December 17, 1995- January 26, 1996
My overseas holiday was always going to be a ‘challenge”. Planning this overseas holiday had in fact taken me six months.
I left Sydney on a British Airways flight on December 17, 1995 bound for a long overdue visit to Britain and Europe, and my first visit to the USA. I was last in Britain in December 1984/ January and February 1975.
The flight to London was a 24 hour flight, broken only by stopping in Bangkok for one hour. Arriving in London at 5.30am Monday, December 18, 1995 to the announcement that it was 5 degrees outside, brought a few comments from the Australians on board ; “bring on the heat”. I then caught the Red A1 bus and went off to my hotel, which was near Victoria Station. I decided to wear off the jet lag by being active.
I took a bus tour for 1.5 hours to refresh my memory of London, and had lunch in Victoria, then went to Her Majesty’s Theatre in Piccadilly to organise a ticket. I had to begin the long round of phone calls to relatives, friends and organisations to arrange meetings and visits.
On December 19, 1995 I visited Harrods. I stayed there almost all day, having lunch in this amazing Department Store. I passed by the” one pound luxury loo”. I met briefly with Vincent Bunce in the afternoon , to arrange a future date, and time, to meet upon my return from my one week tour in Europe. I attended “Phantom of the Opera “at night time.
December 20, 1995 I visited a number of London Department stores and had lunch in Selfridges. Regent Street looked magnificent with its Xmas decorations. I saw “Oliver “at the Palladium Theatre at night time. I loved it, as it appealed to all age groups.
December 21, 1995 I moved to the Forum Hotel in Cromwell Road, London in preparation for the European tour for the next week .I had to visit the office at Arsenal’s home ground, Highbury,as I needed to collect my 25 pound ticket . This for a stand seat for the December 30, 1995 Xmas Derby match of Arsenal against Wimbleton . Then, I went briefly to the Victoria and Albert Museum .
December 22, 1995, started with a 5am wake up call, and I was introduced to what I would call my tour –“The European Pyjama Tour” for the next week .The Trafalgar Coach drove us to Dover , to get on the 10am ferry for the 1.1/4 hour trip across the English Channel .
Upon picking up the European coach at Calais, we drove through the French countryside into Belgium, finally arriving in Amsterdam at 6pm. We ate at a typically Dutch restaurant.
On December 23, 1995 the tour group left at 8am for Cologne, having a quick look at Cologne Cathedral. In the afternoon, we had a cruise on the Rhine, leaving the Rhine at St. Goar. We arrived in Mainz at night time, but saw little of the city.
On December 24, 1995 the coach tour left early for Lucerne, Switzerland. We saw Heidelburg in the rain, and then continued on to Lucerne, arriving early evening. I took a walk on the historic Wooden Bridge, which had been rebuilt after a fire almost destroyed it.
December 25,1995, Xmas Day, was a highlight of the week long tour for me . The tour group members took a chair lift up Mt Titlis, 10, 000 feet and lunched in the restaurant on top of the mountain . This was something that I will remember forever. Many others had chosen to do so as well. It was peak hour on the chair lift on Xmas Day!
A 7.30am departure for Paris on December 26, 1995 saw us up early. We passed through Beaune, a lovely old town in France. At Auxerre, we called into a petrol station for a toilet stop. The ladies toilet was temporarily closed for cleaning. Bus loads of gendarmes arrived at the same time our coach arrived, so we all had to use the same toilets ! At night time, we saw the buildings of Paris lit up. Magnifique!
December 27,1995 I visited the Louvre , Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame and in the afternoon saw my girlfriend , Charlotte Lalau. We had not seen each other for almost 11 years, so we had a glass of champagne to celebrate our meeting. At night, I attended a Night Club Show in the Latin Quarter of Paris.
