Grandad's drinking

Bertha's grandfather went into a home when she was a child, but she vividly recalls hearing her mum talk about his drinking habits.

"Worked hard all the week… and then on Saturday he did one load and that was his drinking money," says Bertha.

"He'd stay there 'til he either got too drunk or spent all his money.

"Some of his mates'd take him out and put him in the old horse and wagon that he used for carting his wood.

"The old horse'd bring him home.

"Mum and Granny used to sit up and wait 'til they heard the old wagon, creak creak, creak creak."

She remembers asking her mum why they waited for Grandad and finding out it had more to do with letting the horse in.

"They used to take Grandfather inside then they'd go back outside and unharness the horse and give it a feed," she says.