The month of April was supposed to begin with a Blue Lagoon Cruise around the Yasawa Islands of Fiji. It was booked to celebrate my 75th birthday on board the Fiji Princess. Because of my diagnosis of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma I had to cancel the cruise and as a result missed out on a harrowing shipwreck. The 55 metre MV Princess ran aground on a reef near Monuriki Island after a severe squall caused the ship’s anchor to drag, pushing it onto a reef. All 30 passengers and most of the 30 crew members were evacuated by the navy. There were no casualties. I would have had my birthday dinner, gone to bed and then been woken in the dark by a loud crunch, told to grab my lifejacket and leave the ship at dawn.
That is an alternate version of my life this year. Instead, I underwent six rounds of R-CHOP chemotherapy, followed by a troubling PET scan and a laparoscopic biopsy. After an anxious week which I shared with my A-to-Z followers I received the all clear, at least until my next PET scan in July. It was not all doom and gloom. Friends and family rallied to the occasion and we enjoyed several glorious days away from the enforced isolation of home.
The comments and support from followers have been the highlight of my days in April. I so much wanted to put Z for Zero as I waited for the results of the biopsy but late on the afternoon of the 30th April I had to post without the news. Fortunately, the next day the doctor rang to say all was well so I ran up another post, this time Z for Zero.
I’m not going to list any names this year of the people who kept me going through the month of April. You know who you are and I thank you with all my heart. I have printed out all those signed up for this year’s A to Z so will try to visit everyone over the next few weeks.
Thank you to all those who make the A to Z possible each year. Please keep it going. I’m thinking about next year’s focus but have no idea at this stage. All I know is that if it’s on, I’ll be there.
I know I have already posted my Z for Zooming Through April but I just had to let you know the news.
As a last resort I rang the doctor’s office at the hospital again today. A different person answered, took down all the details and assured me she would contact the doctor as soon as possible. I didn’t hold out much hope and went on with my day.
We were at Bunnings choosing plants for the rock wall when the phone rang. It was the doctor!!!!!!
He told me he was currently in Melbourne and had not seen the results. There was some mix up because he thought I was operated on in the Private Hospital. That had been changed to Wollongong Public Hospital as there was no time slot available. Anyway, he had someone fax through the report and told me what I had was fat necrosis (dead fat in the abdomen caused by chemo treatment). It is not cancerous, not life threatening and often goes away by itself. This is what we had suspected all along but it was very pleasing to have confirmation.
So I’m cancer free. Of course, I will have PET scans every three months but I can live with that. On Monday we are off to Paperbark Camp, a present from the family, to celebrate our wedding anniversary.
Thanks to all who followed my journey and cheered me along the way. It was the A to Z and its people that kept me sane over the past few months.
Cheers to everyone. John has opened the champagne!
I can’t say Zero, I can’t say Zen, because I’m still waiting. I’ve been chasing the haematologist all over town, leaving messages at his hospital rooms, his private practice and the haematology department at the hospital. Some people I spoke to on the phone said if the result is negative they often don’t contact the patient. I’ve waited until 5 o’clock Australian Eastern Standard Time so it’s time to put up the final post.
It has been a busy month with medical appointments sandwiched in between delightful trips to the country and city.
Let’s go back the day of the Laparoscopic Biopsy. I had been told to be at the hospital at 6.30am. I thought that was good news as the procedure would occur early and I might even be allowed to go home the same day.
I was awake when the alarm went off at 5.30 am. By 6.30 I was sitting in the waiting room outside Day Surgery after John dropped me off. A nurse came out calling my name so I went inside, stripped off, put on the split-back gown and an orange hat and lay and waited.
About eight o’clock I was wheeled in my bed to the room outside the operating theatre where I met the two anaesthetists. The assistant anaesthetist was very funny, cracking jokes and taking my mind off what was ahead. He said “I’m putting the funny stuff in you now”, as I was wheeled into the operating theatre. As I looked around I began experiencing double vision and next thing I knew I was waking up in the recovery room. I think having an anaesthetic has improved a lot since my last one in 1993 when I had my wisdom teeth out. Then I had a mask on my face and had to count backwards from 10.
Lunch arrived and I ate some of it with a cup of tea and a bit of carrot cake. I was soon up and walking and the nurse was able to tick key milestones off her list.
Then the good news arrived that I could go home. I had ordered dinner and breakfast so I hoped someone got to eat it and it didn’t go to waste.
John had a lot of trouble finding me in Level 2, Block B West, but he got there in the end after a number of misdirections. I had to call for the nurse when getting dressed as I didn’t realise it would hurt so much. Also, I was still attached to leggings that pumped my legs, a very pleasant feeling, but not helpful when getting dressed. I couldn’t even pick up my bag off the floor while in bed. My jeans wouldn’t do up even though they were loose when I came in. I have just been pumped up with gas and obviously they didn’t pump it all out again!
After all the paper work to be discharged had been issued I threw up in the sink. Didn’t tell anyone because they might have kept me in!
John suggested a wheelchair so while he went to get the car I was wheeled along many long corridors and into the lift. No wonder John got lost! He pulled up at the front door of the hospital and I was out of there.
I wondered when I would get the results. Would the doctor ring me or just make an appointment? I tried not to think about it too much.
A few days later:
I have now completed my NSW Fitness to Drive Medical Assessment which involved my GP checking my health record, discussing my current treatment and checking on my recent eye test. Easy peasy.
I also had my Health Assessment Check with the practice nurse. It covers medical history, blood pressure, continence, immunization, physical function (falls risk), cognitive function (memory/mood), and social support.
I knew I would have to memorise three objects so made sure I concentrated. Counting backwards by a large odd number was unexpected but I survived. I had to draw some geometric shapes and answer some pretty basic questions so I assume I passed with flying colours. The nurse gave me a brochure on assessment for Home Care. Apparently I should do this in case I need it sometime in the future or to be aware of what might be available to me now. .
The first few days after the laparoscopy were bearable in that each day saw an improvement in the ability to bend and twist without pain. The four small wounds were covered with waterproof steri strips so I could shower without worrying about infection.
It was the ANZAC long weekend. The weather was calm and glorious. The only blight on the horizon was waiting for those biopsy results. Each day seemed to drag as I wondered when I should call the haemotologist for results. I couldn’t do anything until Tuesday as Monday was a Public Holiday. I kept myself busy gardening, which consists of chopping back ivy and other assorted creeping plants which cover our high rock wall. We even hacked out two sandpaper figs which were establishing themselves in the rocks.
Part of the rock wall. Still a lot of work to do.
At 11 o’clock on Tuesday I rang the doctor’s office. Yes, the results had arrived. Yes they had been forwarded to the doctor. He was seeing patients today and would contact me today or tomorrow. At 10 o’clock on Wednesday I rang again. The doctor would contact me if there was a problem or he needed to schedule a new appointment. What did that mean?
And now it is Thursday and I have heard nothing. I’m starting to think that might be good news but my faith in the Public Health System is shaken as until now communication and treatment has been prompt and efficient.
Hopefully in Reflections I will be able to tell you of further developments.
Life is a bit like a Yo Yo. The fact that the lymphoma has vanished is encouraging, although that is what I expected. It is the doubt cast over “possible malignant process in the mesentery” that causes concern.
The visit to the colorectal surgeon was an eye opener. Just as well I read the reviews about him online before attending the surgery. He didn’t have what one would call a bedside manner and mumbled as he talked so it was hard to understand everything he said but apparently he is very competent which is the most important thing.
He booked me into Wollongong Public Hospital for a laparoscopic biopsy of mesenteric lymph nodes in eleven days time. He couldn’t do it sooner and is going away in three week’s. He described the operation, especially the “exciting” bits where his face lit up with enthusiasm. Obviously he loves his job.
That means changing my medical appointment for my driver’s licence. In NSW, when you turn 75, you have to undergo a medical examination every year to prove you are still capable of being on the road. This time it will be accompanied by a Health and Welfare check which is funded by Medicare for the over 75s. That definitely does not apply to me, I keep thinking. I can’t be that old.
I have moved that appointment to thirteen days time so hope I’m up and about by then. As this is all happening in April, I hope to be able to inform you of the result of the biopsy by the time we get to Z.
I have to consider the next option if the biopsy shows signs of lymphoma. The haemotologist offhandedly said if lymphoma recurred I would go to Westmead Hospital for CAR T-Cell Therapy and then I would be cured. Such confidence!
I thought I had better prepare for the worst so did some digging. Westmead Hospital is a leading centre in Australia for CAR T-Cell therapy. The specialised immunotherapy offered involves reprogramming a patient’s own T-cells to attack cancer cells. It involves an initial hospital stay of 10 to 14 days. Following discharge the patient must stay within one hour of the hospital for at least 30 days for close monitoring of side effects like cytokine release syndrome. The hospital is 1 hour and 20 minutes by car from my home and 33 minutes from my daughter.
That looks like a lot of driving! Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that but one has to be prepared. I wasn’t concerned when I spoke to the haematologist but reading the reports from the CT scan and the PET scan are considerably more scary.
Let’s hope Z is for Zero signs of lymphoma, Zero further treatment, and Zero worries. Or it could be Zen, a state of calm, peace and acceptance of the present moment.
With my laparoscopic biopsy scheduled for the 21st April I found out to my consternation that no swimming was allowed until the four incisions healed and that could take a month!
We had combined forces with my son to give Juliet a Wellness Sauna for her birthday. This involved jumping into Sydney Harbour between sessions of being slowly roasted so, as I was going too, we had to time it before the hospital visit.
Friday the 17th April was forecast to be 29 Celsius which is very warm for the second month of Autumn. A rain storm was expected in the late afternoon and as our booking was for 2 o’clock I was a little apprehensive. Any fears about jumping in with sharks were allayed as there is a netted enclosure off the pontoon.
Then I worried that saunas may be off limits after chemo. I did a Google AI search which came up with mixed messages, but on the whole it seemed to say it was OK.
John waved me off on the train which was very crowded. People were coughing so I worried I might catch something which would prevent my biopsy on Tuesday.
Changing trains at Redfern I found I was on the same carriage as Juliet so we travelled on to Circular Quay in a happy mood.
Lunch at a café overlooking Sydney Cove lightened our spirits even more although we spent a few anxious minutes looking for a “small white boat with potplants on the roof” while we waited at Campbell’s Cove. We were pleased to find we were the only people on board and enjoyed a scenic boat ride where the driver stopped and took a photo of us with the bridge in the background.
In front of the Coathanger
Our sauna was situated on a floating pontoon somewhere off Berry’s Bay. There was a deck covered with artificial grass and everything was made from recycled products except the wood which was sustainable timber. Inside the sauna was a large picture window looking out over the harbour. A wood burning stove surrounded by hot rocks provided the heat and a bucket of water with a ladle was designed to add a bit of steam and increase the humidity.
I’m enjoying the heat
After ten minutes we were glad to get out into the cooler air and didn’t hesitate to jump in the water which was cold at first but not unpleasant. The only problem was my cap floated off when I first jumped in so I was left bald headed. Fortunately I was able to rescue it before it sank but should have learnt my lesson as next time it sank straight to the bottom. I had other caps so didn’t have to go home in the train with a bald head.
Cooling off after a toasty sauna
Sitting on the pleasantly scented timber seats looking at the passing boats and the coals of the fire we talked companionably about many things. I was so glad we were the only ones as it was possible to relax completely. Our guide sat in his boat to give us privacy but checked on us now and again to make sure we were all right. Then he announced herbal tea was coming up in a few minutes so we used the fresh water cold shower and changed in the dressing rooms before having our tea and fruit. This is “Wellness Afloat” so no alcohol is allowed and as the energy balls had nuts to which my daughter is allergic we had strawberries provided instead.
The boat with the pot plants on the roof
Our guide dropped us off at Barangaroo so we could catch the Metro to Central. He promised to fish out my cap but I told him not to worry as I’ve plenty more. I’ve got a feeling he is going to find it at the bottom of that net and we are going to have to work out a way to get it back. As a keen recycler he is not just going to throw it in the bin!
The trip home flew by as I read a book on my phone. It takes an hour and a half, travelling through the Royal National Park and coastal villages with the lights of Wollongong ahead, welcoming me home.
After my last round of chemotherapy in January it took at least three weeks to start feeling well enough to go out into the world. My doctor suggested four weeks as a benchmark for restarting Aqua Fit and Gym classes so with this in mind I felt able to book a Mothers’ Day present given in May, 2025.
It was a Mystery Picnic. It could be booked for Sydney, Hunter Valley and various country locations but I chose the Southern Highlands because it was closer and we were beginning to feel the effects of the war in Iran on our fuel prices.
After consulting the weather forecast I booked a day which promised to be warm and sunny but not too hot. The first task was to determine where we were going. The website gave a series of clues once we had redeemed our gift.
The first clue sent us to Fitzroy Falls but as there was no food to be picked up and we had been there many times before, we gave it a miss, thereby saving 16 kilometres worth of fuel.
The next stop was Moss Vale so we elected to drive up Macquarie Pass. It is undergoing some maintenance at the moment so we waited at a stop sign for a long time while traffic snaked along the single lane beside us. Still, the sky was blue, the trees tall and magnificent and we were out on a mystery picnic so no time for complaining.
At Robertson we paused at Moonacres Kitchen, a favourite coffee shop, for a flat white and a pastry. Very nice but we should have waited until we reached the first stop of the mystery picnic which was the Moss Vale Post Office. Built in 1891, the same year as Keiraville Public School, it was a Post Office for 100 years. PO’s all over the country have been abandoned as they have moved into smaller, more modern premises. They have often been turned into character filled galleries, cafes and restaurants. The old Moss Vale PO underwent significant restoration in 2017 and now serves breakfast, lunch and beverages in a beautiful heritage setting. We were able to choose two sweet treats from the cake cabinet which we took away with us for our picnic.
I had worked out the clues the day before so we would know where we were going so the next destination was the town of Berrima, ten kilometres away. Our object was to find the Lolly Swagman, a shop selling fudge, as well as other lollies and sweets of all descriptions.. While I might try to avoid fudge as a general rule, it was free, so why not? In fact, it was very tasty, two thick slices of plain chocolate plus cherry ripe. Of course we didn’t eat it then. Might spoil our mystery lunch!
The next three destinations were all in Bowral, another ten kilometres away. I am very familiar with this town as I went to Bowral High School for six years. It has become a popular destination for day trippers from Sydney, especially at the weekend.
It was suggested we go and look at the Mary Poppins Statue but we skipped it this time. We have seen the one in Maryborough, QLD and it seems Bowral is claiming PL Travers as well as Don Bradman even though both of these Australian icons were born elsewhere.
The Bendooley Estate Larder in Bong Bong Street, Bowral had us salivating as we entered the door. John bought a pie for his dinner that night as I was going to book club. We picked up the mystery picnic wraps for our lunch and were on our way to Janek’s Café, a short walk down the street and around the corner on the Corbett Plaza. I only had to say my name and we were advised to take two soft drinks from the fridge.
Further down Bong Bong Street at the Raw and Wild Market Café we were handed a delicious looking antipasto platter.
Seven kilometres on was our picnic destination at Mittagong’s Lake Alexandra. We found a covered picnic table, hauled our esky and picnic basket down the hill and enjoyed our feast. There was far too much food to eat in one session so it ended up lasting us for a couple of days. A bus load of school children were noisily eating their lunches nearby (but not too close) making me think back to my first home prac which I completed in 1970 at Mittagong Public School, just behind the lake.
Lake Alexandra is man-made, created in 1875, and was used to supply water to steam engines carrying coal to the Fitzroy Iron Works. I was interested to read that the lake was formed accidentally when an embankment was built to transport coal and coke from the back of Mount Alexandra to the iron works. Since the 1890s it has been a public recreational park.
It was time to head home, this time along the Hume Highway and down to Wollongong via the Picton Road. What a great day and a great present from my family!
As today is ANZAC Day I thought to write about the book that has been keeping me company for the past few weeks. It is “The Daughters of Mars”, the 29th novel by Thomas Keneally. Probably best known for his book Schindler’s Ark, made into the movie Schindler’s List, Keneally sets this book in the First World War, on the hospital ships off Gallipoli, the medical facilities on Lemnos and off to the Western Front in war torn Europe.
I read it as a book a couple of years ago and enjoyed it, as much as you can enjoy a book about death and destruction. This year it was nominated by our book club for the April discussion. I decided to listen to as an audio book this time and found it was available on BorrowBox.
There are quite a few characters so it may be worthwhile noting their names and a few characteristics to avoid confusion, whichever way you choose to experience this book.
The story begins with two sisters. Naomi, the older one, has escaped the dairy farm in northern NSW and is nursing in Sydney. She appears confident and sophisticated compared to her younger sister Sally, who stayed on the farm with her parents and is a nurse in a country hospital.
Like most siblings they have their differences, but they find themselves on the same ship setting sail for Egypt. Later, as their hospital ship hovers off Gallipoli, taking on board the wounded from that skirmish, I thought of my biological father who was wounded on the beach and taken by barge to such a hospital ship.
Note: For those who don’t know me and think that having a father who experienced Gallipoli is an impossibility, I have written a blog called A is For Ancestry. My father was nearly 60 when I was born and was 22 when he enlisted in WWI. His experience at Gallipoli can be read in X Marks the Spot. In the blog I changed Bert’s name to Ted as some of his children (my half brothers and sisters) were alive at the time.
Anyway, I think it added to my fascination with the book to imagine Bert joking with the nurses as he followed the same route from Egypt to Gallipoli, then to Lemnos, Rouen and Amien.
One of the most riveting parts of the book is the episode where the Archimedes, a hospital ship, is torpedoed as it approaches the Dardanelles. By now we have become acquainted with the various characters and their different personalities so that the drama of the ship sinking and their attempts to save themselves and others is heart stopping.
Keneally goes into considerable detail describing the wounds and methods of treatment the soldiers experienced. I find this fascinating and try to imagine myself as a WWI nurse. I really don’t think I would have the courage. Their dedication in impossible circumstances with often limited training transformed them into a new version of their former selves.
There are romances, as you would expect, mostly low key and threatened with the constant fear of separation. They blossom with the background of war but also the novelty of exploring new places.
I won’t give away the ending except to say some reviewers find it awkward and unworkable. I disagree. What it does is distance the reader from their immersion in the book. Maybe it is necessary to come up for air after five years of dealing with the slaughter and mutilation of “the war to end all wars”.
On Friday 13th March we planned to meet our friends at King Street Wharf number 3 and board the MV Bennelong for a Naval Historical Society Cruise of Port Jackson, west of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. This was first discussed and booked well before my diagnosis but was to happen three weeks after my last chemo so I hoped I would be well enough to enjoy it.
Naval Cruise of Port Jackson west of the Sydney Harbour Bridge
Unfortunately, one of our friends was ill and his wife came alone, understandably disappointed with having to do so. We were soon settled in the main cabin with a huge crowd of people, a screen in front of us and a couple of volunteers narrating. I grew increasingly uncomfortable as I considered the stuffy air I was breathing, so when the announcement was made for morning coffee and masses of people headed for the tables, I escaped to the top deck. Here the air was fresh and the view was spectacular.
Trapped in a stuffy cabin
The tour visited four islands and HMAS Waterhen. After leaving Barangaroo we passed Goat Island. In 1831 a quarry was established here to supply sandstone for the Sydney settlement. Convicts were housed on the island to mine the sandstone. In 1839 storerooms were built on the island to house gunpowder.
Specially vented store rooms were built by the convicts to house naval and general gunpowder Photo from Naval Historical Society of Australia
As we approached Balls Head we were told the cliff face was once a quarry which was opened in 1940 to rebuild a graving dock at Garden Island. I couldn’t take a photo because I was still trapped on the downstairs deck.
A graving dock is a permanent, reinforced concrete basin built at the edge of a waterway used to construct, repair, or maintain ships below the waterline. It operates by flooding the dock to float a vessel in, sealing it with a watertight gate, and pumping out the water to leave the ship supported on keel blocks.
We sailed on to HMAS Waterhen which had once been the name of a ship but in 1962 was established as a support base for six mine sweepers. Waterhen is now the Navy’s lead establishment for mine warfare. The base is occupied by professional sailors and home to mine countermeasure equipment and technology.
We circumnavigated Cockatoo Island which became a convict prison in 1839. The Fitzroy Dock was built by convicts and completed in 1857. The dockyards were the home of ship building, with the last ship, HMAS Success, completed in 1984. It closed in 1992, the last project being the refit of the submarine HMAS Orion.
Cockatoo Dockyards
Aeroplanes were also designed and built here between 1929 and 1934, including for Charles Kingsford Smith, who is famous for completing the first transatlantic flight from the USA to Australia in 1928. Two of the cranes on Cockatoo Island have been restored and operate for public viewing. The rest have disappeared or are unused.
A working crane with glamping tents on the left hand side
Rows of Glamping Tents overlooked the water. We had planned to stay here with friends a little over a year ago but contracted Covid the day before we were to go. At least today’s excursion on the water was happening and nothing prevented us from enjoying it.
Glamping tents on Cockatoo Island
A small island named Dawes Island and renamed Spectacle because of its similarity to a pair of opera glasses captured our imaginations as it is for sale by the Navy. A number of historic buildings cover the small densely built island where spoil from the old Balmain Coalmine enlarged it considerably. Buildings include the magazine, built 1856, cooperage, barracks, residence and a railway line. The island is the oldest naval explosives manufacturing and storage complex in Australia. Originally built to store gunpowder, the complex was converted to store naval munitions in 1893. It was used for shell filling in WW1, making small calibre ammunition in WW2 but has not been active since then except for storage. Until recently it housed the Naval Repository, a collection of relics and artefacts and was open for inspection but we were told that everything has been moved to another location and the island is waiting for a new owner.
Spectacle Island
A friend of mine suggested that a number of us from our aqua group should buy it and turn it into a retirement resort for ourselves.
“Only if it has a helicopter for hospital visits,” said I, thinking of all those trips to hospital I have made in the last few months.
The smallest harbour island is Snapper Island. As it was so small it was rarely visited although in WW1 it was used to store ship’s parts. In the 1930s the island was levelled and made into a ship shape with mining spoil. It became a base for training sea cadets but in WW2 it was used by the US Military and the Royal Navy. It returned to the Sea Cadets until the 1960s. A friend of mine told me she went there to a Scout Camp with her son in the 1980s and would prefer to forget the experience.
Snapper Island
As we returned to Barangaroo we passed Mort Bay where Sydney’s first graving dock was built in 1855. During WW2 14 Bathurst Class Minesweepers and 4 River Class Frigates were built here. There were shipyards at what is now Pyrmont, Barangaroo and Darling Harbour. These places are now home to offices, restaurants and high-rise accommodation.
Heading back to Barangaroo
So ended our day on western Sydney Harbour. We considered visiting the Maritime Museum at Darling Harbour but I was flagging and looking forward to a rest at the hotel so we walked the 1.5 kilometres back.
We thought we would eat at one of the many restaurants near the hotel but forgot it was a Friday night. At 6.30 pm there were long queues of people outside most of the eateries. Still very conscious of people and germs I wasn’t keen to join them. Just near our hotel we found two spare seats in an Indonesian Restaurant called D’Penyetz & D’Cendol (a chain with over 100 outlets worldwide) where we were relieved to sit and eat tasty food.
Just so you can see how the other half lives here is a fantastical waterfront house.
The Sydney Harbour Cruise had been planned for six months, well before my diagnosis, so I had wondered if I would actually make it. My granddaughter Cordelia* was having a birthday the day before and I was keen to give her the bracelet and book of stories on the actual day so it combined nicely with our other plans.
Fortunately, I felt better on Thursday, March 12 than I had previously so I was excited at the prospect of staying in a hotel, eating out, meeting up with family and going on a harbour cruise with friends. I had waited a long time to escape from my prison so when the Uber arrived at my front door I couldn’t believe it was really happening. As a precaution on the train I wore my super-efficient mask which was suffocating to say the least. The hour and a half train trip flew by, we changed at Central for Town Hall and then wheeled our luggage to Rydges, Darling Square.
The room was ready so we gratefully dropped off our bags and examined the view. It was of a plain, walled courtyard with a table and two chairs, not over inviting but very private.
After coffee and chicken burritos at a nearby cafe we began a long walk to Darling Harbour. The area has changed so much over the last few years with new high-rise buildings promising expensive accommodation for the lucky ones. My legs were protesting trying to keep up with John.
A rest and nap back in the room was essential, followed by a shower and dressing for dinner. We decided to walk again so my legs have really had a workout. It was about 1.5 kilometres down Sussex Street and then along the waterfront before we reached the Lotus restaurant.
Juliet and Sebastian arrived first, followed by Duncan*, Juliet’s husband, who, because he had a cold, sat at the other end of the table from me. Cordelia was late from her drama class but arrived in time to open her present before the food arrived. The instructions were as follows.
Open the card
Open the large parcel
Open the small parcel
Continue the tradition
Juliet promised to keep watch over the bracelet and Cordelia eagerly scanned the book, promising to read it properly later. The meal was a banquet so no thinking was required and it was quite delicious. Feeling decadent I ordered a mocktail which was small and expensive but what did it matter. I was free!
Enjoying a mocktail wearing a wig
Always ready for a new experience I followed the others next door to Yo Chi where the formula is to choose ice cream and toppings (fresh fruit and/or lollies) and then have whole thing weighed. In the interests of economy and good health, John and I shared a dish. We were surprised to hear Cordelia and Sebastian singing a song together at the piano. Apparently on Thursday anyone who is brave enough to sing for their icecream gets it for free!
As we strolled to the Barangaroo Metro Station we passed an amazing sight. Rows of people were lying on mattresses watching an outdoor movie. It was the premises of “Move’in Bed”.
Set on 280 tonnes of pristine white sand, this one‑of‑a‑kind event lets you watch hit movies from the cosy comfort of 150 cloud‑like queen-sized beds, all positioned in front of Australia’s largest outdoor cinema screen.
It was my first trip on the new Metro but after only two stops we bid farewell to the family and left the train at Gadigal. A short walk and we were back at the hotel. So far so good. Everything was running like clockwork and I was tired but feeling almost normal.
Music by Claude-Michel Schoenberg and English lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer
One day to a new beginning
Raise the flag of freedom high
Every man will be a king
There’s a new world for the winning
There’s a new world to be won
Do you hear the people sing?
My name is Juliet.* I’m 16 years old and in Year 11. The year is 1996. I live in Wollongong with my parents and my younger brother, Hamlet,* who is two years younger than me. We live right next to the university, in the same house I’ve lived in my whole life, which I think is pretty unique. Growing up beside the uni has been great; I spent my childhood riding my bike around the campus and going to the pool. On weekends it’s always quiet, so we can wander round and do our own thing without worrying about crowds. My mum is a primary school teacher, and my dad recently became a primary school principal after many years working for the Education Department in the office.
I go to Smith’s Hill High School, which is a selective school, so there can be a bit of pressure at times, but I try not to let it bother me. For my HSC, I’m studying Advanced English, Advanced Maths, Modern History, Biology, Travel & Tourism (TAFE) and, of course, my favourite subject: Drama.
Earlier this year, I completed my work experience at Gledswood Homestead because I’m interested in travel and tourism, and Gledswood offers a “fair dinkum Aussie experience” that attracts visitors from all over. I worked in the restaurant and the shop, helped with the damper-making over the fire, and even shadowed the person who oversees the whole venue. It was a fun and interesting week that gave me real insight into what working in the travel industry might be like.
The absolute highlight of school for me is Rock Eisteddfod, an eight-minute dance and drama performance set to music where we compete against other schools in NSW. Last year our theme was Luna Magic, a homage to Luna Park through the decades, and we won the Open Division! I don’t think I’ve ever been as excited as when we were up on stage and they announced us as the winners. It’s a moment I’ll remember for the rest of my life.
I’m at the top in this scene from Through the Looking Glass
I’m lucky to have a close group of friends, and we spend a lot of time together having sleepovers, going to the mall, and hanging out at the movies or the beach. I can’t wait to get my L’s, especially because a lot of my friends are already learning to drive and will get their P’s before me, since I’m one of the youngest in my year.
I’m completely obsessed with drama both inside and outside of school, and I compete in Eisteddfods every year. This year, our group performed a play about the wives of Shakespeare, and I even had to kiss a boy on stage. All my friends came to watch and thought it was hilarious.
Dressed for my part in the Princess and the Frog
One of the best things about my life is the holidays we take as a family. We go boating a lot, which I especially enjoy in summer, and we’ve explored some of Australia by car. Recently we travelled to Bali, which was exciting because I got to fly overseas and experience a completely different culture. I know that whatever I do in the future, it will involve a lot of travelling. I’d love to do a working holiday in London one day so I can explore Europe from a close base but still earn those pounds to keep me travelling. My dad did this in the late ‘60s and is always telling us stories about his adventures, which inspires me to create my own.
I’m excited for the future. I’ve got a couple more years of school ahead of me, with fun experiences like the ski trip and Rock Eisteddfod to look forward to, and then it’s on to uni, getting a job and travelling. I can’t wait to see what the next chapter of my life will bring!
Hey there, Georgy girl Swingin’ down the street so fancy-free Nobody you meet could ever see The loneliness there Inside you
Hey there, Georgy girl Why do all the boys just pass you by? Could it be you just don’t try Or is it the clothes you wear?
