Czechoslovakia - 7.8.1958

 These are two Pop-up cards... there is no writing on them, except for the address.

USSR - Moscow - 31.7.1958.

 Moscow - 31.7.1958.

Dear Pennie,

     All the figures round the fountain are golden coloured, I took a colour picture of them so you will be able to see it when we come home.

     Lots of love, Nan

Moscow - 31.7.1958.

Dear Merry,

     This gate is the entrance to a very wonderful exhibition.  The figures on the top are holding a huge sheaf of wheat and are golden coloured and look very magnificent with the sun shining on them.

     Love, Nan.

Poland - Warsaw - 26.7.1958.

Warszawa.

Warsaw, Poland - 26.7.1958

Dear Merry,

     We saw these swans this morning, they are in a very beautiful park.  You would soon make friends with the Polish children, they all seem so pleased to see us, and when we pass through the villages in our bus they all wave to us.

     Lots of love, Nan.

(Unfortunately there are no more cards from Poland, lots I suppose as they were probably much prized when we received them.)

Italy - 3.7.1958

 (These two cards were written and posted in England but are of Italy.)

In coach on the Walk.

London - 3.7.1958.

Dear Pennie,

     I stayed over-night at Rapallo, on the bus trip from Rome to Paris.  The bit of sea showing in the picture is the Mediterranean and it was so rough the day we drove beside it.  Sometimes the spray came right over the bus and the poor driver had great trouble keeping his windscreen free from salt.

     Lots of love, Nan

Luci e Colori D'Italia.

London - 3.7.1958.

Dear Merry,

     Don't you think it would be more fun riding in this donkey cart than in Daddie's Simca?  When I was having my breakfast the other morning and was sitting at a table on the footpath, who should trot past but this same little donkey,  wearing his smart hat.

     Lots of love, Nan.

France - Versailles - 25.4.1958

Chateau De Versailles, Le Petit Trianon, le Temple de l'Amour.

(This card is to my Grandmother, Cranky's sister.)

Versailles.

      Too Frozen to write!  Inez, Sue and I are in a cafe eating pineapple tart and coffee.  Back to Florence on Saturday if Italian train strike is over.  This is a wonderful place, loving Paris as usual.

     Lots of love, Nan.

Italy - Florence - 16.4.1958.

 Hotel Minerva, Florence, Italy. 16.4.1958.

Dear Pennie,

     This says 'Surprise'  I took Sue to school yesterday and was allowed to take her out for the afternoon today.  I had lunch at school and it was very good.  Sue has a wonderfully big bedroom, all to herself,  and the girls all seem very nice.  She doesn't get any holidays, at least, not the usual kind, but she goes to the seaside for a month with the school instead.  She is not allowed to speak English, except on Sundays, but must speak French or Italian.  Just as well she is so good at French isn't it.

     Lots of love, Nan.

 Hotel Minerva, Florence, Italy 16.4.1958.

Dear Timmy,

     The words say something like 'Is it a dream, or really true'.  It costs two much to send you many cards from Italy by Air Mail, so I'll send them by sea after this one.  Susy is here with me at teh moment, driving me mad by playing the radio too loudly, bad girl.  Write to me soon.

     Lots of love, Nan

Hotel Minerva, Florence. Italy - 16.4.1958.

Dear Merry,

     The words say, 'I miss you', and I do, too.  It is nice to have the picture of you three, I am going to buy a frame for it when I see a nice enough one.  You'd better not let Anglepuss see this picture or he might want to visit the moon, too.

     Lots of love, Nan

Switzerland - Neuchatel - 28.3.1958.

 Hotel Touring au Lac. Neuchatel, Switzerland - 28.3.1958

Dear Pennie,

     I am going to Susy's school this afternoon to help her pack, and  then we both fly back to London tomorrow.  Susy is going to a dance at night, so the school allowed her to come to Neuchatel this morning and have her hair done.  It looks jolly good too.  Next card you get will be from Italy.

    Lots of love, Nan

Hotel Touring au Lac.  Neuchatel, Switzerland - 28.3.1958

Dear Tim,

     You look just like Cookie with your crew cut.  Susy and I have just had our hair cut and the man used a cut-throat razor instead of scissors!  But he made a fine job of it.

