What are your childhood memories of your grandparents' house?

[ChaosTrulyReigns]

I was schrunching some foil today and it reminded me of the Vitalite tub of milk bottle tops for the Guide Dogs (always a concept I struggled to undersand) at my DGP's house.

And the whoosh hit of tomato smell in the greenhouse.

And the tea caddy of buttom at the other DGP's house.

And the duoble loo roll holder for soft paper (guests) and Izal (unfortunate family).

And rice pudding with skin on.

And a shiny 5p coin for whomever had the smallest new potato on their plate at Sunday lunch.

Good times. Bittersweet memories.

[WinterIsComing]

Button box
No central heating
Outside privy still there from the old days.
The front room which was rarely used by the family. I could never understand it - small 3-bed house in which four children were raised and they left an entire room unused!
Grandmother without her teeth - terrifying and funny in equal measures.
Sheets on the bed instead of duvets.
The smell of kippers frying for breakfast.
Ancient game of Ludo and Snakes and Ladders.
One bedroom was an actual boxroom where the stairs cut in. It was tiny.
Vegetables boiled to buggery.
Cheese and potato pie.

Absolute unconditional love. We were so treasured.

[MandaHugNKiss]

Always a huge pot of tea set on a tray in front of Nan who was invariably lounging on the corner of the sofa.

Melamine(? I think) beakers - lots of different colours, all with white dots over them.

Grandads shed (wasn't allowed in it as it was 'dangerous' so would stand in the doorway to talk to him or call him to the house for tea) which always had the radio playing in it. His greenhouse. I only ever buy 'on the vine' tomatoes now and always sniff them, thinking of him. Often green tomatoes on the windowsill, ripening.

Grandfather clock in the hallway that marked the quarter, half and hours.

Laying in bed and the sheets, blankets and duvet weighing down on me SO heavy and so comforting. Hot water bottle in the winter. A chamber pot under the bed!

Nan eating coconut ice, frys chocolate cream, chocolate brazils, and usually a cream cake in the afternoon (with lots of tea, naturally. With about 8 sugars in it (not exaggerating!)). She had a sweet tooth that she wasn't afraid of indulging!

Grandad boiling trotters on the hob. Telling me how tasty they were, and 'good for you' (hey, he's still going at 88, Nan died when she was 63 so probably he's on to something!). Nan cooking massive hams/gammon joints in the pressure cooker.

The french doors which seemed SO amazing to me, given that I lived in a flat. The rockery. The massive fir tree that I always seemed to find tiny birds eggs on the floor near in spring. Would bring them in and keep them in front of the fire thinking they might hatch.

Grandad with his reel to reel tape recorder, shelves of tapes, ALL of them big band music.

A HUGE cracker full of toys one christmas, bought from Macro, or Peacocks (they had a corner shop, and so could buy unusual stuff at the wholesalers).

Sitting on the doorstep of the shop whilst Nan worked behind the counter/till and helping myself sporadically to penny sweets.

So many more. My grandparents were so dear to me (I lived with them for a while, too, when my parents split up and Mum ran off to the south coast to work at Pontins!) and I just felt so loved there.

[MandaHugNKiss]

Oh, and watching agog as Nan applied her pan stick. Such a particular smell to it. And greasy!

[LaFilleSurLePont]

My 'papa'(mother's father)

I don't have that many memories of him.He died when I was 9,and my visits were relatively brief,but I do remember having a glass of diet Irn Bru when visiting him,and that he always,always had Mr Kipling's French Fancies.

Playing with his walking stick.

That I loved the spare room with its ornaments, a carthorse, a fisherman, Grouse whiskey bottle holder,and a few others.

Taking the soup/stew etc my grandmother made for him,they'd separated,but she still liked to make sure that he was fed,and they were only four flats apart,and being given a Milky Way in return.

My other grandfather died soon after I was born,so I've no memories of him.

My grandmother (Father's mother)

That she was always making soup when I got there. And we had a bowl for lunch,and she was usually making bacon sandwiches too.

My cousin,who's the same age, was usually there too,and she'd chase the two of us around with her false teeth.

Reading my older cousin's annuals while there.

Watching Dot and The Kangaroo. And Watership Down.

That we always ended up with at least half a dozen other relatives visiting at the same time,and several family friends.

Going to the shop around the corner which had the best ginger beer I've ever tasted.

Playing in the playpark outside her home. There was a part that was always flooded, and we used to float around on wooden boards,with sticks for oars.

She developed alzheimers while I was still relatively young so that's all I remember really.

