This is from my mother’s travel photo album in 1929 when she sailed to England with her sister and traversed the country in a 1928 Morris Oxford open tourer (convertible) In the past stories she has been through Cambridge and to the East Coast, up into Scotland, across the land to the West Coast and down through Oxford and then Wales, Bath, South England – Cornwall and then across to Truro, Lands End, Plymouth then Torquay where this photo was taken. She took snaps as she called them most places but there is a distinct dearth of photos when she arrived in London.
They booked an apartment (with a fireplace) in London for 10 weeks at £2 a week put their car into storage at 7/- a week and proceeded to explore London.
The visited the Tower of London twice, loved Hampton Court, went to lectures at the Art Gallery, had seats at Parliament where Mr McDonald was Prime Minister, Lloyd George and Baldwin also there. There was also a Lady Cynthia Morley. A visit to the Victoria and Albert to see its treasures, so she writes.
They loved concerts and attended one by a violinist called Mischa Elman, a Russian violinist. Other concerts, one with Yahudi Menuin where he played and Mum described him: “. Our seats were away at high for Yahudi Menuin’s concert. Then after 3, our little boy of 12 appeared in navy shorts with a white flowers and short sleeves, dark shoes and socks, fair hair. He played and he’s so thrilled the audience that they mobbed him afterwards and when he tried to get into his car he had to be pushed, almost carried. He likes the English but “My, don’t they get excited”! He played the most highly technical and the most melodious pieces in a way which does not need to be excused because he’s a boy. He was marvellous he played Sonata in A Major, Chaconne, Bach, considered once too difficult for the violin. Good Lord, I’m not surprised he does the most extraordinary feats with his violin. At the piano was Hubert Gieson, then came three encores; the poor boy could scarcely get room to wield his bow. He is said to be one of the greatest prodigies of the century. He started when he was 2 and is continuing thus. One wonders what he’ll be like at 20. What type of things he will compose”
They were at a concert by Rachmaninoff “.On he came, severe faced and rather delicate looking with straight hair cut very short. It was a queer concert, lots of wee bits thrown in by the band and several highly technical but fine pieces of solo piano. Truly à la Rachmaninoff. Cheers and cheers mingled with bow or two, did not tempt him to play again. This is the man who says that he does not know how his compositions should be played. He is very tired of his Prelude, he hates the Albert Hall, he loves or oysters and motoring”
I have now typed over 72000 words and have a later model of Dragon Dictate which is compatible with Mountain Lion. Her writing is getting more and more difficult to read as she is obviously scribbling so fast to get everything down!
I can see where you inherited your photographic eye from..... beautiful photo. How precious to have so many memories, written and photos, of your Mum's travels.
Beautiful shot. I was wondering yesterday when you were going to share more from her travels. Wow, Rachmaninoff--that must have been thinning. Sounds like she enjoys everything.
@maggiemae I knwo so many of the places you speak off.. I can visualise them when you mention them. I was born and raised born south of England, I have visited many places and obviously now moved north of the Boarder and live in Scotland. Each place you have discussed there I have visited at one stage or another over my life time :) x
@digitalrn I've got a hell of a lot of editing to do with names, grammar and spelling but I've got all the time in the world. The photos are usually quite bad but now and then a good one.
This is beautiful Maggie and more so I find the story behind it. Torquay has some stunning places indeed and its setting is breathtaking. Rachmaninoff... amazing!
She was a good photographer and he journal remains riveting. How fascinating about the concerts. It makes me think we should all write more - we assume it's all obvious but in the future it won't be. There will be loads of a You Tube videos but no opinion or description.
How wonderful to have all these wonderful memories and I so admire you for putting them all together in a journal and photo album. I wish I had the time to do that.....someday, but mine wouldn't be 1/4 as interesting. Great job, Maggie!
What a wonderful photo from your Mom's travels. She lived a fascinating life, Maggiemae. I am so glad you are still working on this. You have done a lot and will be wonderful to have in the family for future generations.
January 24th, 2013
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Very interesting story too.