August 23 - September 2, 1961 - England

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 23, 1961 - LONDON,ENGLAND

Seems like I lost several days along the way. When we drive a lot, this often happens. Called Trudy & she’s moved to Essex.  I’ll try again later. Mr. & Mrs. W. Brown, “The Willows”, Crossing, Essex, England.

THURSDAY AUGUST 24, 1961 - LONDON,ENGLAND

Had breakfast & Charles hit the sack & is trying to catch up on his sleep. We hope to go to the Palladium tonite, if we get seats, more later. Mailed all pkgs. home, also borrowed camera, to Bateaux, (1 to Carole & Joyce pkg). George Price arrived with the Palladium tickets, good show, lovely clothes, but we did miss some of the dialect. Had dinner and drinks, good time (visited several pubs). While parked alongside our hotel, someone came too close to our car & scratched the full length of it - Beasts.

FRIDAY AUGUST 25, 1961 - LONDON,ENGLAND

We drove all over London to get our car looked at, no luck. Finally went to General Motors head office & mgr. there tried, still no luck. Later had lunch at Keens near “Fleet St.” not bad, but not as good as 3 years ago. We went to a local show, can‘t remember the name of the picture. Later we went to Romford with George Price for the weekend to visit his family and daughter, Sandy & Ray Moody, 2 daughters, 1 son.

SATURDAY AUGUST 26, 1961 - ROMFORD, ENGLAND

Wonderful family. They received us like long lost relatives. Ray was especially nice & quite talented. Sandy was sweet & cordial. We spent 3 nites with them (Brunchcoat). They took us to many of the quaint pubs only to this part of the country. Had our first taste of cockles (ugh). One taste was enough. Sandy gave me 2 antique teaspoons & a china shoe (very old).  Chas., George, Ray & I went to the public market but no antiques today.

SUNDAY AUGUST 27, 1961 . BRIGHTON, ENGLAND

We drove to Brighton today with George and the Moody’s to pick up the 2 girls & to meet the other daughter, Connie Kennedy. It was a long drive but well worth it as we found Brighton all the things one reads about.  All but the beach, no sand there, just stones.

Lovely bldgs., pier fun zones, dancing. etc., etc.  Connie & Doug Kennedy were very nice, we had dinner here & tea & they joined us at the beach. Doug gave me a very old India coin, one that I will have appraised. We drove back to Harold Wood with the Moody’s & stayed the night.

MONDAY AUGUST 28, 1961 . HAROLD WOOD-ROMFORD & CRESSING,ENGLAND

We left here early to drive to Cressing near Braintree where we hoped to find Trudy & Walt Brown. Yep, they‘re here OK & in a new pub called the “Willows”, about 600 years old, quaint, but nice and comfy.

 We spent 3 wonderful days here, met 2 grandchildren & enjoyed the pub. We learned to play darts the ole English way, met some nice people here too. Poor Jim lost a dart game to me & me an amateur. He was a good sport & wants to play again tomorrow. Chas. bought beer for all the boys in the bar.

TUESDAY AUGUST 29, 1961 - CRESSING, ENGLAND

Really nice weather here. I finally did a big wash & have all of Chas. shirts cleaned & ironed. We went to Braintree shopping. Small town nearby. We helped Trudy & Walt around the pub. Had dinner, tea, etc. Eat, eat all the time here. Jim came back again & wanted to play darts with me. I tried to put him off but he insisted & sure enough I beat him again. He just doesn’t believe that I never played before. Then later we played doubles & Trudy & I won from Jim & Walt. Then on dominoes, Jim & I won from Chas. & Walt.

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 30, 1961 - CRESSING, ENGLAND

We got up early, packed & got breakfast & ready to leave. I took some shots of the gang & said our goodbyes & we‘re soon on the road to So. Wales to see old George Morgan. We drove the No. Ring Road around London, A40 through Oxford, Gloucester & then into Pontypool where we had a rough time getting a room. We finally got the last one in town but never did get in touch with George. Met a nice student. Lionel Bassel, who joined us & tried to help us find George. No luck so far. We’ll try again in the AM. Beer & beddie.

