A focus on family history
Tuesday, 29 June 1937
Nice day, went for a nice drive to Falkirk. Did some shopping, bought wool for Jack’s jumper. Elsie & I had afternoon tea there. Drove back then after tea, went with Jim & his mother and father for a drive in their new car to the Forth Bridge, at Queen’s Ferry [Queensferry], a lovely drive through all the rich estates back at 10. Had supper then to bed.
City of Edinburgh, UK
Falkirk, UK
UK
Monday, 28 June 1937
Showery day, just sat around, and yarn & yarn & yarn. Wrote letters to Sydney. Sending by air mail.
Sunday, 27 June 1937
Sunday, nice day, had dinner then went for a lovely run to Gleneagles. Had afternoon tea at Turnakum [Tormaukin] Hotel at Glendevon, then on to Gleneagles, the largest hotel I have seen so far. Have own baths, tennis, bowls, 2 golf courses of 18 holes, 1 at 9. Went through the ground floor, a marvellous place, the grounds all enormous. Never seen anything like it, 40 mls from Bo’ness. Had a lovely drive back. Had supper at 10 then to bed, sprinkling with rain.
Falkirk, UK
Perth and Kinross PH3, UK
Perth and Kinross FK14, UK
Saturday, 26 June 1937
Had morning yarning with Elsie. After lunch went for a lovely drive to Carnegie Dunfermline Park [Pittencrieff Park] given to the people free of charge by Carnegie, his native town. A lovely park, Glen’s tea room where we had tea. Walked around the town, through Woolworths, then back of Bo’ness. Had tea about 9, still daylight – went to bed at 12 still light.
Falkirk, UK
Dunfermline, Fife KY12, UK
Friday, 25 June 1937
Left Chester 8.30 – second day on the trip to Scotland. Had morning tea at Lancaster, lunch at Ambleside. Lovely drive through lakes to Gretna Green. Had a look at Blacksmith shops where all the marriages were made through to Moffat. Had tea there. Reached Edinburgh at 8.15, Elsie, Jim and son, Jim to meet me. A nice drive of 19 miles to Bo’ness. Made me very welcome. Have a nice home, newly done up, very comfortable stay. Up to 12 yarning.
[Thirza stayed with Jim and Elsie Braes. Jim’s business was James Braes & Son, Joiners and Building Contractors, Bridgeness, Bo.ness; Phone 180]
Falkirk, UK
City of Edinburgh, UK
Dumfries and Galloway, UK
Cumbria, UK
Lancashire, UK
Cheshire West and Chester, UK
Thursday, 24 June 1937
9.30 just got to bed in Queen’s [Queen] Hotel, Chester, feeling very tired. Had a nice run from London today. Morning tea at Oxford. Saw all the boys at Eton going to school in their high silk hats. Had lunch at Stratford on Avon, Shakespeare’s birthplace, afternoon tea at Lichfield. Went to the Cathedral, lovely service on. Got to Chester at 7.30. Oldest city in England. Very nice hotel this. Left London at 8.30. Had a lovely drive, scenery so far not as good as Devon. At present, quite daylight at 9.30. Start tomorrow again at 8.30.
19A The Close, Lichfield, Staffordshire WS13 7LD, UK
Warwickshire CV37, UK
UK
Cheshire West and Chester, UK
26 Bedford Square London, Greater London WC1B, UK
Wednesday, 23 June 1937
Another nice day, went to meet Mrs Collins & her daughter. Took them to lunch at Lyon’s Brasserie, then Miss Collins took us to see Balalaika. Best play in London. She got a pass & took us in the best seats. Had afternoon tea in the theatre. Came back to dinner, been busy packing up, as I am leaving for Scotland in the morning. Catching coach at 8.30, first night at Chester – should arrive at Edinburgh on Friday night, feeling very tired.
[Balalaika was performed at His Majesty’s Theatre, now known as Her Majesty’s Theatre]
Tuesday, 22 June 1937
Lovely day, stayed in all the morning, getting ready for the Royal Garden Party. 18 went from this hotel [St Margaret’s], caused quite a sensation in the street waiting for the taxi’s. My dress looked very nice. A wonderful party, the King shook hands with me. The Queen looked charming & Queen Mary always in white. The biggest garden party Royalty had ever given, 10,000 guests. Saw quite a number that I knew. The entrance all carpeted in deep rose pink & gold. Very beautiful. Mrs & Mrs Spriggins called at night also Mrs Webb & Cantor. Had 12 people in the bedroom for supper – late night.
Monday, 21 June 1937
Went to Australia House for mail, only 1 from Bill. Met Mrs Webb & daughter. Had lunch at Regent Palace Hotel, not worth 2/3. Came back to A. H. Booked passage by coach to Edinburgh, £5.12.6., 2 days trip. Back to dinner then out to Mabel’s flat. Fred, Mabel & self went to Grand Ball at Countess Onslow’s at Guildford, a most wonderful palace [Clandon Park], such wealth I could not imagine. Had a great time. Fred drove me home at 2.30.
West Clandon, Guildford, Surrey GU4 7RQ, UK
Sunday, 20 June 1937
Went to Harley Street, could not see Dr. Palmer’s name anywhere. Very cold, like winter. After dinner went to special service at the Temple Church. Big crowd, lovely choir singing. Came back, had tea in bedroom, then to the Arts Theatre for play. Col’s sister invited Mrs Everett & I. Got home about 11. Made tea in bedroom, very cold.
26 Bedford Square London Borough of Camden, London WC1B, UK
Temple, London, City of London, London EC4Y 7HL, UK
City of Westminster, London, UK
6-7 Great Newport Street, City of Westminster, London WC2H 7JB, UK