1944 – Richmond, Berkhamsted

In 1944, Edward is 68 years old, Kate is 65 years old and Alys is 60 years old. Eva is 35 years old and Philip is 31 years old (Alys and Dennis’ daughter and son). James is 6 years old (Eva and Teddy’s son) and Eve (Eva and Teddy’s’ daughter (my mother)) is 4 years old.

---

Katharine Boyd
Layton Manor
West Layton
Richmond
Yorks

Nat. Reg. Iden. No. JHPE16/6
Tel. No. (Private) East Layton 10

In event of an accident please notify:
Philip Embleton Esq.
Ashridge Hospital
Berkhamsted, Hert.
Phone: Little Gaddesden 3191

Saturday 1^st January 1944

Fineish. Mild.
Stewed plums (bottled). Wrote Alys at 9.30. 2^nd day of Fast. D. Brown phoned at 11. A Major and a Lieutenant of Signals came over the house. Baden showed them. 3 baked apples at 1. Rested on sofa 2 – 3.20. Tomato juice at 3..50. To the Brown’s in car at 4. Had apple for tea. Wrote Lucy. In garden. Phil phoned 5.15 as I came home to say he and Alys coming on Monday. Knitted edge of cold jumper. “The Late Christopher Bean” with Edith Evans, Edward Chapman. Prunes in evening.

Sunday 2^nd January 1944

Windy, mild, fine.
Lit fire in nursery and put Phil’s mattress to air. 3^rd day of Fast. Filled bottles for Alys’ bed. Baden sawed corner of ham off and I put it to soak. To garden, got grapes. Last? Apples, prunes and tomato juice for meals. Lay on sofa in p.m. Listened to Soviet play “13”. Darned and knitted. Kept up fire and airing pillow all day. Cooked apples and prunes. P.S. by an Air Transport man.

Monday 3^rd January 1944

Mild. Darkish.
Made Phil’s bed. 4^th day of Fast. Cooked corner of ham. Got out towels. Mrs Peacock lit fires and cleaned around. Had apples and tomatoes and prunes only. Baden to meet Alys and Phil in car at Richmond 3.45. I getting tea laid and made porridge. They came 4.15. had coffee. Talked. Montgomery’s farewell to 8^th Army Italy. To bed 9.30 or so after News and hot bottle filling.

Tuesday 4^th January 1944

Very fine.
5^th day of Fast. Did tomatoes through sieve. In garden with Phil at 12.49. Got potatoes, opened tin prunes and cooked. Rested 1.30 – 3. Slept. Out to Holt. Barnes, Gill, Dob, O’Brien. Back. We sat and talked till about 7 then I lay on sofa with hot bottles as I felt sick and rather queer. Brains Trust. Hogg very angry. To bed after News.

Wednesday 5^th January 1944

Fine. Colder.
6^th day of Fast. Stayed in bed dozing till 12. Alys and Phil to Barnard Castle in car. Got up. Shower bath, dressed. Had stewed apples. Gave dogs dinner. Read paper. Alys and Philip back 2.15 (had lunch at Morritt Arms). A Lieutenant and R.S.M. Signals came and looked over everything. I rested till 5.30. Alys made Kromeskies. Reading “The Last Enemy” Hillary.

Thursday 6^th January 1944

Mild. Fine.
7^th day of Fast. Up at 9. Alys and Phil breakfasted from 9.45. They in car to Richmond to get licenses and chocolate (watch shop shut, cleaners open). I got dogs dinners. Read “The Last Enemy” Richard Hillary. Rested 2 hours on bed in p.m. Phil ran his green (renewed) engine. Blain made keys (or found) to fit 3 bedrooms. O’Brien for 2lb coffee. Gathered sticks. War Commentary Admiral James – dull.

Friday 7^th January 1944

Mild. Fineish.
8^th day of Fast. Out to get apples. Didn’t do much else. Baden and Alys tidying up for army. Rested 2 hours p.m. Wrote “Private” notices for our bedroom doors. Ate only apples, prunes, Appela, Vacon. Talk on the new jet-propelled aircraft on wireless. Whittle inventor. Eczema still baddish, in spite of fasting, so very depressed. Dennis phoned.

Saturday 8^th January 1944

9^th day of Fast. “Signals” marching in. Going round with Blain. Alys and I moved my mattress into my room. I put up “Private” on doors. Apples and prunes, Vecon. Rested, own room. Alys fishcakes for their supper and boiled ham. Doubts as to army keeping coke stove going. They didn’t come in today. Talk and knitting. Phil told about his pharmacy exam, with Dunlop.

Memo:
Pickin overdue. Wrote Pickin 7^th
Wrote for car licence with £10 cheque
3^rd Weight 7st 11 ½ lb
8^th Weight 7st 7 ½ lb (lost 12lbs in fast).

Sunday January 9^th 1944

Dull and mild.
“Signals” came in at 9.30 a.m. Had coffee and milk and apple and felt sick after. In garden with Phil to get sprouts. To Blain’s about stove. Talked to Signal’s cook about Zeus and past-time. Phil wrote Major Bunch about latrines and woods. Rested (baked apple at 1). Phil ran his engine. Only had water and Vecon rest of day.

Monday January 10^th 1944

Very hard frost. Fine. Sunny.
Soldier came about going on roof. Phil up there with them (nest in chimney). Hot milk and apples for breakfast. Out to garden; talked to R.W.B’s. Phil went later and talked to Mrs R.W. Rested, slept in p.m. Peacock cleaned. Alys arrange for her not to have her teas here. Stewed some apples and had them, and milk. Wardle to talk to Phil. Alys did beef sandwiches for Phil. They to cellar for port. Did up 3 books for posting to Ashridge.

Tuesday January 11^th 1944

Very, very cold. Dark.
Up 6.45 (Alys up at 6.15.) Alys, Phil and I in car at 7.45 to Darlington. Saw Phil off to King’s Cross 8.52 train. Had our hair cut, Binns. Got dandelion coffee. Posted books for Phil. Home 11.30. Had coffee and Ryvita. Alys wrote Kit in Edinburgh about coming here. Rested p.m. Then at 3.15 to Barnes, Holt, Dimmock, Dobinson’s (scabies?) Did 8 posters for Whist Drive in evening after supper of kidney soup, stewed prunes (cold bacon lunch-tea).

Wednesday January 12^th 1944

Milder. Lighter.
Letter about Ginx. Alys slept on till 12. Wire from Kitty. R.P. I wrote Poz about Ginx and Doz. Alys made beef on gravy and fried potatoes for 1 o’clock. Rested 2 hours in p.m. Alys preparing Eva’s bedroom for Kitty. “Marching On” about Polish “underground” government.

Thursday 13^th January 1944

Mild. Windy.
Red Cross message from Aunt Bella, dated September 20^th, Brussels. Made candy for bees. Out to get lettuces and apples. Alys doing room for Kitty. Ceiling paper in Aly’s room fell off. Alys made egg, tomato, cheese, onion dish in oven for lunch. Lovely. Made scofa (me: brown soda bread made from Scofa flour) but not cooked enough. Peacock cleaned Kitty’s room. I slept on bed. Miss Peacock and Elsie in till 7.15. Supper of ham and salad after. Wrote a message to Aunt Bella. War Commentary by Strachey. Mended Kim’s basket.

Friday 14^th January 1944

Fine. Mildish.
Laundry. To garden. Picked lettuces (under vines) and chrysanthemums. Alys doing Kitty’s room and made lovely hash for dinner. Made Wardle’s mince-pie too. We both cleaned still-room a good bit. I rested 3 to 4.30. Wrote Bruce Green with my spectacles and Alys’ lorgnettes. Cold ham supper and prunes.

Saturday 15^th January 1944

Very fine. Fog in valleys.
Made custard and Alys made trifle. Mrs Peacock came 10 – 12.45 cleaned sitting-room, Zeus’ room. Fire in Killing Room. Stew and mince-pie at 1. At 2, I in car (and Mrs Blain) to Richmond. To clockmaker’s and to Post Office. Parcels Bruce Green, Phil’s sponge. Got petrol and sausages. Met Kitty at 3.45. Drove back in very thick cold fog. Tea. Talk. Talk. Tomato egg cheese pie (Alys made in p.m.) and trifle. Talk and to bed at 9.45. Kitty brought us each a jumper of Patty’s.

Memo:
15^th Red Cross message Aunt Bella arrived
9^th Signals came in
12^th Heard that Ginx died December 29^th 1943
11th Heard from Kitty that George in England (back from 8^th Army).
15^th Kit comes 3.45.

Mr Churchill back from Marrakech (and pneumonia).
“Pravda” published – rumour of separate place and English meeting. Ribbentrop in Spain.

Sunday 16^th January 1944

Fine. Cold. Frosty.
Kitty sat by fire in my green slippers (lambswool) all day: I out in garden, for sprouts. Alys cooked mutton and vegetables and made gooseberry fool for supper. Rested in p.m. on bed. Kit did too. Alys and she had tea. All talked by fire. Recipes, potatoes and Betty Alford. The Vicar, Manning. Kit phoned Major McDermid. I did buttered eggs supper (bottled raspberries and custard for dinner).

Monday 17^th January 1944

Very thick fog a.m. Fine p.m. and milder.
All up and breakfast 7. Blain drove Kitty and me to Darlington in fog. Started 7.45. Arrived Darlington 8.55 but 8.52 train not in! So Kit caught it. We bought slippers for Alys. Home and had sausages, kidneys. Trifle at 11.40. I had long sleep in p.m. Alys phoned Eva (Will Cave cut her?) Mrs Peacock cleaned halls and stairs. We sat and talked and Monday Night at 8. Ham and salad and raspberries and cake supper. To bed 9.40.

Tuesday 18^th January 1944

Mild, lovely day.
Out and got lettuces from middle bed in house. Tomatoes and cleared out the drawers. Made scalloped tomatoes and had them with Alys’ lovely mince and treacle tart. Rested 2.15 – 3.15. To Dimmock, Holt, Barnes’ – Sir John Blunt there and Mrs Hodgens in. To Gell and Dobinson and O’Brien. Alys sent off eggs to Eva and chocolate to Phil and rang up Gwen. I made shape of gooseberries and cornflour.

Wednesday 19^th January 1944

Very mild. Fine.
Set spice buns with yeast by oven. Planning alteration of stove and shelves with Alys. We made egg and bacon pie. Had it for lunch and gooseberry jelly. Rested in p.m. Baden and Ken in to saw shelves and move cooking stove “Florence” back out and got leeks, after tea. Fine and mild. Knitted. Jew Officer phoning all evening – Tollerton. Zeus not well. Mince and chips from tin(!) and sprouts.

Thursday 20^th January 1944

Very mild and fine.
Barnes boys for laundry at 9.15. Sent them away till 10, as hadn’t had breakfast! Baden in doing shelves. I in garden and got lettuces and potatoes. Mrs Bill Blain washing vines. Ham, sausage and salad and Alys fried onions and slices of potatoes. Prune Pie. Rested in p.m. Mrs Peacock cleaned Alys’ bedroom. In garden. We sawed bits off table legs. Alys cooked bacon and eggs and fried bread for supper. Arranged shelves in kitchen. Plate rack warmer. War Commentary Lewis Hastings on P.B.I. (“Poor Bloody Infantry”).

Friday 21^st January 1944

Very mild and fine.
Up late. Turned my bed round. Airgraph from Mink (Burma?) Did laundry. Stewed apples. Ham and salad lunch. Jam turnover. Wrote for Raffle Ticket Books and cheque to Bruce Green. Rest and sleep. Alys posted tin of sweets and socks to Ashstead. I clipped back drive lonicera hedge. Made Welsh rarebit and kohlrabi (boiled) and under grill. Play “Matrimonial News” – Flora Robson and Sybil Thorndyke. Vague thoughts; not very good.

Saturday 22^nd January 1944

Very mild. Dull.
Very late breakfast. Baden put new battery in Pye. Alys and I in car to Richmond. Got bracket for shelf. Took c & s and gloves to cleaners. Got sweets for auction. Back at 12.55. Alys felt sick, so ate nothing. I got lettuce and had “duck” and salad at 1.35. Rested in p.m. Alys found desk in men’s pantry! Put curtain up. I made cottage loaf and rolls and spice buns and milk soup. Alys had soup and toast. I soup and sausages and apple and buns. Alastair Cook talk about luxuries and necessities. Alys to Pringle’s for rent. To bed 9.50. She doing doll’s eyes for Eve.

Memo:
Alys’ slippers 27.11 (7 coupons)
22^nd Rents
17^th Weight 7st 10lb

Allies landed behind German lines in Italy about 30 miles South of Rome (Amphibious). “Anzio” beachhead.

Sunday 23^rd January 1944

Perfect a.m. Fine all day. Windy. Mild.
Out to get sprouts and lettuce and camellias. Emptied Hoover, cooked leek, some boiled, some fried with slice of pork for dinner. Laid fire. Alys in bed till 1.30. Then down and had boiled egg and toast. She wrote Eva. I rested, slept 3.15 – 4.30. Alys made ham toasts for supper. I did kidney and grilled it for tomorrow. Machined bits of sheet for tea clothes after supper. News and good P.S. by George Formby about tour.

Monday 24^th January 1944

Wind, sleety, snow. Rain. Colder.
Baden put in shelf for vases. We finished lino on table. Fed hens, as their ration hadn’t come. Lit fire. Roast pork and sprouts. Alys cooked in blue enamel but ages. Prunes. Mrs Peacock bath, passage pantry. Rested 1¼ hours. Alys to Hodgeson’s and Gell’s for rents. Machined sheet and tea-clothes. Alys made ham omelette (lovely), salad, peaches. 7.15 Sense and Sensibility. “Monday Night at 8”. News, Bomber Squadron play.

Tuesday 25^th January 1944

Very windy. Mild. A few showers. Fine on whole.
Lit fire. Wrote Elsa, returning Clair Theobold’s photo and sending snaps of James and Eve. To garden. Got lettuces. Cooked turnips. Alys fried pork and “duck”. Read letters from Kitty and Dennis. Rested 3.15 to 3.10. To Dimmock, Holt, Barnes, Dobinson, O’Brien. Letter came in later with Maureen for coffee. Alys made good wig with plait for doll. Bacon and eggs and sausages, supper. Alys cooked salad and gingerbread. Brains Trust. Geoffrey Crowther. Alys read me Eva’s letter.

Wednesday 26^th January 1944

Mild, fair then dull.
Meant to start a week on milk only but Alys said ask Dennis details first. Out and got apples and sorted apple shelves over. Sausages and pork and fried mashed potato and salad. Alys cooked and I stewed apples (with spiced buns). Rested 2.15 – 4.15. Alys had Mrs Bigge to tea and talk about Dorothy Ellerton (and adoption for baby). I did black tin boxes with gold paint for the Auction. Alys dressing doll for Eve – sardines on toast. Ryvita and new Mrs Bigge’s butter and cheese; marmalade.

Marching on Leningrad.

Thursday 27^th January 1944

Very mild. Windy.
Late breakfast. Out for lettuces. Changed my boxes in stillroom. Alys made risotto with onion and cheese. Mrs Peacock cleaned sitting-room. Rested. Alys wrote Phil, in her bedroom. I wrote Dennis about milk diet. Painted more tins with gold for Red Cross Auction. To Mrs Blain’s and took apples. All Blain’s down to clean drawing-room for Whist Drive. Alys took them port and orange juice.

Friday 28^th January 1944

Lovely day. Very mild.
Laudry. Out for lettuces and sprouts and apples. We had a tin of Irish Stew (meat and vegetables from Northern Ireland) for lunch with sprouts and baked apples (lovely day in garden). Rested. Alys wrote Dolly Willis. I wrote Kitty and Doz (post tomorrow). Blain’s in again to clean for 4^th until 10 p.m. Miss Peacock and Eric in for washing. Talked of Raffle Tickets. She took 2/- worth (groceries). Brought us another gingerbread cake. Made patch pocket for brown skirt. After supper of leek soup and eggs and bacon and salad. Lieutenant Brown said goodbye.

Saturday 29^th January 1944

Windy. Mild.
Alys, Baden and I in car to Richmond. Baden got raffle tickets at Spencer’s. I to Lady Serena’s (but she out). Got 1lb oranges on each of Alys’ and my ration books. I stood in queue for them in market. Alys queued for 4 kippers! Got points tins. Petrol; posted parcels. Eggs to Eva. Book to Doz and Kit. Kippers for dinner 1.30. To Barnes’ with pig raffle book. Rested 4.30 – 5.45. Alys had neuralgia. Hot meat pies and minestrone as gravy. And salad and baked apples. Mrs Barnes and Miss Peacock called with brawn and jumpers. Stayed 8.30 – 10. Captain Gibbs in and signed book.

Memo:
Tit hasn’t asked for nut for some days, so mild?
Reading “Recording Ruin” A.S.G. Butler (Colonel Armstrong to Doz).
Pay Ken 29^th. Sent wire to Red Cross 29^th
29^th Oranges! First time – allocated to adults for years.
24^th Weight 8st.
23^rd Eczema juicing a bit.
25^th Eczema very runny
29^th Began rosehip syrup.

