Teachers World Letters, Jan 1930 - July 1934

[Poppy]

Thanks Courtenay!

[Anita Bensoussane]

...and Patapang's kitten! Poor thing: I wonder if it had any food or water?

I expect Patabang would keep going up to feed it milk - it would be too young to be weaned yet. But I hope it didn't stay up there too long!

[Courtenay]

Judging from "Patabang's Song" in the previous letter, Patabang sounds like a very loving and attentive mother, so I doubt she would neglect her kitten or leave her in an uncomfortable place for too long. She took her up there to protect her in the first place, after all! I hope we hear more about them both next week.

[Anita Bensoussane]

A very interesting letter and map this week,showing where Enid is going on her cruise:

http://www.enidblytonsociety.co.uk/blyt ... &perid=743" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

No further news of Patabang's kitten yet.

[Courtenay]

What an exciting-sounding cruise! I'm looking forward to hearing what Enid has to say about it in her upcoming letters. And poor old Bobs, being left behind and having to go to stay with the "dog-doctor" instead of being allowed to guard Old Thatch!

I bet he really did know, too, in his own way, that Enid was preparing to leave. Dogs can just tell that somehow. Our dog Sandy always senses well in advance when someone is going away - often even before they noticeably start packing - and mopes about with a dreadfully guilt-inducing look in her big brown eyes!

[Poppy]

Enid's Cruise sounds lovely! I can't wait to read her in depth description of it's features and a report of the places it stopped off at! It will be great to compare them to the descriptions that feature in some of the books Enid seemed to have based on her experience on the Cruise-ship. But poor little Bobs feeling so miserable about his Mistress going away. And it's also quite sad that he had to be separated from his little play-mate so soon! Sandy must hace thought he was going back home for good! Anyway, a thoroughly enjoyable selection of letters and news from Old Thatch.

[Jack400]

If you Google "Stella Polaris ship" you can read about and see a picture of it. It was in use, and was destined for another location, when in 2005, sadly, it sank on the way.

[Kate Mary]

A fascinating letter this week, short on domestic detail, but who can blame Enid with the holiday of a lifetime around the corner. A voyage like that was one that very few people of the time would have been able to go on.
I'm looking forward to her account of it.

Poor old Bobs and Pat, staying with the 'Dog Doctor' doesn't sound much fun.

[Moonraker]

What is a dog-doctor? I know it sounds like a vet, but surely a vet wouldn't provide holiday homes for pets?

[Poppy]

I'd say they were a vet who offered to look after Bobs for Enid whilst she was on her trip. Referred to as 'The Dog Doctor' to make it sound friendly for Bobs. But no - according to Google:

[Kate Mary]

We're off!:

http://www.enidblytonsociety.co.uk/blyt ... &perid=744" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A beautiful letter this week describing the beginning of Enid's voyage, passing the great liners Mauretania and Armadale Castle and steaming down the English Channel. I don't think I would enjoy crossing the infamous Bay of Biscay either.

Meanwhile, Bobs and co are off to the Dog-Doctor, whom he describes as 'very kind', but he sounds a bit scarey to me.

[Anita Bensoussane]

A lovely, detailed account of the beginning of the cruise. Enid makes it sound so exciting and full of promise. Interesting that the Stella Polaris is a Norwegian ship, with all the notices in Norwegian. I wonder if important notices about safety were printed in other languages too?

Bobs, Sandy and Patabang go off to stay with the "dog-doctor", but what about Patabang's kitten?!

[Moonraker]

A delightful letter, made interesting by trying to follow the path of the ship.

England is now only a little island somewhere to the North

No wonder so many Scots want independence!

[Poppy]

A captivating account of the early stages of Enid's Cruise. It all sounds delightful, including several similar features to what Enid describes in The Ship of Adventure and The Pole Star Family - such as the many games available to play on board, and the little port hole, displaying the water-line. A really delightful description. Also it is fascinating to read about the many places Enid stopped off at. I quickly Googled 'Needles Lighthouse', which looks to be an intriguing place.

Poor Bobs didn't sound too cheerful in his letter! But Sandy did if it really was him 'blowing the horn'!

[John Pickup]

One of Enid's best letters for a long time, a wonderful description of the ship and the start of the voyage. I was surprised to learn that the Stella Polaris was a Norwegian ship with a Norwegian crew. I suppose the officers would be fluent in English.