I whispered under my breath “Me too mate, me too!”

Your posts always bring a smile to me Tom :)

What a lovely story Tom, it actually brought a tear to my eye.

What a lovely story :)

me too :'(

Same here, I'm welling up. Pack it up Tom!

Nice stuff!

 :'(

I seriously hope you're considering writing an autobiography some day.  I'd definitely buy one for myself... and many more as gifts.   ;tightend;

Laxie, Tom's Parents (Grandparents?) wrote a few lovely books about life on the road - they are a simply stunning read. They include some pics of Tom as a youngster, including, if I recall correctly, one of Tom with his first horse. I'll ty & look up their ISDN reference (if indeed they have one) when I get home, but that won't be for a few days I'm afraid.

The books are rammed packed with little anecdotes of Gypsy life, & are just stunning.

I seem to recall the tale of Mrs Red having her first baby - in Barnsley I think - & still working up until almost the day the baby was born.

Wonderful tales of "real people". Stuff "Hello" magazine, read about real folks, it don't get any better.

There were also some "Travellers Tales" on Radio 4 recently, & it's on the BBC Radio Four Website - Tom, do you still have the link to them?

http://blondepoker.com/forum/index.php?topic=28864.msg589863#msg589863

They've 3 copies of A Wandering of Gypsies on Amazon, but they're in the second hand - I tihnk if you want it (and the second book) new you need to go to the publisher.

I'll try and find an address or maybe Tom can.

The MASTER of "Lifes Tales"

Thank you Tom

Lovely.  ;hattip; Red Dog

lovely stuff Tom.

Beautiful x x

Thanks Red, I needed a simple  but beautiful story to cheer me up on this cold night :) Please send my regards to Mrs Red and may you both have a merry christmas :)

Ive got a lump in my throat.

Have a very Happy Christmas Mr & Mrs Red xxxxxxxxxx

pure genius mate.,.,.,.you are the spit from your fathers mouth,..,.i think you might get this tom,..,.,as a lot of travellers said to me.,.,and my dad,..,.,
for those who dont get it
its not rude it is a saying that you are just like your dad (spitting image)
travellers/gypsies have some great one liners,there are very funny people if you get to know them ,they got a great sence of humour......well done tom..............
did it look like this????/

Thanks for that!  Did a bit of a google search and the publisher has a web site where I can order it direct, as Amazon is out of stock.  Placing the order this minute. 

I've not listened to Bill Lee's clips yet, but will do on Monday when I've a quiet house. 

All that said...I STILL think you should consider writing your own book Tom.  Writing like yours is a rare treat.  You've a lovely family and it's 'something special' when you post your stories.

.,.,.,.you are the spit from your fathers mouth,..,.


Thank you, that's a great and sincere compliment where I come from.


I can tell by some of the things you say that you have had a lot to do with the travelling people, and that you got quite close to them.

You might not be an angel James, but you are a man of honour, and that's what counts.

 :respect:  

I've not listened to Bill Lee's clips yet, but will do on Monday when I've a quiet house.


Great! Please let me know what you think.

That was a lovelly story,of continum and the passing of time.......thx for your recent kind thoughts,frrom yourself and Muzzally [sic].A peaseful and bountiful new year to you and your family,
Cheers Tom,see you soon,

Like you. we're going to one of the daughters for Chrimbo dinner.

As you say, the next generation are taking over. (that doesn't mean We can't grow old disgracefully though Brendan).

Very nice Tom Very nice.x

A lovely story - an unexpected treat on a poker forum.

Happy Christmas.

FYP ;)

http://blondepoker.com/forum/index.php?topic=4133.0 (http://blondepoker.com/forum/index.php?topic=4133.0)

Ah OK - excellent! New to forum so I'll look forward to reading a few more of these little gems ...... ty

there are alot of red gems on the best of blonde board

http://blondepoker.com/forum/index.php?topic=4133.0

please excuse Ironside, he is a bit special .... if you catch my drift.

my applogies


off back to bed


someone wake me up in the new year

I must say memento, you are very pretty :o

why thank you, sir - although the head shot doesn't quite do justice to my lovely curvy body and skinny little legs (all four of them)  :)

thnx tom,,,i can float like an angel.,.,..,.,

you will fit in to blonde. no probs :)up

Can I just say a big thank you to everyone who posted on this thread or dropped me a PM, your words of encouragement are very much appreciated.

Some of the things I write about are a bit... well... soppy I suppose. but I have always been a sentimental old fart and, truth to tell, I'm getting worse as I get older. It's nice to know that I'm not the only one.

As we go through life, it's easy to become care-worn and cynical, but if you stop for a moment, any moment of any day, and look for the beauty, I guarantee that you will find it. It's waiting there in all the common, familiar things that you've seen a million times before. A tree, a building, a bird, a landscape, a child....

We are so privileged to be here, surrounded by such riches. All we have to do is open our eyes, our minds, and our hearts.

Merry Christmas.

xx