I bought this postcard the other day, attracted, as usual, as much by the message on the reverse as the picture on the front. I seem to recall I have been to Coventry only once in my life, some forty years ago, but I have driven around it on various by-passes quite frequently. The picture shows St Mary's Guildhall which, if Google Street Cam is to be believed, looks relatively unchanged 100 years later (I wonder how it survived the horrendous bombing of the city during World War II?). It used to be the residence of the Lord Mayor of Coventry and it is from there that the famous Lady Godiva is said to have started her famous horse-ride. Looking more closely on Google maps, there seems to be a decent old inn just around the corner from here called the Golden Cross, so maybe it is time to visit Coventry again. It is a sad sign of age that the driving force behind such a return visit would be a decent old pub rather than an indecent young Lady!
The card was posted in August 1908 and sent to a Miss L Dorman in St Leonards-on-Sea. The message from Dora to L was full of those questions that will never be answered.
Dear L,
Hope you have not got off because of poor George. Hope you are enjoying yourself as I am.
With love, Dora
Excuse such a muddle but I am in a hurry.
Where did L not get off to, because of poor George? What was wrong with poor George. My mind plays with pictures of Miss Dorman recreating Lady Godiva's ride but having to get off her horse because poor George has collapsed with apoplexy. It is time I went for a drink and forced such silly thoughts out of my mind.
Is it Lords Mayor, or Lord Mayors? That question has perplexed me for ages.
ReplyDeleteI sometimes think you might be even sadder than I am (could that be possible?)
DeleteMuch sadder, I'm afraid.
DeleteWhat a beautiful old postcard . . . with an intriguing message as well!
ReplyDeleteHi Alan, been away from visiting your blog for awhile, and now doing a big of catch up. Do let us know if you ever figure out the mystery of George and the young woman...quite intriguing and such fun to draw conclusions, however incorrect.
ReplyDeleteAh yes, a perfect moment to slip away! What an amazing story it is though. I so like the expression "Excuse such a muddle but I am in a hurry!" Sounds like something Alice in Wonderland might say! ...and perhaps I will too! Ha! Ha! It seems summer tends to get us way behind....!
ReplyDeleteperhaps you can think better if you are not thirsty:)
ReplyDeleteWonderful Post as usual. No insults today. Just remember this, the older we get, the thirstier we become. One can never turn the clock back, but we can sure still rewind it!
ReplyDeleteI still think that Coventry could be a wonderful 1950s city if it would pull itself together - easier said than done, for sure. There are still a few old bits left. As for the message, no, I don't understand it either. I really, really can't think of anything that would apply to. How extraordinary! :)
ReplyDeleteYes, I would think what was going on would be far from what you think.
ReplyDeleteI can see the attraction Alan, of the card I mean, not Lady Godiva. The cryptic message may never be solved, but what fun making up the story behind it!
ReplyDeleteI like your silly thoughts...
ReplyDelete