Home and Away - Sepia Saturday 187: 27 July 2013

What is precious, tattered, torn and handed down? To so many of us Sepians, the answer is photographs - family photographs passed on from generation to generation are the currency of Sepia Saturday. But occasionally other things are handed down - and in so many cases it is the family bible that becomes the linchpin of family history. So for Sepia Saturday 187 (post your posts on or around Saturday 27 July 2013) we focus our attention on family bibles. But in the best traditions of Sepia Saturday themes, you can interpret the theme in any way you want : books, lettering, printing, hand-me-downs  ... 

they all fall within our theme this week.

Mybush, 30 Valley Road, Springwood 1954

Welcome to this week's Sepia Saturday post.  I'm taking books as the theme rather than bibles.  We have beautiful family bibles but they are not very old.  I have already blogged about them here.

I have so much that is precious, tattered, torn and handed down.

I have spent the afternoon scanning baptismal cards, funeral cards, ration cards, enrolment forms, receipts...you name it - we've got it.

But it is important to be a bit focused, yes?

And so for my inspiration - and because I've wanted to scan and show you this photo for a while - I thought I would use the title of that famous Australian TV show - Home and Away.  Cue cheesy theme music.

The first photo in this post is of the living area at Mybush (according to the electoral roll) or Natoma, where my grandmother and her husband lived - my father's parents.  You can see knick-knacks on the shelf - a model aeroplane, china dogs, boxes, vases and down the bottom, lots of books.   I never knew my paternal grandfather -  which is a great shame because he sounded like a lot of fun - just like my lovely father.  Unfortunately, Edwin Arthur James Conner died just before my parents married.  Thirteen days to be exact.  

My grandmother, Ethel, went on many overseas trips in her retirement - a bittersweet experience for her I'm sure as she was not able to share the experiences with her husband.

So, in terms of books I have one of her diaries from her overseas trip in 1964.  I think it was her first trip overseas.

By then she had left Mybush and lived in her new home The Nook at Burradoo, as can be seen from the title page.

To be completely honest with you, most of the diary is pretty boring but I did find the pre-printed material in the front rather amusing...for example...

Can you just imagine if you were asked any of these questions whilst on your travels?????

I'm thinking only the Mayor of Crazy Town might ask an Australian tourist these kinds of questions but perhaps I have led a narrow existence.

Here's a photo of me with my Gran in Edinburgh when she came to see us.  I'm pretty sure this is in 107 Trinity Road Edinburgh.  Our temporary home away from home.

Ethel and Alex Edinburgh 1964

The other travel diary I have in my proud possession is the one my father kept of our overseas trip when I was very young.

It's got everything in it - postcards, programs, menus, luggage labels, photos, illustrations.  Fantastic stuff.

Here's the front page decorated by my father...

Here's everyone who came to see us off and wish us well.

Circular Quay, Sydney - 12 September 1962

I'm sure that's my maternal grandfather Tom McLoughlin smack bang in the middle of the 2nd row with his hat on.

My godfather, godmother and "aunt" are in a trio not far behind.  My godmother having a very prominent white handbag and "Auntie" Jean wearing one of those odd hats one wore in the 1960s.

Here's the passenger list.

Here's the invitation to the Cocktail Party.....

And here's my mother meeting Commodore Edgecombe....I remember her telling me that she was so worried about not having enough of the right kind of dresses to wear.  Right up til the night before we left, she was feverishly sewing outfits.

This is what it cost to dine at the Silver Grill.....

30 cents for lunch - not bad.  

What fun!  A pity I was so young and don't really remember it.

Have you got a travel diary floating around somewhere?

Cruise on over to Sepia Saturday and see what other books are on offer.....