september 22nd 1907 unknown to christiana simpson

bexhill-on-sea, sussex to tunbridge wells, kent

31 miles

the message

"Dear

Just a card to let you know we arrived here safe. I feel rather lonely but the time will soon pass. We return to London on Friday. Don't forget the bike.

Love from 

??????"

the sender

The signature on the card cannot be deciphered.

the recipient

Christiana Simpson (1856-1934) was the daughter of William Simpson (1807-1864) and Isabella Normington (1814-1901). William was an agricultural labourer in Helmsley, Yorkshire.

In the 1911 census Christiana was living at the same address in Tunbridge Wells where she was a boarder. Her occupation is given as Ladies Maid. Christiana never married.

the places

Bexhill-on-sea, Sussex

Tunbridge Wells, Kent

what the card says to us

The picture shows a view of Bexhill-On-Sea which is where the card was posted.

The message is effectively an "arrived safely" at first and then becomes something else. Why is the sender lonely? Are they missing their friend Christiana? And what is the significance of the bike? Christiana is 51 years old. Is she travelling to work on a bike? Or has that word been misread as "bike".

And who has travelled to Bexhill-On-Sea and why? Is the sender another servant travelling with their employer?

So many questions.