I used to love going the Roller rink.
I first started going there when I was 17, at first I used to come home looking like I'd had a fight with Mike Tyson, bruises everywhere..
But I soon got better.
I was, in fairly quick time able to skate backwards, sidewards, upside down (ok, I made that last bit up) but seriously, after doing anything 3/4 times a week you soon get pretty good at it...hmmm..hang on, rule out suicide will you?
Anyway, I had my first pint there (oh yuk!)
I met the Honey Monster who cried all over me...and I had some of the best years of my life.
They used to play a few romantic songs back then and you and a girl (or vice versa) used to skate around holding hands, I was really shy back in those days and could never get a girl to skate with me, there were so many pretty girls in there then but frankly anyone with a pulse or who at the very least, were Leprosy free, were well beyond my aspirations.
I even had my favourite skates, not mine of course but I always used to 'reserve' them by giving the Skate attendant a shilling.
Allan, Derek and me weren't just content of course with Skating, we also perfected the noble art of Nobbling..
This was done by simply tapping the back of their skates with caused them to lose complete control and over they went..
The film Rollerball had nothing on us.
I remember saving up for months to buy some Wrangler cords and the first week I wore them, Allan nobbled me and I went down on one knee and split them open..I was miserable for weeks.
Well the Rink closed down and many years later I was a Dad of two little girls aged 10 and 8
I took them over to Derby Roller rink and watched as they skated round and round.
I'd hired some Skates myself and my girls and their friends that I'd brought with them laughed at me as I wobbled around the floor...
The look on their faces was priceless as I suddenly turned from being the ugliest of Ducklings into the most graceful of Swans.
I showed them the passage of years had not diminished my skills..
Their tired old Daddy flew round as all those 25 years dropped away and I weaved in and out of the other Skaters..
From top speed as I neared my children who were watching from the side, I just turned round and slid to a sudden stop..
Melanie came skating over to me put her arms around my waist and said 'Hey Dad, you really are cool at times'
God, it was a great day.