The First Fire Ever

From Al (Alistair) Smith - at Holmewood House with Chris:

I came over to Burwash one day in the school holidays and the two of us set off on bikes. It was one of those really fantastic English summers – you know, the type “we never get anymore” …

Anyway, for some unknown reason, after cycling for miles we decided to stop at the side of the road and start a fire. Not sure what was going through our heads. I mean it was the driest day imaginable, and we were on the edge of this huge hay field. Still, we sparked up a little pile of dry leaves underneath a hedge and sat around watching the flames as if it was the first fire ever.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, this car appeared and screeched to a halt. It was a guy from the Water Board. He stomped right up to us and gave us such a bollocking … and we were all “yes sir”, “of course sir”, “never again sir”. But we split our sides when he’d gone.

Always makes me chuckle.