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General => The Common Room => The Lighter Side => Topic started by: Floozy on Saturday 29 November 08 12:50 GMT (UK)
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Letters and Post cards written by my late grandparents to my mother on their world tour on board an Italian Linear in 1953.
In 1963 my Mother gathered her letters and postcards and decided to type them up with intention of submitting it as a Short story for the Womens Weekly here in Australia.
As far as I know she never sent them.
So here for the first time I will be posting the typed 11 page manuscript for Rootschatters to peruse.
Enjoy
My Mother Joan, Stepgrandmother Ethel Rogers(nee Morley) and my Grandfather William Frederick Rogers
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On board an Italian Liner
March 1953
To our dear Joan,
In our second day at sea, your father and I are settling down to the constant roll of the ship. As we passed though the heads it became very rough, and we both had a mild touch of sea sickness. Yesterday we were very dopey; each time we would sit down we would fall asleep.
We are now in the Port of Adelaide. It is a very delightful city with its wide main streets. The Botanical Gardens are very beautiful, but small to the size of Melbourne’s large one. I
In the same street as the gardens, are Adelaide’s University, Museum library and Hospital. The Torrens River runs behind this, and is banked by lawns and beautiful gardens. We also had a ride on an Electric Trolley buses. , they run so smoothly- only wish Melbourne will have them one day. We also visited Adelaide’s market place, which is bright and airy, but small compared to Melbourne Market. I guess there are larger ones in the world.
Now that all the visitors’ are off the boat, it is not at all crowded, and the boat is so clean and airy. All the stewards and waitresses etc are courteous and will go to no end of trouble to make you comfortable and happy.
We are in the great Australian Bite now, we watch the map each day, there is a little ship which is moved into position showing where we are each day, and all the nautical longitudes and latitudes etc.
With love Ethel and Dad
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Floozy
Thanks for sharing this. Really interesting read.
Staying tuned for more!
Ann
xxx
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just bookmarking it Floozy ty
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I like reading documents written by "ordinary" people - not so much like a literary artical but rather a conversation with their personal (and often, quirky!) observations!
Looking forward to the next "instalment"!
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Part 2
Indian Ocean: 23rd March 1953
We are now on our way to Indonesia, we hope it will be okay for us to go ashore for the day. Then we go to Colombo, here we have to go ashore in a motor launch.
We thought Perth was a very lovely city, on the banks of the swan river. It is 12 miles from Fremantle which is like so many other seaport towns not so beautiful,
We went for a walk and came across what is called “London Court” a wonderful court between two roads that made one fell right in the heart of Old London, then we went to Kings Park, 1,000 acres, right on top of a hill over looking the river and Perth, I think this is the prettiest city and surroundings that I have seen, we came back along the river to Fremantle, and we saw many old houses dating back to 1825.
with love Ethel and Dad
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Only found this just now floozy,
It must be amazing looking at those letters! They really are special.
I'm also pleasantly surprised at how smooth your ancestor's lives seem. At least that's the impression the letters give.
Keep this up I'm bookmarking :)
Matt :)
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Really very interesting - a picture of a lifestyle long gone. Interesting to note the remarks about the rolling of the ship - something you don't get on today's liners with their stabilisers. I was only 5 when Floozy's parents made this trip - I've never been to Australia, but I can imagine that it was much different then to the Australia we see on TV today :)
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Bookmarking, & looking forward to the next instalment :)
Betty
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Thank you Floozy. It was a very dull photo before the RootsChat restoration board worked their wonders on it.
I was admiring your avatar, Ethel was a lovely lady.
I enjoy looking at avatars, it's interesting to see what people choose, the old photos are lovely.
Betty
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Part 3
Upper Deck: 23rd of March 1953
We are now in the tropics, and your father and I are lazily lounging in our deck chairs. Yesterday the swimming pool was filled, and it is been used a great deal. Between 10 and 11 am and 2 and 3.pm it is reserved for Ladies and children only, then the Men may use it. It is emptied each night, with a net over it to prevent fatalities. There are many lovely young men and women aboard. The women seem to be in pairs, some are going to the Coronation, others intend hiking through Europe, and some will work, returning when they feel like it. I think it’s advisable for girls to travel in pairs, especially if they are going to the continent. Of course the young people are busy all day, trying their hand at the various deck games, of which there is quite a variety. Yesterday it was funny, all the young folk decided to wash on the same day. So on the lower deck you saw dainty panties, brassieres, etc. and the boys had their shirts and undies hanging out. Then the fun started when everyone wanted the two ironing boards and irons at the same time. The boys are quite fussy about their appearance and iron their shirts to perfection.