1^st European News (B.B.C.) impressive decription of Berlin after our bombing.

Sunday 30^th January 1944

Very warm and fine. Aconite and Snowdrops.
Sergeant Ball came at 9.20 to put up aerial. Alys still in bed, so he came at 10.30. In garden; Got sprouts and lettuce and turnips and leeks. Alys cooked mutton in casserole. I made custard with dried eggs and Camden plums. Rest in p.m. Then out and clipped hedge and got aubretia (Debby’s). Alys mended shirts and out too, in garden. Mended tweed skirt hole. Barnes’ brawn and salad, prunes and gingerbread (orange later). Ibsen’s “Enemy of the People” 9.30 – 10.45.

Monday 31^st January 1944

Very warm and fine.
Red Cross prizes arrived. Cooked turnips. In garden for lettuces (indoor). Cold mutton lunch. Mrs Peacock cleaned my room. I rested in “Eva’s room”. In garden and planted some of Debby’s aubretia till 6. Alys sent off hone for Dr Vaux. Blain’s got tables and forms up for 4^th. Heinz potato soup and brawn. 7.15 Sense and Sensibility.

---

Tuesday 1^st February 1944

Still fine but very windy. Shower or two, very mild.
Out for sprouts and lettuce and cress. Alys made steamed meat shape (sausage) and cold meat. Rested 1.45 – 3. Mrs Pringle in with Xmas roses. To Barnes’, Butler. Holt, Gell and Dobinson and O’Brien. Alys making knickers for doll – wound cotton and crocheted fore. Bacon and egg and salad. Plums and custard. Brains Trust with Mrs Arnot Robinson, Louis Golding. Sold 3lb apples to Nancy’ cookery teacher.

Wednesday 2^nd February 1944

Fine. Mild wind. Got up in evening.
In garden freeing crocuses from weeds. Got potatoes and artichokes. We had pancakes filled with meat and sausage mixture. Alys did stewed apples. Measured apples for sale on 4^th. Painted black line round zinc back of stove. Rested, slept. 3 – 4.15. In garden and did more weeding and got lettuces. We had Welsh rarebit with egg in it. Prunes and ginger-bread.

Thursday 3^rd February 1944

Fine. Windy (rain in night) earlier in evening.
Made bee-candy. Baden in car fetched crocker from East Layton. Got lettuces and we had fishcakes and salad (Alys fried tinned “fish-cake”). Mrs Peacock cleaned hall and sitting-room. I rested 2.15 – 3.30. Brushed the artichokes and cut up in small pieces for soup. Out with dogs. Got sticks. Blain’s and Nora and husband in. Washing crockery and putting up curtains in lobby (artichoke soup and Australian tinned meat for supper). Cyril Falls.

Friday 4^th February 1944

Very cold. Fair.
Fires lighted in drawing-room and garden porch (Batman’s room). Fishcakes reheated and spinach soufflé lunch. Rest. Blain to bed for good rest in p.m. At 7.20 people began arriving. About 108 came! Mrs Dimmock and Butler at 9 to help. Mrs Barnes and Mrs Pringle at 10; sat with us. At 10.30 tea and cakes for all. About 10.50, I gave prizes for Whist. Baden auctioned things – till about 12.10. Alys and I had cocoa and sandwiches at 12.30 a.m.

Saturday 5^th February 1944

Cold. Fine.
To Richmond in car at 11.15 or so. Alys and I go kippers, sausages, petrol, rosehip syrup. Took blankets and coat and skirt (Alys’) to cleaners and fetched gloves and blue coat and skirt. Kippers lunch. Nora and Blain’s and Dimmock in to help with washing up at 2. I for rest and sleep. To garden at 5.15. Lettuces and cress. Alys fried eggs and bacon and bread. I grilled sausages and kidney. Alastair Cooke and then play “Secrets”. Fay Compton till 10.45.

Memo:
4^th Our Red Cross Whist Drive and Auction
5^th End of Ration Period 7.
31^st Weigh 7st 12½ lb.
Eczema itchy 3^rd and 4^th

Read of the explosion of ammunition trucks and train at Catterick Station. 9 killed, 60 injured.

Sunday 6^th February 1944

Dull, cool. Milder later.
In garden for sprouts and lettuce and cress. Alys fried steak and made stuffing (onion) and also suet date pud – roly-poly. Very good. Rest in p.m. Alys wrote Dennis and Eva. In garden at 5 – 6 cleaning up leaves and brambles, off primroses and paths. Alys making marmalade of our 9 orange skins and apple. P.S. after News by Sir Lawrence Bragge. Science and new era. Boiled eggs and salad and prunes.

Monday 7^th February 1944

Fine, colder, very windy.
Cleaned ribs – bacon. Prepared turnip (mashed) and apple. Alys made a stew and apple-pie. Mrs Peacock scrubbed still room floor. I rested till 3.15. Then wrote to Doz for cheque and about Mary Telford (Benson) and Lytton Strachey. In garden leaves and got lettuces. Sergeant Ince in to phone. “Sense and Sensibility” Blains in about dartboard. Play “Dreams”. Egg, tomato and cheese pie.

Tuesday 8^th February 1944

Very fine. Cold.
Out and got curly kale and lettuces. Washed lathe-room floor a bit. Alys cooked bacon. Rested 2 – 3.15. To Holt, Dimmock, Barnes, Dobinson. Alys made macaroni shape for dinner. To garden with Alys. To Blains’ with money and tickets for pig raffle and paid bread. Sardines and lemon curd tarts – supper.

Wednesday 9^th February 1944

Fine. Cool.
Got parsnips and lettuces. Brought back and shredded parsnips. Alys mashed them (with stew). Made prune whip. Rested, slept. We got 5/- and 2/- made up for prizes. Flour (white). Apples for auction. Cold bacon and macaroni soup. About 80 people came for Darts & Dominoes. Tea and cakes and sandwiches and then at 11.15 (!) Auction. Mrs Savery scored for darts. About 1.15 a.m. 10^th before all was over. Alys and I had cocoa and Alys gave Baden and wife some.

8^th Victories of Russians, entrapping 10 German divisions. Dnieper Bend.

Thursday 10^th February 1944

Fine, cool.
Mrs GEll in at 9.15 for phone for Doctor (out of order). Wardle too. Eva’s coat and leopard rug moth-eaten. Pringle’s dominoes broken. Cold bacon, salad. Baked custard and baked apples. Rest 2 hours! Out and clipped hedge and then with Mrs Blain (Bill) in houses about getting to Beckwith and to rock garden and watercress. Bean soup, sardines on toast, apples and sponge-cake. War Commentary about South Seas, Pacific.

Friday 11^th February 1944

Very fine. Warm later.
Alys and I to Richmond at 11 taking Mrs Bill Blain (with camellias and lettuces for her to sell to Beckwith). Paid £66.17.4 into Bank (my account) from our two evenings for Red Cross. Pork-pies for dinner and baked apples, warmed up. Rest 2.30 – 4. Clipped hedge and in garden with Alys. Cold bacon and salad, choc-mocha and Nora’s cake. Wrote account of Red Cross Evening to send to the Sports Secretary and letter. (Laundry wouldn’t take washing).

Saturday 12^th February 1944

Fair, coolish.
Alys had pains and stayed in bed till about 4 o’clock. I tried to make egg-box. Wrote letter to Hon. Sec. Sports Committee, enclosing cheque £70.7.4 and about domino set. Welsh Rarebit and scones and marmalade (Alys’ made from orange-peel) and apples. Rest. Alys down and only had orangeade at 2.30. In garden, got lettuces. Cleared branches from daffodils. Cold bacon, salad and prunes. Alys had a boiled egg and toast. American Commentary David Wills. Play “The Great Adventure” Arnold Bennett. Ainley and Constanduros.

Memo:
8^th Decided that my tit is probably dead. Miss him terribly in garden. Not seen him 2 weeks.
8^th Bee candy to bees (2^nd lot)
12^th Blain’s wages.
7^th Weight 8st 1lb.

U.S. take some Marshall Islands and go on to bombard Truk.

Sunday 13^th February 1944

Dull, dark, mild.
Alys in bed till p.m. but then got up and made a gingerbread, while I was resting. I made artichoke soup and roast mutton and curly greens (out to get them). Did some weeding among primulas by Phil’s hut. Bacon, sausages and egg for supper. Alys had nothing all day but orangeade and then bacon and egg for supper. P.S. by a Dutchman escaped lately from POW Holt.

Monday 14th February 1944

Dull. Mild.
Alys down to breakfast. Both of us very late. I washed a lot of stockings. Alys made hash for lunch. Out for lettuces. Mrs Peacock cleaned sitting room. Both of us rested. I out and cleared weeds, leaves and nettles (roots) from daffodils in wood. Alys out in garden. Soup, cold bacon (Alys had egg). “Sense and Sensibility”. Talk by refugees (Czech soldier and German and V. Bartlett) “Monday at 8”. To bed 10.10. Blain’s put tables and picture back.

Tuesday 15^th February 1944

Very dull and mild.
Alys still not feeling right but ate breakfast. Out to get curly greens, lettuces, apples. Mince – Alys made. Rested 2 till 3. Then to Doimmock, Holt, Barnes and Gell and Dobinson and O’Brien. Soldiers doing drives and putting white stones. I clipped laurel hedge. To Blain’s too. Alys made omelette for her supper. I had cold bacon and salad and gingerbread. Very good Brains Trust.

Wednesday 16^th February 1944

Fine. Mild.
Breakfast at 8. Alys did up strawberry jam in tin for Phil and I did 6 eggs for Eva. To Barnard Castle in bus 10 and we posted them. Alys got pyjama stuff for Dennis. I got wool, chocolate ration 1/6. Back at 12. To garden (lettuces). Potted meat (got at Peat’s) and salad. “Eve pudding”, Alys made. Rested (after trying to find spider in Alys’ room). Wrote Eva. Alys to Holt’s about Dennis’ pyjamas. To warehouse. Clipped hedge. Bacon and eggs and sausage and chocolate café pudding.

Thursday 17^th February 1944

Cold. Dull and a little now and rain.
Baden bought 4 little pigs (16^th) from Ireland at 25/- each. Most of morning making a curry of cold mutton sausage, potted meat. Out to get sprouts. Alys made baked custard. Rested p.m. Mrs Peacock did pantry and hall and stair-rods. I out to get lettuces and finished clipping lonicera hedge by back drive. Alys wrote Doz and Kitty. She made semolina cheese, and a coffee filling which we had as sweet. War Commentary – Lewis Hastings. Parachute jumping.

Friday 18^th February 1944

Cold. Sleety.
Slight snow on ground. Did laundry but none called. Out for lettuces. Talked to Bill B. about Agriculture man, who very pleased. Alys made sausage (meat) rolls, mashed turnips. Alys did liver in gravy in oven and mashed potatoes and I did chocolate in coffee and Alys mixed it with her “filling” and white of eggs.

Saturday 19^th February 1944

Snow on ground but some melted.
Made a potted meat of minced liver and bacon, onion, peas and some meat bought at Barnard Castle. Alys made Canary Pudding. Out for lettuces and apples. Rest all p.m. Alys to Pringle’s (but she out). Clipped hedge and laurels back drive. Mulligatawny soup, cheese rolls (Alys made), baked apples and gingerbread. Play “The Poetical Gentleman” Eden Philpotts.

Memo:
13^th Soldiers away on scheme, only 6 left here.
George’s leave ends 15^th
19^th Rents. Reading “Swiss Family Robinson”.
14^th Weight 8st 2lb.

Germans raiding London. On 22^nd and 23^rd night 100 got through to London. Other night 15 and 18.

Sunday 20^th February 1944

Dull, sleety at times.
Wrote to Edith Bache and to Mink (airmail 6d) and letter for pigs’ ration (2). Fried sausages and tomatoes and pork pies (Peat) and shape Alys made with port-wine and cornflour and white of egg. Long rest in p.m. Play “The Hostage” about Toussaint. Peggy Ashcroft, Basil Sidney. In garden with Alys. Saw the new pigs. Got firewood (through gate). Alys made sponge cake. P.S. by Lawson. M.P. Cold U.S. pork meat and salad.

Monday 21^st February 1944

Very changeable. Sleet showers.
(Mrs Peacock cleaned upper passage). Out for curly greens. Pulled up some raspberry canes by Phil’s pond. Alys cooked roast beef and Yorkshire pudding. Apples and gingerbread. Sent off 11/- to Red Cross, Rural Pennies. Alys for rents to Pringles, Hodgson, Gell. Rest and prepared bottled tomatoes and cheese and eggs in oven. To get lettuces. “Sense and Sensibility”.

Tuesday 22^nd February 1944

Changeable. Showery, cold wind.
Tried to cut out dolls’ shoe. Got sprouts. Alys made hash. We had pancakes; Alys made batter and both fried the pancakes and had them with maple syrup. After rest, I to Holt, Dimmock, Barnes, Dobinson and O’Brien. Alys to Mrs Savery and Ireland’s. Wrote form for pig ration. Soup, bacon and egg and sausages. Brains Trust. Very bad. Shinwell and Sir Beverley Baxter.

Wednesday 23^rd February 1944

Changeable. Coldish.
Got lettuces and we had them boiled, with hash. Brushed dogs. Got some old raspberry canes up near rockery. Rest. Went on trying to fit doll with shoes. Alys boiled 3½lb bacon. In garden with Alys. Tied up rose tree. Hot bacon for supper and shape of orange squash and 2 drops essence and cornflour. “Red Army Day” on wireless. I knitted shoe for doll.

Russian retake Krivoi Rog. London bombed each night. Harrow Tuck shops burned down by incendiary bomb.

Thursday 24^th February 1944

Changeable but finer on whole.
Did my bedroom more thoroughly. Got leeks in, washed, cut up. We had mince and shepherd’s pie. Baked apple and custard. We made an angel cake together with 5 whites of eggs! Mrs Peacock beat carpets and cleaned sitting room. Rested. Wrote Doz (in pantry). Garden, with Alys. Got lettuce and cress. Cold bacon and salad and angel cake and custard. Knitted 2^nd shoe for doll (navy blue).

Friday 25^th February 1944

Dull, moderate.
Mrs Pringle in and talked long about recipes. Laundry-man took laundry (at last!) Alys coated meat rissoles in deep fat. I got curly kale (fried eggs on it). Alys made custard and we had baked apples. Rest. Alys to Mrs Cliff’s for rent. I gardening by rock garden; pulled out wire fence. Eva phoned and Alys sent wire to Mrs Ellerton at about 6. Alys phoned Eva at 8.15. Cold bacon and I fried up mince and potatoes. Lovely custard and angel cake. Finished off shoes, with buttons for doll.

Saturday 26^th February 1944

Snowed from 11.45 or so till dusk.
Milk breakfast 1 pint. Alys and I to Richmond and met Mrs Ellerton. Talk in car about Dorothy and Bertha. Took chair-cover to cleaners. Back at 1 in snowstorm. Pint of milk. Rest, from 2 till 5. Made hot-bottle cover of grey flannel. Milk at 5.30 and at 8. Alys phoned Eva in p.m. Play “The Likes of ‘Er”. McEvoy. Mary Clare.

Memo:
26^th Signals came back from manoeuvres.
24^th Wrote Doz
26^th Began milk only week.
22^nd Invasion starts? My guess. Wrong.
21^st Sent 11/- Red Cross Rural Pennies
26^th Blain’s wages, Ken’s 10/-
24^th Rent Pickin. Paid to Ap.20.
21^st Weight 8st 2lb.

No air-raids on London this week. Allies intense raids on enemy country and coast (“Invasion coast”) all week, “all round the Lancasters, Fortresses Halifax clock”. Mosquitos, Marauders.

Sunday 27^th February 1944

Snow at intervals.
Had pint hot milk in bed. Down about 10.45. Out in lovely snow. Gave rottenish apples to little pigs. Got lettuces for Alys to cook. She had mutton. Had pint of milk at 12.45. Rest and sleep 2 – 4.45. Worked at crocheted skirt. Alys machining frock for Eve (from fancy dress bathing-dress). P.S. By Emlyn Williams about Wales – old Welsh farmer.

Monday 28^th February 1944

Fine, sunny, lovely 17° below freezing at night.
Stayed in bed till 10.30. Alys brought me milk at 9. Lovely shower bath. Down and out and garden with Alys. Got lettuce and cress. Milk at 12.30. Rest 2.15 till 5. Alys to Mrs Pringle’s with Express crossword and to O’Brien’s about Eve’s sleeve size. I had milk and to Blain’s with sugar for marmalade and pay bread. Worked at skirt seams all evening. Alys doing Eve’s frock. Play with Elisabeth Welch (negress) and Beatrix Potter story. The Tale of the Pie and the Patty-Pan.

Tuesday 29^th February 1944

Fine, cold snow. Not thawed much.
Stayed in bed till 10.30. Alys brought milk. Up and out. Got wood and Alys came later and we got lettuces and cress. Rested 2 – 3. To Barnes’, Holt, Butler, Gell, Dobinson (Mrs Barnes gave me marmalade and jam puffs). Mrs O’Brien and Maureen in for coffee. Wrote lettercard to Dennis about milk diet. Good Brains Trust. Lady Carey Evans (daughter of Lloyd George). Captain Jim Griffiths. Brian Meredith. Canadian Professor Griffiths.