On December 28,1995 at 7.30am the tour group left for London, as our tour was almost at an end . I was delighted in being able to travel across the Somme River, and to see some of the battlefields of World War One. I silently remembered Claude Field, my Dad’s cousin, as we passed through Northern France. He had been killed near Ypres, Belgium in the Battle of the Somme in 1917. Claude’s name appears on Menin Gate in Ypres.
A French ferry took us across the English Channel. Coaches drive onto the Channel ferry , passengers get off the coaches and can go upstairs to enjoy the restaurants. A convenient arrangement.
Scotland had just experienced very bad weather. Glasgow had had a very cold day and the city came to a halt. Millions of pounds damage was done to Glasgow property, as a result of the extreme cold.
On December 29,1995 Vincent, a friend and I, met at my Hotel in Paddington and then visited the War Cabinet Rooms. I said my goodbyes to Vincent outside of Westminister (Houses of Parliament). I reminded him of the need to visit Australia, and Vincent gave me a textbook he had written for the British Geography course. Sadly, I did not see Vincent again, as he died of cancer in mid- 1999.
December 30, 1995 was my long awaited football day. I arrived early at Arsenal’s home ground, Highbury, to photograph the empty stand .I should have gone to the bar, as all hardened football fans had done. It was a very cold day. I had my scarf half way up my face, newspaper over my knees,and my handbag on my almost non –existent feet. The gentleman ,who was sitting next to me, kept warm by taking sips of whisky from his flask! Arsenal lost 3-1 , which was a disappointment.
I was so cold, that after the match I had to call into a Bottle Shop, near my Hotel, to buy a small bottle of Scotch to take back to my hotel room to warm up . I had dinner at night time with Sandra and Mark, whom I had met in Townsville, Queensland , Australia in late 1994.
On Sunday, December 31, 1995 I caught the train to Portsmouth to spend a few days with Diana Hart- Thomas, who had been an Exchange Teacher in Sydney , Australia in 1987. We had New Years Eve dinner in the Sally Port Hotel , Portsmouth . Shiphorns and foghorns sounded at midnight. A New Year , new hopes and new challenges.
January 1st, 1996 Diana joined me for a meeting with Councillors Syd and Phyllis Rapson of the Australia –Portsmouth Society at the Marriott Hotel, Portsmouth . Then, Diana and I went to the excellent D-Day Museum.
January 2, 1996 Diana and I met with the Right Worshipful Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Mr M .Chewter, and then travelled to Tisbury for lunch . We had lunch with Douglas and Sarah Field in a wonderful country pub. Diana and I then had to try to escape the fog driving along some narrow country lanes on our way back to Portsmouth.
On January 3, 1996 the “drama of the luggage” was about to unfold. I had discovered that no one helps you with your luggage; you struggle alone, as there are few porters and trolleys. I said my goodbyes to Diana, and thanked her for the wonderful organisation of my meetings.
I made it back to Waterloo Station in London, transferred to Kings Cross Station, and then caught the 4.20pm train to Wakefield, near Leeds in Yorkshire. I must have caught the businessman’s train; the businessmen pulled out their mobiles and were actively engaged in conversation . A good comedy sketch I thought .
I was delighted to be back in Wakefield, the city of birth of my great grandfather, William Field (1831-1903?). William emigrated to Australia on the “Antelope” , leaving Liverpool on March 9,1853. His ship sailed with 140 passengers via Queenstown (Cork) , Madeira, Verds, Cape of Good Hope, Adelaide and on to Port Phillip (Melbourne ) arriving in August 1853.
On January 4, 1996 I collected from the Registry Office, some Field family certificates. Then, I attended the Rotary Club of Wakefield for lunch. Dinner at night was with the Chief Executive Officer, Wakefield District Council , Mr R Mather, and Councillor Frank Ward ( Harold’s brother ), and their wives at a lovely restaurant .
