A visit to Canterbury, summer 1910

Ima and her brother Mike continue their travels in England. 

Left Bruges 2:10 for Ostend      

       Sailed for Dover 3:30 arrived 6 P.M.

       

Arrived Canterbury Wednesday [August 3] 9:30 P.M.

       Hotel Statler’s Temperance 6 shil[lings] pension, A very good, unpretentious place. The Cathedral, the close, and the ruins behind the cathedral make a very impressive whole. This cathedral is a transition example of perpendicular Gothic and with the Norman influence. The raised choir is exceptional and very lovely. I shall never forget the view from Mercery Lane, from the corner where it is said the Inn stood at which the Canterbury Pilgrims halted--(Chaucer). I found Canterbury well worth a long stay. We had here an interesting walk along High Street.

       Soldiers--passed in long procession on bicycle--and fresh wholesome boys in characteristic school costume filled the street as it was commencement day at the fine preparatory school here.

And then, on to London--umbrella-less? 

       

Ima's & Mike's Summer Travels, 1910: Umbrella # 4.

Left Brussels Tuesday [Aug. 2] 4:15 P.M.

   

       Arrived Bruges  6:25 P.M.

       Hotel du Londres 3.50 Fr.[francs] a bed, Table de Hote meals, excellent and moderate prices. We had a little walk after dinner.       

       The next morning [Wednesday Aug. 3] we continued our walk through the old streets, and over the canals, enjoying the same quaint Gothic houses, the picturesque views at every crooked turn. The Belfry, the many churches and cathedrals give a beautiful outline to the roofs of the little town. We went to the Hospital St. John where I again marveled at the exquisite workmanship and the beauty of Meurling’s pictures: The Legend of St. Ursula, Adoration of the Magi, and the Marriage of St. Catherine, etc. Mike, too, enjoyed these pictures as no others he has seen I think, with perhaps the exception of some in the Tate Gallery in London.  

      

Umbrella No. 4.

To lose three umbrellas is unfortunate; to lose four is "extremely careless"! 

Ima's Summer Travels, 1910: 2 Umbrellas Lost.

Ima and Mike left Berlin for the city of Cologne, Sunday July 31, 1910: 

       Arrived Cöln [Cologne] 9:00 P.M.

Hotel here 4 M. [Marks: German currency] bed and breakfast each--very good. After seeing the Cathedral went to the Church of St. Ursula with the bones of the 10,000 virgins used to decorate the walls. Took a drive through the city and along the Rhine. Raining. Lost umbrella. Bought another.

Left Cöln Monday [Aug. 1] 2:30 P.M.

Arrived Brussels 9:30 P.M.

Fair was going on. And here we had the most terrible experience.--We could find no place to stay. All the good--and then indifferent hotels were “full up.” Finally, as a final resort we went to the Metropole where we thought it would be impossible to get anything--and we found a place for 12 F.[Francs: French currency] apiece. The next morning we had a glimpse of the gallery, a beautiful drive through the Exhibition grounds, a walk through indifferentlly interesting exhibits, then lunch. Mike was disgusted with the city and so was I. We had a pleasant walk through the “old place” where are the buildings--Hotel de Ville etc.

       The second umbrella was left on the train, and as it as raining, bought No. 3.

Did she lose # 3?  Watch this space to find out.