My Well Travelled Aunts
Without Prejudice
My Aunts both Scottish and English did not become well travelled until their husbands had died and left them financially well off. My Aunt's Heather And Gladys travelled the world, once they were in their 60's and 70's. Companions to each other they went to Israel and Russia and China, New Zealand and Spain. They came all the way to Australia too. Two Scottish ladies that had never been out of Scotland before. The same too of my Yorkshire Aunts. Aunty Betty had never been on a plane until 70 and came half way around the world to see us, her Sister, Natalie's children.
Auntie Pat had been to the continent, to Europe, Spain mostly with her children and to Holland by boat. Ireland too. But to travel half way a round the world at 70 odd was remarkable of these women and they loved it. Loved everything and set a ground breaking pace in the mean time. We struggled to keep up with them. Their curiosity was high, their energy legendary, they were like girls let loose in a candy shop and meant to savour each and every new taste and lolly therein.
They cruised along brutally hot 40 degree days in Melbourne, on hot concrete streets and didn't turn a hair. They flew between states and countries with out a murmur, without a complaint, just looking for the next thing, the next delight, the next leg of their journey to the great unknown. The Scottish ones could not get enough of the travel, the Yorkshire ones the same. It was like taking a lid off a bottle and letting the contents escape.
They preened and suntanned, they had only themselves to care for and when asked if they would have another husband or partner all resounded with the same word,
"No"
Lifetimes of being the dutiful wives had been let loose in a plethora of fun and amusements. Of exotic ports and longed for destinations they had only read of before. Off to Italy one week and the USA the next. Sunbaking on a Queensland tropical Island or hitting the slopes in New Zealand. They came, they saw, they conquered. We found them a joy to be around. They were interested and interesting with their tales of Moscow, South Africa, North Africa and Rome. They all fell in love with Australia.
And some would have lived here if they had been younger. My Aunt Betty flew home the day after September 11th happened. The day they were pulling planes back down from the skies, but she flew home to "Her Britain", which was on Red Alert, she said. Tony Blair was not going to let anything happen to my small intrepid Aunt of almost 80. And it didn't. I salute all the older women in my family, who had been through world wars and death and were still surviving and well. May I and my girls have the same when we reach that age and may we have the same courage and love of life to do so.
My Aunts both Scottish and English did not become well travelled until their husbands had died and left them financially well off. My Aunt's Heather And Gladys travelled the world, once they were in their 60's and 70's. Companions to each other they went to Israel and Russia and China, New Zealand and Spain. They came all the way to Australia too. Two Scottish ladies that had never been out of Scotland before. The same too of my Yorkshire Aunts. Aunty Betty had never been on a plane until 70 and came half way around the world to see us, her Sister, Natalie's children.
Auntie Pat had been to the continent, to Europe, Spain mostly with her children and to Holland by boat. Ireland too. But to travel half way a round the world at 70 odd was remarkable of these women and they loved it. Loved everything and set a ground breaking pace in the mean time. We struggled to keep up with them. Their curiosity was high, their energy legendary, they were like girls let loose in a candy shop and meant to savour each and every new taste and lolly therein.
They cruised along brutally hot 40 degree days in Melbourne, on hot concrete streets and didn't turn a hair. They flew between states and countries with out a murmur, without a complaint, just looking for the next thing, the next delight, the next leg of their journey to the great unknown. The Scottish ones could not get enough of the travel, the Yorkshire ones the same. It was like taking a lid off a bottle and letting the contents escape.
They preened and suntanned, they had only themselves to care for and when asked if they would have another husband or partner all resounded with the same word,
"No"
Lifetimes of being the dutiful wives had been let loose in a plethora of fun and amusements. Of exotic ports and longed for destinations they had only read of before. Off to Italy one week and the USA the next. Sunbaking on a Queensland tropical Island or hitting the slopes in New Zealand. They came, they saw, they conquered. We found them a joy to be around. They were interested and interesting with their tales of Moscow, South Africa, North Africa and Rome. They all fell in love with Australia.
And some would have lived here if they had been younger. My Aunt Betty flew home the day after September 11th happened. The day they were pulling planes back down from the skies, but she flew home to "Her Britain", which was on Red Alert, she said. Tony Blair was not going to let anything happen to my small intrepid Aunt of almost 80. And it didn't. I salute all the older women in my family, who had been through world wars and death and were still surviving and well. May I and my girls have the same when we reach that age and may we have the same courage and love of life to do so.
Gladys and Heather- The Scottish Aunts
Aunt Pat And Aunt Betty - The Yorkshire Aunts
Love Janette
