Ever wonder what life was like roaming the English countryside in a Gypsy caravan wagon, well this group of travelers actually experienced it. It’s the summer of 1924 and although their trip only consisted of 10 days, these 5 (maybe 6) temporary nomads, travel 20 miles round trip, camping along the way and experiencing some of the most beautiful countryside England has to offer. The area they are in is very near Stonehenge and although they don’t visit that magical historical place (as I believe they live very near there) they do camp in and near some incredible little villages and farmlands including passing Florence Nightingale’s home located in Wellow England known as Embley Park.

And if the diary entries weren’t enough, there are 46 original snapshot photos included with this diary and all of them have to do with the trip showing the gypsy wagon, their campsites, the countryside and the travelers themselves.

Now here’s the rub. Our author (name unbeknownst to me) has some pretty difficult hand writing so what I’ve decided to do is use this as a sort of “interactive post.” I transcribed the entire diary but also scanned every page and placed each page by the corresponding transcription as there are many words I could not figure out and probably got wrong. So feel free to help me out and if you just want to read and enjoy, please note that they’ll be blank spaces here and there.

“We started from Durnford (?) in most glorious weather. About 11 o’c on the morning of June 14^th. After week of torrential rain, ___ arrived with _______, oilis (?) and ______ and determined to make the best of a disappointing summer, it having rained hard most of the two days we were preparing the van, but fate smiled on us _____ early morning and as the day advanced became a perfect June day, very hot and sunny. We arrived at Dick’s Bridge 12.30 where we met C. and the “awful one.” C. having lunch with us and seeing us off on our real tour about 1.30. On our way in to Marlborough we called at (Mr. or Mrs.) B_____ who with Miss _____ came out to greet us and threw an old shoe after us. He much admired the interior of the van, also the kiddies (?) breech’s set up. They having gone on to care for the bread and ham which the grocer cooked for _____.”

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“Having got up Graham Hill we came into glorious scenery and found the descent of Oare Hill much less perilous than we expected. Before reaching Oare village we stopped at the Roger’s place, ____combe Park. Mr. Rogers appeared and gave us permission to draw in so we unharnessed “Smiles” (At least it looks like Smiles) and teethed her to a tree, where she regaled herself with plenty of long cool juicy grass, had a good drink and later on a nosebag of crushed oats while we all had a nice wash and a much appreciated tea. Mr. ? Noyes was most kind and told us to be sure and ask the bailiff for anything we wanted. After tea we pushed on again through Oare, glorious mountains (?) on or left, through to the most beautiful wooded lands, pink with ragged ____. “Smiles” (the horse I believe) was very feeble and terrified of the down hills, having passed over the canal bridge, a glorious stretch of water. We struggled to get up an awful hill of rock which had a right hand twisting (?) at the _____ down which was the village of Wilcote (Wilcot) where we intended to camp for…”

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“the night. The poor ____ could not get up. We shoved a brick behind the wheel to save the van running back but she got stuck with ___ hind legs straight out behind. The funniest (?) spectacle imaginable. Dheh (?) walking backwards pulling the bridle for all the ____ worth but not a budge. All of us doing our best to shout out ____ Gee. Then a man came along and yelled “Foohaker” (?) in a roar. She apparently understood better than our language and she started to scramble up. We finally arrived at Wilcote and there found a delightful camp in a hay field right in the village, if we didn’t find that “a few of the village folk would be coming along presently to play kites!” otherwise ______. Dheh took the horse along to another field and he put up the tent, a most palatial room and then got supper ready, some of the most delicious ham, pears and pastries with plenty of bread and butter and cider and lemon squash. All of us had colossal appetites. The boys are sleeping in tent and the kiddies…”

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“and me in the van.

Trinity Sunday. After a truly caravan night of utter discomfort and trying to get to sleep on 18 ticks of board covered with half a mattress, I called to boys at 7 o’clock and it had been a night. I endured it till 3 and then could stand it no longer so I dragged my mattress on to the floor, rolled myself up in blanket and _______ stuffing the latter one in to my back and really got a true sleep. The moon shone in at the caravan door tho it was dawn almost. We ___ed (washed ?) in the open and as the others were not ready for breakfast I went down to early service by myself, through an awful pretty village to a charming little church. The altar was Arum (?) lilies and oriental poppies and Mr. Nast (?) took the service. When I returned, breakfast was ready out of doors and a lot of the packing up done. So we were able to leave about 10.05 through a lane wooded on either side, to Manningford Bruce, another pretty village and the church bells ringing as we drove through. If I said ______ it would more nearly describe (?) the motive of our Gee (?).”

