DUNEDIN LADIES ABROAD

Evening Star, Issue 15906, 11 September 1915, Page 9

DUNEDIN LADIES ABROAD

HO-W THEY ENJOYED A HOLIDAY TRIP. The details of a trip to the Old Country and the way in which it can be made thoroughly enjoyable are always of interest to people who contemplate the pleasures of travel abroad. Some short time ago a couple of Dunedin young ladies started on a trip round the world, and the account of their wanderings, recited in one or two letters that one of them has written to a friend, will be found to repav perusal. The first is dated London, July 22, and contains the-following : Our trip so far has been exceedingly enjoyable. _ London is truly a great place. The old historical buildings appeal to one very much. Westminster Abbey and St. Paul's Church, are a source of interest, and there are dozens of old churches we haven't been in at all. We dined the other day at a place called "Ze Old Cheshire Cheese." It is over SCO years old, and where Ben Johnson spent his leisure .time. We were shown over .the cellars, .built by the monks and- used a* a. crypt. They are wonderful builders. It just looks like part of a monastery. We sampled the famous toasted cheese and cider, and they were both Al. In the tea houses we strike some queer things at times. We went to Brighton on Sunday and had one and a-half hours in the tram, and had a 50-mile drive in a motor round several villages. Had •tea in a tea garden at the back of an old hotel—bread and butter and strawberry jam. Our road lay. through corn and oat-fields, fringed with scarlet poppies and marguerites, wild sweet peas and ■buttercups growing everywhere. The river was one mass of boats cf all kinds; wounded soldiers getting rowed by prettv girls very much to the foro. We' were also shown over Hampton Court Palace, a fine old building with several courts! The rooms full of pictures are open to the public. Part of the palace is occupied by the poor relations of the Crown, and what lovely apartments they seem to have The garden attached to the palace is about the finest I have ever seen. So well kept, with fountains playing, shady walks', etc., and masses of gorgeous "blooms! Richmond is also another pretty spot on the river. ' We' intend going to* Windsor some day soon, and to go up the Thames and see all the beauty spots on the wav. Nest month we are off to Scotland, arid to Killarney, if we can get. We hoped to go to Paris, but everyone advises us not to. . . . We have been to see Fred Terry and Julia Neilson in ' Henry of Navarre.' and Lady Tree and H. B. Irving in ' The T"P £1 ille House.' Both were splendid. The picture shows are not much good, and as the men are allowed tosmoke- all the time the atmosphere is not too agreeable. We went over the Tower of London the other day. It is a grand old place, full of interest. We we're shown over by an old soldier who polished up our history for us. The High Commissioner lias been very.good in sending us tickets tor places of interests. We went to a service m St, Paul's last Tuesdav for the fallen Australian and New Zealand soldiers It was most pathetic. The band played the Dead March, and the bugle sounded the Last Post. It was awful. Many of the soldiers there were quite unset. I would not go again for anything To-morrow is Queen Alexandra's Kose_ Day, and we hope to see her driving in the town. , T7 London, August 28. ~W o, Wfint to Killarney first, and although it rained all the time we thoroughly enjoyed our two days there. The scenery was simply magnificent. We managed a drive round the three lakes, through fine park lands, with heaps of ferns and purple heather. Spent two days in Dear, dirty Dublin," and, without fail, it is the dirtiest citv I have ever seen and the people matched the city. Belfast, where we onlv had one day was sweet and clean and a great contrast to Dublin. Miss Stevenson used to be quoting Dublin's fair city, where the girls are so pretty," but- I absolutely failed to find them. From Belfast we took the tram to Larne, and crossed over to Stranraer by a small steamer. The Glasgow boat train waited on us, and off we went to Glasgow, arriving there at 1.30 in the early morning. All the steamers crossing from England and Scotland to Ireland and vice versa travel at night. No dav crossings because of the submarines. We had three wet days .in Glasgow, but nevertheless managed to get round and see the sights. One day we went to Lanark and from there drove to the flails of Clyde, which were well worth seeing Leaving Glasgow, we took the train to Balloch, and from there got the steamer across Loch Lomond. The bea-n----titul scenery made me ache. The high mountains reflected in the loch and the charming wooded islands in the lake were most lovely. We called at several piers on the way up to Inversnaid, where we stayed the night. Next morning we drove to Stronacheacher through lovely bush country. We could hear the bagpipes in the distance, and when we got to the top of the hill there was an old man in kilts playing the pipes. We all threw him pennies, which." 6f course, he did not deign to pick up while we were looking on. From Stronacheacher we got the steamer Loch Katrine, past the famous Helen's'lsle and so on 'to the Trossachs, where we stayed another night. The hotel is situated on Loch Achray, and commands a fine view of the picturesque" scenery. Drove from there oyer the Brig o' Turk to Callender, and had a good look round there. Then on by train to Stirling, and so on by the Firth Bridge to Edinburgh. Had a wet week there, but visited the castle and Holyrood Palace, Roslyn Castle, etc., all most, historical and interesting. 'Our cousins live there, and it was quite a pleasure to meet them. They have a lovely home, and made us most welcome.