Today, in April, 1967, I am turning 16, so my mother and I are celebrating by having lunch at the Camden Valley Inn. My mother gave me a bracelet with my grandmother’s hair in it which I think is just amazing. It is sure to be a conversation starter when I’m with other people. I’m in fifth year at Bowral High School and my name is Isabella.
My family is very small. There is my mother, Elsa, my grandmother Kay (she changed her name from Myrtle) and my Great Uncle Claude. My father died when I was 10, of a heart attack. My mother married him when she was 18. She had left Lucy Secors in Melbourne and was working as a receptionist in a hotel in Goondiwindi. My father was staying at the hotel and the rest is history. I wasn’t born until 15 years later in Mildura, which is in far west Victoria. I think my mother is the most amazing person. She is a very successful businesswoman and has turned the business around since my father died.
My first school was in Sydney but we all moved to the country when I was six. I love the freedom, the space, the animals and the peace and quiet and I’m used to my own company. Exploring the gully behind my home and riding my bike are favourite activities.
For the Higher School Certificate I am studying English, History, Maths, Science, Geography and Art. My favourite subject apart from English is Art, because it is so creative. My mother says that when I complete the HSC we will fly to New Zealand for a holiday. It will be my first trip overseas.
I’m hopeless at competitive sport which may be because I’m short sighted. I choose swimming every summer and tennis, table tennis or athletics in winter. I am involved in the Inter School Christian Fellowship and have been chosen to be President next year. That involves organising and leading meetings every Friday lunchtime which is a bit daunting but will improve my confidence in public speaking.
I spend far too much time watching TV instead of studying. My favourite TV show is Star Trek. I have a picture of Mr Spock in the lid of my school case. I love anything to do with Space and Astronomy is my favourite part of Science.
I’m learning the piano and enjoy it but probably don’t practise enough. My mother can play by ear and is very good. Sewing is another of my hobbies. I make most of my own clothes and used to take sewing as a subject at school but dropped it after the School Certificate.
Another hobby is the Argonauts Club. It is a radio program on at 5 o’clock every afternoon. They are always asking for contributions to do with art, music, nature, drama, current affairs etc.and award blue certificates for the best ones. Six blues equals a book so I have added considerably to my library. I also get the Childrens’ Newspaper and won a Malvern Star bicycle this year by writing lots of contributions for six months.
I am wearing my senior school uniform and posing with the bike I won.
When I finish my HSC I hope to get a scholarship to train to be a teacher. I would like to teach English and History at high school but am also considering primary school teaching.
I don’t go out much except to church at Colo Vale and Mittagong. All my social activities revolve around church except for the school social which is held twice a year. We have to practise old time dancing for a few weeks before the social, including the waltz, Canadian Three Step, Pride of Erin and Progressive Barn Dance.
I do a lot of reading, mainly books by authors we study at school. I have read most of Jane Austin, Charles Dickens, D.H. Lawrence and Thomas Hardy. The saddest book is Tess of the D’Urbervilles which ends with the doomed Tess and Angel meeting at Stonehenge. That brings me back to my plans. After I teach for three years I will resign, travel by ship to England and teach in London. From there I will be able to travel all over Europe. I don’t want to get married until I am 26 so I have a lot to look forward to. The next ten years will be very exciting!
You must remember this A kiss is still a kiss A sigh is just a sigh The fundamental things apply As time goes by
And when two lovers woo, they still say, “I love you” On that you can rely No matter what the future brings As time goes by
It is the 25th August, 1933 and it is my 16th birthday. My name is Elsa May Hall although my birth certificate says Elsie Mary Hall. The woman who registered my name made a mistake with my middle name and I don’t like Elsie. Elsa is much more grown up.
This is me when I was younger. I can’t find any recent photos.
My mother gave me a gold bracelet for my 16th birthday. She wants to start a family tradition of passing it down to the firstborn girl in each generation of the family. I wonder will I have a daughter to give it to? I find it a bit unusual as it has her hair plaited inside it. Apparently, some admirer of hers gave it to her but she didn’t marry him. When she was 20 she ran away with a much older man (my father) and they were married in Melbourne. I was born in 1917 in a little railway cottage in Williamstown. My mother was very sick afterwards and nearly died. I started school in Williamstown when I was six so I was much older than the other children. I was only at the school a short while when my mother said, “We are leaving on a train to go to Sydney today.” I didn’t ever see my father again.
Mother rented a house in Glebe and I started school at Forest Lodge. I was happy there, as I made one very close friend called Ruth. My favourite thing to do when I got home from school was to ride my scooter down the gently sloping path in Jubilee Park. Ruth told me I was too old to ride a scooter but I loved the feeling of speed and the wind in my hair. I remember one day when I was in sixth class rushing in the front door, telling my mother excitedly about my promotion in the netball team. She told me to sit down and listen. She said that times were hard and dressmaking jobs were scarce so we were moving to Queensland. She had a job at a cattle station as a housekeeper and cook so there would be food, accommodation and some money as well. I didn’t realise that the cattle station was a long way from the nearest town of Charleville. Nor did I realise the nearest high school was in Roma, hundreds of miles away.
It took several days to travel to Roma by train. Instead of going to the cattle station, Mother took me to a hostel for students whose homes were a long way from the school. I hated it. I didn’t make friends and the food was awful. I started school at Roma High School but was very unhappy. In fact, I thought about running away but where would I go? I sent so many letters to Mother she must have realised that something needed to be done. One weekend she arrived and took me to a house near the school. The owner had a spare bedroom and said she would treat me like her own daughter. At least now I had my own room but I didn’t like the woman at all. She would make notes if I did anything to displease her and then she would send letters to my mother. She also expected me to do housework the minute I got home from school and I didn’t think that was part of the agreement so we argued a lot.
It all came to an end when I made a friend. Like me, he was an outsider. His parents were Greek and ran the local fish and chip shop. We would walk home from school together and one day the snoopy landlady saw us. Of course, she wrote to Mother straight away and said I was “boy mad”. Mother arrived next weekend and decided that as I was almost 15, it was time to leave school and start dressmaking.
I thought I might be living with Mother at the station but a letter arrived to say my father had died and his sister (my aunt) was offering me accommodation while I did my training as a dressmaker. Before I knew it, I was travelling by train to Williamstown, which I had left nearly ten years earlier.
I am now working at Lucy Secors. It is a dressmaking firm which employs hundreds of girls, training them from the ground up. I spend two or three months perfecting each part of a garment. Starting with seams I progressed to collars and then to sleeves and buttonholes. It is all very boring. My aunt and uncle are quiet people, and my cousin is not at all exciting.
1927 advertisement in “The Home” magazine for Lucy Secor from Circa Vintage Clothing Archive 4th June 2015
So here I am. Everyone expects me to work my way up through the ranks at Lucy Secors until I become a manager or get married. I have a good mind to pack it in at the end of the year and go back up to Queensland. Maybe I can get a job dressmaking with what I have learnt. What does my future hold? I hope it’s a bit more exciting than my life has been so far. Things have got to get better.
It is August the 8th, 1913 and I have just turned 16. My name is Myrtle May Lock but everyone calls me Tillie because I hate my name. I have a sister called Ruby (she hates her name too) who is 12, a brother called Charles (known as Charlie) aged 10 and a little brother called Claude, aged 7. Claude fell off the bed on his head when he was a baby and has never been quite right since. He is always sick and misses so much school. As a result, I missed a lot of school too, looking after him as Mother is often unwell. I left as soon as I could at the age of 13 so did not ever go to high school.
Father said I had to have a trade as I should not have to depend on the family or a husband to provide for me. I had the choice of dressmaking or millinery. I decided that dresses were more important than hats and liked the idea of working with clean, soft material instead of my parent’s job running a smelly fish shop. At least Father now sells second hand goods and Mother can rest a bit more.
As the oldest in the family, I am always expected to do most of the work. My sister Ruby avoids it when possible and is very demanding. When Father bought a cow everyone wanted to learn to milk it. Everyone but me. I knew that when the novelty wore off, I would be the one getting up early in the morning to milk the cow. I can’t avoid the weekly silver polishing, however. Every Saturday morning, we four children must sit at the table and polish all the cutlery, the teapot, coffee pot, sugar bowl and milk jug. When I have my own home, I’m not having anything made of silver. Why make work for yourself?
As it is I work long hours five days a week at the dressmakers, measuring the ladies and drafting patterns for their gowns. I do most of the stitching by hand although we have a Singer treadle sewing machine for making linings in some of the dresses. We receive copies of the latest European fashions in magazines like “Gazette du Bon Ton” from France and “Harpers Monthly” from America.
That reminds me. I was reading a magazine a few days ago and it went into great detail about the “unsinkable ship”, the Titanic, which hit an iceberg travelling from England to America. Over a thousand people drowned. I have decided I am never going on a ship, ever.
Have you seen my birthday present? Oh, I know I received the usual handkerchiefs, combs and linen for my glory box but wait until you see what else I have.
I have an admirer! He is much older than me and isn’t all that good looking, but he is very kind and has a lovely big house. My father doesn’t approve of him so all I will say is that his initials are S.B. He asked for a lock of my hair! In fact, he said, “Please may I have a lock from Miss Lock”. I didn’t know what he was going to do with it but I snipped a long strand for him to take away with him. Today he presented me with a blue velvet box. I opened it carefully and inside was a gold bracelet! It looked as though some plaited leather was threaded through the gold but it turns out, it was my hair. On the inside is inscribed “From S.E.B. 9-8-13” and on the outside, in a gold shield, are my initials, MML. I shall wear it all the time.
I think my father thinks if I leave home and marry S.B there will be no one to help my mother but then it will be Ruby’s turn. It’s time she did her share!
Father has stopped me from doing many exciting things. Just recently a new photographic shop opened in the main street of Stawell. I was looking at the pictures in the window when the owner came outside and asked if I would like to have my photograph taken. He said he would put it in the front window to show people what he could do. I had to wrap a sheet around my shoulders and let my hair down to my waist. You should have heard the gossips when my photograph appeared in the window. The photographer told me a week or so later that a friend from Melbourne had seen the picture and thought I should try out to be a model for the big department store Myer. My father said no way would he let me go and model in Melbourne so I am doomed to spend my life in Stawell sewing dresses for wealthy ladies who seem to have a lot more fun than I do.
I wonder what the future holds? Will I marry S.E.B.? Will I leave Stawell and live somewhere more exciting, like Melbourne? Will I have children and grandchildren? Will I be happy? Only time will tell.
The New Zealand actor, Sam Neill, wrote his memoir “Did I Ever Tell You This” while steroids kept him awake at night. He was diagnosed with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, a rare, aggressive type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He is currently in remission but with infusions every two weeks to keep it at bay. His memoir is not about cancer as that is something he wants to put at the back of his mind. Such an inspiration and role model!
It would be good if I could say I learnt a new skill or wrote the great novel during my self-enforced hibernation.
The piano lay untouched when I could have been practising. The Swedish Death Cleaning which I so enthusiastically started, lapsed into apathy. My days followed a regular rhythm of meal prep, cleaning up and washing and drying clothes. The rest of the time was spent reading or listening to audio books. I attempted to complete Sudokus, enjoyed Wordle and Quordle and Octordle. Pilfer had me playing against the computer and winning (on level 1). Watching TV took place mainly in the evenings and occasionally at lunchtime, when I enjoyed Escaping to the Country and drooling over beautiful houses. The summer drifted by, largely spent indoors with the air conditioning on.
Writing my daily journal was a ritual before bed each night, listing my side effects and comparing them with the previous cycle. Not exactly a memoir!
There was something I needed to complete before March as my granddaughter’s 16th birthday was approaching. It is a family tradition to pass on to the next generation a gold bracelet belonging to my grandmother. She had been given the bracelet when she turned 16, in 1913. She gave it to my mother when she turned 16. In turn it was passed on to me at the same age. When my daughter’s turn came she asked if I would look after it as she went travelling all over the world. It was still in my care as the time came again to pass it on to the next generation.
The owner of the bracelet, Myrtle May Lock
I came up with a plan to write a series of stories called “When I was 16”, showing how life has changed for teenagers over the past hundred years. I was fortunate to have some lovely photographs of my grandmother around that age but only younger ones of my mother so that would have to do. I looked back to my own life at 16 and asked my daughter to write about her life at that time as well. There was such a contrast in the lives of the four women in the stories. For my granddaughter the significance of the bracelet would be multiplied by the stories of its owners.
In the next post you will go back in time to 1913 and find out the origin of the gold bracelet.
On Thursday, 15th January I was due to have a PET scan to see if the first four rounds of chemo had destroyed the lymphoma. John dropped me off at Wollongong Hospital and I found my way to Lumus Imaging on Level 1. I was asked to strip to underwear and given a purple paper gown to wear which was open down the back. I’m always wary of cannulas as my veins are small and hard to find but the nurse placed it first go with no pain. I told her she could do it every time and asked could I keep her for future scans.
The next hour was spent reclining under a warm blanket while first saline and then radioactive sugar solution was infused. I then had to lie still for an hour and regretted not being able to access my headphones and audio book. Still, I was warm and comfortable. I was then taken into a radioactive room where I lay with my knees and head supported by a pillow. The scan seemed to go on forever and must have taken 40 minutes.
The following Tuesday I felt quite confident as I had viewed the scans online and there didn’t seem to be any areas glowing red or orange. The haematologist seemed preoccupied and after asking how I was going announced all the markers for lymphoma had disappeared. However, he had a new area of concern, the fatty areas of the abdomen. He pushed down on my tummy and asked if it hurt, which it did because he pushed hard. As he didn’t have the original scan from the private hospital he needed to access it to compare with the more recent one. There seemed to be unusual activity in the fat of the abdomen which could be caused by the chemo but could be new lymphoma. He would ring me later this afternoon.
We were ushered out the door and I didn’t even have time to ask any questions. Of course I checked out AI when I got home and it made me feel a bit better.
Most Likely Cause: Post-Treatment Inflammation
Treatment Side effects: Chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or radiation can cause temporary inflammation of fatty tissues (sometimes referred to as panniculitis)
There was some good news that day. The Travel Insurance Company reimbursed us for the money we lost when cancelling our holiday. We also went out for dinner at an Italian Restaurant which was special because it was our first meal out since chemo started.
The next day the haematologist rang to say there was no inflammation of the fatty tissue of the first scan so it may have been caused by the chemo. The next PET scan will be four weeks after chemo has finished so hopefully any effects from chemo will have disappeared.
Fast forward to Tuesday 31st March, 2026.
Another PET scan but this time a different nurse had two goes at inserting the cannula, first the right arm and then the left. It really hurt both times going in. After the PET scan I stayed on the bed while iodine was inserted in the cannula for the CT scan. It makes you feel like you have peed yourself when you really haven’t. At least the CT scan was not too long and I was shivering and keen to get out of there by the end. All I could think about was going home to my sunny kitchen and eating weet-bix, yoghurt and fruit.
Lumus Imaging inside Wollongong Public Hospital
Thursday, 2nd April, the day before my 75th birthday, the news was not as good as I’d hoped. The glow in the fatty areas in my abdomen had grown larger but the haematologist thinks it is harmless. It is probably “fat necrosis” which is fat tissue which has died from lack of blood supply caused by the chemotherapy. As a friend of mine said, “surely dead fat is good!”
Just because there is a remote possibility it could be new lymohoma I have to have another visit to hospital, this time for a laparoscopy. I have an appointment with a laparascopic surgeon on the 9th April at 1.15 pm so will see what transpires. Unfortunately that is my husband’s birthday so it looks like dinner out, not lunch. Unless they decide to whack me into hospital there and then. Deja Vu!!!
When I first came home from hospital, I was given a hand-written chart with all my medications, their purpose and when to take them. Some days, especially early in the cycle, involved many more tablets than later in the cycle. I decided to list them on a Friday when my medications were at their maximum just to see what was going into my body and why.
Allopurinal is for kidney protection and works by reducing the production of uric acid
Pantaprazole is an antacid and treats heartburn and acid reflux
Valaciclovic is an anti-viral and importantly keeps shingles at bay
Ondansentron prevents nausea and vomiting
Prednisolone is a steroid taken for four days after chemo that manages side effects and also destroys cancer cells
Resprim Forte is an antibiotic taken three times a week in a low dose
Loratadine is an antihistamine which helps reduce bone pain after a Pelgraz injection
Pelgraz injection (given by nurse four days after chemo) stimulates the bone marrow to make more white blood cells
Panadol helps with pain from Pelgraz injection
Temazapan helps with sleep while taking Prednisolone (steroids)
Two sachets of Movacol with water plus Coloxyl tablets help with constipation caused by chemo.
Atorvastatin for cholesterol (a pre-existing medication)
Once the six cycles had finished I was reduced to taking 1, 2, 3, 6 and 12..
Six weeks later I am down to 3,6 and 12.
It is rather confronting to be pouring all these medications into one’s body but most of them are trying to repair the damage caused by the chemotherapy so the thought of not having them is even more alarming.
When I began treatment for DLBCL (Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma) I was told I had to avoid certain foods as my immunity would be low. It included a few of my favourite things such as oysters, sushi and soft cheeses. Generally, one has to avoid raw, undercooked or unpasteurised foods, so the rare steak with blood dripping from it or the runny boiled eggs for dipping soldiers in were off the menu.
Deli meats are also discouraged because of the potential for listeria. Salami, bacon and ham with their high fat and salt content are also not recommended. I didn’t realise this until I had devoured a large portion of the Christmas ham. Raw foods must be carefully washed so my salad spinner became a regular kitchen tool, removing water from grapes, raspberries, blueberries and strawberries. Pasteurised yoghurt was safe to eat, but not kombucha, according to my research.
The greatest impact on my routine was the consumption of alcohol. Chemotherapy drugs put a huge strain on the liver, so the extra strain caused by alcohol could cause inflammation or worse. As well, alcohol can worsen nausea, dehydration and fatigue. It was a no brainer to stop my two drinks a day habit.
Five o’clock in the evening and my usual glass of white wine had to be replaced, possibly forever, but with what?
Almost immediately my Face Book was inundated with suggestions for non-alcoholic drinks. I have tried many in the last five months and still have not discovered the perfect one. My favourite is still tonic water with ice and lemon. I buy the low sugar variety and hope it doesn’t do too much harm.
Heineken Zero beer is a pleasant drink, even for a non-beer drinker like me. There is a hops based drink called Hopr which appears on my Face Book quite regularly so I decided to give it a try.
The Hopr drinks have a slightly bitter taste that takes a while to get used to, are refreshing and not sweet. I found some varieties tasted better than others but served in a wine glass it is a pleasant drink to sip while preparing the evening meal.
I used to have a glass of red wine with dinner but not any more. Some wine substitutes I tried were from the Altina drinks collection. For Christmas Day I celebrated with s Sparkling Sansgria. Although I enjoyed it the first few times I had it it is not something I could drink on a regular basis. There is also a Sparkling Rose which is quite drinkable but when the alcohol is taken out of wine it definitely loses something.
I broke the drought and had a glass of champagne on my birthday, six weeks after I finished chemo. Six days later I had one on John’s birthday. However, I have decided to limit alcohol intake to small amounts on special occasions.
After a few cycles I almost knew what to expect on each and every day. Walking out of the Cancer Care Centre was the most wonderful feeling of freedom with a whole three weeks ahead before it started again. This is what I wrote after the first visit to the Day Centre.
John dropped me off at the front. I walked into the Cancer Care section and took the lift up to the 2nd floor. Wrong. Down to the first floor.
I had to wait in the waiting room for ten minutes. Then I was introduced to my nurse Mia and shown to a reclining chair.
The order of chemo was changed from the one I had in hospital. The Retuximab was infused first and took several hours. The other drugs all took less time and I was all finished in about five hours. My nurse was a senior nurse but she had just returned from maternity leave and said even in ten months things had changed a lot. She was being reaccredited so had another nurse watching and discussing everything that took place. All went well except it took two goes to get the cannula into a vein.
I came home with a bag of goodies, creams, mouthwash, lip balm. Also chose two turbans made by local sewers for free. One I like because you can thread a scarf through it which gives it a bit more bulk. I will try to buy some scarves in different colours for the other hats I have.
The time was filled with reading and listening to my audio books. Once a volunteer chaplain stopped by to talk. I told her I wasn’t religious but was happy to talk anyway. I had imagined that I might chat to the other people getting their infusions but they were too far away and every time I went there were different people in the chairs. The nurses were looking after several people at once so didn’t have much time to talk either. I did notice before Christmas that they wore colourful festive uniforms and asked if they were supplied. It seems they have to buy them but they can put them aside to use next year. They are a long way from the starched white dresses of the old days but far more practical and comfortable.
After each infusion, days 1 to 6 were not too unpleasant. Sometimes I had energy thanks to the steroids and was motivated to clean out cupboards and place unwanted goods on Marketplace. I might have a slight headache or feel a bit groggy but it was bearable. The main problem was not being able to sleep at night so the doctor gave me a prescription for Temezapam which was to be used only when absolutely necessary. I found I didn’t need it after the first few days. On the fourth day I would report to my Medical Centre for have an injection of Pelgraz, which stimulates the bone marrow to produce more white blood cells. It was suggested I might like to do this injection in the stomach myself but I vehemently declined as I can’t even stand to look at needles.
The side effects of Pelgraz are bone pain but I found taking an anti-histamine and Panadol removed any unpleasant symptoms for a while at least.
Day 7 was usually a shock as each cycle I dared to hope that it would be different to last time. It’s funny how memories fade and If I hadn’t written down how I felt it I would not believe it. The effect of the steroids wore off and all of a sudden the whole body reacted to the drugs killing the cancer cells. I think I was lucky because I have read of people who were much worse off than I was.
For about seven days it felt a bit like having the flu. All my body ached, with swollen glands and blocked ears. My feet swelled up so that shoes no longer fitted, sore spots appeared in my mouth and throat to make eating and swallowing difficult, appetite disappeared and a mild feeling of nausea was ever present. Tummy upsets were common and constipation became so serious I rang a lovely, kind cancer care nurse called Jewel who suggested I come in for an X-ray. Much as I didn’t want to go back to the hospital I agreed and was cheered by the fact that there was nothing copious glasses of Movacol and Coloxyl wouldn’t fix. I learnt to be better prepared in future.
I noticed numbness on my fingertips and in my toes. This spread along the soles of my feet. It wasn’t painful, just strange, like walking on soft straw. The doctor said it was neuropathy and to prevent it getting worse he left Vincristine out of my sixth and last cycle. The strength in my legs reduced markedly. Whereas before I could easily stand up out of a lounge chair while holding a tray I now had to place the tray on the floor and use the arm of the chair to help me stand.
As my hair began thinning John cut it short so the pillow was no longer covered in hair. Eventually I asked him to give me a buzz cut which looked better than wispy bits of hair standing on end. My big toenails turned black and started lifting off, maybe from the pressure of my shoes so I invested in a pair of wide toed joggers and socks with individual toes.
Fortunately these symptoms didn’t all appear at the same time and there were medications for nausea, a mouthwash for the Mucositis (sore mouth and throat), Panadol for aches and pains and no need to do anything but try and get a meal on the table at night. The frozen meals were a godsend.
Then around day 14 I would begin to feel normal. After each cycle I noticed a few more symptoms lingering but on the whole I felt ready to face it all again by the time day 21 arrived.
What a relief each time I left the Cancer Car Centre, especially after infusion number 6.
When people hear that someone has cancer they are often unsure what to do and say. I wasn’t expecting to hear from anyone except for my family but even in my short time in hospital I had an unexpected visit from a friend who brought some mandarins and lots of good cheer.
It wasn’t long before friends from the General Bewilderment Lane (that’s what we originally called our Aqua Fit group when we were Aqua Joggers) were calling to see when they could visit. I was very aware of my low immunity so we agreed on no hugs and even masks on the first few occasions. A knock at my front door one day revealed flowers and soaps from the thoughtful Aqua Joggers.
They arrived in pairs with coffee from Mo at Praha, the coffee shop at the uni pool. He had made it just how I like it. They helped us put the cover on the caravan and move it to its parking space in the back yard. After all, it wasn’t going to be used for a while.
More Aqua Joggers arrived, armed with take away coffee and muffins, but when I worked out my good days I started making coffee for them with my new coffee machine. It is a Breville Barista Pro, replacing my old one which was due for retirement. Another “Why Not?” purchase.
One couple brought us a chicken pie to save on cooking. This was most welcome as my main motivation when cooking is hunger and my appetite had gone.
Out of the blue another group, my daughter’s Book Club, donated Dinner Ladies’ meals to save on cooking.
My daughter had also arranged for John to order some Light and Easy meals. My Hello Fresh subscription supplied three meals a week which still had to be prepared and cooked but required very little thinking. It looked like we weren’t going to starve and I found once the food was in front of me, I could eat it and maintain my weight.
One friend remained quiet for a few weeks. Then I received a message from her asking when we were going out for lunch. It seems she deleted her emails and missed my message about my health crisis. As soon as she found out I had cancer she came over to our house, laden with flowers and rich little cakes from Massimos.
Emails, phonecalls and texts kept me in touch with the outside world. One friend wanted to know all the details of my diagnosis and treatment which gave me free reign to vent.
When I finally returned to Aqua Fit four weeks after my final chemo it was wonderful to catch up with people who had been so kind during my self-imposed isolation. As John and I were having birthdays in April one lovely Aqua Jogger made us a cake which we shared over coffee.
Christmas occurred in the middle of my treatment. My children and grandchildren arrived with promises that I was to sit and watch and do nothing. It was the easiest Christmas I have ever had although I did manage to prepare a trifle in advance and a “do it yourself” prawn cocktail where everyone peeled their own prawns and added lettuce, avocado, mango and homemade sauce. Best of all, the cleaning up was not my responsibility. Instead, I spent a blissful afternoon resting on my bed underneath the fan.
As someone who values independence above all things and is a bit of a loner, it was strange and touching to have so much attention from others. It shows the importance of belonging to groups and has motivated me to help others in a similar situation when and where I can.
I used the word justify because it starts with J but I had decided almost as soon as I was diagnosed that I was done with cleaning bathroom tiles and kitchen cupboards. I asked around but cleaners were hard to find. They all seemed to have a full workload and were not taking on any new clients.
It was then I tried Hi Pages and received three responses from companies who employed cleaners. The one I chose replied immediately and agreed to come and meet with me. Her name was Lyn* and she had recently been put in charge of all the personnel involved in house cleaning for their company. Her sister had had cancer and she had shaved her head in solidarity. She would make sure that I had the same person each week and that precautions would be taken in consideration of my low immunity. My new cleaner, Carol*, was to start on Thursday.
That gave me a few days to tidy the house in readiness. On Thursday morning 9 o’clock arrived but there was no Carol. At 9.10 am I rang Lyn. She had just heard from Carol, who was knocking on the door next to the garage but said there was no response. I told her there was no door next to the garage but to walk up the steps on the left-hand side to a deck where she would find the front door and us waiting for her.
There is no door next to the garage! What was she thinking?
All went quiet. Lyn had given me Carol’s number but there was no response. As for Lyn she said couldn’t talk because she was in a meeting.
It was almost midday when my phone rang.
“You were trying to call me?” a woman’s voice asked.
“I’ve been trying to call you all morning,” I said. I’ve been waiting for you to clean my house in K…. “
“I’ve already cleaned a house in K…,” she said, and gave my address.
Then the penny dropped. Some time ago a mischievous person had turned our street sign around so that it pointed in another direction. As most people use satellite navigation it hadn’t occurred to me that Carol would be looking at street signs. She told me that she pulled up at a house with the same number as ours and climbed the stairs to the right (not the left as instructed). An old lady answered the door and seemed to be expecting her.
“I’m so glad you’ve come,” she said. “My name has been down for a cleaner for such a long time as I’m not very well.”
Carol cleaned her house and then moved on to another job. After talking to me she realised she had just cleaned a house for free. The woman had probably signed up to a Home Care Package as part of Aged Care Assistance at Home. Sometimes it takes a long time for the system to process. Carol was not sorry for her good deed as she felt the woman really needed help. As for my cleaning job I would have to contact Lyn and arrange another day for Carol to come to my house.
Contacting Lyn proved to be a problem. It wasn’t until the next day that she replied to my phone calls. Her company had restructured its organisation and decided to remove house cleaning from its services. That’s what the meeting was about! No wonder she wasn’t in a hurry to speak to me!
She did say that Carol might be available as a private cleaner so I followed that option and lined her up for the following Monday. I also contacted the Council to report the matter of a faulty street sign, which, to their credit, they remedied within a few days.
Half Yours won the Melbourne Cup ridden by female jockey Jamie Melham.
The day that stops a nation was memorable in other ways for me. It was Infusion Day.
It began at 5 am, when I had blood pressure taken, shower at 6 am, breakfast at 8 am followed by the Registrar who came around and explained how the chemotherapy would be administered.
The nurse assigned to the task was carrying out this procedure for the very first time. As a result, she encountered some difficulty while attempting to insert a new cannula.
She tried about four spots and kept saying sorry. The senior nurse came in eventually and put it in first attempt. It is still there in case I need any more drugs administered.
At 11.30 the Doxorubicin was first drug of my treatment. It stops cancer cell division and side effects include hair loss, nausea, fatigue and potential long-term heart damage. It glowed bright red and was administered slowly with a large syringe into the cannula by the junior nurse who was dressed from head to toe in plastic. She was very nervous but was watched closely by her superior. It took about 15 minutes and we were all relieved when it was over.
