A layer of snow over 20cm thick. The street sloped in front of our shop and it was not only snow that made it hazardous going.
Often it became a slippery affair when the precipitation froze over. It made the pavement dangerous smooth as you hardly could see the thin icy coating and very difficult to stay on your feet.
It was so bad that Mum had to delve into her kitchen cupboard for some salt to scatter around the place, to make the ice thaw.
Across lived Elings, the coal trader, but we’ve got our coal from Hendriks in Alexander Street, perhaps something to do with the idea ’you support us, we support you’.
The picture above was taken from the side entrance of our home. Just visible are the vending machines holding cigarettes and packets of tobacco and this sight brought back another memory and scene. It challenged the familiar cry of ’The customer is always King’.
One particular gentleman, a regular client on his way home from the local pub, had his blurry eyesight on his favourite packet of cigarettes in the dispenser machine. You need the correct coins for a smooth transaction, but that was beyond our stoned customer. So after a prolonged banging session, he decided to ring the doorbell several times. That was not a wise decision by Mr. Zeiner, after all it was well after midnight. The man didn’t get his fags, instead received a tongue-lashing from a drowsy Mum, flushed with anger she said ‘you can come back tomorrow morning or… not at all’.