Victoria Park

Victoria Park used to be home to a skate park before progress moved in and cleared the way for a motorway. I was lucky enough to spend one summer afternoon of my holiday there, hanging around the sidelines, hoping no one found my presence creepy. There were boys too young to buy beers drinking beers, too young to buy smokes chuffing on smokes. Golden girls with long beachy hair in summer dresses taking in the action. Late-twenties guys with BMXs absconding from the office for an hour or two to get in some jumps, dress jeans rolled up their calves. Eighteen year olds enjoying their last summer before embarking on university, exemplifying their youth with high fives and grazed elbows.

This is Sam. I’d probably say he’s living the dream spending down here at the skate park, where he says he’s spent most of his summer afternoons. I told him after watching them I was keen to try my hand at jumping. He reckons I’ll get the hang of it, but probably on someone else’s bike.

I lost your email address Sam, send me a message if you want a copy of the pics.