---

Wednesday 1^st March 1944

Fine. Cold. Windy snow still on ground.
Stayed in bed till 10.15. Alys brought milk. Finished off crocheted skirt. In garden with Alys. Baden making egg box. Rest 2 – 4.20! Alys out to Barns’ for some extra milk at 6 and saw pig cut up and had scraps given her for supper. “Welsh Soldier” evening and then “The Whistle of Death” Dutch boy and Gestapo and Register House in Singel.

Thursday 2^nd March 1944

Fine snow still in parts. Ice on pond.
Stayed in bed till 10.15. Alys brought milk. Out in garden with dogs to pond, ice again. We got jams and honey and marmalade packed in crate. Cold milk at 1. Mrs Peacock did sitting-room. Soldiers to see bathroom radiator for mending (red lead suggested). I rested 2 – 4 cold milk. Out in garden and washed oleander leaves. Alys came out too. Toaster fused. War Commentary Lewis Hastings.

Friday 3^rd March 1944

Fine, warm sun. Very cold wind. Snow and ice still about.
In bed till 10.15. Alys brought milk up. Out and stayed sitting on porch step in sun for long time. Walked round with Alys and got lettuce. Then in hut in sun till 1.40. Milk and on bed to rest till 4.35. Did up jigsaws for Teeds. Out with Alys and got apples. Unpicked cuff of knitted coat and knitted up again. Milk only all day (last day).

Saturday 4^th March 1944

Dull. Very cold.
Dandelion coffee and apple breakfast. Mrs Baden with us. Alys and I to Richmond in car. Took crate of jams, marmalade and honey for Ashridge. To station. I stood in queue 30 minutes for kippers. Kippers for dinner 1 and Mrs Barnes’ turnover. Rest all p.m. In garden. Tongue and meat-pie and lettuce for supper. Finished off Dennis’ socks. Play “The Wind and the Rain”. Good. Till 10.50.

Sunday 5^th March 1944

Dull. Milder.
Alys up first. I at 9.30 or so. Toast and marmalade. In garden for sprouts. Little pigs made friends with Zeus. We cooked roast beef and potatoes and Alys made gooseberry-pie and tried real puff pastry but not successful. Rest (Wrote Mrs Ellerton). In garden at 5.30, lettuces. Sausage, bacon and egg supper. Stewed apples and cake. Wireless (Pye) going very badly. Merchant sea man gunner P.S. Wireless Blain sold to Signals (for Red Cross). News at 8. I heard in my bedroom.

Monday 6^th March 1944

Very dull. Snow not quite gone but very soft.
We wrote to Mrs Ellerton. Out to pond with dogs. Alys made lovely stew (with port in gravy) and artichokes. Rest in p.m. Alys did up 6 eggs in my box, and sent off to Eva. To garden and little pigs. Alys too. Cut out and began nightie for doll. Welsh rarebit. (Alys boiled egg). “Sense and Sensibility” end. Pye very bad. Could only get “General Forces” for rest of evening.

Tuesday 7^th March 1944

Dull.
Up at 8.30. (Soldiers had baths in our bath last night!) Out for early kale. Wrote Dennis about my eczema and Eva. Stew and gooseberries. Rest. To Holt. Dimmock, Barnes (gave me sausages and teacakes!). Took 2lb honey there. Met Alys and together to Dobinson and O’Brien. Gardened in rock-garden steps. Had coffee and teacakes with Alys at 5 p.m. Finished doll’s nightgown. Mrs Barnes’ sausages for supper.

Wednesday 8^th March 1944

A little better day. Snow gone.
Alys and I made angel cake but not so good as last, as Be-Ro flour instead white pre-war. Made custard too. Wrote Lady Serena James. Sausages and eggs and fried chips (deep fat). Rest 2.30 – 4.30. Weeded rock-garden. Sardines and salad and angel cake and custard. Crocheted hood for doll. About Le Soir and parody copy produced in Brussels last November.

Eire asked to remove German and Japanese Consuls but refused.

Thursday 9^th March 1944

Lovely day. White frost. Warm sun.
Alys and I to Richmond in car to fetch crate (from Eva). Miss Spence and Mrs Douglas recommended sausage rolls – got. Back at 12.45. Stew and mashed swedes (in haybox) (stew in rugs). Rest; and weeded rock garden and Alys rested in Phil’s hut. Mrs Peacock cleaned sitting-room. Finished doll’s cap and Alys lined it. Talk from New Zealander about Pacific War and U.S. Play excerpts from North York (Elmer Rice) “A New Life”. Alys had indigestion.

Friday 10^th March 1944

Dull.
Did laundry. Alys made fruitcake for Dennis’ birthday. Packed about 200 apples in crate for Eva. Curry cottage pie (Alys made) and turnips. Tartlets. Rest. Down at 4 and made candy for bees. To gardens with Alys got lettuce. Thought the Signals had left, but found some staying till 13^th. Alys made batter and we had pancakes with a lemon!!!! First we’ve had for years – 2 were sent by Eva.

Saturday 11^th March 1944

Dullish. Mild.
Alys and I to Richmond in car. Took flowers to Beckwith’s from Bill Blain. Sent off crate of apples to Eva; posted cake and socks to Dennis. Stood in queue for oranges. Mrs La Terrière and little pregnant girl. Had tinned ham roll (pre-war Harris) for lunch. Did flour sifting with Alys till 3.35. Rested till 5. Alys to East Layton for letters. Got lettuces. Alys made ruff puff jam turnovers. Mrs Peacock came. Sardines and egg and jam turnovers for supper. “Poison Pen” play. Louise Hampton by Llewellyn.

Memo:
10^th – most of “Signals” left, a few still here.
11^th ORANGES 2^nd time (1^st on Jan 29^th) 1lb on each ration book.
Blain’s wages.
6^th – weight 7st 13lb.

Sunday 12^th March 1944

Dull. Windy in evening.
Out for lettuces and potatoes. Alys did roast pork and we put lettuces, after boiling, in oven in saucepan. Stewed rhubarb and cream. Took Eva’s poney coat and Teddy’s leopard skin out and tried to get moth maggots off. Rested 3.30 – 6.30. Alys did more flour. Out with Alys to garage. Back by road. Making ring-handles for Alys bag. Sausages and bacon and trifle (of angel cake). P.S. by Polish (underground) man and “The Blind” by Maeterlinck.

Monday 13^th March 1944

Fine and windy. Cold though sunny.
Did washing and we put up new clothes-line and hung it outdoors. Signals “marched out”. Got coke and kept stove going. Cold pork with forcemeat, salad and mash potatoes. Alys finished doing the white flour; sack emptied. Rest. Alys made treacle tarts and cheese-straws. We had eggs and bacon supper. Play 7.15 on “The Flight of the Heron” – story by Broster. Oranges! Did stove (Blain not at all well).

Tuesday 14^th March 1944

Sunny a.m. Very cold. Dull p.m.
Wrote Ella. Mended Zeus’ basket and swept room. Got lettuces and potatoes for pigs. Cold pork and stuffing and salad and fried potato. Rest till 3.15 (Huntsman and hounds through garden). To Holt, Dimmock, Barnes, Dobinson, Elgey, O’Brien. Nora brought cake. Alys gave her 1lb Mink’s sugar. Boiled eggs (onion soup) and trifle. Brains Trust. Barbara Ward, Saunders, Martin (New Statesman) and man who wrote Battle of Britain.

Wednesday 15^th March 1944

Very fine. Cold wind.
Cut away fur (moth-eaten) Eva’s coat. On steps in sun. Alys saw Ellis (civilian) about damage by Signals. To garden with Alys. Got lettuces and gave apples to pigs. Cold pork and salad and trifle. Rest till 3. Then to Collingwood, Ireland, Corner and Wardle (instead of Baden, who not well) on cycle. Alys made sponge cake for Eva. Ironed nightie. Made cheese canapés (and hard boiled egg) for supper and Mrs Barnes’ turnover. “The Silent Battle”. Girl lieutenant Spitz. Yugo Slavia.

Russians retake Zhmerynka.

Thursday 16^th March 1944

Very fine. Mild. Fire at 4.30.
Up at 6.15. Breakfast and off in car at 7.50 or so. Saw Alys off (with doll for Eve) 8.51 – Eva to meet her. I had hair cut at Binns. Got distemper brush 10/6 at Knott’s and drove back by Cleasby, Manfield, Eppleby. Fishcakes for lunch – 2 for 5d. Wrote lettercard to Alys and Eva. Rested. Slept. Mrs Peacock cleaned corridor. To garden. Cut bulrushes off. Phoned Morrell for Bill Blain. Perchines and some “duck” and apple snow and cake. ITMA. Cut up orange-peel. Sewed coal gloves. War Commentary Cyril Falls.

Friday 17^th March 1944

Perfect day. Fire at 6.
Up at 8.15. Cut up artichokes and put in haybox. Renewed hay. Made stew of pork, wrapped pan up in rugs. Man came to put new valve in stove and glass in arcade roof. Lunch 12.30. Rest and sleep. Baden better. He did washers and cleaned stove flue. I to garden at 5. Got apples. Made ruff-puff of white flour and baked an apple pie and treacle tart and jam turnover. Liver and bacon and onion supper. As much jam came out.

Saturday 18^th March 1944

Dullish. Mild. Fire at 6.
Minced up pork and put in haybox. To Richmond in car taking Mrs Bill and camellias. To Cleaner’s with eiderdown and Alys’ skirt. Got chair cover. Allowed to buy 4lb lemons in market and my ration of oranges 1lb. Back at 12. Got curly kale and cooked it. Had cottage pie (of mince) and apple-pie. Rest in p.m. Butcher at 5. Made teacakes (yeast) and jam tartlets, cheese biscuit. To Pringle’s for rent. Liver and bacon and onion and jam tartlets and prunes. “Proscenium” Ivor Novello, Fay Compton, Zena Dare till 10.50.

Memo:
14^th Dennis’ birthday 63?
18^th Eve’s birthday – 4
“Beware the Ides of March” Invasion?
Alys to Ashridge 16^th
Rents 18^th 20^th 10^th 11^th 12^th. Eye better
13^th Weight 7st 12lb

Sunday 19^th March 1944

Fine a.m. Duller later.
Prepared and cooked steak and kidney and put in haybox. Cooked lettuces and rhubarb and sausages. Had mince lunch and apple and rhubarb pie. Tried to make marmalade of orange peel. Rested on sofa and listened-in to “The Ideal Husband” by Oscar Wilde. Good. Wrote lettercard to Alys. Cooked Camden peaches (for jam?) Made yeast spiced buns. Sausages and bacon and pancakes with lots of lemon! Supper. P.S. by Kimmins, Pacific War.

Monday 20^th March 1944

Dull. Cool.
Nearly all a.m. doing carpets (strips for passage) with Baden. Leeks in haybox. Steak and kidney and leeks. Treacle tart. Carpets again with Mrs Peacock in p.m. Did up 12 eggs and posted to Eva. Out for rents to Gell, Hodgson and Cliff. Note to Alys enclosing Army rent cheque to Dennis (£53 odd?) To get sprouts, lettuces, parsnip. Leek soup, cold sausages and salad, cheese pasty, rhubarb and cream and cake.

Tuesday 21^st March 1944

Dull. Mild.
Mrs Peacock came at 10. We moved everything from kitchen and she washed pain and cleaned. Left at 12.30. Baden put carpet (upstairs) down. I cooked lettuce and pork chop in sitting room, also apples with lemon juice. Rested 12.15 – 3.15. Lieutenant Yarrow came and bought radio. Out to Dimmock, Holt, Barnes, Dobinson. Got lettuces (last indoors). Boiled egg and salad and jam tarts. My peach preserve. Dull Brains Trust. Francis Meynell. P.m. packed eggs.

Wednesday 22^nd March 1944

Dull.
Baden whitewashed kitchen ceiling. I wrote John Clark and Alys (with cheque £2 from Army for Dennis) and did up 9 eggs and 3 packets chocolate and sent them to Alys at Ashridge. Rested 2.30 till 3.30. In garden and to post. Began distempering kitchen; until 6.30. Brussels sprouts with cheese sauce over and watercress and Ryvita. Secret radio in Poland “The Silent Battle”.

Thursday 23^rd March 1944

Dull. Mildish.
Up at 8. Breakfast in sitting room. Did a lot of distempering in kitchen until 12 or so. Fried bacon and sausage and bread, and stewed apples. Cooked Camden plums. Rested 2.15 – 3.15. Out and got watercress. Paid Baden for pig and ½. 37/6 (and potatoes for pig not yet). Made artichoke soup for supper; boiled egg and Ryvita and watercress. Also suet dumplings (Be-Ro puff balls). Mrs Peacock and Eric at 8.10 – 8.50. Talked about Alys’ jumper Elsie is knitting.

Friday 24^th March 1944

Mild. Very fine in p.m.
Out to garden. Laundry. Got leeks. Morrell came for stuff from William Blain’s. Cooked stewed leek and potato. Distempered again. Lay on couch 2.30 – 3.30. Hunter and Butcher both came at 4. Distempered till 6. Eric brought ointment. Omelette with bacon and sausage in it. Dumplings warmed up with golden syrup. Did up Nescafé. Wrote Alys, in parcel. Wrote form to reclaim insurance stamps.

Saturday 25^th March 1944

Fine day. Mild.
Did parsnips in haybox. To Richmond with Mrs Bill. Got cod’s row and fried it for lunch. Plums. Rested. Cooked kidney and mutton, and soused herrings. To garden and pigs and apple store. Fried herrings for supper and roe, baked in lemon. Knitted (re-making) jumper. Green Goddess stove went out.

Memo:
24^th Put on eczema ointment (Miss Peacock’s) – great improvement!!!!
20^th Rents
21^st 13/6 to Red Cross.
25^th Blain’s wages. Ken’s 10/-
20^th Weight 8st 1lb
22^nd Sent 9 eggs and 3 packets chocolate to Ashridge.

Sunday 26^th March 1944

Perfect day. Hot. No fire.
Eczema much abated by ointment. Made suet crust. Also a tiny apple pudding. Bill B. lighted stove. Steamed both together. Out for greens. Cooked them. Made gelozone and orange peel shape. Made Mrs Cooper’s lemonade recipe. Rest and sunbath in Phil’s hut. Hot! Mended Zeus’ pillow on front lawn. Distempered and cooked sausages and sausage-meat. Parsnip soup, soused herrings, gelozone. Churchill broadcast 9 – 9.45. Hot bath, no itching!

Monday 27^th March 1944

Very fine. Warm. No fire.
Washed clothes. Atkinson doing rain-pipe. Baden put up shelf again. Wrote Alys; Kitty (at Kings Langley). Mutton-kidney stew and veg; compote (artichoke, parsnip, leek, potato). Suet apple pudding. Mrs Peacock cleaned kitchen, paint and we put all things back there. I did up 12 eggs and posted to Eva in Baden’s box. Got lettuce from frame and watercress and chaves. Soup, cold sausage, salad; rhubarb. Knitted while “Monday Night at 8”. Cyril Fletcher and wife Astell in “Lodger”.

Tuesday 28^th March 1944

Fine. Misty later and cooler. Fire at 6.
Up early; washed hair and under shower without cap. Breakfast 8.30. Made pastry jam tart and peach (Camden) pie. Out for leeks. Had fried shredded leeks and eggs over it. Wrote Eva lettercard. Rested 1.45 – 2.45. Washed combs and brushes and hair-nets. To Dimmock, Holt, Gell, O’Brien, Dobinson. Baden and Atkinson doing water pipes and gutters and roof all day. Got lettuces and watercress. Fried sausage and salad. Orange gelozone and rhubarb. Brains Trust.

Wednesday 29^th March 1944

Cool and dull.
Wrote for Dexa to Newcastle chemist (with 10.7 enclosed). Wrote about 5% Conversion Loan (repaying). Did bank passbook entries. Lettercard to Doz about Dexa. Out for lettuce. Veg pie with root vegs, cheese and dried egg (in oven). Jam tart. Rest – sleep. Posted 12 eggs to Ashridge. To garden and pigs. Sewed seams of crocheted skirt, to make look better. Cold sausage, salad. Baked apple. “Bomber Anteroom”.

We lost 94 bombers in raid on Nuremberg – 30^th.

Thursday 30^th March 1944

Cold snow storms in p.m.
Altered tweed coat sleeves. Made apple-pie. Out with dogs. Gardened a little. Picked double daffodils. Rice soup, sausage rolls and apple-pie (made also apple flan). Mrs Peacock did sitting-room and halls and kitchen floor. Rested. To post with lettercard to Alys, and to Mrs Blain’s with apples. Sewed sleeves and made shoulder pads. ITMA. Lord Winster (bad War Commentary). Grilled cheese and egg. Jam puff.

Friday 31^st March 1944

Fine. Snow melted quickly though frost at night.
Doing coat sleeves and made new collar for coat (tweed), during day. Made girdle cakes and had boiled egg with them and stewed apples. Rested on sofa. In garden. Got little new shoots of Brussels sprouts and had for veg at supper with fried kidneys, bacon and sausage and gravy. Very good apple pie and flan. Went on sewing all evening.

