Friday, May 1, 2009

APRIL 1918 - IN LIVINGSTONE'S FOOTSTEPS

Monday 1st (Easter Monday)

Easter eggs today

Thursday 4th

This afternoon went before a board. I got through very easily. After wards we went down to the K.A.R. Depot to stay until we know the result.

Friday 5th

Pretty slow here. Go to bed after dinner.

Tuesday 9th

Saw Cpt. Allen today.

Wednesday 10th

Ha Ha the result is out & I leave tomorrow for S. Africa.

Thursday 11th

What excitement. Report at the Detail camp at 9AM to go to Limbe but find no cars to take us so have to wit until 2PM. This time we were not disappointed.

Friday 12th

Entrained at Limbe station at 7.30AM. Spire Highlands Rly. Bananne’s cheap. Scenery pretty. Arrived in Port Hearald about 4PM & went straight on to the boat. Made a start but at night anchored.

Saturday 13th

Started again at daylight. Made various stops to load up firewood. It is some trip. No shelter & no where to sleep.

Memo

Our mode of travelling was a steamer with a barge lashed to either side. But what a sight the river was. Country was flooded for miles. Native villages standing on what was once banks made it a scene of desolation. Very pretty at the beginning.

Sunday 14th

Off again at daybreak. Put in at a village soon after breakfast for more wood. After we had started I learnt the name of the place which was Chapatie & that Livingstone’s wife is buried there.

Monday 15th

Landed at Chinde about 8AM. Had breakfast & lunch at the famous Murray Hotel. Stayed here a few hrs & had a look round the town. Portuguese. Boarded the “Hoo” at 5PM.

Tuesday 16th

Arrived at Beira at 1.30PM. Does not look so bad from the sea. Prevented from landing to day owing to a crowd ashore going it too strong.

Wednesday 17th

Landed about 9AM. ½ the batch left by the mid-day train but I have to wait for the next. Staying at the Grand Hotel. A very nice restroom here.

Thursday 18th

Had a stroll round the town. Visited the Indian shops & amused myself by looking at their goods. Spent a good part of the time in the Rest Room.

Friday 19th

Most of the chaps left this morning for up the line so we have plenty of room now. We feel quite lost.

Saturday 20th

Same old round. Rest room & Bridge. It is hot here & my word there is some mosquitoes.










The Bridge at Beira

The message on the back of the card reads:

My dearest “Bob”,
The bridge at Beira. We wended our way across the bridge on our way to the Station & so paid our farewell to Beira. Best of love. Yours as ever. Walter xx

Memo

Beira is practically composed of “Pubs” or cafes I suppose they call them. There are one or two decent shops.

Sunday 21st

Nothing doing today. Even the rest room is closed. Entrained at 2PM. Had our slight snack at Villa Machado where we stopped for an hour.

Monday 22nd

Had a good breakfast at Umtali. 25 miles further on we came to the Odizi River. Had to walk over the bridge & entrain the other side. Meals in the dining saloon now. Left Odizi at 2 PM.

Tuesday 23rd

Arrived in Salisbury about 3 AM. Had a stroll round the town. Quite a good town & decent shops. A fine Restroom where they dispense lovely cakes & tea. Was taken out to lunch & also given a box of fruit. Left at 1 PM.

Wednesday 24th

Arrived Bulawayo 7 AM. Visited the town in the American fashion. Not a bad town. Well laid out. The Ladies as usual treated us splendidly. Left at 9 AM.

Thursday 25th

Arrived Mafeking about 10 AM. Ladies awaiting with tea & cake, fruit & cigs. Left at 10.30 AM. More tea & cakes at Krugendrop. Arrived at Jo’burg at 9 PM. More coffee & cakes. Left at 9.30 arrived at Pretoria about 11 PM.

Friday 26th

Got to the hospital about 12 PM. Thirsty. Had to be vaccinated first. Busy getting Blues etc to day. Quite a dull show.

Saturday 27th

Had to give my kit in to day. They are sending me on a months leave. Some mistake. Arrived at station midday but train does not leave until 7.20 PM so had a look round town.

Memo

Not too bad Pretoria. Some fine buildings etc. Am glad I have had the opportunity of doing this trip. Seen some fine scenes.






Burgher Park, Pretoria

The message on the back of the card reads:

My dear Florrie,
How would you like a stroll around this park. No doubt we should dub it pretty. Hope you are quite well. Fondest love. Yours Walter xx

Sunday 28th

Running through Natal now. Familiar names Glencoe, Ladysmith etc. Arrived in Durban about 8.15 PM. Put up at a boarding house.

Monday 29th

Went to the A & N Institute & made arrangements about going on a farm. Called at 50 Clarence Rd & they prevailed upon me to stay.

Tuesday 30th

Went out to dinner round Avondale Rd. Spent a very nice evening.

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