APR Saturday 10 1937
Wet morning, met the crowd at 11 – walked about, had lunch, then to a picture show at Piccadilly, came home to dinner, and stopped in for the night.
Thirza Pidgeon’s 1937 World Tour – 9 April: Shopping and tea at Harrods
Friday, 9 April 1937
A nice day but cold – went to Army & Navy stores and bought a new hat – then out to Harrods to meet the crowd. Saw mannequin parade, then afternoon tea at Harrods. Very nice feeling, very tired.
Thirza Pidgeon’s 1937 World Tour – 6 April: Saw the Queen and Princesses
Tuesday, 6 April 1937
Still very foggy, met the N.Z. folks and went to see the Queen and the 2 Princesses. Great crowd watching, had a very good view. Had lunch at Lyons – then took bus out to Harrods a lovely store. Spent nearly all the afternoon in the store. Came home to dinner and stayed at home – very tired.
[For more information on Lyons see The Corner Houses]
Thirza Pidgeon’s 1937 World Tour – 5 April: The teeth are a great success
Monday, 5 April 1937
Another day like yesterday. Took my plate to the dentist. Had to leave it all day so sat in the lounge before the fire. Just had some tomato soup, served in my bedroom. Lay down in afternoon. Got my teeth at 6 o’clock. After dinner, took bus to Russell Square. The N.Z ers were very pleased to see me. The teeth are a great success – cost 30/-.
[Thirza’s New Zealand friends from the ship were staying at St Margaret’s Hotel in Bedford Place, near Russell Square.]
Thirza Pidgeon’s 1937 World Tour – 3 April: Need a dentist
Saturday, 3 April 1937
Went to the dentist. Had to take the plate to town to match the teeth so took a long bus ride out to Wood Green, very nice run. Came back, got the plate, had lunch at the A.B.C. then to the pictures. Saw Mae West in down west young man [Go West Young Man], rotten piece. Came back to dinner, and stopped in for the night, having broken teeth, did not feel like looking up any of the New Zealand folk. Still a cold foggy and wet night.
Thirza Pidgeon’s 1937 World Tour – 2 April: Arrival in London
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.
Thirza Pidgeon’s 1937 World Tour – 1 April: English Channel
Thursday, 1 April 1937
In the English Channel; very calm, cold and sunny. Just knock my teeth and broke two of the front ones. Bad lunch, expect to arrive in London tomorrow morning. Played bridge nearly all day. Had champagne in Mrs Webbs’ cabin before dinner, again for supper, then for bed.