Written by Ian Fleming (widely known for James bond!), this film starring Dick Van Dyke came out in 1968 and my brother took me to the cinema in Tooting when it was first released – I was 7; it was also the year my beloved grandfather died and I think that’s why I loved Lionel Jeffries who played the grandfather in the film – although not a bit like my Grandad who was an old army man (my bulrush).
Anyway, the film and the music turn me into that little 7 year old again and I love it. Marty Whelan on Lyric FM in the morning often plays a song from it and my other favourite The Jungle Book and there I am in the kitchen eating breakfast, getting lunches ready and dancing around the kitchen.
Triggers, that’s what they are. Triggers which bring back great memories, the same way smells can do. The things memories are made of, and fortunately in this instance good memories. I love memories and the feelings they evoke, the wonderful thing is we have the power to control our memories and the feelings which are aroused as a result if we change the way we look at the events and memories but that’s for a whole different article.
So Chitty, Chitty. Bang, Bang……I visited Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria about 10 years ago which was the home of Mad King Ludwig and it is amazing. I think he would be delighted to know that the castle in the film and the Disney castle were both based on his castle, however when we visited it was the world cup in Germany and the place was full of mad football fans all sporting their colours including mexicans sporting massive sombreros – but the atmosphere was great.
So as usual I digress and wander but that’s what I love about memories they take you to everywhere and nowhere all at once. So….
“Oh you Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang we love you……..”
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