Saturday, April 11, 2015

A July morning and a sighting of England

Ima’s 1907 journal continues.

July 1st
At about ten o’clock sighted Plymouth. Got in about 11:15 and the first sight which greeted us was “Pear’s Soap” advertisement! Mr. Thompson & Mr. Foster stayed with the luggage at the Customs House, & Mr. Scott escorted us in dumpy “four wheelers” over cobblestones so that we created a distinctly embarrassing feeling of disturbance through the quiet quaint old streets. The narrowness of the thoroughfares, & the walled hillyness reminded me a bit of Quebec. Spent the night at the Royal, a fair hotel-single room with comfortable bed at 5 shillings. We were roused at 6:30 a.m. in order to breakfast & catch the 8:30 train for Salisbury...

         [At Salisbury, the party toured the cathedral.]

My first great one, & I am overwhelmed by its symmetry and beauty of exterior, thought the quiet bare interior is most uplifting & inspiring.. . .

The guide was very good. . . .We hurried, much to my despair, for I should love to linger long with the lovely close [A “close” is the area and buildings around a cathedral. Salisbury Close is the largest, and one of the loveliest in England.] Left for Winchester at 3:15 P.M. --Several changes. Lots of fun carrying our own bags. I have two and my rugs. 

Summer 1907 was Ima’s first journey to Europe, but it was far from her last.


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