Nick Walker of Suffolk Park had a memorable experience with beer prices during a visit to Czechoslovakia in 1991, where he and his fellow backpackers enjoyed twelve half-litre beers and two meals each for a total of $1.16 per person. Don Firth of Wooli shared a humorous anecdote about explaining to his grandson the concept of people being pulled by horses instead of using engines for transportation. The comparison to modern aircraft travel sparked a chuckle. The mention of Pegasus Airlines in Turkey added a humorous twist to the conversation.
The debate surrounding the usage of “will” versus “shall” in the context of Laurence Binyon’s poem “For the Fallen” was discussed by readers. Allan Gibson pointed out that the line “We will remember them” comes from the fourth stanza of the poem, which was published in The Times in September 1914. Marion Barrett shared her recollection of being taught that first-person pronouns typically use “shall” instead of “will,” but noted that Binyon deliberately used “will” for emphasis in this case. This grammatical conundrum sparked interest and further discussion among readers.
Merilyn McClung of Forestville sought clarification on the correct term for rock cakes with a filled hollow of jam, asking if they were called drop cakes. This question engaged the bakery enthusiasts among the readers, inviting them to confirm or correct her understanding. Peter Pocock of Hornsby shared a personal memory of working as a 17-year-old bus conductor and the challenges of handling the old currency system, which required carrying heavy bags of pennies throughout the day. His job kept him fit with all the physical exertion involved.
As Decimal Currency Day was reminisced upon, Andrew Taubman of Queens Park recalled receiving a one-cent coin as a souvenir during his time in 6th class, now known as year 6. However, he humorously mentioned that he swallowed his coin and it never emerged, leading to a playful remark about being considered “worthless.” These nostalgic reflections and amusing anecdotes shared by readers added a light-hearted touch to the conversation in the Column 8 section of the publication, showcasing a mix of personal experiences, historical references, and language debates.
