First thoughts. I woke up.  It was light.  Was I dreaming?  No.  I heard a voice which sounded familiar, “CHNS Lord Nelson Hotel Halifax”.  No dream this!  We really were here!  It was the radio in the kitchen and Gladys was up and about. 

Washing and dressing, I looked in on Bessie.  She was still dreamy-eyed so I left her and went down to be greeted by Gladys who quickly prepared some breakfast for me.  We talked a bit. I was a bit shy. 

After eating I asked if I could go outside.  “Yes, okay but don’t wander off and get lost”, she said. 

Exploring around the house outside, a voice said to me, “good morning young fella”.  It was Uncle George and that is what he always called me except when I was being introduced.  “Now, young fella, you and your sister Bessie are going on a trip around Mount Uniacke when she is ready, and Carol can help”. 

Eventually, Bessie and Carol appeared and Carol led the way along a little pathway through the woods.  In a few minutes we arrived in front of a large house and Uncle George knocked on the front door and went in followed by us three children.  Carol ran up to the elderly couple inside and addressed them as Grandma and Grandpa.  They were Uncle George’s mother and father, George and Bessie Cole.  “These are our evacuees from England,” she announced.  “It’s Ronald and Bessie, like you”. Uncle George had a few words with them and speaking to us they announced that they would be our Grandma and Grandpa as well and we were welcome any time.  

Next port of call was the General Store.  We were introduced to Glen and his wife and had a good look around.  What an eye-opener this was!!! There was every kind of food in there and tools and we were introduced to candy (not sweets) by Glen who gave us our choice.  It turns out that Uncle George and Aunt Allie used to own the store in the past. 

Next stop was the Rail Station.  Being introduced to the Station Master of the Dominion and Atlantic Railroad, we watched in awe as a train came past with its huge thundering engine bell ringing and siren wailing.  We had never seen such a monster before! 

Next stop was the Post Office and little store.  The Postmaster said, “I’ll be looking out for your mail soon, I hope.” 

From there we ambled back to the house where Uncle George gave Bessie and I a surprise.  Pulling his hand out of his pocket he gave each of us a 25 cent coin and told us that we would receive that every week as pocket money.  We really had arrived and he was so kind! 

After a midday meal, again prepared by Gladys (she was everywhere), all four of us again went out to look around Uncle George’s property.  He had a barn which held about six cows.  From these he was able to get enough milk for his needs and his Mum’s and Dad’s.  Next, we walked around to the chicken house.  Again, enough eggs were produced to supply his folks.  I don’t remember seeing any pigs, probably because there were not any.  Next, we crossed the road where he had a small sawmill.  It did not look as though it was in use at the time.  All around the mill yard were stacks of lumber of all sizes.  At the far end of the yard was a little house where Eldon, I think his name was, lived with his wife. 

Eldon apparently looked after the horses and I have a feeling he probably milked the cows.  As we wandered back to the house we passed Uncle George’s private Petrol pump where he filled up his car and any of his other fuel needs.  I was to know this pump better a day or two later.  Our day looking around finished with supper, as he called it, prepared, of course, by Gladys and assisted by Aunt Allie.  After supper we played a little outside then we were called in to listen to Charlie McCarthy and Edger Bergen and other shows.  What a great and happy day this had been!  Would it last?  I certainly hope so!

Next day Uncle George gave me a little job to do on a regular basis.   “Come on young fella.  We are going to the ice house”.  This was a small building just a short distance from the house.  “In the kitchen,” he explained, “is an ice box to keep items of food cool and the ice is in here”. 

I’m blowed if I could see ice!!  Anyway, it would melt in the summer sun.  Eureka!!! He dug under sawdust and there it was – huge blocks of it.  Digging a lump out and putting it on a little truck we pulled it to the kitchen and he put it in the box.  “When you get ice for Gladys she will put it in for you.  Now that’s a little job you can do for her when she asks you”.

Uncle George went off in his car somewhere.  We didn’t see him again until supper time. 

Meanwhile, Bessie, Carol and I played around the house and the woods.  Various visitors came to the house I expect to look us over and talk to us and hear our Yorkshire and Lancashire accents.

                                        Note:  the photo above shows Ronald and Bessie

                                         standing by the Cole house.

    The photo to the left shows Bessie and Carol

       sitting on the front lawn of the Cole house.