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“We saw hardly any hay cut on the road. Crossed a bridge over to Avon to give Smiles a drink, then on to Manningford Bohune and a glorious view of the downes towards Upavon where a flight of aeroplanes were doing a practice for the pageant. With many whoops and yeas persuaded Smile actually to trot, but she’s been going tons better today than yesterday. We arrived at Upavon 12 o’clock and after Joanna had thoroughly scanned a field of cabs with her scarlet tammy (?) we drew up at the Pub “Ile Ship Inn” for a drink and then asked for Joann’s address. Found it was just ___ _____ who (?) at home and not at Pewsey as we feared. He was at home and waiting for Joan who arrived in the car shortly after and we utterly amazed them. She recognized the occupant and the van! Awfully pleased to see us and promised to send us tickets for the pageant. They wanted us to stay to lunch but we preferred to trek on so left them at 1.15 and found an ideal place for the lunch camp _____ the river. We reached Netheravon about 3 o’clock. Motorists and villagers…”

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“all appearably (?) amused and interested with us and far be it from attracting no attention, we attract a great deal! From Netheravon a very very straight road to Amsbury but lovely views right over to Avon Valley to the hills beyond and gloriously wooded on to rich soil. We found a field by the river to camp in but rather rutty and muddy at the entrance so we took the gate off it’s _____ and piled the road up with sticks and brush growth to make a surface and got the van in but in hauling it over the second rut – ____ went one of the braces! leaving the van in the rut, so we unharnessed the horse and Dheh and a _____ passed by with the aid of one tether rope hauled the van out and here we are settled for one more night. A lovely red sky, just had a good supper and are going to fix up beds and may we be delivered from another night like last night. Every promise of another fine day tomorrow.

June 16. A most Exciting, thrilling and somewhat worrying morning trying to replace our broken brace. We phoned….”

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“through to Dheh suggesting he should send over another but he calmly told us we had better borrow one “to save time”, which we spent the whole morning trying to do and having been allowed to “use his name” found no one in Amsbury had ____heard of him! However we procured one on our own, got the old Gee shod, did some shopping, had lunch and finished the packing up, got a man (?) to come round to photograph the van and us, started off, taking the lower (?) road to Salisbury which was perfectly lovely through the most glorious lands (?) one side a steep bank covered with ivy sloping up to a wood with large overhanging trees, the other wooded trees meeting (?) over the top and as the sun was very hot, we thoroughly appreciated the cool shady drive. Down below several (?) feet below is on our left, some 50 or 60, was the Avon flooring, along it winding way and the downes all green and yellow with charlock beyond it. We passed through a most picturesque village and stopped for tea in a copse by the side of the road. We then continued….”

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“our way all along this lovely valley thro three wood fords and found a friend in the landlord at the Wheatsheaf Inn who let us camp in his field adjoining his tennis court, ____ _____. Altho on the road practically and water at hand we soon unpacked and we had a good bask (?) in the open. Watered Smiles and put her in a stable for the night and then got supper. Very delicious omelet, asparagus and grape fruit, bananas and oranges, while a tennis match went on, and the gramophone gave us “Grjolette” (?) &c. This is certainly the most comfortable and prettiest camp we’ve had yet but we must start early as we are still 4 miles from Salisbury. We’ve all changed our minds a lot. Wiltshire scenery as one we’ve passed through is only excelled by Devonshire and Coors (?) as very good second. Joanna again walked a good 6 miles above too.

June 17^th, Had a most enjoyable camp at the Wheatsheaf and left about 11 o’clock for Salisbury, nothing very exciting happened except our steed trod on Gees foot at the start and refused to move his hoof!“

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“Not particularly thrilling scenery, but we arrived at Salisbury on market day and so caused great excitement in the crowded street. Called at the P.O. for letters, found none but a wire from Marjorie saying she could not come this Thursday so wired we did not know what station we should next stop at unless she could join us ____. Put up the Gee (?) for a rest and had lunch in Salisbury. Saw the Cathedral and did some shopping. Bought food (?) &c. Pushed on again at 2.30, had tea at Charlton (which I believe is Charlton-all-saints) in the van and reached Downton 6.30, found no letters but phoned through to Fordingbridge and found one there. Not meaning to go that way, Gee cycled over for it and it resulted in a batch of mails &c. I going to send one at Ringwood next day. We then found a camp just outside. A ____ farmer in his car gave us permission to stay but just as we got the van into the field rain came down and a very severe thunderstorm so we had supper in the van till it ended and all very nearly _____iated. It did not last long and turned out a beautiful moonlight night but…”

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“very wet underfoot. It was too hot to walk far during the day. We _____ ______ and put up the tent and by this time it was getting dark so we retired.

