A focus on family history
Sunday, 16 May 1937
Slight rain. Left 130 Belgrave Rd, caught coach. Left at 9. Five of us to Devon. Had lunch at Bournemouth, morning tea at Hampshire. Arrived at Teignmouth at 7.30 after a lovely trip down. Sunshine at east, good position and lovely meals. Will make this our home for a week. Mr & Mrs Hick made us very welcome. Very large room. Mrs Everett & I sharing same. Did not sleep at all.
Friday, 14 May 1937
Dull, had lunch at Parnells. Went to Paddington Station to see trains for south. Also called in at Hudsons to store luggage.
Back to dinner, then packed up ready to leave 130 Belgrave Rd.
Tuesday, 11 May 1937
Very wet today. Did some laundry work, and tidying up of cases. Had lunch over the road. Then to Army & Navy Club to reception by Mr & Mrs Heath, Attorney General [actually the Agent-General, Albert Edward Heath] for New South Wales, living in London. All Sydney at it. Met Mr Davison & his mother. Back 130 for dinner. Went to bed early. Raining off and on all day.
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]
Tuesday, 27 April 1937
Nice morning, met the N.Z. folks at 12. Had lunch at 12. Had lunch at Lyons, then bus out to the [Royal] Mint – opposite the Tower of London. Long walk, all very tired. Had afternoon tea there and went back to St Margaret’s Hotel to dinner and had a game of bridge at night. Raining heavy as I left, borrowed umbrella from Mrs Everett.
Went to several churches in the morning, the Temple and Temple Bar.
[St Margaret’s Hotel was situated at 26 Bedford Place. Thirza’s New Zealand friends were based there. After her visit to the Continent, Thirza relocated from 130 Belgrave Street to St Margaret’s.]
Sunday, 25 April 1937
A lovely sunny morning, feeling very tired after a strenuous week. Stopped in bed until 12, then dressed and went to lunch at Lord & Lady Mercy, 22 Eaton Place. 12 for dinner at 1.30 – had a most sumptuous dinner. Left at 3.45. Walked back to Belgrave St. Another rest until supper at 7. Feeling much better for the quiet day.
Friday, 23 April 1937
A nice day but cold – went down to Russell Square to meet the N.Z. folks, not having seen them for a week – had lunch, bought new coat, brown, then took green car to Windsor Castle. Lovely drive, walked all around the grounds, great crowd. Feeling very tired after dinner. Went down to the flat to spend evening with the Davidsons & Mr Hyland. Arrived home about 12.
Tuesday, 20 April 1937
Very cold and wet, absolutely rotten weather. Went to Lady Lowther in Hill St to lunch, met Lady Churchhill. Both lovely, made Mrs David & self very welcome. Lovely lunch, cocktails & cigarettes. Promised to go to Lady Churchill’s to see her children. Lots of invitations coming in. Had a lovely time, very cold & wet, so took the bus back to 130 and stayed in for the night.
Friday, 2 April 1937
Arrived at Tilbury Docks at 3 in the morning. Could not land until about 9.30. Customs opened all cases, got through alright. Took train 3rd class 2/5 to Pancras Station, then train to Belgrave St, 6 /.
A wet foggy day, lights up everywhere at 11.30. Have a nice room, very clean. The food is nicely cooked. After lunch went looking for a dentist – Mr Dewey ? then took the bus to Australia House, good reception room. Met several of the fellow passengers, came back to dinner and stopped in at night. Rained very hard, comfortable bed.
Note: Accommodation in London appears to have been a house 130 Belgrave Rd, London. Future references to “130” and the actual address on May 14.