A focus on family history
Wednesday, 31 March 1937
Very cold, wet & terribly foggy – the ship is blowing her siren every few minutes. Can hardly see a few yards away. Played rummy, 6 of us in the morning, won 5° – played bridge afternoon, won 3 – still very wet and cold played bridge again at night, won 7. Had supper in Hills’ Cabin.
Tuesday, 30 March 1937
Very cold day, and no sunshine. Passed several steamers. Played bridge day & night.Too cold to sit outside. Had ale in Webb’s cabin.
Monday, 29 March 1937
Rose to see Gibraltar, we came abreast at 9 a.m. The day is misty, & we could not get a close view of its coast. We have gone a long way out of our course for safety, mines being laid the Spanish coast. Looks green, but not very attractive .There are a number of war ships, about the strait.
Sunday, 28 March 1937
Went to 8 o’clock communion with Leonard and Gwen. Very cold today. Rested all the afternoon; too cold out on deck. Played bridge at night, won 8. Had supper in Mrs Webb’s cabin, then to bed. Very cold and swelly.
Saturday, 27 March 1937
Easter Saturday, very cold, everyone inside. No outside sports, played bridge all the morning, rested in the afternoon, then had win with Mr Webb. Played quoits and ball game; beated in both. Played bridge at night, had beer and sandwiches in Mrs Webb’s cabin. Leonard gave me an Easter egg.
Top of page Miss [I] Leonard [age 34] gave me one Easter egg
Friday, 26 March 1937
Mr & Mrs Spriggins left the boat for the continent.
Arrived in Marseilles at 6. 6 of us went up to Notre Dame, wonderful position. Go up in a cage, then a great number of steps to the church. Went through and saw everything, had our photos taken, a glorious view. Came back to ship for lunch, and then 9 of us went for a lovely trip over ? efenest ? Mts, through vineyards and potteries.Had coffee at seaside then back to town. Place full of French people. Rather good looking crowd, we caused great fun making ourselves understood. The money came quite easy to me, 1 franc 2 ½. Played bridge at night, won 1.
Photo/postcard in hand: Inscribed: Taken at Notre Dame, on Good Friday 27th March, 1937
Signatures of Mrs F. E. Everett, Thirza Pidgeon, J.H.H. Hill (Mr), J.J.J.? Hill [Mrs E], Mrs E M. McCabe
Thursday, 25 March 1937
Very cold, and windy. Just played bridge in the smoke room. Had a very good concert at night.
Tuesday, 23 March 1937
Nice and cool, played bridge nearly all day, played Rummy at night. Had supper in Hills cabin. Children sports and fancy dress today.
Monday, 22 March 1937
A beautiful morning, not a ripple on the water, just like glass. Entered competition; played bridge, morning afternoon and night. Won 3 in the morning, lost 15 at night. Had supper in Mrs Webb’s cabin, gin and sandwiches. Very cool and calm all day.
Sunday, 21 March 1937
Arrived at Port Said at 5 in the morning, a most interesting place. Went ashore after breakfast with Mrs Sutherland. The natives worry you all the time to buy.Beat them down very easy.Went to the English Church service at 10, full of passengers, 2 ministers, the sermon poor. Came out, got into a carriage with a guide, drove around the city, plenty to see. Very large building, did not see any white people about. Drove back to a shop, did some buying, not a bit like Sunday. Back to the boat for lunch, then back to town again with Mrs [I] Byrne [age 51], guide again. Had 3 lots of Egyptian coffee & cigarettes for nothing.