A focus on family history
Sunday, 30 May 1937
Lovely warm day, stayed in bed until 11. Had tea & toast brought up. Had dinner at 1.30. Mrs Everett, Molly & Dot Hall, all went out to see the Coronation Robes. Had to wait ½ hour in the Tul.? Paid 1/6 to see them, very grand. Had tea at Lyons came home, hot bath in bed by 8.
Very tired
Mrs Hall not too well.
Greater London, UK
UK
Saturday, 29 May 1937
The first really bit of summer we have had in London. Sun at last. Went into the bank this morning. Had lunch at Lyons came back to have a rest and a quiet afternoon to do a bit of washing, plenty of hot water in the bedroom. And the sun is coming in the windows.
Received 10 letters yesterday and a number of invitations for different things. I wrote to Australia House, and asked them to send on any letters to me at Looe, but I got none down there at all. Went for a bus run to Richmond after supper, not dark until 9.30.
Friday, 28 May 1937
Had a big day. Went to station at 9 to collect our lost luggage. Porter wanted to charge 1/- a packet for it. I saw the superintendent, so did not pay it. Got a taxi back. Then went to Westminster Abbey to see the decorations. Charged 5/ to go in, very beautiful, had lunch. Mrs Everett & I then took bus to Chelsea Flower Show, the greatest flower show in the world. Another 2/6 (the day before it was 10 /-). Walked & sat down at times, spent hours there, it was marvellous. After dinner went to the pictures. Saw Three Smart Girls, 2/6, a good show – got back at 12 – midnight.
[Note: The Chelsea Flower Show had a special “ Coronation Empire Exhibition” in 1937 in honour of the recent coronation. An image of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth at the 1937 show. This year (2013) the best show garden was awarded to Trailfinders Australian Garden by Fleming’s.]
Thursday, 27 May 1937
Grace, Mrs R. came down to the station to help us with our cases. Left here at 10, by train to London. When we arrived at Paddington our luggage has disappeared from the van. We were very upset, rang up and it was put out at Teignmouth, porter rang at 9 to say it would be back at 3 in the morning. Arrived at Margaret’s Hotel about 6.30. some delay as we got to Paddington at 3.45.
Wednesday, 26 May 1937
Fine day went down to the Rabbitories, bought a cravat of rabbit. Strolled around the waterfront, back to lunch. Called on old Mrs Salt after. Took us all over her funny old house then met Marnie at 4. Went to West-Looe, made afternoon tea. Another good meal at 6 when Leo came home, nice cottage he built – been in since October. Took us for a lovely drive out to Whitsands. Got back at 10.30, dark. Nice small sedan. Treated us very well, gave us a real good time.
Tuesday, 25 May 1937
Raining slightly yesterday. But fine today. Mrs Everett, Gracie & self took train at 10. Went to Plymouth for the day. Big town, good shops, and a wonderful water front called the Hoe. Finest I have seen anywhere. Mrs E & Grace went up the lighthouse, while I admired the view. Spent some time on the Hoe then back to the shops. Bought suitcase for 5/-. Gave Grace £1 – she bought a dress. Strolled around for some time, caught 5 train back to Looe. All very tired. Mr & Mrs Scott. Mrs S jun called to see us after 8. Invited us to tea tomorrow to see Leslie.
Monday, 24 May 1937
A nice day at Looe. Had breakfast at 8.30 then went for a walk over the town. Such narrow streets. Back for lunch, then caught bus at 2 for the quaint little town Polperro where all the artists go to paint. Saw a couple of them there with their easels painting in the street. Little rivers everywhere, no sewage, everything goes over the road. Very narrow streets and funny little houses. Lot of fishing boats here. Had ice creams there. Bus back to Mrs Rowe’s for supper at 7. Yarned after.
Sunday, 23 May 1937
Another dull day. Had dinner & Mr Hick drove us to Newton Abbott to catch the train for Looe. Left there are 2. got here at 4.30. Grace was at the station to meet us, a very hilly walk up here, right on top of the hill had afternoon tea at 5 then went for a walk around Looe funny village, streets very narrow. Had supper at 9, went to bed at 10.15 .
Thought we were never going to get anything to eat tonight. Fancy 9 for what we call tea.
[It is believed that Thirza stayed at the residence of Mrs E. Rowe, Shutta Road, East Looe, Cornwall]
[Thirza’s father, John White, was born in East Looe, Cornwall, in 1851. His parents were William White and Thirza Rowett. Both families had lived in the East Looe district for several generations dating back to at least the early 1700s. William White’s parents, James White and Susanna Serpell were publicans of the Swan Inn in Fore Street, East Looe in the early 1800s]
Saturday, 22 May 1937
Very wet today at Teignmouth just sat about. Had my glasses fixed and a good rest. Afternoon tea in the lounge. Mr & Mrs Hill & Mrs McCabe went to Plymouth did not care for it.
Friday, 21 May 1937
Nice day, left hotel at 9.30 for a lovely drive to Doone Valley, 174 miles through lovely country over heather clad Exmoor. Had lunch at Doone, then through the Church where Lorna Doone was married in the book. Lovely views of the Bristol Channel, could see Wales in the distance. Lynmouth was very pretty, best drive so far. Arrived back at 8.30 and found a lovely hot dinner waiting for us. Then to bed.
Wrote to Mrs Rowe to say we would be down on Sunday.