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4 September 1902 — Brieg | |
Thursday. 4th [September 1902]. We left Brieg abt 7 A.M. in a large vettura which held our party (7). Sent the maid Baker by the dilly. Lovely day & beautiful views– I knew the way so well, having been by it several times with Henry, ah! how long ago. We lunched at the top of the pass—then walked on till the carriage picked us up & took us on. At Isella wh was the frontier of Italy we had the custom house. Cecil having a bad fit of asthma walked on & I saw the luggage through. It happened that the official opened Cecil’s hand bag. I said, there was nothing to declare. On turning over the contents there was a small packet of tobacco. What is this said the man. I don’t know said I. Tobacco said he—& diving in he drew out another packet of cigarettes. Imagine my astonishment & confusion. The man was luckily sensible & good natured—the quantity of tobacco was small—he saw we had not meant to cheat & said I know by a glance the sort of people I have to deal with. He had the tobacco weighed—we paid 5 or 6 lire & were allowed to proceed. We got to the station of Domodossola in time for the last train to Gravona—there we found carriages wh took us to Hotel Bellevue Baveno kept still by a Padretti—son of the man who had been there so many years. I stayed at Baveno for a few days– Found Mrs Henfrey living in a small villa she has built herself not far from her old villa Clara. There she has set herself to do all the good she can—& being wonderfully recovered in health can now ride a tricycle & get about amongst the poor. We found staying at our hotel Ct & Css Giglineri & their daughter. He a son of “Clara Novello” & she also English. There was a very clever amateur violinist, Mr Wood & his mother who accompanied him on the piano so with the help of Monty Alderson we had a great deal of music of an evening– The young people made excursions on the Lake & La Reva & up the Mottarone– I sat quiet & rested & thought of old times– | |
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