The next syringe held Vincristine which took about 10 minutes to infuse. Apparently, this drug prevents cancer cells from forming new cells and triggers cell death. Side effects include Neuropathy in hands and feet, severe constipation, hair loss, fatigue, muscle weakness and low white blood cell count which increases risk of infection. Unaware of these dire side effects I was just happy that the young nurse was becoming more confident.
Cyclophosphamide was next and this time I was hooked up to the machine for about an hour. It works by damaging the DNA of cancer cells, preventing them from dividing and multiplying. Side effects include hair loss, nausea and reduced white blood cell counts.
A saline drip was used between each application. The final infusion was to take four or five hours in case of an allergic reaction. Retuximab works by blocking the protein that causes cancer cells to grow and multiply. Side effects can be fever, chills, rash and fatigue, even pneumonia! Every half hour a new bag was attached. Some orderlies arrived to take me off for the breast biopsies but I was all tied up and couldn’t go. My haematologist dismissed the biopsies and said they probably weren’t necessary as any anomalies in the breast could be put down to lymphoma. I was in no position to argue.
I’m home again. Hard to believe but here I am.
This morning I thought I would be just resting but a nurse came in for three vials of blood before disappearing. I had woken at 3.30 am and lay awake until 5 am when my blood pressure was taken. I must have dozed off until 7.30 am when the breakfast arrived. Not sure when the vampire visit took place.
The haematologist came around and gave a prognosis. 75% to 80% chance of recovery after first six rounds of chemo. If it failed I could do a second or a third round if necessary. That seems a long way away and I’m surprisingly sanguine about the whole thing.
I was wheeled off for my MRI in my bed which felt very decadent. My trolley pusher was a student at Wagga Uni doing early childhood education. He was discussing it with another bed pusher. The MRI took about an hour and a half. I’m an old hand at these now. I’m just glad I’m not paying for all these tests.
The Haematologist came back in. He cancelled the heart fluid test as it was taking too long to organise. He said if there was fluid around the heart it was because of the lymphoma and the treatment would sort it out. I was happy to go home and called John. We were not allowed to escape that easily as we had to wait for the Pharmacologist to explain all the medication and what it was for. She drew up a chart which outlined what to take each day. A nurse brought over some papers to sign and I was free.
Very happy to be home!
Maybe it was all a dream. It didn’t happen and I will wake up in the morning as normal. But no, there is a huge stack of tablets to take after breakfast.
I had a blood pressure and temperature test at 2 am and another one at 6 am. I think I slept in between.
Then came breakfast followed by the tablets. Three white ones that are steroids called prednisolone, two yellow for gut protection and a pink one for kidney protection.
John came in after breakfast and brought Saturday’s paper. I also had a Mercury (local newspaper) delivered because I am a private patient in a Public Hospital.
John picked up his weekly pass for parking (the other private patient benefit) and went shopping for more food. Lunch arrived, a large, rather unappetising bean salad of which I ate half. I will have to pick fibre rich meals as constipation and weight gain is a side effect of prednisolone.
I was anxious to know if the grandchildren had made it to The Shiralee. Apparently, they had no trouble picking up the tickets and were happy with their front row seats because they could see the expression on everyone’s face. Cordelia especially was very taken with the performance as she had recently completed work experience with the Sydney Theatre Company.
John and I sat in a recreation room with a view towards Mt Keira. It was a change from my four walls. I walked around the wards and sat up in a chair the rest of the time. After all I didn’t feel sick so lying in bed seemed a strange thing to do.
The third and final perk of being a private patient was free TV. However, it was high on a wall and a nurse told me the sound wasn’t very good so I preferred to don my headphones and watch TV on my iPad. The monotony was alleviated by an injection in the stomach tonight with an anti-coagulant.
The food is not shaping up to be gourmet. Dinner tonight was a boring Indian Butter Chicken with no flavour. As I was about to tackle dessert my grandson rang to tell me all about The Shiralee. The ice cream melted but it was lovely to hear from him.
Now for sleep.
Today was not so bad although I woke at 3.30 and didn’t go back to sleep.
The change of shift seemed to happen just outside my room with handovers taking place as tired medical staff left for home and sleep. Wandering down the long corridor to the bathroom I showered about 7am and felt much better. Breakfast arrived and was surprisingly good although everything is in packets. The amount of plastic used in hospitals is mind boggling.
I was given my steroid tablets, had blood taken from my hand veins (much easier to get to) and a pin prick blood sugar test. Blood pressure and temperature were taken and so far all is normal.
My daughter was back from her holiday in New Zealand and arrived with a big bunch of flowers but had to take them away again as they are not allowed in the wards. She and John brought me some lovely pyjamas from Peter Alexander which felt very decadent and drew appreciative comments from the nurses.
A good friend arrived at the same time so it was quite a gathering. We tried to decamp to the recreation room but that was full of people so we grabbed some extra chairs and came back to my box room.
My daughter and John went home to cook dinner and I read some of Mushroom Murders. My dinner arrived at 5 pm just as my son rang on his way back to Canberra from Mystery Bay where he had spent the weekend. I was able to reassure him that everything was going well.
I watched two episodes of the second series of Professor T on my iPad. Now it’s 10.22 pm and time for bed.
Next day
This morning after breakfast I was wheeled to another level and the cannula in my arm was used for the first time since Friday night. I had a radioactive substance injected to indicate how well my heart was pumping.
Lunch was a boring tuna salad so I didn’t eat much. The afternoon’s entertainment was a lumbar puncture. I had to curl up sideways on the bed and have an epidural before a needle was stuck in my spine. Some fluid was taken out and some chemo was put in – just a precaution apparently as there is no indication there is cancer in the spinal fluid.
I then had to lie on my back for four hours. This is to help prevent a headache and so far, touch wood, I don’t have one. John texted wanting to know if he should come up. I said “yes” because I needed him to cut up my dinner as I wasn’t allowed to sit up. I also needed more long pyjamas as I felt a bit silly walking around in shortie PJs.
Tomorrow will be the first round of chemo. Didn’t I always say I liked to have new experiences!
Every day is full of unknowns. It’s nearly midnight and I am in hospital!
This morning it was Sebastian’s turn to rehearse for School Spectacular at Homebush. After dropping Cordelia off at the railway station, the directions given by Maps took us through a different tunnel so that we came out near Roselands with 10 more kilometres to Olympic Park and about 50 traffic lights. Sebastian had to be there by 9 am (or else) and as the time of arrival approached we all grew increasingly anxious. We made it with 8 minutes to spare.
Sebastion rehearsing for School Spectacular NSW Department of Education
I settled back, preparing to enjoy the trip to Wollongong when my phone rang. It was the hospital asking that I come in for a biopsy of both breasts. Does that mean I could have breast cancer as well as lymphoma? Anyway, I made an appointment for Tuesday afternoon and felt somewhat depressed as a result.
The phone rang again. It was the Haemotology Registrar who asked if I would consider going into hospital tonight. He was worried the lesion on my back put me in imminent danger and I could become a paraplegic at any time. He wanted to start me on steroids which would reduce the inflammation on the spine. Then on Monday or Tuesday I’m to start chemotherapy. I was tempted to say, couldn’t hospital just wait until I take the children to The Shiralee, but it seems not.
I had left my bathroom bag in Sydney but managed to rake up some moisturiser, tablets, a toothbrush and toothpaste from our house in Wollongong. We made a mad dash around the shops for pyjamas and slippers.
I had to inform the other grandparents and ask if they would take over the teen sitting. Fortunately, they were on standby and even volunteered to take the grandchildren to the Opera House.
The doctor thinks I have Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma). Chemo starts Tuesday. Chances of a complete cure are around 70 to 80% so that is comforting. I’m so relieved it’s not as bad as I first thought.
Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) is an aggressive, fast-growing type of non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) that affects B-lymphocytes, the immune cells that create anribodies. While aggressive it is often curable with modern chemotherapy regimens, even at advanced stages.
As there were no beds available at the hospital I was advised to go to Emergency and wait. We arrived at about 3 pm and waited and waited. I nearly discharged myself at one stage as I thought a bed would never become available. After all, who would go home after 10 o’clock at night? I had a hydration drip from 4 o’clock onwards which started beeping every time I bent my arm. It made a racket until a nurse came out to reset it. She smilingly called me a troublemaker but the second time it happened she didn’t comment. The third time another patient showed me how to reset it. Press the bell button first and then the green start button. Pity I wasn’t shown that earlier.
At 11 pm I received the good news that a bed was available. Apparently an eight hour wait for a bed is considered quite reasonable. I was wheeled to the Procedure Room which is used when no other beds are available. It has no windows but right in the middle of the box like room is a bed which I longed to lie on. It also has no ensuite. I had to walk miles down the corridor to the disabled bathroom but the shower felt so good I’m not complaining. At least I’m in a room by myself. Now I will try to get some sleep.
The alarm is set for 6.00 am, the first day of our time as parents of teenagers.
Back to this morning. John drove me to the hospital for my mammogram and ultrasound. I was soon in front of a machine intent on turning my breasts into dinner plates, flat both sides and then tilted both sides.
Next came the ultrasound which was infinitely more pleasant with a handheld machine slipping around on jelly coated skin. The lady wasn’t smiling at the end which had me worried. Did she see something that shouldn’t be there?
Now we are in Sydney with a long list of instructions on managing the teens starting with a 6 o’clock wake up call, breakfast, checking to see if they have everything required for school, dropping them off at the bus stop and railway station by 7.45 am. Phew! Then the day is ours until 3.30pm.
The parents were out of the house and off to New Zealand at 4 in the morning. All went well with the drop offs until I received a message to say Sebastian* had left his lunch on the kitchen bench. With the wonders of modern technology his mother was able to transfer money to his credit card so he wouldn’t starve.
We picked Cordelia* up from the train at 4.38 and Sebastian arrived sometime after 5 as he had school choir practice. He walks home from the bus stop. I helped them both with homework and study, cooked dinner, cleaned up. I’m ready for sleep.
Every day brings a surprise. I received a phone call from the Oncology Registrar.
It looks like I won’t be seeing him anymore as I have been diagnosed with Lymphoma (a blood cancer of the white blood cells within the lymphatic system). What sort is yet to be revealed. We have an appointment at 11 o’clock tomorrow so looks like a quick trip to the Gong from Sydney, making sure we get back in time to pick up the teens.
The Registrar said he was sorry not to see me again as he wanted to hear more about the Mushroom Murders.
Otherwise, it was a flat-out busy day. Up at six supervising study, then out the door at 7.45 am, dropping Sebastion off at the bus stop. We disappeared into a tunnel which miraculously brought us out at Olympic Park where Cordelia was rehearsing for School Spectacular.
Rehearsing for the School Spectacular NSW Department of Education
The day flew by and before we knew it we were driving out to Ashfield Railway Station to meet Cordelia. John refuelled at Marrickville and later took Sebastian to boxing.
Tonight was a mixture of working on Geography with Cordelia and Sebastian’s assignment on Lexus cars. I also cooked a Hello Fresh dinner and cleaned up with help from John. We are all very tired.
Now to find out more about Lymphoma. I’m thinking that the future is looking a little brighter.
The unreality continues. One moment everything is normal and then I remember. This morning I stayed in bed until after 8 am and then filled in time until 10.45 am when we left for the Wollongong Private Hospital which is situated not far from Wollongong Public Hospital. I took the lift to the 7th floor and was shown to a room with a green recliner chair, a TV and a view across to the Five Islands.
A cannula was inserted with a drip of radioactive glucose and I was left for an hour. I chose to read the Mushroom Murders from chapter 4 onwards where the preliminary cases for the prosecution and defence were presented. The book went on to describe Erin’s early life and off-again on-again marriage. Needing a break from real life murder I swapped to my headphones and listened to my audio book, The Girl Under the Floor, by Charlie Gallagher. Here, Detective Maddie Ives tries to solve equally puzzling mysteries but at least it is only fiction. The hour went fast. A nurse directed me to another room where the PET scan machine sat waiting to decide my fate. Any cancer cells will radiate a glow. The machine moved me in and out of a high white tunnel for about half an hour but I didn’t feel claustrophobic as I’m an old hand at these things now.
Thankfully I devoured the sandwiches they gave me, had my intravenous cannula removed and went back down to the real world outside which was warm and windy.
John drove to meet me as I walked down the hill towards Beaton Park. It was so good to be free and I needed some exercise. Once home John made me a good coffee and I ate too much panettone.
This afternoon I just relaxed until evening drinks of tonic water with ice and lemon which I enjoyed. I don’t really miss wine as the need to help my liver through this crisis is more important.
Next Day
I rang the hospital to see if it was OK to do a blood test the day after a radioactive PET scan. They gave me the all-clear so John dropped me off at 11 o’clock and I found my way to Pathology. The room was crowded with mainly elderly people climbing awkwardly into large chairs to have their blood taken. The nurse had no trouble finding a vein and soon I was out of there. John had parked at Beaton Park so again I walked down the hill to meet him.
The Hello Fresh Box arrived today with three meals inside. Tonight’s meal was quite tasty with fresh barramundi and vegetables. The instructions said to eat first. As well there is a prawn dish we will have to eat tomorrow. At least I don’t have to think with Hello Fresh. Instructions and ingredients are all there. I just have to chop and cook and sometimes I can listen to an audio book at the same time. My daughter started using Hello Fresh when she was juggling work and children and encouraged me to try it. Now I am so grateful to have it as a back up.
Next day
Another day of hospital visits. Again, it was my turn to go to Wollongong Private. The nurse was very friendly and chatty and so was the doctor. I had three anaesthetic injections and then four biopsies taken from a lymph gland under my arm. It didn’t hurt at all. I wish I was having the mammogram there but that will be over the road at Wollongong Public.
On the way home I bought four tickets online for The Shiralee. We will be teen sitting next week so a trip to the Opera House will be something the grandchildren will remember they did with Nanna. The play, The Shiralee, is based on the book by D’Arcy Niland about a swagman called Macauley and his young daughter, Buster, whom he takes on the road. My father used to call me his Shiralee, although we travelled in the relative comfort of a truck all over country New South Wales.
We didn’t go to Aqua Fit because I was waiting for the phonecall.
It was almost 10.30 am before the landline phone rang. That was a surprise because we hardly ever use it. My appointment was for 3.30 this afternoon.
We decided to park in the hospital car park. After negotiating our way around we found and crossed the footbridge and entered the hospital. I was thankful for my constant chauffeur, John, as I was in no state to remember where we parked. I was given three pages of forms to fill in and was still working on them when the Registrar appeared. He was very friendly and talked me through everything, asking lots of questions. He didn’t think I had Multiple Myeloma so I’m not sure whether to be pleased or not. He still thinks there is a primary cancer that hasn’t been found yet. In the next couple of days I will have a PET scan, a breast scan and another blood test.
With the PET scan they inject me with a radioactive glucose and then I have to lie down for an hour , after which I will have a half hour scan, rest fifteen minutes and go home. It will be November 3 before I get any results.
I only spoke to the Medical Oncologist for a short time at the end of the visit. I can expect to hear from the Private Hospital in the next day or so regarding the PET scan. I will have to order the breast and blood test myself, both being at the Public Hospital.
Next day we squeezed in a day out in the Southern Highlands to attend a book launch but it was not free of drama.
As we drove up the mountain I was on the phone, booking appointments. They are as follows.
Wednesday 22
PET Scan 11 pm. Fast 6 hours. Wollongong Private Hospital Level 7 Suite 705. Time 2 hours.
Thursday 23
Blood test Wollongong Hospital. Any time.
Friday 24
Ultrasound of one of the enlarged lymph nodes 11.30 am Wollongong Private Hospital, Dr Glenn and Partners Medical Imaging.
Tuesday 28
ISMI Medical Imaging breast USD and MMG Wollongong Hospital 9 o’clock.
A day in the Highlands was just what I needed. The trees were covered in pale new leaves heralding the spring and the sun shone brightly on the grassy paddocks. We sat in the courtyard of an old sandstone building in Berrima, drank coffee and ate cake. I savoured the moment with renewed appreciation.
Heading for the Stables
I had bought tickets previously for a talk by Greg Haddrick on his new book, “Mushroom Murders”. It was to be held at The Stables, a reception centre on the Bendooley Estate near Berrima.
If you missed the court case—which was covered internationally—here’s a brief summary. In July 2023, Erin Patterson, a 48-year-old mother of two, served Beef Wellington containing deadly death cap mushrooms to guests, including her ex-husband’s parents, killing three and injuring a fourth. In September 2025 she was sentenced to life in prison with a 33 year non-parole period.
Interior of The Stables
The talk by the author (Greg Haddrick) gave us just enough information to want to buy the book. John took it over to be signed and we have now both read the first three chapters and are keen to get started on the court case. I will take it with me tomorrow as I will be lying on a recliner for an hour before the scan. The question we are all asking is, why did she do it?
Anything to take my mind off the more pressing issue, what is the matter with me?
I may live a bit longer than I thought. When we walked into my doctor’s office at 4 o’clock she was smiling. The CT scans had shown no cancer in my body (apart from the lesions on the spine). The lymph glands are enlarged and the spine has holes in the bone from metastases but it may be coming from an ill-defined mass wrapped around the spine. To my uninformed mind it seems more manageable if it’s all in one place.
John is so relieved he thinks the cancer is curable and I may not even need an operation. I am not that optimistic but have renewed hope.
I rang my son and daughter and told them my news but said it was not too serious, requiring a simple operation, maybe radiation.
This morning we walked to Aqua Fit but didn’t stay for coffee as we had so much to do.
An Aqua Fit class
I spent the morning preparing a lunch for visitors. Our friends go way back to when they lived in our street for a year on a sabbatical from an English University. They have now settled in Australia permanently and have adult children and grandchildren here. Their granddaughter attends Wollongong University so they were visiting her in her new digs.
Grounds of University of Wollongong
Our friends arrived late as they had become lost in the university campus. It has grown tremendously since they lived here nearly forty years ago. They cooled off in the air conditioning, aided by a beer or two. John and I drank zeros as I had become very conscious of what I was putting into my body. We discussed medical problems like old people do, and enjoyed the food.
After dropping them at the train station we drove on to see the Neurosurgeon at 4.45 pm. I made it to the desk just in time while John parked the car at the back. After I filled in some forms the doctor came out to greet us. I had given the copy of the CT scan and the blood test report to the office, so he had time to check through them. He also asked me walk on tip toe and on my heels which I could do easily.
I had to lie on the bench while he pressed in various places. He seemed surprised that I had not had more pain. He also said he was going to talk to some other specialists and ring me in an hour. When I asked him what he thought it might be he said he couldn’t be sure but there were some signs it could be Multiple Myeloma. Of course, I googled once home and found it is:
A cancer of plasma cells in the bone marrow that causes abnormal, cancerous cells to multiply, crowd out healthy blood cells, and damage bones and kidneys. While generally incurable treatment can induce long-term remissions.
Finally, the much-anticipated phone call arrived. The Neurosurgeon said he felt he was not the best person to deal with my case as operating on the back would not get to the source of the problem. I will get a call from a Medical Oncologist (a specialist who diagnoses and treats cancer using chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapies) on Monday so that he/she can arrange an appointment for later the same day.
Today at 10 o’clock I get to do a full CT scan, head to toe, to find the cancer. I have an appointment at 3.30 pm on Thursday to be given the news. Can’t wait. At this stage I feel I can’t tell the family because I don’t know exactly what is wrong with me but I should know by then.
The major concern is how quickly I go downhill and how John will manage without me. I will have to make sure he has all the information about banking, paying bills, passwords etc. as that has become my job in the last few years.
We decided against Aqua Fit today. There was just too much to process. I imagine as soon as the cancer is found I will go to a specialist and then be in hospital for surgery if it is not too far gone. Then I suppose there will be chemotherapy and or radiation. I most probably will have to cancel the trip to Fiji (Blue Lagoon Cruise next April). I booked it to coincide with my 75th birthday. We were to fly out from Sydney on April 1st, board the Fiji Princess on the 3rd, visit a different island every day with snorkelling off the boat, exploring tropical beaches and visiting villages. John would also celebrate his 81st birthday on the cruise. I even took out insurance to cover all his medical problems. It didn’t occur to me I would have any of my own!
Then should we sell the house? Maybe we should begin by selling the caravan as I can’t imagine John going off travelling on his own. Maybe I should start reading about “Swedish Death Cleaning” while I still have the energy. One thing is for sure, if I’m seriously ill I’m getting a house cleaner!
I was awake most of last night just thinking so hopefully will have a full night’s sleep tonight.
I had to finish eating before 8 am and then drink 750 ml of water. Finally, 9.45 am dragged around and John drove me to PPG Imaging. They injected iodine dye into my vein and I had a head, neck, shoulder to pelvis CT scan which is:
Computed Tomography Scan, using specialised X-rays and computer technology to produce detailed, cross sectional 2D or 3D images of bones, organs and tissues.
I wonder what they will find?
Apparently, my doctor is booking me in to see a Neurosurgeon (a specialist who diagnoses, treats and manages disorders of brain, spinal cord, spinal column and peripheral nerves). Maybe this is all a bad dream and it is just some benign tumour on the spine. One can hope!
To keep my myself busy I advertised the kayaks and the roof racks on Facebook Marketplace. Might as well start decluttering.
Some time later: I was able to cancel the Blue Lagoon Cruise and the flights with Fiji Air. I lost the deposit and a portion of the air fares but the travel insurance covered the lost money. A big thank you to the Registrar in Haematology for his supportive letter to the insurance company.
Even later:
On the 4th April we heard that the Fiji Princess ran aground near Castaway Island (of Tom Hanks fame). All passengers were taken by boat to Port Denarau. There were no injuries. It was the second day of the cruise so alternative arrangements were made with hotels and day trips. The bad weather caused the ship’s anchor to move and the ship was washed onto a reef. I don’t feel so bad about missing the cruise.
On the 13th October, 2025, I wrote a brief note in my journal. “My back pain is getting worse so have booked an MRI at Shellharbour tomorrow.” I had experienced sciatica type pain so asked my GP for a referral for an MRI thinking it would be useful before going to a physiotherapist.
The next day John drove me out to Shellharbour, where I underwent an MRI, which stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. At first I was too nervous to open my eyes inside the tubular scanner in case I felt claustrophobic, so kept them tightly shut. The tinny music tried unsuccessfully to drown out the bangs and rattles of the machine so that my fears became mere frustration at the quality of the headphones. After a ten-minute wait I was told I would have a cannula inserted to inject contrast dye and go through it all again. Stepping out into the sunshine afterwards was wonderful. We drove off to nearby Shell Cove for a poke bowl lunch, gazing across the water at the boats in the new marina, not a care in the world.
As we were driving home my phone rang. It was the doctors’ surgery. My GP wanted to see me at 4.15pm that afternoon. I started to worry that something was seriously wrong because otherwise why did she want to see me so soon?
She came out straight away with, “I’m afraid it’s not good news”.
She told me I have a lesion on my spine. That is what is causing the pain as it is pressing on nerves. What is more concerning than that is she thinks it is a secondary, so I have a cancer somewhere else. The way she was talking I’m going to be in serious trouble. She thought we should get the family together. John teared up a bit but I felt strangely calm. I’ve had a good life with a rewarding job, happy marriage, children and grandchildren but I’m not ready to give up yet. At 74 years of age I feet fit and healthy, apart from a niggling back pain so I am ready to fight whatever it is that dares to invade my body.
We have mild winters on the South Coast of New South Wales, Australia, compared to much of the populated world. In fact, many would say we have the perfect climate. But we still snuggle into our puffer jackets on the coldest days of June, July and August. We look forward to the summer months with outdoor barbecues, trips to the beach, social gatherings by the sea, surfing, swimming and lots of messing about in boats.
Our summer has just ended. Looking back, I realise I missed it completely. This A to Z is about what happened instead. An unexpected diagnosis, a surprisingly efficient medical system and hope for a positive outcome.
Join me on a journey that I never expected to have. I’m pleased to say I’m still here with many more A to Z’s to write. At this point I still don’t know for sure if the treatment has worked but in April all will be revealed.
I can’t write the Reflections post without telling you what happened next.
I first met Will seven months after his return to Australia. He was not teaching in a one teacher school in Western Division but to his mind the Education Department was still run by despotic, authoritarian and twisted minds as he had been appointed to his hometown of Wollongong. He was living with his parents while he saved some money for his own place. If you want to find out more about Will (from a different point of view) you could check out my 2018 A to Z Living in the ‘70s.
Meanwhile Phil could not believe it when he was again posted to a remote small school. The only light on the horizon was Beth, who was flying to Australia to join him at Christmas. I met them several times before they returned to England.
As you will know if you read this blog, Keith married “Miss Port Albernie”. A couple of years later they arrived in Sydney, but the pull of home and family was too strong and they relocated to Vancouver.
Now the “Green Seals” have all turned 80 and can’t believe where the years went. Will and Phil became School Principals, while Keith left teaching and became a Town Planner. They (and their wives) all now reside in Sydney and Wollongong, Australia.
Will begged me to write about the demise of the “Fairsea”. That is a story that needs a whole post. Maybe in the 2026 A to Z?
Now for Reflections.
Did you finish the challenge? Yes, before it started but still needed to do a lot of editing during the month of April.
What was your favourite post to write? I liked writing the early ones (A,B,C,D) on the ship and arriving in London. I also liked the last one Z for Zigzagging back to Australia.
What was your favourite comment posted by another A-Z participant on your blog this April? Again, Josna wrote the most detailed and elaborate comments as she genuinely seemed to relate to much of the content.
Feeling quite sad as this adventure is drawing to an end. So many points of connection for me! To go out rambling over Hampstead Heath and to use their public swimming ponds was a such a gift for my mother and her brothers in their youth, as working-class kids. Love the film and the song “To Sir With Love;” before I was born my mother was briefly a supply teacher in London’s East End. I loved the photo of all the children about to take the barge on Regent’s Canal to the Zoo. I remember The Scaffold’s” Lily the Pink” was a hit while I was in London in 1969, and my mother saw Paul McCartney crossing the street in front of her bus as it went through St. John’s Wood. What a great reference? I hope they appreciated him at his next job in NSW. One of my old schoolmates taught, then became a school principal, and then headed up the education department in NSW. I wonder if they know each other? Really admire the fact that “Will” arranged a working holiday and not only supported himself but did useful work while having a whale of a time.
Did you feel supported by the A-Z team? (The Team: Arlee Bird, J Lenni Dorner, Zalka Csenge Virág, John Holton, Jayden R Vincente, and Ronel Janse van Vuuren.) They are legends the way they work behind the scenes to make the A to Z possible. It is one of the highlights of my year and I would be sad if it didn’t happen. Some also visited and commented on my blog.
Did you like the graphics for this year? I love the colours and designs. They really livened up my posts.
Did you like the A-Z blog’s theme? Being grateful for our blogging community does not directly relate to what I wrote but Will and Phil’s list of What is Happiness comes close.
Did you have a theme on your blog? If so, how did you come up with it? When I met Will he regaled me with the stories you have read in this A to Z. For years I felt they should be recorded for future generations so here they are.
Did you learn anything new because of the A-Z Challenge? I learnt that dictating aerograms into Word was much easier than transcribing them.
Will you consider doing the challenge again next year? I’m tossing around a few thoughts. Doing A to Z’s in my head helps me fall asleep at night.
These are the links to each post in this year’s A to Z
Thank you to all those who read and commented on my topic “The Swinging Sixties”. I tried to comment on as many blogs as I could. Sometimes the comments just vanished or appeared as Anonymous. I will aim to visit everyone I’ve missed on the Road Trip. Hope to see you all again in April 2026!
This is the story of Will and his two friends who sailed to England in 1967 to see the world. Aerogrammes. letters, diaries and postcards help to tell of their adventures in this A to Z.
The Carnival Is Over. The Seekers • 1965 Say goodbye my own true lover As we sing a lovers song How it breaks my heart to leave you Now the carnival is gone
Tuesday 5th August to Tuesday 12th August1969
We rang the Australian Embassy in Athens to enquire about disposal of the car. Because we were flying out of Athens we had to sell the car but it had to be to a non-Greek person. The Embassy said to take the car to Boomerang Motors, owned by Spyro, who had spent a few years in Brisbane. We parked it in the street outside Boomerang Motors and made arrangements for him to sell it.
That gave us time to catch the 3.30 pm ferry to Mykonos. The sea was rough and around us were women dressed in black, some holding chickens tied at the feet. As the waves increased they all started praying which made us think they knew something we didn’t know.
We were glad to arrive at 11pm. Found a room for 30 drachmas at the Youth Hostel with five of us squeezed in together. Mykonos had only just been discovered by the Jetset apparently but everyone we saw was a backpacker. We were directed next morning to a nearby beach where about 200 people had rolled out their sleeping bags on the boardwalk after a night of dining and cheap wine. The wine was called Retsina and was particularly unpalatable as it had resin added. The Ouzo wasn’t to our liking either but they had good cold beer called Fix so we regularly decided we “needed a Fix”. We dined on souvlaki and fish and chips and spent our days on the beach and in the water.
Sleeping on the beach in Mykenos
After three nights in the Youth Hostel we joined the sleepers on the beach. Eventually we erected our tents for a bit more privacy. There was constant conversation on the beach as to the best places to go so Jean and I decided on Ios and Milos.
