This is an extract from a piece of writing called Salt on the Windows by a member of the Historical Society JAN MACDONALD written for us for the back to Port Festival last year .Jan Reminises about her life in the 40's and 50's living at 42 Beach st. in a home called IRVINE.
What is that delicious aroma ? Swallow & Ariel are cooking their christmas puddings .
We are almost indifferent to the usual everyday biscuit baking aroma,but Christmas puddings smell really great .The kids all go to the back door of Swallows,for a sample.
STREAMERS. The tide has gone out again,leaving the beach covered in streamers,rotting onions and other food discarded by the ships as they leave Station Pier.Rats are having a feast .The seaweed is starting to rot in the sun ,the smell is terrible.
ANZAC DAY .Hundreds of poppies appear on the grass across the road from our house.Bands play in the rotunda further up Beach st and the returned soldiers march to the R.S.L. memorial for the service.The last post can be heard across the waters.
A former owner of the Wine Saloon in Beach St between Bay and Nott Sts had been an Italian bloke called "Killer Joe" as his wine was cheap and nearly killed you.
Oh good the dustman is coming.He backs up the lane ,banging the fences as the horses wait patiently and push the heavy cart backwards.Quite a feat.Collect the horse manure for the rhubarb .We have great rhubarb .
RODDA,S corner of Nott and Beach Sts. .Great puffs of white powder everywhere .They crush the rock for talcum powder .The kids all use it for chalk .The road nearby is always white.
Lois Daley Thursday 12th July 2001.