Tuesday 10th November, 2009-11-10
Dear Jeremy,
Thank you for your encouraging feedback what, would I do without you?
I have unearthed another old diary with a few entries for the beginning of a year and though I have already written about this time I thought I would just send it on to you. Do with it what you wish like delete, for example.
I see that in 1951 a hair cut cost me 11/- and a pair of white crepe sole walking shoes was 45/-..
" 1952 July Vacation Kei Mouth
A beautiful sunny day, the car traveled well and sturdily, we enjoyed the green rolling hills along the coastal road from E L to Mooiplaats- 25 miles.. We turned down from smoothly running tarred road on to a gravel road to make the 30 miles trip down to the coast. A fair surface and a downhill run most of the way with attractive green hills, the miles sped by quickly and happily.
Kei Mouth is a very attractive place. The hotel is right on the sea front and the beach stretches long and wide on either side, a perfect place for children and parents. The food is good, beds soft and the people friendly. The accommodation is not luxury and I was horrified to find only two cotton blankets on the bed. It is double and therefore we do not need so many blankets. There was a washstand and cold floors with miserable coverings of dark brown worn mats. Bathrooms and toilets downstairs in a row and bathing from 4.30 pm onwards but the water may not always be hot. The service, however, makes one not to notice the more austere sleeping quarters and bathing arrangements. Pleasant, clean, smart waiters move quickly and quietly in the dining hall. There is no waiting for courses and each arrives hot and savoury. Breakfast and dinner at night are good meals but lunch seems a bit of a failure, perhaps it is a difficult meal to arrange or I haven't ordered properly. Room service is also good with nice hot coffee and a jug of hot water in the mornings. Evenings rooms are tided and hot water bottles filled.
Children are nicely catered for, too, and eat in a small room. Christopher enjoys this so as soon as the bell goes he dashes off and will not be attended to by Michael or me. He plays all day with the children or on the beach alone. Today he is fishing with his Daddy. He takes the bait on the end of the line in his hand and wades out to a suitable point in the pool, drops it, and then returns to the rocks to sit and hold his rod. He is most incensed though Daddy has a reel but he had not.
The people are friendly and one seems to be saying Good Morning or Good Afternoon to everyone all day. Of course where there is a child conversation soon opens. We have been inclined to keep to ourselves I must try to mix more. I am sure that will help in taking my mind off myself.
The river is a pleasant walk from the hotel, either over the hills or round the sea front. The mouth is wide and spread out the actual deep channel about 20 yards wide. There is a ferry and Christopher had to be taken for a ride which he enjoyed. The hills roll softly away on the opposite side and the late afternoon with the sun setting right up the middle is a joy. We like to walk back round the sea front where the wet sands are pinky gold in the late afternoon.
CJ: Why is this place called Kei Mouth?
Michael explains "mouth" of river.
CJ: Well, where is the tongue?
Was he taking the mickey or was this the beginning of his quick wit?
A periwinkle he said, is a sort of a bird that dives into the water to catch fish which they then put on the end of other people's lines.
Friday 4th July The Durban July causes much excitement. Everyone talks horses. There is a sweepstake in the hotel and Michael has drawn Mowgli. We won before when there was a child on the way perhaps well win again.
Derek and her name is Georg (for Georgina) are, we think, newly weds. He had passed friendly remarks whenever he has seen us and become most interested when he heard that we came from Lovedale. Many people are amazed that the African can absorb book learning and they always want to know whether they are less intelligent or the same as Europeans. This young man spent five months travelling round England with his twin brother and on motor cycles up the East Coast of Africa. They went in an Italian ship and began their tour in Italy. Switzerland is very expensive and the scenery is as good in Northern Italy and Austria. They traveled through France and then to Britain. Youth hostels cater mainly for hikers and cyclists, restrictions and demands become irksome. They preferred to stay on farms which catered for bed and breakfast where they felt they also received local colour by being in contact with the people. The English pub is a place to visit and Scotland is more civilized with hotels and bars.
The evening was warm and after sitting on the lawn in the moonlight we enjoyed a stroll along the sands. Just could not seem to get sufficient air into the room, one window for three people is not enough so did not sleep so well. Not so nervy (I was pregnant with Jill at this time).
"
There is more do you want it?
Love Mum