Letters from abroad

[Floozy]

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

[Floozy]

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

[Ann Baker]

Floozy

Thanks for sharing this. Really interesting read.

Staying tuned for more!

Ann

xxx

[prophetess]

just bookmarking it Floozy ty

[stoney]

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"!

[Floozy]

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

[Matt R]

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

[Nick29]

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 

[BettyofKent]

Bookmarking, & looking forward to the next instalment

Betty