     Lots of love, G.A.N.

Hotel Touring au Lac.  Neuchatel, Switzerland - 28.3.1958

Dear Mer,

     I am just going to have my lunch and as I am very hungry I shall eat a lot.  Last night when I arrived here I found a beautiful blue ashtray in my room.  It was a present from the Hotel, weren't they kind.

   Lots of love, Nan.

Hotel Touring au Lac today from Google Maps.  Aunty Cranky stayed here every time she came to Neuchatel to visit Sue at her school, no wonder the Hotel gave her an ashtray, she was a heavy smoker.

England - St Ives, Cornwall - 14.2.1958.

 St Ives, Cornwall. England - 14.2.1958.
Launching the Lifeboat at St Ives.

Dear Timmy,

     The lifeboat is only having a practice, so that is why you don't see the crew in their yellow oilskins and life jackets.  That is the pier I see from my window.  When the tide goes out all the boats look so silly just perched up on the sand.

    Lots of love, G.A.N.

Seagull House, St Ives, Cornwall. England - 14.2.1958.
Two of the cats of St Ives. Cornwall.

Dear Merry,

     I've told you before about all the cats there are in St Ives, so thought you'd like to have a picture of two of them.  I'm not too sure whether they are going to kiss or bite each other.

     Lots of love, Nan

Singapore - No Date.

 The Lim Bo Seng Memorial, Singapore.

Located off the lovely Elizabeth Walk, this memorial of marble was erected to perpetuate the memory of Col. Lim Bo Seng, a War Hero and Resistance leader during the Japanese Occupation of Malaya, who gave his life away for the course of Freedom.

Dear Pennie,

     We had a long drive today into the next state which is Johore.  If you look at the stamps you'll see they are different to the ones on the Singapore cards.  In Johore we saw a rubber plantation  and even pulled a bit of the funny white rubbery sap from a cut in the tree.  We also saw the Sultans Palace, which is very lovely.

     Love from Nan

 Below... from Google Maps today.

A China Town Scene.

This is a busy marketing day for Chinatown dwellers.  A typical market scene, where streets are closed to vehicular traffic, temporarily, to allow vendors to 'liquidate' their stocks.

Dear Meredith,

     We went for a drive down a street like this last night, but the shops in the middle of the road in this picture were not there.  The things sticking out like flags from the buildings at the end of the street are washing hanging lout on sticks to dry.

     Love, Nan

 Dear Pennie,

     I hope you like the Mermaid, I guess Daddy will.  Tell Mummy that Captain Brown did us proud.  Will send you more cards when I get to Rome.

     Lots of love, Nan.

France - Paris - 22.12.1957

 Hotel Frontenac, Rue Pierre - Charron, Paris.  22.12.1957

Dear Pen,

     This says, 'Best wishes for the New Year'.  Susy arrived here from school yesterday and she is out buying paper to wrap presents, at the moment.   We are going to see a Gregory Peck* film as soon as she comes back.

     Lots of love, Nan

* May have been 'Designing Woman'.

Hotel Frontenac, Rue Pierre - Charron, Paris.  22.12.1957

Dear Timmy,

     I left it too late to send Christmas cards, so this is a Happy New Year one instead.  I don't think there will be any snow for Christmas in Paris, although it's very cold today.

     Lots of love, G.A.N.



Hotel Frontenac, Rue Pierre - Charron, Paris.  22.12.1957

Dear Merry,

     I bet those bunnies have cold tails, sitting in the snow.  This card says 'Good and Happy New Year' so I hope that is just what you have.

     Lots of love, Nan



Below... Same Hotel from Google Maps today.

England - St Ives, Cornwall - 10.11.1957

Seagull House,  The Wharf, St Ives.  Cornwall. England. 10.11.1957.

Dear Pen,

     Thank you for your letters, which I would have answered before if I hadn't been too busy having flu, and looking after Susy having flu, and moving from London to here.  I like being in my flat very much.  Did you see the picture of it that I sent to Mama?  I went to visit some friends yesterday and when I tried to walk home along the road near the sea I couldn't because the waves were breaking over it like mad.  So I had to take the one higher up and even then I got spray on my face.

