User:OAnick/Stan&LilWorldCruise1976

In 2024 Charmaine and Nick discovered this diary kept by Lillian "Nana Shepp" documenting the World Cruise on SS Canberra in 1976.

Stanley and Lil were away for 3 months between January and April 1976 visiting:

Madeira, Florida,

Wednesday 7th January / Thursday 8th January

(Met Jose & Alex in the evening at the Dolphin Hotel)

Taxi 7:45

Nice surprise, Eric met us at Birmingham Station, lovely jellied eels for Stan, nice gesture.

Comfortable journey, carriage to ourselves. Stayed at Dolphin Hotel. Arrived aboard Canberra 11am. Stan stopped and searched by customs. Sat down to lunch 12:15am (sic). Captain announced bomb scare. Scotland yard & police on board, all confined to cabins for a while until public rooms and cabins searched.

Finally sailed at 5pm. Lovely and smooth. Nice couple to dine with, Pat & Stan Savin from Eastbourne. Booked hair appointment, very lucky.

Friday 9th January

Very pleasant day, brisk walk round the decks, decided to enrol in the deck games.

Very mild weather, pleasant day altogether.

Saw a show in the evening.

Saturday 10th January

Similar kind of day 56*

Just relaxed, reach Madeira tomorrow early morning.

Sunday 11th January

Enjoyable day in Madeira. All the big shops closed but lovely weather 60*. What a lovely sight from the ship Madeira with all the lights supposed to look like a woman’s throat wearing a necklace of diamonds.

Had shampoo & set. Steamer good(?)

Guessed the ships mileage from Madeira to noon today, won £1.50. The sea is 3 miles deep at this particular spot, off the Azores. 65* today, lunches served outside tomorrow. Captain’s cocktail party tonight 6pm.

Monday 12th January

Another pleasant day, just relaxed & walked our mile on the promenade deck. Another show in the evening, excellent entertainment, very polished. Like the crows nest bar for a later drink. Went to lecture on Everglades.

Tuesday 13th January

Weather better everyday, quite hot this afternoon, and a bit of sitting out. Went to yoga. Both feeling & looking rested & relaxed. Call my Bluff show in the evening, dancing cabaret as well.

Wednesday 14th January

Lovely morning, everyone dashed out to sunbathe. 10am heavy rain. Ladies evening tonight, am going to make a carnation for Stan. Have one of our bottles of champagne. An unusual sight, coming down from the gulf stream, the sea is full of Sargasso weed, we just touch the Sargasso sea, ship dipping quite a lot.

Thursday 15th January

Lovely day today, got to be careful, the sun is hot, sat out most of the morning. Stan is looking really well now, good colour. Quiet day today, may go to the pictures tonight. Enjoyed our ladies night with Pat & Stan, they really are a nice couple, we thank our lucky stars we have them as table companions, we have some good laughs.

Friday 16th January

In the 70s today, everyone out and playing on deck. Had a lovely morning. 4 hrs back now. 300 mls S of Bermuda & 540 mls N of the Virgin Isles. Buffet on deck now. At noon a whale embedded itself on the bows of the ship which had to stop & bring in the stabilisers(?) and reverse the whale which was a pretty messy sight. Wild West gambling saloon tonight.

Saturday 17th January

Not so good. The weather is v windy and have had heavy showers, managed to get a couple of hours on deck sheltered. We arrive at Fort Lauderdale early tomorrow morning, hope it is nice there. Done my cards for the girls, makes me feel a bit miserable when I think of them at home especially my babies.

Sunday 18th January

Loved Fort Lauderdale, friendly people. Thoroughly enjoyed the ride on the launch on the keys of ??? Miami, what beautiful houses, didn’t take many pictures but bought a book on it, so that is better. Had a letter from Philip & Katherine, lovely. Look forward to one from Charmaine next. Tired but happy.

Monday 19th January

Went on a Miami tour by bus very impressive, but a concrete jungle. Everything is gauged by the mighty dollar & the bus was so hot. The weather here is cold, the coldest for 18(?) years they say. Sailed at 7 am.

Tuesday 20th January

Quiet day, warm but cloudy. Had my hair done and relaxed in general. Bingo snowball over £300 in kitty. Stan still trying. South Sea Island night tonight.

Wednesday 21st January

Lovely day weatherwise, not done much, sunbathed etc.

