Days of letterbox milk and Pac Man

These letters are in response to an editorial by Julie Eley asking readers for their memories and thoughts of the 80s. Thanks to all of you who sent in contributions. Ex-80s Kid wins the six-month TV Guide subscription. Congratulations. with only two channels – such as Fraggle Rock, The Smurfs, and Kiwi legends After School and What Now. Who could forget when Thingee’s eye fell out? And Vampire Count Homogenized who used to sink his fangs into milk bottles instead of sucking blood. I told my kids that there used to be a milkman who would deliver milk to your letterbox ... that’s really showing my age. But I survived the summer camping trips and weeks stuck at the bach by the beach, and the school blue-light discos. And, thankfully, my mum didn’t allow me to get a spiral perm (but by 1989 I rebelled and scissors in hand cut my own fringe to be like Kylie Minogue). I survived, but don’t get me started on the 90s...

Ex-80s Kid (Christchurch)

Who could forget that cliffhanger ending – ‘Who Shot JR?’ No nudity or blasphemy, even Baywatch didn’t go there. Dynasty stars Joan Collins and Linda Evans and Dallas stars with their oversized shoulders. We all tried them. I still have a few – squares off the old shoulders these days. The 80s music, who will ever forget Queen and Freddie Mercury? They have reinvented this music over and over and people still buy it, my grandchildren included. Live shows Cats, Cliff Richard, and even Natalie Cole (Nat King Cole’s daughter) we saw live. What a treat. It wasn’t a cashless society then either. I worked for Armourguard and we paid all wages in cash. No automatic payments or direct debit then. I got my driver’s licence in the early 80s too. I never met my mother-in-law until 1989. She came to New Zealand to meet her grandchildren and to catch up with a sister who had emigrated back in the late 40s. Those were the days, my friend.

Sandra G (Waikanae)