The 9 o’clock boat to Ios finally left at 11.30 pm on Tuesday, 12th August, arriving at 2.30 am. Phil and Beth had departed to other islands as Beth had been very seasick and didn’t want to travel too far. Jean and I slept in our sleeping bags in the square near the harbour of Ios. The next day we travelled by donkey from the tiny port village up the steep road to the main town. Behind us were small children with sticks to encourage the donkeys. I apologised to my donkey at the top as I thought I should have been carrying him! I enquired about accommodation in amongst the whitewashed cottages decked with red geraniums. A couple vacated the main bedroom in their home for us and charged us a ridiculously small amount for bed and a breakfast of goats’ cheese, figs and bread.
Ios was very much off the tourist track with the only car on the island being an early 1950s Chev taxi. When you asked for a coffee you were presented with Turkish coffee, thick and sweet and for us, undrinkable. We had to ask instead for Nescafe (Instant) as there was no espresso coffee on that island. We swam in the crystal clear water and sunbaked on the beaches.
On Friday, 15th August we caught the MV Kanaris to Milos where we camped on the beach with a few others but nothing like the number of people on Mykonos. I bought myself goggles and snorkel and spent my time swimming, talking, sunbaking and eating steak and chips for dinner.
Will snorkelling in Milos
My plan to visit some ruins by bus didn’t eventuate as I developed Gut Rot, so slept all day in between runs.
However the next day we saw an ancient theatre and old catacombs. It was all very interesting but scorching hot. I survived on a diet of cold rice pudding and yoghurt until I was able to eat properly again.
On Wednesday 20th August we left on smooth seas for Piraeus (on the mainland) in the ferry Marylenia. It was a long trip starting at 9.30pm. We arrived at 8am the next day, had breakfast in a café and read the news. I also rang Spyro to see if the car was sold but to my concern no progress had been made. We only had a few days before we were flying out of Athens. It had to be sold or we couldn’t leave! At 11 am we took a boat to Aegina and camped near the beach. Here we hired bikes, swam in the warm water and ate free melon.
Will and Jean on a bicycle built for two
On Friday 22nd August we caught a bus to Agihia Marina Beach where we hired floats, snorkelled and swam in beautiful clear water, eating souvlakis and fruit.
Agihia Marina Beach
Regretfully we returned to Athens, met up with Phil and Beth and set off to see Spyro. We were disheartened to see the Morris parked where we left it, covered in dust. While we were arguing with Spyro, a newly arrived Aussie walked in the door looking for a car. I grabbed him and convinced him that ours was the car he needed to get to London. I still had a stamp on my passport to say I owned a car (it was in my name) so Spyro took us to the Customs Department where a long, snaking queue indicated we were not the only people in this predicament. A loud American voice was complaining about the inefficiency of the Greek Customs Department. Spyro moved to the front of the line with a brown paper bag which he placed on the counter and was served immediately. I walked past the astonished American and had my passport sorted in no time at all.
Unless you read Greek the only recognisable writing is MORRIS and the dates 2/8/69 and 27/8/69
Jean and I moved into the Hotel Grand Britannia for a little bit of luxury after roughing it for so long. It was much newer than the Olympic and had proper bathrooms and showers. We spent the last few days exploring Athens, enjoying tavernas, watching the changing of the guard and of course climbing the Acropolis and posing in front of various parts of the Parthenon.
On the last night before the girls flew back to England the four of us ate at a rooftop restaurant in the balmy air, the meal starting at 10 o’clock, as no one ate before then. The next day I moved out of the Britannia and back into the Olympic with Phil. We must have talked late into the night because it was with alarm that I woke around 9 o’clock the next morning, realising we were flying out at 11 am.
It was frantic! We grabbed bags, hailed a taxi and said, “The Airport”. We happened to get a taxi driver who couldn’t speak English so eventually he pulled up beside another driver and spoke briefly. “Domestic or International?” asked the other driver.
“International”, we yelled in unison. The driver did a “Uey” and headed in the right direction this time. We flew through the airport doors, saw the Qantas office and breathed a sigh of relief. I waved my passport but noticed Phil was searching through his bags and pockets with a worried look on his face.
“Must have left it in the hotel,” he muttered.
“What is the name of the hotel?” asked the Qantas officer.
In a panic Phil said, “Olympus, Olympic, I’m not sure”
The officer calmly rang a number, spoke in Greek, presumably asking the hotel to check the room. We could hear “Bravo” on the other end of the phone. They found not only Phil’s passport in the drawer but a pair of trousers as well. They put it all in a taxi and we waited anxiously at the steps of the airport. I said to Phil, “Don’t worry, if we miss this one we can get another one tomorrow” but our hearts were beating wildly.
A taxi came careering around the corner, a pair of trousers waving from the window. The driver was rewarded, doors were held open, the steps moved from the plane the minute we reached the top. We hadn’t finished buckling our belts when the plane roared down the runway.
We both ordered a cold Fosters, a chess set and sat back, relaxed at last.
Phil said, “What are we doing mate? We are leaving the best life we have ever had!”
It was too late to turn back. In the unknown future there would be work, further study, promotions, marriage, mortgages, children and responsibility. There would never be another time where life would be so carefree and wonderful again.
This is the story of Will and his two friends who sailed to England in 1967 to see the world. Aerogrammes. letters, diaries and postcards help to tell of their adventures in this A to Z.
“Goodbye” Mary Hopkin • 1969 Please don't wake me up too late, tomorrow comes And I will not be late Late today when it becomes tomorrow I will leave to go away
6th August 1969
It’s about 10 days since I last wrote from London and a lot has happened since then. We took the giant hovercraft from Dover to France. We then drove and drove through Belgium, Luxembourg and France arriving in Strasbourg at 11.00 am on the 28th. Then on through the Black Forest, camping near Munich.
The southern part of Germany was very pretty around Bavaria where we camped one night on a site near a large lake. As the weather was very hot we had a few stops for swimming. In Munich we visited the famous Hofbrauhaus, a huge beer hall which serves litres of beer. There seem to be lots of works going on around the city as preparations for the 1972 Olympics are underway.
From there we drove through Salzburg in Austria, reaching the Yugoslav border at 2.00 am. We kept driving to 5.00am. Dawn was by a river where we lit a fire and cooked savs and beans.
Austria was just the way I had imagined it with its high mountains and fertile green valleys, green lakes and the chalet type houses. The roads were very good all the way except when we decided to make a diversion from Zagreb in Yugoslavia down to the coast which I had seen before but the other three hadn’t.
Phil and Jean cooking by the roadside in Yugoslavia
We arrived at the beautiful Plitvice Lakes in a thunderstorm. We then continued over mountains on bad roads to Kavlobag on the coast where rooms were 9 shillings each. The roads just about disappeared eventually and a bulldozer had to remake part of the road before we could get through but the old Morris carried on regardless. The next day we set off along the bad coast road to Zadar.
I have never seen so many smashes in my life before as we saw along that 500 miles of winding mountainous road, some caused by rock falls and some by the road but others simply by careless driving. In parts there was no safety rail and a 400 foot drop to the sea. We were beginning to wonder when our turn was due. We struck some particularly rough roads as we climbed back over the mountain ranges at almost 7000 feet and it was no fun meeting a huge lorry with a four wheel trailer behind. Nevertheless the car survived that too except for shaking the exhaust loose so that we had to wire it up.
Arrived 1pm at Split and camped in the car. Heavy rain proved that the tent leaks! Passed Dubrovnik at 5am over the mountain pass to Titograd (now called Podgorica, the capital city of Montenegro Ed.). Swam in fjord (the Bay of Kotot Ed). Drove all night on rough mountain roads 6,600 feet high. Got lost but found Pec, Yugoslavia eventually. In the town market we fascinated the locals as they had rarely seen tourists. The central southern part of Yugoslavia around Skopje where the earthquake wrecked the city and killed all the people a few years back had a very strong Turkish influence. However, none of the women had the veils covering their face as the communist regime has made this illegal.
We got a blowout in a tunnel not long before the Greek border so drove the last 500 miles on the spare.
We arrived in Greece at 5pm (Thessalonika) and drove all night along the motorway through Greece. Short sleep, breakfast and a swim in the Aegean. Arrived in Athens at 10.30am.
The last two to three days we’ve spent in Athens which seems very interesting. Fortunately many people seem to speak English which is just as well as this Greek language is very difficult, not to speak, but to read and write because of the different alphabet. Our hotel there was quite OK, nine and six pence a night and the food in the restaurants is good and cheap. Peaches, tomatoes, melons, cucumbers etc are very low priced and the beer is excellent.
This is the story of Will and his two friends who sailed to England in 1967 to see the world. Aerogrammes. letters, diaries and postcards help to tell of their adventures in this A to Z.
“To Sir with Love” Lulu • 1967 The time has come For closing books and long last looks must end And as I leave I know that I am leaving my best friend
Tomorrow is the last half term of teaching in England. Rather a sad thought in many ways. There are five weeks of school now and then I go to camp for a week which I’m rather looking forward to as camp is great fun and very comfortable. Then only two weeks more school and we shall leave on the following Sunday for the continent.
Our kids from school boarding a canal boat to take them to the zoo.
We have already booked our flight across the channel on the hovercraft which carries 32 cars and 180 passengers in seas up to 12 feet high taking only 35 minutes for the crossing. It’s reasonably cheap as well at only £2.15 shillings each including the car amongst 4. Hope to take a little less than a week pottering down to Greece. I shall book my flight out of Athens about the 27th of August and can have two stops before Sydney probably one of either Istanbul, Tel Aviv, Beirut, Baghdad, Kuwait or Bahrain. Which would you choose? I think I’ll steer clear of Israel and the Arab countries. Don’t feel like getting in the middle of a war.
As I’m applying for a teaching position in NSW this week I may know my appointment before I arrive back as NSW House in the Strand here deals directly with Bridge Street Department of Education. I will finalise flight bookings this week as well.
Have you seen any good home units on the South Sydney side around Cronulla or Port Hacking way? That should do me fine.
I witnessed the Lloyd’s Register of Shipping for the Deputy’s NJL last week signed and sealed. Would have been a regular crew for him if I’d stayed in England for the launching on the 27th of July. Too bad. Tell Jack to write and tell me what’s a good buy in new cars and Australian prices. For example MG. What deposit? Expect I’ll have about £600 to £800 deposit to put down. What price also Cortina1600 over there?
Raining here now but I’m off to bed anyway. Stag party tomorrow night for ex-flatmate who gets married on Saturday so will need all my energy as there’s a pub crawl of some West End pubs. I think I’ll surrender after two or three, and save on it. Keith now married (in Canada), rest his soul. Shall close. Hope all’s well. Write soon.
I haven’t been to school this week, a forced holiday this time as I haven’t been too good. Not sure whether it’s flu or tonsillitis. Any rate I’m on penicillin and feeling a bit better today. Maybe back to school tomorrow. I enjoyed looking at the pics of the Fairsea again- brought back some happy memories and good to read the Sharpie Newsletter to get up to date. I’ve got Phil ginned up on sailing here now. He wants to get a boat when he gets back or crew at least.
Jean and I took some kids from our classes up to the Heath on Saturday for a picnic and a swim. The kids loved it. Half of them have never ever been allowed to run on grass before. Some of these underprivileged London kids grow up without half the things that other kids take for granted. The Deputy Principal here will be boss in August as Heppel retires and the word is I would have got to be Deputy or Assistant Principal. (Surprised me a bit but reckon I could maybe run the place a bit better than it is at present). However, I’m resigning all the same and have applied for the NSW Department for September.
Boys playing football after school
Had a pleasant weekend a short while back when four of us drove out of London down to the coast in the car. It was a bit cool for camping so we dropped in for a beer at a pub that Jean’s cousin owns not far from Battle (popular with visitors since 1066). The Three Cups it was called. It was so nice and we were made so welcome we stayed all weekend giving a hand to run the place and all. The pub was built about 1520 and has oak beams just above head height and is full of antiques and old fireplaces. Really a great spot in the country.
The Three Cups situated between Heathfield and Battle. Originally at the junction of three streams – a cup being an old Sussex word for the source of a stream- the Inn is noted for its wealth of oak beams and original chimney corners with Duck’s Nest fire baskets.
Last Friday I played squash with one of the blokes from the rugby club who is a research chemist at the Cancer Research Fund, one of the largest centres in the world for research into cancer and he showed me around. Very interesting. We played squash in the Royal College of Surgeons next door. All very snobby, complete with a little Porter to usher you in, welcome and farewell you and all that.
We’ve had 10 days of beautiful warm sunshine but it’s gone cool again now. Have a light brown suntan from swimming in open air pools after school. Hope the weather improves for Wimbledon Fortnight which is only a few days off now.
c/- Commonwealth Bank of Australia,48 Aldwych London WC 2. 02/07/1969
I’m just discovering there are lots of things to do at the last moment and with all the farewells and social things as well I expect I’m going to be in a mad rush at the last. I have my ticket did I tell you? Leave Athens at night on the 27th of August to Tehran, Persia 20 hours there and BOAC to Hong Kong for four days arrive Sydney 9:30 am Tuesday the 2nd of September by Qantas. All of that is OK. Only have to make sure the mighty Morris makes the 2000 miles to Athens. It’s going well at present and we’ll give it an overhaul before we leave so should be alright.
I’m going to camp this Saturday with the kids for a week. Good place to save money. All free meals, waitress service, private room with shower etc so should be a good holiday and very cheap. Asked the boss for a reference today and he told me to write my own for him but that’s not my idea of clover. We have been following Wimbledon closely and went down the other day there for three hours but it’s all on TV direct so quite good to watch. The Aussies are really killing them except for Marge. Had my photo in the Observer on Sunday. it’s a large circulating newspaper, with a magazine in the middle. I’m in there, large picture and all, downing my pint. Will send you a copy.
Had dinner out in a nice little Austrian restaurant “Eidelveiss” the other evening. Very good food . Spent last Friday at the sports ground where our kids really thrashed the other schools and some of these African kids are born athletes. One kid, Sylvester Okimo (Kenyan) shattered the record and left the other kids standing.
Saw the Scaffold Group and Paul McCartney’s brother, Mike McGear (Lily the Pink), get off the train at Houston the other evening while waiting to meet someone. London is a great place for spotting famous people standing next to you often unnoticed.
c/- Commonwealth Bank of Australia,48 Aldwych, London WC 2. 15/07/1969
Hello, received your card today, Dad and your letter, Mum, just before I went to camp. All final arrangements seemed to be sorting themselves out adequately and I sent off two suitcases crammed to the brim with clothes and junk a couple of days ago. Threw out all or most of my old clothes including my duffle coat (heartbreaking it was). They will cost £12 and we’ll arrange to pick them up in Sydney. The car is having its final adjustments and we’ll give it a trial run by taking it 200 miles up to St Helens on the weekend as the girls have to get a few things and say goodbye to their families before they go.
Only just another week of school after that, break up on the Friday and leave on the Sunday morning July 27th and should be in France that night.
The weather here has been glorious for the last week, temperatures in the 80s. “London swelters in heat wave” and have a reasonable suntan. Shaved my beard into a moustache and sideburns just for laughs but after camp also shaved that off too so I’m back to normal again. Camp was a pleasant change, certainly better than school and we had a few trips out by coach but mostly by walking as there are some enjoyable country walks down there. One of them took us to a strawberry farm which was truly old England. Strawberries were one and six a pound. Never thought I’d want another strawberry again. They’re still very cheap in London even now and tasty with cream and or ice cream.
School’s fine. I have my reference and have sent it but no word yet from NSW Education Department in reply. They’re a rude lot. No wonder they can’t get enough teachers. With a bit of luck they won’t get me either.
The Reference (Will did not have to write it himself)
14th of July 1969
Mr. William Price has been a member of the staff of this school since February 1967. He came to the school on his arrival in England from Australia and very quickly settled down to teaching in what was to him, entirely strange surroundings. He found here a multi-racial school with many children who were also having to adjust their lives to working in a strange community and one with different methods from what they had known in their countries of origin. Many of these children did not even remember their parents as they had been left behind when Mother came to England. By his sympathetic handling of these youngsters, he was quickly accepted by them as a friend as well as their teacher.
Mr Price’s work in the school has been of a consistently high standard and he has been quick to adapt new methods and techniques to his class teaching. He has also shown ability to organise and to help younger teachers so that I was pleased to put him in charge of the second-year group of classes. He has assisted in the out of school activities, football, cricket and swimming and this year he organised the junior section of the school sports. He also took charge for one week of the boys at Marchant’s Hill Rural Centre where the children live together and do their work away from the school. He is a conscientious teacher, thorough in all he does and a loyal and helpful colleague. We are all very sorry that he’s leaving us and wish him every success in his career in Australia. Any school which has Mr Price on its staff is indeed fortunate. He is a most helpful pleasant and friendly member of the staff.
C/- QANTAS Cnr Metropoleos and Nikis Streets, Athens, Greece. 29/07/1969
This will have to be a quick letter as will be leaving in an hour or so. Car is loaded to brim and all things seem to be sorted out. Have had a fairly hectic week with last minute preparation and last minute drinks with all so we’ll need the holidays for the rest.
Staff gave me a great book by Paul Elvstrom on “Expert Dinghy and Keelboat Racing” worth 70 shillings here and much dearer in Australia so a good and useful souvenir.
A little worn around the edges after 57 years
Had dinner out a couple of days this week at an Indian restaurant and at the Swiss Cottage. I shall miss all my friends on the staff otherwise. The Poms are a great lot really.
Went on a clothes buying spree on Thursday night (late night shopping) and bought a new suit for 24 Guineas, a T shirt for £5 (Italian) and a T- shirt for 10 shillings. It’s a beauty, good value as all the sales have commenced in Oxford Street.
I have a job in NSW, $3,200 per annum until they recognise my service here and then another rise. Don’t know where until interview about 4th of September. That’s it for now. Write to Athens.
This is the story of Will and his two friends who sailed to England in 1967 to see the world. Aerogrammes. letters, diaries and postcards help to tell of their adventures in this A to Z.
“We Gotta Get Out Of This Place” The Animals • 1965 We gotta get out of this place If it's the last thing we ever do We gotta get out of this place 'Cause girl, there's a better life for me and you
Main news is the axe has fallen tax wise and as well I’m paying superannuation of £10 a month. I expect this will be rebated but not the double tax I have to pay. Handed in my resignation today. Dates from end of August. Will be paid summer holiday pay here almost till I start work in Aussie. Seems strange to be leaving. I’m doing pretty well on a reasonably tight budget at present but don’t expect I’ll save enough for spending money on the way home so will send home for £100 (about AU$207) in July as two of my pays won’t be credited to my account before I leave.
Will probably leave England the first day of the hols, 26th of July and drive through France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Austria, Yugoslavia and then to Athens in Greece where will spend a week, more or less dispose of the car and get a boat out to a Greek Island. The girls are coming with us and we will probably camp most of the time. We may stay at an occasional pensione in Greece. Expect will fly out of Athens on a Qantas flight about the 27th of August as that is when Jean and Beth are flying back to England on a student charter flight. From there we’ll spend four to five days in Bangkok, Thailand and do a spot of shopping if I have any brass left. We will arrive in Sydney round about 1st, 2nd, 3rd of September I think. Haven’t booked any flights yet so these are all tentative dates. Will go into Piccadilly on Saturday and book these and to the Strand to NSW House to apply to the good old NSW Education Department (bless their despotic, authoritarian, little minds). School starts in NSW on the 9th of September. I may know by then which school I’m appointed to. If it happens to be a one teacher country school in Western Division I’ll just write and tell them to… and I’ll go to Canada, South Africa or some other place.
Our Beer Festival was a Rip-roaring success with about 12,000 people there. I was in one of the team races. You had to empty a pint of free beer and then put the glass upside down on your head to show there were no dregs left. It was one of our rugby teams versus some civilians. We won but didn’t get into the final (time too slow). I served on the bar for four hours (more free beer) while the brass band played in the afternoon (Royal Guards) and they were tremendous as were two pop groups later in the evening. I don’t know how much beer was consumed yet but it was all on BBC News.
Only a week and a half till our Whit holiday. Jean and I are going to the Isle of Wight and will check out the yachts on the Solent and at Cowes. Weather is definitely warming up so we’ll probably camp. It’s cheaper and also check out some people we know.
Still have my beard which saves shaving of a morning. Doesn’t look too bad at all but probably shave it off in Greece unless I have a change of mind. Keith gets married 31st of May in Canada.
POSTCARD
31/05/1968
Hello, arrived back in London yesterday with a good beginning to a suntan. Now looking much healthier after having spent a few days on the beach. Came back by hovercraft across the Solent into Portsmouth and had another look over the Victory (Nelson’s ship) in the Navy yards as Jean hadn’t seen it before. School again on Monday, unfortunately.
Postcard view from Royal Yacht squadron and Cowes Castle
Suntan hasn’t faded much yet and I’m still a bit surprised at having got one during our very cheap midterm holiday on the Isle of Wight. The whole trip cost only £7 for six days inclusive of everything as we hitched down then camped and Youth Hostelled. Ate well, had a few trips on boats from canoes to hovercraft and hitched back. Saw the QE 2 in the Solent. What a fantastic ship she is. I would love to go on a cruise on that. Spent a few days on the beach at Ryde and Freshwater and the countryside is very pleasant and green down there. Weather was a bit variable and we slept one night in a bus shed but the rain started blowing in about 4:00 am. Fun all the same.
This is the story of Will and his two friends who sailed to England in 1967 to see the world. Aerogrammes. letters, diaries and postcards help to tell of their adventures in this A to Z.
“Sunny Afternoon” The Kinks • 1966 The tax man's taken all my dough And left me in my stately home Lazin' on a sunny afternoon And I can't sail my yacht He's taken everything I got All I've got's this sunny afternoon
It was Spring over here five days ago but today is the first sunshine we’ve had for a while. Not much snow or rain, just grey skies and a couple of windy days. Very depressing. However we should be on the downhill run towards some warmer weather shortly. It’s only three more school days to our Easter holidays. No work from the 1st of April to the 21st so that doesn’t sound like punishment. Haven’t decided what I’m doing yet but am a bit low on funds so don’t expect it’ll be anything too expensive and the weather not warm enough for anything too outdoorish anyway. Could do with a job but I refuse to work for £14 a week for 40 hours so that’s out. Also I may get down to Portsmouth to have a look at the deputy’s new boat. It’s a 23 foot fibreglass twin bilge-keeler four berth. He doesn’t launch it till July as he’s bought it completely fitted out and delivery dates on these are very prompt.
There has been an Aussie from Melbourne on the staff supply teaching for three to four weeks. He picks up a new Mercedes 220 in Germany in a fortnight £1340 tax free and is driving it around the continent for three months. They’re worth a lot more in Australia. I think if you send the brass Dad I’ll bring you one home or would you prefer a yacht? The prices are very low here and workmanship very high.
A 1969 Mercedes 220
I am looking forward to a few weekends down at Cowes, The Isle of Wight, when the summer comes. It’s really beautiful down there. Having a new clutch put in the mighty Morris on Monday £16 ten shillings and today we got 3 phone bills, one for 10d, one for £8 one for £11. We’re only paying the 1st of course. Well organised, the Poms are.
Next term the teacher teaching in the room next door is to be a Miss Price. Haven’t met her yet but she’s supposed to be young so the kids will think she’s my wife for sure. Have recovered from my rugby injuries after one week out. Teeth are OK now but front one is still slightly chipped – not noticeable. Last week we played Barclays Bank and won 16-3 after being down 3-0 at half time. I scored the first try – makes 7 this season I think. Injuries were a result of hard tackling, not a fight. Fights are generally quite scarce in England. Your opposition is more likely to ask if you’re OK and dust you down than punch you in the nose. Public school tradition and all that crap. Much more civilised then those rough colonials you know.
This Friday is the annual ball which should be a great show, about 500 people at least. The club is very socially active. We saw Nina Simone (I Got Life, To Love Somebody etc) at the Royal Festival last week. She was bloody brilliant. Have seen a few more live plays but one called “Brief Lives” was truly outstanding. I didn’t think I’d stop clapping at the end. Have also just seen the two films which should win all of this year’s Academy Awards. “Lion in Winter”, Peter O’Toole and Katherine Hepburn. (He lives up the street) and “Romeo and Juliet”, both of which are excellent shows.
We had a truly great party here at the girls’ flat a week back. I flaked at 2:30 am but quite a few kicked on to breakfast. Quite a few Aussies here and all mates of Phil and mine but all English girls.
Received your aerogramme and the letter containing newspaper clippings the same day. If you like you can phone me up for my birthday. No, that was just a passing thought. I may be away on holidays and eating very well. The girls are very accomplished cooks, Italian, French, Greek, Spanish, English meals, you name it they cook it. Phil and I have both decided we are not going to Canada for Keith’s passing out ceremony (his wedding).
Today was the first day back at school after the 2 1/2 week Easter hols which were very enjoyable but as usual too short. However work isn’t so bad so can’t complain. Besides it’s only 5 weeks till the Whitsunday midterm hols of one week duration.
The sad news of the month however was my tax letter arriving which means as from this month I have to pay British taxes. Oh! Woe! Can’t say I wasn’t expecting it eventually though even that wouldn’t be so bad except it appears I will have to pay double tax in order to pay back the tax-free year I got 1967 to ’68. No mention of ’68 to ’69 yet. Haven’t decided what course of action to take yet but will at least appeal and claim a lower deduction rate. Failing that I shall threaten to resign as my net pay will be insufficient to live reasonably on. I shall struggle valiantly. Failing this I shall have to resign before August as I don’t intend paying them £400 back tax plus £100 for this year. Not to worry as The Beatles would sing, “We can work it out”.
Yesterday we played the last game of rugby for the season. We can still play 7 aside games if we wish or social matches but think I may retire for this year at least. The weather is getting warmer and some of the grounds were nearly as hard as Aussie ones last week as it’s been three weeks of sunshine and no rain over here. We didn’t go out in a blaze of glory as we were thrashed 24-0 in the last match but over the season the teams I played with won 15, drew two and lost 9. I scored seven tries as centre or winger. Paul hasn’t played the last month as his shoulder has been a “recurrence of old injury” but was still wing for the 1st team at the finish and playing well.
Spent most of the holidays on odd day trips out of London into the country. Spring began with a vengeance, the warmest and sunniest Easter for 43 years. That means they get the next good one in the year 2012. The English countryside is really beautiful at present especially in the Thames Valley where we were on Sunday for a picnic up near Oxford. We spent three days with friends in their country cottages (two thatched Tudor buildings which are luxuriously furnished). I shall send some photos. They are millionaires I think.
You must see “Where Eagles Dare” to see Lloyd who had a job as an extra. A couple of Aussies who used to flat with us are Germans in “The Dirty Dozen.”
Received Jack’s card for my birthday. Thanks, mate. Enjoyed the letter. Will reply later. I got 9 cards for my birthday. How is it I get to like birthday cards now when it didn’t worry me too much before?
I went sailing last week. I hired a boat on Hyde Park Serpentine. Very exciting – brought back the old thrill of the tiller, even if compared to a sharpie it was like a bicycle to an E type. We also hired a row boat and had a picnic, chicken, beer etc out on the lake- very nice.
Knox Johnson arrives tomorrow after his nonstop (sailing) trip around the world and excitement is pretty high here already. Don’t think I’d like to try it. Our beer festival is only three weeks off and looks like being one of the important events of the year in London. They expect 3000 people and are flying in the Munich World Beer Drinking Champions with national press and TV coverage. It looks like being a great show. I have to serve beer for one hour or so. We had free beer at the club the other night while heats were held for a yard of ale (old English tradition) in the fastest time but I didn’t fancy drenching my new shirt like some of the others. You will be pleased to hear, Mum, I’ve had a haircut. Jean gave me one last night. I grew a beard over the holidays, a yachtie type one and caused a mild stir when I wore it to school today but since the boss has a moustache and the deputy has a beard it wasn’t quite so unusual.
Had lunch the other day at Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese which is a really old pub of Fleet Street with sawdust on the floor etc rebuilt in 1667 as it was burnt down in the Great Fire of London. We also had a day in Kent and revisited Canterbury and saw the spot where Thomas a Becket was murdered in the Cathedral and checked out Kings School. They have the Crest of the Parramatta one there too as an old boy of Kings Canterbury founded the one in Australia along the same lines.
Looking back on our trip to Portugal Phil and I spent many hours discussing life and came up with the following definitions of “Happiness”. We have gradually been adding to it ever since.
Happiness:
is a good giggle
is a cigar, a Scotch and a White Christmas
is NYE in Edinburgh with a bird
is pizza fungi (mushroom)
is sliding down the face of a gently curling wave
is the discovery of the difference between the sexes
is a newly ironed shirt
is clean underwear neatly stacked in the drawer
is your mother
is clean fangs (teeth)
is 3 bottles of Cerveja while lying on the beach
is salt on your tomato and onion roll
is thinking of the good things about home
is the excitement of a yacht race
is any sort of sport
is being young
is 80 degrees Fahrenheit in a wispy breeze
is no shave for two days
is a shave after 7 days
is ice cream and blackberry crumble
is a carefree existence
is a Beatles LP
is a Scotch, tonic and ice
is Sunday morning’s newspaper
is Friday afternoon at 4:00 pm
is Sunday night’s BBQ (in Australia after sailing)
is a big feed, good company, 2 bottles of red wine
is a European summer
is an English pub
is an English miniskirt
is a game of squash
is a Guinness
is a game of chess
is a school holiday
is a hot shower
is a good cup of tea
is a cold Fosters
is a belly full of fresh fruit
is 2 years in Pom
is a good suntan
is a Sharpie (sailing boat) on a screaming three quarter
This is the story of Will and his two friends who sailed to England in 1967 to see the world. Aerogrammes. letters, diaries and postcards help to tell of their adventures in this A to Z.