Thursday 22nd January

Another lovely day. Today we reach Cristobal, Panama at 3pm. Have been warned to go ashore with a few together so we will go with Pat & Stan.

Had a walk ashore just for 2 hrs, quite enjoyed it very hot.

Panamanian dancer came on board.

Friday 23rd January

We started to go through the Panama Canal at 9am., took us 15 hrs 3 locks. What a wonderful experience. Such a big ship as the Canberra, there wasn’t much space, but believe QE2 almost touches the sides. Rather cloudy very hot in the afternoon. Saw a show after dinner, re brochure(?) Good day 83*F.

Saturday 24th January

Lovely & sunny very hot, done yoga & sunbathed, walked etc. Mexican night tonight. Turtles, porpoise & flying fish we are off Costa Rica. This evening the entertainment staff put on a good show 83*F.

Sunday 25th January

Quiet day, beautiful weather off the Mexican coast. Blue sky calm sea & balmy breezes. Saw a school of Porpoise today. Burns night tonight but I think we might go to the pictures.

Telly Sevalas

Acapulco tomorrow & that will be all go.

Monday 26th January

2 letters one each from my girls.

Arrived at Acapulco noon. Early lunch and then out on the tender. Walk round the shops & then on our tour around. Very nice, beautiful bay & saw the diving from the cliffs, marvellous. Beautiful hotel. Acapulco Princess. Superb. Golf courses. Expensive. Very hot 91*F. Very enjoyable, don’t think I would care to stay here though. Very busy, colourful.

Tuesday 27th January

85*F.

Back to sea, lovely weather getting quite brown, some people are nearly black already. Only did yoga & our mile round the decks, lazy day. We do enjoy our food but don’t overeat. Went to see Telly Sevalas film. Had a couple of drinks & bed.

Wednesday 28th January

74*F

Another perfect day, much cooler though, but very pleasant, will get cooler now. L.A. on Friday and apparently could be quite chilly there. Don’t expect to sunbathe for about a week.

Thursday 29th January

Been very luck with the weather today, very bright & sunny, sat out after yoga. Saw 3 baby whales. Due to the shallow water of this 50 mls wide bay (Sebastian Vizcaino Bay) it is a well known breeding ground for whales. Enter harbour entrance at L.A. at 6:30 am tomorrow. The ship is rolling a bit. Our cabin steward Isby(?) is a real character & so is our table steward Joe. Farewell show tonight, new guests coming aboard.

Letter from Charmain, lovely. Look forward to my letters so much.

Friday 30th January

Went to Longbeach in the morning with Pat & Stan, travelled by bus, had a good laugh & saw some nice shops. Afternoon tour round city, great. Beverley Hills, Hollywood, L.A., Sunset Strip. Back just in time for dinner, busy day, but very interesting & enjoyable. L.A. much bigger than we imagined.

Saturday 31st January

Walked down to Porto Calle(?) nice little place, quaint shops full of souven (sic - souvenirs?) bought a nice little Indian doll. Sailed at noon, & have hit a real smog, was lovely when we left L.A. San Francisco 6am tomorrow morning. We are up early every morning, breakfast 7:15am tomorrow.

2 letters, one each from Charmain & Kath

Sunday 1st February

Docked Frisco 6am, had my letters by 7am. Out on tour at 9am, lovely, lovely day. Historical California. Through the whole of Frisco, over the Santa Cruz mountains, up to Roaring Camp & big trees, Redwood trees. Went round on the narrow gauge railway, engine from 1890. Had Western style lunch to music, perfect day weatherwise as well. Went wine tasting and saw the fruit markets. Beautiful fruit & veg really cheap, 1p great big orange. Chinatown in the evening, ??? ??? [can’t make out last 2 words]

Monday 2nd February

Walked to Fishermans Wharf, caught a cable car & went shopping, lovely shops, but nothing caught my eye, keep saying get that in Hong Kong. Very enjoyable morning, came back by cable car as well, quite an experience. Done such a lot, pictures tonight if we can keep our eyes open. Sailed at one for Honolulu.

Tuesday 3rd February

Not such a nice day, cloudy & chilly, so brisk walk, yoga etc, & time has gone quite quickly. Went to Captain’s cocktail party. Cpt. Chester, entertained by Willie, an engineer from Scotland, good laugh, then a show, new lot not really clear(?) Had a couple of drinks in the Crow’s Nest Bar.

