Places I Have Lived – part 2

Monday 16th November

Number 4 – A Basement Flat, Sussex Gardens, near Marble Arch.  I had run away and had almost no money, I had to survive.  I am not ashamed of what I did but no need to divulge the details, except to say that within 2 weeks I had a job and a new address.  But it wasn’t that awful and I was taken to a couple of parties, one where I met a few of the Black and White Minstrels – all gay.  Anyway the owner of the flat, a quite wealthy man was kind and helped me to get both a job and somewhere to live.

Number 5 – 40 Carysfort Road, Stoke Newington.  My very first digs.  A tiny room, the cheapest I could find.  Two pounds a week for a bed, a tiny wardrobe, a chair, a sink and a one-ring hob with a shared bathroom and toilet down the hall.  I can remember a few weeks later when I had contacted Mum and Dad and the look on their faces when they saw what I had left home for.  I was there for about four months.

Number 6 – Rectory Road, Stoke Newington.  A room again, but a large one this time.  I split it up into bedroom and sitting room and decorated the walls with drawings.  I bought a radio and can remember spending long hours with Carol, my first real girlfriend in that bed, me nipping out for take-away fish and chips and drinks.  Happy days.  Rent was six pounds a week.  I was there for about three months.

Number 7 – Dukes Avenue, Muswell Hill.  A huge shared room with a workmate in a beautiful shared house just behind Ally Pally.  I was only here for a few weeks but had a lovely time.  I can remember laying on the hilly slopes looking over London with Carol and thinking I was the happiest guy alive.

That didn’t last long.