THURSDAY AUGUST 31, 1961 – PONTYPOOL & NEWPORT,SOUTH WALES

Early this AM we made a final stab to see George Morgan, our Ypres friend. So Chas. went to the police & the captain assigned us a cadet to help find him & the way to his house. This we did & here he was. He joined us for lunch & got us to stay another night as there will be a mkt. day in Newport in the AM & we‘re still looking for goodies. So today we drove just for the ride to Newport & Cardiff & back. Chas. took a nap & we watched TV in the lounge. Also had tea in the lounge. Now it‘s evening.  Chas. is up & we‘re going to decide what to do with ourselves until bedtime. I wrote 5 letters today Chuck, Carole, Bill, Jay & Claire Robertson... good day‘s work. The weather is superb here. We watched TV for a while in the hotel, took a walk through town & later returned to the hotel & had some beer & in walked Lionel Bassel, our friend from last nite. Talked to a lot of people, had fun & to bed after a few beers.

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 1, 1961 - PONTYPOOL & NEWPORT,SOUTH WALES

Got up early & George was in the lobby waiting to take us to the market for antiques so off to Newport we went & we hit the jackpot. First of all George gave me as a gift a very old sugar bowl, some horsebrasses & other trinkets, plus 3 brass plaques, an ashtray for Chas. & new candlesticks & Welsh woman thermometer. At the market he bought me 2 copper kettles, a spit arm & some horse brasses (about £7 in all). We hated to let him do it but he insisted. Chas. and I bought at Newport market: horse brasses Pound 1/7, 3 milk jugs pounds 2, pewter stein 6/, copper water bottle 15/, samovar (copper) £3, 2 plates, 7 horns (copper) £13/10/0. George drove out of town about 12 miles & we let him off at a bus station. It was hard saying good -bye to the old fellow. He sure got a kick out of being with us again. We drove on until we came to Chesterfield where we‘re spending the nite. Sheffield is about 12 miles away, next town.

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 1961, - DONCASTER, ENGLAND

We’re heading north and gradually to Glasgow & the boat home. It will be a few days yet. We stopped in  Doncaster & went to the public market & were able to pick up 1 copper kettle for 37/6, a good one & a good deal. There was nothing more of interest. We drove on to Morpeth & got a nice room but before we got here we stopped for gas right across from an antique shoppe where I bought a brass water can & 2 pair brass candle holders. Also a good deal pound 3/10 (Gateshead, England). Also bought 2 bone china flower ornaments for gifts at home $1.00 each. I hate to mention this but it’s been dark ever since we headed north & Scotland & right now it’s thunder, rain & lightening. I’m delighted that we are off the road & in where it’s warm. I suppose we’re heading for the same old cold weather in Scotland. In Darlington I bought an all-around pale green dress (£5 reduced from £7/10). Clothes are expensive here (£5/=$1200).

Saturday Eve. – Still heading north on A1 & it won‘t be long before we’re in Scotland. We spent a couple of hours in the hotel pub. Boy what a bunch of characters, I never saw so much beer pumped in one eve, before all 3 bars were loaded. Guess we’ll sleep late in the AM. This is a nice room & we might just as well enjoy it to the hilt since it’s Sunday & there will be no antiques for sale anywhere.

August 19 - 22, 1961 - Tayport, Scotland

SUNDAY AUGUST 19, 1961 - TAYPORT, SCOTLAND

Arrived back here & stayed with the Wilkies again. We had a nice dinner, lots of talk & bed.

SUNDAY AUGUST 20, 1961 - TAYPORT, SCOTLAND

On Sunday Connie and I made the dinner while the boys loafed. Later we took a run in the car & did all the harbors. Crail is lovely, a spot for artists. Also visited a remodeled 300 year old house. Very nice, but $15,000 is far too much. No reservations came for our return trip so we’ll try again in the AM.

MONDAY AUGUST 21, 1961 - GLASGOW, SCOTLAND

Drove from Tayport to see about bookings. Dundee didn’t come up with anything. Cunard lines didn’t either, so Chas. chanced a smaller line called Donaldson & we just got in on a cancellation. We sail 9/12/61, arrive on the 20^th in Montreal. There will only be 48 passengers on board ship. This should prove cozy. Went back to Tayport & I must add here it poured most of the day. We’ll leave in the AM for the south again to see Trudy & George.