Wednesday 4th February

Much better today, lovely morning on deck, yoga, walk etc as per usual, 4 times round the promenade deck is 1 mile, most days we do 2 miles, must exercise.

Thursday 5th February

Not so good, just walk today, quite cloudy, Honolulu tomorrow, weather quite choppy. Had a nice day though, can’t really grumble yet, we have only had a shower in almost a month now.

Friday 6th February

Lovely long letter from Charmain & Nicky’s pictures.

Arrived in Honolulu to a terrible storm, apparently it has been raging for some days. Canberra had to anchor out because a tender had run aground in the harbour, it was about 11:15am when we got in. Rained hard most of the day & visibility was bad. Had a ride to the shops, 150 of them, very good. Sailed at 12.

Saturday 7th February

Lousy day Hawaii monsoon weather still with us the ship has been tossing quite a lot, heavy rain and mist. Confined to the ship, rotten. Went to see ‘Brannigan’ at the cinema in the evening, good. Then we watched the Hawaiin cabaret in the Benito, had a drink and went to bed.

Sunday 8th February

Lovely morning, beautiful day. Sun bathed most of the day. Apart from yoga & meals, walking etc. Saw a very big school of porpoise either side of the ship.

Monday 9th February

Similar day. Lovely weather. Had crossing the dateline ceremony.

Tuesday 10th February

Same again. Perfect day.

Wednesday 11th February

Started the day well 84*F at 8am. Turned cloudy, had my hair done. Stan won £11 at the bingo. Lose Thurs, dock at Java tomorrow. Friday 13th. Hope the weather is good.

Thursday 12th February

Lost day.

Friday 13th February

Played “Post Horn Gallop”, “In the Mood”, “Berkeley Square”

93*F Lovely long letter from Kath. One from Mary.

Arrived at Java 7am, beautiful day. Toured round in taxi, such rich growth, Avocado pears the lot. Shopped in the afternoon, got a few good buys. Seed pearl for one. 5pm the Fijian police band played for 1 hr until we sailed at 6pm. What a fantastic experience. They love the British. “Now is the hour”, “Always be an England”. Very moving, wouldn’t have missed that for the world. Wonderful day.

Saturday 14th February

Quite a breeze today & at noon the sea is getting quite choppy. Busy morning yoga after an hr on deck. Washing & ironing ¾ hour. Afternoon turned out good, sat on deck most of the afternoon really hot. Went to the stadium in the evening very good show, had a drink & bed.

Sunday 15th February

Beautiful day really hot not a cloud, sunbathed etc our usual routine.

Auckland tomorrow hope the weather is like this, reckon they have had bad weather & strong winds. Saw another show, early night because we have an early start, we dock at 7:30am.

Monday 16th February

4 letters, Charmaine, Katherine, Doris & Jose (great)

The weather has held, we had a tour through the Waitakere Range, all bushland, English looking trees & plants with tropical ones mixed in., could see Auckland sprawling all round from the top. Looked at the city & shops in the afternoon, very impressive, but goods not up to standard. New Zealanders filled the ship at night. Good send off. Sailed 11pm.

Tuesday 17th February

Weather still great, have to do some chores though, only 2 days to Sydney. 4 pairs of Albatross followed the ship all day. Enjoyed our evening entertainment, very good artists.

Wednesday 18th February

Had all to be inspected by the Doc, forearms and foreheads & the Purser has to hold our passports here. Still gorgeous weather, hair done this afternoon. Sunbathed. Farewell performance from the artists who are leaving at Sydney. Heard that they are having thunderstorms there.

Thursday 19th February

Arrived Sydney early. Lots of people got off. Most impressive harbour. Letter from Charmain. Went to the Opera House, Botanical Gardens etc. Weather perfect & then 4pm clouded over, dashed to ship. Thunderstorms all round. Walked round in the evening, still raining. Hope it is better tomorrow, having a taxi round with Charles & Dolly.

Friday 20th February

Cloudy weather to start. Went round Sydney in the taxi. He was very good. English driver from Southend. Jewish. Bondi beach, very nice quite ordinary. The rocks very impressive, the convicts built all this part. Started raining hard. Very murky, cooler. Went round the shopping area after lunch. 2 shirts and koala bears, rubbishy(?) Lots of Aussie visitors on in the evening, no bars open to them.

