[2 October 1925] Lloyd Triestino Oct 2 Darling. Here we are comfortably installed and off in an hour. Pauline was quite invaluable at Victoria where there was a terrible crowd. I took John too and between them all we got ourselves into our carriages and all the luggage registered through to Trieste before my senders off appeared, Aunt Maisie, Blanche, Esme Dobbs, and Florence S.R [Spring Rice]. At Calais I found my reserved places and at Paris I was met by the Agent of the Southern Rly (thanks to Mr O'Connor, Father) who took me across to the Gare de Lyons and while we dined found Marie a comfortable place. Sylvia arrived half an hour before the train left - we shared a sleeper and are exceedingly happy together. At Brigne we were turned out into a first class carriage but we thought ourselves rather badly served when we found ourselves in a Milan [Milano] carriage and had to change again there. However, all went well and we managed to maintain control of all our baggage - even my umbrella. Having dined at 7 p.m. we got no more food till 12.30 next day, which was rather bad staff work. But we munched some chocolates and felt quite cheerful.
As I had registered through to Trieste we had no examination at the Italian customs. We reached Trieste at midnight and went straight on board with our small luggage, leaving a Lloyd agent to bring on our heavy luggage next day. This he has done and no customs again as the baggage was laBelled through to Beyrout [Beyrouth (Beirut)]. Wasn't that fine!

We felt excessively dirty but no stewardesses were up and there was no fresh water in our washing place. Eventually we found a bath where I washed in the water of Trieste port, feeling that it was anyhow cleaner than I was. Our cabin is alas an inside one but quite spacious. We got to bed at 1.30 and I slept like a top till Marie called me at 8. We got fresh water and had a proper wash, breakfasted, secured our deck chairs, saw our luggage on board and then walked into the town to buy a veil and some hat pins - it is, I regret to say, very windy, but not enough to matter on this big ship. It is packed full, not a berth empty. We saw the Vernons from time to time and they are on board, but they look much more mean than they did at Rounton and we don't think we shall like them much. As we are quite sufficient to ourselves this does not matter - we can always play bezique when we are tired of reading - indeed we did yesterday in the train.

I thought of you both arriving at 95 on Wed and I send you both more love than can be written on paper. You must think of us as very happy together - I can't be too glad that I've got Sylvia. She is an enchanting travelling companion. I read the Great Randolfo in the train yesterday and began Black Oxen - both very good. Goodbye my dearest parents. Gertrude.

Mother, dearest, I carry away such an exquisite memory of our weeks together. I feel as if I had never known before how much I love you. And I have been so immensely touched and moved by the courage and wisdom of both you and Father about the move to Mt Grace. I long to hear what Kent and Brydon have to say.