TUESDAY AUGUST 22, 1961 - TAYPORT, SCOTLAND & LONDON,ENGLAND

Left Tayport after breakfast & headed south on A1. Needless to add it rained most of the way. Rooms were hard to find but before leaving Scotland we drove to Edinburgh & got our mail. We hit the jackpot, 2 from Bill & 2 from Carole & 1 from Chuck & 0 from Val ($45.00 from Bill & $10.00 from Chuck to spend). We drove on until we hit London where we went to a hotel.  Called on George Price, he was out but came over later. Really a nice guy, we had some beer & lots of hot air, etc.

August 14 - 18, 1961 - Northern Scotland

MONDAY AUGUST 14, 1961 -TAYPORT & ELGIN,SCOTLAND

Left Tayport & headed north onto Stonehaven & Aberdeen, Banff, Elgin, Forres. Good. Here we put up for the night & hope to go to an auction in the AM. We did buy a nice piece of pewter in Aberdeen 0/15/0 (a small tappet hen or water jug & later got 2 blue plates). Aberdeen is a lovely city, clean & most interesting. We’re just one day late to see the royal family that traveled the same road yesterday that we are doing today.

TUESDAY AUGUST 15, 1961 - FORRES & ELGIN,SCOTLAND

Had a hard time finding a room, but got the last one in town I’m sure. The weather is cold & we had quite a bit of rain off & on. I’m going home before my legs are red. Had some beer at a local hotel and a cup of tea where we‘re staying & off to bed.

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 16, 1961 - ELGIN,SCOTLAND

Left Elgin about 1 PM but first got up and had a good breakfast, paid our bill & bought a brass kettle 20/ and a copper measure 10/ from our hotel owner. She has a couple more measures we‘ll try for on our way back. Went to an auction sale ¡n town. Got a teapot 10/ and a toby jug etc. 20/6 and a car rug 20/. It’s been a great experience. One must be fast. He who hesitates is lost. Can‘t beat the dealers!

THURSDAY AUGUST 17, 1961 - GOLSPIE, SCOTLAND

Spent last night at Golspie. We’ll be on our way early in the AM.  Hotel owner gave me a covered soap dish, toothbrush. Dad felt sorry for her & gave her a shilling. Stopped at Inverness, got in on an auction but didn’t buy anything. From here we went onto Forres where we bought a jellypan & 3 blue plates and from here on to Elgin where we got 2 brass milk measures, the same as Mrs. Sinclair’s who sold us the brass kettle and copper measure. Also in Elgin we bought a 3-legged brass kettle from an antique shop (Anderson‘s). Got a room in Aberdeen at Bell’s hotel. Tomorrow is market day & we hope to get more “stuff” there.

 We picked a lovely  bunch of heather in the highlands a part of which is on front of our car behind the plates. We’ve had rain off & on most of the day. In fact most of our trip to the highlands & north. In the AM we will leave for Perth & I think Tayport & so on south.

FRIDAY AUGUST 18, 1961 – ABERDEEN,SCOTLAND

Stayed at Bell Hotel, good room & good food. Went to the open market to meet our friend Violet Stockey, who was to get there early & grab any good deals. She wound up with 2 pcs. of pewter 1 ½ pr. candle holders, brass, a couple blue plates, 3 pc. silver set, she also gave me a lovely broach, all gold and porcelain & a cut glass perfume bottle. She‘s really a sweet person. Went onto Mrs. McPhearson‘s antique shop & spent another $15.00 on some good buys. Then we decided to go on to Braemar, saw Balmoral Castle, and around the Devil’s Elbow onto Blairgowrie & then on to Perth where we are putting up for the nite as we would like to raid the shoppes around town. We had dinner & decided to go to the vaudeville show in town. It was an all Keltie Scot show. Not really A-1 but good & loud. Some good talent. Guess it’s time to go home (I mean Calif.). The girls are beginning to look good to Dad.  Bought 2 pr. brass candle holders here & a small pewter teapot. Prices are too high.

August 10 - 13, 1961 - Tayport, Scotland

THURSDAY AUGUST 10, 1961 - TAYPORT, SCOTLAND

Went into Tayport. Chas. got the car washed & talked with some of the old Worthies. Went to the P.O. & mailed some letters etc.   Met Mr. Wilkie, they invited us to dinner & to spend a few days with them, so in we went. Had dinner at the Crosskeys in St. Andrews, a good dinner too. Later at their home, a lovely eve., and a wonderful warm home & bed. Smashing. Mrs Wilkie (Connie) is really a good egg, not a bit British. 

