Item 01: Sir Charles Rosenthal diary, 25 September 1914-31 December 1918 - Page 397
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[Page 397]
Wednesday 20th March
Passed Lyons about 4.30 AM, and reached Marseilles about 11.30 AM Breakfast at 7.30 AM and lunch at 11 AM. The Rhone Valley is exceedingly pretty and at the present time so gay with fruit tree blossoms. The villages and towns en route remind me very much of Cairo and Alexandria or rather one realises how much of French influence and character there is in the two towns referred to.
From Toulon the journey along the Riviera is intensely interesting. While the coastal scenery and mountain effects are not one whit better than much of our Australian country, yet the vivid colouring of the water and the distinctive character of the valleys and towns together with the sub-tropical foliage and paten life makes the whole ensemble very pleasant to look upon. From the railway one gets a fair general view of water scape and land scape, something of Cannes, Nice, Monaco, Monte Carlo and finally Menton which latter place we reached at 8.30 PM, one hour late. The latter part of the journey in particular was very tiring tho' a few games of bridge helped to relieve us. It was raining rather heavily when we reached our destination. Cars were waiting for us to take us to Cap Martin Convalescent Home – and at 9.30 PM we sat down to a very nice and much appreciated dinner. I have a magnificent room (with Bath and Sitting room adjoining) overlooking the blue Mediterranean. To bed at 10.30 PM dead tired.
Thursday 21st March
A treat to have a fine hot bath. Breakfast at 8.30 AM after which I made my "bow" to the Commandant and listened to his words of wisdom concerning regulations etc. Then at 10 AM I reported to the Doctor under whose care I am. He duly sounded me and reports my lungs quite sound. Possibly I may need three weeks here. Gen. Hart (late of 4th N.Z. Brigade is here together with two other Generals and we four have a table allotted to us. At 10.30 Gen. Hart and myself walked to Menton, he to make a call, and for myself to call on General Monash who is staying at the Regina Place Hotel. He was not in so I left a note for him.
Walked back to the Home in time for lunch. Quite a pleasant stroll along the Esplanade. After lunch I thoroughly reconnoitred the grounds surrounding the Home and walked along the