Postcards From My Grandmother (2/6)

Tintern Abbey, Monmouthshire

The second postcard from Ma came hot on the heels of the first one.

It features Tintern Abbey in Wales, a country that my grandmother had a strong affection for. I remember she said she wandered around a small Welsh town befriending anyone with the name Jones as they could be long-lost relatives.

When I look at this postcard, I have many questions. I wonder when this photo was taken? What camera did they use? Was it shot on slide film?

Heading back even further in time, was this the same view that William Wordsworth had when he wrote his lines composed a few miles above Tintern Abbey?

The postcard

Dear Matthew

I am having lunch in the town of Ludlow right now. Our tour has been changed a little we passed through Tintern in Wales and viewed this ruined abbey.

I’ll tell you about it when I get back, we cross the border into Wales later in the day. I am getting quite a few nice badges for you to sew on whereever.

Tell Mummy I am about to start another letter to her. We had a great night last night at a Welsh National Festival. I hope everyone is well, I posted a card to Nana yesterday, I’ll ring again sometime just don’t know when. Bye-bye for now love x Ma x

Ma mentions her mother Nana, who would’ve been in her late 80s when the postcard was sent. I remember visiting her with my Mum and sister in a little basement flat in Spring Hill. She had a pet cockatoo in a cage she called ‘Cocky’.

While on tour, Ma bought cloth badges for me and spoons for my sister. You don’t see much of either of these souvenirs in stores anymore.

The post mark on the postcard reads Shropshire and Mid Wales. Years later I would live in Shropshire, but more about that another time.

Matt

P.S. I’m working on lots of new posts with new travel photos, and even a new Substack. Stay tuned!