"I Got Life" Hair (Musical) •. 1967 I got life, mother I got laughs, sister I got freedom, brother I got good times, man
I got crazy ways, daughter I got million-dollar charm, cousin I got headaches and toothaches And bad times too Like you
St Helens 02/01/1969
I’m still alive and living like a king up here in Saint Helens where I spent my first White Christmas. We motored up on Christmas Eve. It’s about 200 miles from London in the county of Lancashire which is referred to as the North not the Midlands. However, it only took four hours including stops as these motorways (expressways) are really top class, very fast and very safe and even the old Morris came up at 65 mph most of the way.
Phil is staying with Beth’s parents and I am with Jean’s. Make no mistake about the Poms. They don’t go without too much in this world. The standard of living here is quite high in most respects and I’m being very well looked after. My bedroom is about the size of the lounge and dining room at home in Wollongong added together and the houses generally are large and tastefully furnished. On Christmas Eve the girls had booked us in for dinner at a hotel in Southport, a seaside resort 20 miles away where I had prawn cocktail and grilled trout etc. They shouted!
I’ve certainly been doing some eating up here and can recommend the turkey, pheasant and prawns which seem in unending abundance. Aussie’s seem much rarer up here than in London and are also reasonably popular. We’ve been to some good parties- all grog supplied and some of the cocktail cabinets would put a lot of pubs to shame with their selection of French and Italian wines, spirits and liqueurs. We also did very well on the gift front much to our surprise as Christmas gift giving seems a big thing here, much more so than in Australia, so as I sipped my Cointreau and smoked my cigars (I got a box for Christmas) I reflected on the good life.
Saint Helens is built around or because of the Pilkington Glass Company which is huge. It was started here in 1850 and Lord Pilkington just about owns the town and half of Lancashire too, I think. Jean’s father worked for them for 50 years till he retired a couple of years ago. We went to see the League on Boxing Day, Saint Helens (red and white equals the Saints) versus Wigan. A great match and the standard seems very high. Many of the players I’d seen play before as five were (and still are) England representatives. The match however had to be abandoned at half time because the ground had frozen solid. The goalkicker couldn’t dig a hole with his boot in the ground. It was like solid concrete all over.
A bitterly cold day outside but beautiful for drinking Scotch in an armchair in front of a blazing fire. There’s something to be said for the traditional White Christmas, though people here always seem so envious when they hear about Christmas in Australia on the beach. Two days before New Year the four of us decided to go to Edinburgh for the Scottish Hogmanay. New Year is the big thing up there, not Christmas, so we drove the 250 miles in six hours and stayed at the Angus Hotel with our Johnny Walker White Horse, Bacardi Rum and Lager. We celebrated in fine style (soberer than most Scots) and joined in with Burns “Auld Lang Syne”, the streets swarming with happy people.
Well tomorrow we will have to be heading back to London as we play rugby on Saturday. I’ve had four wins in a row now.
Happy New Year. Will see you this year I think. 1969!
Well, Mom, received your letter this morning, the first I had since before Christmas and received your letter from Papua 3 days ago, Dad. It certainly sounded all right out there. I wouldn’t have minded it at all. I had numerous Christmas cards from lots of people but notice a marked predominance of scenes and pictures of Australia on them. Why is this do you think? Did very well on the Christmas front here. I collected some Pearl cufflinks, a Wedgewood coffee mug and Aries the Ram coffee mug, after shave, talc etc mostly from girlfriends and also received an LP recording of “The Graduate” soundtrack in the mail a couple of days ago from Cilla who I haven’t seen for a couple of months.
Christmas present from Cilla
In half an hour I’m supposed to be at the Rugby Club. We’re playing at Harpenden about 25 miles north of London. Tonight we’re going to a party near Regents Park, a friend of Jean’s. Went to the Boat Show this week and spied on “Superdocious”, the gold medal winning boat.
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious or Superdocious for short, was sailed by Rodney Pattisson and Iain Macdonald-Smith to Gold Medal victory in the 1968 Olympic Games. They won a record–breaking 6 out of 7 races, and used the trapeze, a device which had in earlier years been banned as unsporting. Photo from National Maritime Museum, Cornwall.
Also saw “Lively Lady” (Sir Alec Rose’s around the world yacht). On a huge harbour built for the exhibition were floating some of the most beautiful craft. Certainly, had a better New Year this year than last. Weather still pretty cold here but no more snow thank God.
However the rugby was cancelled but the previous week we continued our winning run with a 24-3 over Regent Street Polytechnic (I scored a try). We play Charing Cross Hospital this week out in the country so now hope the snow keeps off. Phil’s team had a bad defeat but he didn’t get dropped from the firsts and plays on the wing this week instead of the centre. I’m playing centre at present which is much better than the wing but things are quite competitive these days as there are a lot of new players all trying to get a game.
Received £16 back pay last week after a pay rise and also will receive 3 rises in April making about £3 a week more pay. Have heard nothing about our tax yet and are keeping our fingers crossed. Car is going OK again now as we’ve spent £40 on a new battery, starter motor, brakes and a few other minor details and £17 on a new mud guard.
Only another week and we get a week’s holiday (9 days for midterm break). We only have one hour 10 minutes for lunch now, so manage a counter lunch at a pub once a fortnight with a pint of bitter. Nice to get away from all the noise during midday. Boss announced he’s retiring in July. He turns 60 then. Can’t decide whether to run for deputy but I’m going to camp with the kids for a week in June/ July. It’s great there in the English countryside. That’s it for now. Keep the letters rolling. See you after the last.
Hello, I received your letter this morning, Mum. It only took four days to get here so that’s not bad going. I’m just sitting around at the moment playing records as the weather looks a bit grey and cold outside. There’s no school for a week -midterm hols and I need the rest after a hectic weekend anyway. Last night there was a folk singing night at the club which was very good and the bar did good business on the Fosters Lager (Melbourne beer) which is sold for three shillings a can (expensive). It’s sort of the in drink with the Poms at the rugger club. The clubhouse is actually an old church hall once used for sea training cadets and has been fixed up along the same lines so has bags of atmosphere. On Saturday two teams from Paris came over for the international match and so we had a huge show at the club with a banquet and discotheque at night, all of which was a sensational success.
Jean speaks fluent French so I was able to have a chat with the Frogs in my high school French with Jean’s assistance.
I spent £182.00, that is $310 Australian yesterday, on a plane ticket valid from April till the 31st of August with Qantas Pace Setter flight under 25 years old. Allows two stops, one in Europe and the other in Asia. These will probably be Greece for about four weeks and Bangkok or Hong Kong for one or two weeks. Didn’t have to buy my ticket this early but figured on taking it out of the bank in case the tax man got any ideas. Bank account now looks a bit of a sad story but should recover sufficiently once these pay rises come through.
Had a bit of a shock the other evening. As we were walking up to the Swiss Cottage for dinner we heard a skid and turned to see a bloke get hurled up in the air by an MG travelling about 40 mph. I was first on the scene. He was alive but a bit bashed about the head and a broken leg, I think, so I dialled 999 for an ambulance. Then put a bit of a bandage on his head. Left Jean a bit shaken and didn’t do anything for my appetite either. Nevertheless, recovered sufficiently later to down rump steak and wine in pleasant surroundings as I came to the conclusion he would live anyway.
The snow seems to have all gone now which is a pity because it looked really beautiful under the orange street lamps and over the cars, the Georgian houses in our street and the parks with trees devoid of leaves – just looked like scenes from Christmas cards minus Santa Claus. We celebrated pancake day on Shrove Tuesday by making pancakes here at the flat- the girls’ recipe but when I threw mine in the air the first time it missed the pan and landed on the floor. Just a matter of practise and I’m as good as a veteran.
I haven’t played rugby for the last three weeks mainly due to the weather but we play on Regent’s Park on Saturday so I’m going swimming, playing squash and to football training in the next couple of weeks to get a bit fitter.
Went out for dinner at a very atmospheric little French restaurant (La Gaffe) in Hampstead. Very fashionable – was recommended in Good Places to Eat in London and had a fantastic meal. Prawn cocktail, chicken done in brandy (Poulet de Brittany Hochepot) with the good red Beaujolais wine. It was Jean’s shout. Good to spend about two hours over a meal with the little personal attentive service in pleasant surroundings. Michael Caine the actor was about 3 tables further up! It only cost £4.10 shillings for two including wine which is pretty reasonable for a first-class meal.
Our car is needing a new clutch at the moment. Looks like a bit more money. Still it’s too convenient to sell. Thanks for the letter and all the news.
This is the story of Will and his two friends who sailed to England in 1967 to see the world. Aerogrammes. letters, diaries and postcards help to tell of their adventures in this A to Z.
“I've Just Got to Get a Message to You” Bee Gees •. 1968 I've just got to get a message to you Hold on, hold on One more hour and my life will be through Hold on, hold on
Extract from Diary
Monday 9th September 1968
Back to school class 2C. 33 in class, good kids, a few staff changes.
Tuesday 10th
Staying with Italian family in Cricklewood, comfy accommodation £1 per night bed and breaky.
Wednesday 11th
Played squash
Thursday 12th Saw movie “Wait until Dark”. Gripping. Great!
Saturday 14th To Southampton with Osterley playing second grade for Magpies. Lost 22-3 Played Trojans.
Sunday 15th Saw “The Graduate” again- a very good film.
Tuesday 17th Moved into flat 29 B Jeffries St Camden Town. Unpacked.
Basement flat (below street level) in Camden Town Recent picture from Apple Maps
My biggest problem at the moment is that I’m aching from A-hole to breakfast time from yesterday’s game of Rugby, so much so it’s difficult to write. It just shows how out of condition I really am, even after all the squash and one previous game of rugger. We will start training seriously this week though, at the Swiss Cottage gymnasium, so should be fit soon as it was our first game with a new club (Hampstead).
We played down at Greenwich (0° longitude) but our home grounds will be Regents Park and Highgate where Dick Whittington turned and came back to London.
Have just come back from the cinema where we saw “Girl on a Motorcycle” with Marianne Faithful which to say the least was “broad minded”. Last week saw the film “Nobody Runs Forever” with Rod Taylor, which is about the Australian High Commissioner in London who is to be arrested by an Australian detective (Taylor). It’s a very good show and Taylor does a perfect Australian accent but a lot of the Pom’s missed some of the comments.
Cilla has finished at Essendine and starts next year as an Air Hostess with B.O.A.C. Meanwhile she is teaching English in Venice and Paris to fill in time.
Flat here is OK and we could fix it up into a great bachelor pad if we were staying but alas I suppose I must leave swinging London someday. Pleased to hear about everyone resigning from the NSW Education Department and the strike might make those silly apes up in Bridge St start treating teachers like human beings. School is all right here and I’m enjoying work. Have a good class and we’re very busy with the project at the moment called “Man, How You’ve Changed’.
Wouldn’t mind joining you in New Guinea, Dad, for the sailing. It’s supposed to be an interesting place to visit too.
Ringing home with kid’s artwork on the wall behind
Well it’s 12:30 am on Saturday morning and 35 minutes ago (Friday night 11:55 pm) I rang you up, Mum and it was absolutely great to talk to you even if for only three minutes. It only took me about 45 minutes to get through and when I heard your phone ringing and you saying hello I was very excited. The line was very clear and it’s amazing to think someone 12,000 miles away could come through so clearly. I can remember the conversation quite well but imagine taking you by surprise like that startled you a bit. I asked you what time it was over there. 9:00 am Saturday morning was it? and how you were but didn’t get a reply. Suppose the surprise was a bit much. Reckon I’d have been the same if you’d have got through here earlier in the week. What’s this about me losing my Australian accent? Not true. I didn’t have any trouble recognising you over the phone.
Extract from Diary
Rang mum in Australia £1 per minute 12:00 pm here and 9:00 am Saturday morning in Wollongong. Really great to hear mum again. Hard to convince her it was me.
It’s a bit hard imagining Dad going sailing again over there especially since every day gets just a bit more chilly here. Autumn has at last arrived and the leaves are flooding the foot paths now although it’s still not cold enough by any means to wear a coat outside.
Today Phil and I play “rugger” with the 5th grade side. We play Footscray in Kent which sounds a long way away but is only about 20 miles. England’s a pretty small place. The team we play for at Hampstead are a very enthusiastic lot being a reformed club with well over 100 players. They were first formed just over 100 years ago. They supply us with new jerseys and shorts from next week.
Will is in the back row, 4th from the left
All’s well otherwise over here in Swinging London but reckon on writing to Canada for a job beginning in the new year. Six months only over there should be enough. Had a letter from Keith who has bought a Ford van and is touring the US at Christmas. Don’t know very clearly what he’s up to after that. He seems a bit rapt in some Canadian bird, Miss Port Alberni, he reckons she is, but we should set him pretty straight when we see him.
Thursday night here and I’m just getting a chance to reply to your letter. I was supposed to be going to rugby training tonight at the gym but caught up on some sleep instead. Should have trained I suppose as I got promoted this week to the “A” team third grade side and as we have eight sides plus reserves now the competition is very keen. Played at Luton 30 miles north last week for the 5ths and were beaten 15-3. I had numb toes all the game as it was a pretty cold day. An Aussie played for us who had just flown over from Brisbane. Great to hear that unadulterated, broad drawl again. The cold weather was a bit of a shock to him. Phil is still playing first grade and going very well from all reports.
The news report just said Miss Australia won the Miss World Title – something of a surprise! It was live on TV. Imagine! Everyone dashed up after training to see it at the pub. Have been out a few times this week. Took the birds to a play called “The Secretary Bird” starring Kenneth Moore (Douglas Bader) which was a really hilariously good play. An Aussie bird played the title role.
I just discovered that the pub, the Old Bull and Bush about which the song was written is one of our locals, a nice old pub at Hampstead which is a lovely part of London on the hill near a large heath with old houses, shops and pubs but pretty expensive. On Sunday we drove out of London. Car is still running well and inexpensively down to Southend on Sea (Sarfend) for the afternoon and had dinner at the girls’ flat. They sure know how to cook ! Chicken cooked in wine with mushrooms plus three other courses and French wine! Not bad.
Bobbies certainly are a polite breed here. Pulled up outside the bank in the strand on Saturday in a “No Standing” area and the constable said, “Leave it there while you go into the bank, Sir. I’ll keep an eye on it for you”. Makes you want to co-operate with the police.
I did hear of Wollongong’s bushfires. There was a small paragraph in the papers here and a little more about it in the Australian newsletter. Must have been pretty terrible. I wouldn’t mind some Australian magazines, Women’s Weekly and even some Daily Telegraphs. Could you send them seamail? They’re sent reasonably cheaply this way.
Have been to see a few good new films lately and at the theatre saw a new play called “40 Years On” which was quite good, starring Sir John Gielgud who was very convincing. I saw the film “Till Death Us Do Part” and since I hadn’t seen any of the TV series I quite enjoyed it. Alf Garnett certainly got some publicity in the local papers over here over the Marrickville incident. The way it was reported here it made a lot of people round that way seem a bit prudish or something.
It’s the last time I’ll play Alf says Warren
Sydney Wednesday – Warren Mitchell said goodbye to Australia and Alf Garnett in his farewell appearance at Chequers Nightclub. Mitchell, the 43-year-old television star who has been the centre of a controversy following his use of four letter words at the Marrickville Returned Servicemen’s Leagues Club over the weekend finished his last show in Australia with three encores from a packed house at the downtown Sydney nightclub.
In a curtain speech he toasted the citizens of Marrickville and announced to the audience that it was the last time he would play the cynical cockney Alf Garnett. Mitchell was close to tears as he said that he wanted to forget the Marrickville incident in which he was barred from completing his contract of four days because of the language he used. Surrounded by admirers in his dressing room after his last show in Australia he said that he was sick and tired of being confused with the irascible Garnett.
“Alf Garnett is a character that I have portrayed in television. I wish to God that they could forget Alf. Tell them I am a character actor.”
He was greatly disturbed that the Marrickville incident had been reported to London. “My bloody wife read about the story in Knightsbridge!”
Hope those prints I sent arrived. The other lot looked like they’re lost. I wonder how many letters etc I’ve sent that never arrived? Suppose the Australian Post Office would blame it on that sorting machine which chews up the letters. Well, better get some Bo Peep so that I’ll be fit for school tomorrow.
Tonight I’m “sort of” babysitting. Sort of because I haven’t heard or seen “him” since I arrived with instructions to drink up, so have had a few camparis, gin and tonics, Scotch and tonics and rang up Jean to come around as well. There are some good shows on TV so have been very contentedly relaxing. I’m minding Fred for a young English couple who are friends of ours. They have a Georgian style home with very modern furnishings and very well set up. It’s their au pair’s night off so I don’t mind doing them a favour and enjoying myself too. This should be the last letter you’ll get before Christmas. Received your Aussie Christmas card yesterday. Very nice.
We have the Rugby Club Christmas party on Friday and Rugby on Saturday and Sunday to recover and Monday shopping and on Tuesday Christmas Eve we’re going to St Helens for Christmas with Jean and Beth. Will be up there for a few days and a guided tour of Lancashire and may go to Scotland though have to be back for the rugger. Played last week against Port of London Authority on a frozen rock hard ground – pools of solid ice – absolute punishment if you got tackled. We won 15-3. I scored two tries.
Saw “Hair” last night. What a great show! The best thing that’s happened since Corn Flakes. Saw three films at Australia House. One on the 18 footers on the Harbour was tremendous and won a prize at Edinburgh Film Festival. They looked great on a screaming plane.
Extract from Diary
Tuesday 26th November 1968
Record and taping session in flat. Bought “Hair” (36/9).
Phil and I have been taking out two girls from a flat up the road. I have been taking out an English bird from school called Jean and Phil is dating her flatmate Beth. As well we have invites up to their place for the hols. They come from Saint Helens up near Liverpool (rugby league district) so we may go up for a few days if we get a few things done on the car tomorrow.
Phil, Beth and Jean outside our flat
The car’s going quite well really hasn’t cost us anything yet in the 5000 plus miles it’s done apart from the water pump in Spain. Do you know they still make and sell Morris 1000’s the same as ours over here? Stopped making them five years ago in Aussie didn’t they? We went to the 1968 Motor Show the other evening with the girls and we saved 7/6 by getting in as overseas visitors using our passports (the girls had to pay). The man looked very suspicious at the stamp date of arrival February ’67.
The central heating in our flat is great. Waking up in a warm flat, driving to school in a heated car and working in a centrally heated school is so good you don’t even need an overcoat. You may have the wrong idea from what I said earlier that the teaching standard here is low. It’s just that there’s more freedom from a lot of the window dressing and hypocrisy that goes on in Australian schools so that there’s more time to get on with a bit of work. I don’t really think they’re much better off in Canada for all the extra work. A few people we’ve spoken to have been quite disillusioned with the high cost of living and lack of social life etc there so if and when I get there next year I don’t figure on teaching. It will just be a short visit and if I ever teach there it will be after I’ve been back to Australia. Keith seems to be existing but isn’t too enthusiastic and he’s going to tour Mexico etc at Christmas to miss the winter. Anyway, apparently he’s sending a roneoed sheet out with his Christmas cards so you should get all his news direct.
Went to a party down in a studio in Baker Street the other night run by Anthony Greenwood’s daughter. He’s the Minister for Housing. What a party – a full rock band, psychedelic lighting, go go dancers, all the birds and the bods in Carnaby St gear but the police arrived half an hour after it started at 11:30 pm and very politely asked if the music could be turned down as the walls and us were vibrating with sound and the neighbours were complaining.
We saw this play “Hair” which is without doubt the most amazing and important show I’ve ever seen. It’s an American musical happening and one of the first since all stage censorship has been removed. They took the establishment and tore it apart, politics, sex, religion, race, hate, war, drugs… An amazing show! I’ve bought the LP record and we’ve booked to see it again running to packed audiences and booked out for weeks in advance.
This is the story of Will and his two friends who sailed to England in 1967 to see the world. Aerogrammes. letters, diaries and postcards help to tell of their adventures in this A to Z.
"Shame and Scandal" Lance Percival • 1965 He went to his mama and covered his head And told his mama what his papa had said His mama she laughed, she say, "Go man, go Your daddy ain't your daddy, but your daddy don't know."
Extract from Diary
Monday 24th June, 1968
To cricket with Phil. Five shillings for last two hours play. Quite interesting. Australia backs to the wall but thanks to rain looks like a draw.
Tuesday 25th June, 1968
Two Guineas at the Abbey at 11:30 pm to preview performance of new film “The Graduate”. Excellent entertaining film finished at 2:30 am.
Saturday 29th June, 1968
Bought squash racket for £5 thirteen shillings. Went to see play “Man of La Mancha” with Cilla.
Tuesday 2nd July, 1968
The last week of Wimbledon was played in glorious weather. We went down this afternoon and ended up with fantastic seats inches away from all the stars (the Aussie’s of course) and even caught the tube back standing next to Earl Buchholz (USA) Great experience to see all these champions in one tournament at the 1st open Wimbledon.
Watching Wimbledon
Wednesday 3rd July, 1968
To see film “The Odd Couple” with Cilla – hilarious, excellent film.
Thursday 4th July, 1968
Played squash with Phil.
Saturday 6th July, 1968
Cilla’s place for breakfast, then down South by the mini to the camp for the weekend where the kids from school were spending a fortnight. I was in charge of the boys for the weekend and with Mac, Mrs Perkins and Cilla, I had a very enjoyable time. I’m sore all over from all the exercise. Actually the camp is more like a hotel in the standard of living down there as far as the teachers are concerned. Anyway, swam, played football, cricket, rounders, scaled ropes, danced, played ping pong etc until ready to drop and enjoyed it especially since the kids are changed beings when they get out in the country and can’t do enough to help. We had a concert one night where the other school (a girls’ school) sang a hymn or something similar. Next our boys put on an act. It was a calypso song about a family in Trinidad called:
“Shame and Scandal in the Family.”
In Trinidad there was a family With much confusion, as you will see It was a mama and a papa and a boy who was grown He wanted to marry, have a wife of his own Found a young girl that suited him nice He went to his papa to ask his advice His papa said: “Son, I have to say no This girl is your sister, but your mama don’t know”
[Chorus]
Woe is me Shame and scandal in the family Woe is me Shame and scandal in the family
A week went by and the summer came ’round Soon the best cook in the island he found He went to his papa to name the day His papa shook his head and to him he did say “You can’t marry this girl, I have to say no This girl is your sister, but your mama don’t know”
[Chorus] He went to his mama and covered his head And told his mama what his papa had said His mama she laughed, she say, “Go man, go Your daddy ain’t your daddy, but your daddy don’t know.”
[Chorus]
Dressed in pyjamas, with dancers and bongo drums fashioned from waste paper tins as accompaniment, they really brought the house down especially since these kids have a great sense of rhythm. Had to read the boys a bedtime story as getting 24 energetic boys to sleep isn’t so easy otherwise.
Sunday 7th July, 1968
To church with the kids and then it rained all arvo.
Monday 8th July, 1968
Cilla and I had to come back at lunchtime today however to take our classes again but it was fun down there – weather has been great.
Tuesday 9th July, 1968
Players Theatre “Victorian Evening” with Cilla, Chris, and Phil.
Wednesday 10th July,1968
Played squash against Phil.
Thursday,11th July,1968
Pizza and to film “Darling” with Cilla.
Friday 12th July, 1968
Cilla and I went to the City Arms at Stepney – entertainment and female impersonator was quite good.
Saturday 13th July, 1968
Regents Park Open Air Theatre “Merry Wives of Windsor” wine and hot dogs at half time with Cilla.
Thurs 18th July,1968
Parents evening at school 4 to 7pm. Pleasant time chatting to parents. Then to a Greek restaurant in Camden Town with Mary Lou, Fred (Canadian), Mac (Scot), Cilla,(English) and me (Aust) for shish-kebab and Cyprus wine – very good.
Sat 20th July, 1968
Phil and I bought a car, a 1960 Morris 1000 for £140. Seems in good nick but first gear is clapped. Drove home. Cilla and I went to the Kenwood Open Air Concert – Very comfy in Deck Chairs watching the orchestra across the lake in Hamstead Heath in the summer evening.
Phil and the new car
Thursday 25th July, 1968
End of term dinner with the staff at Greek restaurant. Many wines.
95 Fordwych Road, West Hamstead NWZ,London.21/07/1968
Received your letter a couple of days ago and have at last found the opportunity to write. That’s the trouble with England. When summer comes everyone is so busy going out and making the best use of these beautiful balmy days, especially since the summer is so short, that there’s barely time for anything else. It’s Sunday night at 8:00 pm and still broad daylight and I’m writing this wearing only shorts as it’s a pleasant 74°F and I have one last can of chilled long-life lager from the fridge and not a worry in this big wide world (C’est la Vie!)
Have had an easy day today sleeping in and then reading the Sunday papers. Gary Sharpe (Darryl’s older brother) came around this morning and as he only left Aussie in March, we’ve all had a good chat getting up to date on the news. We had been getting postcards from him in Japan, Southeast Asia, South America, Mexico, Canada and the US when suddenly we got one with Buck Palace on the front as he jetted in from New York. Do you remember reading of the Aussie and two Yanks taken prisoner by the Communist Chinese on a yacht in International Waters last year? Apparently got headlines in the Daily Mercury and other newspapers, TV and radio. Well, it was Gary!
Spent the rest of the day taking him on a sightseeing tour of London in our new Morris 1000. It should do us fine to take to Spain, Portugal and maybe North Africa next week for six weeks when our hols start. We have a camp stove, sleeping bags and some girls are giving us a tent so we’ll probably mostly camp, broken up by an occasional Youth Hostel or pensione (cheap boarding house).
Not going to do much sightseeing, just find a good spot on the Mediterranean with its warm water and hot, hot sun and cheap, cheap wine and food and suntan ourselves dark brown.
Had a letter from the American couple we travelled and stayed at hotels with for about a week in Yugoslavia. They have a Spanish style house in the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles and have invited us over to stay. I’ll have to look them up when I get there eventually as they are very hospitable.
London Bridge was sold to America. The City of London put the bridge up for sale in 1967 because it was sinking into the Thames. Robert P McCulloch won the bid of $2.4 million on April 18, 1968. The bridge’s 10,276 exterior granite blocks were numbered and shipped to Lake Havasu City and the reconstructed bridge opened on October 10, 1971
Today saw Sir Alex Rose’s “Lively Lady” and drove across London Bridge for the last time as the demolition is well underway and the Poms are trying to sell 10 Downing St and its contents (Harold Wilson) to the Yanks now as well.
This is the story of Will and his two friends who sailed to England in 1967 to see the world. Aerogrammes. letters, diaries and postcards help to tell of their adventures in this A to Z.
“Going Up the Country” Canned Heat • 1968 I'm going up the country Baby, don't you wanna go? I'm going up the country Baby, don't you wanna go? I'm going to some place Where I've never been before
Hello! Have been a bit slow getting around to this letter but moving and finding a flat is a big job in London. I received your letter just after I last wrote and very much enjoyed the pics. You should send some more sometime. Also received my licence and news clippings – thank you.
95 Fordwych Road, West Hamstead. Will and Phil were on the First Floor (upstairs) From Apple Maps
As you can see by the address, Phil and I have a new flat at last as temporary accommodation was getting a bit expensive with the eating out each night. We’re paying £10.10 shillings a week for this flat which is just fair but at least it has two rooms and a kitchen and is central to school and to town. It’s surprising how much stuff, for example pots, pans, crockery, cutlery etc we’ve collected and will either have to throw away or hire a ship to get it home eventually. Have just settled back into school life here again and have now only 6 school days till the Whitsun midterm holidays – 10 days off altogether and at the moment are still figuring on going down to Cornwall though the weather hasn’t been too good. It will be officially summer then – I’m assured by most English that doesn’t mean a thing.
Had a few beers last night with three mates we haven’t seen for a month or two and one of them, Graeme, dropped a bombshell by announcing he’s getting engaged to an English girl. We know he’s been taking her out for some time and she’s doing Teachers College with 18 months to go. Of course, we told him how sorry we were to hear the sad news but her parents are putting on an engagement party (free grog!)
Our school (Essendine) got another mention in the paper last week as reporters came following our letter to the editor and took photos and quite a large article was published.
Part of the letter written by Essendine Staff
We are the multiracial staff of a multiracial school and we are wholeheartedly united in opposition to Mr Enoch Powell and to the irresponsible and ill-informed way in which he made known his hatred and fear of coloured immigrants. Our Junior School is not unusual. As to numbers we maintain a very fair balance. About 50% of our children are boys and about 50% are girls. It so happens if one is looking at it in that way that about 50% are white and 50% are immigrants, mostly West Indians. It also so happens that of our immigrant children very many were born in London and have lived in London all their lives. London is their home. We have worked together side by side creating a community in which colour of skin is of no more importance than the colour of your jersey and now from outside comes the undercurrent of hatred and fear, ignorance and prejudice and a restatement in a very alarming way of the age old myth of racial superiority. We are teachers in a deprived area and so we are of course very much aware of all the many many problems which exist, social, educational, economic. How can we hope to solve the problems on the basis of Mr Enoch Powell’s obnoxious philosophy? He has made it that much harder for ordinary people to try in an ordinary and common-sense way to sort these problems out. As teachers we are desperately concerned that boys and girls in our care of whatever colour shall become infected by racial disease which can solve nothing. In this school we have already experienced repercussions. The children are worried, disturbed and hurt as a result of the explosion of racialist sentiments so freely expressed after Mr Powell’s disastrous speech. On our first morning back in school several of our West Indian children came to teachers asking in perplexity , “Is it true that we are all to be sent back home?”