On January 5, 1996 I had a meeting with 2 Wakefield District Council officers, lunched at the Clock Tower Restaurant, and visited the Yorkshire Mining Museum and Sculpture Park in the afternoon. Richard and Rhoda Field of Shepley , near Huddersfield , had organised a lovely dinner for me.
I visited 80 year old, Gertie Wright at her home in Stansfield Road , Airedale , on January 6, 1996 for lunch. Gertie was the next door neighbour to Harold’s late mother, Muriel , and we had stayed in touch since Muriel’s passing in early 1984. She had made me a beautiful cross stitch embroidery, which today hangs proudly on my hallway wall. In the afternoon, I visited the Wakefield Museum for a brief visit.
On January 7,1996, Councillor Frank Ward collected me from my Wakefield Hotel, Swallows Hotel, and took me to his home for lunch . Frank, and his son Neil, then drove me to York to catch the Edinburgh train.
I stayed one night only in Edinburgh, as my Hotel in Princess Street was too noisey. I checked into my Glasgow Hotel a day earlier than planned – something that I have done before! I had done this in 1979, when I had failed to adjust the date on my watch, and flew into Glasgow a day earlier than expected. This has been a standing family joke since 1979 ; my early arrivals into Glasgow…….
On January 8, 1996 I arrived in Glasgow, the city of birth of my maternal grandparents. I again had to get used to the wonderful Glaswegian accent, and the familiar street names – Buchanan , Sauchiehall, Argyle etc. I visited the Art Gallery , and had a look at the shops in the afternoon.
I met my cousin’s wife,Cathie, at Hamilton Railway Station on January 9, 1996. We had not seen each other for 11 years, but recognised each other immediately . A fun day.
I met with the Lord Provost of Glasgow, Councillor Tom Dingwell in the City Chambers, Glasgow on January 10, 1996. I had to visit the Rangers shop in the morning to buy a tie for a member of my Rockdale Rotary Club; I was aware that the Lord Provost was a Celtic supporter. When we left his office in the City Chambers, he very kindly carried my bags to Glasgow Station. His male secretary was aghast, that the Lord Provost was to walk me to Glasgow Station carrying my Rangers bag!
I caught the train to meet with Cathie and James. We spent the afternoon travelling up the Clyde, after lunch in a glasshouse. We visited New Lanark , an excellent example of conservation . I met with two of their daughters, Eunice and Catherine at night time.
January 11, 1996, I travelled to Edinburgh for the day. I revisited Edinburgh Castle, photographed the location of William Field’s first wife , Mary Tait’s home , and had lunch in Jenners . Mrs McNab’s daughter , Margaret and her husband, Billy and I, had dinner that night in a Glasgow Hotel .
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By this date, January 11,1996 there was great uncertainty as to whether to whether I would be able to fly into New York, due to its worst blizzard in 70 years .BBC News could not clarify the weather either . I regularly phoned British Airways, who had only recommenced flights into New York on January 10,1996. I was due to fly in to New York on January 14, 1996 . In fact , I was becoming rather concerned that my travel arrangements may be impacted on as a result of the weather.
On January 12, 1996 I met my other cousin, Moira in the City of Glasgow for lunch . Moira’s son, Gordon joined us in the afternoon . James also joined us in the afternoon, and we went to the Burrell Art Collection ,a wonderful asset to Glasgow. In the evening, I had dinner at Moira and Jim’s home in Fernhill, and again admired the wonderful view over the City of Glasgow.
On January 13, 1996 five of us travelled from Glasgow to Aberfoyle,then to Loch Katrine and on to Callendar (Dr Finlay territory) I did enjoy wearing Jim’s deer stalker hat, and I told him not to throw it out, as I would wear it on my next visit to Scotland – whenever that would be !
Jim dropped me off late at night at my hotel in Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow. The BBC news at midnight came through on the car radio. It stated that “another blizzard was expected in New York . “Jim looked at me and said “Hen, I don’t think you will make it into New York today .I will definitely ring the Hotel before I go to Church on Sunday morning, to see that you have left”.
