Thirza Pidgeon’s 1937 World Tour – 2 May: Brussels to Amsterdam

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]

Thirza Pidgeon’s 1937 World Tour – 30 April: Train and steamer to Brussels

Friday, 30 April 1937

Buses all went on strike today

Left Victoria Station at 10.30. 8 of us in the party; Halls, Hills, Everett, McCabe, and myself. Got to Dover 12.30, took steamer, Leopold, across the English Channel to Ostend [Belgium]. Good smooth trip over, then train to Brussels, there about 6.30. Out to Madame Maas to stop, beautifully furnished. Mrs E & I had a lovely room, with private bath, good meals, make us very comfortable. After dinner, which we finished at 9.30, all went to town with madame to see the shops. Got back about 11. All done and very tired off to bed.

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