June 2nd 1892
(Journey from London to Nailsworth)
We left Forest Gate early and proceeded to Liverpool Street. From there to
Paddington Station by the underground and waited some time for the Great
Western train, which is about equal to the New South Wales Western; but when
we started found the speed much quicker than NSW and the motion of the train
slight and even. We passed through some very pretty scenery. As we emerged
form the Sapperton Tunnel a most glorious view burst on our sight: the
Golden Valley filled with lovely green trees. The Sapperton Tunnel cost a
guinea an inch and was designed by the great engineer Brunnell (as was the
Mont Cenis Tunnel and the Great Eastern Steamship). We reached Stroud in
about two hours and a half. We reached Aunt Louie's about 3pm. Auntie was
rather upset on our arrival but was so thankful to God for bringing us so
far in perfect safety; her love for us all is very great.
June 6th (Whit Monday)
Was kept as a public holiday. In the afternoon we went through Watledge and
Amberley, passed near Littleworth and up to Hampton Common. It is a large
area for the use of the public; there were a good many holiday seekers, some
of them were playing "golf". It is a very steep walk up to the common; this
common was the scene of a great battle many years ago, there is now trenches
and earthen ramparts to be seen, traces of the war.
June 7th
We walked up to the Bose, over two miles, to see Mr Chamberlain and family.
we were very kindly received by Mr G Chamberlain but I was thoroughly
disgusted to find Mr Chamberlain senior married again and with a young baby.
After tea Mr Fred Chamberlain drove us all through Hampton. It is a quaint
old fashioned town and has a pretty English Church. We saw a parish nurse
passing along the street. They drove us over the common and we walked home
from there. On the common we saw a large number of people at a Baptist
Sunday School treat.
June 11th
Was busy all the morning cooking; Mabel the maid appears to be a very
industrious girl. In the evening Pa and I went to Stroud to our new but kind
friends Mr and Mrs Soper, they have three dear little girls; baby is a year
and nine months. I was introduced to Miss Ashmead, an earnest Christian
worker.
June 15th
Lily had to go to the dentist. We missed the train and so had to walk to
Stroud. Did it in an hour and twenty minutes, four miles. Lily went under
gas and had three teeth extracted after which we returned home by bus.
June 17th
Lily and I went down into Nailsworth and made a few purchases.
June 19th
In the morning Pa, Lily and I went up to the Amberley English Church, the
service was High Church and we did not like it at all. In the evening Pa and
I went to the Shortwood Baptist Church to hear Mr Nicholls. He preached
about faith, it was food for the soul. After service he came and spoke very
nicely to us. We had some nice singing when we came home.
(Clara had a fair bit to do with the Soper family from Stroud and spent a
large amount of time with them participating in Christian Endeavour meetings
and helping the poor. There is a gap now because she went to stay with
relatives of her mother in Cambridgeshire/Huntingdonshire from June 25th to
August 19th).
August 22nd
In the afternoon I went to Inchbrook post office and then down to
Nailsworth.
August 24th
As I missed the 3pm train I walked four miles to Stroud. Reached Mrs Soper's
a little after five, after tea we went to the evening service and then the
Christian Endeavour meeting. This is the first CE meeting I have attended
and as an Active Member it was bright and helpful to me. Stayed all night at
Mrs Soper's. It does me good to sojourn in this consecrated home.
August 26th
this was a wonderful day. After dinner I borrowed a bath chair and we took
Auntie over to see Mrs Brinkworth; she had not been there for over two
years. It was quite a triumphal procession.
August 30th
We intended going out shopping but it was too wet.
September 3rd
We took Auntie over to see Mrs Brinkworth again, we think the outings do her
good. Miss B, Pa, Lily and I walked up to Shortwood Cemetery to see Grandma
and Grandpa's grave (these were William d.28 Jan 1792 and Ann KEMISH
d.1793).
September 8th
After tea we went up a hill and saw Painswick Church and
Cemetery where there are ninety nine yew trees growing and it is said they
cannot get the 100th to grow. We drove home by moonlight and saw many
courting couples along the lanes and we saw two couples sitting on a stile.
lily felt the cold very much coming home but I thought it was nice.
September 10th
Aunty has gone out today in a chair drawn by a little pony. I hope it will
do her good.
(after a trip to Bristol)
September 16th
At noon we commenced a most interesting journey homeward, starting from
Ashley hill we soon reached the Severn Tunnel. It is four miles long, being
two miles under water, it costs 100,000 pounds per year to keep it in order.
It took us about twenty minutes to go through. At Severn Tunnel junction we
changed trains and proceeded along the side of the river to Lydney. Here we
changed from Great western to Midland train and proceeded to Sharpness Point
through some beautiful scenery. this part seemed similar to the Illawarra
line. Then we crossed the Severn by a splendid bridge about one mile long to
Sharpness Dock, where many large vessels are loaded, principally with coal.
we passed Berkeley and Berkeley Castle where Edward II was murdered. Changed
trains at Stonehouse and reached home about five o'clock. Auntie was very
glad to see us back again.
September 20th
Both Lily and I went down to Stroud to help with the poor people's tea.
September 24th
In the afternoon I went over to Mrs Brinkworth's to tea then after I called
on Mrs Walker, Mrs Soper's sister who has come to live at Nailsworth.
October 1st
The trees are putting on some lovely Autumn tints, it is one of the beauties
that England has and Australia has not.
October 2nd
Another peaceful Sabbath, in the morning we went to Rodborough Church to
hear Rev G C Grubb preach...
October 16th
In the afternoon Lily and I went to Lower Forest Green Chapel and heard Rev
L Passey address the children, a most interesting address, the church was
beautifully decorated for the harvest thanksgiving.
October 17th
Started 9.50 for London, how can my pen describe the beauties of Autumn, the
Golden Valley well deserves its name, it is a most gorgeous sight dressed in
the lovely Autumn tints; in fact all the way up I was spell bound, lost in
admiration of the exquisite beauties of hedgerows and woods, such a variety
of tints. Aunt Sarah, Nettie and Harvey met me at Paddington Station, we
came to Tranter's Temperance Hotel, it is a quiet, very comfortable place.
.
That's the end of the diary extract. Thanks to Jenny in Australia for allowing it's publication on this site.
However, I can add some additional information for anyone outside the area. Sapperton Tunnel is a railway tunnel around three miles long and is between Stroud and Kemble which is still part of the main line today. A similar length canal tunnel runs alongside it. Shortly after leaving Kemble in the Stroud direction the tunnel opens out into the Chalford valley, so named 'The Golden Valley', which if you travel the line during autumn is aptly named. The railway at this point is on a steep downward slope (in terms of railways) working it's way down the edge of the steep valley sides before entering Stroud. At times you may think that you are in an aircraft as the train winds it's way down into the valley, using many high viaducts on the way.
The bridge refered to at Sharpness is no longer with us as it was destroyed when two ships crashed into it during some heavy fog. The accident was made worse due a main gas pipe carried on the bridge that became ruptured and the gas ignited. The huge stone turrets of the bridge can still be seen if you take a walk along the canal path between Purton and Sharpness.
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