---

Saturday 1^st April 1944

Cold. Dull.
Prepared and cooked apples and root vegs. Lettercard to Alys enclosing Dexa formula. At 2.15 in car with Baden to Richmond shops. At 3.30 Red Cross Meeting at Lady Serena James’. To meet Mrs Ringrose-Wharton. Tea at 4 or so. Miss Pease. Baden changed wheel for Mrs Waller. Took Mrs Williams home to East Layton. In garden. Smoked cod in milk. Jelly. Play “Bingham and Lacy.” Clocks put 1 hour forward midnight. Double Summer Time.

Memo:
1^st Lady Serena’s 3.30
22^nd 12 eggs to Eva.
29^th Phil’s Pathology exam begins.
27^th Dorothy Ellerton to Hospital – girl born 28^th
29^th 12 eggs to Ashridge.
2^nd Double Summer Time begins.
31^st Alys returns? Hunters order.
27^th Weight 8st 3lb.

Sunday 2^nd April 1944

Dull, cold. Sleety.
Unpicked and washed silk and domette – Eva’s fur coat. Cooked breast of mutton, ate with spinach (tin) and roast potatoes and chocolate cream (Bruxelles). Rested on sofa, listened Julian Huxley on T.H. Huxley (grandpa). Out at 5 to Dimmock to help with taking savings out. Wrote Lois. Hot bottles in beds for Alys and James. Sausage and apples (stewed). P.S. by Alan Moorehead (reporter). The Path of the King.

Monday 3^rd April 1944

Milder. Damp.
Made steamed ginger puddings with suet from kidneys. Cold mutton and cold spinach and root vegs. Mrs Peacock cleaned Alys’ room. Made up James’ bed in Alys’ room. To Barns and took apples and Dexa and said not going S-G tomorrow. Cooked sausages (and Barnes’ sausage) for supper.

Tuesday 4^th April 1944

Damp. Drizzly. Mildish.
Cooked apples and made porridge. Hot bottles in beds. Had eggs and cheese lunch at 12.15. Car at 1.5 and to Darlington (taking Peggy Blain). Met trains 2.00, 2.20, 2.40. Alys and James arrived 2.59. Home. Tea. All in garden and to pigs. I bathed James at 6.15. Alys and I had sausages (Mrs Barnes’) and salad supper. Brains Trust. To bed 9.55.

Wednesday 5^th April 1944

Dull. Damp.
Up at 8. Stove out. James had his car and about all over lower floor, arcade sitting on “hood”. Out to get curly kale. Cooked it. Alys did sausages and bacon and potatoes. Heated up my steamed ginger puddings and golden syrup. Rest 2 – 3. To Dimmock, Holt, Barnes, Dobinson, O’Brien. In garden with James, got his engine. Turned on waterfall. Made puff balls of suet. Alys bathed James.

Thursday 6^th April 1944

Dullish. Mild.
We did mince and leeks and then all 3 to Richmond in car. To Food Office and to sausage roll shop. Back at 12.40. Lunch, with jelly and custard. All 3 rested. Mrs Peacock did sitting-room. Butcher brought boxes so I did up 12 eggs (addressed Eva, but we had P.O. alter to Phil). James in “swamp”. I bathed James. Alys made red rice and we had leek soup, and suet balls. War Commentary by Colonel Kermit Stephens. U.S. Air Force. Wavells Anthology. Knitted collar for James’ jersey.

Friday 7^th April 1944

A little better. Very weak sun.
With James getting wood for fires, through lower gate. Dinner of kidney, bacon, red rice, sausage rolls. Ginger pudding and jelly. All 3 of us restd. I up 3.30 and got James up. We at ponds; James’ foot in spawn pool. Alys with James to Nissen huts. I to get lettuces and apples (mice eating apples). Alys put James to bed. Scrambled eggs and salad. Toast and jam. Kimmins told about air raid on Tirpitz in North Cape Fjord from aircraft carrier. I let stove out.

Saturday 8^th April 1944

Finer, cool still.
James coughing a lot. Indoors all a.m. playing with Mahjong. Alys cooked beef and Yorkshire pudding. I got curly kale and cooked it. Alys made gooseberry fool from bottle fruit. Rests in p.m. Alys took James out and got sausages from bus. I made plan of apple trees for Blain’s. Sent 2/6 for K. H. letter subscription. Play “Jane Clegg” St John Ervine (Sybil Thorndyke) in evening.

Memo:
5^th Hunter
6^th Butcher
4^th Alys and James came.
8^th Blain’s wages.
5^th 2^nd part Phil’s exam (Pathology) viva.
7^th Wire from Phil “Through”.
3^rd Weight 8st 6lb.

Sunday 9^th April 1944

Dull. Mild.
Kept James indoors all day as bad cold. Alys and I both slight colds too. Nancy in with Easter egg. I to get potatoes, lettuce and rhubarb (forced) and took Easter egg from James to Nora and Rona. Sausages and sausage roll and salad with grated parsnips. Gooseberry fool. All rested. Made lemon sponge. Pilchards for supper. Did James’ pullover. P.S. after News by Ira ___, U.S. reporter on Japs.

Monday 10^th April 1944

Fine and mild.
My cold heavy. James’ cough too but he better. Got leeks and prepared and cooked them. Cold beef. Alys made spotted Dick. Machined zip in James’ pullover. Rests. Got James up 3.30. In wood and by fallen tree. Picked up chips. James played with Rona after tea. Alys bathed James as I so coldy. James sick in his bed. Bacon and egg and lemon sponge.

Tuesday 11^th April 1944

Mild. Some sun then dull.
I very heavy nose cold. Alys got up first. Stove had gone out. Knitted James’ cuff. Alys and James in hut. Prepared parsnips. Cold beef, potatoes in jackets. Baked apples. Rests. To Holt, Dimmock, Barnes’, Gell, Dobinson, O’Brien, Blain’s. In garden with dogs. Alys made scones. I had some. Alys bathed James. He played with Rona and leaves. Boiled eggs and prunes. Nora brought cake. Gave her for next 3/- and last cake too. Brains Trust good.

Wednesday 12^th April 1944

Very fine a.m. Dull later. Warm.
In garden for curly kale. James and Rona played . Laid fire but not lighted till 3.45. I did jigsaw. Bacon, sausages, rhubarb and rice pudding. Rests. Blain to Ravensworth about eggs for setting and brought things from Stanwyx. I got James up and to post with tea for Lucy. Made jelly of orange peels. Got lettuces. Bathed James. Knitted his cuff. Alys did ironing and I too (blouse).

Thursday 13^th April 1944

Very mild. Dullish. Rain. Fine p.m.
I got up first. Made syrup for bees (4 pints water). 7 hives. Up by bees with James. James got stung, later. Got cabbage stuff for dinner. Alys made mince and custard. Rests while Mrs Peacock cleaned sitting room. Joubert Commentary about Burma war.

Friday 14^th April 1944

(No weather)
Made syrup for bees. Alys roast cock and had it with bread sauce and curly green as and gravy. Butcher came with mutton (and 1 kidney which we had fried with bacon and egg in evening). James had his car and with Rona and Brian on it. Tore down hill of drive. Came in late. Alys bathed him. Eva phoned for cot.

Saturday 15^th April 1944

Warm. Dull.
Out for potatoes. Did syrup for bees. Helped with doing up cot. All 3 to Richmond at 11.20. Sent off cot. Shopped. Back 1. Cold fowl and hot sausages. Alys put bacon on to boil (our pig). She up first to rest then I after writing Laurie Faraday congratulations (engaged to Sheila Lock). To get lettuces and weeded asparagus bed. Alys made cheese sauce on hard boiled eggs. I bathed James. He played with car and Rona. “Desert Highway” Priestley. Miss Peacock in 8 – 9.

Memo:
1^st time Bee syrup 13^th, 14^th, 15^th, 16^th, 17^th, 18^th.
Rents 15^th, 17^th
Weight 8st 4lb.

Sunday 16^th April 1944

Dark, mild. Alys up first. Did syrup for bees. James in nursery with bricks. Out with James to get leeks. Saw masses of slugs in poison put by little lettuces. Alys cooked bit of mutton. I made custard and we had raspberries (41) in oven. Rests. Got James up 3.30. In woods – fir cones. Got lettuces and apples. Stewed some apples. Alys put James to bed. Meat pies (and onion soup). I had earache and cried. P.S. by Keeling an iron founder, adopted by butler.

Monday 17^th April 1944

Dull. Cool.
Made bee syrup .All 3 to Barnard Castle in car. Petrol at Watson’s. For grate to Down’s iron foundry. Met Browns. On Abbey Bridge with James and home other way. Cold cock and bacon dinner. I made lemon syrup after Mrs Peacock did arcade. Alys got James up after rests. I rested 3.45 – 5. Alys and I picked daffodils. James played with Rona (tree-house). I put him to bed. Sausage, bacon and egg and salad. Play “The Duke in Darkness” Leslie Banks. (Alys for rents).

Tuesday 18^th April 1944

Dark (some sun a.m.)
Out in James’ tree-house. Washed zip and grey jumpers. Alys cooked lemon soles and Queen of Puddings and chicken broth. Made bee syrup at 2. Rest till 3. To Dimmock, Holt, Barns, O’Brien, Dobinson, Elgey. Mrs O’Brien came for coffee – 2lb. Did some ironing. Hard boiled eggs and salad and chocolate pudding. Brains Trust.

Wednesday 19^th April 1944

Cold, rainy and very windy.
James not out all day. Began new big jigsaw. Syrup for bees. Alys and I measured furniture for selling. Mince and warmed-up pudding. Rests. I got James up. Out to get lettuces and to pigs. Alys put James to bed again. “A Day in Bomber Command” after News.

Thursday 20^th April 1944

Mild. Some sun. Slight showers.
Captain Clark came about cadet Signals coming. Made syrup for bees. Made custard. Out for lettuces. James out with his car a little. Cold U.S. pork meat and mashed potatoes and salad and apples and custard. At 1.30 Alys, Baden and James in car to Darlington to Fothergill. Blain and James X-rayed. Mrs Peacock cleaned Alys’ room. I rested 20 minutes. Made ginger biscuits. They back at 4.30. Out for rhubarb. Cooked it. Bathed James. Chicken broth, mince, rhubarb. Miss Peacock in at 8.30 with pink knitting bouclé wool. Lewis Hastings – War Commentary.

Friday 21^st April 1944

Mild. Showery.
Alys made fishpie and rhubarb tart for dinner. I did laundry and mended things for it. James out with his car, and jigsaw. Pescod came (Garrison engineer). Rests. I got James up. Posted his letter to Teddy and my Red Cross with 11/-. Butcher and Hunter came. To glasshouses with James (and pigs). Got lettuces and daffodils. Alys with James to Barnes’ with coupons for wool. Alys put James to bed. Cold pork meat in sitting-room, listening to “Meet Nurse Dugdale” Arthur Marshall. Alys very tired.

Saturday 22^nd April 1944

Fine.
Made bee syrup. All 3 in car to Richmond. I in queue for oranges for 45 minutes or so. Alys and James in shops; sweets, sausages. Back 12.30. Sausages and mashed potato; gelozone rhubarb juice and pie. Rests. Alys got James up. I to Blain’s to pay and Red Cross. Rona still ran away from James (and yesterday). All to East Layton for Dennis’ letter in car. Rock garden with James. Alys made fishcakes and spinach (rom market). I put James to bed. Play by Lord Dunsany “If” about Persia and crystal ball. Made buttons for old Zip.

Memo:
20^th 2 p.m. Fothergill.
Red Cross and 21^st Arthur Marshall on wireless 7.45.
17^th Rents
Rent paid to 20^th – Pickin.
22^nd Blain’s wages. Ken’s 10/-
17^th weight 8st 4lb. Sent Red Cross with 11/- 21^st
22^nd 10^th day bee syrup.

Intensive air assaults on German Railway and on their aircraft production factories, Munich. Nuremberg, Schweinfurt all this month (day by U.S. Fortresses, night by R.A.F.)

Sunday 23^rd April 1944

Mild. Fine then dull in p.m.
Made syrup for bees. Alys made gooseberry pie (bottled). Brushed dogs with James. I put beef in earthenware crock in oven with fried onions. Ken cut lawn (1^st time). James and Rona in garden. Alan in p.m. (not Rona). By swing and with car. Rests. Cut tufts of grass with hand-scythe. Got potatoes and watercress. Shortened crochet skirt. Alys put James to bed. Wrote Pickin with rent. Cold pork meat and bacon. No P.S. after News. “Midsummer Night’s Dream”.

Monday 24^th April 1944

Fine. Windy.
Syrup for bees. Alys feeling coldy and sore throat. She made gravy for stew and a 6 egg custard. Out with James getting flowers, narcissi by ponds, spinach stalks as veg. Mrs Peacock did washing and upper hall. Rests. Got James up. Looked at Boy’s Own Paper and out for wood. After tea James out a little and then jigsaw with Alys. I put rubber soles on green slippers. I put James to bed, talked of policemen. Scrambled eggs. Conan Doyle’s “Lost World” 7.15. To bed 10, daylight nearly.

Tuesday 25^th April 1944

Fine. Warm, windy.
Syrup for bees. Alys feeling rotten, legs shaky, sore throat. However she made lovely spaghetti for lunch. I made apple-snow, cooked potatoes for Zeus. Rested and up 3.15, reading “Jack the Giant Killer” with James. Out to pond. Tea. James and Alys back by 2 fields. James and Alan on car till I called him and put James to bed. Alys cooked bacon, sausage and egg and I made coffee and chocolate and egg white pudding. Brains Trust. H.V. Morton. Gerald Bullett (Jury author), Sir Ernest Barker, C.B. Fry, Lord Elton. Good Brains Trust. St George.

Wednesday 26^th April 1944

Fine. Warm.
Made syrup. Out with James and turned waterfall off. Ponds filled. Got cauliflowers and prepared them. Alys made œufs au jus with rice border. Gelozone shape and custard. Rests. To Holt, Dimmock, Barnes, Gell, Dobinson, O’Brien. To get lettuces. Alys not feeling well, but in Phil’s hut and bathed James, who had played with Alan. Baden to get potatoes in car for pigs. Spaghetti and salad and treacle tart. Nora with cake. Alys gave her 2lb tea (Mink’s). Alys made cinnamon buns.

Thursday 27^th April 1944

Fine, coller. Windy.
Made syrup for bees (75lb sugar since 13^th). Alys still feeling rotten, Rough throat. Out for curly kale and apples with James and to pigs. Cooked rhubarb. Alys made custard. Had tinned “vegs in gravy”. Rests. I got James up and we read “The Little Dog Trusty” in garden. Mrs Peacock cleaned sitting-room and pantry. James and I cut tufts on lawn. James with Alan after tea but then in, as Rona and Alan “ran away”. Jigsaw. I bathed James. Boiled eggs, cold pudding. War Commentary Strachey on Russian Air Force.

Friday 28^th April 1944

Fine. Coolish.
Syrup for bees. Out for leeks with Jams. Tinned steak (from Eire). Very good with fried potatoes. Rests. Searched for flit sprayer. Had cinnamon buns for tea. Dr Fothergill came in car at 5, stayed till 6.30. Rona came and played with James in their two cars. James’ braces broke and Alys and I searched for it. She put James to bed. I had Welsh rarebit and salad; she had omelette. Mill? Commentator from U.S. on Navy in Pacific. Colonel Knox death announced.

Saturday 29^th April 1944

Fine. Windy in evening.
Bee syrup. Did up (Alys did) Dennis’ case sheet Martindale. All to Richmond. Got in last petrol, sausages, bee sugar permit. Alys bought James shoes 18/-/ Back in 5. Got lettuce and had with Australian meat loaf. Rests. I got James up. We read on hut step. After tea to Ravensworth and East Layton in car. James played in his car with Rona and Alan. I put him to bed. Alys made leek soup and we had pfannkuchen with meat in it, and spinach. Chocolate with white egg and cream (from Mrs Ellerton). Butcher came on cycle at 4.35. “Milestones” very good. Lydia Sherwood. Stove went out.

Memo:
26^th Jeard from Eva that James could stay on
(25^th Not to Groups as no stamps came).
25^th Budget – Sir J Anderson broadcast. No changes.
24^th Have made 60lb sugar into syrup (Spring) bees – 5lb sugar, 4 pints water.
To 29^th 85 lb sugar
24^th Weight 8st 6lb.
Signals “marched in” this week but not here till 42.

Sunday 30^th April 1944

Perfect day. Hot.
1 pint syrup for weak hive. B. Blain lit stove, out last evening. Alys made date pudding, Atora. Both out to get asparagus. James played with Rona. Sausages, mashed potato and asparagus. Alls cooked some for Bill Blains’). Rests. Alys got James up. In garden, cutting grass and making way through shrubs and trees. Wrote Elsa. Alys bathed James. “Don Quixote”. Spinach leek soup, fried kidney and bacon. Rhubarb and cream.