[WailyWailyWaily]

Silence except for the tic toc and chime of the grandfather clock

the most amazing model train track in the cellar with loads of railway memorabilia

spiral, cast iron staircase that went nowhere, in the garden

[minipie]

Ohhhh

warm towels - granny put them in the dryer while we were in the bath
exploring in the raspberry cage and greenhouse
eating peas in the pod straight off the plant
the electric fence at the bottom of the garden
sheeps wool for granny's dodgy foot
hideous reclining armchair in mustard swirl pattern, and brown tweedy sofas
radio 4 on all the time (now my mum is just the same, and I'm getting there..)
condensation on the metal windows, and the special condensation sponge
plum tree outside the back door
smell of milky instant coffee
going mushrooming in autumn
picking primroses in spring (only one allowed from each plant)
nylon fold up shopping bags, with a leather case
constantly having to look for spectacles
doing maths and logic puzzles as a game (granny was a maths teacher)
electric plate warmer
floral bedlinen
the car journey there

[littlestressy]

Red carbolic soap with its funny smell.
Nans aprons which went round her middle.
Grandad's greenhouse full of tomatoes and cucumbers.
Going to the corner shop for penny chews and Grandad's rizlas.
Sheets instead of duvet, hot water bottle in bed every night.
Games of cluedo, snakes and ladders and a funny spinning top to collect buttons.
Nan teaching me how to knit.
Homemade chicken stew with dumplings.
Watching road runner cartoons on some amazing projector cinema that Grandad set up.
Toast every lunchtime with various toppings.

[WinterIsComing]

My Grandfather used to take me with him on errands and would stop at a lovely pub with a garden for a swift pint. On returning he'd tell his wife that he was late back because he'd "met an angel"

Which reminds me of one of my Grandmother's relatives back in Ireland who had a DH who was a problem drinker. One night she and her sisters organised themselves to follow him back home through the fields hiding in ditches, screaming and wailing like banshees and basically frightening the life out of the poor chap.

No Mumsnet then, but they coped

[DuchessofMalfi]

Reading all your wonderful experiences with your grandparents has made me realise, yet again, what I missed out on with my grandparents. My mum's mum was a lovely lady, but really old and not very well. She died when I was 12. My dad's parents had little or no interest in me at all. Even though they only lived about 5/6 miles away, I hardly ever saw them. I think it was their choice, not our's. They just weren't interested. They had an older grandchild who was their favourite (my cousin) and by the time I came along, they just couldn't be bothered. I'm determined not to be like that when I have grandchildren.

[Dollybird99]

Things I remember are,

Making a camp out of the clothes horse and lots of blankets in my nan's front room with my brother.

Giggling so much in bed one night when I was staying because my nan passed wind that we had to get up again and have a cup of cocoa before we could go back to bed!

The smell of apple crumble and minced beef and onion pies (and overcooked vegetables).

So thankful to have my nana around still - love you nana.

[racingheart]

4711 cologne
The paraffin heater in her conservatory. I loved the smell of it.
Playing with one of those balls on a strong that you swing from your ankles and jump over, on her concrete front drive.
Her saying 'sausages' with her false teeth taken out.

Other grandparents: the smell of creosote on their fence.
Garibaldi biscuits in a tin on top of the fridge.

[LaFilleSurLePont]

My 'nana' (Mother's mother)

I grew up in a extended family,from about the age of four,which was fantastic.I loved it,and would like to raise my future children as part of an extended family too, so her house was my house and vice versa,but I'll include the time I spent with her while my parents were at work.

Making soup together.I swear Scottish people,or at least Glaswegians,have a soup obsession. And how she always kept a raw carrot for me because I loved to eat them,still do.

Baking cakes together,usually rock and fairy cakes. Also making tablet.

Cats,cats and more cats. We always had cats,usually several at a time,and we fed strays and rescued them, as soon as I could hold a bottle or eyedropper I was feeding kittens. We also took in pregnant stray cats,let them have their litter,get the mothers neutered,and found homes for them all. I loved always having kittens in the house. We had dogs,fish and hamsters too.

Being given whole sticks of raw rhubarb which I dipped into a paper bag of sugar,and ate.

Going to the Swallow cafe together where she had a coffee,and I had an ice cream float,usually ginger beer or cream soda.

Watching quiz shows together.Countdown,15-1,100% etc.

Making ginger cordial,I loved that stuff, it burned your throat it was so strong,but it was delicious,at New Year,and steak pie too.

Having tea or coffee together with a cake,usually a Danish pastry or gingerbread man in my case.

Her giving me pocket money so I could buy my comics every week.Dandy,Beano,Mandy and Judy,Bunty and Animals of Farthing Wood magazine.

