December1920
Monday 13th
Monday 20th
Monday 27th

January 1921
Monday 3rd
Monday 10th
Monday 17th
Monday 24th

February 1921
Monday 7th
Monday 14th

March 1921
Monday 14th
Monday 21st

 M  A  R  C  H

Saturday  12  Blenheim/ Nelson

        We got ready for Nelson & Mr Bachelor's car came along about nine or ½ past.  We started immediately but had not gone far before we had to put the load up.  As it was a private car we could go any speed we liked, so we crawled.  It was a most delightful drive though dangerous.  After skirt­ing Renwick we soon dashed over the ¾ of a mile bridge across the treach­erous Wairau River.  Then we passed between the hills & past villages & farms till we reached Havelock, at the very head of the Sounds.  We lunched at Canvas Town, the historic place of the gold rush when 10 thous­and diggers were there & from which place the murderers went out.  Then we crossed the (Pelorus) River and after more flat driving came to Auntie's ( Birds Accom. House) at the foot of the Eye Valley saddle, ov­er which we climbed into the next valley past the old shed on which was written " I said to myself hell- O " Then we came to the dangerous Whanga­more Hill to climb which we had to go about 2000ft up.  After that we sailed along by the sea up to Nelson.  On arrival we immediately went to the Convent.  Tot was delighted.  We arranged visits etc.  Then we had tea & Pa & I went for a stroll.  Saw Sally's ( Sergeant.) Before going to bed I washed my hair etc.

Sunday   13

        After breakfast we went to 10 o'clock Mass & then saw Tot for a while before lunch & also afterwards.  We also saw poor Edie.  She looks extreme­ly ill & does not seem too happy.  She is very lonely.  I played & sang for Tot & she sang Mother Machree for us.  She has a heavenly voice.  Pa was awfully-pleased.  She wanted to keep me but it was no go.  We hurried back to tea then came up again for Benediction.  Father Campbell, a man resembling Peter & Jack, preached the sermon on Ireland.  There was a pro­cession of the Blessed Sacrament in which all little & big, ( belonging to Sodalities ) took place.  Aunt Edie was among the Children of Mary.  All the girls took a good look at me as they knew I was going to stay next night with them.  Before going to Church I wrote a letter to Bernie & one to Ame.  The band interrupted me in the middle of it.  There were five hun­dred bandsmen in the town for the contest.  Tot wrote to tell us not to come, but we had wired for rooms so we were alright.

Monday    14

        After breakfast we ordered our own car man & another to come round to the hotel, then we all went to the Convent.  Tot, Mother, Papa & Sis­ter M. Sylvia went in the first car, A.B. Edie & I in the second, a yellow one.  We were to follow them round like the cows tail.  Our man thought the other was going wrong so ran alongside, but it was alright.

Tuesday    15

        I did not get up till late and brought me my breakfast.  Nettie & Daphne ( the latter first) came in to talk as soon as they were called.  Nettie Rodgers missed prayers so got into trouble.  Aunt Edie came in to see me too.  When I got up Tot took me round the grounds show­ed me Pat & Mike, two or three nuns & a dear old sister.  We stole a beautiful rose of hers.  Papa M.& A.B. arrived then so we had to say goodbye & go.  Tot was upset so was Aunt Edie. We had a quiet trip home, except for an occasional tease from Aunt B. about the drivers stolid unconcern.  We stopped at Wakapuaka for a few moments & Mr. Obierne came along.  Had a talk then drove on.  Whangamore as bad as ever.  Met some timber waggons.  We had morning tea at Auntie's ( a little table for three).  When leaving there we met the Nelson Mail cars returning, also 2 motor cycles going our way.  Had dinner at Canvas Town, then had an uneventual drive home past the Sounds, Havelock etc.( Lucerne paddock.) We had tea.  Then Bert rang up, asked me to come to (the) pictures with him.  Arranged for the next night; As we were tired we went to bed early.

