Shopping in St. Martin

Mon.
July 14 - Wrote Mom.

Went swimming in the forenoon.

Arik fell asleep after lunch so didn't go in the p.m. Picked up Vince - Claudia had invited me along shopping in St. Martin tomorrow so we drove out to their place to let her know I'd go.

Took Mark & Dawn down to the beach for a short swim before supper.

Washed clothes Pd.

Tues.
July 15 - Left for St. Martin about 8:30. What a voyage – for me the waves were big – Claudia said she'd been on seas a lot rougher. The boat was crowded both ways. We go home at close to 2. And shortly after I got back to the hotel, a squall hit the channel. I'm glad we weren't on it then. We shopped in many stores in Marigot.

This is the first day the kids didn't get to go swimming and they weren't too happy over it.

The weather stayed cloudy & rainy st till supper.

Apollo 11 Takes Off

Blastoff
July 16 - Listened to the rocket take-off for the moon. Had porridge before going down to the Sea. The ball got away & drifted hurriedly out to sea.

Set my hair after soup - for the Vanier party tonight.

Took the kids to the Sea again before getting Vince at work.

Vanier's had a nice party - with lotza good "hors d'oeuvres." Got home about 1:30. A short night.

Heard from Lillie [Vince's mother] & got the Newsletter.

July 17 - Wrote Pastor Ness. Kids wrote grandma.

Went swimming both forenoon and after. Arik really has fun with his air rings – 'swims' and 'swims' -

Picked up Vince at work - He worked on radio script after supper. Jeff Hearst asked him to prepare 4 tapes to be used 1 a week over Radio Anguilla.

A Rainy Day

July 18 – Vince wrote his mother. A rainy day – I kept the car but we didn't use it. The second day we didn't go swimming. Mark & Dawn made up treasure hunts for Pat. She found both of them when she got home.

The lights went out with only a second's warning so we went to bed by lantern light.

Spells fat.

• Breakfast – 8:00
• Orange – 9:30
• Porridge – 10:15
• Lunch – 12:00
• Taste of watermelon
• Cookies & Milk – 2:00
• Supper – 5:15

Sat.
July 19 –  Mark went to the clinic with Vince & Pat. Such a night we had – it poured! A couple of loud thunder cracks. Jené fell out of bed twice. Dawn came in to see if I heard the thunder.

Arik "messed" his pants in hallway.

Mark came in with a pain in his right hip.

The ceiling leaked – dripped on Vince's pillow. As I said, such a night!

Took Lorna & Pat down to Sandy Ground with us for a swim. Vince found starfish but no conch shells. So far we've had no luck preserving starfish.

Got lotsa mail – Sharon, Mom, Groteguts, Stroms, Hoxeng [?], Lippman, Spence, Lillie, Sita, Tim,  Elaine.

One Small Step – One Giant Leap

July 20 – Went to church this a.m. I took the kids to Sandy Ground this p.m. Dena, Eddie, Mannie, several were there. Took a short ride after supper to deliver a letter to Clayton to deliver to Miss Babette.

Listened with interest to Apollo 11. They landed safely on the moon. Vince stayed up till 11 to hear that they had stepped out on the moon.


"Restored Apollo 11 Moonwalk." Image courtesy NASA Youtube Channel.

July 21 – Washed clothes Pd. Took Vince to work. Mark rode along. Got kerosene – Vince forgot his pipe so I had to go back to the hotel for it. The kids got dressed for swimming – Dawn bought a hat – We went to Sandy Ground.

First had porridge & then soup. Heard the astronauts lift off from the moon.

Copied some Anguilla history which I got from Library this p.m.

Picked up Vince again – have been listening to radio to hear the news of Apollo 11.

Wrote to Mom tonight before going to bed.

Mangoes and Swimming Suits

July 22 – Wrote Sharon before breakfast. Dawn and I took Vince to work. Stopped for gas and oil. And at Library.

Took the kids swimming both forenoon and afternoon. Then we picked up Vince and went again for a short dip. Took Pat, Lorna & Ann along.

Went for a ride to the Clinic after supper to get the mangoes that Weldon Hale [?] had brought in – he's the young fellow that visited with us at the Beach from St. Thomas for last 3 years, has a building, a boat, fishes & earns $50.00 a day.

July 23 – (Today is the sale at Vince's folks' house.) Took Vince to work.

Took the kids swimming both forenoon and afternoon. Arik's old swimming suit literally fell to pieces – he is back to his red one which has holes in the seams.

A[n] English dentist is coming the middle of August for a 3 mos. stay.

We had a letter from Charlotte & Jim. They are in Montgomery and will be stationed in Washington, DC. Heard that Mr. Cumber is leaving and a new commissioner will be arriving.

St. Maarten and St. Barts

July 24 – Took Vince to the Clinic – stopped to talk to Simon, and to cash a check. Took the kids swimming and went back to Valley to get gas. Took 2 letters from Tom to Vince.

