Looe Archives - The Pidgeon Coop

May 29, 2013

Thirza Pidgeon’s 1937 World Tour – 29 May: A pleasant summer day

Greater London, UK

Saturday, 29 May 1937

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.

May 27, 2013

Thirza Pidgeon’s 1937 World Tour – 27 May: Return to London, luggage went missing

Thursday, 27 May 1937

Grace, Mrs R. came down to the station to help us with our cases. Left here at 10, by train to London. When we arrived at Paddington our luggage has disappeared from the van. We were very upset, rang up and it was put out at Teignmouth, porter rang at 9 to say it would be back at 3 in the morning. Arrived at Margaret’s Hotel about 6.30. some delay as we got to Paddington at 3.45.

May 25, 2013

Thirza Pidgeon’s 1937 World Tour – 25 May: Day trip to Plymouth

Tuesday, 25 May 1937

Raining slightly yesterday. But fine today. Mrs Everett, Gracie & self took train at 10. Went to Plymouth for the day. Big town, good shops, and a wonderful water front called the Hoe. Finest I have seen anywhere. Mrs E & Grace went up the lighthouse, while I admired the view. Spent some time on the Hoe then back to the shops. Bought suitcase for 5/-. Gave Grace £1 – she bought a dress. Strolled around for some time, caught 5 train back to Looe. All very tired. Mr & Mrs Scott. Mrs S jun called to see us after 8. Invited us to tea tomorrow to see Leslie.

May 24, 2013

Thirza Pidgeon’s 1937 World Tour – 24 May: Caught a bus to Polperro

Monday, 24 May 1937

A nice day at Looe. Had breakfast at 8.30 then went for a walk over the town. Such narrow streets. Back for lunch, then caught bus at 2 for the quaint little town Polperro where all the artists go to paint. Saw a couple of them there with their easels painting in the street. Little rivers everywhere, no sewage, everything goes over the road. Very narrow streets and funny little houses. Lot of fishing boats here. Had ice creams there. Bus back to Mrs Rowe’s for supper at 7. Yarned after.

May 23, 2013

Thirza Pidgeon’s 1937 World Tour – 23 May: From Teignmouth by train to Looe, Cornwall

Sunday, 23 May 1937

Another dull day. Had dinner & Mr Hick drove us to Newton Abbott to catch the train for Looe. Left there are 2. got here at 4.30. Grace was at the station to meet us, a very hilly walk up here, right on top of the hill had afternoon tea at 5 then went for a walk around Looe funny village, streets very narrow. Had supper at 9, went to bed at 10.15 .

Thought we were never going to get anything to eat tonight. Fancy 9 for what we call tea.

[It is believed that Thirza stayed at the residence of Mrs E. Rowe, Shutta Road, East Looe, Cornwall]

[Thirza’s father, John White, was born in East Looe, Cornwall, in 1851. His parents were William White and Thirza Rowett. Both families had lived in the East Looe district for several generations dating back to at least the early 1700s. William White’s parents, James White and Susanna Serpell were publicans of the Swan Inn in Fore Street, East Looe in the early 1800s]