---

Monday 1^st May 1944

Very fine. Duller in p.m.
Ironed things. Baden phoned Jackson about distemper. Made syrup for 1 hive. Baden put sugars on hive and some new quilts. Went over apples and told Blains they could sell to Morrell (decaying very quickly). Rests. Mrs Peacock cleaned upper hall. I got James up. Read in hut, weeded. James had fierce time with Alan and Rona. Zoetrope. I put him to bed. “Lost World” 7.15. Poached eggs and fried potatoes and salad in sitting-room. “Vandyke” till 10.35 Ivan Brandt.

Tuesday 2^nd May 1944

Fine, very windy. Very slight showers.
Out with James to get asparagus. James sat on 2 little tomato plants. Mrs Bill very sweet about it. James took potatoes in. I cooked asparagus and we had it with cold meat and dried peas. I helped Blains with apples for Morrell. Alys made custard. Rests. To Holt, Dimmock, Barnes, Dobinson. James played with Rona, Alan, Frank Barnes and late in. I bathed him, as Alys not feeling well (tummy). Boiled eggs. Brains Trust. Cut Alys’ hair at back.

Wednesday 3^rd May 1944

Fine. Cold wind.
Fetched cauliflower with James. We fed goldfish James had letters from Teddy and Eva). Alys made mince (shepherd’s pie) and we had date pudding with lovely sauce. Rests. James wrote to Teddy. I got him up, and we read “Rupert” in hut, and then cut grass. D. Simpson came with Judith (niece). James played with Rona, Alan and the Barnes boys. Found 3 baby rooks thrown out by gale, dead. Made soup. Boiled eggs (butter from Simpson). Alys made lovely gingerbread in p.m.

Thursday 4^th May 1944

Dull. Cold and showers. Sunny after tea.
Out with James for curly kale and cold; sent him back with dogs. “Signals” cadets in? Alys made hash and “Eve pudd”. Lit fire at 11. Rests, and Mrs Peacock cleaned sitting-room and rugs and carpet with carpet sweeper. Had gingerbread. Out to garden with Alys after tea. He came in very goodly. His letter to Teddy posted 6.30. Sardines and asparagus for supper. Miss Peacock came 8.15 – 9.15. War Commentary Cyril Falls.

Friday 5^th May 1944

Dull, cold, a little better in p.m.
Not out in a.m. Alys made tomato, egg, cheese pie and we put apples in oven. Rest of Eve pudd. Lit cosy stove at 10.30. Rests. Got James up 3.15. Read “Rupert” with him. Butcher and Hutner. Alys rang up Dr Woodend about James and made sponge cake and oxtail. I did brains for supper. Alys put James to bed. He played with Barnes’ boys. Alastair Cooke on stores like Sears Roebuck.

Saturday 6^th May 1944

Cold. Dullish.
All to Richmond. Took clock to shop. Food Office (James’ rations). Back 12.35. Oxtail and baked apples (cold). James to rest. We cleaned up, dusted. At about 4 came Dr Woodsend with Elizabeth Honeybourne and Juliet (3 and a bit) and Rosemary (1y 10 months). Dr Woodsend went over James (all right). Tea. He talked of Hughie, killed in raid on Hamburg, rear gunner. James played with cars and Arnold? And cycle, and other child. I put him to bed. Soup, bacon and sausages, rhubarb. Play “Mild and Bitter: Philip Wade. Very good. He played “Joe”.

Memo:
3^rd Simpsons asked permit – rook shooting.
30^th 1^st asparagus.
1 pint syrup on 30^th for weak hive.
6^th Blain’s wages.
1^st Weight 8st 7lb. Itch better 29.30.1.

Sunday 7^th May 1944

Fine all day. Cool. 8℃. Frost at night.
James out to see new little chicks and played. Ken rook-shooting. Alys wrote Dennis and Eva and cooked beef. I made “Rice Meringue” from my black book. Tomatoes (tinned) as veg. Rests. I washed re-knitted jumper first and put on stones in garden. Did some cutting and tidying on lawn and wood, and leaves from pond. James on road in his car. Nancy pulling on bike. Alys put James to bed. I cooked sausages. Gin and Lime. Baked apples. Don Quixote (Ralph Richardson and George Robey).

Monday 8^th May 1944

Sunny. Cool. Frost in night.
To garden with James. Mrs Pringle in. Cowslips, curly kale. Cooked a Lyon’s “ready mix” pudding. Oxtail stew first. Rests. Mrs Peacock sitting-room. I got James up. To Phil’s hut and read then rock garden. Cleared weed and leaves. Newt. After tea, James with children (Alys phoned Eva). In garden weeding on rock garden. Made dumplings (raw) with Alys lovely gravy (oxtail and tomato) James did jobbies in bed. “Lost World” 7.15. Wireless battery conked out at 9.15.

Tuesday 9^th May 1944

Dull. Coolish.
Out with James to take paper to salvage. To Ashes Pond, them to get asparagus (and he cowslips). Wrote Kit. Mince and macaroni and asparagus; steamed pudding and custard sauce. Rests. To Barnes’, Dimmock, Holt, Gell, Hinson, O’Brien. Alys put James to bed after Ken cutting lawn, and children in garden. We had omelettes with parsley and onion and a cocoa and whisked egg. Very nice. Brains Trust good. Joad, Huxley, Betjeman, Crow. With V. Wedgwood “William the Silent”.

Wednesday 10^th May 1944

Very fine. Warm.
With James for potatoes, lettuce, chives. Alys made hash with lovely gravy. Did my Income Tax claim. Rest. Got James up. Read “Rupert” in hut. Then weeded and tidied rock garden. With Alys round garden and glass-houses at 6. Put James to bed 7. Alys fried sausages, bacon, egg. Had rhubarb. James sent letter to Eva. Made 1 pint bee syrup for weak hive.

Offensive started in Italy – 12^th
Russians re-took Sebastapol.

Thursday 11^th May 1944

Very fine and warm.
11^th – 12^th Signals cadets in. Letter from Eva saying Bill Cave has been killed in Burma. Washed things. Out in James to get cauliflowers. Wrote Gwen and Will. Alys made “Scotch Eggs” for dinner. Chocolate pudding. Rests. Mrs Peacock did halls. Alys got James up and he posted her letter to Caves. I mended Zeus’ basket on grass. I put James to bed (Stewed apples earlier). As Alys to Meeting at East Layton in car, with Baden (“Salute the Soldier” week). Fried sausage cakes. Alys back 8.15 to supper. Nora Ireland brought ginger cakes.

Friday 12^th May 1944

Fine and warm.
Washed clothes. To Mrs Blain’s to pay and Red Cross. Wrote Eva, with Elsa’s letter, and about Bill. Alys made hash and hot cauliflower and we made “Pain Perdu”. Rests. Got James up and read in hut. He helped me to weed path. Butcher brought tongue, and we boiled it; smelt bad. Sausage cakes and lovely coffee shape. Miss Peacock, Eric and Mrs Barnes in with press for tongue. Mrs Blain helped with it. Alys read me Phil’s letter about his work – dental, children, V.D.

Saturday 13^th May 1944

Dull, showery after 4.
Alys, James and I to Richmond in car. Got my chocolate ration and bee sugar permit. Took James’ shoes to Mc Ginnis. Home 12.45. Sausages and potatoes, stewed apples. Rests. Gardened, clearing path for Bill Blains and tidying by hut. Got lettuce and asparagus. Put James to bed. Asparagus, tongue, salad, coffee cream (delicious dinner – very pre-war). Miss Peacock came with Alys’ pink jumper. “The Anatomist” by Bridie. Alastair Sim as Dr Knox. James played with Rona and Alan in arcade as rainy after tea.

Memo:
11^th Heard Bill Cave was killed in Burma.
9^th Letter from Kit about Fitzjames’ death. Wrote her.
&th and 8^th night frosts (8℉) spoilt fruit?
8^th Weight 8st 7lb.
13^th Rents.

Sunday 14^th May 1944

Fine early, then very cold and dull.
Put on cotton frock, but changed later as so cold. Alys made gooseberry tart (bottled fruit), roast beef. James and I to get curly kale. Very cold. James began British Isles jigsaw. Rests. Got James up and to hut and read “Rupert” and then did weeding on path till teatime. Alys and James did jigsaw and puzzle book after. I read papers. Alys put James to bed. Tongue and salad, and treacle tart. P.S. By Adrian Bell, author and farmer, Rogation Sunday.

Monday 15^th May 1944

Very cold. Dullish. No paper came. Cleaned my room a bit. Out with James for lettuces. Weeded a little. Did up 8 eggs and some chocolate for Phil. Cold beef and tongue, salad, “rod” potatoes (with corer). Gooseberry pie. Clean-esi man came. Baden mended James’ car wheel. Rests. Mrs Peacock did sitting room and kitchen. I weeded and cut grass by step. Alys to Gell and Cliff for rents. I put James to bed. No “Lost World” and Monday Night at 8 – not till 9.30!

Tuesday 16^th May 1944

Very cold. Showers. Soldier’s gear being moved down to Sergeants’ Mess all day. James and I took presents to Blain’s. Macaroni cheese and tinned peaches. Rests. To Barnes’, Butler, Holt, Dobinson, O’Brien. James played with Alan and to his house. Made egg-box for Eva – 8 eggs. Alys making nightgown. Rona in to thank. Alys put James to bed. Soup – Heinz onion – sardines. Rhubarb and cream. Brains Trust – Francis Meynell, Fry, K. Clark, Gibson, Sir George White, Gould.

Wednesday 17^th May 1944

Very cold. Rain in a.m.
To Richmond. Got James’ shoes from McGinnis. Stocking for him and shorts. Lock for Peacock’s cottage, grate for Gell’s. Oven for Alys (at Husband’s) (1.10.7) No luck with haircuts. Home 12.45. Beef in gravy and macaroni; mashed fried potatoes. Rhubarb and custard. Rests. Got James up. Read “Rupert” by fire in sitting room. Then weeding and clearing lower path. Got asparagus and weeded bed. Asparagus, Welsh rarebit, chocolate eggs and cream. 1^st St George’s Day “Concert”.

We took Cassino 18^th. Very good work by French and Poles with U.S.A. and us.

Thursday 18^th May 1944

Very cold and damp.
“Signals” in with 6 A.T.S. Baden made petrol bin holder for oven. Out with James to pick gooseberries. Alys made mince; reheated apples and treacle tart in new oven. Dorothy Ellerton came at 1.20. Brought chicken and cream. I rested. Alys didn’t and had indigestion. Mrs Peacock did halls. We did “British Isles” jigsaw with James. Mended suspender belt and James’ shorts. Tongue for supper. Miss Peacock came, with laundry. War Commentary by Lewis Hastings on Italian campaign.

Friday 19^th May 1944

Rainy, milder.
Laundry. “Signals” away. Out in rain and got more gooseberries, and rhubarb. Back; cooked sprouts and rhubarb. Alys roasted chicken from D’Ellerton and made bread sauce. James doing jigsaw and in arcade. Short rest. Made Genoese cake in new oven. Ham onto broil, less sugar and ham (off ration). Out with James to pigs. Alys wrote Kitty. I wrote for pig food ration and sent off Red Cross money 11/-. Put James to bed, after walk to pond and saw moor hen. Soup and tongue and salad, baked apple and cream and cake.

Saturday 20^th May 1944

Cold and showery.
Baden hoovered big front rooms. We washed furniture – tit marks. Alys cooked chicken with rice and white sauce. James and I out for potatoes. Tin of spinach, with fowl. Baked apples, gooseberries. Rests. Alys dressed James who to Blain’s to tea-party (for Rona’s birthday – 16^th June). Alys indigestion and no supper. I had mince and pork pie. Alys put James to bed at 7.20. Miss Peacock and Eric in at 8.15 for washing. I wrote Dennis. “Emperor Jones” by O’Neill.

Memo:
18^th First gooseberries picked.
16^th Alys had letter from Dennis about Blain not having T.B!
15^th Rents 16^th Rona’s 7^th birthday. Green frock from Alys. Book from James. 5/- stamp (me).
20^th Blain’s wages. Ken’s 10/-
15^th Weight 8st 5lb.
19^th Sent Red Cross 11/-.

Offensive from Anzio beachhead started 22^nd.

Sunday 21^st May 1944

Dull. Milder. Finer after tea.
Wrote lettercard to Ella about oatmeal and Dexa. Alys better and ate all meals (no tea). Out with rook to joiner’s shop. James with Rona (and episode about “Alan took James’ car”. Sausages and kidneys and mashed potato and bread sauce. Chicken soup first. Gooseberries and custard. Rests. Read Rupert in hut and on rock garden. James with Rona and back at 6.50 very dusty. I bathed him and then down 7.5 to hear War Letters from Burma. Hot pork pies and cold ham. Rhubarb. Radio very bad but Don Quixote all night. Counted rent money.

Monday 22^nd May 1944

Finer. Cool.
Tidied up. To get curly kale. Alys cooked roast mutton and stuffed it and we had baked apples. Mrs Peacock cleaned my room. No rests. Mr Clark and Mr Liddell to tea. Alys made scones. Posted tray to Eva and socks to Phil (darned ones) from Alys. Alys put James to bed. “Lost World” 7.15. Fried liver and bacon and salad. Wireless went off again at 9.25.

Tuesday 23^rd May 1944

Fineish. Duller in p.m. Cool.
Ken cut lawn. Made a steamed ginger pudding. Out with James, got lettuces. Cold beef and tinned tomatoes. Alys phoned Dr Woodsend, who came after tea to see James’ spots and ears (wax). Elizabeth Honeybourne and children and cousin from Valparaiso (sacro-iliac injury). I to Savings Group people. James played with Dobinson’s. I bathed him and ointment all over. Spaghetti, cold ham, chocolate pudding. Brains Trust. Lord Elton, Lord Hailey.

Wednesday 24^th May 1944

Fineish. Cloudy in p.m.
To Mrs Dobinson about the children coming. Alys, James and I to Barnard Castle in car about James’ rations and shoes. Home 12.40. Sausages, spaghetti, potato; ginger pudd. Rests. Got James up. Took his letter to post and eggs for Phil. Got wood. Read on lawn (Rupert). James with Rona and Alan after tea. Nora with 2 gingerbreads. Alys put James to bed, rubbed him and Nora took tea. Churchill’s speech, House of Commons.

Cisterna taken and passed on Appian Way.

Thursday 25^th May 1944
Fine. Mild.
Blain to Brancas and Tweddell. Alys, James and I to Richmond in car for distemper for Hodgeson;’s; house. Took Alys’ coat to cleaners. Got James’ hair cut (3d and 2d tips). Talked to Mr Brook of Barclay’s Bank about Salute the Soldier week. Lentil soup and sausage rolls and ham lunch, baked apples. Alys bought Valor Minor at Husband’s. Rests. Mrs Peacock did sitting room. Picked gooseberries – James and Alys – and then asparagus. I put James to bed and rubbed him. Very good tomato soup asparagus and chocolate egg white. Strachey on bombing Essen and L.A.G. Strong play “Dinner with a Novelist”. Gin and lime.

Friday 26^th May 1944

Fine. Windy.
To Hodgson’’s and Pringle’s and took Mrs Pringle and Nora Blain with us to Ravensworth for new Ration Books and Stanwix. Macaroni, tomato and cheese and mince lunch. Made gooseberry fool and Alys made custard for it. Rests. Got James up at 3.15. Butcher brought pork. James and I read and then getting netting from garden. James’ finger hurt. Fingerstall and bathing. He with Rona and Alan but they at road end. Alys put him to bed and rub. Made soup (asparagus), sausage rolls, gooseberries. Daniel Wills? U.S.A. Nurse Dugdale.

Saturday 27^th May 1944

Fine, warm.
Out for rhubarb and weeded. Alys made apple charlotte. Mince, macaroni and potatoes. James playing with Rona and Alan. Rests. Began letter to Doz. Out with James at 2.45 to road-end for sausages. Cut raspberry canes in rhododendrons and freed giant parsnip. Alys made scones. Had some. Lettuces. Put James to bed and rubbed him. Got Baden for wireless. He to Jackson’s in car for H.T. Battery. Hot bacon and sausages. “Ghost Train”.

Memo:
22^nd Mr Clark comes (Rents)
Points period ends.
22^nd Weight 8st 8¾ lb.

5^th – 8^th Armies progressing in Italy towards Rome-Anzio beachhead force joined up with others.
3^rd Valmontone and Velletri taken.

Sunday 28^th May 1944

Very fine and warm all day.
Washed greeny (cable) pullover and dried in garden. Made pastry for raspberry and apple pie (bottled raspberries). Alys roasted pork and stuffed it. Rests. Out with James and read in hut. We cut down raspberry canes. Alys and James fetched flit pump. Scones and gingerbread and orangeade and Lincoln Frizz. Cut asparagus and cooked it and we had cold ham first. Alys put James to bed and rubbed him. P.S. Walter Elliot with Africa. Don Quixote. Chocolate and cream.

Monday 29^th May 1944

Very hot and fine.
(Edward’s 68^th birthday). Out with James and tidying wire netting. Alys gave James bath in a.m. and all clean things. Washed socks. Alys washed James’ things. Cold pork, cold asparagus, raspberry juice, cornflour shapes. Rests. Made pastry into treacle and jam tarts. To garden, lettuces. Alys came too. James with Rona (Alan away). Listened “Lost World” 7.15 and got James in at 7.40. I bathed him (digging to get to water or fire). Bacon and sausages. Negro opera from New York. “The Man who went to War”.

