I am struck by the importance my grandmother attaches in her diary to the times of arrivals and departures. She never fails to note the departure time of her train and, latterly, her plane, as well as always making a point of recording when she left the house, got back home, etc. At first I thought this was something to do with the influence of her military husband, but then I got to thinking that people who regularly rely on public transport, or at least more regularly than I do today, get into the habit of talking about, for example, the 4.50 from Paddington. It's just that since I came over to France I've lost this habit.
I think, too, that as far as my grandmother was concerned, the noting down of times may have served to give substance and structure to an existence that must at times have seemed to lack either. But perhaps I am speaking out of turn here.
I think you are right about the times of trains. Certainly when we were young people would refer to the 11.20 FROM Basingstoke etc - this must have been pre-Beeching - but nowadays would refer to the train which gets IN to wherever at 11.20. The difference being, I think, that all would have been familiar with the 11.20 from Basingstoke because all used it. And now we only talk of a train's arrival time because we are meeting someone off it.
ReplyDeleteRegarding Gran's somewhat sad existence. I think I've mentioned to you that after she moved to London her life to all intents and purpuses 'closed down' after the excitements and hard work of providing a home to 3 daughters and 4 grandchildren before that. I do wonder if she ever came to regret moving back to London, but suspect that her life in the country after everyone had moved on would have been even more lonely. Certainly she seemed to meet up with one or all of her sisters most days, but it all sounds very dreary doesn't it?
Perhaps she was happiest when something was going on (see the latest entry) or when she was travelling. She and Reg certainly seemed to enjoy themselves in Switzerland!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting your distinction between present and past use of e.g. the 11.20 from Basingstoke. I must admit that had never occurred to me. But surely we would still use "to": I'm catching the 10.50 to Liverpool St?
ReplyDeleteVery interesting your distinction between present and past use of e.g. the 11.20 from Basingstoke. I must admit that had never occurred to me. But surely we would still use "to": I'm catching the 10.50 to Liverpool St?
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