Signed by sixteen members of Essendine staffMay 1, 1968
Cilla went for an interview today for an Air Hostess with BOAC and there’s a chance she’ll get it. That’s the way to see the world – get paid to do it.
POSTCARD
Greetings from Cornwall.
At this moment we are seated in the most southerly car in England as we’re parked on Lizard Point, the last car in the car park! Weather’s not so good but its a change to be out of London. Hope the cliff doesn’t collapse! Checked out some cute villages, pubs etc and just casually pottering about in the countryside.
Hello, received your letter this morning. Did you get my postcard from Cornwall? Pleased to hear you received the rug and like it. It is actually a Scottish tartan but I can’t remember which clan it was.
Well, we got back the day before yesterday from our week’s jaunt into the country and had an enjoyable week despite pretty miserable weather as we only got patches of sunshine. Although it only rained for two days it was overcast and cool for quite a bit of the rest of the holiday so of course not warm enough for swimming. We headed out west via Bath and found the spot Captain Arthur Phillip is buried in a little church there (the founder of Australia’s first settlement).
We went on to Cheddar where of course the cheese was beautiful and visited some caves not as good as Jenolan but nevertheless interesting – checked out some quaint little villages with thatched cottages, old manor houses and 12th century pubs etc, visited Castle Combe which was voted last year as England’s prettiest village – the town in which the expensive film Doctor Dolittle was filmed.
Village of Castle Combe Postcard
We found England’s surfing West Coast wasn’t so bad. Sandy beaches in places and even a surf and surfboards but still too cold for me to swim. Tasted all the local food specialties which are Devonshire teas (scones, clotted cream, strawberries) and Cornish clotted cream, pastries, mussels, crab, fish etc and apple cider plus the local brews of beer ( just about every town has its own local brewery). We returned via Penzance (didn’t see any pirates), Dartmouth, Plymouth (Drake played his bowls here when the Spanish Armada came), slept one night in Beer which is good to drink but not so good to sleep in. It’s near the town of Seaton. Wasn’t that the name of Nan’s house, Dad?
The Mini boils over
There are some pretty steep hills down Devon and Dorset way and the mini boiled a couple of times but otherwise in 1000 miles went very well. We returned to London via Dorchester and Salisbury where there is a fantastic cathedral built about 1300 and really remarkable architecture inside and outside. Also visited Stonehenge which caveman “ran up” 14,000 years BC as a sort of temple.
When you could walk right up to Stonehenge
The weather improved yesterday and at last are getting some good summer weather so went rowing on the lake in Regents Park and checked out the view from the Post Office tower which at just over 500 feet is still the tallest building in London and has a good view of the city.
Today we were back at school again and only six weeks in this half term anyway and one of the weeks I think I’m off to camp for seven days with the kids down in Surrey or Sussex
I’ve been listening to the First Test most of the day (the noise doesn’t bother the kids so long as I tell them the score now and then). I am quite relieved to know Australia is doing so well because the boss is a fanatical cricket fan and I’d get roasted if we were beaten.
Pleased to hear Andrew behaved himself at the christening. I quite like the name.
This is the story of Will and his two friends who sailed to England in 1967 to see the world. Aerogrammes. letters, diaries and postcards help to tell of their adventures in this A to Z.
Itchycoo Park Small Faces. • 1967 Over bridge of sighs To rest my eyes in shades of green Under dreaming spires To Itchycoo Park, that's where I've been
c/- OVC,180 Earl’s Court Road,London SW5,England, 04/04/1968
Well things are pretty hectic here now as we move out of the flat in two days and have a big job cleaning it up, packing all luggage, finding alternative accommodation for five nights and then getting holiday travel arrangements settled. After exploring dozens of possibilities and spending about two hours at the travel agency the other day while phone calls were made for flights to Spain or Majorca etc all of which were booked out, I was beginning to think I'd end up in England for the Easter Hols. You just wouldn't believe the huge exodus of people to holiday South to the Sun from Britain and the package tours are surprisingly cheap hence the reason they were all booked out.
Cilla and I finally got a student concession flight to Milan, Italy on the first day of the hols and will spend about 16 days down there probably going to Venice for a bit of gondoliering and maybe on to Trieste and a few days down to Yugoslavia where there should be some sun. Can’t be any colder than here anyway because the two days of 70° temperatures we had disappeared and the temperature dropped to 30° when it snowed for two days. You just can’t even guess what the weather is going to be like in England. The flights cost £26 return and get back to London the day before school starts. I’m taking my shorts and togs and hope to have a dip in the Adriatic. Yugoslavia is supposed to be pretty also and though it’s Communist it’s not difficult to get a visa. The concession flight is almost half the scheduled flight price and flies over France and Switzerland in daylight hours so the view should be good. Cilla speaks good French and Italian and I know how to say “good morning”, “how are you?”, “good”, “beautiful”, “thank you” and also “do you speak English?” so I should get by OK. We’ll send you a postcard.
Appears as if Jeff, Phil and Bill will go to Ireland and northern Scotland where they haven’t been yet although they’re having trouble with last minute bookings too. My ribs still are not 100% and I’m out of rugby again this week but the X-rays said no fracture, probably chipped so will fix itself. The hospital I was at was Saint Marys and I saw the room where Fleming discovered penicillin.
Trieste, Italy, Easter Sunday
Venice postcard
Buon Giorno! Had a good flight by Viscount over the snow-covered Swiss Alps and now have found the sun. I’m sitting on the banks of the Adriatic Sea in the 70° afternoon sunshine. Left Venice this morning and travelled by Alfa Romeo (105 mph part of the way) down here, stopping for sightseeing on the way. Venice is MAGIC, everything they say it is. Cilla and I had a fascinating day going up and down the thousands of canals and many walkways of the islands. We found a Trattoria (cheap restaurant) and Osteria (cheap grog shop) where wine was 4 1/2d, that’s 10c Australian a glass so had an enjoyable evening. Saw Juliet’s house in Verona and the balcony under which Romeo made his speech. Tomorrow we reach Yugoslavia and maybe it will be warm enough to swim. Hope you had a Buona Pasqua (Happy Easter) Arrividerci, Will
Zadar. Hotel where we stayed in the background. Roman ruins in foreground.
Hope you got my card from Venice. Since then have moved on further south and the sun is shining brightly (70F) Yugoslavia seems OK. Hitching progressing well. A Serbo Croat bought us the local drink, Sljivovica (plum brandy) and a fish meal and we are staying at a first class hotel in Zadar on the coast with a view from the front window of an ancient Roman forum and the Adriatic sea (It’s reasonably cheap) Yeevooli (Cheers)
c/- OVC,180 Earl’s Court Road,London SW5, England 01/05/1968
Hello. Back in good ol’ London after a magic holiday. Received your letter Jack, the day I got back and was good to hear all the “gin”. I’ll write you as soon as I get organised again. Well, where was I when I last wrote? Zadar, Yugoslavia? Because we ended up going down the coast with an American middle-aged couple (typical rich Yanks) in their VW 1600 Estate car to a great little town called Dubrovnik on the coast. A complete little walled town where we checked into a great hotel with Floyd and Marion (from LA) and had 1stclass accommodation with waiter service and three good meals for £1/6/- a day each. Wine was 2/8 a large bottle, and the sun shone warmly the whole four days we were there.
Cilla and Will at Dubrovnic
In fact, the weather was great the whole time – sunny and warm, mostly 70-80F except for two days of rain in North Italy. Am now suntanned on the face and arms at least – makes everyone at school jealous. We caught the ship across the Adriatic and landed in Italy at Bari then thumbed down to Naples, Sorrento and Pompeii (my second visit as Cilla hadn’t been there). We got lifts with the usual ease. There’s nothing an Italian won’t do for a girl. So after two days we headed for Rome and spent two nights there and one very hectic day sight-seeing.
Cilla’s fluent Italian came in handy when we ordered two gelatos at the mobile cart in this picture. After I ordered in English the man said to his assistant in Italian, “Charge them double, they’re tourists.” Cilla heard what they said and hit the roof. In Italian she spoke back to them, “You will not charge double, you will charge the regular price.” They dropped the price all of a sudden.
Cilla and the ice cream van
Cilla has spent a total of four weeks in Rome before so knew her way around very well including the cheap eating spots and we visited the Vatican – a tremendous church but we didn’t see the Pope. Of course we saw the Trevi Fountain and threw in the coin like a good tourist should do (value 2d), the Roman Forum, the Colosseum etc and stayed at the Old Olympic Village (1960 Games) in the accommodation once used by the competitors – it’s now a youth hostel.
Throwing a coin in the Trevi Fountain
We started running out of time after that so hitched 340 miles the next day (I’ve now ridden in every brand of Fiat ever produced). Passing through Firenze (Florence), Pisa, and spent another couple of days loafing in the sun around Genoa – Christopher Columbus’s home town.
Stayed at hostel in Sori and checked out the surf
Then things started going wrong as Cilla had a couple of dresses and about £4 stolen while at the hostel and the weather turned cooler and rained but we had a few Cinzanos and Martinis to brighten up and got to Milan to catch the flight back.
It was there we were informed it had been cancelled and they had booked us on an all night 24 hr train journey back through Switzerland and France – timed date of arrival for 4pm Monday – the time school finishes for the first day back. No scheduled alternative flights were available so we were stuck – had to cable school and apologise that two of their teachers wouldn’t be back in time.
Of course, we got a good heckle back at school – the first thing the Deputy said was (very jokingly) “I don’t believe a word of it”. The boss was quite understanding. Expect we’ll lose our day’s pay however as that’s the regulations for first day of term, but we’ll complain to the airline company, which might help.
One of my students idea of what I look like
At present I’m back in class sitting in the Spring sunshine. The kids are writing poetry. All’s quiet and I’m writing this letter and drinking coffee at my table out the front. What a life! Still living in our bed and breakfast place which is very nice but not cheap so will have to get a flat (Phil and I) very shortly. Phil leaves for a week in Devon with the kids tomorrow, all expenses paid. I have some photos back (prints). I’ll send on eventually as soon as things are back to normal. The parks are full of tulips, daffodils and other bright flowers and the trees are all budding with green.
Australia to keep the Ashes and of course kill them at Wimbledon.
POSTCARD
This is the Coliseum in Rome. I climbed right to the top and it’s a bloody long way up there. The arena part in the middle had a floor and beneath were kept the animals (lions and tigers etc) which were used for feeding on Christians. I’ll be sending in some newspaper clippings shortly of a letter to the editor re our school and a picture of the Viscount we flew to Italy in (in pieces).
Good to be back in London again and any day now the weather must improve.
This is the story of Will and his two friends who sailed to England in 1967 to see the world. Aerogrammes. letters, diaries and postcards help to tell of their adventures in this A to Z.
“Even the Bad Times are Good” Tremoloes. • 1967 There are times in this life of mine I think that the sun forgot how to shine But as long as you're always there It don't bother me 'cause why should I care When all I've gotta do Is run to you
Well, we have a long sad story over here. When we got home from school yesterday, we found our flat had been burgled and really cleaned out. I reckon its lost me about £150. £30 to £40 cash, radio, camera, new electric shaver, £60 worth of clothes including new shirts, sweaters, three pairs of trousers (including bottom half of my suit), jeans, one pair of shoes, my old Lavina watch (not working and with broken glass), alarm clock, even my penny jar, after shave lotion, pens and a couple of souvenirs – nothing INSURED!
Phil lost £45 cash and expensive camera, two shirts and other things. They even cleaned out the gas and electricity meters, food kitty of £5 and so on. So I was swearing non-stop for about two hours to let off some steam. They did leave one new suit, suitcases and other clothes but have made a considerable hole in my budget. I may have to cut down on some European trips in Spring and Summer. The detective was sympathetic but couldn’t get fingerprints and we don’t hold any hopes of getting anything back. Phil’s gear was insured (except money) so he may get something back. Geoff, the other bloke in the flat lost only a suit, clock and a few little other things, so he got out the lightest (me the heaviest) – What a b#%&!
Will’s one remaining suit
Not to worry. No good crying over spilt milk – so enough of the crook news.
Last Saturday Phil and I resumed our Rugby “career” playing for Osterley RVFC- they have about seven teams and I think we’re playing “B” grade – they read the team out – saying “scrum half Brown, fly half Smithson, two Australian lads in the centres”. We were way out of condition but all they wanted to know was that we were Aussies, drank beer and were either bass or tenor for singing afterwards. Phil and I got big wraps for “fantastic tackling” but the rest of the time all we did was puff. Have still been taking out Cilla on the staff (the one with the car) and doing a bit of socialising.
Extract from Diary
Saturday 3rd of February1968
Out to Graham Scott’s place to borrow shorts and footy jumper and boots then to bank withdrawal £40 and met Phil at Australia House. Lunched at a Wimpy and snowed as we headed for Osterley by tube. Met the rugby mob at station and by Austin 1100 to Bracknell near Ascot Racecourse. Phil and I played in the centres, freezing cold and of course everyone kicks but we were so far out of nick we were pleased they were doing this. Got big wrap ups for our tackling went down 6-5 after leading 5-0 for most of the game. After to their clubhouse for free food and cheap grog. Back late, apologised to Cilla for being late. Drove down to OVC about 9:00 pm where we had a few drinks and danced to a good beat band and talked. Back to her flat for coffee and talked with three others till 2:00 am. Bed exhausted.
We’re having a Gay and Hearty next Saturday as we need to cheer ourselves up a little – have about 80 friends coming.
Extract from Diary
Saturday 10th of February 1968
Began cleaning up and did shopping of grog for party. Good show, about 100 people turned up. I got cheery and forgot to say hello to some people. I didn’t have much time to circulate as every time I left this bird (Cilla) someone tried to con her. A good show and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. Renewed quite a few old acquaintances. 75 slept the night.
Extract from Diary
Tuesday, 13th February, 1968
After school tubed into Piccadilly Circus where I insured my luggage. Met Phil, and Graham who is flying out for Washington next week, for a few beers at a pub at Leicester Square 5:30 pm. It rained all night and we had a view of the square through the all glass frontage as we drank halves of bitter and talked. Farewelled Graham and lost Phil at 11:00pm. Caught bus home. Went to sleep at Marble Arch and ended up in Cricklewood Bus Garage with lights out and surrounded by many buses. Ran home 3/4 of a mile.
Thursday, 15th February, 1968
This morning we flashed out to Holland Park and met Lloyd from NZ and bussed to Osterley where we played rugby for the B team, Phil in the centre and I played left wing. I scored a try after Phil set me up in the corner. We won six nil against Beckenham. Hot bath afterward with fifty others. Was impressive as all sang songs, sober and all harmonising, sounded really good. Afterwards the usual supper and much beer and singing of Rugby Songs followed. An enjoyable evening.
14 Oaklands Road, Cricklewood 18/2/1968
They turned the clocks back one hour last night so we had an extra hour’s sleep as daylight saving time will be in use all year round now not just in summer as before. This means at present it will get dark about 6:30 pm now instead of 4:00 pm as it was in the height of winter. I still have pleasant memories of last summer’s evenings in England when it wasn’t getting dark till around 10:00 pm and we were playing footy in the park at 9:00 pm. How is the move for daylight saving time going in Australia? It’s a great idea. We waste half our daylight hours in bed particularly in summer time at home.
14 Oaklands Road, Cricklewood 25th February 1968
I’m on hols for a week now as I’ve worked a whole six weeks without a holiday so I need a rest. The vacation system in English schools is great as the terms fly by in no time – I don’t think too many teachers here have nervous breakdowns. Phil and I have decided to hire a mini for four days and drive up around the midlands towns and have a bit of a look at a few smaller country towns – it’ll be a change to get out of the city for a while.
We were out the Rugby Club last Friday night when Acker Bilk and his jazz band played – they were terrific, voted number one jazz group in the US last week. It’s a few miles out to the club but went out in Cilla’s mini. The breathalyser test has everyone over here scared to drink and drive but road deaths have been down 25% since its introduction so it’s having a good effect, even if damned inconvenient. The standard joke is, “So I’ve blown up the balloon, where’s the party, then?”
No good sending over any clothes. I’ve bought a few replacement things but the old bank balance is tumbling. I got a Kodak Instamatic 300 camera up the street – it’s the one with the built in light meter and superseded model as the flash fitting is single bulbs instead of cubes but just as good. The worst part about losing my other camera was the 16 good shots on the reel, such as one of the four of us playing Roman Soldiers, fighting off the Picts and Scots in the snow on the Roman wall up north and another of us having a duel on the duelling grounds at Hamstead Heath surrounded by the mist.
Tomorrow night we’re going to see “Sweet Charity”, a musical play starring Juliet Prowse (Frank Sinatra’s ex-girlfriend) which is supposed to be very good.
We haven’t heard from Keith for about 4 or 5 weeks – he must be working hard. I’ll bet it’s a bit of a shock to the system. Phil sends his regards. Jack, you owe me a letter. What’s the new job and send me a pic of the car. How are you Gail? Taking it easy I hope. That’s it for now.
14 Oaklands Road, Cricklewood, NW2, London 5th March 1968
Did you receive my card from Coniston? (Ed. Will’s parents lived in Coniston, Australia). If you did you will discover Phil and I ended up hiring a Viva for a week and motoring around England exploring a few towns and cities we hadn’t seen.
February 1968 Mid-term Hols. In Yorkshire Dales – end of winter. Phil taking pic. Viva we had for a week.
We were very impressed with the Yorkshire Dales and the sun shone on the snow for two whole days but Lake Windermere and Coniston Waters were shrouded in mist. We found some great walled towns with 10th to 13th century castles, cathedrals, houses, shops and pubs built centuries before, still in use, very atmospheric. The towns of Chester and Shrewsbury were almost completely original and said to be England’s most complete mediaeval cities. Stayed one night in North Wales and then dropped back into Shakespeare’s birthplace, Stratford on Avon which is very pretty also with many old half timbered houses leaning in all directions but preserved for the future. All in all a very pleasant holiday although not too cheap £7 each for car hire and petrol expensive but hostelling and food costs are quite cheap although we had to stay in a bed and breakfast one night as no nearby hostel was open.
Small store in Yorkshire Mountains
14 Oaklands Road, Cricklewood, NW2, London 18th March 1968
I received your aerogramme last Monday and the letter with the pics and DA label today. I enjoyed the photos and seeing everyone drinking cold beer and standing around in shorts and short sleeved shirts in the evening sun. – brings back pleasant memories. I took one of the girls on the staff (Cilla) to see the movie “Endless Summer” the other week and they had some shots of surfing in Australia. It looked great. Cilla is giving the teaching away in the summer as she’s in the process of getting a job as an air hostess – about the only way you could afford to see the world as a schoolie in England as you’d never be able to pay your own fare otherwise.
While I’m mentioning pay, a new rise of £75 per annum (30/-) a week is coming through next week for schools classified as “Priority” (such as Essendine) because of under-privileged kids, high numbers of immigrants and above 30% of kids getting free dinners. This won’t go astray and since the boss has been at me for some time to stay for 3rd term I’ve decided to do just that since I’ll get paid for 7 weeks holidays out of 17 weeks in the term. This means I’ll spend one week (free board) with the kids at camp in Sussex during school term.
I hope to Christ the Aussies kill the Poms in the cricket, though as the boss is big time in the cricket organising circle and I’ll cop the heckles if we don’t. Lords is just up the road, so I’ll be able to walk up after school to watch a few overs.
This afternoon I had an appointment at the opticians, and he says my eyes aren’t too good (my left one anyway) and I’m getting glasses for £4/10/-. The rest, doctors and other fees are all paid by National Health (free). He says I should wear them most of the time but doubt if I will.
Rugby is still enjoyable but only 3 games left now. I served at the bar after and am quite an expert at serving “a pint of bitter” now.
We move out of this flat on April the 6th and I’ll probably get a small flat for next term, possibly with Phil although he hasn’t decided whether he’ll stay yet or go to Canada. He’s teaching at a Physically Handicapped school at the moment where they have breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea plus one hour’s nap each day, all free! So he’s on a good thing but doesn’t know if he can get a permanent job in 3rd term.
Send mail via the O.V.C. from now on until I let you know of my new address after the hols.
c/- OVC,180 Earl’s Court Road, London SWS. England, 26th March 1968
Was down the O.V.C. last Friday night – 1st time in a month and casually checked the mail desk for mail, not expecting any as it’s quite promptly forwarded to our flat and was pleasantly surprised to collect your letter, Dad! It made enjoyable reading, so I settled back with an ‘alf of bitter and read it there! Good work!
Phil’s currently down the laundromat – a favourite spot for getting letters written, as I have to knock over 6 or 7 a week and am suffering from a damaged rib – product of Saturday’s Rugby game. Saw the doctor this arvo and have to go to the hospital for an X-ray tomorrow morning. It may be fractured but I’m hoping its only bruised as there are two games left this season. I got promoted to the “A” Team last Saturday – (this is really the 3rd side) and had to play centre instead of my usual loaf on the wing. I got a big wrap for my tackling (around the ankles). The Poms are rapt as not too many tackle properly but hardly got an attacking run as they monopolized the lineouts.
Enough of Rugby, except to say Phil has struck good form now and has been promoted to 1st grade and had another good game Saturday so should hold his position with ease. Of course, Saturday night after the game was really sensational- no one had to drive as we had a coach and therefore no fear of breathalyser tests (which have everyone scared to “drink and drive”) so are very successful and we went through a high repertoire of Rugby Songs. Got home all right though as someone put me on the right train.
Saw the movie, “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner”. Make sure you see it. Very good
Taking Cilla to the theatre tomorrow night to see a play and another of the girls on the staff invited me to a party so social life is looking up. I’m elected to run the “Grand National” sweep at school and the Oxford-Cambridge boat race is also on next Saturday – great excitement here but I’m not too excited.
c/- OVC,180 Earl’s Court Road,London SWS,England. 26th March 1968
How’s the new addition and the new father, mother and grandparents? Hope you received my card, Jack and Gail?. I haven’t collected any mail for the last couple of days as the O.V. are holding it so am looking forward to further news.
I leave tomorrow for Milan, Italy so am just doing some washing tonight and then packing my bag. Have been staying at a nice bed and breakfast place for the last 5 nights and have the rest of my luggage stored at school. We broke up today as it is the end of second term and it will be great to get away from the more difficult kids for a while. Some, however, are quite good kids and one brought me a cake , another a box of chocolates , more cake and some nice birthday wishes yesterday. I told them I was 21 but they reckon I am 24- a vicious rumour. Celebrated my 23rd quite well though. Cilla fed me on Guinness stout and caviar (Danish) on toast round her place in the afternoon and we went into the Rooftop Bar at the London Hilton at 5.30pm for a couple of whiskies. It’s 25 floors high (second tallest building in London) and overlooks Buckingham Palace Grounds, so you can see Queen Liz and Phil going for a stroll with the corgis, round their private lake and tennis courts etc. But at 14/- for two whiskies and tonic it’s a bit dear even if you do get free peanuts. Finished the evening at Lord’s Tavern near the cricket ground so was an enjoyable evening if a trifle expensive.
Phil just got his insurance rebate of £100 for the robbery and is happy with that as he didn’t lose anywhere near as much as me. The rugby is over until next September. Phil played in the first-grade side last Sunday and was one of the star players scoring two tries. My rib is 90% now and am just about fit again so had better start swimming or squash to get fit in the summer.
This is the story of Will and his two friends who sailed to England in 1967 to see the world. Aerogrammes. letters, diaries and postcards help to tell of their adventures in this A to Z.
“If I Were a Rich Man” Chaim Topol. • 1967 Lord, who made the lion and the lamb You decreed I should be what I am Would it spoil some vast eternal plan If I were a wealthy man?
14 Oaklands Road, Cricklewood, NW2 London 10th January 1968
Figured I’d send this to home as you’ll probably be bound that way by the time this letter arrives. I’m dying to hear the results of the sailing so will nip down to Australia House to read the Melbourne papers on Saturday morning. This will only give me a rough outline so you’d better complete the picture.
Hope the holiday was a beauty. I would’ve loved to have been sailing in the warm sunshine down there. A little difficult to remember now as we’re in the middle of the “Big Freeze” here. Tuesday was the first day of second term and when we woke it had blizzarded. London was buried under the most snow since the severe winter of 1963. The transport system was in chaos, most of the roads closed and the trains late or not running. I donned double everything, including scarf and ski gloves and arrived at school only 1 ½ hours late beating 3 or 4 other teachers. The boss said how pleased he was to see me and sent me a cup of tea – conditions are pretty good in the schools though – the temp was 25º F outside , the central heating had the room warmed to about 58ºF (not warm but bearable). The snow had clogged up the hands of Big Ben and even it wasn’t working.
Essendine school in the snow
I mentioned on the postcard that we went to Edinburgh for New Year’s Eve. And think I mentioned the sad story of how the pubs shut at 10pm (a Sunday) and we only had a double Scotch! Every Scotsman was drunk within town limits (or out) but us, and no bottle sales! I kissed a few nice-looking birds but even that didn’t cheer me up and at 12 pm in the streets of Edinburgh, Scotland stood four of the most sober, sad Aussies you ever saw! However, we cheered up the next day on the return trip and had a few beers at a little country pub as the snow flaked down overlooking the Roman wall and ancient forts.
Extract from Diary
Saturday 30th December 1967
Swanee, Phil, Bill and I set out for Scotland at 8:00 pm for the weekend and finally stopped about 4:00 am for a sleep. Weather cold.
Sunday, 31st December 1967
Arrived in Edinburgh for lunch and a look around. Had a few guinnesses in the afternoon at a hotel. Back to Bed and Breakfast for a sleep. Out for late dinner and discovered that pubs and liquor sales shut at 10:00 pm so we were able to consume one only double Scotch and amongst hundreds of drunken Scotsman and many young birds (kissed a few for good measure) we were as sober as is possible. How miserable! Large crowd on the street and bagpipes played.
Monday,1st of January 1968
The landlady was amazed to see us at breakfast the next morning and we left about 10:00 am and soon found the snow had begun. Stopped at the Roman wall in northern England for a few beers and walked through heavy snow to see the wall and old Fort that runs right across England, built about 10 BC. Snowed heavily as we drove on having a look at Whitby, a cute little seaside town where Captain Cook’s ships were built. Stopped at Scarborough for a fantastic Chinese meal, then to York which is probably the most interesting town we’ve seen in England, completely walled town with old lanes and shops (The Shambles) built between 14th and 15thCenturies – still in use.
Tuesday, 2nd of January, 1968
Drove till 2:00 am. Snack stop at Rugby in Motorway Services place and drove on through a blizzard back to London in the snow at 5:00 am. Slept till 3:00 pm. At night went to see “Doctor Dolittle” at the movies (pretty weak).
Saw two good shows lately. Sir Alec Guiness in “Wise Child” – a live play and he was tremendous, very amusing. Last night we saw a new movie called “Poor Cow” which was a really A-1 show but imagine the censor will chop it to bits in Australia.
I sent Granny some Russian dolls I bought in Moscow and a couple of small novelties for Jack and Gail. I will buy Dad a nice sweater (what chest size?). Ask Jack if he’d like one too. Now can’t think what you’d like. Any suggestions? Things are very cheap here as every shop has a sale. Good woollen blankets 25/- to 30/-. Thanks for the money. Received OK and spent on clothes (suit, overcoat, sports shirt etc) Out of space. Hope you cheered up Mum.
Extract from Diary
Sunday 7th January 1968
Breakfast at Michelle’s flat 7:30 am back home to bathe, read, cleanup, write, lunch then to Michelle’s place at 2:00 pm. To Victorian Air Terminal to farewell Michelle for flight to Australia. She’ll be in Melbourne in two days, bathing in Australian sunshine. Lucky, but she doesn’t want to go. I don’t particularly want to go home yet either. “Parting is such unsweet sorrow”. Michelle’s bag was overweight so did some fiddling and made it. Bought her a carry bag and London address book.
14 Oaklands Road, Cricklewood, NW2London 15th January 1968
Things have been pretty good on the social side with lots of parties and Phil and I have long since decided the Pom parties are the best. I have been taking out a nice-looking bird from the staff lately or at least she’s been taking me as she’s got a mini and this beats public transport. I’m not too proud.
North Acton on the way home from a party
Saw “Fiddler on the Roof” again the other night and Topol, the Israeli who plays the lead, is still as great as ever. Have seen three or four other good plays and movies lately too including a Gilbert and Sullivan last night by the Doyley Carte Company, supposed to be the top company in the world.