Took the kinds swimming again in the afternoon before picking up Vince. Got air in the tires from Sarge. Drove to airport to find out schedule from Mike or Clayton. Leaving at 7 in morning for St. Maarten.

Jeff came out to visit – also another fellow, Chris, stopped by.

July 25 – Flew to St. Maarten and then to St. Barth's. Hired a taxi who took us for a tour of the island. Very pretty! Had lunch at Gustavia, and shopped around a bit. Taxi took us back to airport and so we flew back to St. Maarten & to Anguilla, a change of pace.

When Vince was going to take Dena home, the car wouldn't start. Hmmm.

Fixed the Car and Starfish

Sat.
July 26 – Letters from Glora & Sharon.

Car still wouldn't start. Mr. Connor took Pat & Vince to work.

Mr. Connor brought back a battery which Vince had bought, and put it in the car. I went back and picked up Vince – got hung up on some rock – Car has a funny noise – Vince says hole in tail pipe.

We went swimming in p.m. for a while – then cleaned a starfish when we got home. Shampoo & showers and to bed.

Sun.
July 27 – Church this morning – nonchalant about time. Started at 11:20 and went till about 12:40. Had dinner and then fooled around. Went to the Sea about 4 for a dip. Bernadette showed us a couple of starfish preserved, also shells assorted. Had supper, wrote Sharon before bed.

Vince wrote his folks, Glora, & John Baker before church.

Hurricanes and Barricudas

Mon.
July 28 – Washed clothes - Pd. Took Vince to work but didn't use the car except to pick him up again. The clouds looked threatening in the morning and it rained in the afternoon – really rained. Mrs. Connor says, "Lovely day."

Tonight on news we hear the broadcast of the first tropical storm of the season, so we will listen to its progress the next few days – 1800 mi. ESE of Puerto Rico now.

Vince said Mr. Cumber had dropped by to say Good-by and introduced Mr. Thompson, the new commissioner.

7 weeks
Tues.
July 29 – Wrote Mom. Kept the car so went swimming forenoon and afternoon. Picked up Vince – he wasn't ready but sent me on an errand to airport. Home for a delicious lobster supper.

Had sweet apples today.

Hurricane Anna is continuing her progress WNW at about 15 mi. per hour and is 1500 miles from Puerto Rico. We may feel it by Friday.

Saw what we were told was a barracuda (first identified as a shark) so it didn't take us long to get out of the water – but no harm done.

Eddie gave Jené a really pretty small conch shell, plus some other pretty shells.

Jeff came by in the evening to record radio tapes. Couldn't find a "dead" enough room. But taped Mark & Dawn singing. Those hams!


Mark and Dawn sitting in the lobby. Photo credit: Vince Williams.

Hurricane Anna No Big Deal

Wed.
July 30 – Wrote Aver. Heard from Mom, Pam, Lyle & Eastern [?]
Kept the car – went swimming in the afternoon. The hurricane is continuing moving in this direction. People are preparing for it as we are in the Hurricane Watch – getting doors ^& windows ready to bar, etc.

Wrote Eastern Air. & Babette asking for booking on flight from St. Thomas to San Juan on Aug. 11.

Thurs.
July 31 – Didn't go down to the Sea today in anticipation of Hurricane Anna. Vince went to the patient clinic to prepare it so it wouldn't get wet.

The hurricane which was never only more than a tropical storm continued to weaken thru out the day. And the most we got out of it was a few rain showers, in the evening and early night.

The local people were very happy – they don't like gales.

The last report we heard on the radio was the storm had passed 100 mi. north of Anguilla.

A Church Program

Fri.
Aug. 1 – Methodist Church.
Took Vince to work. Pat is at her all upset – her uniform didn't fit. She won't appear in that!


Pat Connor in a happy mood. Photo credit: Vince Williams.

Set Dawn's hair.

Went down to the Sea this morning.

Set my hair after lunch. Wrote a letter to Mom. Went to get Vince early & to look for brake fluid. Ended up at the Camp, where the Sarge ga put in fluid for me – he says there is a leak some where.

Went to the Program at church – Very good.

The soloist, the director's daughter, Eleanor [Bynoe] exceptional talent.


Eleanor Bynoe performing at the church concert. Photo credit: Vince Williams.

Sat.
Aug. 2 – Vince went to work; Mark went along.

Got letters from Lillie, Charlotte, Heruth's.

Went down to Sandy Ground for a swim in the late afternoon.

Showers, shampoos, to bed.

Holiday Boat Races

Sun.
Aug. 3 – Send John a card –
Awoke early as usual. Went to church. Vince took pictures of 4 girls – Pat, Lorna, Ann, Earlen.


The four "girls." Photo credit: Vince Williams.