June 18^th, A lovely sunny morning got up 6.30 and had breakfast by 7 A.M. to get an early start and had a perfectly glorious day through most beautiful side lands. From a great height, down to Fordingbridge, acres of lovely Rhododendrons like purple hills all round us. Ferns and foxgloves on the high banks of the____. _____ started to day by emerging (?) from the van with a plate of butter glued to her breeches! And later on went ankle deep into a bog. By the time we had arrived at the bottom of a very steep hill we found the jar of marmalade has not been able to stand the sudden jolts and the result was a sea of marmalade on the floor of the van! Roars of laughter from Joanna which echoed in the hills around. We proceeded the next few miles without mishap and had lunch in a cut hay field and rested an hour. I wrote to Joyce and had a nap. We then came on, once more by the river to 1 mile….”

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“before Ringwood where we found a delightful camping ground behind a farm where we got eggs and milk. Reached this 4.30 and so had a lovely (?)sunny _____ (?) _____ in Hammock chairs, tea with boiled eggs and then the boys went to the P.O. for letters. One from C. with his cheerful news. I cleaned up and then we had supper out of doors, omelet ___ _____, salmon (?) and ____ and tomatoes and on our _____ gooseberries _____ on the ______. Very good indeed. Now the tent is up and all ready for the night. Most glorious evening, sun just setting all round us in the distance the glorious forest. We walked this morning from Downton towards Fordingbridge through Hale and Braemore. The lovely lands, pungent with the smell of pines (?) delicious after last nights rain. All of us as brown as berries. Joanna a perfect gypsy. We met a cavalcade of gypsies this morning begging fags (cigarettes) of us.

June 19^th, Washed shirt, blouse and stockings before starting breakfast 7.30. Gee went to P.O. for letters and had his late. Marjorie arriving Lyndhurst 5.40. Packed up and got off early. Up a side road…”

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“which led us on to a glorious heather moor which unfortunately was not in full bloom but we longed for a bit of it and all walked over it drinking in the fresh clean air. This stretched about 2 miles past Pic____ Post through Burley, down a side lane and through a ford across the road where we took a photo of Joanne. Caught tadpoles with legs. On again to a stretch of heather moor leading us straight into the real forest and when wellin we stopped and had lunch. Took photos and dug up foxglove which grew in proficuous little soil on all the close grass walks, perfectly lovely and it seemed to be quite out of the world (?) as we know it. After a long rest we went on for several miles through to dense forest and came on an open space which led us through a pine copse with lovely orchids right on to the main road to Southampton and Bournemouth. Once more amongst the hateful cars, noisy motor bikes and charabuses arriving Lyndhurst 4.15 we did some shopping. Bought strawberries for the next day (my birthday) rather interested the trippa (?) of which the town was full and our van was drawn up on one side of the narrow (?) street….”

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“in a ____ of charabuses. ______ Lyndhurst Rd. Station 3 ¼ miles beyond the town to ___ and ____ and ____took a station bus to meet Marjorie and we wandered on to the van and met them coming back in the forest where we camped for the night on a grassy patch ______ on one side by a densely (?) wooded copse and open on all others to the open forest. Having tethered smile to a crow barn (?) with a rope thick enough to hand a giant, we had supper and rigged the camp to the gramophone. A very cold night and we all retired early. Driven (?) in by huge mosquitoes.

June 20, After being thoroughly cold all night I woke them all at 6 and we found to our horror the horse had gone! Not a sign anywhere and miles of forest all round us, Dheh and I hurriedly dressed and went to find her. On reaching the main road where there is a pond and we hoped she had gone for a drink, Dheh having thenosebag slung over his shoulder we were hailed by a man on a bicycle “Are you looking for your horse. He’s grazing about a mile down the road opposite the Police station”! Away we went after her and lugged (?) her back…”

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“feeling very relieved, ate a well earned breakfast, after a wash at the pond and started to pack up. Marjorie has been badly bitten and had a foot like a plum pudding so on way through Lyndhurst we bought lotions and bandages &c and did her up.

