This was the street where I grew up. The photo was taken when eventurally the houses were empitied and it was destined to be demolished. It appeared in a newspaper and the article writes that it was a shame that it was going to be removed, it would have been better to renew the houses and sell them.

My parents showed me the photo and I almost had to laugh. There were two squares, both alike with their houses. We were working class, but my grandparents moved into their house around 1914 and my mum moved in with my dad when he returned from the war and they got married. My grandfather lived downstairs in three rooms, and we had three rooms on the upper floor.

I lived there with mum and dad, went to school in the area, and even managed to qualify for a high school which was quite an achievement. I had a good job in the city of London, did some evening classes and learned Italian. I already had five years of French from school and 2 years German. So there I was with my wonderful education and still living in our house. In the meanwhile my grandfather had passed away and we had the complete house. However, no running hot water and an outside toilet. Central heating was unknown and we just had to make do. Was it a wonder that I began to think about my future here at the age of 20. Definitely not and I wanted to see things and do things. More luck than anything else. I found a job advertissiped for Switzerland. I had already done a commecial course at school and could type and write steno, so I applied and got the job. I broke the news to my parents who did not stand in my way, although I think mum was not exactly happy about it.

In the year of 1966 I left England, took an overnight train and arrived in Switzerland. I have never regretted my decision. I would still visit my parents once a year, but my fate was sealed. I really do not know why or how, but I do not think I contemplated very much. The rest was that two years later I met Mr. Swiss, we got married. I had two children and inherited two children from Mr. Swiss first marriage. Now 55 years I am still in Switzerland. speak more or less fluent German (Swiss German) and even had a Swiss passport. I still have my British citizenship, although since 10 years I have not been in England. And it all began in a street of shame.

And here a comparison of today with a view on my ground floor appartment.