This plant, a couple of weeks ago was covered in aphids! I forced my way into the middle of the bush and sprayed it! The result stands here!
Further on my mother's travels in 1929 I am now 55700 words in! With the help of Dragon Dictate, I am speeding through the pages only getting stuck at certain words which I have to google!
"On we went, through Torcross and passed the Slapton Sands which should be very interesting for there, we had sea on our right and lake on our left but we had to imagine it all for not a thing could we see but that dense fog. Soon we left the sea, round to the right up and up, and there was the sun again. We were above the fog and just in front we could see blue sea and sky with white fog blowing in. And then disappeared altogether when we reached Dartmouth. It’s a lovely place - the Dart enters the sea through rather a narrow opening and on our right was only bushy cliffs with Pendennis Castle at the foot then behind on the hills was the town, fairly well spread out. Over the Dart which we crossed by means of a a ferry (price 2 shillings) was Kingswear. We left it then we were among the Devon hills, through Brixham, a quaint fishing village and that quay on which stands William of Orange for he landed there in 1688. We wound down the street then unwound up dead against the sun, round and up and down in the usual Devonshire country until there, a mile or two off, was Torquay, and Torbay"
They set off for Dorchester, mainly because of its association with Thomas Hardy who they both obviously loved. Casterbridge it was called by him and also Malchester is Salisbury.
Paid a visit to Avesbury and the ancient stones and another interesting google was Maumbury Rings. Amazing Iron Age fortress - very obvious from the pictures I got as it was then in those days.
Corfe Castle was not far away and she said of it's history:
"Some of the houses were enveloped in gorgeous Virginia creeper and the castle, the poor thing! It’s old walls are battered and blasted and would that they could speak!
"1/- Murder of the King, said to be the foulest deed ever committed by the English since they came to Britain. Edgar died in 975, Edward, his son was crowned but his stepmother Alfrida wanted stepbrother, Ethelred, so they stuffed [stet] him at Corfe. Alfrida repented afterwards and founded two nunneries. Stephen besieged it and also came John who left treasure here including his Regalia, and some prisoners. It was besieged a number of times in the 14th century but Lady Bankes {Lady Bankes and her supporters successfully withstood a three year siege} was too much for them. In February 1646 Colonel Pitman managed to get in–he sacked it, leaving it as it is now, correct, broken, dismembered. In the village gable ends are common and mullioned windows are keen to the dozen. It was a joy to visit it"
These two ladies liked to go out to the pictures or a dance at night and there was always one available. One such film I had to google and found it was a silent film made in 1923, called "Plunder". She said it was very like the story, "Rookery Nook" which I also had to google - bigamy, theft, murder, treasure - I can just imagine it.
Beautiful honeysuckle. So glad you were able to save it.
Would have loved to have seen the pictures of the sea with the fog that your mother describes. Her writing is so descriptive--fog is just so beautiful.
Sure am glad I didn't live during the 12th - 15th century!!!
@yonnie Rape, pillage and plunder - off with his head etc. There were more horror stories I came across and I shuddered! I've got her photo of Torquay and wonder what it is like 83 years later!
@karenann Thanks for reading, Karenann! I started this some time ago and it is so pleasing to see other people so interested as well, particularly when I "went" through their own areas!
I can almost smell the honeysuckle! As usual, your mother continues to amuse me with her adventures. What fun she must have as a traveling companion! So enthusiastic and responsive to everything from fog to ruined castles and their history and then completing the day with a film or a dance.
Outstanding shot and I love this journal entry from your mother! It is great how she spoke of the fog and the different houses! :) I bet they always had great fun (and maybe even caused a bit of trouble) :) Thanks for sharing! Glad the dragon is doing his job ;)
@kbalychev Well, I think it might be causing more trouble than I thought - I've just gone over what was written and it has put "in" every time I said "and" It just won't recognise the word 'wee' which Mum uses quite a lot!
Glad you were able to save your plant. Very nice photo of it. Your Mom's adventures are really interesting and fascinating though I do not understand all she speaks of. Still something so nice for you to have and write out for you and for future generations.
@darsphotos Darlene, nice to have your comments! I will have to go over them again in case there has been some confusing transcription! Thanks -I need to know!
Glad you were able to save this pretty plant. You mum certainly has a way with describing her adventures. This must really be fun to transcribe. You will need to publish the finished product.
@kwiksilver Thanks Gillian - I mean to put all the places she visited and hotels on to a google map and show the whole journey. Should be fun and so easy to do nowdays!
Your mother did a great job with her journal.
Would have loved to have seen the pictures of the sea with the fog that your mother describes. Her writing is so descriptive--fog is just so beautiful.
Sure am glad I didn't live during the 12th - 15th century!!!
Love reading your mother's journal that you put up...very descriptive!!