Saturday 21st February

Pouring rain again. Went on the hydrofoil across the bay to Manly, rough ride. Mainly fine very pleasant, nice beach shops etc. Back to the ship for lunch 12:30 pm. Sailed at 2pm. Loads of Aussies to see us off & a great number embarked. We are off to Rabaul now, following the New South Wales coast.

Sunday 22nd February

Not a good day for weather apparently we have got on the fringe of Hurricane Beth, hitting New South Wales, cocktail party cancelled, everything cancelled. The sky is the same colour as the sea, no skyline. Any(way)? we did very well, had a rest in the cabin in the afternoon, worst day we have had for weather on the sea. 8pm we entered the coral sea and everything went calm, hope it’s nice tomorrow.

Monday 23rd February

Lovely weather most of the day, showery but hot. Usual routine. Went to Commodore’s cocktail party, met amongst others some nice Australians from Manly. Went to see “Earthquake” not bad & then watched them judging hats(?)

Tuesday 24th February

Weather similar sunny hot showery. Turned quite miserable late afternoon. Rabaul tomorrow.

Wednesday 25th February

Pouring rain at Rabaul. Got wet but enjoyed our tour. Beautiful place & we saw such a lot re brochure. Never been so wet. The sports club was good & they gave us fresh fruit of every kind, sandwiches etc. ?? cocoa bean. Dancers came on in the late afternoon. Excellent. Enjoyable day despite the monsoon weather. Sailed at 6. Weather fine.

Thursday 26th February

Good weather but hot 91* at 8am. Rather humid. Usual day, they pass so quickly. Breakfast 1 ½ hours in the sun. Yoga, drinks, lunch, sun. Bingo for Stan writing, washing or ironing etc for me and lectures in between. Saw the show in the stadium. Very, very hot, had a drink & bed.

Friday 27th February

Good weather but 10* cooler. More pleasant. Usual day. Stan had a letter from Commodore Woolly asking him to help to keep a group together in China, just to keep people together in their groups & to let him know. Of course he said yes. Enjoying the gorgeous weather. Saw Michael Rowlats(?) in Benito in the evening, very nice.

Saturday 28th February

Another beautiful day, sunbathe etc. Stan had another letter from the Purser asking him to go to the deputy Captain’s cabin for a few mins to discuss what they are to do & he’s grateful for their help. Very humid in the evening, too hot to be in a crowd, just had a quick drink in the Crow’s Nest bar.

Sunday 29th February

Similar day.

Monday 1st March

Weather changed late afternoon, we have had a good run. Hong Kong tomorrow so everyone is very busy organising themselves for going ashore. We are going to be busy. Have to pack a case for Canton, to be picked up noon tomorrow, so early night tonight.

Tuesday 2nd March

Two letters from my girls, lovely, & more super pictures my babies are growing up. Stan had a little meeting concerning his group in the Crystal Room at 8:15am, so I had to go to breakfast alone & he joined me later. Hectic day, Hong Kong is super for shopping, fairly put a full day in & did very, very well, in bed for 10 have to be up at 5am.

Weather cooler & cloudy ?? good for shopping etc.

Up at 5am breakfast at 5:45 on our way for 8am.

Wednesday 3rd March

Chinese girl took us to the border, she carried a red flag. No 3. Bus & 2 trains, a bit of waiting to get over the border but everyone was charming. Our new guide met us at Canton border at(?) 10:00(?) Reached the hotel about 1:30pm. Nice big room. Lunch Childrens Palace. Dinner was a banquet. Marvellous reception. Mosquito nets down on our beds. Exhausted have to be out for 8:15 tomorrow.

Thursday 4th March

Early call, visited a commune, back at 12:30 & then visited an ivory factory, absolutely fascinating. Friendship shop, supper goods, so cheap, only ¾ hour. Dinner & then off at 7pm to the Friendship theatre. Chinese acrobats. Fabulous. Tired out. Stan is treated like a Lord & we have some nice people. Fell in bed at 10pm out at 8am in the morning.

Weather cool and rained hard tonight, but we have been lucky

Friday 5th March

Hotel Ying Yang(?) Bingham. Pan Hisi Restaurant. Weather cool.

