Postcards from another time

I bought some postcards recently from a charity shop on Marylebone High Street. They are dated from 1966 to 1977 and three of the four are to different addresses in Worthing. I wonder how they found their way to central London in the 21^st century?

The oldest postcard shows the orange Space Needle in Seattle, where Mary Collier went to visit family (Post date: Sep 17 1966). She tells Mrs M Pitt of Harrow that “Nicholas is a very attractive little boy and Susan chatters non-stop.”

Mr Adamson writes to (his?) Dr Grieg from San Francisco, (Post date: Oct - 1977, day no longer eligible) “very interesting but very tiring. One is constantly bombarded with noise and flashing lights, freeways and highways,” and goes on to say, “I could be, very shortly, a near candidate for a Psychiatrist.” It does sound very different from Worthing, 1977, Mr Adamson. It also sounds as if you’re using the postcard, traditionally used to send written holiday snapshots, to get a referral to a Psychiatrist.

Amy, writing to Miss L Lewis of 16 Shelley Road, Worthing, about her trip to Southsea (Post date: Aug 24 1972) does not sound at all happy with her holiday. Apart from "proper weather" she claims they, “don’t care for what we saw."  O dear. “Didn’t see anything of the town centre but the –(word unreadable, although I wanted to read it as "other tourists") are very scruffy.” Although surely a plus, “saw Chichester Cathedral as we approached the train.”

The final postcard shows a girl on her own looking across a lake. It gives a hint of loneliness, but the card (post date: July 10 1969) from Weymouth is the most positive. “Had a lovely holiday and enjoy Weymouth… have enjoyed a paddle in the sea yesterday, it was good.” It is signed “kind wishes from us both” and leaves off with “no shopping needed”.

So if you’re thinking of going on holiday in the past, between 1966 – 1978, it sounds like Weymouth, July 1969 is your best bet. And go with company. I never know what to write when I send postcards so next time I go on holiday I may steal lines from these old postcards.