1937

Last June Katie and I again spent three weeks touring England. Arriving at Heathrow Airport we picked up a rental car and drove through London crosscountry to Canterbury, a delightfully quaint, old, historical town. We arranged for a "bed and breakfast" before driving down to Dover to see the White Cliffs and Castle on top. The light mist and fog kept us from seeing very far out into the channel, but we did hear the roar of the incoming Hovercraft from France. The next day we drove up the motorway as far as Peterborough (Katie's roots). Later we arrived in a town near Bradford (Bib's roots), Elland, where we stayed with business friends for four nights. They "showed us about," as they say, with a 100-mile drive to beautiful Durham, seat of the huge university. The return trip was through the Yorkshire Dales and Moors in the Herriot Country where the PBS TV series "All Creatures Great and Small" was filmed. Continuing on from Elland we stayed in Chester, visiting the Chirk Castle in Langollen, Wales, by bus. Two nights there at a B&B, then south to Devon where we planned to settle in and fan out each day around that lovely southern coastal area.

The point of this report is to say we ended up spending four days in DARTMOUTH, known there as the Home of the Naval Academy where all (without exception) officers of the British Royal Navy are trained. First we found out that the name "Dartmouth" is just what it says; it is the "mouth of the River Dart" (like Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight is at the mouth of the River Yar!). We had thought it had something to do with the Earl of Dartmouth, who years ago was honored by the College and whose family has extensive land holdings in England. Dartmouth is the harbor from which the Pilgrims first sailed. The Mayflower and Speedwell left together, but when the Speedwell broke down and had to return to Plymouth, the Mayflower returned with her and then set sail from there alone when her sister ship could not be fixed. There is a bronze plaque in Dartmouth on the wall of the Bayards Cove telling of this famous happening. The town is small, quaint, and friendly. The British Information Service gives out maps and directions and books travelers into "lodgings great and small." We ended up in the Dart Marina, a rather lush hotel overlooking the harbor. The town itself is a mecca for us Hanover folk. It has everything in gifts and souvenirs from key rings and pens to horse medallions and buildings saying Dartmouth. Made us feel right at home. The Dartmouth crew were in from a race while we were there, looking so familiar. They hope some day to be able to host and race the U.S. Hanover team if an invitation can be sent. Short boat trips up and down the River Dart showed historical spots along the shoreline, including the Castle at the mouth, which guarded the harbor entrance.

Plymouth is only 30 miles away, so en route we stopped at Slapton Sands, one of the beaches used by the U.S. Armored Divisions while training for the invasion of Europe. There are two memorials: one is a real Sherman tank that fell into the sea during maneuvers and remained there until 1984 when a U.S. sponsor had it brought up, painted black, and mounted on a pedestal overlooking the beach. The other is a stone monument dedicated to the people of South Devon who gave up their homes to provide a battle-training area for D day. British and American flags stand tall on either side. It was a very moving and an impressive sight.

After returning stateside we sent a few pieces of 1937 stationery to the Tourist Information Agency in Dartmouth asking all Dartmouth College visitors to sign in, by name and class. They were delighted to have it as there are always a few curious Hanoverites coming through, and our notice would be a welcome addition to their tourist board. When they come back someday we hope to have them printed here in the Magazine.

Now back home: We phoned DickCooper (September) at the Rochester Manor in New Hampshire, a rehab center, where his progress back from last April's cerebral hemorrhage is slow but steady. His mind and speech are excellent. He has just been fitted with a brace for his left leg so that he can begin getting back on his feet. His phone number is 603/335-7414, if you wish to give him a bit of cheering up. Unless you want more travelogues, let's hear from you. News is slowing down, and it is a two-way mail system! Let's get crackin'!

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