Another early call and off for 8am to see the primary school. Another superb reception. Very interesting, teaching English, everything.. Presented Stan with a huge bunch of silk roses, but he had to give the ladies some. Restaurant for 11:30am. Huge lunch, superb, but we can’t eat it. Chinese people in crowds to see us. Back on the bus for 1pm & journey home to Canberra for 5:30pm. Dinner at 6:30pm & last ???? as ???? for last ????. Fast asleep for 10 never felt us sail at 11:00pm.

Saturday 6th March

Back to lovely weather, had quite a lot of sun today & rested. Had my hair done & did some washing. Everyone chatting about Canton. Not all enjoyed it. We thought it a wonderful experience. Saw a few of our group & they called “group flee”. Really discussed it with Pat & Stan, they enjoyed it. Pictures tonight all being well. Only two more days and we are in Singapore.

Sunday 7th March

Days much the same at sea, nothing unusual has happened, hair done etc. Weather picked up again, beautiful but hot and humid, it can change quickly with a heavy downpour & then clear.

Monday 8th March

Similar kind of day, early to bed tonight. Singapore tomorrow. Stan had a letter from Cpt Chester thanking him for helping him out.

Tuesday 9th March

No mail for the first time. Arrived 8am. Went on a tour of the city, saw Tiger gardens, House of Jade. Botanical gardens, wood carving. All the big buildings. After lunch 6 of us went into town, had tea in Raffles Hotel, bought a bag on wheels. Boiling in th morning, rained about 3, just a shower. Enjoyable day, dances in the evening, had a drink with D & G, P & S. Went to visit a friend here. Had an invite to Cpt’s cabin for drinks.

Wednesday 10th March

Back to normal & super weather. Very hot but nice breeze, done my washing and ironing. Worried about what Stan will wear tomorrow for drinks with Cpt Chester. He has invited the group leaders & wives to his cabin from 12pm to 12:45pm. Very nice of him.

Thursday 11th March

Weather very consistent now. 87*F more or less all the time. Yoga with new yogi, he’s very good. Our visit to Cpt’s cabin was a huge success & thank goodness we were dressed right. Made quite a few friends here. Left at 1pm and had 2nd lunch. Enjoyed the rest of the day and went to see “????” at the cinema in the evening, not much. We are up early & get tired in the evening.

Friday 12th March

Same glorious weather, still have to be careful in the sun. We like early mornings up to about 10:30am & break our day up so. Some New Zealander won the £450 snowball at bingo. Bill & Elsie from Shropshire are joining us in our taxi at Colombo tomorrow, should be good they are a nice couple.

Saturday 13th March

Letter from Kath & all is well, good to hear from home, off for 9:15am, had a super day, our friends good company. Had a look round Colombo, visited a temple, manufacturers of semi & precious stones. Batik store & Mt Lavinia, had a swim, lunch & then a ride on an outrigger contraption, for 50 mins out to the reef, great. Everyone here wants an apple, can’t get them, very tired with the heat. Everyone bought elephants, not me.

Sunday 14th March

Still gorgeous weather, have had a relaxed day, only done my washing & diary, just layed in the sun & the shade, no yoga on Sunday. Chatted to everyone about Colombo, they all seemed to enjoy it all. Very poor dilapidated place though, it could do with a good spring clean & there is a lot of poverty, yet they all seem to smile & make hay while the ship was in.

Monday 15th March

Still glorious weather, love to sit & stare at the sea, perfect blue sky & blue sea, flying fish in big shoals now, lovely sight. Stan got the flu coming on I think but he won’t see the doctor, will have to see how he goes, lots of people with flu.

Tuesday 16th March

Kathryn’s birthday. Weather continues perfect, Stan says he feels better, throat not as sore. Will see. Had my hair done & missed yoga. We have a new chap, yogi, not sure about him yet.

Similar day, beautiful here in the Indian Ocean, haven’t seen a ship for a few days.

Wednesday 17th March

Stan went to see the Doc & he has given him antibiotics, linctus etc. He went to bed this afternoon, had no lunch or dinner, hope he is ok. I went down to my meals, was ok with Stan & Pat. Went to bed early although they asked to go for a drink with them.

Thursday 18th March

Charmaine’s birthday.

Stan full of flu & another day in bed, but he had a cheese roll in the evening I brought up from the dining room. Everyone asked about him. Another early night. Seem to need such a lot of sleep being out in the air all day I suppose.