We have a movie every night, and a very good orchestral concert each afternoon, and dance music each night.
It is 1,638 miles to Perth from Melbourne, by sea and now from Perth to Jakarta it is 1,865 miles. As each day rolls by we find ourselves more and more in the tropical sphere. More awnings are placed around the decks to protect us from the hot sun. The young ones are enjoying the swimming pool; today some young Italians threw another one in, fully dressed. A very practical joke I must say. Last night there was a very nice dance in the dining room, the Captain and all the brass where present, the festooned small colored lights on the ceiling, the men could not enter the room unless they where dressed appropriately and wore a tie. This kept the rougher element of Italians out. We saw several schools of flying fish today. They just looked like birds coming out of the sea, flying low on top of the water.
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Fascinating glimpse into another world....thanks very much floozy
Jed
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This is amazing floozy you are truly lucky to have these letters. These are things of real family history to treasure and pass on.
Well done mate :)
Matt.
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It's a great shame that Floozy's mum never had her work published. She seems to have such a great way of recounting her experiences - I think she could have been the Bill Bryson of her day, with a little encouragement ! :)
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Certainly something to treasure Floozy
Sybil
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Floozy,
I am enjoying this too. I look forward to more.
Kesannah
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I don't think my granny had any intention of publishing her diary but like this it makes good reading.
Maybe she'd have allowed a few extracts...
thanks for the read (and the prompt)
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Hi, Floozy,
I add my thanks to you for putting these entries on line.
What a great idea! I will be looking out for further instalments.
Cheers
Dot.
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Bookmarking !!!!
great work
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Flo
It's lovely to read about the world through the perspective of someone else's viewing. what a treasure to have these entries.
Regards
lil
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Thank you for sharing.
I have nothing as interesting as you, only my father posted airmail letters to himself (in the in 1940's ) to see how long it took to get back to him, and only have a few letters from WW2
and the letters my mother and father wrote to each other .... I had been instructed to bury with my mother :( so I never got to glimpse what they were like pre-marriage :D :'(
looking forward to the next instalment.
Cheers
KHP :)
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I wanns see the next installment wahhhhhh :(
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I wanns see the next installment wahhhhhh :(
Matt,
Patience!!! :) :) Remember how we had to sit and wait patiently for your installments? :)
Cheers
KHP :)
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These letters are absolutely delightful, Floozy. I just love letters, diaries and journals of people not in the public eye because they are so honest and are not seeking approval. The stories of the washing on the decks and the fun and games round the pool are such fun - I almost felt as though I could peep back over the years and eavesdrop on the conversations.
So keep going, Floozy - you are bringing history to life here!
Greensleeves
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Just to let you know I have just finished writing the final chapter of the postcards and letters.
Please be patient as I now must edit.
I will also delete my other comments on the board so I can create a page with just the letters.
Their will be also a small section on how my Grandparents met plus photo.
Stay tuned as I need to have this photo Restored after I make a few minor adjustments to it.
cheers
Floozy
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Great news! I shall look forward to the final version. Thanks for keeping us posted.
Regards,
Greensleeves
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Thanks for the update. I shall sit quietly on the mat and wait ;D
Cheers
KHP :)
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Waiting patiently & looking forward to the final chapter ;D
Betty
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Keep it coming Floozy... I am looking forward to reading :)
Matt.
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Enjoying these. When my mother died I found about 20 letters that my uncle had sent to his sister. These were written in the war between 1940 and 1945 when he was posted to India and Ceylon ( Sri Lanka) It is really interesting to read them, especially when he refers to things that have been happening at home - like my parents' wedding. He also describes places he visited on leave. I typed them out as well to make it easier for the rest of the family to read,
Jan