We’ve decided to head out for Europe in Easter – hitching via France, Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Sicily, Rome, Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Luxemberg and back to Britain. Phil and I intend to soak up the sun for two months in Northern Africa and a Greek Island where we hope to survive for a £1 a day for 8 weeks. Then back to Pom for a few days and will probably go with Bill for about a six week holiday on the French Riviera, sleeping out, camping and Youth Hostelling. That will take me to August where I’m (also Phil) figuring on jetting out to Canada and a couple of weeks with Aunty Betty before beginning teaching in the Toronto area in September. This is only tentative (all these arrangements) but at present appears the most inviting. Hence I need urgently a photo-stat of my Teachers Certificate air mailed over so I can get an Ontario Teachers Certificate. Could you do this please?
Haven’t done much sightseeing lately (seen most of London) although bought a 6/- bus ticket to travel on any bus in London all day and checked out Karl Marx’s grave. Did you know the founder of Communism was buried a mile from here? I’ll bet the Russians or Chinese would like to buy him and put him alongside Lenin in the Kremlin Wall.
Keith appears to be getting on OK in Canada. Earning good money. He’s just bought a 1960 Ford Zephyr – says he can save $200 to $250 a month and only $3,000 for a new Mustang. Met another two of the girls we went to college with at a London party the other night. Can’t be too many schoolies left at home.
Some residents of the Cricklewood flat. Note the world map on the wall.
We have a large Europe and World map on the wall here and I get a new idea every now and then of some place I’d like to see. The way things are hotting up in Vietnam they’ll be calling me home to go to war! Don’t fancy that too much. (Vietnam War very unpopular here and in Europe). Still they can’t get me while I’m here can they?
The other bloke in our flat (Geoff) is going home overland to Darwin in April, taking 8 months and hitching. He’s been away 2 ½ years and his mother has been blind for 15 years – she has regained her sight following an operation and has not seen him since he was 7 years old so he’ll be home for Xmas. We have two Canadians staying in our flat for a few days at the moment – nice guys. Write soon.
This is the story of Will and his two friends who sailed to England in 1967 to see the world. Aerogrammes. letters, diaries and postcards help to tell of their adventures in this A to Z.
“With a Little Help from My Friends” Beatles • 1967 Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends Mm, I get high with a little help from my friends Mm, Gonna try with a little help from my friends
14 Oaklands Road, Cricklewood, NW2, London 11/11/67
Down at one of my famous old writing spots, the Laundromat, catching up with my mail while the machine gets rid of the dirt. Received your letter and pleased to catch up on the news as it was overdue, but I suppose a letter equals two aerogrammes, so I’ll let you off this time (with a warning).
Last Friday we tripped down to White City Stadium to watch the Rugby League and cheered the Aussies on to victory in the 2nd test – yelled ourselves hoarse among all the Poms and it was a really exciting game. Only 20,000 people but this was a good crowd for London where the game is not played and receives very little publicity at all in the papers.
Went down to see “Sound of Music” the other night. Have you seen it? A great show and I must check out Salzburg, Austria when I get there next Spring or Summer for the scenes where it is filmed.
We saw ol’ Harold Wilson at the Rugby and he went round to their pub after as he is a keen league man. The word is they had all drowned quite a few chilled chunder drops. Wilson’s popularity on the national scene is at an all-time low. The economic position here is hopeless. As we tell the Poms, “The only chance you’ve got is to emigrate, mate”. Australia House is doing good business as winter approaches. The cartoon in the paper had Liz and Phillip opening Parliament with the speech “Owing to the present economic situation, my husband and I have decided to emigrate.” It’s their only chance!
14 Oaklands Road, Cricklewood, NW2 London 10/12/67
Hello! I think you owe me a letter, so you’d better hurry up and write. Life in the old Pom is pretty cool these days with heavy snow covering the streets, trees and cars. The whole of London looks quite different – even attractive, as the old grey and brown buildings are pleasantly white. It is still quite a novelty as when we woke on Friday morning it was snowing heavily, and the temperature was around 28º F outside! The last two days have been averaging 21° F all over Britain which is pretty cold. Gloves, coats, scarves are in!
The kids at school are having a picnic and snow fights in the playground are quite popular. London isn’t geared for cold weather like this, and everything is disrupted. I was one hour late for school on Friday and when I got there had to teach three classes for an hour and then all day because of late arrivals and absences it was very hectic. Also, it’s chilly in the flat and even though the gas heater is on full all night the room never gets really warm. They need central heating urgently. Would love a toboggan or skis for up in the park but have had good snowball fights anyway!
Because of the snow we didn’t get up to Swinton to see the Rugby but one of our mates is a TV technician, so he gave us a set, and we watched a live broadcast – a great game. Raper played a blinder. It was quite pleasant sitting in front of the fire watching them play in the snowstorm.
Keith is leaving for Canada on the 27th December. He is to teach at Port Alberni near Victoria, British Colombia on January 3rd. The pay is very good, and he reckons he’s seen all of Europe he wants to see. Now he’s planning on teaching there till July 1968. Phil will probably stay another month or so here and head for Canada too. We’ve still got another bloke staying with us and won’t have any trouble getting someone else in the flat.
Last Friday I saw the “X” certified French movie “Belle de Jour” which was good entertainment and very revealing as was completely uncensored. I took Michelle whose French was good enough to follow but I had to read the subtitles.
We spent quite a few hours the other Saturday afternoon drinking at “Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese” in Fleet Street with a journalist and a retired pilot who flew with Kingsford Smith and was in Sydney in 1929. It was an historic old pub which was rebuilt in 1667, the year after being destroyed in the Great Fire. They celebrated their 300-year anniversary the previous day. The waiters looked pretty dashing in all their period clobber.
Waiter at Ye Old Cheshire Cheese
Keith and Phil send their regards and Season’s Greetings. Hope you have a great Xmas with not too many hangovers. Have a DA for me will you please – what did it taste like? And what does sun look and feel like? I hear you’ve had some hot days. How’s the sailing? Hope all are healthy and well – my regards to everyone. I know – tell them I said Merry Xmas to them too.
14 Oaklands Road, Cricklewood, NW2 London 28/12/1967
Happy New Year! We had an enjoyable Xmas here with 6 crates of Fosters Australian Lager among the three of us (plus Scotch etc ). The girls invited us round for dinner so we had a great feast and swung right through until midnight. The round of parties was very pleasant, and I had two Xmas dinners at school. Bought a bottle of Porphyry Pearl for the staff to show them how good Aussie wine is, and it was much appreciated.
Extract from Diary
Merry Christmas! Weather cold, dark and rain drizzling down.
At 12 midday around to girls’ flat armed with record player, Beatles records, whiskey, sherry, Spanish sauterne, Raki and two dozen cans of beer. Had a great feast of duckling and all usual Christmas trimmings which the three girls cooked and swung all through the afternoon and night ending quite plastered about midnight. A pleasant day.
Christmas Dinner at the girls’ flat
Unfortunately, it appears maxi skirts have a grip on now as more and more are appearing for the winter, but minis are predicted for the spring again, so I hope my memory is good enough to last.
Keith left for Port Alberni, British Colombia, Canada this morning at 10 am and should be there by now, ready to start teaching on January 3rd. Phil and I have still the same flat at the moment and think we might get a couple of birds in to share because they are tidier than blokes. Phil will stay a couple more months before heading off for Canada and I will be heading out for Europe again for about three months in April (by car, I hope)
My backpay of £70 stg came through last week as I am now qualified and actually have £20 more in the bank than I arrived with! Amazing.
Bill, a mate with a (new) car, just rang and wants to know if Phil and I (and two other mates) would like to go to Scotland for the New Year weekend and as Edinburgh is reckoned to be a really swinging town on New Year’s Eve with big celebrations, we will probably go. Should be fun.
Holt’s (Australian Prime Minister) disappearance was a terrible shock and tragedy. I have sent the newspapers of the next day by sea mail just so you can get an idea of the publicity it received over here.
Sounds as if you had some nice presents being handed out there at Xmas. We ended up with lots of cards and specially liked those with good ol’ Aussie on them. There have been some good shows on TV over the holiday break and we still have our free set and free record player. Bill is bringing round a colour set one night just so we can check it out here – what I’ve seen so far of colour is quite good. Still seeing many plays and shows as London is a good spot for these. Sir Alec Guiness tomorrow night, Juliet Prowse another, Gilbert and Sullivan, Royal Albert Hall, etc, etc
What does the sun look like? It’s usually dark by 3.30pm and some days we don’t even see a glimpse of it – wait till summer and I’m in Spain and Greece. Ah! Pleasant dreams.
This is the story of Will and his two friends who sailed to England in 1967 to see the world. Aerogrammes. letters, diaries and postcards help to tell of their adventures in this A to Z.
"Les Bicyclettes de Belsize" Engelbert Humperdinck • 1969 Turning and turning The world goes on We can’t change it my friend Let us go riding now through the days Together to the end
Extract from Diary
Saturday 2nd of September 1967
Looking for flat. Saw one at Cricklewood. Michelle left for Europe. To OVC to watch TV and have a few beers. Decided to take Cricklewood flat.
14 Oaklands Road, Cricklewood. Will and friends lived on the ground floor. Photo from Apple Maps.
Sunday the 3rd of September 1967
Late up. To Tate Gallery to see display (not impressed) and then to Imperial War Museum which was very interesting.
Monday the 4th of September 1967
Tube to school. My new class (2C) has a bad reputation from last year but still there are only 22 or 24 kids. 65% are West Indian and 50% are practically illiterate.
A mother saw me this morning and said, “I buy this book for my little girl and she can’t even read “T-H-A-T” so please teach her to read and hit her hard if she does not try.”
All I could reply was I’ll see what I can do. Four new teachers arrived and we have a free hand to teach whatever curriculum we like.
Tuesday 5th of September 1967
My new class is to have eight other kids added to make 32 and boy, do they need help! Reading ability is mostly non-existent and they can hardly count to 10.
Spent evening going out to Cricklewood to fix deposit of flat and letter writing.
Saturday 9th September 1967
The Cricklewood Flat in 1967. Keith and the 1000 Van
Spent the morning packing and made two trips in the Morris 1000 to the new flat. Spent all arvo unpacking and moving furniture and doing some shopping. Pleased to get mail from my brother Jack. Big news is Gail is expecting and I’m to be an uncle!
Sunday 10th September 1967
Spent the morning after breakfast cleaning everything in sight. When landlord arrived, Phil was cleaning windows, I was sweeping and Keith was washing drawers and putting in clean newspaper. He was impressed. Flat now seems OK. Gus and Tommy came over at 5:30 pm and were the first visitors to the new flat. We caught tube to the Prospect of Whitby where ten of us met and were the star attractions leading the singing and creating the noise. All pretty cheery by the time we left.
A cheerful group
Friday, 29th September, 1967
Today at school my class won the school cup for the week as the most improved behaving class in the school. The boss said he didn’t have to speak to one child from that class all week.
Class of the Week
They’re pretty well set up here having their own assembly hall, gymnasium, library, art room, dining hall etc which is pretty good for a Primary School but the standard of education isn’t too high.
14 Oaklands Road, Cricklewood NW2 London England 3rd October 1967
I figure you owe me a letter but if I don’t write now I’ll never have room to fit everything in. I’m back at school after a great nine day holiday. The last of the leaves are floating down from the trees and the previous couple of days have been pretty cold, wet and dark. It was pitch black by 5 pm this arvo and could be a cold winter. The week in Belgium and Holland however was mostly good weather with quite a bit of sunshine. Only had rain in the last couple of days in Amsterdam.
I left London on the first day of the holidays and hitched down to Dover. It is very easy hitching in England and a couple of lifts I got first swing of the thumb. Had a ride with a guy who raced Formula 1s and was on the way to time trials in his VW Beetle 1500. I navigated a 90-mph trip to Dover so got there early in the afternoon. Went to see the movie “The Dirty Dozen” that night and stayed at a Youth Hostel. A Yank guy and I caught the ship to Ostende, Belgium after checking out Dover Castle and the old gun emplacements overlooking the channel.
Dover was shelled about 40 different times by the Nazis from Calais. Spent 2 days altogether in Belgium which isn’t a very impressive country really – although it’s quite modern and has a high standard of living, it hasn’t much character of its own. I ended up near the German border after hitching through Belgium one afternoon.
The Atomium in the 1958 World Fair Grounds, Brussels, Belgium. Lifts and escalators connect the circles. The Atomium represents a diagram of the atom and each room contains an exhibition relating to the atom and its peaceful use.
Most people who gave me lifts were friendly, about 50% spoke English and I have had some funny experiences trying to communicate with non-English speakers. One fellow bought me a beer, another coffee etc. It’s surprising though just how many people speak English. It’s a set language taught in schools and easily the most international of languages (which is handy).
I entered Southern Holland on Monday and stayed at a 140-bed youth hostel in a place called Sittard as the only visitor. The youth hostels were very good – many are modern and interesting. I hitched 150 miles the next day to Rotterdam where I had arranged to meet Ted (Canadian). We hired a bike the next day for 5/- a day and pedalled along the special bike roads of the city- the largest port in the world.
Mounted on my treadle. in Rotterdam Holland. World’s busiest harbour and thick with water traffic going both ways. Most of the roads in the city were like this and the cobbles made for rough riding. Even saw a guy wearing clogs laying new ones. Surprising as Rotterdam is mostly modern otherwise.
I’ve never seen so many ships going up and down one harbour. Went by train to the Hague where we hired another treadle. It’s great fun being on a bike again. I forgot and kept left instead of right and nearly had a head on argument with a tram.
The Hague, Holland. Three Aussie mates (Perth) and Ted. They were travelling by train and had to walk out to this youth hostel (background) 10 km from town. We pedalled.
We spent the next few days in Amsterdam which is a great city. Visited Rembrandt’s house, Anne Frank’s house, toured the canals by boat, visited the Flea Market and sent Jack a card from the Heineken brewery which is being sent free (probably snail mail) Caught the ship and train back Sat night.
Anne Franks’ House – Amsterdam. Anne died in a German prisoner of war camp (Belsen) at the age of 15, late in 1944. There used to be five cars a week drop into the canal but a safety rail at tyre height has now been erected.
A week before the hols Keith and I saw the Beatles attending the premiere of John Lennon’s new movie “How I Won the War” at Piccadilly Circus. Big crowd! On the Friday we saw the Motor Show which was 7/6 for the Poms but as overseas visitors we got in for free. We missed the first test but are going on Friday night under lights and to a party afterward.
Keith went up the north of England for the hols to visit some distant relations and got a warm reception. Phil stayed home – says he’s saving money. Michelle is in Spain. We’re off to the footie on Saturday to cheer on the All Blacks. Only 7 ½ weeks to Xmas hols. Next Saturday is Guy Fawkes Day- Wow!
This is the story of Will and his two friends who sailed to England in 1967 to see the world. Aerogrammes. letters, diaries and postcards help to tell of their adventures in this A to Z.
"Back in the U.S.S.R" Beatles • 1968 I’m back in the U.S.S.R. You don’t know how lucky you are, boy Back in the U.S.S.R.
52 Weltje Road,Hammersmith, W6 London, 29th August 1967
Greetings! We had a fabulous trip and already have some good slides back. Briefly we stopped at Brussels, Belgium and onto Hamburg, Germany where we stayed at a hotel and checked out the Zillertal which is the fabulous beer hall where you drink from great steins of beer and the brass band plays while everyone links arms and sings and dances. Here we also saw the girls in the windows on the Reeperbahn admired by throngs of spectators. West Germany seems a great country, very modern and the Autobahns are really class. No speed limits which is terrifying as we narrowly escaped one four car pileup. Many of these highways were built by Hitler and they have no space at the side for broken down cars to get off the road.
Had a great stay in Copenhagen, Denmark which has quite a high standard of living.
Extract from Diary Monday 7th August
Bus took us through Copenhagen to the Tuborg Brewery where we did a tour of inspection and afterwards got right amongst the chilled strong beer. Saw the changing of the guard at the Royal Palace and then to Memorial Museum to Danes who fought in the underground resistance against the Nazis. Took photo of the little mermaid and spent afternoon shopping.
The statue of The Little Mermaid has been on this rock since 1913
There is no censorship here, so slides, books, magazines, films are available in most pornographic detail, receiving no attention from Danes but lots from tourists.
Strolled up to Tivoli Gardens after dinner in self-serve restaurant. Met Kim and Margaret from Canberra and rode on roller coaster, ferris wheel, played poker machines (made in Australia), and then saw a high-class variety show which featured Marlene Dietrich. Cost 3 Kroners (3/-) to stand. Fabulous success.
We drove into Sweden which is supposed to have one of the highest standards of living in the world. Stockholm was beautiful as it’s built on 14 islands. The open-air folk museum was fascinating. Early type homes and shops have been reconstructed and people in period costume were carrying on crafts and so on inside. Very realistic.
We cruised then through the archipelago with the midnight sun shining on the water and had a glorious smorgasbord dinner and breakfast on board, being awoken to land in Finland and finished a couple of days in Helsinki with a sauna bath (where the idea originated). Very invigorating.
Thurs 10th August
Stood on deck to watch ship enter Turku harbour, Finland. Through customs without difficulty although NZs had to have visas for Finland. The Youth Hostel in Helsinki was part of the Olympic Games village in 1952. Very flash hostel 3 or 4 to a room with cupboard space, desks, hot showers, TV (saw American TV programme with Finnish sub-titles) Hostel has three gymnasiums and one 5 lane bowling alley.
Will and statue of great Finnish athlete Paavo Nermi at the entrance of the Olympic Stadium
Explored the area in the afternoon and went into Helsinki after dinner to see night-life (non-existent).
We reached the Russian border the next day and spent two hours getting through customs while they searched everything, mirrors under the bus and climbed on top and all. We spent over a week having a look at the results of “fifty glorious years since the workers revolution” and saw Communism at work. I entered open-minded and expected to see the result of “the great leap forward” but left totally unimpressed. A country that is sending rockets to the moon has its people living in shanties (out of the cities) and carrying their water in buckets out of the town, farming with horses and ploughs and so on. The same way they have been living for centuries. The only change Communism has made is to give them TV sets.
The All the same Russia was very interesting as we had seen nothing like it before. Leningrad and Novgorod were places we stayed and then into Moscow which was much better with modern apartments and new campsite. The shops are very austere, a very narrow range of goods on sale and mainly food shops anyway. There was a good market for ball point biros with flick ends (unfortunately I had bought normal ones) and the chewing gum which were both fetching one rouble each (AU$1) or sixpenny gum on illegal sales. They were so keen for jeans they were prepared to buy the ones we were wearing. Beatles records were also in demand and some people had brought them to sell. Also, there was a very big black market on money changing. You could get two and a half times the official rate but we felt we were being closely watched. Saw quite a lot of the city during our four-night stay.
Extract from Diary
Thursday, 17th August
Up at 8:30 AM left camp 9.30am into Moscow, visited Kremlin and saw Tsar’s cannon (never fired), largest bell in the world, then Red Square and Lenin’s tomb (long queue), checked out GUM department store. Saw Russian ladies working on the road in many places shovelling dirt. Lunch in square near bus. Back into Kremlin and got couple of pics of Red Square.
St Basil’s Cathedral in Red Square, Moscow. Will is in white long socks
Then by bus to souvenir shop where I bought a set of Russian dolls. Back to camp for dinner and then shower and some bods went to circus but Roy, Ian and I walked down to hotel and ordered ice cream AOK and Russian beer (terrible). Circus was said to be crook. Bed 11:30 pm.
We weren’t sad to get out eventually however into Poland which although Communist too, appears better off financially. At least the horse and carts had rubber tyres! Poland apparently has some free enterprise and it was good to see shops with attractive window displays etc and people who appeared a little more excited about living. Black market prices for money was four times the official rate. From here on we stayed in hotels in two cities that really received a hammering in the Second World War. In Warsaw we saw men unearthing human skeletons buried only two feet down.
Horse and cart in Poland
Extract from Diary
Tuesday 22nd August
Up at 5:30 am brekky at 6:00 am Drove all day through pretty Polish countryside passing many horse and carts but very little motorised traffic. Reached East German border at 5:00 pm on into East Berlin at 8:00 pm. City is surprisingly modern with much construction taking place but quite a few traces of war damage. Our hotel Berolina is very modern and new and is said to be the best in East Berlin. 9:00 pm dinner of four courses and welcome by our host. Each room has private bath and is very comfy. Bath and drink before bed.
Wednesday, 23rd August
Up at 7:00 am with good brekky in hotel. l changed money and headed off down Karl Marx Avenue to check out the town, past a modern fountain and then back down an old time, fashionable street of pre-war Berlin. Checked out bombed cathedral and saw “monument to those victims sacrificed to Fascism and Militarism”. Continued to Unter den Linden where rebuilding was complete to Brandenburg Gate and saw the wall with guards everywhere patrolling the no man’s land with automatic weapons.
Will pretending to climb the wall near the Brandenburg Gate
Hitler’s bunker was still there where he died and then we walked on to Checkpoint Charlie, the only crossing into the West, where we were told to move on. Had dinner in nice German restaurant for 10 shillings sterling. Into Post Museum and saw car smash out the front, then inside another bombed church, passed a bombed theatre under reconstruction and checked out a new church. On to “Museum of German History”, a communist interpretation, very anti-Nazi of course which showed the “heroic struggle of the German worker to defeat the bourgeoisie and capitalist warmongers to bring peace happiness and economic prosperity to the German people”. Viewed the museum where Karl Marx and Einstein were educated and the library where Lenin read and wrote in 1895. Travelled on Berlin underground and walked back to hotel for hot bath and dinner of four courses.
Communist Germany is easily the highest standard of living we’ve seen for a communist country with a variety of goods in the windows etc and we have the feeling there is quite a bit of free enterprise operating. Michelle’s fluent German has been handy especially for ordering cold beer.
Thursday, 24th August
Up at 6:30 AM to good brekky. Great coffee with cream. Set out at 7:30am, arrived at East German border at 11:00 am and spent some time while bus, passports, boots etc were checked for stowaways. Got through to the West German border at Helmstedt – breathed a sigh of relief. Good to be in a civilised country again with a high standard of living!
Have been back in London a few days and we have this flat for another three weeks and then hope to get a better one for the winter. School starts next Monday unfortunately but only seven weeks to a week’s holiday so won’t be too bad. Keith and Phil should be back very shortly. They were in Denmark last I heard.
This is the story of Will and his two friends who sailed to England in 1967 to see the world. Aerogrammes. letters, diaries and postcards help to tell of their adventures in this A to Z.
“Monsieur Dupont" Sandie Shaw • 1968 I'm learning every day, a different word to say I know "Je t'aime" and "Je t'adore" But won't you tell me how Oh won't you tell me now The way you say en français: "Give me more"
52 Weltje Road, Hammersmith W6 London 2nd August 1967
We had a fabulous week in Paris although it was fairly expensive. We flew over by Viscount and back by BAC jet and had a good view of the countryside and channel as we only flew at 2000 feet. We stayed at very nice hotel and discovered my French was better than I thought. We had two French girls show us around for a couple of days who didn’t speak any English but Michelle did the translating as she speaks French very fluently.
We went up the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triumph, Notre Dame and all the other famous places. One night we went to the Folies Bergère which was full of Americans and cost $4 Australian and was pretty weak in spite of all the nudes. They are really into tipping in Paris. You even have to tip the girl who shows you to your seat. A Coca Cola at interval cost 40c . It was also very difficult to get used to walking into toilets and finding women attendants watching you have a snakes (hiss) and you’re expected to tip them too. We just smiled politely and kept walking. Then there are the street toilets where your head and feet stick out and peep holes are provided for anyone with limited imagination.
Street toilets in Paris
We had a trip down the River Seine on a ferry, visited an underground wine cellar and tasted le vin, saw Napoleon’s tomb, visited the art galleries and saw the Mona Lisa and all the famous paintings by Van Gogh, Renoir, Matisse etc which were very exciting to see in real life. Also went out to Versailles, the Palace where King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette lived. It is a huge place and the grounds cover miles. We saw the Hall of Mirrors where the Treaty of Versailles was signed which ended the First World War.
Hall of Mirrors
We strolled by de Gaulle’s palace just after he had returned from the Canada fiasco and the place was surrounded by gendarmes.
We had snails at a café. They looked just like your garden variety. Would have tried frogs legs too but they weren’t cooked.
Extract from Diary Saturday 27th July
Train from Victoria Station to Gatwick Airport. With Michelle, Norma, Neil. Boarded a Viscount aircraft for 7pm take off and smooth short trip with lovely views across the English Channel to France. (first ever flight). Then by train to Gare du Nord in Paris. My French began its first use since High School as I ordered a hot dog and a biere (good German and Belgium brews)
By Citreon taxi to our hotel (Hotel Gailloun Opera) which is expensive at £1/10/- for bed and continental breakfast but very comfy. No one speaks English so I’m madly learning a few words in French.
Monday, 24th July
Awoke at 8.00 am to Bonjour Monsieur and Café au Lait et Croissant in bed – a double bed and nice room to myself. Michelle does a great job of translating and is particularly handy when a) the bloke you are speaking to doesn’t speak English b) You are thrown by a conversational Frenchman or an answer which exceeds your scope.
Will wearing a blonde wig for some unknown reason in his Paris Hotel room
The day was hot and sunny so we often stopped for a cold beer at open air cafes.
We travelled by metro (underground) to the open air (Flea) Markets where everything is sold. Then by old fashioned bus to the Sacre Coer which is a large important church on a hill.
Walked around to the artist quarters where works of art were being painted then bought bread, cheese, German sausage, tomato, butter, yoghurt and wine for dinner back in our hotel room.
Tuesday 25th July
Awoke at 8.00am to breakfast in bed – C’est la Vie! To Bureau du Postes then Metro to Chatelet and onto Ile de la Cite and St Louis in the middle of the River Seine. Checked out Notre Dame Cathedral and open air book stalls…I flaked out for a few hours. Norma and Michelle left for a French play but I couldn’t cop that at present.
Wednesday 26th July
Weather – Tres chaude. To Iena by underground then strolled to Palais de Chaillot and over road to the Eiffel Tower where we paid 4 francs and went up the lift to the second stage. Glorious view of Paris.
Postcard – La Tour Eiffel
Lunched at sidewalk café and had a beer. Walked across Seine and visited Musee d’Art Moderne and saw many Picassos (originals). Caught river boat for a cruise on the Seine.
Met Francoise, a French girl who Michelle knew, at La Place de la Concorde where King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette lost their heads in the Revolution. She took us by bus on a trip through Paris to near her flat where we stopped at a café and she bought us a biere. We also met Dominique, her flat mate and she got her car, a Fiat 850 and took us out to Versailles to see the Palace (which was not flood lit as expected). Did a tour of Paris lights by night.
Thursday, 27th July
Walked past Madeleine, 3rd largest church in Paris and then past Palais de l’Elyse where President De Gaulle lives. He had just arrived home from Canada in a storm after he said “Long live free Quebec” and this was not appreciated by Lester Pearson. Down to Shell ICI where Francois works and met her at 11.30am. Lunch at self-serve restaurant. Walked home, Neil and I in shorts and long socks getting quite a lot of looks from the local people.
Will and Neil in long socks
At 2.30 pm we planned a trip through the underground sewers of Paris but 100 people were queued so we gave it a miss (smell was also strong). Went to Louvre and saw the famous Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo and Winged Victory. Sat in park and paid for using chairs – 40 centimes equals 9 cents Australian.
Home for dinner – then went to Folies Bergère. Show was very elaborate but very weak. Many Americans there. Very hot inside theatre as had been 86 degrees F in the shade all day. Many nudes and topless gowns. Lasted for four tedious hours.
Friday, 28th July
Caught train to Versailles about 20 miles from Paris. Visited the Chateau of Versailles which is gigantic and very elaborate, once the home of King Louis XVI and Marie Antionette before they had a short back and sides at La Place de la Concorde in Paris. The grounds are extensive, filled with gardens, statues and ponds.
Will and friends making their own sculpture in the grounds of the Palace of Versailles
Caught a Metro to La Pigalle where all the strip clubs are and the Moulin Rouge which is very expensive but apparently is an improvement on the Folies (it would want to be). Meal charge is £5 and minimum drink charge 15/-. We had a drink at the café opposite where we paid about 3/9 each for a beer plus service about 6d. Robbery! Walked home.
Saturday 29th July
Bought snails and prawns while shopping and tasted the snails for the first time. It’s the image of those slimy things that tastes the worst. Took the Metro to Hotel des Invalides and saw Tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte. Revisited Notre Dame and marched to the top to get photos of the devils.
View from the top of Notre Dame
Sunday 30th July
Checked out of hotel, then to Rodin Museum where we saw his sculptures including the famous Le Penseur (The Thinker).
Girls went to see tombs of famous French men eg Louis Pasteur, while Neil and I found a café and ate cheese sandwiches, drank beer and read English newspapers.
Train out of Paris to airport then Jet BAC 111 to Gatwick – very comfy flight as night fell. London at 12 pm.
Rodin Museum
We are keeping this flat until Sep 18th which is about three weeks after I get back from Russia. After that we are going to get a better one for the winter. We have five here now. Gus from Sydney, cabinmate from ship, Neil from Sydney, one of the originals, Tommy from New Guinea and Qld, Ted from Canada. We had seven the other day as another Canadian was sleeping on the floor for a week and Fred from Wollongong. Fred bought himself a motor scooter and is touring Britain for his six-week school hols.
