This tale takes place in that, sadly very short, interval between the ready availability of the contraceptive pill and the outbreak of HIV and AIDS. It does not involve anyone underage at any point.
The real adventure now began. School finished and uni not starting until October, two and a half months to find out as much as I could about life and have some serious fun.
I had started my long break by visiting Tante Marise
(see story of that name)
in her French home. She had taught me a lot, and introduced me to the joys of mutual showering, a pleasure that I have enjoyed throughout my life.
Where to go next and what to do had been the two big questions. In the 1960s travel to far off lands was not really one of my options, so I decided to head for the beaches of northern Spain. Here I could live cheaply, enjoy the weather and get a proper sun tan.
Travel by air, with a tour company, was way outside my budget, but a friend had given me his hints and tips for hitch hiking long distances and now I was in northern France planning an 800 mile hitchhike to Barcelona, or actually anywhere near by.
Barcelona had the attraction of being in a straight line from my starting point at Tante Marise's and the direct route was via only two roads so, with a bit of luck maybe, just maybe, only one or two changes of lift.
My first lift was a little disappointing as it didn't even get me to Paris but the driver was pleasant enough and chatty. I supposed that life on the road could be pretty lonely and he was enjoying the company.
My next was more fruitful. A british lorry pulled up with a hiss of airbrakes and the driver ushered me round to the passenger side. Everything was, of course, on the wrong side now that we were in France.
As the passenger door swung open a cheery female voice from the depths of the cab hailed me with,
"Hop in sweetheart." I grabbed the rail, put my foot on the step, and swung myself in.
"Where you off to then?" She enquired as I settled myself into the seat.
"Barcelona, or somewhere near there." I replied, taking stock of my new surroundings. My chauffeur was very obviously female, if the voice hadn't give her away the sight of her chest certainly did. She wore her dirty blond hair very short, her T shirt equally tight and lightweight khaki cargo trousers. I guessed she was about thirty and had a cheeky grin. Result.
"So 'ow long you going for?"
"I don't have to be back until October to start uni."
"Blimey, nice work if you can get it!" and she shot me a smile that formed alluring dimples on her cheeks.
The next several hundred kilometres passed in getting to know each other. Gilly was her name. She loved life on the road, often did the same runs up and down through France, knew all the best stops and frequently picked up hitchhikers for the chat and to pass the hours.
"So off for the three Ss are we?"
"The three Ss?" I said quizzically.
"Yep, the three Ss. D'you know you can tell someones age by their three Ss?"
"Sorry, I'm not with you."
"Right I'll tell you, you just complete the third S with the first thing that comes into your head, OK?"
"OK!"
"Sun, sea and?"
"Sand!"
This reply was met with about the dirtiest sounding laugh I have ever heard in my life!
"OK, you're about eight years old! Sun sea and sand!" More laughter, " Let's try again. Sun, sea and?"
"Sangria?"
"Getting better, much better, but still not there. One more try."
I am now getting nervous. The only other S I can think of is sex and I was certainly not going to say that out loud to this lady I'd only just met. She's good company and I don't want to get put out in the middle of nowhere.
"Sun sea and?" Came the question again. My mind was racing for an escape route and I suddenly found it.
"How many letters?" She took one hand off the wheel and started turning her fingers down one by one as she counted.
"Eight." Phew, so it wasn't sex. You cannot believe how relieved I was that I hadn't said it, but eight? I racked my brains, but even sangria was only seven.
"Give up." I admitted. Her reply stunned my into silence. I could hardly believe my ears.
"Shagging! Shagging of course. Sun, sea and shagging. Isn't that why all you students head for the Costas?" My week mumblings were incoherent and never meant to be heard anyway. Gilly, with the dirty blond hair, tight T shirt and filthy laugh had just said 'Shagging'!
"Come on now." She said placing one hand on my knee for a few seconds and flashing me her beguiling smile, dimples and all. "Don't tell me I'm wrong.
"Look, I bet you a quid that I'd find johnnies in your ruck sack? But I'm not giving you the quid unless you let me check. There are johnnies in your pack aren't there?"
This was getting out of hand. This lovely lady had just put her hand on my knee, flashed me a smile and boxed me into a corner.
"You win." I said reluctantly.
"Knew it. Sun, sea and shagging! Well a good looking lad like you shouldn't have much trouble pulling on the roast chicken beaches." Again the smile with the dimples.
"Roast chicken beaches?" I wanted to know what she meant but didn't want to appear as naive as I was.