A focus on family history
Monday, 10 May 1937
Another rotten day. Wet and gloomy. Received quite a number of letters. Had lunch at Buzzards, then to Overseas Club for At Home given by Lady De Boux. Quite a crowd with Ms Cantor and Miss Dunbar. Had long walk to train. No buses running, feeling the strain, and looking it. Had easy night then bed.
Sunday, 9 May 1937
Raining slightly, met the crowd. Left Victoria Station at 10.30 for Canterbury. Had lunch on train. Went through the famous cathedral and then walked all over Canterbury in the rain. Cold, had afternoon tea. Got back to train at 5, home by 8.30 and started cleaning up all the papers I had accumulated on the trip.
Saturday, 8 May 1937
Cold day; had lunch, met the N.Z.s and went to the Carlton Theatre, Piccadilly to see Maytime. Lovely picture. Came home and went to bed.
Friday, 7 May 1937
Stopped in all the morning. Just went to town to a news reel, then back again. Just having a quiet day. Everyone passing remarks that I don’t look well. Think I will have to go much slower. Could go to a party tonight, but will go to bed early instead. Writing this lying down, so that accounts for the bad writing.
Thursday, 6 May 1937
Nice day. Met Mrs Hill & Everett at Harrods at 10.30. Did some shopping, had lunch. They had to meet Miss Slattery.
I went to a reception at Dr Johnson’s House, entertained by Sir Edward Boyle. Lovely afternoon tea, and a very nice afternoon. Got back for dinner, and bed early – feeling done.
Wednesday, 5 May 1937
Too tired to get up, stayed in bed until 12.30 then went to Australia House to get my letters. Very upset, none from Bill [Wep]. Met Mr & Mrs Spriggins who arrived back from the continent yesterday. Also met Mabel & Fred Thearle, looking well. Sat all the afternoon yarning then back to 130 for dinner. Had to go to a cocktail party, but was too tired. Went to bed early.
Tuesday, 4 May 1937
Lovely sunshine, went into town by bus to see the shops. All traffic was stopped so we hopped out too. Saw all King Leopold’s soldiers march out to the Review ground, a most impressive march. Went through all the shops after, got back for lunch at 12.30. Car called at 1 to take us to the train then to Bruges & Ostend, the steamer Princess Astrid for the White Cliffs of Dover. Smooth trip, got back to London at 10. No buses on the road. Had a cup of tea at Lyons, then back to 130. Feeling worn out.
[On 21 June 1949, the Princess Astrid sank after striking a mine in the English Channel, three miles off Dunkirk – 1949 ‘BELGIAN STEAMER SUNK.’, Cairns Post (Qld. : 1909 – 1954), 23 June, p. 1, viewed 26 April, 2013, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article42629286 – See article on line at Trove]
Monday, 3 May 1937
Car called at 9 today to drive us to all the places of interest. Had lunch then left again about 1 for Brussels. Back a different way – got back about 7.30, tired out.
Sunday, 2 May 1937
Lovely day, car called at 9 to take us off to town, then got into a larger one, 20 of us, the rest all French. Passed through Antwerp, Rotterdam, over the border and through all bulb land of Haarlem. Most wonderful colouring I have ever seen. Shall never forget the lovely green fields, and all the colours of the hyacinths & bulbs. The houses very clean also, after London, where the houses are so dirty. Arrived at The Hague for lunch, 2 ½ hours late on account of the football match between Belgium & Holland being played in Holland. The huge crowds held all the cars up, on the different punts – had to wait an awful time. Arrived at Amsterdam at 6. Got into a lovely big launch. Went all through the canals – and out to the Zuider Zee – out into the open sea – got to the hotel all feeling very tired. After dinner went to bed early.
[The football match Thirza refers to was the first international match played at the newly opened Feijenood Stadion (De Kuip) in Rotterdam]
Saturday, 1 May 1937
Lovely sunshine. Car called at 9 and drove us all around Brussels. A lovely city, with its lovely wide streets, and wonderful trees, 2 rows and 4 down nearly all over the streets. Saw all the wonderful statues, then back to lunch.
Car again at 2. Out to where the Battle of Waterloo was fought. Had afternoon tea there. Awful tea, & charged us 1/- each then ask for tip for service. Lovely drive, and enjoyed it all. Back to dinner at 7.30, all too tired to go out again. Went to bed about 9 -.
