After the Beginning (1).
As I said before, my destiny was pretty much governed by my Father, oh and the R.U.C had a little hand in it at various times. Growing up in Ulster can be a real eye opening experience, many young people have been witness to life changing events or have been involved in situations which have punctuated their every day life. Dont get me wrong I did'nt have a bad up bringing, well not one that a good crack would'nt change my way of thinking, "Is'nt it strange how you can still feel the heavy hand of your old man when the thought takes you" and for those who think that a good slap didnt do them any harm, well I agree 100%. If my old man was ever to read this he'd go mad, so it'll be our wee secret ok. My early memories of Dad was a short stocky, black moustached man normally with a pint in one hand and the arse of my trousers on his right foot, unfortunately my arse still in them. I remember the day he first caught me cursing. I was catching tadpoles in our estate in a narrow stream, I was straddling two rocks with my upper body bent over and my head about a foot above the water, I could still see the feet of my friend who was standing close by but what I did'nt see was my Dad and his mate arrive just behind me. My old man lifted a rock and threw it into the water just at the side of me. The water was freezing. I jumped up thinking it was my mate who threw it and I gave him a mouthful of colourful language. Dad wasnt impressed and neither was the ass of my trousers once again. I look back and laugh about it now but dont know who was more surprised, me or the tadpoles that shot out of the water at a great rate of knots. I.ll tell you this though I havent eaten another tadpole since.