Tuesday 30^th May 1944

Fine, warm.
Alys and I got bear rugs out and also furniture to be sold (from big sitting room) and upstairs. James with Alan and Rona – unhappy about policeman. Cold pork, raspberry tart. Rests. To Holt, Barnes, Dobinson, O’Brien. Met Mrs Elgey, Red Cross. James had tea in hut. Helped me later, cutting down sycamore. Hedgesparrows’ nest 5 years. Blain boys moved furniture, attic. Alys bathed James. Sardines and treacle tart. Brains Trust. Lord Samuel.

---

Thursday 1^st June 1944

Cool. Rainy. Finer after tea.
Preparing for auctioneers to fetch furniture; but phoned not coming. Got gooseberries. Alys made salmon mould (steamed) with rice and custard with the gooseberries. I bottled (Camden) small bottle. Did up 8 eggs and “What happened to the Corbetts” and Alys posted to Eva (and wool to Arkengarthdale – Elsie Metcalfe). Blain working extractor. Took off about 13lb honey (very dark). Rest at 3.35. Out for lettuces and last apples. Alys did James. Scrambled eggs, salad, chocolate and white of egg. 6 A.T.S. in to sleep here. Drivers to O.T.C. Signals. War Commentary Pacific Australian. Play Neil Gunn “Sun and Moon”.

Friday 2^nd June 1944

Fine – windy.
Laundry (didn’t call). Made “Genoese” for two cakes. Baked at 2 p.m. Hunter. Alys gave James geography and dictation and reading. James out with Rona and Alan in p.m. No rests (except James). Butcher didn’t come. U.S. pork meat and chips (Alys fried in deep fat). Got Phil’s little railways from the Blain’s room cupboard. Bad egg in waterglass so changed them. Out for rhubarb. Cooked it. Bathed James. Potato soup (Heinz) and tinned kippers. Lovely. Darned James’ elbow. Kim out. Kim out all night.

Saturday 3^rd June 1944

Dull, mildish.
To Richmond in car. Bread. Back 12.50. Peal’s pies. Pain perdu. Rests. I got James up. Read “2 Bad Mice”, weeded. Ken scything banks. James helped me till 5.30 (Alys slept on after post time). D. Simpson called with butter. Alys put James to bed at 7.30. I fried “ducks”. Alys cooked oxtail all evening. Darned James’ pullover. Listened to “Haven and Charing Cross”. Aubrey Danvers-Walker, Louise Hampton.

Memo:
Laundry came Saturday and butcher.
Auctioneers – 1^st
30^th Elgey Red Cross 11/-.
Extracted first honey 13lb.
30^th Letter from Dennis about Phil being positive.
Blain’s wages.
29^th Cotton frocks – straw sun hat, and for James too.
29^th Weight 8st 8lb.

Allies enter Rome – June 4^th, 5^th

We land in France between Cherbourg and Le Havre

Airborne and seaborne. Fighting in Caen 6th

Sunday 4^th June 1944

Stormy, showery, windy.
Did Income Tax reclaim in black book. Made Be-Ro puff balls of suet. Oxtail for dinner. Alys made pink icing for cake. Rests. Out and weeded paths, and by steps. After tea (Alys made scones), to pigs and got lettuce with James. We played “Snap”. I put James to bed. U.S. pork meat. Toast (lentil soup first). Rhubarb and cake. P.S. by Naval doctor. Don Quixote.

Monday 5^th June 1944

Fine. Windy. Cool.
James 7^th birthday. Letters to him, he read aloud. Presents after breakfast. Hot beef and leeks (from market). Puffballs in oven; jam. Eva and Eve phoned to James. Rests, while Mrs Peacock did halls. Nancy and Rona to tea; cake with pink icing and 7 night lights in red frills. Piano and catching game, hunt the thimble, hide and seek. Alys put James to bed. Egg sandwiches and pork meat. Cake. Monday night at 8 – “The Queen’s Watch” Mary of Scots and Bothwell.

Tuesday 6^th June 1944

Windy. Cool.
Baden said Invasion started. Heard at 10 o’clock. Eisenhower speech to Europeans and troops. Dutch and Belgian; Prime Ministers Auctioneer’s men taking furniture all day. Alys gave them sausages and mash. I got tea. We had oxtail, red currants and raspberries and custard. To Dimmock, Holt, Barnes, Gell, Dob, O’Brin. Cake and water. James with Alan. Wrote Ella. Listened to news. To garden, pigs and lettuces, sausages and bacon. I late so no bath. Brains Trust; Meynell. King spoke at 9. News and Service.

Wednesday 7^th June 1944

Fair. Finer. Warmer.
Men at 7.30 for more furniture. We 3 in car to Barnard Castle. Hunter’s. Sent sugar and chocolate to Dennis. Back 12.45. Tongue; raspberries and currants and custard. Rests. Got James up and in garden. Rolled wire up. Weeded. Tea. News. Got potatoes and asparagus. Cooked asparagus while Alys to East Layton to meeting with Baden, Nora, Mrs Savery, Put James to bed. Boiled eggs, chocolate and whole egg. Not much news allowed out about our invasion.

8^th We enter Beaux. Hard fighting for Caen.

Thursday 8^th June 1944

Warm, fine. Grey in evening.
Men in for furniture! Made Queen of Puddings. Alys did mince with rice and fired poatotes (Oakins).  Mrs Peacock cleaned garden porch and room and hall and carpet put there. Rests. Got James up and weeded path. ”Tea”. Weeded till 6.35. Alys put James to bed. I warmed up Oxtail soup and opened sardines. Coffee shape. Alys made. 2 A.T.S. in for night. War Reports and Lewes, Hastings and “The Dancing Partner”. Jerome K. Jerome.

Friday 9^th June 1944

Dullish. Mildish.
Wweding path. Baden to Raversworth with eggs – Eva. Made Pfannekuchen for dinner with mince in. Alys’ coffee-shape. Short rest. Altered (shortened) black voile coat and blue and black crêpe de chine frock. Blain’s and us getting things for Fête. Candles. I put James to bed. Bacon and egg supper. Pancakes and jam in them. News and War Report.

Saturday 10^th June 1944

Wet a.m. Dull. Fête postponed.
James and I looked at posters of Dalton and Ravensworth school-children. James painted one. Alys and I changed Chesterfield and desk in sitting-room. Meat Pies and Queen of Puddings. Rests. Alys to Pringle for rent. James and I weeding and looking at flit plunger. Tea. Bacon and sausages. I cooked. Alys put James to bed. Alys made chocolate pudding. News and War Report 5. Good play “On Approval” Cathleen Nesbitt (Freddie Lonsdale?)

Memo:
10^th Fete 6^th Auction men and 7^th
5^th James’ 7^th birthday
6^th INVASION started. Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force. “SHAEF”.
10^th Rents
9^th Miss Brown with posters.
5^th Weight 8.8 ½

12^th Carentan taken. Still fighting for Caen.

“Salute the Soldiers” Week. East and West Layton.

Sunday 11^th June 1944

Dull and damp early. Finer by teatime.
Picked gooseberries and curly kale. Alys cooked beef. James wrote to Dennis and Phil. Rested. Judged posters. Tea. Alys out with James. I put James to bed. Alys cooked scrambled eggs. Wireless stopped in News so no “Don Quixote” or War Report.

Monday 12^th June 1944

Fine. Very windy.
Washed bee feeders in old kitchen. In garden with James. Beef stew – rice shape and gooseberries. Rests. Got James up. In garden bowling hoop. Alys to Hodge’s for rest. At 6.30 I in car to Dalton School (taking Margery Brown). Judged Fancy Dresses with Mrs Kennedy. I gave prizes and also gave prizes for Posters. Alys to East Layton in car at 8 with Blain’s and Mrs Elgey to Bring and Buy Sale. Back at 10.45 or so.

Tuesday 13^th June 1944

Fine. Windy.
Letter from Eva that Teddy coming. Got things in order. Changed sofas again. Stew and porkpie and gooseberries and rice. Short rest. To Holt. Dimmock, Barnes, Dobinson, O’Brien. Tea. Alys decanted port. Accident with beer. Bottle and decanter. I put James to bed. Pork-pie and soup and salad and chocolate. At 8.15 Teddy and Money-Kyrle (Squadron Leader) and a Wing Commander arrived. Coffee and out to gardens and outhouses to get dolls’ bed. (Port and beer. Talk about Eton. They to Bowes Moor).

Wednesday 14^th June 1944

Fine. Heavy Showers.
Meant to go Richmond but car wouldn’t start. Minced the beef. Alys added vinegar and oil and onion. Had cold mince and mashed potato. Very little rest as D.C.R.E. rang up about Nissen Huts. l went up there. Teddy and 2 cars of R.A.F. Officers and a W.A.A.F. came about the caravan. “Tea”. I made Cornish pasties. Alys put James to bed. We looked at caravan stoves. Read papers in evening. Wireless very crackly.

Montebourg taken and lost and villages too. Fluctuating fierce fighting. Robot Plane raids begin 15^th.

“Salute to Soldiers’ Week – Our Target £400. We got £1,528.

Thursday 15^th June 1944

Fine. Windy.
All to Richmond in car. James and I in a tank with anti-tank gun. Speeches by Mayor and Colonel Gravely. Band playing and got 5 weeks more emergency rations for James. Alys put in War Bond certificates. Took Mr Heigham home. Cornish pasties for lunch. Alys phoned Dennis about caravan and wired Northwood $1.65. Mrs Peacock cleaned sitting room. Weeded and salad. Chocolate. A.T.S. (4) in to sleep.

Friday 16^th June 1944

Fine, Windy. Duller later.
Did laundry and some weeding. Alys made savoury macaroni. Wrote lettercard to Kitty. News at 1 of Pilotless Plane. Rest. Got James up. Posted eggs to Eva. At about 7. Children’s Sports on lawn. About 32 from East and West Layton. Mr Elenor and James Bainbridge ran it. Blain helping. It went on till 9.45. Then Mr E and J.B and Blain in to port and stayed 45 minutes at least. I put James to bed. Alys and I cooked kidneys and ducks for supper. To bed 11.30.

Saturday 18^th June 1944

Very fine. Perfect.
Made steamed ginger puddings. Weeded. Warmed up macaroni and ducks. James for rest. We preparing for “Garden Fête”. People came 2.30 to 3. Darts, Bowls, 6d in pail of water, ping-pong balls in pail, ping-pong. Treasure stakes, candles, tea. Mrs Wardle brought cakes and helped. Mrs Savery’s Win for Tea. Mrs Metcalfe of Arkengarthdale came and Dr James lighted fire in wood (with Rona). Supper 8.15 about. News and “Alibi” play from Agatha Christie’s book.

Memo:
16^th Sports here. Sale Auction 19.30. Darts.
15^th Pickin rent due.
12^th Dalton School 7 p.m.
17^th Blains’ wages
Weight 8.8 12^th
James got 1^st prize shoe race and 2^nd egg and spoon race.

18^th Americans seal up Cherbourg peninsula tip.
Raids by robot plane.

Sunday 18^th June 1944

Dull. Cool.
Alys wrote Teddy at caravan with cheque £165. Roast pork and stuffing. Warmed up ginger puddings. Took milk can back to Barnes’ and called at Hodgsons’. (Miss Hodgsons diabetes). Alys wrote Eva. I cooked sausages and porridge. Rest (sleep). Alys up and reading with James. To garden, got flowers and asparagus. Cooked latter for supper. Alys put James to bed (he cut his knee falling). Cold sausages and salad. Wensleydale cheese. 8.30 Framley Parsonage. War Report 13. Broadcasts from Normandy.

Monday 19^th June 1944

Perfect day.
To Mrs Blain’s with suet and to pay. Washed clothes. Did potatoes. Sewed bottled raspberries. Made custard. Alys teaching James. Cold pork and stuffing. Mrs Peacock washed and halls. Got James up 3.15. Read. In garden, sewed Zeus’ pillow. Weeds from pond. James cried and Alys took him to Gell’s about policeman. Swarm of bees. Blains got it and hived in garden. Blain to Richmond bus about Salute Soldier. Alys picked gooseberries and we Camdened 3 jars. Shaw’s “The Adventures of the Black Girl in Her Search for God”.

Tuesday 20^th June 1944

Dull. Cold.
Wrote Doz. Slept late. Alys up first. Alys picked gooseberries. Sausages, stuffing. Rests. To Barnes, Holt, Dimmock, Gell, Dobinson, O’Brien. Tea. To garden for lettuces. Blain in car to take back crockery and tea urn. Alys put James to bed. We up to caravan first. Cold ham and salad. Brains Trust. Geoffrey Crowther, Margery Fry.

Wednesday 21^st June 1944

Dull then fine.
To Barnard Castle in car. Rations, tongue, chocolate and corduroy shorts for James. Pork tongue and Mrs Barnes’ “cheese“ pie. Rests. Wrote Kit. With Barnes in garden. Tea. Alys to Hodgson’s (Mrs Hodgson in hospital, diabetes). Mended James’ shoes and a dish with duroglue. Alys mended “Flit” washer with Elastoplast. Put James to bed. Kippers, chocolate. Play by Edgar Wallace. “The Three Just Men”.

22^nd Siege of Cherbourg begins. Pilotless Planes still coming over, day and night. Berry’s sleeping downstairs in passage. Heard pilotless planes often.

Thursday 22^nd June 1944

Fine, then duller. Cool.
Washed things. Got in lettuces, radishes (sage for drying) and teaching James in p.m. She got him up, after he’d written to Eva and taught him to catch a tennis ball. I rested and altered cotton frocks and cut grass with shears. Washing line and rock garden. Alys put James to bed. I ironed. Mrs Metcalfe and Miss Peacock in. Alys strained her back. Signals A.T.S. in to sleep (4). Alys sent 5 eggs to Eva and 5 to Phil.

Friday 23^rd June 1944

Fine day.
Cut grass and got wire out, above rock-garden with James. Alys made canary pudding. Cold ham. Rests. Butcher came. Honey extracted, 2^nd time. James and I helping Baden. Then reading with James and got salted beans in (after tea) with Alys. She cooked them in 4 different boiling water. Put James to bed. Cold ham and beans and rice. Wireless battery out in mid-News. To bed 11. James still awake.

Saturday 24^th June 1944

Very fine day.
Eva phoned 9 a.m. to say all wanted to come here tomorrow. Busy all day preparing bedrooms, hovering and dusting. James playing with Rona and Alan. Pork-pies and rice, onions and beans at 1.30. James rested. We both went on cleaning, making beds. Tea. Supper 8.15 or so – ham, bean salad, chocolate. “Lilies of the Field” play. Sent flour, sugar, fruit to Wardle’s (and 2lb honey).

Memo:
24^th Points Period end.
22^nd 1^st Tomato – Blains gave Alys
19^th 1^st swarm got in and put in Bill Blain’s hive by beech hedge.
21^st 2^nd swarm – put back. Alan Cliff’s birthday
22^nd 3^rd swarm, 24^th 3 more swarms
23^rd Extracted 17 ½ lb honey
19^th 8st 9lb weight

Americans in Cherbourg 26^th
Surrender of Cherbourg 27th

Sunday 25^th June 1944

Dullish, mild.
Very busy all day cleaning (trains terribly crowded – evacuees from P. P’s). Isabel’s room and Alys doing shelves and cupboards in kitchen and cooking port and stuffing and fruitella mould. Wire saying trail full, “ later”. On train. Cleaned nursery. Alys to Darlington at 5.15. I gave James his cocoa. Alys phoned twice from Darlington. Finally arrived about 8.20 with Eva, Teddy Eve and Isabel and Yvonne (9 weeks). Cooked sausages and mash. Supper 9.20. To bed 11.20.

Monday 26^th June 1944

Rainy, cool.
Isabel got breakfast. Milk sour and spoilt rice pudding. Got 3 lettuces and spring onions. Cold pork and salad. Stewed raspberries (bottled). James and Eve very happy together. Teddy unpacking boxes. Rainy. Cosy stove alight in p.m. Short rest and got James up. He read in my room with me. Tobbogan toy on table. Eve and James together. Minced ham and scrambed eggs and potatoes. Cheese. Did North America jigsaw a lot with Teddy. To bed 10.45.

Tuesday 27^th June 1944

Fine. Little showers. Cool.
Teddy cleaned out top pond all a.m. Baden scythed. In garden to pigs, with James and Eve. They very wet in long grass. Made ginger steamed pudding and salad. Cold pork. Rested 45 minutes. To Dimmock, Barnes’ (Sir John Blunt there), Gell, Dobinson. Tea (Alys made scones). Took Eve up to read “Two Bad Mice” then in garden. Eva and Alys made red rice. Eva and I took Isabel Burchett to gardens. Supper 7.50 Brains Trust. Commander C. B. Fry, Sir Ernest Barker and Lieutenant-Commander R. T. Gould.