Wednesday   16

        After breakfast I did a little washing, and while doing so Aunt Win informed me that she had arranged for a "farewell‑party" for us that night, so Bert's & my picture "stunt" was ended ( was off) Later on I took the bike and went down to Miriams, and told Al to ring Bert and tell him it was off.  Al rang him after hrs. when he was dressed and ready to come.  He was annoyed; rang me at Epworth.  I told him come to the party all the same.  Did so.  Uncle Gil, Al, Cousin Frank, and Mim, Jack, Mauna, Dorothy, Madge, and Thelma(Jeffries), Bert, Mr & Mrs Broug­han etc. were present.  Music etc. up to all hours.  Then said goodbye, to all who wouldn't see us the next day.  Saw the Jeffries off, and Bert who had to bike back to Hawkesbury.  We went to bed almost immediately as we had to be up and pack our belongings the following morning for the 1 o'clock train.  Everyone slept a sound " last‑sleep" in Blenheim.

  Thursday   17

             St Patricks Day .... " in the morn'in."

        We got up rather the worse for wear in the shape of good  headaches. I did our ironing then packed our box ready for  departure.  When we were ready after lunch Win showed me scallywag & I returned it by teaching her poker.  Then old Baldy was harnessed, and after many tearful goodbyes, we quitted old Lowlands, better known as Eppworth.  Cousin Win came with us & we stopped at MacKenzies but he was not at home.  We found him at the station.  Then Uncle Gil & Al turned up followed by Mim, Black Frank, Cousin Joe, & Holy Joe.  The train soon drew up & after more kissing hugging we departed for good and all.  The mail came in before we left & among others, Auntie & I both got one from Dowl.  She read hers to Un­cle & Al.  On the way through I saw the halfway house, where Pa used to stop when going through by road.  A nice boat, the Arahura, was waiting for us at Picton.  We mislaid our boxes but after tea found them again.  The trip was lovely & neither Mother nor Aunt Bella was sick.  We reach­ed Wellington about ten, came to the New Commercial, and went to bed with all possible speed.

Friday    18

        We went to breakfast up to Hill St. Sister de Pazzi came in & she rang up Vi.  She told us there was a train at ten, so we ran to the stat­ion but missed it.  We went by the 10 past 11.  Vi was delighted to see us roll up in their car to the door.  We had a great old talk. Then had dinner with her.  She could not eat for excitement.  After dinner we had a big walk around but time passed all too quickly.  At ½ past 3 the car was at the door again, as we had to go to Petone to see Aunt Mary.  Moth­er Acquin was very good in letting Violet have dinner with us, so that we would see all we could of her.  We saw little Aunt Mary who looks much younger than Edie, but we had only a very few minutes with her as we had to catch the ½ past 5 train for town.  I played for the music teacher and we also: saw Sister M.Agustine Tot's friend.  After tea we found 33 Rimu Rd.  but May and baggage was over at one of the bays for a fortnight.  We failed to find Bessie Butcher.  We came home & had a nice supper, then trotted to bed.

Saturday  19

        After breakfast we went straight out to see little Clare.  She was looking better although very white still.  She is just as quaint and loveable as ever.  She is getting on splendidly with her studies.  After leaving her we took a hurried look at the zoo before coming home to lunch.  The tram car nearly broke down coming back.  In the afternoon Pa & I went to Karori to see poor Fan's grave.  It has a beautiful little white cross on it.  I took several photos of it, & also Mother Xavier ( Butler).  Mother & Aunt Bella went to see if they could find Bessie's place but couldn't.  They did not meet us till tea time.  Aunt Bella (had) got important news from Ber.  She sent a telegram after tea & so did I. Then we went to the Town Hall to hear Madame Jessie Strathearn give a concert single handed. lt was splendid. her cornet solo was a unique tem.  She played her own accompaniments magnificently, & at the last sang Taxti's? Goodbye to perfection.  It was about ten when we got home.