Going into 'town' together.We walked into Glasgow together, and got a taxi back, we lived less than 15 minutes walk away from the city centre,and the first stop was always to buy me a new book, then usually M&S. And watching the street artists.

At weekends watching Channel 4 reruns of old shows. Munsters,Mork and Mindy,Happy Days, Lone Ranger etc.

Her buying me my first Tamagotchi,before I'd even asked for one.

Playing out in the back garden and her throwing me down a jam sandwich,or piece and jam, as we called it, like in the song,usually on plain bread.

Getting a double nougat from the ice cream van,with raspberry sauce.

Visiting the local shops,her in her rain hood with her trolley,where she knew everyone,and chatting to them.

Making the amazing lasagna recipe together, that she got from the Italian deli across the street. I wish I had it now.

Going home for lunch,as we lived not even ten minutes away from my first primary school. She'd have soup,again with the soup,sandwiches or egg in a cup waiting for me.

Once a week,on a Friday she'd collect me from school and treat me to a sticky bun.

Going to the cafe my mother was the manager of, where my nana also helped out at times, and chatting with the mounted police officers who reguarly passed by,and feeding their horses.

Going to the museums with her,especially the Transport museum and The Kelvingrove.

Getting bottles of Barrs drinks delivered,and being allowed to order the flavour of my choice.

Going for walks together.

Her taking me to the video store to rent videos every week. I almost always chose the same videos,Strawberry Shortcake,and an animated version of Dracula. I must have worn them out.

I'll stop now,though there are many more. She died in May this year,and I miss her so much.

It's amazing how many of my memories are food related.

[OrmIrian]

A lot of your memories chaos are the same as mine - but of my parents' house. They are v old though. As am I

Ledbury granny (dad's mum) - living room smelled of cedar wood, scary barky little dog, long low-ceilinged dining room with shiny wooden floor and an engraving of the Canterbury pilgrims on the wall, dark study with Benin brasses hanging up that used to watch me, narrow box staircase and small wobbly-floored landing, ivory sewing box on a table that I was only allowed to play with under supervision, first edition copy of Struelpeter on a bookshelf that scared the bejaysus out of me all of one Easter visit, green enamel saucepans with leaves on the, being made to drink coffee and eat broad beans, being chased by geese in the back paddock when DB and I trid to take a short cut back to the house from the lane.

Malvern granny (mum's mum) - tiny 1930s bungalow with dry little garden, beautiful roses everywhere (mermaid climber and peace and princess elizabeth standards), little boy on a bird bath, path behind the herbaceous border that smelt sometimes when the gardener had disturbed the compost heap, smoked very very thin bacon, white bread cut fine, unsalted butter, lapsang souchong tea, knights castille soap, granny keeping her hairspray in the waste paper bin in her room in case the aerosols exploded , biy shiny sofa that we weren't allowed to touch with our fingers or wear shoes on, massive 'radiogram' with a mahogany case that I never heard used, ants on the lawn.

[ChaosTrulyReigns]

I'm sorry to those of you that i've saddened today.

[notyummy]

Maternal:

Ticking of their Grandfather clock (which some utter bastard stole after the house was burgled....Grandad was staying with us at the time to get over the death of my nana.

Crossroads theme tune - nana watched it religiously.

Ryvita - her fovourite snack.

Grandad taking out his false teeth and gurning to make me smile.

The china piggy bank where they would save all their change for me so I could open it each time I visited and count it.

My grandad taking me to Peter Pan's Playground (Brighton) each time we visited. He would buy a couple of cans from the off license and watch me play, and then we would go into the arcade and play the penny falls machines.

Paternal:

Grandad died when I was born. Have vivid memories of Grandma though.

I shared a room with her when I stayed. She would get up early each morning and we would snuggle up in bed together and drink tea/coffee and eat digestive biscuits (so decadent!) and read her Readers Digest magazines.

She loved the The Archers. The theme tune makes me think of her.

She made us Lancashire hotpot to have for dinner on the first night every time we stayed. We would have it with pickled red cabbage.

[chobbler]

whenever 'keeping up appearances' comes on I can hear Gran chuckling and the click her dentures made when they knocked together. It was the last time I saw her.

For many years every week going through her 'visiting' coats and handbags to retrieve the things she had left in them, I would go around the house and collect them all up and put them back in the dressing room, along with stray scarves and hats. I'd tip them on this magenta satin covered eiderdown, the bed was so tall when I was younger I had to take a run at it. The lipsticks went back onto the dressing table glass tray, same with compacts powders. I had to pile the medicine strips up for mum to sort out and I got to keep the money. The handbags all smelt the same inside as she used to spray a hankie with her scent, even the money smelt of it.

