Following My Mother

In tracing my mother’s trip to Europe in 1934 I am learning more about the geography of England in particular.  For example yesterday I bloggedabout her stopping in Ormskirk for ginger cookies.  I had never heard of Ormskirk before.  Today as I was working on my genealogy project – tracing my ancestors – I find that a 13th Great Grandfather was born in Ormskirk.  Bingo!   Lancashire = not a part of England that I am familiar with.

Ormskirk_Parish_Church  Ormskirk Church

And as I follow her footsteps I also am reminded of my travels and I can “compare and contrast” as examiners love to design exam questions.

Day 19 – Onward from Chester to Ormskirk, Southport, Lancaster, Grange-Over-Sands

Their journey took them through relatively industrial country and the Mersey River and Ship Canal.  They stopped for gingerbread at Ormskirk.  On to Southport, a pretty aside resort with fine hotels and interesting shops, a nice bathing pool and a good amusement park.  Had a good lunch at the Prince of Wales Hotel  She had a good thrill on the chutes but the roller coaster was tame.  From there they went on to Lancaster for tea.  Onward to the Grand Hotel.  She and Lib and Mr. Lewis had very amusing and enlightening game of 18 holes of golf.  They saw a sheep which disconcerted them for several shots.

At the end of their round of golf they had whisky which tasted good after their nearly freezing by 9 o’clock on the course.  And a good cold supper at 10.  Ate gingerbread with real ginger in it.

Below is a postcard sent in 1904 from Newcastle to someone in Gateshead. These friends were probably fond of cats.

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