This was the photo the cruise ship took. Looks like I've been out in the sun!
From left to right: Janet (Ian's wife), Grampa Penman in the back, Margaret, Aunt Dorothy, me
Although we had been married for five years, this was the first time I had met Aunt Dorothy. She refused to come to our wedding saying Jim "was too young to ruin his life." I don't think Margaret ever really forgave her for that but I quite liked her. She was quite a character.
"At foot of staircase in the lobby" "Lobby of the Island Princess" (my bridesmaid dress)
"Island Princess lying off Sitka" "Part of swimming pool on the sundeck"
"Dinner time on board ship" "Valentine in the Caribbean lounge"
"Bar in Carousel Lounge"
Bert is wearing a shirt of Jim's "Lido Bar"
"Bert on sundeck" "Margaret in Games Room"
After I finally met Aunt Dorothy, she gave us a belated wedding present of the brass kettle and candlesticks that she had brought out with her from Scotland many years ago. Looks like Jim needs to do some polishing!
Margaret's journal:
July 11, 1973
Departed Vancouver 10pm. Sunny and warm. Dinner at 8:30 pm then in to Carousel Lounge - live entertainment and dancing. Browsed around ship before retiring. All very luxurious.
July 12
Cruised Inside Passage. Dull but pleasant. Still finding out the many interesting spots aboard - so much so, missed out on Captain's Cocktail Party where everyone introduced. Very elegant gathering-formal 8:30. Buffet style dinner in Coral Dining Room. Food - magnificent. 10-12pm. Floor show. Greer Garson and husband sitting close by.
July 13
Ketchican. Dull and raining. Arrived 8am. Went ashore after lunch and browsed through the stores. Local in habitants say it rains here most of the time. Highlight of the day was 8pm with a sumptuous Italian dinner. 10pm Live entertainment featuring Jim Brooks, cruise director and former dancing partner of Judy Garland. Entertainers--all professional.
July 14
Juneau. Dull but pleasant. Arrived 8am. Went ashore after lunch. Visited world famous saloon "The Red Dog" (2 beers $1.80). Saw old gold mine on face of mountain. Bert had bridge game with cruise director in the evening and won tournament.
July 15
Skagway. Warming up. Typical old frontier town, saloons, quaint hotels. Best place for shopping for souvenirs. Was impressed by the lovely air--made one realize what smog, etc. has robbed us.
July 16
Sitka. Sunny and warm. Left ship by motor launch. Found it most interesting. Visited Pioneers Home and took picture of "The Prospector". View master photographer doing the same. Saw funeral procession in street of Chief of Sitka. Very interesting--then service in Russian Orthodox Church. Russian dancers entertained in Centennial Pavillion. Very colourful.
July 17
Prince Rupert. Rather cool. Disappointed in this place. Visited museum and found it interesting but otherwise nothing to excite one.
July 18
Cruising Queen Charlotte. Sunny. Beautiful scenery probably because sun was shining seemed to be the nicest we had seen. Masquerade in the evening after dinner and Bert came off with 2nd prize. Anchored in English Bay shortly after midnight. Vancouver ablaze with lights - a beautiful sight from the ship.
July 19
Vancouver. Beautiful weather. An end to wonderful cruise- an experience I would hate to miss, yet a nice feeling to be home again in beautiful Vancouver.
