The Expedition

But Which one? There are so many to choose from, so I will give you my favourite, although I have only some actual memory of this one. It has been repeated so often amongst family and friends, that I thought to share it with you.

They would always start with my eldest brother pronouncing grandly "we are going on an expedition, Mummy and we need provisions" These words always filled me with delight but back then, I wasn't even sure what 'an expedition' was.

None of us were aware, that fate would play a part in what happened that day, or even what was about to occur; we were more concerned about who had more jam in their sandwiches than the other and if we all had enough orange juice to last us until we got to 'The Top'

Finally we were ready; my eldest brother was always the General, the middle brother was The Captain and, Private Kitty (I never ever got promoted) tagged on at the back.

The General, gave a full 'kit inspection' of our rucksacks (school satchels)and pronounced that we were ready for an assault on Mount Stairway. I don't think that I really thought the mountain was very high but my brothers were always so good at fuelling the imagination. So, that day, as the sunlight filled into the hallway, the ropes(dressing gown chords)were very tightly knotted, binding us all together, ensuring, that if one of us should fall to his certain death, one of the others, would be able to bravely stop it from happening and more than likely get a medal for outstanding bravery too (all except, Private Kitty, because Privates never ever were awarded medals.

And so the climb began, on hands and knees, we skillfully maneuvered ourselves over the treacherous ledges; only once stopping for refreshments on about the fourth or fifth stair. That was when the baby (who also became a Private at a later date) crawled up beside me; he was fast on the stairs and fearless, he overtook both The Captain and The General and went to sit on top of the mountain and wait for us all to catch up.

Finally we all safely reached the 'top' and admired the view ( I think this was just a picture on the wall)and finished off our provisions. There was then some discussion of how we would get back down the mountain and we began preparations...

I have to halt at this point and take you out of the hallway and into the kitchen; this was where my mother usually was; she was very very busy, doing whatever it was that mothers did, and we all knew very well, to stay out of her kitchen and out from under her feet. So, anyway, Mother was in the kitchen, when she suddenly realised that ominous sound of silence from her children; she wiped her hands on her apron and stepped into the hallway.

It was a timely entry on her part; she saw three children on the landing above the stairs, all were holding very tightly onto a rope made of the dressing gown chords; the other end was dangling over the bannister rail, firmly knotted around the neck of the baby, who was at this point, turning blue and making odd choking sounds.

And the reason this story has been told so often, is the delight we have in repeating the General's words: But Mummy, we were only abseiling the baby.