Parklife (From Penarth Times)

Parklife

YOUR recent front page about the lad who was impaled on Belle Vue Park"s railings (Penarth Times, February 2) and the story of the lady locked in the Park (February 9) reminded me of when I was inadvertently shut in Alexandra Park.

I had dozed off on a bench which had become obscured by overgrowth.

The park keeper (we had one then) didn"t spot me and I spent the whole night locked in!

Fortunately, it was a warm summer"s evening, combined with the fact that my nephew (SAS-trained) had spoken of the way to survive stranded in the wilderness.

I had a mental list of the berries that were edible and even how to kill and clean fish.

Of course, eating the park"s goldfish would be convenient but not ethical.

Happily, my shopping bag contained ample supplies of energy-giving custard creams, chocolate raisins and one nut cluster.

However, I would certainly not risk this "adventure" in similar circumstances today.

But back then the night ended peacefully with the arrival of the park keeper to open up first thing.

He was more than a little surprised!

Harriet Davies

and dog Buster

Arcot Street

Penarth