England

climbing the minster with Nellie

 With grandma and Aunt Ada

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Auntie Nellie the dog was not there in 1952

In 1952 we landed at Southampton and took  trains to York. I was quoted as saying how green is all was, why were there so many chimneys? and why did it always rain? Remember we lived in a flat with central heating and Africa was often brown and dry. My grandparents and Auntie Nellie were delighted to welcome us to 22 Park Grove. In fact Grandma went to considerable lengths to organise a 5th birthday party for me see above.  I announced that it should have been an ice cream cake and was duly packed off upstairs in tears. The importance of always being grateful was being drummed in! I recall another birthday party later on when I realised I had been given a second copy of a book I already owned but I think by then I had learnt to smile and say thank you! Nellie was indeed an excellent guide to York. We climbed the Minster tower and I look very smart in my coat with its buttons. I discovered TV which we did  not have in South Africa until much later - Andy Pandy and Bill and Ben. I did find it annoying to have to go to bed when it was still light. In Johannesburg it gets dark quite quickly.  Photo shows Granddad, Nellie, Uncle Walter, Uncle Jewitt Worley. In front Aunt Emily, Grandma, me being silly, Aunt Ada Worley. In the garden at 22 Park Grove.

It was still a time of rationing and Mum had brought tins of fruit. Eventually only guavas were left and Granddad said he would have those things with pips if nothing else was left! I suppose the family's world in York was a very small one and it remained so. I loved the city and especially the Minster. All that history and tradition. Above all I felt I was English. I was not South African. 

22 Park Grove York taken when we cleared the house after Nellie went into care