YOUNG AUSTRALIAN AIRMAN DESCRIBES ENGLISH SCENES
W. J. Callander, of the Royal Australian Flying Corps, writing to his parents, who reside at 43 Armstrong, street, Middle Park, from the Convalescent Home, Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire, on June 19, says: - 'During the whole time here I've had an immensely enjoyable holiday, which will be ever memorable, and full of pleasant and happy recollections. Of course, to make a pleasant holiday it is necessary these days to try and forget the war as much as possible, for one gets fed up with the continued yabbing about it. However, many friends have been made, and long drives indulged in, all of which could not but make one favorably impressed with the country. Everywhere nature is at her best.
Entertaining Australians
I have been most fortunate in being permitted by the doctor and matron to spend the week-end with some country folk at their farm, Hedge Ends, Grinoldby, Louth, some 10 miles distant from Mablethorpe. The invitation came through another Ossy (Australian) staying there, and Mrs Lowis, thinking it would be nice to have an other Australian, applied to the doctor, he being their own family doctor, and he happened to mention that there was another Australian soldier at the home.
Mrs Lowis, her son, and Frank Lyons, of Ascot Vale, came as far as Mablethorpe to meet me, and together we returned to Saltfleet station, where a trap awaited us, the farm being a few miles distant. They are ever such nice people and so much interested in Australia. They are coming out after the war. They have about 70 acres, a decent farm in these parts, though their methods are entirely different. The farmers are just like our market gardeners or suburban gents. Being Fen country the land is all drained, so requires much artificial nursing. Fences are few. Dykes take the place of hedges. It seems funny to see big drains in place of fences, yet they keep the stock in. Wouldn't suit ours five minutes.
Country Impressions
Sunday afternoon we had a long drive of 20 or 30 miles, through country which one cannot adequately describe, it being incredibly beautiful and green. Roads here are much narrower than ours, and wind in and out with hedges on either side. Trees carry a very thick foliage, so unlike our own. The means to describe the oak, elm, sycamore, beech, and lime, is to compare them to a mulberry tree. Picture Paradise and Ferntree Gully country, wherever you go and you have it, though the country is very flat. Villages are not far apart. They nestle so peacefully that war is not thought of when passing through them. One lane we had to negotiate on the road was Watery Lane, so called from always being under water, through an ever-running spring. It is a quarter of a mile long, about two feet deep with water, and wide enough to permit the passing of a farm waggon. I jumped out of the trap here on to dry land, and snapped the party. I've quite a collection of photos which should be interesting before I return. We made a circular trip through Louth, which is a fine town of 8000 inhabitants, containing the church in which Cromwell stabled his horses. The rings are still in the wall. I cannot remember the names of the numerous villages, though have them in my pocket book Altogether we were away about five hours. During the run, a violent thunder, lightning, and rain storm set in, which necessitated our beating a hasty retreat to the nearest farm. Fortunately, we did not get wet, though it teemed in bucketfuls. It was over in a hour. I feel much benefited by my visit, and no wonder, as we had chicken every, meal, followed by puddings, and fruit and cream galore, together with the proverbial Scotch ginger ale. I've weighed myself, and touch 11 st. 71b. which is sufficient, and shows that I have not had to thrive on one slice of bread or the much talked of dog biscuit. If I could have stayed until tonight Mrs Lowis would have taken Frank Lyons and myself to Grimsby, the great fishing centre, but hardly dared to, as Matron made it Monday for my return.
Girls Ploughing
Another fine drive we had on our own accord was to where the farm girls were ploughing, and doing it every bit as efficiently as men. They toil all day with their single furrow and two horses. They are regular bricks, and deserve much praise for their efforts, as the work will tell on them in time, no doubt. Dressed in trousers, or breeches, with a white coat to the knees, they cut pretty and striking figures. They all maintain Australia is their destination after the war. Well, they are the right sort, and no mistake, to come out, as they have proved their grit in this campaign of voluntarism.'
- YOUNG AUSTRALIAN AIRMAN DESCRIBES ENGLISH SCENES. (1917, August 22). Winner (Melbourne, Vic. : 1914 - 1917), p. 8. Retrieved September 17, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article154546522
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