I bought an anorak (parka) today. It’s a beauty and cost me £5/7/6 sterling and will be ideal for winter. We are expecting weather in Scandinavia and Russia to be warm. It doesn’t get dark in Stockholm and Helsinki until midnight and then gets light very quickly and as almost the opposite occurs in winter it’s just as well we are going in summer. I’m looking forward to seeing Moscow, Leningrad, Warsaw and Berlin and have heard biros sell well in Russia so I have a stack that I bought for 3d each. Michelle and Norma are going on the tour too.
This is the story of Will and his two friends who sailed to England in 1967 to see the world. Aerogrammes. letters, diaries and postcards help to tell of their adventures in this A to Z.
“Galway Bay” Bing Crosby • 1947 If you ever go across the sea to Ireland Then maybe at the closing of your day You will sit and watch the moon rise over Claddagh And watch the barefoot gossoons at their play
Extract from Diary
Friday, 26th May 1967 Whitsun Midterm Holiday Break
After school, we caught the Tube to Euston and then the Dublin train (100 mph) to Holyhead, Wales. Bleary eyed we boarded the ship “Cambria” at 2.30 am setting sail across Irish Sea at 3.20 am. It was very cold but the seas were smooth. We arrived in Dublin at 7.30 am.
Saturday27th May
This morning we collected the car, a Viva Leprechaun, from Ryans. After our uncomfortable night we booked a cabin for the return trip. Our first port of call was Bray heading south. We drove through poor mountainous country, wet heath and bogs in misty weather. We continued south to Tullon and on to Wexford, a shipping port with very narrow streets and of course the usual church ruins. I stopped driving and started sleeping. We continued thence to Arthur’s Town where we checked into a youth hostel. Once settled in we strolled around to the small fishing village of Ballyhack which was virtually untouched by progress.
Consulting the map. We did ask for directions once and were enchanted by the lilting Irish brogue who delivered them. No-one understood what he said but we all loved listening to him.
Sunday 28th May
The morning began with a drive to Tintern Abbey (mentioned in Wordsworth’s Poem), then to Waterford (glass manufacturing town) and on to Cashel where we checked out St Dominican’s Abbey used since 11th Century for Kings, Priests etc.
Rock of Cashel near Tipperary
Then it was off to Tipperary (not such a long way to go). There we had ham sandwiches, Guinness and Irish bread. It was really tasty, and very pleasant overlooking Glen Allerlow in the sun, which was warm. I had driven 100 miles so Norma took over while I had a sleep in the back seat over the last few hours. We tried to view Blarney Castle but rain was pouring down so we headed back to Cork and checked into the hostel which is large and has hot showers for 6d. The girls cooked a three course dinner after which we went for a drive around Cork until 9.30 pm where it was still quite light.
Impressions of Ireland so far
Beautiful countryside. Very green and lush
People friendly with enchanting accents
Churches everywhere – 95% of population is very Catholic. Evident with many statues and crosses
People fiercely nationalistic
Republic flags everywhere
British money widely used
Statues of heroes of the Revolution are very popular
Many Churches, abbeys and castle ruins dot the countryside
Very rural country with not much industry: materials (linen, tweed), some glass, beer (Guinness), fishing, appear to be main non-rural industries
Roads fairly good. All sealed – country ones are narrow but trunk roads satisfactory
Car is beauty. Goes very well and plenty of space
Food slightly dearer than in England. Petrol is dear
Weather – very changeable. Blue skies to black and heavy rain to blue again all in the space of half an hour, all day
Monday 29th May
We left the hostel after sweeping chores at 9.15 am. From Cork we drove back to Blarney where we visited the castle complete with dungeons and towers, got with the strength and kissed the Blarney stone which bestows the gift of eloquence. Wow!
Will kissing the Blarney Stone
We madeBantry for lunch, with a Carlsberg beer by the harbourside. Along Bantry Bay we drove to Glengorriff through Turner’s Rock tunnel to Kenmare, You drive in to the tunnel in County Cork and exit it in County Kerry or vice versa.
Turner’s Rock Tunnel was built in the 19th century. The tunnel is 180 metres in length and is 3.65 metres in height. Due to it’s height, no operating tour buses can fit through the tunnel.
We then entered the scenic drive of Ring of Kerry where peat bogs featured. It was quite beautiful as we drove from Dingle Bay to Killarney. Here we checked into the hostel which was an old estate mansion. The halls were big enough to hold a ball.
Youth Hostel at Killarney overlooking lakes
Tuesday30th May
This morning we drove into Killarney where we became tourists and boarded a horse and carriage for a drive along the banks of Lough Leane where cars are not permitted.
A drive along Lough Leane
It was very pretty as the sun shone on remains of the castle built 1420, destroyed 1645 by Oliver Cromwell. Out to Mangerton I thought it was a dead spit of Jamberoo Falls (waterfall in south coast of NSW). In Tralee we did some shopping and stopped for a picnic lunch on the banks of the River Shannon.
In the afternoon we arrived in Limerick to check out Norma’s penfriend, who is quite nice and stopped for a couple of Guinness at a small pub.
Impressions:
Red hair quite common
Quote: It’s going to be a good tourist season.
Religion: Gerrard (penfriend’s husband) blessed himself every time he passed a church.
Lady on bicycle blessed herself as she passed three nuns (seated on park bench with their backs to her).
Donkeys and carts still main form of transport in country areas.
The Bed and Breakfast in Limerick was very comfortable. After dinner we drove out to Bunratty Castle where a banquet was to be held that night (for tourists). We explored an old castle ruin on the return trip. Then we were off to Cruises Hotel, Limerick for an Irish Ballad Session with very good singing and dancing and filled with American tourists.
Wednesday 31st May
We were up at 7.30 am and I enjoyed a hot bath. Gerrard took us out to Bunratty on the way to Galway and showed us around Irish cottages and the castle. We then drove on to Galway arriving 11.30am singing Galway Bay as we drove along its banks. The weather was warm so I put on togs and had a quick, cold swim. Sandwiches and a beer for lunch in warm sun were very enjoyable. It was very poor land, rocky, with depressed thatched cottages and rock fences.
Printed and Published by John Hinde, Dublin
On and on we drove through land producing hardly anything but peat (turf) for fires. It was a fast trip as I sent the Viva along quickly through country roads to Sligo. Here we sent a postcard to Bill McGrath, Principal of Wollongong Teachers College as his ancestors came from here.
We drove eight miles out to Glencar and into a small quaint hostel, 16 beds only, in pretty countryside, water from the well, wash in lake or brook. After dinner we enjoyed a stroll along the road at 10.30 pm when dusk was beginning to fall.
Thursday, 1st June
Glencar Lake Youth Hostel, North West Ireland. Michelle is demonstrating how we performed the morning chores.
After breakfast I had to scrub floors, finally leaving at 9am. We drove around Glencar Lake to Ballyshannon and Donegal. Checked out the castle, saw gypsies and arrived at the border of Northern Ireland where we talked to customs men (socially). To London, Derry where we sang the “London Derriere” (Danny Boy).
Northern Ireland (Ulster) although like the Republic in many ways was noticeably different. The standard of living appears much higher, roads better, towns more modern, less churches (hardly any Catholic, by comparison). Farms are more fertile and more mechanised (a few donkeys only).
We lunched in a lay-by beside a creek and baked in the Buttered Bun as Big Hughie was really listening to the stout sacrifice. Then we moved on to Limavady, Coleraine, Port Stewart (small seaside town) where we bought ice creams and posted slides. At the Giant’s Causeway we walked for a mile to see funny rocks, columns and steps of basalt. Buttered Bun Beaming Brightly (alliteration).
Giant’s Causeway
At the end of a scenic road we reached Bally Gally where there was a magic hostel. After checking in we walked along the beach and had a beer in an expensive hotel. We could see Scotland 45 miles away across the sea.
Friday, 2nd June
On the way to Belfast, capital of North Ireland, we gave Belgium Harry a lift. We parked and walked around, bought food, got lost, and couldn’t find car for one hour. People were helpful for directions. The accent is more Scot and English than the charming Irish accent. Belfast has a population of half a million, has a good shopping centre and we saw more industry (mostly ship building) here than in the rest of Ireland.
The ship building city of Belfast
The weather was overcast so although parts of the country were quite beautiful the weather didn’t make us enthusiastic sight see-ers so we sang as we drove. Passing through Mourne Mountains we sang “ Mountains of Mourne Sweep Down to the Sea”. On to Slane where St Patrick introduced Christianity to Ireland and up a country lane to Tara, seat of the Irish Kings and also where the Irish revolution of 1798 took place. Heading for home we drove down to Dublin with 1400 miles on the speedo since we began. We checked into a Dublin Hostel at 7.30 pm, bought chips and beefburgers for dinner. Although it is a large hostel it is full.
Saturday 3rd June
I only had a cold wash this morning as there was no shower or hot water. First stop was the station to cloak in bags and then we had to return the car. After visiting the Art Gallery, we saw the Garden of Remembrance to “those who died in the cause of Irish freedom”. The girls suggested we go to church to see a Catholic mass. It was quite interesting but when everyone knelt, Fred and I slipped out the back way.
Postcard printed and published by John Hinde Limited, Dublin
Impressions of Dublin: Streets filthy – saw Dublin castle – pretty weak, and also another church. Ate at restaurant with terrible food. Then to movie to see Casino Royale which was corny. Ate at movie cafeteria (good) then walked to station. Altogether we weren’t too enchanted with Dublin but this didn’t dampen our enthusiasm for the remainder of Ireland where we had an A1 holiday.
The ship had a comfy cabin and hot water. Wash, beer, coffee, bed.
Sunday 4th June
Up at 6.30am. The ship was already in port. Breakfast, then straight onto train, sightseeing through Wales countryside. Fast, comfy train to Euston with compartment to ourselves. Arrived 1.20 pm, caught tube home.
This is the story of Will and his two friends who sailed to England in 1967 to see the world. Aerogrammes. letters, diaries and postcards help to tell of their adventures in this A to Z.
“Waterloo Sunset” The Kinks • 1967 Dirty old river, must you keep rolling Flowing into the night? People so busy, make me feel dizzy Taxi light shines so bright
52 Weltje Road, Hammersmith, London, 6th May, 1967
Well, still fitting as much in as short a time as possible and time flies by. Last weekend eight of us checked out London looking over Westminster Abbey where all the tombs of the illustrious of England are (Kings and Queens, also people like Dickens, Kipling, Gladstone, etc) and then saw Scott’s ship, the Discovery, anchored in the Thames.
The Dove at Hammersmith
Keith, Phil and the other two blokes moved on, so Sunday night six of us had a few beers at “The Dove”, 250 year old pub down the road and I bet them £1 I could swim the Thames. So at midnight I stripped down to my U-tweeds, waded into the freezing water and stroked out. The tide is very strong as there is a 20 foot rise and fall so I was delirious with joy when my hands hit the bottom on the other side. I contemplated swimming back but knew I would end up too far down the river to get home. Fortunately I was near the Hammersmith Bridge so ran back in my underwear. A lone walker on the bridge glanced at me in surprise but did not reply to my cheery greeting. My mates, who thought I had drowned, gave me a hero’s welcome and a warm coat. I collected my £1. The next day it snowed (in May) in London but melted on hitting the ground. We’re still laughing over the whole event. The staff at school couldn’t believe it and asked if I had gone to the hospital to get my stomach pumped out. I don’t seem to have had any ill effects.
An OK dinghy at Hammersmith. This is where I swam the river. Hammersmith Bridge I ran over is in the background. Photo taken at 7.30 pm (Good old Daylight Saving Time – it doesn’t get dark until 10 pm)
I’d better answer these questions you asked while I still have the space. Keith and Phil have been back to the flat for a couple of days after a week in Cornwall sleeping in the van. They didn’t see much of Scotland before, so are going back for a week tomorrow. They are spending a bit of money and intend to be in Canada in September to earn some after touring Europe. As for me I plan to stay for a while and may teach another two terms yet. I have in mind a trip to Scandinavia and Russia in July for three or four weeks and am hiring a car to tour Ireland in the mid term holidays on May 26th. Sharing the flat at the moment is Ted (a Canadian, 20, not a bad guy) and Fred (31) and we are looking for another 1 or 2 shortly. Michelle is a French and German teacher from Tasmania and Norma is a history teacher from Victoria. The flat’s a little more normal as we had nine sleeping there one night and eight regularly. We had to have two sittings for meals!
A gathering at The Hammer
We have been getting out to see quite a few shows. Wednesday night last we saw “The Seekers” at the London Palladium. It was great to see four Aussie’s knocking them dead. Friday night the girls shouted me to see “Fiddler on the Roof” which is a live musical comedy playing to packed houses and said to be the greatest thing since “My Fair Lady”. A week or two ago we saw the movie, “A Man for All Seasons” filmed by Fred Zimmerman partly at Hampton Court Palace which we checked out yesterday.
This Saturday we explored Hyde Park which is quite huge and hired a 14 foot dinghy with red and white sails to give the girls a sail. What a joke, sailing on a puddle hole like the Serpentine. There was a 10/- deposit which you lost if you capsized it and I had my good clobber on so I didn’t bother to wash the sails.
Having lunch in Hyde Park London. Hire sailing boats in background.
Yesterday, Sunday, we had a free trip around the Thames Valley with a mini bus so anything for free is a beauty. We were taken on a conducted tour of Eton School. Started in 1440 and it’s a regular riot to see these kids in a school “uniform” complete with stiff collars and tails. Top hats for the prefects. From there to Windsor Castle where the Queen was in residence. It’s a gigantic castle built in 1070 and added to ever since. The Irish guards don’t even smile when you stand right in front of them but apparently if you annoy them too much they salute arms and drop the butt on your toe. Saw Phil’s polo ponies but didn’t happen to see him or Charlie. Went to Runnymede after and checked out the spot where King John signed the Magna Carta. From there to Hampton Court Palace, once home of Henty VIII and a fabulous place with huge gardens and we managed to get lost in the maze of bushes. Turned out a good day and a cheap one.
Hampton Court Gardens
I hope you got your Mothers’ Day card in time, Mum. Well, I’ve probably forgotten some of the news but afternoon playtime at school is nearly over and the kids will be returning any minute, so I’d better close.
Received your letter last week. Good to hear all the news. I’ve just found time to write as I have been out 20 days of the last 21 every night and all weekend also. It’s a bit hectic and I must get some rest soon. We have been to see quite a few shows lately. The play “Ghosts”, the musical “Oliver” starring Australian Barry Humphries, which was great, the open-air production of “Midsummer Night’s Dream” (sensational), the movie “Ulysses” which is banned in Australia and also in parts of England but is completely untouched here – (Wow! Name the four-letter word and they use it), “Zorba the Greek” – a good movie, “Blow Up”, again uncensored, “The Royal Tournament” – displays of music, marching, pageantry and skills by army, navy and air force. This was quite spectacular.
I have also been getting a few free excursions to places I haven’t been by taking the kids to the Commonwealth Institute. You should have seen the bus conductor’s face when we asked for 54 tickets. We used up all the paper in his machine, and to Hamstead Heath where I took the kids swimming in the first open air pool I’ve been in over here. I have been doing quite a lot of swimming, usually twice a week, once with the kids and once after school. The weather has been quite warm. I didn’t realise they have such good weather occasionally. But this doesn’t matter as most of the pools are heated.
We spent an afternoon at Wimbledon watching the tennis and of course we were clapping hard when the Aussies made a good shot which was often. It was really exciting to see Newcombe win.
The last two weekends we have spent away from London as its good to get out in the open air and sun again for a change. Last week seven of us hitched in pairs to Brighton which is the Pom’s number one beach. Not even a ripple where the surf should be of course, and their beach is all pebbles, but half of London was there. Stayed at a youth hostel, then next day we went to Hastings, riding for a couple of miles in an open top bus (sports model). Stopped off at the spot where William the Conqueror won the Battle of Hastings in 1066, and then returned to London. A cheap weekend as it cost only three pounds sterling for the lot.
Hovercraft to Cowes
The weekend before we went to Portsmouth and caught the hovercraft, a rough ride across the Solent to Cowes on the Isle of Wight and saw some beautiful yachts. We spent the Sunday touring the island by coach, got a ferry back to Southampton and then hitched home and it was a great weekend.
This is the story of Will and his two friends who sailed to England in 1967 to see the world. Aerogrammes. letters, diaries and postcards help to tell of their adventures in this A to Z.
“Birthday” Beatles 1968 They say it’s your birthday It’s my birthday too, yeah They say it’s your birthday We’re gonna have a good time I’m glad it’s your birthday Happy birthday to you
52 Weltje Road, Hammersmith, London 6th April 1967
I had to meet a couple of girls (Michelle and Norma) from the Fairsea, at Victoria Station as they have just arrived from Europe and are staying here for a week. It’s good to have some female cooked food for a change as somehow it tastes better.
Meanwhile school was a bit hard to take after two and a half weeks Easter hols but we get a week’s holiday in eight weeks time (mid term) and besides, the kids are beginning to learn that “What Mr Price says, goes”.
You asked about the flat and food. Well, it has worked very well in shifts for the cooking and there has been so much heckling, particularly if a crook meal is served, the meals have been reasonably good but the place gets a bit dirty now and then. Anyway the girls will probably clean it up this week as they won’t start teaching for a week or so and won’t get their flat immediately.
The hot meal at school is great. Today, for example, we had shepherds pie plus four vegs plus apple/blackberry crumble with custard for two shillings and fourpence.
Extract from Diary April 9th 1967
Birthday song for brekkie, coffee in bed. Up for brunch. Tube to Piccadilly Circus to show the girls London.
To Buckingham Palace, St James Park, Horse Guards, 10 Downing Street, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Westminster Bridge, River Thames, Pavement Artist, Scott’s Discovery, Strand, St Clement’s Church (chimes), Trafalgar Square. Tube back to Hammer. Dinner, coffee, talked, discussed news from Home. Bed 12.30am
Captain Scott’s ship “The Discovery”
School tomorrow! How depressing after 2 ½ week’s hols.
21st April, 1967
Hi! Received your letter. This is just a card we bought in Stratford. Michelle, Norma and I hired a blue Austin Mini for three days and we had a “delightful” weekend getting behind the wheel again and touring. Left London Friday night and stayed at a pub at Cambridge the first night. The university is quite impressive. Then to Bedford, Northampton and Coventry where we saw the walls and steeple of Coventry Cathedral, built 1300 and destroyed by bombing in 1941. Stayed with Michelle’s friends at Rugby and saw the field where the boy picked up the soccer ball, started to run and rugby began. Stratford is really beautiful and they fancy “Old Bill” quite a bit. Many, many old buildings and his statue and name are everywhere.
Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon Postcard John Hinds Studios Photo E. Ludwig
Extract from Diary Sunday, 23rd April
After 10 am breakfast 6 of us, Michelle, Norma, Keith, Phil, Ted and I caught the tube to Baker Street where we visited Mde Tussauds Waxworks. Quite fascinating and very lifelike. Australia was well represented in sports section with Brabham, Bradman, Marg Smith and Laver. Sir Robert (Menzies) was there. Lady sitting on seat and train robbers reading newspapers. Battle of Trafalgar was quite realistic.
We thought it funny when Michelle asked a wax lady at the canteen did she sell chocolates. Spent the rest of the day in Hyde Park at Speakers Corner watching the Yanks heckling anti-Vietnam speakers.
I hear there’s a new pay rise for schoolies backdated to October (more brass for me). Had a haircut. First in four months. Food costs £2 a week. Meat fairly expensive but I’ve put on over half a stone so am eating well. Thank the club for singing Happy Birthday. Regards to all.
Extract from Diary Sunday, 24th April
Flat was a hopeless mess. Bods sleeping everywhere, clothes thick all over the floor. Girls moved out to OVC (Overseas Visitors Centre). Met Fred at OVC and he moved in too. 9 for dinner!
52 Weltje Road, Hammersmith, London 26th April 1967
Hope the shock isn’t too great receiving a letter from me just after a card but I figured I’d better write a letter though yours and this one will probably pass in transit. I had quite a good birthday. The girls sang “Happy Birthday” and bought me a cake.
Michelle and Will on his birthday
When the other blokes arrived back from Scotland they bought me a half pint of Bitters. Thanks for the $6. I haven’t bought anything yet but will eventually have a splurge on clothes and will get myself a Harris Tweed coat for £5 and trousers are pretty cheap. Sweaters look OK and are reasonably priced so will get one of these too.
Keith and Phil have bought a Morris 1000, 1961 van in good condition for £70 and are off to tour England, Scotland and Wales for two weeks and then to Europe as they are going to Canada for the start of the school year in September. Graeme and Neil have jobs in holiday camps so are moving as well, so Ted, a Canadian guy and Fred (went to college with him) have moved in and we’ll get a couple of others to share expenses. The girls have got a flat but were cooking our meals for a few weeks before that.
Spent a good weekend checking out more of London. Did a conducted tour of the Tower by Beefeaters, saw monument to the Great Fire, built 1671 and walked 311 steps to the top.
View from the top of “The Monument” to the Great Fire of 1066. 311 steps high. Built by Wren 1671
Walked past Mansion House (Lord Mayor). Bank of England, the Old Bailey and through St Paul’s Cathedral and down Fleet Street. Also had a ferry trip down the Thames.
I’ve decided to stay teaching in London until end of term at least. The boss wants me to stay for any number of years after that but no chance. However, I might tour Europe for only the five week hols (summer vacation) and get back to London for two terms til following May, then to Europe and then to Canada in the following August. But I haven’t yet decided. I’m going to play it by ear.
Cheers (as the Poms say) and Cor Blimey, it ain’t ‘alf time to go.
This is the story of Will and his two friends who sailed to England in 1967 to see the world. Aerogrammes. letters, diaries and postcards help to tell of their adventures in this A to Z.
“Right Said Fred” Bernard Cribbins • 1962 "Right, " said Fred, "Both of us together One each end and steady as we go" Tried to shift it, couldn't even lift it We was getting nowhere And so we had a cuppa tea ...
Cooee Cobbers. Received you letter from “Down Under” the day I arrived back from Scotland and it was sure good to sit back and read all the news.
Well, over here things have been pretty hectic as usual. I arrived back from Wales and stayed at the flat a few days while I got some clean clothes together from the laundromat and even worked one day as an employment agency rang me up but I told them I was going back to bed. Anyway, they rang again an hour later.
Extract from Diary Friday 31st March
Manpower Employment Agency offered us a job. Graeme and Phil accepted but I went back to bed. Phone rang again 9 am. Offered me the job again working at London Business School near Trafalgar Square moving furniture – new office building, modern desks etc. I arrived at 10 am, worked until 3.30 pm, had breaks for morning coffee and afternoon tea and 1 ½ hours off for lunch which cost 4/3 for soup, fish and chips, trifle, coffee, bread and kangaroo butter. Also had Danish beer 2/1. Got paid for 8 hours – 48 shillings.
I only did 3 ½ hours work moving furniture. Still, that’s the first money I’ve actually earned since leaving Australia as my teaching pay still isn’t through. They owe me about £70 so should be good for a few beers the day it arrives. Took off the following day for a tour of Scotland and if you get my card from Glasgow you would have heard I at least got there.
Keith and Will sewing the Australian flag on the duffle bags for easy identification
Extract from Diary Saturday, 1st April
I slept in, packed bag, left home by tube at 1 pm to Hendon Central (North London) reaching the M1 at 2 pm and walking two miles. I hitched a ride at 3 pm in a red Morris 1100 along the M1 for 130 miles. The guys were Grenadier Guards – parachutists who had had spent 25 years in the army. One was migrating to Australia in December (on the Fairsea). He saw my Australian flag on the bag and gave me a ride to Nottingham.
However I got lost and hitched a ride by 110 back to the M1. There I almost got arrested by Feds for standing on M1. The driver of an Austin A30 gave me a lift to Derby and gave clear instructions so I caught a bus back to Nottingham, strolled around the town and then asked the Feds the best place for accommodation as there were no hostels for miles. At 8 pm I thankfully checked into Glenhaven Guest House. The B&B cost 18/-. Mrs Simpson, the landlady, was pleasant and the room was very comfortable. Feeling hungry, I walked up street to have a bite to eat and enjoyed ham, egg and cheese rolls, milkshake and coffee. I moved on to a crowded pub where many young couples were around as it is Saturday night and had two beers.
Summing up – interesting day, fantastic road, that M1, maximum speed 70 mph (crawling with cops in jags). Will read my maps more carefully in future but time for bed now, ready for early breakfast and Scotland tomorrow with a bit of luck.
Sunday, 2nd April
At a quarter to eight I was up and ready for a breakfast of bacon, savs, baked beans, eggs, cornies and three cups of tea and toast. The radio was playing Nottingham Fair by Frank Ifield. I left the guest house at 9 am and strolled out to the road north. First off I had an offer of a lift in a Triumph to out of city limits, walked a mile and then thumbed an AEC lorry which I rode in all day. Its a good way to see the country, high up with lots of windows and a good view.
Hitched all day (280 miles) with this guy to Scotland
We drove through Doncaster, Ferrybridge, to Scotch Corner, Applyby, Penrith and Carlisle. Just before Carlisle we stopped for lunch at a Truckies Diner high in the hills. It was very cold, with patches of snow lying around. There we had a good meal in front of blazing fire. From there we travelled to Gretna Green where I saw the Blacksmith’s Shop, scene of runaway marriages just across the border. Thence to Lockerbie and Abington where the lift ended after 280 miles. I waited ten minutes and got a lift all the way to Glasgow (30 miles), with an Irishman from Derby (Furniture Van) who is going to Australia in December.
After strolling around the town and seeing the Clyde River I walked to the Youth Hostel. Dinner was canned meat and vegs but there were no plates or cutlery provided so some French birds offered me a spoon and I ate from the pot. It is truly an international hostel – three Scotchmen (pissed), two Swiss, one Italian/Swiss, one German with an American accent, plus a few French and Aussie women. I talked for hours with these guys about things to see etc. If I had more time I’d go to Ireland tomorrow as it is only about a £1 from near here. But I must see Scotland first.
Monday, 3rd April
I arose at seven and strolled around the town. – pretty grim old place. Down to the Rubbity for a Scotch and tonic (3/6) and lunch. (Ed. Rubbity is short for Rubbity Dub which is Australian slang for Pub). After catching a bus to the outskirts I waited ten minutes for a lift in a lorry followed by another short lift in a Vauxhall. The driver nearly rolled it trying to pull up to give me a lift. He spun it almost into the wall. I then took another bus to Alexandria near Loch Lomond where I started to walk to a pub for a beer and decided to go on past Loch Lomond Hostel. The road was too narrow for hitching and there was no place for cars to stop.
View of Loch Lomond and Ben Lomond from Luss. Postcard from Dixon Studios Photo by J Arthur Dixon
I walked 14 miles in the rain along “where the sun shines bright on Loch Lomond”. I reached the little village of Luss where I dined in style at the Calquhoun Arms on grilled trout (I earned it- cost 14/6). This made me feel stronger so I set out again for another three mile walk to a youth hostel at Inverbeg. At 8pm, where the road was too narrow even for a pedestrian, a Scottish baker pulled up even though I wasn’t hitching and gave me a lift – through the mountains, past Ben Lomond, through Tarbet, Arrochar and Cairndow, beautiful little villages on the banks of Lochs with snow capped mountains rising steeply behind them. Over “Rest and Be Thankful” Peak and down to the village of Inverary on Loch Fyne which is a testing place for submarines we found an Australian sub was at anchor and the pub was full of Strine (Australian) sailors. The Youth Hostel was comfy and I met (among others) two Aussie birds who have done quite a bit of sailing.
Inverary, Scotland. The pub was full of Aussie Sailers.
Next day I took a ride with some Lord in his Rover who bought me coffee and biscuits in a posh Pub. We pushed down to Lochgilphead and up to Oban, a fishing port which is also a popular seaside resort in the summer season for lunch. There are no steamers from Oban to Fort William until the Summer season so my cruise I’d planned on Loch Linnhe will have to wait. I took a bus as far as Ballachulish and then travelled across the loch on a four car ferry. A guy on the ferry offered me a lift for the remaining twelve miles and took me through Fort William, up the valley to Glen Nevis where I stayed at Glen Nevis Youth Hostel. Ben Nevis, the highest peak in Britain, was in front. The snow-covered mountain dropping steeply to the lochs looked fantastic.
My next lift was with a Ford Cortina to Fort Augustus, including a personally conducted tour of Loch Ness (didn’t see the monster but the driver insisted it is real) to Inverness which is a higher latitude than Moscow and it was bloody cold.
Swinging Road Bridge for fishing boats, Loch Ness
Bolted out of there by Healy Sprite to Carrbridge (a small village) for lunch and then through the Scottish Highlands Ski Resorts by lorry to Perth, Scotland with a couple of Aussies from Perth W.A. I crossed the Firth of Forth bridge the next day (longest suspension bridge in Europe) to Edinburgh, the capital. The guy in the truck who offered me a lift from the layby was telling me about a little racket the toll collectors were running last year. They put in 2/6 for every third or fourth car and after making much money they are now in gaol. The city isn’t as depressing as Glasgow and the shops look fairly modern. The buildings still look dirty but the castle on the hill is interesting. I caught a bus to the Youth Hostel which is large and very international.
The idea of hitching back to London wasn’t appealing so I caught the coach (£2/10 to London, 350 miles, 12 hour trip) for air conditioning, heating, reclining aircraft type seats, plus toilet) Very enjoyable after all the effort to get to Scotland.
The Curry Apple Orchard 