Our boots were solid leather (we hammered in the tricorne bob nails ourselves).  Boots needed softening treatment, the best way to do this was to wade through a stream, preferably on a hot day and walk them into shape. Once dry dubbing could commence. Generally boots would last two summers and one winter. Climbing the stairs on a trolley bus was a very noisy affair, not to mention the racket once we got onto the street.Socks - we could buy oiled sea boot socks, they were long and made two pairs of hiking socks.

In the summer I wore a divided skirt. In the winter wool trousers and a wool gabardine jacket made from one of my Father's old coats, turned, washed and made up inside out as the outer was so faded.  There was enough material to incorporate a snug hood.  All topped off with knitted woollen hat and gloves, some things do not change.

Waterproofs - a full length grey oilskin cape (weighed a ton) and a bright yellow souwester!

Rucksacks - Scandinavian style - triangular frames with wide waist bands, heavy canvas, very comfortable to wear but a menace on public transport having to lift them high overhead to avoid knocking off hats.  Don't think we were very popular.

Rambling in the 1940's
We were both members of the Gateshead Rambling Club and walked most Sundays. Our program covered an extensive area, public transport was never a problem, we could have early starts and late evening returns, we were very lucky.  Our range would be on average l0 to l2 miles.  Our activities didn't stop there; we were heavily into Scottish Country and Barn dancing, attending night school to reach perfection!!  Jack Armstrong, the Duke of Northumberland's piper, had a band and they played on a Saturday night once a month at Wideopen just north of Newcastle.  His lady pianist was fascinating to watch, she had all her finger ends covered in plasters to protect them, and she did tend to thump the keys.  We used to cycle to the dances getting home well after midnight, then up with the larks to do our rambles.  No wonder there was any energy left for work on Monday mornings!  We would also go Youth Hostelling when we knew there were local dances; Hexham, Bellingham, Cambo and Fenwick were popular.

Later in the 40's we joined the Ramblers Association.  Our Secretary Ken Wilson, had been demobbed, the Group was very active. Picture Post became interested in what we were doing.  We took their reporter and photographer out on one of our forays ending up with a very good story in the magazine, we were nearly celebrities! When I moved to Lincoln my copy of the magazine went to RA archives.

Ken died quite unexpectedly.  His wife Doris said he wanted his ashes scattered on top of Cheviot.  Tom Stephenson knew Ken and wanted to come up when we did this.  It was an Easter weekend, Doris stayed with us, Tom came up on a night train and in the morning we set off by taxi to Langleeford to climb the shortest ascent.  It was bitterly cold.  When we got back it was a relief to soak our feet in mustard baths.  Tom returned on the night sleeper.

Camping Equipment 1940's style
We had a two man canvas cottage tent with aluminium poles, no inner tent though there was a separate ground sheet.  You could sit in the tent with care but if it rained woe betide if you touched the canvas without running your finger with the water down to ground level.  Our one real luxury was to have eider sleeping bags.

Small primus, billy can, combination pan set, folding cutlery, enamelled mugs and a canvas water bucket were the main items that come to mind.

Dried vegetables had just come in and were wonderful, and, of course, dried egg. Although we took bread we always carried some flour for emergencies. All dry goods were carried in cotton bags, tea, sugar, dried milk, nuts and raisins.  Chocolate and Kendal Mint cake were an added bonus.


Camping in the 1940's
Most camping was done during Bank Holidays when we could get into our favourite areas, the Cheviots or Teesdale, setting off on a Thursday evening returning Monday evening.

We used to go to Widdybank Farm in Teesdale at Easter.  Many the time it was necessary to break the ice on the tent lacings to be able to get out.  Also, so much for camping, when the weather was really bad we would spend most of the time in the farmhouse during the day, (one day actually giving the farmer's wife a home perm!) and then armed with loads of newspapers to use as insulation under the sleeping bags retire to our tents.  Boots and jackets came off, we wore everything else including hats!

The College Valley was a lovely walk then up through the Hen Hole to the top of Cheviot where there were the remains of a crashed aircraft gradually sinking into the peat.  Shepherds still lived in this remote area and were always willing to offer us tea and scones when we called to buy milk and eggs.  They were able to point out a good campsite too.