June 20, Through Lyndhurst village. Charmingly pretty, with most picturesque little houses and farms all round a green we came on to an open common and then straight into the forest, thick on either side of us and open to the road. Spikes of purple foxgloves growing everywhere, wild moss and honeysuckle, climbing hedges and trees. Had lunch in a patch of lawn just outside (?) ____ on through the forest to Cadham (?) to Coppeithorne (?) and acres of rhododendrons. ____ got out and gathered me a huge bouquet. Just before entering Romsey we came upon (?) a smashed car, round a sharp corner which had mounted a high bank and landed in ruins at the bottom. Near by we found a charming ____ on a hill and the farmer hailed us and offered us a patch in to park below it. Turned out to be Col. Wilfrid Ashley place “Broadland” and we had a lovely view…”

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“of the house with the Test flowing between us. An under game keeping came and made friends and told us where a pleasant was just hatching off a nest pole and eggs. Dheh and I went in to Romsey and got more lotion for M. and sent letters. Had strawberries and cream from the farm then went up to the house and _____ to fetch water and inspect the barn where the boys slept. Rather a cold evening (?) and we all sat in the caravan and played the gramophone and sang till bedtime. The boys had a very comfy bed amongst the hay and rats in the loft but did not respond to the stentorian voice of the farmer who stood on the top of the hill and yelled, “Is anyone awake” about 6 A.M.! however we got up and had breakfast when the gamekeeper and his dog arrived again and found the pheasant just “coming off.” He stayed and showed us the dogs _____ training and then we had to hurry and get packed up because Gee was leaving by train from Romsey. We just went in to the Abbey but found we had to pay so went no further. Got letters from P.O. and saw Gee off to station.“

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“June 21, Started off through lovely lands wooded on either side, ferns and foxgloves in profusion. We passed Embley House, Florence Nightingales House, a most lovely old stately home of England standing in a thickly wooded park next (?)the churchyard at E. Wellow there she is buried the left or our left or towards Melchet Court, Lady Ashburton’s place and Broxmore House through Sherfield English. We had lunch by a foxglove wood on the road. After lunch we went through lands with high banks covered with ferns to Whiteparish where we did our Sat. shopping at the village _____ and came on to Rector to find a good camping ground but could not get quite as far as he suggested. A most kindly genial man who much regretted he had no _____ to let us use. Eventually by going off the main road we got once more into a lovely part of the forest known as the village common and a beautiful lawn like green, packed by wood and shady trees in past a dear little cottage which turned out to be the ministers who was most kind…”

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“and helped Dheh pull the van off the road through his garden gate and gave us water. We pitched (?) the tent on the green and a most exciting incident happened after we’d all got to here. We hear a distant tinkle which got nearer and nearer and then a heard of cattle preceded by the cow with the bell, strolled over to the tent and noised in. Out came Dheh in his pajamas and shoved them off but no – “Thick and fast they came at last and more and more and more.”! It was quite thick by this time and all we could see was the ghostly pajamas of Dheh with a huge stick shoving them off and at last the tinkle was heard no more and we all retired once more to our beds.

June 22, (Sunday) Up once more very early and breakfast in front of the van. Off by 9 o’clock and through the most lovely scenery since we left Lyndhurst Forest, until to bottom of Pepperbox Hill then the most glorious downes till we reached Salisbury about 4 o’clock. Went on to Stratford-Sub Castle for tea…”

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“having had lunch at Alderbury, tea on the river bank and strawberries which we bought at the tea house on the top of Pepperbox Hill. After tea the country was very familiar as we were once again on old ground and reached our old camp behind the Wheatsheaf Inn at Woodford about 6.30. I quite forgot to mention the glorious stick fire Joanna lighted last night on the common in front of the tent and round which we sat till we turned in and drank hot _____, she having collected all the sticks and logs from the forest behind.

June 23, Had a most comfy camp again. Got up at 6 A.M. a most lovely sunny morning. The sun up quite early and we also. Perfect for breakfast. Packed up and started off soon after 9. Sent ____ to C. from Upper Woodford and learned about the servants having (?) out their caravan at Whiteshire (?), son of Lady Gray of Fall______ whose pretty place we passed in the next village.“

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“We stopped to have the horse shod at the most picturesque of ____ and it was indeed “under a spreading chestnut tree the village Smithy (?) stands”. The largest chestnut I’ve ever seen and just beside the river where we rested and wrote letters. A very interesting straight road overland (?)to Netheravon and up to UpAvon where we met the ______ who invited us all to go in after dinner. They offered Marjorie a bed for which we were very thankful and more so after Pan (?) said she’d take her to the station tomorrow! She and Dheh went in and stayed with the kiddies (?) and did some washing and cleaned the _____. Got Matthews (?) camping ground, the field belonging to the butcher (?) by the river and very pretty. Such a ____ warm lovely night.

June 24. Got up at 6 A.M. and packed early, had breakfast. Glorious morning. ________ flew over our field and came quite low to greet us and wave adieu. Did a few stunts over the van…”

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“then Joan and Marjorie arrived to see us off.”