There are many things I remember about my Nan, freezing cold holidays in Scarborough, bunking the bus Islington, Blackpool illuminations, flicking through the family bible but the two valuable lessons that will always stay with me are buttering bread and growing bones!
When I was about 12/13 in her flat in Whitecross which I'll always remember for being filled with family photos, knitting baskets, fish tanks, cockatiels and Cliff Richard mirrors!!
We were in her tiny kitchen making a trifle and sandwiches as people were coming up, I can't remember the occasion. She had given me the task of buttering the bread for the sandwiches which I dutifully accepted. About half way into it she looked over spotted that I'd been buttering both sides of the bread. "What are you doing you dozy bastard?" she asked.
"Buttering the bread" I said confused.
"You don't butter both sides of the bread, only butter one side. When you pay for the butter then you can butter both sides".
To this day despite buying the butter myself I still only butter one side of the bread much to the annoyance of Shiv 😂.

The second memory is one that usually is my last thought of every day before I fall asleep is about growing bones!
My Nan insisted that I sleep straight. I wasn't allowed to sleep with my legs or arms bent! She said I would not grow if I was all curled up. So from my earliest memory of going to sleep as a small kid I remember laying there as straight as can be hoping that one day I'll be as tall as my uncle Tony!! It never really worked as we all know as I'm only 5ft 8 but still as I drift off to sleep even now I straighten myself up and hope for an extra few inches.
God bless you Nan.
Antony