G'day!
Goodness, you sure like Lisa Leonard don't you? I'm not surprised.
I have to say I really* enjoyed reading through the uniform comments…it seems most of you like what I like…funny that…I mean really who can beat the humble jeans and tee combo?
I dunno about Skinny though…never quite did like the whole drainpipe thing the last time…though I've certainly got some Skinnies so there must be something to 'em…
Anyway, I don't know if you remember that a while ago I found a real old treasure at a garage sale? It was a transcript of the memories of the folks at a nursing home, I have deduced from what I have read that this book was written in the late 60's early 70's and these folks were in their 70's and 80's.
What attracted me to the book was nothing other than the faded old paper, the brown edges, the age spots and the hand-typed print (you already know I have a bit of an obsession with that). But it so happenend, that I had come upon on a gem, an account of the memories of a handful of old ladies and gents from their days from 1903 to WWII
So the other morning, after the school run and chores out of the way I decided to treat myself to some time with that old book, a coffee and a sit watching the boats go by.
I love to sit down by the wharf, it's somehow relaxing and interesting at the same time.
The thing is this: on the beach sitting down with a coffee and a book on a school day seems positively indulgent, but on this side it's all so very much more industrious…you can sit here and drink your coffee in relative peace, get your 350 in, all the while watching everyone else going about their day and oddly feel a part of it all…the ferries chugging in and out, the fisherman going past, the day trippers coming in and the commuters flying through…as if somehow your 350 squats to get your butt lifted are an essential element of this stage set.
I have to say, looking through that old book, legs dangling over the side with a coffee, that it was the chapter 'Dances' that lured me most. Tell me, would it have lured you too?
I had visions of those lovely old folks sitting in their big chairs all in a circle, smiling and reminiscing and talking about those heydays when people didn't sit at a computer or in front of the tv, when guys and dolls went out to dance…
And I it seems that in those delicious old days gone by, there were dances & ice skaing in a building that I've passed lot of times…a building named Dungowan… a beautiful, commanding old place.
And so I left the wharf and walked round to hunt out Dungowan, now, with my new old knowledge and oh how I very much fell in love with it, the elongated balcony, the Italianate feel, the balustrading…and sigh the to-die-for double entrance door…
I walked around Dungowan, a tad errrm bedraggled from the wind at the wharf and feeling for sure the 350..pulled out my camera, head swimming with jitterbugs and dancing, wriggling bodies and stamping feet and in a complete world of my own was oohing and ahhing looking up and down and walking around.
Lost in all those others' memories of life gone-by, I was in fact, a little disappointed at the up-do this place has recently gone through, I don't know but its newness, it's perfect creamy facade didn't seem to sit right with me and so I went up and stroked the wall and sorta sighed.
…at which point, some guy, clearly a boutique apartment owner stuck his head out the window I had just photographed and asked me "just quite what I thought I was taking photos of?" and "just what was I wiping on the wall?"
Well, people, most offended by his haughty manner, I hesitated, weighing up the benefits of talking about the book, the blog, the ice, the old folk and the jitterbugs...but by the look on his face I decided to hedge my bets, looked at him blankly and pretended to be French.
And that dear Beach Cottagers was the end of that, rudely interrupted in my contemplation of all things past, I packed up my camera and moved on.
But all miserable owners aside, it was so nice to get to know Dungowan.
And how generous that they thought of me when they decorated with beachy putty stripe blinds. So very kind.
I will see you motley crew tomorrow
**don't forget to comment on this post for Lisa Leonard's generous giveaway**
if you want to see more Australian eye candy,
one of my fave daytrips is here,
some surfer dudes here (not for the faint of heart!)
and more moments from the Wharf here
What a fun read that book is – you can just sit back, close your eyes and be transported back to the old Dungowan Dance Hall.Alison
That building was a DANCE HALL?!?! My goodness they did things ‘posh’ down your way! You should see some of Queensland’s old dance halls. Mainly School of Arts’ buildings. Many are getting done up now but started life as variations on an old Queenslander- on stilts and built from wood. But SOOO beautiful in their own way. I well remember going to wedding receptions and parties in some of them. (Of course we USED to have Cloudland here in Brissie but someone (!) tore it down…now THAT was a dance hall!)