     How is Artillery Lass? * I hope her leg has recovered.  Susy is looking forward to going to school in Italy next year because she will be able to have riding lessons.  This term, in Switzerland, she is to learn ski-ing I hope she has a bit of sense and doesn't break her bones. I suppose you have started swimming by now.  Susy will be green with envy.  She did go swimming in the lake near her school but not often enough to please her.

      It is now half past ten, Sunday night, here in Cornwall, at Willoughby, it is half past eight, Monday morning, and I suppose you have already left for school.  Funny isn't it?  I must leave for bed, so lots of love, Nan,

* Artillery Lass was a foal born to Gindy, at the Army Quarters we were living in at the time.

Below... The Wharf, St Ives from Google Maps today.

Switzerland - 30.9.1957 - From Sue.

 

 Dear Pennie,

Was very thrilled to get your letter, thank you very much.  Do you think you could get a photo of Gindy and Artillery Lass* for me, also one of Merry, Tim, Rip and Rosemary and yourself?  Last week we missed our weekly two hour Frence lesson (we also have one hour french EVERY morning including Saturday.  As you can imagine we cried our hearts out about this!!!!!!!  We get ten days holiday in 12 days time and can hardly wait.  Write again soon.

Lots of love, Sue XX

* Gindy was a horse living at the Army Barracks we were living in, one night she gave birth to a foal called... Artillery Lass by the Soldiers.

Dear Merry,

Thank you very much for your lovely drawing, I was very glad to hear from you at last.  I thought you had forgotten I existed.  At the moment I am being serenaded by Cow Bells, all of different notes I have seen lots of brown and black goats but not very many white ones.  They also wear bells like the sheep.   I have to write some letters now, write again soon.

Lots of love, Sue XX

England - Lands End, Cornwall - 6.9.1957

Dear Pen,

     I got the cards mixed, this is Tim's the one I sent Tim is yours.  Sorry.  Everything is First and Last here, a church, a hotel, a cafe and even a cat!!

     Lots of love, Nan

Dear Merry,

     I bought these cards at the house on the picture.  Tell Mummy, please, that I've changed my mind again and think i will now live in Cornwall.  I think I told her last time that I was going to live in France!

     Lots of love, Nan


Below... Lands End from Google Maps today.

England - St Ives, Cornwall - 2.9.1957

Garrack Hotel, St Ives. England - 2.9.1957

Dear Pennie,

     There are just billions of gulls here.   They sit on the chimneys of the hotel and squawk like mad.  I am going to see King Arthur's Castle tomorrow, at a place called Tintagel.  At least the ruins of his castle.

  Lots of love, Nan

 Garrack Hotel, St Ives. Cornwall.  2.9.1957

Dear Timmy,

     Do you think you could write to Uncle Ed?  He is in Gloucester House having an operation, poor boy.  The old horse doesn't seem to mind going into the sea, does he?  I have sent birthday presents to you and kids by sea.

     Lots of love, G.A.N.

Garrack Hotel, St Ives. Cornwall.  2.9.1957

Dear Merry,

     I have the tiniest little bed-room you ever did see, but it has a wonderful view of the Atlantic Ocean, a lighthouse and lots and lots of rocks.  During the night a great big pussy jumped on the window from the roof but she didn't stay for long.
  
     Lots of love, Nan

England - London - 24.8.1957

 London - 24.8.1957

Dear Pennie,

     Can't write on this, it squeaks.

     Lots of love, Nan

London - 24.8.1957

Dear Merry,

     Same to you, as I wrote to the other kids.

     Lots of love, Nan

France - Paris - 22.8.1957

 Coleurs et Luminere de France - Paris

Hotel Ronceray, Boulevard Montmartre, Paris - 22.8.1957

Dear Pennie,

     La Madeleine is a very famous church, don't ask me why!  Except that is is rather beautiful.  My hotel is fairly close to it.  You just should see my bath!  The plug hole is right in the middle of the bath and there is a very long chain on the plug, with an aluminum ball attached to the other end which floats with you.

     Lots of love, Nan

Couleurs et Luminere de France - Paris - La Place du Tertre et le Sacre-Coeur

Hotel Ronceray, Boulevard Montmartre, Paris - 22.8.1957

Dear Merry,

     It is great fun to eat in these places right on the footpath because you can see all the people pass by.  It's not so good when it rains though.

