Hi Jenny,
That explains a lot, now I know why I don't recall any animals at Cropwood, I guess when Miss U's dog passed, she either decided not have another, or was told she couldn't. I've read a few blogs where she was disliked, but you don't feel that way and neither do I, yes she scared me a bit, but I never felt threatened by her or any of the staff, whereabout in the UK r u. I didn't get married til I was 38 and then we came out here two days after 9/11 tragedy, I had to leave my mom who was about 82 back in the UK, but as Joe and I were an older couple, it was now or never. I miss things about the UK but not the damn weather. Often on the B,ham forum I see and read things that remind me of the past, and feel a bit homesick, not that I would leave Australia to return, its just nostalgia. There are lots of things here that still make me smile, like they refer to bed linen as Manchester, I just don't get that and I don't think I ever will. There are a lot of English here, more than true Australians. The house next door was just sold and he is a young guy from Kingstanding, I spent a few years well a lot actually, down in the South, Woking in Surrey, then out here. Do you remember the old tree, round the back turn right before the Gorse bushes and then it was on the right again, its roots were so bit, we used to play in there, and the swimming pool, damn freezing. It is so good to hear that Miss U spent time with you to try to teach you how to ride a bike, my dad taught me, he passed back in 1974, mom about 4 years ago, but I didn't see her for the last 10 yrs, do you have children, I don't, two stepsons though, think of Laurel and Hardy and youve got Marc and Mike, great boys I just ordered a book by Frances Wilmot, all about the Open Air Schools 1911-1970 I think, that should be interesting, were you on the top floor or bottom at extension, I was upstairs, walk into the dorm, 4 beds were inset in a square, then I was the first bed, in the long row. I always remember the bathroom always cold, and not being allowed much water. Who was the nurse/lady that looked after yu when you where there, I remember a Miss Adiss, slim blonde and never really interacted with any of us. I remember the shoe lady up in the attic, polishing our shoes, and a cook, that made a luvly Christmas Pudding. I remember th lobby with its row of sinks and toilets at the entry at the bottom and having my hair washed with a really stinky shampoo, ha! and I remember a tall dark skined girl Naomi, so quiet and graceful. I never got to Rosemary, and always wanted to, but I remember it well, lovely old cottage style, do you remember church and the tuck shop, I went to CofE not sure of the name, I am not at all religious but it was a lovely church. I am glad you remember Miss U, I went to see her when I was 16 and hoped to get a job there, but alas, she said it was going to be made into a home for what they called rebellious girls. I don't think that lasted another girl was allowed t film the grounds etc, since leaving I wish she would share that, I can't just go there from here, but if I do return to the UK for a visit, I will seek permission and go back for one last look, I don't know why but it draws me, at first I hated it, then I tolerated it, and now I miss it, getting old I guess. Best regards to you, Lorraine xx
