Russell Hill School - Purley - Surrey

I was a pupil at this boarding school from 1952-1958




This is where I learned to swim... I remember swimming galas there.

The big hall was where we had dances, girls only of course, but I learned to do ballroom dancing. Also concerts and we watched films too.

The other pic is from the domestic science room, but from their hairstyles before my time methinks.

Russell Hill School

This is the school I went to when I was eleven. The dormitory is the same as the one I first slept in when I started. I was terrified.

This school was opened by Warehouseman and Drapers for children having lost their fathers. My mother worked in Bentalls in Kingston and through that she applied for me to go there. I was the only girl to come from divorced parents. All the others only had a mother, most of them lost their fathers during the war.

I must say, while there, I hated it. But on reflection I have a soft spot for the place. I just hated being away from my mum.

We can see the sea...

We can see the sea and also the ruins of the hotel.

Mind you we had a vista of the sea before, to the left of the hotel, but for the next few months we will be able to watch the ferry come back and forth from Mallorca. It is on its way into the harbour which is a two minute walk from our place.

Another nice sunny day, as most of them have been this year.

Mothers' day tomorrow, June and Dennis are coming out with us for lunch in the port.

Back to my novel - now the building has finished in the apartment. I am doing an edit on the first 30,000 words then will plod on.

Brian won't see much of me for the next two months. Busy, busy. My editor is expecting the finished thing or a synopsis (a full one) of the novel. He will be doing some cooking methinks!

I am expecting to write four hours in the morning and at least another five in the afternoon/evening after a siesta. Watch this space.

If you want to know why there is an American flag on the castille - google - Admiral David Glasgow Farragut or his father Jorge Farragut. Very interesting if you have the time and the inclination.

Other rooms for those not visited

Our studio on the second floor of our apartment is our dining area and also on the right - out of sight modern shelves with 9 Murano fish on them, as well as a TV of course. The terrace can be glimpsed from the patio doors.

Kitchen is much the same for 7 years.

There is a study off the kitchen with Brian's desk.

Guest room

Twin beds in here for guests or snorer... could be me!

There is a short hallway to these rooms and the family bathroom now. It all looks so much more roomy.

Carpenter coming today to put doors up on both bedrooms.

Waiting for the new shower door for our downstairs bathroom, we have had our old, small shower basin taken out and a longer one (double!) put in with an overhead shower thingy, like Lynda has.

Also taken down the shower in the family bathroom and now have a hand held spray for washing hair. Looks very nice too.

Our bedroom with patio door leading to terraces

Our bedroom is now at the other end of our old one, if you know what I mean. We have had the room chopped in half (almost) new walls and doors and now have a guest room.

Our figures look great on our chest of drawers, if you click on that picture you will see them in detail.

The three fitted wardrobes are on the left of the photos of the bedroom. It is very cosy and quiet looking and the only bit of colour Sue, is the picture, very magnolia I hear you mutter. Just how I like it!

Emily Beck

Jenny Wintle has sent this photo of John Harvey Beck's wife Emily in her mourning dress after John Harvey died. Isn't she gorgeous. Emily Samuel was Jenny's Great Aunt who only had John Harvey Beck for a short time and no children. We find that Jenny and I have a lot to talk about and she has info on Emily's family I can add into my family research.

This is all done on Genes Reunited of course and what a good place it is to be on. I have people contacting me all the time.