Simon picked us up at 1:30, picked up the 4 girls, took us to Shoal Bay – what a ride! Nice time. When delivering the girls again, some young Anguillan fellow – called them paratrooper-woman, and other derogatory remarks at us whites.

Tomorrow is a holiday – lotsa celebrating!

Mon.
Aug. 4 – National holiday so Vince didn't work. We mostly laid around all day. Walked over to hill to watch the moto sail boat races. Mark & Dawn walked down to Sandy Ground with Pat but were too late to see anything. The hotel has been busy all weekend with as many as 7 more besides us. Took the kids swimming in late afternoon.

[NOTE: August Monday is the first Monday in August, celebrated as a holiday marking the emancipation of the slaves in the former British Caribbean.]

Counting the Days

Tues.
Aug. 5 – Wash clothes - Pd.
We are beginning to count the days – this is our last Tuesday.

Went for a short swim this morning. Vince had an app't with Mr. Heman so was late getting home. Got gas & stamps.

Picked up Vince, then went down for a dip – cloudy and cool. Lorna & Pat were going to go, but decided it was too cool.

Folded clothes – good stiff breeze so they dried nicely.

Vince wrote his report to Dr. Mahoud, who will be coming soon after we leave.

Wrote to Helene today.

Wed.
Aug. 6 – Tired today – didn't sleep good. Took Vince to work. Mailed Dawn's letter to Sherri. Wrote to Doris, then the mail came. I heard from Mom & Pam, Dawn from Mrs. T. & Sita, Mark from Mrs. D., and Vince from Elaine W. – (Wow! She's mad about something)

So I wrote to Mom & to Pam. Went swimming in the p.m. then picked up Vince. Mrs. Connor isn't feeling good – so Dawn's been helping set and clear the table. Mr. Connor has been doing the cooking.

Parties and Gifts

Thurs.
Aug. 7 – Vince took the car today. So the kids entertained themselves around the hotel. Vince & Pat got home about 2:30 – we went to Mead's Bay to watch the boat races, which we don't understand. After a later supper Vince and I went to Vanier's – Dr. & Mrs. Fenwick were as well as 3 English fellows & a worker from the bank. Made it home without running out of gas but we're getting low.

Got an invitation to a party on board the frigate Mohawk on Sat. nite.

Fri.
Aug. 8 – Took Vince to work. Ran out of gas in George Hill. Vince, Pat, Dawn & Mark caught a ride in. Clu [?] came out on a scooter with enough gas to get to Valley. Cashed some Traveler's checks, filled the tank, & came home.

Dawn stayed to help at the Clinic. Took the kids to Sandy Ground. Went back to Clinic - took Vince to airport – He flew to St. Maarten, bought a watch and earrings & flew back.

Walton stopped by & visited in the evening.

Vince said when Lorna opened her gift – she gave him a kiss on the cheek – all thrilled.

Winding Down

Sat.
Aug. 9 – Washed clothes Pd.
A rainy morning. Vince took the car to work. Got home after 2. I took Dawn down to Sandy Ground to buy a starfish & shells.

Rained showers all day – clothes didn't dry.

Went to party on frigate Mohawk.

Sun.
Aug. 10 – Still raining. Went to church, had dinner. While Vince napped I wrote letters to Sharon and to Menzies. Vince took the kids for a last dip, while Jené and I started packing. To bed by 10.

Back to Miami

Mon.
Aug. 11 – Start out for Miami.

Rainy yet. Mike came back from St. Thomas at 9:15 or so. We loaded up to head for St. Thomas. Mr. Thompson, Mr. Heman, Mr. Connor, Pat & Lorna came down to see us off.

Got to St. Thomas around 10:45 – not too bad a flight. Boarded Prinair for San Juan; got there at noon. After checking through customs, and getting baggage checked, we had hamburgers & french fries.


Prinair plane. Photo credit: Vince Williams.

Boarded Eastern for Miami at 2:20 and got in at 4:45. Bob met us, picked up luggage, went to Barber's. Good supper, some visiting and off to bed.

Tues.
Aug. 12 – Jené slept poorly – hope she's not getting something. Got on the road about 9:15, heading towards Orlando.

Went to Cape Kennedy. Then to Orlando – kids had a swim. Went to Schulke's.

Sanford and St. Augustine

Wed.
Aug. 13 – Drove to Sanford – visited with Myrtle. Stayed for lunch. Harriet came, also her husband Mike. Doc came home for lunch while we were there.

Drove to St. Augustine.

Took the tour, saw the mission & the fort.

Vince called his mom.

Thurs.
Aug. 14 – Got up about 5:30 – drove to Fayetteville, NC.

Called Mom.

Williamsburg

Fri.
Aug. 15 – On the way to Williamsburg.

[NOTE: This is the final entry in the diary.]


Home at Last. Photo credit: Unknown.