That smell you get...

As I sat aimlessly staring out of the window on the bus I watched a young child and his mum/old aunt/young grandma/old sister walking down a road that led to a veterinary centre (I know it is there, I have seen it!) it got me remembering all those tips to the vets with a oblivious cat. And as I thought, I remembered so clearly the smell of the waiting area. It smelt too clean and there was always an underlying trace of hamster/rabbit/budgie, but never the strong scent of dog or cat. It smelt of nervous small animals and latex gloves. Thinking back it was a familiar smell, but one that provoked an air of worry as you waited for your pets name to be called through the polished, mahogany door.

The longer I thought the more I remembered other childhood smells and the feelings they provoke, sometimes happy ones and sometimes not so happy. Here is a list of some of my most memorable ones.
1. The safe smell of must which is most commonly known as "dads-work-van-smell"! I remember that when I was younger it was always my mum that drove me anywhere because my dad worked early to late. School, brownies, friends houses and trips to Garstang on Saturday mornings; they always took place in the car. So when I went in dad's van it was rare. The smell was a mix of tinny machinery, oil, petrol and general workman scent. It was a good smell, a happy one. Dad took the smell with him in every work van he had and as I have gotten older, the times I have spent in it have become fewer but I never do forget it. It is like the hugs we give each other, which have also become rare with age.
2.The childhood smell of Poulton Shoe market. This one holds fond memories of bi-monthly trips to get slippers or shoes. The prices were low and affordable and the selection was considered good enough for us kids. My sister and I were of the age were we didn't really bother what was on our feet...but...that trip was always a lil' bit special. The smell was your typical new shoe smell (if you have ever put your nose in your shoe, you will no what I am talking about...NO DON'T DO IT NOW! Your shoes are not new...you will knock your sinuses into next year!) It was of leather and suede and all things happy and sometimes when I walk down that road I shall nip in, not to buy shoes but to just take in the scented memory.
3.The last smell I shall mention has got to be the smell of creosote. For those eccentrics which are unaware, creosote is an outdoor varnish for fences and any other type of wood that needs a covering to protect it from the elements. This smell never fails to remind me of summer. Obviously because it is at that time of year when the fences were painted. I once tried to help my mum with it and failed miserably by making the fence streaky and slopping it all down my dungarees. As I was banned from helping I would sit cross-legged in the grass to take up the smell. But don't worry I didn't abuse the substance, even if it did make me smile alot

So I implore you, search back in your memory and think of your 3 happiest scents, you may be suprised as to what you will find...

Rach
("Excuse me, can I smell your shoe?")
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