A focus on family history
Saturday, 20 March 1937
Lovely day, arrived at Suez about 4 in the afternoon. About 150 of us left by boat for Cairo, £7.10 fare. Passengers are not allowed to land. Left soon after for the Canal. A marvellous piece of work. Had game of bridge, lost 6° then stayed on deck until 12. Lovely moonlight night and very cold. Had supper in Mrs [L] Webb’s [age 65] cabin.
Pencil – Stayed at Alexandria Hotel in Cairo.Went for a ride out to the pyramids on camels, not a very pleasant trip.
Friday, 19 March 1937
We left Sudan at 4 o’clock yesterday. Lovely weather, very nice day today, calm as a mill pond. Played bridge this morning, again in the afternoon; lost 1°. Played again at night, won 1/1.
Had supper in Hills’ cabin. I shouted the drinks. Off to bed at 11.30.
Thursday, 18 March 1937
Arrived at Port Sudan at 11 o’clock, took a long time to berth. Crowds of labourers on the wharf, all nationalities, dark men with enormous bush of hair, very curly, very dirty and smelly. Not many white people here, and not much to see. Rowing boats pull you to the town for 1 piasto, 2 ½ return, but we gave them 3 each way. Only take silver with the King’s head on. After walking around the town, hired a car. Went to the desert, and saw all Sudan, very poor place. Plenty of camels, no horses.
Wednesday, 17 March 1937
Still in Red Sea, very warm. Just sat around deck in the morning, played bridge after afternoon tea. Fancy dress dinner, jazz caps, trumpets, etc. Very good meal, turkey, etc. At night, fancy dress parade; nothing like the first, where there were 250 in fancy costume. Had very good supper, ice creams, etc.
And Mrs McCabe shouted drinks all round.
Tuesday, 16 March 1937
A fine warm day, rose early and arrived at Aden about 11 o’clock. Aden is a mass of volcanic mountains that rises such a great height above the town, which is very flat, and very poor; just a mass of dark people with very gay coloured clothes, all selling their wares, and one can beat them down a good deal. Went for a car drive out to Aden proper, no white people
Piastios? 2 ½
Monday, 15 March 1937
Beautiful day just sat around the deck. Sighted land about 10 until about 2. Passed two steamers, one the Orford, on way to Australia – lay down on the bunk all afternoon, had a real good rest.
Sunday, 14 March 1937
Another lovely day. Went to church. Captain always takes the service. Played bridge in the afternoon, won 4° Played bridge again at night, won 4? Had supper in Mrs Everett’s cabin, Shandy and sandwiches. Went to bed about 12.
Saturday, 13 March 1937
Up early, glorious day again, very calm. Played Bull board before breakfast. Sports started again today. Sat on deck all morning. After lunch went to Mrs Everett’s cabin to fix her dress. Played bridge again at night, won 3.
Had supper in Mrs Hill’s cabin. I supplied the gin.
Friday, 12 March 1937
Another lovely day, played bridge all the afternoon, lost 6. Evening had fortune told by Molly Hall, everything good. Played bridge at night for love. Had supper; gin and tonic, an awful drink.
Thursday, 11 March 1937
Beautiful weather, the sea very calm, just sat around the deck. Had a seat in cabin in the afternoon and played bridge at night; won 1.
Went to bed at 11 –
Added in pencil – supper every night