FRIDAY AUGUST 11, 1961 - TAYPORT, SCOTLAND

Visited more of Chas. friends. Pete Ferguson‘s wife died, a lovely person too. Also visited Mrs. Hanlin. Her husband “Eckie” is also dead. Visited Harry Ferguson & the sawmill. 

More “Worthies” here. Stayed with the Wilkie’s again, had dinner at home. Sent Judy Manclark a wedding gift, a plaid car robe from Tayport. Had lunch at Newport!  Mr. Wilkie (Anson) is past Provost of Tayport etc. Also owner of 3 stores, 2 in Tayport & 1 in Newport. 

SATURDAY AUGUST 12, 1961 - TAYPORT & DUNDEE,SCOTLAND

Took Connie to work in Newport & took ferry to Dundee, leaving our car in Newport. We went shopping in the old marketplace for some antiques. Not much luck, only a few blue plates. Mrs. Hanlin came along, had lunch in Dundee & did some shopping. Later went on a treasure hunt with the Wilkies. Lots of fun, but didn‘t win anything. Earlier in the day we went to the Fete, had tea & won a bottle of whiskey & other stuff. Gave Anson the whiskey & candy for Connie.

SUNDAY AUGUST 13, 1961 -TAYPORT, SCOTLAND

Went to church in the AM with Connie. Later tea out on the lawn, a lovely day. Then a lovely ride into the country, Perth, Pitlochry,  Queens View, etc. 

 The Wilkies came along & had tea in a hilltop hotel where every whisper sounded loud. Saw the salmonladders, Queens View, etc. Later dinner in a nice countryside hotel. Home, lots of talk, beer, tea, bed. Sure tired. Tomorrow we leave for the

north. 

August 7 - 9, 1961 - Edinburgh, Scotland

MONDAY AUGUST 7, 1961 – EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND

Got here just at 1 PM. The cannon at the castle fires at 1 PM each day. The ride up the coast was very beautiful, lovely countryside, but the “dual carriage” way stopped as soon as we left England. Chas. is out looking for a hotel. We shouldn’t have any troubles since it’s much earlier than usual.  Checked into the Waverly Hotel, not bad, but not good, just old. Meals are very good. Got 3 letters today, 1 from Carole & 2 from Bill & $30.00. After dinner we decided to go to the theatre & see “Greyfriers Bobby”, A Walt Disney movie & being shown here in town since the story concerns Edinburgh. It was a cute story & well filmed.

It is raining like mad. We got back to the hotel & discovered they sold no liquor here at all “Temperance” as big as day on the door & we never saw it. We remembered that we had a quart of beer in the car so went and got & it saved the day.  French beer it was too!

TUESDAY AUGUST 8, 1961 - EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND

Got up early & got my hair & nails done. Dad went to the American Express to put a tracer on our mail. Here’s hoping. Visited Aunt Jess & had lunch with her. We didn‘t stay late, we went shopping & bought some kilts & sweaters for the kids. Later we had dinner & returned to Rattray’s to see Charlie. Spent a pleasant eve here & retired about midnight. Still raining like H_ & it’s cold too.

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 9, 1961 - EDINBURGH,SCOTLAND

Left Edinburgh this AM after very good breakfast & headed for Queens Ferry, where we crossed the Firth ofForth on a ferry & headed in the general direction of Tayport. About noon we stopped to have our car serviced at Kirkcaldy. We had lunch & wandered around town. The stores were closed (1/2 day a week). Now we‘re on the road again & guess we‘ll get a room. The weather is wet & more coming down. Stayed at St. Michaels’ Inn, nice room but very noisy. Good breakfast, new owners here.

