RETURN FROM ENGLAND

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21176, 27 July 1940, Page 15 (Supplement)

RETURN FROM ENGLAND

MISS A. SEDDON’S IMPRESSIONS ACROSS EQUATOR FOUR TIMES Many interesting impressions were related by Miss Audrey Seddon, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs R. S. R. Seddon, Hamilton, who recently returned from spending approximately two years in England, when interviewed by a representative of the Waikato Times, this week. Miss Seddon was studying commercial art in London, until the outbreak of war, when she left to spend some months at St. Ives, where, she says, but for the raaio broadcasts it was difficult to believe there was a war on. Shortly after her return to London, Holland was invaded, and she decided to come home, and four days after applying for her permit, it was granted. She describes the life in London as normal in practically every respect, and except for the sandbags, the air raid shelters in the parks, and the blackouts, “business is as usual,” although the average person was appalled when the invasion occurred. She commented on the lovely fashions showing in the big West End shops, these, after being perfectly ridiculous and exaggerated in eyery detail, having been modified to suit the times. Long hair is definitely out, the latest style being a “bubbles” perm, which is a mass of short curls, very attractive and yet neat in combination with a service hat. She thought the majority of the women in uniform looked rather dowdv. No Shortage Of Food “There was no. shortage of food in England when I left,” said Miss Seddon, “and in fact after the rationing of butter, a larger portion for each person was served in the restaurants. “Isn’t the Engiish food awful,” she laughingly remarked. “Such rich heavy meals and the cakes are like sawdust covered with fancy icing.” The voyage out, when the Equator, was crossed four times, was uneventful and notwithstanding the blackout on the ship, very enjoyable. Calls were made at Las Palmas, and at Capetown, where the population was still reeling from the impact of a visitation by the Australian .and New Zealand troops, some days before. Although no exploits of the New Zealanders were recounted (this being perhaps in consideration of Miss Seddon’s nationality) stories of the doings of the Australians were many and varied. The ship then took the unusual route to Colombo, from then on calling at the Australian ports. Much admiration of the tropical beauty of Colombo, the attractiveness of Perth and the gaiety of Sydney was expressed by Miss Seddon, who confessed to being “thrilled to be home again.” __