Wednesday 28^th June 1944

Very windy. Dull. Finer before tea.
Eva washed her hair. Alys made gooseberry pie. Teddy did his crates in cowshed. Got salad and we had big corned beef opened. Baked treacle tart. Rested 30 minutes. Alys gave James lessons. In garden to pigs. Tea. Wrote Poz. Eva made Welsh rarebit with potato and tomato on top. Teddy began “Swans” puzzle.

Russian Offensive in White Russia going splendidly.
Flying bombs (or pilotless planes) still coming over day and night.

Thursday 29^th June 1944

Fine a.m. Thunder showers in p.m.
Stove out. Eva with Alys to Richmond in car for rations. Teddy and James and Eve in garden. Got many lettuces and cooked big leaves, salad of hearts. Corned beef. Treacle tart and gooseberries. Rest. Got James up. Read “Jeremy Fisher”. To Blain’s about potatoes. Got tea (Isabel’s p.m. “off”). Eve’s loud voice came suddenly. Read to Eve “Tailor of Gloucester”. Teddy and James in top room. To garden to tell B.B. about rabbit. Heinz beans and toast and potato (fried and mashed). Swan puzzle. 8 A.T.S. in.

Friday 30^th June 1944

Fine a.m. Thunder storm at 1.15.
Children made house on aubrieta wall. I washed clothes; did laundry, cooked lettuce leaves. Out to pigs. Teddy at crates. Stewed beef, jelly with tiny strawberries. Butcher came early. Hunter forgot paraffin. Rested 45 minutes. Tea. Read to Eve in my room. Teddy and James in top-room. Ran 4 engines. Picked gooseberries. Corned beef and lettuce hearts. Cheese. Looked at Eva’s photo albums. Darned James’ socks.

---

Saturday 1^st July 1944

Heavy rain. Muggy with few rain intervals.
Eva in bed till 6.30. Sinus antrum or cold?   James and Eve playing about house and in nursery and arcade. Teddy unpacked pictures. Alys made curry of corned beef. And for dinner. Did up 8 eggs and 2 chocolates for Phil. Short rest. Got James up. Took eggs to post. Mrs Hodgson in. Read with Eva and piano. Sausages and fried mashed potatoes.   Alys put Eve and James to bed. Eva on sofa. “Robert’s Wife” by St John Irvine with Edith Evans, Laidman Browne, Ann Codrington.

Memo:
1^st 8 eggs and 2 chocolate to Phil
30^th Sale of furniture – Darlington; Blain went by bus.
29^th Write Poz.
Blain’s wages.
25^th Wrote Pickin with cheque.
26^th Weight 8st 8lb.

Russians take Minsk – 3^rd. Russians take Polatsk 4^th
“Doodle bugs” still continue.

Sunday 2^nd July 1944

Very muggy and horrid. Heavy rain in p.m.
Eva in bed till dinner a 1.14. Children out and got wet at pump. I picked strawberries. Very hot and muggy. Alys cooked roast leg mutton and made chocolate in glasses with white and pink tops. Rests. James in Alys’ room, head-achy. Eva read to Eve at 3.30 – 4.30. I with her at piano and read to James. James’ temperature over 100°F and to bed. I read to Eve in my room, then with James and he 101.4°F. Salmon shape and strawberries. (Alys made in a.m.) Supper. “Are you Sure”. Eva inhaled. Cold. Very runny.

Monday 3^rd July 1944

Rainy and muggy – all day.
James in bed all day. Temp 100 – 101.6°F, sore throat and very miserable. Eva and Teddy talked to Isabel about staying on. Got salad (with cold meat), prunes and gooseberries and rice pudding. Alys with James while I rested till 3.30. Then I with him till tea. Teddy ran lathe for scooters. After tea, with Eve at piano and playing ball in drawing-room. Up to James later. Teddy got sherry from cellar. He began Belgian street jigsaw. Australian meats and cheese.

Tuesday 4^th July 1944

Dull a.m. Fine after tea.
James in bed all day. Rash behind knees. Phoned Dr Woodsend. Alys 60^th birthday. Eva’s cold still very heavy. Aching antrums and gums. Out to get lettuces. Cooked for dinner. Alys made mince and a Bird’s custard. Prunes. Rest. Out to Holt, Dimmock, Barnes, Gell, Dobinson. Kenneth Dobinson on leave. Had been 3 times to Normandy (landing troops and tanks on D-Day from Harwich 30 hours). Tea. Baden extracted honey. Teddy’s keys lost. He worked lathe. Didn’t see James all day. I read aloud to Eve. Alys made macaroni cheese and bathed 2 children.

Wednesday 5^th July 1944

Fineish, warm, one shower p.m.
James in bed all day. Car wouldn’t start so only at 11.10 to Barnard Castle. Teddy drove, Eva and Eve and I. Petrol at Smallways. Rations, fish, Bank. Back 1. Teddy filleted fish. Eva fried it. Redcurrants and raspberries (bottled) and custard. Baden extracted honey after lunch. I still 3.35. Then rested. Tea. Up with James – savings stamps and chalks. He still 99.6°F and Alys very worked up about Teddy and the children. I cooked – kippers for supper. After tea, News. Terrific talk between Alys and Teddy. To bed 11.10. Heard from Doz about Wrens. Wrote to her at midnight.

6^th Mr Churchill spoke about Flying Bombs. To date 2,754 bombs launched, 2,752 deaths, 8,000 injured.
8^th offensive in Normandy starts.

Thursday 6^th July 1944

Fine day!!! Gave Eva £2. Eva’s 35^th birthday. Baden in with crate of honey to extract. James still 99.4°F, in bed all day. Lettuce hearts salad with U.S.A. pork meat. Out for onions with Eve. Also little strawberries (on rice with egg, for pudding). Wrote Doz (begun last night) and Sissie. Alys slept in my room and I rested there 3.35 – 4.35. Tea. Alys made Genoese cake with James. Kim up there. Eve with Rona and Alan. Made dried eggs (12) with onion and cheese. Eva helped. Out to pigs at 10. Picked strawberries. Teddy too after tea, very wormy. A.T.S. in.

Friday 7^th July 1944

Fine a.m. Rain, dark later. Fine evening.
More honey extracted. 6lb only. Isabel said must go to her dying father. Alys made salmon fish-pie. Eva made bread and butter pudding. I did boiled lettuce. After lunch, covered honey. Teddy making scooter all day. Top room. Butcher brought tongue. Alys boiled it (soaked it 30 minutes) for 5 hours or 4½. Rest 45 minutes of more. James on sofa for lunch and again got tea. Began Africa jigsaw. Poached eggs on spinach (tin) and new potatoes. Tongue in press at 10.20.

Saturday 8^th July 1944

Fine. Heavy thunder storm.
With Eve to garden and pigs 7.30. Teddy’s 38^th birthday. Saw Teddy feeding fish and taking photos of Eve. Eva and I picked gooseberries and got cauliflowers. Cooked the gooseberries. James still 99.2°F. On sofa for dinner. Hot roast beef, cauliflower, new potatoes. Custard with gooseberries. Wrote R.A.S.C with bill for electricity. Rested. Blain to Richmond; for distemper. James on sofa. Tea and South America jigsaw with Teddy. Eve on scooter that Teddy made. Eva cooked sausages. Mashed, hot tomatoes (tin). Play” The Web” Rita Vail. Husband tried for murder of Roger (Stringer).

Memo:
Alys birthday 4^th – 60
Eva’s 6^th
Teddy’s 8^th
2^nd – 1^st strawberries (I didn’t eat any – wormy).
5^th Phil’s exam
8^th Rents
4^th Extracted 20lb honey paler
5^th Extracted 22lb honey
6^th Extracted 13lb
7^th 6lb (78½lb)
5^th Weight 8st 5½lb
1^st New Potatoes – 7^th July

9^th We enter Caen
Refugees from Flying Bombs pouring into northern cities (chiefly children).
Big Russian offensive.

Sunday 9^th July 1944

Dullish. Fine a.m. Rain 5.30. Fine 6.30.
Breakfast 8. James in bed till 99.4°F at 6 p.m. Alys drove Eva, Teddy, Isabel, Yvonne and Eve to Richmond station. They off (except Eve) to London. I with James. He down to dinner. We all had cold meats, greens on kitchen table in sitting room. James on sofa. Jelly, prunes. Rests. I up at 2.45 (Alys rested then). Read to James and Eve in bedroom. Tea. Alys out with Eve. I with James. He on sofa all meals. I bathed Eve. Alys bathed James. Sausages (cold) and tongue, gooseberries. “Framley Parsonage” – Belle Chrystall as Lucy Robarts. I slept with Eve (in Eva’s bed).

Monday 10^th July 1944

Fine (shower in p.m.).
Men in arcade all day dismantling “accommodation” stores. Out with Eve. Got peas, and little strawberries and lettuces. Cold beef, new potatoes, peas. James down on sofa. Rests. Orange custard, prunes. I down 2.45. Drew and painted with Eve. Atkinson distempered alcove room. Dr Woodsend for James. Still 99.4°F. James bit off end of thermometer. Spat out glass and quick-silver. In garden with Eve. Very few raspberries – 14? Alys put children to bed, no baths. Stove out. Soup, tongue, sausage salad.

Tuesday 11^th July 1944

Fine day!!!
Out for lettuces to boil. A few blackcurrants. Eve with James but James out at 12.10 on seat in garden, not dressed. Cold beef. Rest. Felt sore throat behind nose, rhinitis. To Holt, Dimmock, Barnes, Gell (rent only), Dobinson. Invited all to meeting here. Tea on edge Phil’s hut. James out on chaise longue. Alys read Tomtit. I put Eve to bed. Fried egg and salad. Wireless gave out 9.20.

Wednesday 12^th July 1944

Fine.
In bed all day. Temp 100.2°F. Sore throat. Slept nearly all day. Orangeade and raspberry juice. James in garden in dressing-gown in p.m. Still 99°F. I moved into own room at 4 p.m. Wrote agenda for meeting and Alys had about 10 people at 8 p.m. to discuss – dance and whist. Alys slept in Eva’s room with Eve and James. Temperature 100°F at 6 p.m.

Thursday 13^th July 1944

Fair. Shower a.m.
Temperature normal but throat still sore. Wire from Teddy that Eva and Isabel on 9.40 train. Orangeade and raspberry juice (3 or 4 times a day). James a cold in head. Blain in car to Richmond to meet Eva, and Isabel, Yvonne; back to tea. Mrs Bill brought in strawberries. My temperature 99°F. Throat still sore.

Friday 14^th July 1944

Fine. Warm.
Temperature sub-normal. Throat still sore and red all day. James brighter. I stayed in bed all day. Read papers, Digest. “Let the Hurricane Roar”, Rose Wilder Lane and Punch and Conan Doyle by Hesketh Pearson. Had “bouillon” with milk at 2.30. Bread and milk at 7.15. James in garden in a.m. Temperature normal.

Saturday 15^th July 1944

Fine. Windy.
Kim howled at 6.30 so I down and let him out. Eva brought me toast and coffee and Alys brought porridge up so stayed in bed till 12.30. Wrote Poz and Doz to thank for Conan Doyle. Dressed and lunch down. James on sofa (still 99.2°F). Eva cooked liver, cauliflower, raspberries and prunes. Rested till 4 p.m. then wrote Red Cross (rough copy). Tea. Out with Eve in garden, ball and Kim. Brushed dogs. She sowed lupins. Alys bathed both children. Phoned Dr Woodsend. Dennis rang up at 6. Alys postponed his coming Tuesday, till Thursday or Saturday. Sardines on toast, raspberries and strawberries (little). Play “Autumn Violins” de Casalis. Belle Chrystall. Russian.

Memo:
10^th First green peas. First raspberries (about 14) Ken’s 10.
12^th Meeting at 8 (Red Cross) here. Blain’s wages.
11^th Weight 8st 5½ lb.
15^th Wrote Poz and Doz.

Leghorn and Ancona taken. New offensive in Normandy, beyond Caen.
5^th Saint-Lô taken by U.S.

Sunday 16^th July 1944

Fineish. Very warm, not much sun.
Alys got up first. (Isabel off duty as very tired). Eva phoned Teddy at Northwood. Down to breakfast (Alys sore throat). Eve helped me to make my bed. Then we to pigs and then picked peas. Eve shelling some, shelled on seat. Alys and Eve cooked roast beef. Made prune shape and custard. James was dressed and out in garden, running about. Wrote to Red Cross. Rested. Eva got tea. In garden, clearing path for scooter. No use. Read to Eve. Got salad, with cold sausages for supper. Framley.

Monday 17^th July 1944

Very fine and hot.
Eva got raspberries. James down to breakfast in his dressing-gown. I out to get blackcurrants for dinner. We out, got lettuces. Children up in James’ room (James in bed) till 12 then in garden. Fed goldfish. Cold mutton salad. Rests. James got up 3.45. Read to James. Forty thieves. Puss in Boots. Tea. James and Eve invited us all to party in their “house”. Alys picked blackcurrants for Camden. I made Welsh rarebit (Eva grated cheese). Eva ironed. Alys much better.

Tuesday 18^th July 1944

Dull and cold.
Alys and James and Eva all to Barnard Castle in car 10.30. James normal. Out for cauliflowers. Wrote Murray. Rest till 3. To Holt, Dimmock, Barnes, Gell, Dobinson. Tea. Children played in arcade and then to pigs with me. Alys fried ham and made dried eggs (scrambled). Brains Trust.

Wednesday 19^th July 1944

Dull. Coldish.
James back to bed after breakfast. Eva and I picked peas and gooseberries and then shelled peas. Then picked blackcurrants (James till dinner-time). Rests. James counted Red Cross money. I up at 4. Got tea ready. Isabel taking her day off. Alys got corner of ham, out and soaked. I camdened 2 bottles blackcurrants. (for use soon). James and Eve “party” in their house on wall. Eva cooked cauliflower-au-gratin, gooseberries. Eva cut my hair. Play “The Three Mrs Madderleys” till 10.

Bomb near Hilter. Revolt of Generals? Secrecy in Reich but a plot evident and admitted by Hitler. “Purge” threatened. Flying bombs continue (heavy rain Normany 2 or 3 days).

Thursday 20^th July 1944

Dull. Moderate.
Changed my bed round. James’ bed in my room. Picked redcurrants and raspberries with Eva. Pilchards for lunch and gooseberries. Alys in car at 1.20 to Darlington. She posted eggs to Phil. Mrs Peacock cleaned Phil’s room. I rested in Alys’ old bedroom (James in mine). Out for flowers. Dennis and Alys at about 4. Tea. In garden. Picked up wood with James and Eve. Eva read to them. Got lettuces. Ham and salad (and Dennis had 2 boiled eggs). Raspberries.

Friday 21^st July 1944

Very dull and cold.
James slept in my room. Woke 8. Made our beds. Eva picked peas. I picked blackcurrants. Shelled peas and did redcurrants. Children played in old drawing-room. Dennis to garage. Signals “marched out”. Tinned stewed beef with rice and peas, redcurrants and raspberries, and mild pudding. Dennis and Alys out to see Bill Blain. Rests. James a poisoned spot on foot. Wrote Electricity re account amended. Red Cross 10/-. Got firewood. Ham toasts, stewed fruit. To bed 10 or so.

Saturday 22^nd July 1944

Very dull. Cool.
James down in dressing-gown. Not out all day (foot still red – hot fomentations) Got more broad beans; shelled them. Cooked blackcurrants. Alys cooked roast beef. Rests. I took Zeus into Alys’ old bedroom. Tea. Then all to children’s “tea-party” in drawing-room. I out to get lettuces and picked raspberries. Peat’s pies and salad and new potatoes, raspberries. Alys massaged Dennis’ neck. He did crossword, general knowledge, Yorkshire Post.

Memo:
22^nd points period ends.
20^th Dennis comes
21^st 10/- to Red Cross and Electricity Account to R.A.S.C. amended.
16^th Red Cross letter posted about prizes.
17^th Wire from Phil. “Through”!! – Midder, Gyny.
18^th Wrote Murray with cheque 21/-
17^th Weight 8 stone 1lb
Ken mowed lawn.

23^rd P.S.K.O.F.( Polish Committee of National Liberation) taken. Lublin taken.

Sunday 23^rd July 1944

Dull. Warm.
Dennis up to Blain’s about Lincoln-Zephyr. I picked peas and shelled them. James foot nearly well. Eva mending and ironing baby frocks for Yvonne. Alys cooked beef (Eva’s joint). Children out with Dennis and later Rona and Alan. Rests. Alys made raspberry pie. Got up at 3.15 to make scones, but Isabel making soda bread. Tea. All up by engine house. Lincoln-Zephyr wouldn’t start. Baden and Ken. Sausages (I cooked) and 2 poached eggs (Alys cooked for Dennis). “Are you Sure”. Dennis feeling coldy and gloomy

Monday 24^th July 1944

Dull. Mild.
To Barnard Castle by 10 a.m. bus (10.10 on Sats) for bread, cakes, bacon ration. Back 11.10. Arrived 11.45. Dennis better and out about Lincoln-Zephyr. Salad and cold meat, treacle tart and raspberry jelly. Rests. Eva picked raspberries. I read to Eve and then put her to bed. Eva and all others in field with Lincoln-Zephyr and Barnes’ tractor. Lincoln-Zephyr started at last with battery from my car. Dennis drove us to T (Collier Lane). Sardines at 8.15.