I shed a tear as my plane taxied down the runway at Glasgow Airport on January 14, 1996, bound for John F Kennedy Airport, New York . I do not know when I might return to Scotland. I am proud of my Scottish heritage, and I love my visits to Scotland ,the country of origin of my maternal grandparents.
It was a great British Airways flight into John F. Kennedy Airport. The snow had largely cleared after the blizzard, although one could see from the plane iced -over sections of freeways . Arriving at john F. Kennedy Airport at 1.30pm , I then transferred by bus to my hotel at La Guardia Airport .
I was reprimanded at Hotel reception” for only staying 24 hours in New York”, so In the evening , I took a 3 hour taxi ride around New York to see the sights . The taxi driver asked me what I was doing later that evening ! New York is one amazing city.
January 15,1996 I left New York’s La Guardia Airport by US Air to fly to Baltimore . Then, I flew US Air Freight to Salisbury in Maryland, as there was no airport in southern Delaware.
I recall getting on the plane with my sizeable hand luggage. The air hostess insisted that” it would need to go into the hold of the plane, and that I could collect it when we deplaned”. I enquired of her that meant “ that I would collect it when I got off the plane”.
Bill and Jean Harris were there to meet me at Salisbury Airport ; Bill was waving his small Australian flag. We then took the ¾ hour car trip to their home in the neighbouring state of Delaware, and talked a lot for the rest of the day.
On January 16, 1996 I was the guest speaker at the Long Neck Area Chapter of American Association of Retired Persons lunch time meeting . I had an audience of 126 people, and I talked about Aged Health Care in Australia. The audience appreciated my talk and asked many questions. Three local newspapers turned up to interview me; photos were taken at the luncheon . In the afternoon, we visited Rehoboth Beach and I saw the Atlantic Ocean for the first time .
Bill , jean and I left early on January 17, 1996 to visit Atlantic City , in the neighbouring state of New Jersey. We travelled on the Cape May-Lewes ferry, and picked up a bus, which then took us to the casinos . Wow, what a sight ! Donald Trump owned one of these casinos, The Taj Mahal .
On January 18,1996, I visited the local Elementary School and had a wonderful time talking to the junior students. The students did not want me to leave! I was guest speaker of the Rotary Club of Salisbury in the nearby State of Maryland that night . I spoke to an audience of 100 members on the City of Rockdale, and the Rotary Club of Rockdale. Jean and Bill Harris were guests of the Rotary Club of Salisbury .
January 19, 1996 was a dreadful day due to a bad electrical storm and strong winds . I was not able to fly to San Francisco as all flights were cancelled. I went instead with Bill to the old town of Lewes, which was settled by the Dutch. We ate McDonalds that afternoon, my first in the United States .
On January 20, 1996 I had to say my goodbyes to Bill and Jean Harris, knowing that I would never see them again . I was sad to leave this 77 year old ex- Aussie , Bill, and his wonderful treasure of a wife, Jean . I phoned Bill and Jean from San Francisco to inform them of my safe arrival . Bill then told me that he said to Jean, as the plane was taxiing down the runway, “there goes my link to Australia “.
It was excellent US Air flight, which was 5.5 hours flying time from Baltimore to San Francisco . San Francisco is 3 hours behind the Eastern States, so I had to wind my watch back. My arrival into San Francisco was at 7.15pm . I caught a bus to the Holiday Inn, Fishermans Wharf- a very long day.
On January 21, 1996 I took a bus tour of San Francisco , and I later walked around the shops on Fishermans Wharf.
Bob Kleinert, Town Manager of Tiburon Council collected me on January 22, 1996 from my Hotel . We drove down Lombard Street, through Chinatown and to the side of the Golden Gate Bridge .
