Residents at Bradshaw Lodge care home in Bognor Regis have been sharing stories of overseas holidays as part of Crystal Care Collection’s Postcards from the Past series.
For 95-year-old Peggy Goodale, her first trip abroad remains one of her most memorable adventures.
Peggy travelled to Switzerland with her husband and two friends in the mid-1950s, opening the door to a world of stunning scenery and new experiences. She said,
“My first overseas trip was to Switzerland and I loved it. We went up the Jungfrau mountain on a railway; the scenery was beautiful. We heard a flugelhorn playing across a big valley and it was wonderful to hear,”
The holiday also introduced Peggy to something that is commonplace today but was completely new to her at the time. Peggy added,
“Being in Switzerland was the first time I had ever been introduced to a duvet!”
More than 30 years later and thousands of miles away, fellow resident Peter Wells was embarked on an adventure of his own.
Now aged 84, Peter travelled to Sydney, Australia, in 1984 to visit his wife’s aunt and uncle, who welcomed the couple into their home during their stay. Peter said,
“I was petrified of flying, so it was a big deal for me. We travelled all over the place on trains, but my favourite was the Blue Mountains. The beauty of the Blue Mountains was spectacular.”
The Australian railway system left a lasting impression on him for another reason too.
While the scenery exceeded expectations, some of Australia’s wildlife proved rather less welcome. Peter added,
“What we didn’t expect was the ant infestations. They climbed up and down the walls. We cooked dinner one night and left the saucepan for a while. When we came back, it was full of ants.”
Despite the unexpected visitors, Peter remembers his time in Sydney with great affection and remains amazed by the landscapes he encountered.
Asked whether he would return to Australia, Peter said, “I’d love to go back to Sydney, I just don’t think I could stand the journey!”
Looking back on their travels, both residents agree that the memories they made abroad have stayed with them throughout their lives.
Peggy’s and Peter’s stories are part of a collection being shared through the Postcards from the Past campaign, celebrating the travel memories and life experiences of care home residents.
To find out more about Crystal Care Collection, visit https://crystalcarecollection.co.uk/.
