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.
A fine day, but dull. Met Mrs Everett, went into Simpson’s for lunch. When I saw the menu, 4/- for chops or steak, 1/9 for cauliflower, we came out and went to Slater’s for lunch 1/6. Laugh, we could hardly speak. Went to Australia House after and met quite a crowd of fellow passengers. Decided to go to Devon on Sunday. Coach takes 9 ½ hrs, train only 3 so will take the train.
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.
Nice sunny morning but very cold. Called at Australia house for letters. Met Mrs Carter & Miss Dunbar. All had lunch together then to Overseas Club, where they joined up. Had afternoon tea at Lyons at Marble Arch. Left them at 5 – had to race back to dress for sherry party at Lady Barron’s in Eaton Square. About 40 there, met lots of Lords & Ladies. Lady Swadling drove me home in her Rolls Royce. Asked me to tea on Friday, had to refuse as I am going to Holland. Met young Lord Jersey, nice boy, very chatty.
A nice morning met 6 of the N.Z. crowd at Australia House at 10. Had lunch, then took green car to [Royal] Tunbridge Wells – a nice run over 2 hrs. Had tea at the wells. Mrs Hill asked me back to dinner – feeling knocked out. Came home and went to bed early. They all think I am doing too much racing around – and that I am not looking well so I must take things quieter.
Went to Australia House. Met Ethel Kingdon & her husband. Had a chat then Miss Dunleary and I had lunch. Met Mr Cockrane [sp? Possibly Cochrane], who took us to his hotel, the Imperial, then out to the Tower of London, at 5.15. A long walk back at 7, but too tired to go to an at-home, at the overseas club – so went to bed. Doing too much.
Tower of London (Mar 2013)
[The Imperial Hotel was located in Russell Square and was demolished after the second world war. It had a sister hotel designed by the same architect, The Hotel Russell, which still stands.]
A little sun but very cold still. Went to get mail. Met Mrs Davidson in Australia House, asked me to go and visit them. Paid for my coronation seat, 10/-, then took bus to London Bridge, back again to Piccadilly. Had lunch at Lyons, then met the Davidsons again. Bought some wool to make knee pads, feel the cold in my knees. Arrived home at 5 feeling very tired. Spent about 2 hours in Swan and Edgar, a lovely shop. Took Mrs Roberts to supper.
Went to Australia House for letters then N.Z. House. Met Mrs Prentice, had lunch, then train to Buxton [sp? possibly Brixton and Brixton Markets]. Put me in mind of Colombo; men trying to drag you into the shops. In the markets bought a felt hat for 3/6. Had a good day, very tired.
Rang up Fay Hardy. Promised to meet her – at Australia House – gave her the parcel – looking very well. Promised to meet her next Thursday and go to her husband’s show. Saw a lot of the passengers in the reception room. Went to the pictures at night, Jack Buchanan.
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.
St Pancras Hotel and Railway Station. The station entrance is to the far right (Feb 2013)
Australia House (Feb 2013)
Australia House (Feb 2013)130 Belgrave Road, London (Feb 2013). It looks a little run down over the years since Thirza stayed here.130 Belgrave Road, London130 Belgrave Road has its actual entrance in Morton StreetStreetscape view of 130 Belgrave Road looking northwest towards Victoria Railway Station. It is actually a very short walk from the Pimlico Underground station
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.
