READING a story (SA, April 28) about Coate Water reminded me of my earliest memories of it.

As a child my eldest brother John was in charge of another brother Ron, sister Patricia and myself.

Mother had given John money for the entrance fee one penny for each of us so it meant we wouldn't be able to buy an ice cream from the man who rode a three-wheel cycle with a big blue and white large box which read stop me and buy one'.

When we got to the stiles where you paid to get in John said Come on' to us and he told the lady that mum was just coming and she let us through.

We ran up a very steep slope, which led to the big lake with a large diving board in the middle. Only people who could swim went in that water.

I often wondered if that lady had to pay for us. We had walked through five fields, past an avenue of wonderful trees and many cows, all black and white. The dogs and house were the same, so it was called by us children as the black and white farm. Happy memories.

(Mrs) Dorothy Witts

(nee Slade)

Wroughton