MARION SAMBOURNE’S DIARY 1911
Friday 24 February Cannes. Another glorious day but strong wind. Maudie slept badly. At 11 we went for walk up towards Observatory, the sea a glorious blue, the sky the same, & the mimosa trees in all their luxuriant bloom. Never can I remember seeing anything so beautiful & fr. this height overlooking mountains snow capped & all the richness of colour of deep green palms, firs, & brilliant yellow of mimosa the deep blue sky & glorious sea. It felt like being in a heavenly dream & after the grey skies of home & cold, the sun’s warmth was delicious. (Page pinned in) Friday 24th Feby. We only reached the Hotel California just in time for luncheon 12.30 & found Mr M. & Muriel had had an uncomfortable shock during their walk finding a poor man in a ditch unconscious fr. starvation. They got him water & food. He had had no food for 24 hrs his poor young wife did not know what to do with him, wandering about in search of work! After lunch Mrs M. Maud & self to call in Motor on the Brownlows & for drive along coast. Most beautiful, & tea at Nègres where Mr Mesel & Muriel found us. Her manners appalling, or rather her want of manners, she has none. Maudie came back with Mr M. & Muriel. Saturday 25 February Sale of Stables. X. Bottle of St Galmier & bottle Vittel. Glorious day. Darling slept so well. We all 5 went to Mr Game at 11 o’c in Motor along coast past (illeg) St Raphael, Trégus, all most exquisite but v. dangerous winding & narrow roads high up along coast & picniced in a lovely little Bay. Would have been heavenly but for Muriel who again in bad temper which sadly accentuates her want of good manners. We ret’d by inland road along most beautiful hills at great height, the view of the Maritime Alps covered with snow & the blue blue sky & glorious irridiscent sea all beyond my feeble powers of description. (Page pinned in) Saty 25th Feb. We ran dangerously fast round corners, the car seemed weak on left side & squeaked dangerously. Think v. risky & wonder Mr M. does not ask his chauffeur to drive more slowly round these blind & sharp corners. The wind was tremendous in some of the valleys & we had to hold on with both hands to our hats. We had tea at Hotel on our return & felt better for all the air. After dinner talked to Lady Abney & her daughter & introduced them to Mr & Mrs Messel. Girl much like Muriel, modern girl in manners. Bed ¼ to 10. Sunday 26 February Another glorious day, & warm, with refreshing breeze. Darling slept badly. Went into her room at 4 o’c, she seemed v. hot. Maud & Mrs M & Muriel to church & had excellent sermon. Mr M, Mr Game & self sat under palms in grounds basked in sunshine & read & talked. Lunched 14
