Thirza Pidgeon’s 1937 World Tour – 18 June: Caledonian Market, shopping and the theatre

Posted on June 18, 2013 by Pidgeoncoop

Friday, 18 June 1937

Went to Caledonian Markets with Miss Slattery & Mrs E, an enormous place, a lot of rubbish, great quantity of silver there. Fruit is cheap. Bought silver coffee pot for 2/6 also apples & tomatoes. Had lunch at Lyons – got back to the hotel feeling very tired. Had a rest, then made a cup of tea. Mrs E & I took bus to Shepherds Bush. Bought pair of shoes for 7/6. Back again to dinner, then to the Lyceum Theatre. Saw Richard Tauber & Evelyn Laye in Paganini. Great storm as we got out. Had to wait ¾ hr before we got a taxi. Had tea & then to bed.

Thirza Pidgeon’s 1937 World Tour – 17 June: Ascot Day

Posted on June 17, 2013 by Pidgeoncoop

Thursday, 17 June 1937

Ascot Day. Most fashionable course in the world. Had breakfast in bed. Mrs Carter called. Got dressed, took her to Jaques for frock, no good. Had lunch then went to Oxford St & SoHo – had tea, left her about 6. Had a good day. She had hay fever pretty bad & does not look too good.

Thirza Pidgeon’s 1937 World Tour – 16 June: Shopping for a hat for the Garden Party

Posted on June 16, 2013 by Pidgeoncoop

Wednesday, 16 June 1937

Mrs E & I called at Australia House for letters, then to Army & Navy Store, looking for a hat for Garden Party. Went into lots of shops, & only 2 hats to go on my head among all the shops. Bought one for 32/ -. Had lunch at Lyons, then went to see Camille at Marble Arch. Good show came back in the rain to dinner. Bought wool and started knitting.

Thirza Pidgeon’s 1937 World Tour – 15 June: Lunch at the Strand Palace

Posted on June 15, 2013 by Pidgeoncoop

Tuesday, 15 June 1937

Met Mabel to get the dress. Walked about the room to make sure it suited her. Also bought her hat at Jaques. Took me to lunch to Strand Palace, then went up to 6? to see Mrs Jowl, who is very sick, home sick & nervous. Leaving by boat on Saturday, Orford, for Sydney. Doctor says it is through the climate, rather cool & dull today. Got back about 4. Afternoon tea in the bedroom.

Thirza Pidgeon’s 1937 World Tour – 14 June: No letters, easy day

Posted on June 14, 2013 by Pidgeoncoop

Monday, 14 June 1937

Mrs Everett & I went to Aust House for mail, no letters until Wednesday. Walked around, came back for lunch, had rest till dinner time. All the N.Z. went to Savoy dinner for N.Z. had a rather quiet day. Feeling pretty tired.

Thirza Pidgeon’s 1937 World Tour – 13 June: Wet day in, writing letters

Posted on June 13, 2013 by Pidgeoncoop

Sunday, 13 June 1937

Very wet today, went down to breakfast at 10. Had a real good day, writing letters, tidying up. As it is wet today, can’t go out. Made tea in the room for the first time today. Afternoon tea & supper. Wrote to Em, Rose & Ethel then hot bath & to bed.

Thirza Pidgeon’s 1937 World Tour – 12 June: Shoe shopping at Saville Row then a drive to Croydon Aerodrome

Posted on June 12, 2013 by Pidgeoncoop

Saturday, 12 June 1937

Nice day. Went into S. Row. Bought a pair of satin shoes, feel very sore with walking, 4/11. Came back for lunch. Went to Mabel’s flat at 1.30. Fred, Mabel and I went for a drive to Croydon Aerodrome. Had afternoon tea there then went over the place with a guide. Wonderful place, then back to flat at 7. Mr & Mrs Burtonshaw, boyfriend of Phil’s, to dinner. Finished at 9.30 then played poker & K & K won about 1/4. Had supper, then boy drove me home at 2.30 after a very good day.

Thirza Pidgeon’s 1937 World Tour – 11 June: Frock shopping for Royal Garden Party

Posted on June 11, 2013 by Pidgeoncoop

Friday, 11 June 1937

Nice day, went to Jaques to buy frock for R. G. Party. Paid £8.8.0 then met Mabel & Phil at 11. Took Mabel to lunch at Soho, then came back to Jaques, where Mabel bought a dress for 6 ½ guineas. Had tea at Lyon’s then back to Oxford St. Mabel bought a hat. I left her at 5. Went to Hudsons to collect the rest of my luggage. Took taxi back to Hotel. 3/ – cost 2/ – to Porter. Had a nice quiet night, to bed early. Mrs Everett went to tattoo.

Note in pencil: Should have gone to tattoo

[Note: Probably a military tattoo exhibition - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_tattoo]

Thirza Pidgeon’s 1937 World Tour – 10 June: Lyons factory at Cadby Hall

Posted on June 10, 2013 by Pidgeoncoop

Thursday, 10 June 1937

Went to Australia House, got my card for Royal Garden Party – also ticket for Changing of Colour, free one. Went with Mrs E to Strand Palace Hotel to see Mrs Webb. Had lunch at Lyons. Then out to Cadby Hall to go over Lyons big factory. Largest thing of its kind in the world. 20 miles of swiss rolls made every day, 6,000 employees. Had afternoon tea, came back to dinner. Mrs Webb came down at night and we had a game of bridge.

Thirza Pidgeon’s 1937 World Tour – 9 June: Changing of the Colours then a day of high society parties

Posted on June 9, 2013 by Pidgeoncoop

Wednesday, 9 June 1937

In pencil on top of page: Got a free ticket sent out to me but got it too late.

Lovely sunny day. Mrs E & I went to Changing of the Colours, paid 5/ – for seat. Had a very good view, lovely colours of uniforms. Queen Mary all in white, great crowds there. Came back for lunch, then special coach from Overseas [Club] to Highgate garden party given by Lady Marjorie Stirling. Rain came, had party in the house. Special coach left Highgate for O’Brien’s champagne party, at Chesham St. Had great time, Mrs Cantor there. Got back about 9.30 very tired. Some party, felt sick, put my finger down my throat – and returned the champagne.

Pidgeon Post

An insight into the life of Australian artist, Bill Pidgeon (Wep) 1909 – 1981