May 31st, 1961-Meadow House & the Mews, London

• May 31st, 1961
• Meadow House & the Mews, London
• Mild-sunny-fairly clear for Eng.

This morning we came up to London with Ann’s father, Mr. Gordon Cambell, who has a Queen’s appointment to something or other connected to the Courts. He put us on the train for Baker Street (ancient haunt of Sherlock Holmes) and we took a cab from there to the mews. The mews (formerly the Kings’ stable) have been modeled into apts. And Peter bought one some years ago. It is very quaint, and we had tea there. Then went down to Kew by boat to see the gardens; and from there to Hampton Court by bus. Wonderful to see and recall its history. Back to the mews for supper and then Peter drove us over London to see some of it at night. Room for the night at Morton Hotel, the poorest we have had yet. Peter drove Dad to see Lord’s the famous cricket field.

May 30th, 1961-Meadow House, Brentwood, Essex

• May 30th, 1961
• Meadow House, Brentwood, Essex
• Sunny-fairly mild

Got our packing done in good time this morning. Labels made and pasted on and off to Waterloo Station to ship them to Southampton. After ridding ourselves of them, we set out to find a hotel for tomorrow night. Darby, Epson Downs, Cricket and Tourists had filled everything up and we had some difficulty, but managed to get the Morton in Wobam place, Russell Sq. Took a boat down the Thames to Greenwich. Very nice ride and a fine view of Tower of London and Traitors Gate from the water. Caught the express to Brentwood and was in good time for High Tea. Ann’s mother home from the hospital today and we called on her in the morning.

May 29th, 1961-St. Norbert’s, Bexhill-on-Sea

May 29th, 1961
St. Norbert’s, Bexhill-on-Sea
Sunny early a.m. - Cold, rainy later

Went in to Hastings this morning to have my hair done. Very nice shop and service. Began to rain hard as we came back. Good for the gardens. They certainly need it. In spite of England’s cloudy, lowering weather there has been very little rainfall since we have been here.
This afternoon Kay, Dad and I came up to London and caught the train to Brentwood. Letter waiting from Helen. Nice supper with lots of fun and laughter. Key left for the mews about 9:30 pm. To bed fairly early. Tomorrow we must pack and get all our bags to Waterloo Station for shipping.

May 28th, 1961-St Norbert’s, Bexhill-on-Sea

• May 28th, 1961
• St Norbert’s, Bexhill-on-Sea
• Sunny early a.m. turning cold & rainy

Another fairly quiet day. Good we cancelled the Cambridge trip as the day turned very cold and rainy after a bit of sun in the a.m. Went to 9:30 am Mass and walked by the sea going and coming. A bit longer but well worth it. Had a lovely dinner-roast beef and Yorkshire pudding and continued reading my book. All rested in the afternoon and then Dad and I went riding with Kay. Television after tea this evening. Shirpa, the great black cat, determined not to be out done by Mandy and her pups, presented us with two kittens in the broom closet. Kittens found by accident when Kay suspected that Shirpa was acting peculiarly.

May 27th, 1961-St. Norbert’s, Bexhill-on-Sea

May 27th, 1961
St. Norbert’s, Bexhill-on-Sea
Cold, clear, sunny

A bitterly cold day for this time of year, especially with the sun shining so brightly. Decided to stay home and relax. Ran across a book “The Windsor Tapestry” by Compton Mackenzie which I shall try to get it at home to finish. It is an account of the life and abdication of Edw VIII, Went down to Hastings in the late afternoon with Kay to do a little shopping. No fresh fish at the great fish market as it was too choppy for the fishmonger to go out. Bought some cooked lobster and Dad made a nice lobster salad for tea. To bed early to read and rest. Nice to relax after two days of constant riding.

May 26th, 1961-St Norbert’s Bexhill-on-Sea, Sussex

• May 26th, 1961
• St Norbert’s Bexhill-on-Sea, Sussex
• Cold, some cloudiness with evening

Kay got back from London about voice a.m. and Anne, her girl, having packed a picnic lunch for us, we set out in Kay’s car for Canterbury.  Canterbury is thriving town, very old in buildings and atmosphere. The Roman pavement has been overlaid and shops are on the spot now. Visited St. Thomas Catholic Church, and the Cathedral at Canterbury where Roman Catholicism merges with Reformation. Went to tea at a little shop nearby and had hot tea and toasted scones with jam. Kay did nobley on the driving end of it, and we reached home at about 8:30 pm. Lovely dinner of fresh salmon and peas. Joan called, also Jim. We called of the Cambridge trip and will stay at Bexhill until Monday.  Saw Readeau Castle built 600 years ago see brochure

May 25th, 1961-St Norbert’s & Tunbridge Wells Kent

• May 25th, 1961
• St Norbert’s & Tunbridge Wells Kent
• Sunny, warm, cold in evening

This morning we set our for Tunbridge Wells Kent to see Joan and family. Kay was on her way to London so we company as far as Tunbridge Wells.  John and little Henry met us at the station and drove us to their home. It is a lovely old English home with spacious lived-in rooms and the inevitable garden. Her children 3 boys are handsome and robust and we enjoyed them and our visit immensely. Went for a stroll in the afternoon before tea. Lovely late supper and a chat before the fireplace while awaiting train time. Dizzy (Dr Dean) drove us to the station and saw us safely on the train. Later Joan called to see we had found a taxi at this end and were safely home. Nice day!