Tag: Brussels

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Thirza Pidgeon’s 1937 World Tour – 4 May: Amsterdam sights then return to Brussels

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]

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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]

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Thirza Pidgeon’s 1937 World Tour – 1 May: Sightseeing in Brussels

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.

Manneken Pis at Rue de l'Etuve 46, 1000 Brussels; 1 May 1937

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 -.

Brussells; 1 May 1937. Thirza Pidgeon on far left, then the two Hall girls, Molly and Dot probably either side of their mother, Mrs E. Hall then Mrs E. Everett and possibly Mrs E. Hill or Mrs E. McCabe

 

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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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