Mombasa tomorrow.

Friday 19th March

91* F ashore.

Stan much better, had breakfast and a walk into town with Charles & Dolly, just had a look round, terribly hot. Not much here only wooden ornaments, elephants etc. Had a drink & watched all the scene, enjoyed that, so many beggars here though made me feel funny. After lunch Stan rested then we bartered for wooden masks on the quay, good fun.

Saturday 20th March

Weather continues rather unpleasant, little breeze. Stan much better now, little listless. 1 ½ hrs in the sun then i go to yoga & he had a lay down & then my washing and writing up to lunch time. There was a Japanese girl stabbed on shore yesterday for her handbag. 7 stitches in her hand. Another lady had her bag stolen and a man of about 70 collapsed and died on shore, quite a day.

Sunday 21st March

Down now through the Mozambique channel, past Zanzibar & through the doldrums, mixed weather, showery (heavy) & sunshine.

Monday 22nd March

Durban tomorrow, storm blew up at 4pm & the sea has become quite rough.

Tuesday 23rd March

letter from Charmaine & letter & Mothers’ day card from Kath.

Card from Mary.

Had a tour round as usual, lovely garden city, saw the Indian market, quite an experience. Had a roam round the shops, hot but quite pleasant for sightseeing. Had very heavy rain here Fri, Sat & Sun causing flooding, 200 poor people homeless. Sea water polluted with sewage. Beaches closed, glad we missed that lot. Shortage of water through burst water mains & land slides.

Wednesday 24th March

Interesting to see how the blacks are segregated from the whites, their own beaches, busses, bars, toilets etc but they mingle together in the streets. Had a look at South Beach & a lovely meal at the Fairhaven Hotel, one of the nicest cooked meals ever had. Had a band to see us off, not much atmosphere.

80*F

Thursday 25th March

Lot to do today, quite a lot of washing after 2 days ashore, yoga etc, had a drink with C & D & bed, to be up and breakfast 7:30am.

Friday 26th March

Beautiful flowers from my kids for Mother’s day. Super surprise. Anthuriums. Red heart shaped petals and huge stamen.

Very hot & dry.

2 nice long letters from my girls, had to wait for them, Canberra couldn’t dock because of cross winds and the mail was late. Got it before we went ashore. The delay cut down our time here but we saw a lot, most beautiful view from Signal Hill round to the Point & different bays. Indian Ocean on one side and Atlantic on the other, plan to come back here. Table mountain, 12 Apostles, Lion Rock, beautiful clean air. Fabulous flower market & super shops. Enjoyable day. Sailed at 12 but we were in bed exhausted.

Saturday 27th March

Back at sea now.

7 days to Dakar, hope the weather is better, quite cool & cloudy today, but we managed some fresh air. Did a lot of washing & getting quite good at yoga.

Sunday 28th March

Sunday weather half & half, sunny in the afternoon. Commodore Wooley’s cocktail party, very good, we knew the people we were with. Went to the stadium & saw John Hanson, excellent. Had a drink with D & C. Stan tried for the snowball £450 but a chap from the Isle of Man won.

Monday 29th March

Changeable day but quite hot, cool breeze, very pleasant.

Similar day.

Tuesday 30th March

Very hot

Wednesday 31st March

Very hot

Thursday 1st April

Pleasant but quite hot.

Friday 2nd April

Quite windy but hot.

Saturday 3rd April

3 letters, Doris, Kath & Charmaine.

Went round the town market etc, looked at the wooden wares on the quay. Great big men & tall women all in long robes, very forceful people. Went to the fishing village in the afternoon (Cayor) very interesting, but so many children begging. Has a good laugh in our coach when the guide gave us a song. Very nice weather here, more handbags snatched.

Sunday 4th April

Weather cooling down now, quite windy at sea & so only had 1 hrs fresh air & then filled the day in various ways.

Monday 5th April

Letter from Kath, card & letter from Mary.

Tenerife, weather quite pleasant but cool, did the usual walk round in the morning & had a taxi to Puerta de la Cruz in the afternoon. Very built up here now, looks much smaller than I remember it, but with D & C we enjoyed our day.

Tuesday 6th April

Weather cooler still 59*F, done quite a bit of packing, washing ironing etc.