Then, on to Tiburon Council to meet with Council staff , and to lunch with the Mayor, a Councillor and Bob Kleinert, General Manager . I visited two schools in the afternoon, and caught the ferry back across the Bay, sailing past San Quentin Prison and Alcatraz. I recall that the prisoners were undertaking an afternoon exercise run, and were dressed in their grey prison uniform .
On January 23 ,1996 I took a cable car ride, and visited the historic boats on San Francisco Wharf. I later flew to Los Angeles, to be met with a warm welcome by my friend , Joyce at the Airport. I had met Joyce many years ago when she was holidaying in Australia, and we continued to correspond .
Joyce and I, left at 6.30am on January 24, 1996, to have breakfast at the Red Lion Hotel in Culver City . Then, I picked up my day long tour of Los Angeles, a comprehensive tour , which allowed me to see so much of the City .
I left at 6.30am, with Joyce, on January 25, 1996 to travel to the school , Hollywood North High School, in which she worked as an Administration Officer . We drove on the freeway, which was an experience for me. My breakfast that morning consisted of a toasted cheese sandwich and a drink, which were purchased from the school canteen .
I was able to speak, off the cuff, for 40 minutes to each of the two classes of Gifted and Talented students about “World Politics and Compulsory Voting, as opposed to Non- Compulsory Voting’ . The senior students were very challenging ; I enjoyed the political discourse in the classroom . Joyce then dropped me off at Universal Studios in the afternoon.
On January 26, 1996 Joyce and I visited the John Paul Getty Museum at Malibu , and then lunched at a restaurant on the beach at Malibu . We went shopping , where I bought a couple of jumpers .
My Qantas flight home that evening was 14 hours . When I checked in ,the Qantas check- in officer said to me, with a great deal of emphasis “have you enjoyed your trip?” “Oh yes, I have kangarooed around the world in 43 days, and I had an absolute ball. “
The plane left Los Angeles Airport at 11.30pm on January 26, 1996 and arrived in Sydney on January 28, 1996 having lost a day due to the International Date Line .
I returned in time for the 1996 teaching year to begin ………
Conclusion : My trip was a personal challenge . I had to deal with many different currencies, unexpected weather problems , and complicated travel arrangements. I had to also research and write a number of speeches before leaving Australia.
Thanks to my friend Diana , who organised a number of meetings for me in Portsmouth . And , a special thankyou to my General Manager, Rockdale City Council , Sydney , Stephen Blackadder, for arranging the visits to Councils in the UK and USA . These Council visits sometimes included a visit to local schools.
My highlights were :
Meeting with Vincent Bunce in London , Diana Hart -Thomas in Portsmouth , Charlotte Lalau in Paris , Gertie Wright in Airedale ,Yorkshire ; Bill and Jean Harris in Pots Nets ,Delaware and Joyce Mundell in Los Angeles ; Xmas Day on Mt Titlis, Switzerland on the bus tour ; seeing my Scottish relatives ; flying into J. F. Kennedy Airport, New York and the 12 days I spent in the USA.
I particularly enjoyed the challenge of speaking with the senior students at Hollywood North High School, Los Angeles , and the students in Long Neck Elementary School near Millsboro , Delaware . I enjoyed the opportunity to undertake numerous speaking engagements in the USA.
DEDICATION
I dedicate my diary to my teacher friend , Vincent, who passed away of cancer in mid- 1999.
Hotels
London : Windemere Hotel , Forum Hotel , Kensington Palace Hotel , and Kingsway Hotel , Amsterdam: Victoria Hotel , Mainz: Dorint Hotel , Lucerne : Flora Hotel , Paris: Adagio Vaugirard, Portsmouth : Marriott , Wakefield: The Swallows , Edinburgh : Old Waverley , Glasgow: Argyle Hotel , New York : Ramada at La Guardia Airport , Pots Nets, Delaware: stayed with Bill and Jean Harris , San Francisco : Holiday Inn at Fishermans Wharf , Los Angeles –Culver City : stayed with Joyce Mundell.