     Lots of love, Nan

Switzerland - Neuchatel - 19.8.1957

Neuchatel - Switzerland - 19.8.1957

Dear Rosemary,

      This is only a short note to say 'Howdy'.  Please give my love to the 'small fry' and also to Rip.  This is another adventure of the 'hat'.  'see far right in this photo'.  It is in Neuchatel by the Lake wall the first time we arrived here.  I didn't know I'd got them in till I got the picture printed.  Well there's no news except that I return to school tonight (no laughing please!!)  Write soon.

     Tons of love to all.  Tons and tons of love XXXXXXXX  Susie-Anna.

Switzerland - Berne - 17.8.1957

Hotel Bristol, Berne. Switzerland - 17.8.1957

Dear Pennie,

     Hope you like this beautiful cow.  We always wonder how they manage to carry such huge bells.  I think this particular sort is their Sunday best, they have smaller ones for everyday use.

      Lots of love, Nan

Hotel Bristol, Berne. Switzerland - 17.8.1957

Dear Merry,

     These are the baby bears who were too young for us to see when we were here last time.  We are paying them a visit tomorrow, I hope.  Wouldn't they make darling pets?  I hope Minder Bear* likes them.

     Love Nan
* 'Minder Bear' was Meredith's teddy bear who looked after when she was in Hospital at 3 years of age.

 Dear Bud, (our Mum)

     Doesn't this installment of 'The Adventures of the Hat' just say you!  You can't say I don't try hard to keep you amused.  Can't help wondering if anything is wrong, you've spoilt me with being such a regular correspondent.  We have just been back in London two ( ???? )   
Had a wonderful few weeks.  I might state that the dirty looking stuff we are sitting on is all part of the Glacier, but constant walking upon has made it that colour.  Our foot stools are chunks of ice.  It's so slippery that the gent who isn't a bear has to help his clients up .  Susy got a good report from school.  ( ???? )

    Love, Nan

Belgium - Brussels - 11.8.1957

 Le Grand Hotel, Brussels. Belgium - 11.8.1957

Dear Pennie,

     Had a beautiful trip here, right down the side of Holland.  Saw lots of wind mills, acres and acres of flowers growing and crossed over many canals and rivers.  We hired a taxi this afternoon and drove around Brussels and saw the Kings Palace, and we were lucky enough to be there in time to see the Changing of the Guard.  Susy took some colour photos of that,  so you'll be able to see them when we come home.

     Lots of love, Nan

  Le Grand Hotel, Brussels. Belgium - 11.8.1957

Dear Timmy,

     I mean to ask the hall porter the story about this man and his funny clothes, but I forgot and I've eaten too much dinner to go down stairs again.  Many of the shop windows have dolls dressed just as he is.

     Lots of love, G.A.N.

 Le Grand Hotel, Brussels. Belgium - 11.8.1957

 Dear Merry,

     This old woman is making lace.  We didn't see her, but I did see some girls making it in another country.  Tell Mummy I will write to her from Zurich, where we will be in a few days.

     Lots of love, Nan

Melsbroek Air Base, Brussels, Belgium

Dear Pen, This is Fun!  Only just a little way up so can see everything. Nan

The Netherlands - Amsterdam - 18.8.1957

Hotel Pays Cas, Amsterdam. The Netherlands - 10.8.1957

Dear Pennie,

     Susy is pestering me to buy her a pair of clogs.  We saw a boy with clogs on riding a bicycle, which looked a bit awkward.  Amsterdam is a very beautiful place and we are very sorry we are leaving tomorrow.

     Lots of love, Nan

 Hotel Pays Cas, Amsterdam. The Netherlands - 10.8.1957

Dear Timmy,

     Holland has lots of wind mills, lots of canals and lots of bicycles.  It is very good for bicycle riding in Amsterdam because the roads are all perfectly flat, except where they go over the bridges across the canals.

     Lots of love, G.A.N.

Hotel Pays Cas, Amsterdam. The Netherlands - 10.8.1957

Dear Merry,

     I hope you like the little Dutch Children.  I know you would like the yumshish cakes we get to eat here.  We have just come back from the airport after seeing Susy's Aunt Mill off to Australia and there was television there for us to watch while we waited.

     Lots of love, Nan