Sunday    20

        We went to the late Mass at the Basilica & some sailors from the battle­ship, crowded into our seat.  We did not have high Mass & I did not like the music.  It was Palm Sunday so we all received a palm.  After Mass Papa & I strolled down to the wharf, while Mother & Aunt Bella went off to see Frank.  They met Ina & Ola who told them where he lived.  He was not in just then but Anna had a talk with them.  We saw the "Wahine", "Pakeha", "Zealandia" & other big boats also the "Marpourika" which runs alterna­tively with the Arahura to Picton; also a photo of the "Maori".  We joined the others at lunch & afterwards took the tram for Seatoun.  We saw Mother Bernard & the music teacher there.  M.B. showed us her fine 10 acre prop­erty with two or three buildings.  She gave me a book.  She showed us the short cut to Olive McGrath's so we had a few minutes with her.  Young Dal­low & his sister, Laddie, Bon & the other McGrath were there too.  I play­ed for them.  When we got back Frank was there, & sat through tea with us.  He & Aunt Bella walked to church together, & back afterwards with Anna. Then we had some music & a yarn followed by supper, before we retired.  An old chap took it up with one finger then.-

  Monday   _21

        Mother, Papa & I went round to say goodbye to the Sisters at Hill St, also Archbishop Redwood.  We did not see him, as he was doing his morn­ing's stroll.  Aunt Bella went to Kircaldie's with Mother & I, where we had tea.  She had already had some with Frank.  She enquired for Lui Hall, who used to be here, but is now in Raurino.  We bought some fruit & stuff for the trip, then strolled for the train.  We sent our luggage on.  The man put it down in the checking office, so we had to cart it round to the other side.  We got our seats & soon afterwards were off.  We saw a battleship in the harbour as we steamed out.  The down Express crossed us at Ngaio.  Then we came to Khandallah and shortly afterwards crossed it in several places.  We saw Forsyth Island, and had a good view of Kapiti Island.  Next place was Paekakariki.  We crossed the Otaki River & ran in­to Otaki soon afterwards.  Then came to Levin where Uncle Pat Joe lived.  We crossed a train at Papaturoa.  We had a good view of Tokamaru Bay? also saw the Manawatu.  We again passed pretty Pamerston; saw the Ruahine Rang­es; the Gorge to Napier; then Longburn Freezing Works; Oroua River etc.  After that we came to Fielding, crossed the Rangatiki, & then on to Mar­ton.  We crossed several viaducts & steamed through 28 tunnels but did the main part of the journey in darkness.  I stood on the platform, going down the Spiral.  Beautiful night.  Lovely view of Ruapehu etc.  Daylight broke at Hamilton.  I saw our house at Manurewa but before we came to Auckland we had a "freshener" then gathered our luggage together prepar­atory to departure.

Tuesday    22

        After leaving the train we took our luggage round to the Waverley & left it in the luggage room 'till eleven O'c. As it was too early for breakfast we strolled up the street.  At eight we had breakfast, then rang up Lol.  She was on night duty, so could not come down 'till next day.  We had a rest in the morning & after lunch Aunt Bella went out with me to Wittombe & got some mortuary cards for Uncle Gil.  We had some trouble but managed it at last.  We had a delightful little afternoon "tea" at Cookes, and afterwards got a paper and looked up amuse­ments.  The English P --- ots ( perhaps pirouette) & a variety show were on, but as the P. show read best, we decided on that.  We had to go up­stairs & had some trouble to get seats.  There was the usual high kick­ing & abundance of kissing, but apart from that the show was not bad at all.  There was some very good skits on the Railway Dept, & a few amusing items.  When we came home I wanted to wash my hair but it was too late.  We were all glad to turn in, but we found our beds like bricks & our doors without locks.  It was shocking.

Wed.  March 23rd. to Sat. Oct. 1st - no entries.

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