Tag: Travel Diary

July 19 1939

Scrapbook Title Page

Wednesday 19th July.

Up early & feeling oh, how sick! Breakfast & Poppa nearly made us late according to his custom. Such a rush getting tickets & onto the train. Found Peggy with Auntie Mil & Jean & Brenda. Hardly recognized Jean. Found seats eventually & said goodbyes & started.

One American lady in the carriage. Quite matey. Eventually too matey and gave us a long lecture on Russia! Arrived at Southampton about 10- quite a short journey. A few formalities & onto the ship- all very bewildering- luggage all over the place everyone lost- & officials dashing around. Found our cabin eventually & in it a marvellous big box of pink roses from Rowly waiting for me- the darling! We then found Peggy’s cabin- 4 berth- ours is a two berth on the outside. None of them very big though, but nicely fitted. Our luggage wasn’t in the cabin but it appeared after a while- much to our relief.

It was still quite early & the ship wasn’t sailing until 12:0- so we booked our places in the dining saloon- 2nd setting and then explored the ship- all the decks- I even tried to go on the bridge but they wouldn’t let me!- we saw a little of the cabin and tourist class but not much. Finally when the boat sailed we went up on the sports deck right at the top & waved goodbye to all the people. We then unpacked a bit & at last lunch- we were so hungrey! Ate a huge lunch & then went to the lounge & wrote cards and letters all afternoon & then had tea there. Just as we finished we arrived at Cherbourg, so we dashed up on deck and watched her coming up to the side & all the people coming on. It was lovely & sunny, but windy. We sat on the stairs & watched the sailors & people & made catty remarks. Peggy is fun. I like her. We got tired of this after a while & went & unpacked & then down to dinner. We are at a table for 6- us 3- 2 girls quiet and mousey & a most exotic American wench- all Joan Crawford- who didn’t deign to speak to us. At lunch a young man- Harry Pemberton- was in her place but he moved to another table with his pals. After dinner we went up on deck- very windy- talked to Harry P. and his friend John Tyler. Down to the lounge & listened to a band- American swing- lousy! Nothing much & at last to bed.

Travel Diary: July 18 1939

Cynthia’s Travel Diary, written in pencil.

Although this Travel Diary is not one of the letters, it is the voice of Cynthia Ewing, at the age of 24, writing a record of her trip to New York to visit family solely for her own eyes. She made a scrapbook of the ephemera she collected, and photos of the friends, family, events and scenery for public viewing, but kept track of it all in detail in her memo book as she went along. I am going to post illustrations from the scrapbook, but use my transcript of her daily entries, which starts as they catch the train in the north of England…

This is Cyn’s handwriting as I know it- quite a change from her schooldays letters.

My American Trip 

by

R.M.S. “Mauretania” and “Queen Mary”

1939

July 19th to August 14th

by Cynthia Ewing

Tuesday 18th July 1939

11:00 AM. We’re off- at last.  To America!  It doesn’t seem to make it any more real writing it down.  When you hear of other people going to America it sounds incredible & wonderful and divine but I can’t get rid of the feeling that I’m just off to Whitley Bay for the day.  We’ve just gone past a place Pilmoer and there are lots of big RAF planes flying alongside us. It’s a lovely day now– ready for our heat wave in N.Y. I hope. 

Such a time this morning- up early and me to Dot Allan’s re Ken’s p.c. also to ring for taxi.  Uncle Joe gave me a lift to town and insisted on giving me an avuncular kiss- in the middle of Northumberland St. too!  Did my chores- couldn’t get wool- very annoyed- and so to station & met Mummy.  Got seats in train eventually after chasing about, and then Rowly arrived and in a few minutes- Nan. While we were all talking and attendant arrived with mags. and letters for us-from Uncle Andy.  Wasn’t it sweet.  All because of Daddy!  Hardly had we got them when up arrived Uncle Andy himself- darling of him.  Bobby never came- the wickedness! Then we all had to say goodbye- flowers from Nan- a lovely rose.  Goodbye to Nan and Uncle Andy and Rowly and Newcastle for a month-  At York now- strange not to have to get out.

The steward on the train is a pet.  A pal of Dad’s- lives at Whitley Bay and looks like Ribbentrop!  He is most fatherly to us and looks after us very tenderly.  He brought me some notepaper- pretty- & I sent a card to Edgar & wrote to Rowly.  At Kings X.  Said farewell to our steward and met Daddy.  By tube to Charing X and to the Craven Hotel.  Nice room.  Mummy & I went out to look at shops- walked up the Strand- saw a lovely shoe shop & had to be positively hauled away by Mummy.  Onto the embankment & so home.  Out to tea & then by tube to Victoria where we once again looked at shops- antique jewelry this time- lovely rings.  Mummy and I promised each other presents if we came home from America with any money!  To the Victoria Palace where we met Margaret- quite a surprise- not good looking but smart with a funny hat & giddy shoes.  The show was Lupino Lane in ‘Me and My Girl’ and contrary to all my expectations it was great fun.  Lupino Lane was marvelous.  Margaret roared with mirth & sang the Lambeth Walk & was very amusing.  Afterwards we went for coffee & Margaret told us all her amazing adventures.  What a life!  And what a girl!  She certainly can talk!  We then left her & went back to the hotel.  Mummy rang Miss Lefroy & then to bed.