What a delightful treasure you have there my dear friend! Thank you so much for sharing this story with us. What special memories must be contained in the manuscript you found. I would love to have you post more!! I know I would enjoy it so much. I would have loved to have been there enjoying the day with you. I so love your posts Sarah. Thank you….as always for being such a bright spot in my day. I always feel my cares drift away. I hope you have a blissful and joy filled weekend.
Sally
xoxo
Great post, I can imagine Peggy and Jimmy dancing up a storm, like only the ‘oldies’ can do.
Clearly ‘someone’ in your story has paranoia. I would have delt with him the aussie way and told him to mind his own beeswax… Kath & Kim style
Love your post, pictures and story! Would love to hear more and see more!
You really do tell a beautiful story. I wish I could have been there with you. The stripe window treatments really were a sign I think. As for the creep we can just chalk him up as a blog troll! <3
Sarah, Thanks so much for sharing an actual excerpt of your find so that we may dream along with you…and I just love the pretending to be French part! What a creative way to get the best of the cranky and keep your dignity intact. Thank you for sharing pictures – almost makes us feel as if we were there.
Delightful photos and fabulous find.
Got to agree with you, that someone took the time to capture those memories and typed them out to be preserved, they do deserve a chance to shine. What lovely memories for these folks to have of dances and parties and fun times.
Cool facade, made even better by the history.
It does seem out of balance to make old buildings look like new…there’s always something inviting to me about the imperfect and the little blemishes.
annie
Sarah, you are a lovely old soul! What a gem you have…reading your post just about put me there…I agree with someone above who thought this could be a movie.
Camera angle: old manuscript in your hands with coffee, sitting by the sea…
Cut to:waves lapping up on shore
Sounds: seagulls in the distance
Camera angle: beautiful woman engrossed in stories of long ago
She starts to read out loud, to herself but as she does..
Fade to: another time, another era…Dongowan…1920….
Patti
Oh what a great piece of history you found,,, I think it is any way….lol loved reading the bit about dancing,, must be so exciting to read it.. and the building is still beautiful. thank you for sharing.
Hugs;
Alaura
French! I love it. Will have to try that one day.
Loved the story as well. What a great find.
Love, love, love the jewellery. My everyday uniform used to be whatever I felt like. Now I have a job and it consists of jeans and a work T.
What a magnificent find! it would be amazing to read the first hand accounts of that time… and then to see the places connected with it too… wow!
I am trying this again! The first time I commented it was rejected.
I loved this post! Old people are so interesting and they all have a story!
Scribbler
You live a beautiful life!
I love reading your stories and seeing your pictures.
Your blog is such a great place to visit and escape life for a while!
Thank you for the generous give away!
My everyday wardrobe is jeans and a t shirt and flipflops.
hugz,Dolly
come visit
What a treasure. I smiled over the word rumpus. Did anyone else have a rumpus room in their home? We did! Nowadays, I guess kids go to the games room or family room…Thanks for the memory jog. Sue
i’m so jealous of coffee and a good read by the water…
I, too, thank you for sharing the little piece of heaven you found in the form of written memories! I always tell people I am an “old soul” that appreciates the traditions of days bygone. What a treasure!
Thank you for the trip back in time….it’s a pity it was disrupted by a “wet blanket”….
How great that you found that manuscript! I have always been drawn to stories from the past, as well. Reminds me of a building I am slightly “obsessed” with, but I will have to email that story to you, as it is a long one! lol
Enjoy the weekend!
How lovely it would be, at this time of year (Canadian end of winter) to sit on a beach somewhere with a hot drink and a good book. I am slightly envious! Lovely pictures of it, though, for me to look at and pretend I am there.