August 5 - 6, 1961 - England

SATURDAY AUGUST 5, 1961 - YPRES,BELGIUM to DOVER,ENGLAND

Got up this AM (Ypres) and got breakfast. Paid our bill, walked across the street and bought some cards. I addressed them & Chas. mailed them. George walked along with Chas. Went up & got packed, put the stuff in the car & came back to the hotel to bid the owners goodbye, Mr.  & Mrs. & son. They surprised us with a special treat, a good-bye drink, champagne no less. They joined us in a drink along with George & we sat and talked for a while longer. We were surprised & honored since no one else was treated like this. George said this was his first taste of champagne. Saying good-bye to George was not easy, a little old man of 65, that has neverhad any Jim until just now. He almost broke Dad‘s hand saving good-bye & to me he said “Goodbye my lady” & kissed my hand. Made me feel like a duchess. I gave him one of Dad‘s ties for a memento. We headed for Oostende & boat for Dover, England. Lucky as usual, we were the last car on & the first off (cost $33.00 for car & us). We arrived in Dover about 5:30 PM & headed for London, but got tired of driving & stopped at a small hotel just about 10 miles outside. We had beer & ham sandwiches & meat pies for our dinner & headed for bed. Dad‘s cold is somewhat better but he’s quite tired. If all goes well we should be in Scotland in the later eve tomorrow. We’ll do England on our way back to the boat, nite-nite.

SUNDAY AUGUST 6, 1961- FARNINGHAM, KENT, ENGLAND

Left our hotel about 10 AM at Farningham Kent & headed north, first through London onto 1A. the great northern route. What a tremendous improvement on the hwy. almost all the way it’s “dual hwy”, now real great driving. Since it was Sun. & everyone was going the other way to the beach, we hit very light traffic. We went north through Doucaster, Darlington, Newcastle. Morpath & now we are’ looking for a room in a very busy town. Hope our luck holds out. Chas. is tired & shouldn’t  drive so long, but he’s “dour” & wouldn’t stop sooner. Some real nice fellows gave us a AA handbook which can’t  be bought, you must be a member. All 3 were English, the fellow, that is. We had dinner along the road & it was quite expensive but on the highways they do hook you. A Swiss restaurant.  Found a room at Morpath, a small inn but pleasant. We went down to the bar for beer & it was full to the hilt. Beer drinking time is from 7-10 on Sunday. Decided we wanted a ham sandwich with our beer & they were fresh out, so a fellow in the bar offered to run down the street & pick up a couple for us. Really friendly, sandwiches were really good. Made many friends here & before the night was over they were buying beer for us. We stayed up to 11 PM, being a resident here we were allowed extra time. One of the men gave me a rose corsage. He raises flowers, very nice too. Another Scot helped us locate the proper tartan for the Manclarks. Gave us several to choose from on the side of Mann & Clark??

August 3 - 4, 1961 - Belgium

THURSDAY AUGUST 3, 1961 - YPRES,BELGIUM

Dozingham (Cemetery) -Poperinge - Decided to visit the grave of Chas. dad at Dozingham (Cemetery) -Poperinge. George Morgan, our old friend from So. Wales joined us, as he is still looking for all his “buddies” of World War I (Welsh 16th regiment). He found 4 here. Planted a flower on Grandpa’s grave. Later we visited Hill 60, a large battlefield of WWI, many of the trenches are still here. George relived his whole life here, had a picnic, like a kid playing hooky. He met some Welsh people & is going back in the AM to meet a bus full from Wales. He kept saving this was the happiest day in his life. We met a nice couple here from Holland (the Haag). They promised to meet us at our hotel at 9 PM & go together to the Menin Gate for the evening ceremony of “Taps”. This we did & later they joined us for drinks at the hotel, George too (Mr. & Mrs. Raphael).

While at the cemetery we planted a small bush by Grandpa‘s grave given to us by the caretaker. We visited a friend here who showed us around in 1958 but they were out. Later they called on us on the phone & we will visit them again in the AM.

FRIDAY AUGUST 4, 1961 - YPRES,BELGIUM

Took George & dropped him off at Hill 60.  6 buses full of people arrived as we were leaving. Hope George found some of his countrymen. We drove to Proven where we had luncheon with our 1958 friends. They grow hops & seem quite well off (Poperinge). Charles has a cold. I stuck him into bed with a couple of antihistamines. We must hit the road in AM & I want him in shape. It‘s raining again, so a good day for him to rest, until beer time anyway. Almost time for dinner.  It’s time to do some packing for the AM.  When it gets cold & rainy it‘s time to move on. I hiked around town in hopes of finding some antiques, but found none. Will try again before we leave, by car this time. We found George in a nearby cemetery & brought him back to the hotel.  We had dinner & later some beer & a walk & then bed. Want to get an early start for England in the AM.