Tuesday 17th February, 2010-02-16
Dear Jeremy,
I do not recall the day and the date we sailed out of Southhampton harbour on our homeward voyage but I think it must have been the beginning of August. My memory of the departure is very hazy but I am sure we must have gathered on the deck to wave goodbye and there must have been the usual razzzamataz with the band playing and streamers thrown down to the people on the wharf who were giving us all a great send-off.
I think we were on the Edinburgh Castle as that is the picture I have in the photograph album.
The next morning we were sailing through the Bay of Biscay having our breakfast. It was a bit rough and Christopher did not feel too good so Dad sent him down to the cabin to lie down. He had no sooner left us when it was announced that there would be Life Boat Drill and the sirens sounded ominously through the ship. "Michael, Christopher will think this is real", I panicked. Remember he was not yet 10 years old. So Dad rushed off just getting through the safety doors before they closed. He found Christopher in the cabin quite unruffled. He had assembled coats for each of us and was preparing to bring them to us. He also had his knife and string in his pocket Ill never forget that Christopher so young was ready to meet the emergency.
I do not recall much of the voyage home except that Celia learnt to walk on her little bandy legs which were just right for the roll of the ship.
Michael teased us all and said he was going to have a shipboard romance because that was what people did on board ship. One day Jill came to me and said; "Wont you have a shipboard romance with Daddy he does not seem to be doing very well". Poor chap, how could he as he was always looking after Celia.
I do not recall where we docked, Port Elizabeth or East London nor how we got our car back from Grandpa Sadler. Must have been East London and Pop must have taken us through to Bathurst. I do remember having to go through customs as we had quite a few things to declare and the customs people always make one feel so guilty.
While at Fittleworth we found a junk shop between Pulborough and Petworth where we bought quite a few old things. You may remember your Father could never pass a junkshop like some people cant pass a pub. I remember two plates now on the wall in the kitchen, which I've now given to Jill. Two old pewter spoons one dated 1727 or 1779 it is difficult to read, a small wooden trunk which was dubbed Nelson's chest and two old trunks in which was also curtain material we had bought. I still have them. There was also a set of Beethoven Symphony scores and a box of cutlery monogrammed with an S which had belonged to Darcy Sadler, Grandpa's brother. Also an old chock but I don't know what happened to that.
While Dad was wracking his brains as to what was in the trunks Celia got real mad as she was hungry so started to bellow. This really upset the Customs Official who quickly ticked the luggage with his piece of white chalk and let us through. Dad always recommended a crying baby as a foolproof method of dealing with customs. Did you, when entering Australia, give Gemma a pinch?
We must has spent some time with Pop in East London before meeting up with Granny and Grandpa Sadler in Pretoria. In the album is a photograph of that time with Joyce, Dennis and Shawn.
In the meantime Michael had received his new posting to Kasama in the Northern Province as an Education Officer..
Lots of love, Mum