Funny to remember, but I spent a bit of time in Milton Keynes growing up as my mam's older sister moved down there in the 60s, so we'd visit once or twice a year. I was very close to my aunt (still am), her husband (sadly dead) and their son (a close friend) so I always looked forward to the trips. Coming from a small town, it all seemed very strange in it's layout and ultra modern. I remember we all took the train down in 1992 for my aunt and uncle's 25th wedding anniversary and on being driven to their house with my dotty old Great-Uncle and Aunt, chuckled at their open mouthed wonder at it all, compared to the tiny pit village they'd spent their whole lives in.
Of course, when I was a bit older and I went for a few nights out with my cousin, I realised it was an equal a cultural oasis as where I came from. He moved away, my Aunt followed maybe 12 years ago. I think the last time I was there would be 2006 or so, when I interviewed the groundsman of MK Dons for a magazine I was working on at the time. I get all the jokes, but still, there's fond memories of the place for me.
