I set out from my parents'comfortable home on the Wirral, firstly with my friends and later with my wife, to enjoy 260 over-night stays at 135 youth hostels, with all ten regions of England and Wales represented and Scotland, as well as seven other European countries, over a period of thirteen consecutive years between 1963 and 1975.
If we crossed your path at all in our younger days please accept my apologies. Though we were well brought up boys and girls, we were also very excitable and tended to be in a rather large group, in most instances. I know we were too loud for some of the more traditional hostellers and we also pushed the boundaries a little on a few occasions.
At the same time, we were compliant when challenged and we never ever "turned nasty." We met admonishment with apparent, though possibly feigned, contrition, depending on the circumstances, followed quickly by a return to general good humour. We had a great time. I would not have missed it for the world.
