Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – Memories, Music and Movies – 1980 – Driving Test, Whirlwind Romance, Barbra Streisand and Fame by Sally Cronin

Entertainment History Writing

Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – Memories, Music and Movies – 1980 – Driving Test, Whirlwind Romance, Barbra Streisand and Fame by Sally Cronin

I cannot remember a time when music and movies where not a part of my life.

Last time I shared my first year at Bontddu with life in the hotel and exploring the lovely Snowdonia National Park.. and the amazing coastline of Mid-Wales.

As Frank Sinatra would say, 1980 for me was a very good year… I was happy in my job, had a whole bunch of new friends in the area, loved my job at Bontddu Hall and on April 1st my divorce was finalised. It did not escape my notice that it was All Fool’s Day and seemed fitting.

It had taken me three years and my savings to get past this time in my life but it had been worth it. I was now 27 years old and I vowed that I would never marry again as I held that precious piece of paper with the words Decree Absolute in bold print emblazoned across it.

You know what they say about famous last words don’t you...

Anyway the second great event was that I took and passed my driving test in the August. I have begun driving at age 17 and had several lessons but then ran out of money. Over the years various boyfriends and my former husband had attempted to teach me to drive but without success.

After living midway between Barmouth and Dolgellau for over a year and having walked myself down to a size 10; I decided that I should book some more lessons and take the test. I signed up with Mr. Evans in Dolgellau who would pick me up in his mini in the middle of the afternoon during my couple of hours off.

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