Caravan diary found after 80 years
4 August 2009
The diary notes of a caravanning holiday in the South West have
been published almost 80 years after it was written.
This was compiled by First World War artist Len Smith in 1932;
the diary records his two week journey through the English
countryside.
Complete with photos and drawings by the artist, Smith offers an
insight into life in rural England between the wars with his wife
Jessie, two friends and a dog called Rags.
The book, A Caravan Holiday, depicts the family's journey
through Aylesbury, Gloucester, the Forest of Dean, Chepstow,
Cheddar and Lyme Regis, with Smith sketching well known sites along
the way.
The cost of an overnight stay at a farm was as little as one
shilling (5p), which included milk from a cow each morning, and the
total bill for a holiday came to 17 shillings (85p), quite a lot
cheaper than the average cost of two weeks in the UK now.
When renting the caravan - a car Cruiser made in Hayes,
Middlesex, they were issued advice on how the caravan owner should
approach a farmer.
It reads: "farmers as a class are extremely hospitable, but are
often slow and careful in thought. Explain frankly what you want
and let them see you understand country manners."
Source: rac.co.uk, Caravan diary found after 80
years, 23 June 2009
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