Locality

Living in Claudelands was an urban experience, activities centred on Hamilton, went to St Andrews Sunday school and Bible Class, primary school at Hamilton East School, then went to Hamilton West school before going to Hamilton High School, played sports for the different schools over the weekend.

Didn't really have community halls in the Claudelands area, or any other area; which meant most activities were centred on Hamilton Central.

Walked to town, about a mile away. Walked to school, occasionally caught the bus to school when it rained, "But you probably got just as wet getting to the bus because the bus didn't come to our street" Walked to church. Went on holiday by train.

Father had a car which he was always tinkering with, occasionally went on holiday by car but her father rarely went on holiday.

Father away from home a lot, working on boats and dredges, sometimes only home in the weekends - sometimes not even then. Went to places like Raglan once her father was working in Hamilton. Didn't go on holiday every year.

If their father was home he would take them to school on a very wet day. Her mother was the first woman to get a taxi licence in New Zealand so she still drove occasionally, would take them to school if their father was away.

Father had a motor bike as well.

Got a taxi to the station if father was away, "...in those days Hamilton and Frankton

Stations were really busy, and there were masses of trains going to and from Auckland and passing through all the time.

---