Conkers

(c)2006 Jon Pumpkin

(c)2006 Jon Pumpkin

(c)2006 Jon Pumpkin

One of the most beautiful things, apart from my wife, is a conker fresh from its shell. It's a beauty that only lasts a matter of hours. The waxiness, the rich brown colour, the rings - it's great. When I was young, I'd collect them by the pocket load on the way home. Just to look at. The idea of drilling holes in them and smashing them together seemed such a waste. Arranging them in size order was much more fun.

Oh, and they could be aliens battling forces of small plastic soldiers ....

Carrire bags full of mouldy conkers would be unearthed months later in the cupboard under the stairs.