And the rows of shoes! she must have had thirty pairs.

My sister has some of her jewellery, you can still smell her perfume on it when you open the package, it takes you back thirty years in an instant.

My God do I wish I was as glamorous as she always seemed.

[sommewhereelse]

smell of mothballs
boredom relieved by unpinning and repinning anti-macassars on the chair arms
great custard


It was much better when they visited us: endless games of scrabble with my grandmother punctuated my grandfathers snores

[chobbler]

Thank youChaosTrulyReigns just thinking about those times has cheered me up enormously. I only hope my kids have such vivid memories of our parents in another thirty years.

[sommewhereelse]

My DCs grandparents are much more fun and loving than mine were.

[marssparklesdownonme]

My Nanny was always standing in front of the Rayburn in her flowery pinny.
She inevitably had some home knitted cardigan or jumper ready from Womans Weekly and it was waiting for me.
The huge pink hydraenga outside the back door with the battered gnome.
The huge black shed which always seemed to be full of interesting things.
Sorry blinking through the tears now.

My Granny and Grandad had a beautiful garden, lovingly tended by Grandad.
The box of battered toys that had been my Dad and aunties.
A box of small butter knives in a typical 1950's box with coloured plastic handles ; every family meal my cousins and I spent ages deliberating which to choose to eat with.

I'm lucky that at 42 I still have my 91 year old Grandad .

[Hatwoman]

dancing (on my own) to the Sound of Music played on a crackly record player in a g-plan teak unit.

hiding from Uncle John (my wonderful step-grandad) inbetween 4 cypress trees and him always pretending not to know I was there

the smell of tomatoes in the greenhouse and the sound of the gravel on the greenhouse floor

the pottery rabbit and frog that lived in the rockery - sometimes being allowed to paint them when they had become all flakey

ovaltine and cheddar cheese biscuits

readers' digest

butter tartlets from the bero book

the feel of the rather odd woollen textured sofa

my grandma's wonderful charm bracelet

[LieInsAreRarerThanTigers]

Granny M's: Fagsmoke, everything tasting faintly of fagsmoke, including the Sunday Roast
Tinned ravioli, Cadburys mini-rolls and a glass of milk
The smell of the bureau where we kept some toys in the bottom drawer - now have this in my house and it still has the faint smell (yes fagsmoke is in there!)
Mint imperials

Granny and Grandad's: Utter silence but for the ticking of the grandfather clock.
Smell of the garden shed - wood, mustiness, canvas/hemp sacking, oil, lawnmower smell combined.

[marge2]

Mum's lot

Playing with the pastry cutters in Grannie's hessian bag. Sneaking into Walpole Park through the back fence. Cross Spiders in the garden. The spooky cellar. My Uncle's baby shoes that Grannie still kept in the drawer. The Piano and gradad going mad at us cousins all playing chopsticks and playing with the pedals. Grandad shouting 'DOOOOR!' at us cousins.
The lovely warm coalfire in the living room. ( and me once sitting IN it cos I thought the stool was in front of it and it flipping wasn't - had to sit in a cold bath ! ) The 'Top Room' Grannies wonderful cooking. My Mum's old room.

Dad's lot

Fresh rolls on the back gate delivered daily from the baker. Eating watermelon on the balcony. Gradpops listening to Opera. Mosquitos. Swimming in the lake. The downstairs open bit with the big long creepy crawlies climbing on the walls and my baby brother crawling after a huge spider. The Rose garden. Sunburn. 30s decor. Citronella. The Italian version of 'It's a Knockout' on the TV. Aranciata. The big metal gates. Walking down to the village in the heat with the wonderful smell of Cyprus trees all around.

Happy Happy Happy Days

[Splinterbottom]

Pink synthetic silk counterpanes on the beds, and crawling into bed in nana and grandad's room when we woke up in the morning.

A tupperware tub with biscuits/chocolate in and the idea of 'elevenses'.

Baking little cakes. Nana making marmalade.

Trying to crawl up grandad when he was sitting in his chair and boink him on the nose before he 'woke up'.

Sitting in the back garden on warm summer afternoons and watching ants scurrying over the shallow concrete steps.

Day trips out to Southport.

Playing patience and gin rummy in the evenings, and nana 'slipping into something more comfortable' (taking girdle off) every evening straight after tea.

[pigsinmud]

Cold downstairs loo
Coal fire
Grandstand on tv
Meat paste sandwiches and Battenberg cake