Tuesday 25^th July 1944

Dull. Warm.
Alys, Eva, James and Eve and Isabel and Yvonne all to Richmond in car, for registering for rations. I with Dennis and Store and asbestos mat. Scraped potatoes. Stove. All black smoke in lathe room with rice pudding. Got salad – cold beef. Dennis slept in hut a.m. Rest. Then to Dimmock, Holt, Barnes, Dobinson, O’Brien. Tea – made feeder for James and Alys cooked hot ham for supper and sprouts. 4 peaches and strawberries.

Wednesday 26^th July 1944

Dull but sun in p.m. 5 – 6. Showers. Windy.
Felt ill all day. Dennis and Alys very late for breakfast. Took aspirin several times. Picked broad beans, shelled them on seat. Alys made mince and rice. Lay on be in Alys’ old bedroom 12.30. Rested after lunch, till 3.15. Out with James in hut and he read “Mr Jermey Fisher”. Wrote Mrs Williams, Bank, Watson (about bookshelves) and for Driving Licence. Eva ironed. Fried eggs and bacon and cheese. Alys and Dennis walk round field after tea. I lay in hut 5.30 – 6.15.

Lviv and Bialystock taken 27^th
Lvov-Sandomierz Offensive (L.W.O.F.) and Przemyśl 28^th
Brest-Litovsk – 29^th

Thursday 27^th July 1944

Very warm. Thundery. Showers.
Better but nose very sore and serum coming out, or bleeding (surface) all day. Got lettuces. Alys made salmon steamed shape and sauce. Milk pudding. Stewed 5 peaches. James and Eve weeding and raking path. Dennis in hut. Rest all p.m. Mrs Peacock brought carpet down, all wrong. Tea. James out with others. Did painting with Eve. U.S. pork-meat, bean and potato (lettuce salad). Tinned plums. Miss Peacock in 8.20 – 10.

Friday 28^th July 1944

Fine day. Misty sun in p.m. Warm.
Nose still sore inside. Alys ulcer and unable to wear lower plate. Eva and I picked peas and shelled them. Dennis had letter from Professor Miles asking him to be Senior Pathologist. Eva picked raspberries (but very mouldy), Spam. Alys made 2 omelettes (with parsley) for Dennis and chocolate pudding. Rests. Alys down to make scones. I read with James. Eve and James with Eunice and late for tea. Alys walk with Eva and Eve and then Dennis and made red rice.

Saturday 29^th July 1944

Rain, thundery.
Nose still running serum and very sore. Got young cabbages from Bill Blain and shredded them. Alys cooked wing-rib, plums and custard. Dennis rested in hut. Long rest. After tea out with Eve for flowers and wild strawberries; and then she painting in my bedroom. Alys put James to bed, Eva got lettuce and onions. Pork pies, salad. “Rope” play Pat Hamilton.

Memo:
25^th First potatoes
28^th Picked plums by tank – unripe for cooking.
Blain’s wages.
24^th Weight 8 stone 2lb (26^th Baby gained 11.3)

31^st America – take Avranches.
3 Klaxon notes for imminent danger. Pilot Planes.
2^nd Mr Churchill spoke to House of Commons – “extremely good news from Normandy”.

Sunday 30^th July 1944

Dullish. Warm. Sometimes brighter.
Teddy phoned. Alys phoned Phil 1. With Eva picked peas off high rows. Shelled on seat. Dennis in hut. Then I picked raspberries. Alys cooked bit of mutton and mint sauce. Rests. Got James up 3.30. No reading. Wrote Kit after tea (Alys made cake). Dennis and Eve about in garden; then Eva too. Alys and Dennis to warehouse. Laid supper. Alys cooked sausages and tomato purée and new potatoes. Framley Parsonage, “Are you sure”. Crossword – Yorkshire Post, Saturday. Alys took Isabel to Blain’s.

Monday 31^st July 1944

Dull, but not dark.
Out for lettuce and onions. Alys too and stayed and talked to Bill Blain about peaches. Children in drawing-room all a.m. Dennis in hut. Cold beef, salad, stewed plums and blackcurrants. Rice pudding. Rest. Mrs Peacock scrubbed old bedroom floor. Tea. James’ foot bandaged. Eve and I picked wild strawberries. Stewed peaches. Alys sore throat and aspirin 3 days. Tinned beans and toast. Dennis rang up Mr Sherston.

---

Tuesday 1^st August 1944

Dull, fine after tea.
Dennis drove Eva and children to Barnard Castle. Eva registered at Hunters. I cycled to Peacock about coming, and Collingwood. Picked broad beans and shelled. Alys made hash and macaroni. Isabel made steamed pudding. Wrote Ernest Miles, and piano tuner. Rest. To Holt, Butler, Barnes, Gell, Dobinson, O’Brien. Tea. Dennis in hut. Did Whist Drive notices. Eva cooked liver. Eva ironed. I bathed James.

Wednesday 2^nd August 1944

Dull a.m. Fine p.m.
Alys and Dennis in car to Richmond, taking sandwiches. Mrs Peacock came 10 – 12.30 and cleaned smoke-room. Eva made bread and butter pudding and got cauliflower. U.S. pork meat. “Billeting Officer” rang up. Rest 45 minutes. Got James up. Mended towel while he read “Magic Fish”. Then out for sweet-peas. Alys and Denis and Phil arrived back 4.20. Red Cross meeting at 8. Savery. Peacock. Vera, Elgey, Blain’s. Mr Churchill speech in House of Commons on News.

Americans into Brittany, take Rennes and fan out.

Thursday 3^rd August 1944

Fine all day after 10.
Out for peas and Eva and I picked heaps and shelled them. Mr Sherston at 12 and stayed till 1.20. James’ foot still sore and he barefoot. Phil lay on lawn. Tinned steak. Alys made raspberry tart (4 bottles). Mrs Peacock phoned up at 3.30. Read. Hunt for Lord Bolton’s file. Phil cleaning lathe. Got salad. Cooked peaches. Pilchards supper. Dennis and Phil got cine out, and we had films ready for children tomorrow. Dennis and Phil cocoa every night.

Friday 4^th August 1944

Fine all day, after 11.
Alys and James to Barnard Castle on 10 o’clock bus. Got ham. Eve in garden with me, got broad beans and shelled them. Dennis met Alys at 11.45. Salmon shape (with rice and egg) and anchovy sauce. Alys made most, Eva some. Captain Cobley all p.m. about reparations and had tea with us all. Dennis had the Lincoln-Zephyr started after tea and they all along to T. I picked raspberries and got salad. Corned beef. Phil at lathe all p.m. till 9.30. Alys cooked ham.

Saturday 5th August 1944

Perfect day.
Out for peas and James too, with headache. Then Dennis helped and dug horse-radish up. Dennis, Phil and I all shelled peas in garden. Alys roasted sirloin. Wrote application for petrol and tyre. Rest. Eva took both children, so I made Genoese cake at 4 o’clock. Captain and Mrs Cobley to tea. Blain to Richmond for Dennis’ rations and to see about Band (Green Howards). Cine for James and Eve who’d never seen one (to remember). Pork pies and salad and potatoes. Play “Grumpy” Cyril Maude, Heron Carvic.

Memo:
1^st Wrote for some cards. 3^rd sent wire to Murray
2^nd Meeting Red Cross 8. Phil comes
5^th Rents
31^st Weight 8 stone 2lb.

6^th B.B.C. calls to Brittany to rise against Germans. Americans in Brest outskirts. Saint-Malo won’t surrender.
9^th Canadian and British attack.
9^th Himmler rumoured assassinated.

Sunday 6^th August 1944

Perfect day.
Got marrow and sweet peas. Phil working all day at boat or lathe, looked at bees too. Alys cooked pork joint and stuffing. Wrote tyre letter and to Agatha Shore about husband’s death. Rested in sun. Read Disraeli. Alys made gingerbread and fruit cake. Tea – cinema for children. Isabel and baby in. Got lettuce. Ham and pork-pie. Cooked raspberries. Eva ironed. Are You Sure and crossword (general knowledge). France film at 10.30. I to bed.

Monday 7^th August 1944

Very fine.
Got lettuce. Mr Clark and Ruth (14) and John (7) came in car. Had lunch (they brought beef and tomatoes), pork, plums, raspberries, junket, semolina. In garden. Cut hedges. Then rest 30 minutes. Eva with children. Dennis and Blain with Mr Clark to see woods and about reparations. All had tea and then they went. Dennis and Phil to see Peggy Blain. I did Dance notices. Ham and salad. “Monday Night at 8”, last one. “Prisoner of Zenda”. Dennis had a heart attack and bad night.

Tuesday 8^th August 1944

Rain before 9, then very fine all day.
Dennis in bed till after tea. In garden in dressing-gown till 7. Talked to Blain. Got peas and marrow. Cold pork and beef. Took Pye up for Dennis – 1 o’clock news.   Rest. Alys out for rents. I to Holt, Dimmock, Barnes, Dobinson, O’Brien. 6d for teacake at Dimmock. Tea. In garden; To Blain’s. Got lettuces. Eva ironed all evening (boil on bottom). Ham and salad and nectarines and peaches. Alys up with Dennis for News. I to bed 1-15. Eva and Phil later.

Wednesday 9^th August 1944

Dull all day. Mild.
Alys, Dennis and Phil breakfast 7 (got by Isabel) and to Darlington. Dennis to King’s Cross and Alys went with him, at last minute. Phil to Newcastle for refill, by busses (and back by train). Home 6. I got turnips and we had “brunch” with vegs and I cooked apples (wind falls) and Isabel made semolina. Rests. Eva got James up and readings. I with Eve – got wild strawberries. Tea. Phil back 5.50. in car. Made ham toasts for supper. Eva cut finger. News and “At The Cross-In-Hand” play (train accident and palmistry).

Churchill in Italy.
Saint-Malo surrendered but pockets of resistance at Dinard.

Thursday 10^th August 1944

Dull, but fair later. Warm and fine after tea.
Mrs Peacock cleaned shelves and sitting room. Made ginger steamed pudding. James painted, Eve washed. Out with James and Eve to pick peas. Isabel to Richmond 12 – 4.15 with baby. Phil doing boat. Meat stew (tin) and haricot beans (tin) and peas and old potatoes mashed. Rests (1 hour). James did reading with me and Eve with Eva. Phil rested (and slept) in hut. Tea. Did Dance notices. Isabel called on Baden B’s, then helped with supper. Potatoes. Scrambled eggs and peas (warmed up), stewed apples. Miss Peacock in. Paid for potatoes. Phil at late till 9.30. I wrote lettercard to Alys and posted it.

Friday 11^th August 1944

Fine – very wind. South wind. Warm.
Laundry. Got broad beans and Eva fried ham rissoles (tinned), rice pudding and blackcurrants. Children playing outdoors all a.m. Phil working and in hut. Butcher came at 1.30. Rests. Got Eve up and she drew and painted. Eva read with James. Hunter brought no bread or paraffin. But got 6 from Robinson. Eva par-cooked lamb. I grilled 2 kidneys and bacon and broad beans in too. Cheese. Phil worked and then to bed before News.

Saturday 12^th August 1944

Fine and hot.
Phil getting boil in groin? Got peas, James and Eve with me. Eva cooked out 2 joins. Junket. Very hot in kitchen. Rests. I got James up. We read in big bedroom. Phil wrote lettercard to Alys. Tea. Phil looked at photos in smoke-room. I stewed green apples. Put dried herbs away. Finished James hair-drying and Eva fried potatoes; pork pies. Miss Peacock came with Alys’ jumper (lilac) and mitts. Eva and I and Phil did crossword.

15^th News and Allied invasion between Marseilles and Nice – “very little opposition, and none in air”.

Sunday 13^th August 1944

Very fine day.
Phil in bed all day. Took Sulfathiazole, depressed, felt feverish. I made chocolate cornflour shape. Got cauliflower. Eva cooked beef. Isabel’s day out but she laid tea and cut bread and butter. Rests. Got Eve up at 3.15 and we made ginger biscuits. In Phil’s room after tea mending shoes. Pilchards and stewed apples. Eva and I in Phil’s room all evening. I till 11.45.

Monday 14^th August 1944

Fine day.
Phil in bed all day on M&B. Got lettuces (with cold meat). Eva cooked barley flakes milk pudding. Wrote Murray. Rests. Mrs Peacock cleaned halls and stoves. Got James up 3.15 Reading. Eva sun-bathing on lawn. Read to children. Winnie-the-Pooh. Heinz spaghetti for Phil. Scrambled dried eggs with onion and cheese for Eva and me. In Phil’s room in evening. Eva rang up Dennis about Sulfathiazole.

Tuesday 15^th August 1944

Very fine. Warm.
Phil better but in bed all day. Stopped Sulfathiazole. Eva made chocolate steamed suet, and chocolate sauce. I picked broad beans and shelled them. Children very good in nursery and garden. Cold meat. At 2.15, I to Richmond in car. Got emergency rations for Phil. Met Alys at 3.45 at station. Home to tea. Got salad (with ham) for supper. Peaches and nectarines. In Phil’s room in evening. Great news at 1 of new invasion in south France.

Wednesday 16^th August 1944

Fine a.m. Cloudy later. Showers in evening.
Eva made bread and butter pudding. Alys made shepherd’s pie. I got cabbages. Phil in chair in garden in p.m. and with us for tea, to bed after. I rested till 4.15. With Baden to Granary with prizes. Tea. Out with Eve to pigs and with Alys and Eve and table-cover. Sardines supper. Phil had 2 boiled eggs. Began letter A.A. about tyre for car. At 10.15 Alys and I to Granary. I gave Whist Drive prizes. In Phil’s room till 11.30.

17^th News of Americans at Chartres and Dreux and on Orleans. Good progress in South of France.
18^th The Battle of Normandy in won. 9 p.m. News.

Thursday 17^th August 1944

Dullish. Mild.
Wrote A.A. about tyre. Phil in hut in dressing-gown and came into lunch; spaghetti with poached egg for him we had Prem and colcannon. Alys made chocolate queen of puddings. Mrs Peacock did carpets and sitting-room. I got Eve up 3.15 and read “Babar and Zephir” to her in my rest room. Eva got James up. Isabel got tea (takes day out tomorrow). Children up by garage. I stewed apples for supper. Pilchards. Heard very good news at 6. And 8 in Phil’s room.

Friday 18^th August 1944

Dull. Windy. Showers with tea.
Phil down to breakfast in dressing-gown. Alys, Eva and children to Barney (Barnard Castle) in car. I with Phil, looked at furniture prices, inventory. Fresh herrings, they brought, fried for dinner, prunes and ground rice. Rests. Got James up and reading. He and I to Granary with lemon and orange squash and for tomatoes. Wrote Doz. Alys made savoury rice. Isabel to our Dance (Red Cross). Eva and I up there, and stayed till 11.35. Eunie Elgey won gin raffle.

Saturday 19^th August 1944

Very hot and fine early. Dull later.
Phil dressed for breakfast. I to Barney by 10.10 to get Phil’s sweet ration and our extra sugar; and soap ration. Back 12.10. Road End 12.50. Eva met me. Out meat stew; chocolate pudding. Rested. Got Eve up at 3.15. Unpacked soap. Eve painted. Phil doing keel of boat and floating it in sink. Wrote A.A. at Newcastle. Pork pies and colcannon. Play “To See Ourselves”. Delafield. Cathleen Nesbitt.

Memo:
14^th Wrote Murray
17^th Wrote A.A. about tyre
16^th Whist Drive
18^th Dance, Red Cross
14^th Weight 8 or 7st 13 ½ lb

Rout and pursuit of Germans in Normandy.
Allies in Toulon 21^st.
23^rd Marseilles surrendered.
Romania peace with Russia.
23^rd Paris Freed by French, after 4 days fighting.

Sunday 20^th August 1944

Quite cold and grey.
Phil in top room a lot. I to get French beans and prepared them. Roast beef. Bottled redcurrants and raspberries. Cleared more things from lathe-room. Long rest. Alys got James up. Eva, Eve. Isabel got tea. Wrote to Kitty. Eve made lion from plasticine. Coldy hayfever. Did general knowledge crossword in evening.

Monday 21^st August 1944

Very cold. Grey.
Letter from Dennis about Sambo. Mended yellow. Alys wrote Molly Shenton. Mended yellow cloth. Got lettuce. Made salad, tomatoes, onions. Alys wrote Clark. Alys phoned Mollie Hadow and wired to Nancy Cave at R.A.F. Convalescence Home. Alys made ginger pudding. Rest. Got James up and he read “Sophy” to me. Wrote account to Red Cross and enclosed £30 cheque. Alys made kromskies and chocolate and egg. “Are You Sure”. Mended knickers.

Tuesday 22^nd August 1944

Cold. Dull.
Alys, Eva and Phil and the children to Richmond in car. I got peas and shelled them. Isabel made rice pudding and stewed figs. Rest. Out to Hold, Barnes, Dimmock, Gell, Dobinson, O’Brien. Tea. Did groups accounts. Eva ironed. Alys cooked Bath chap. Darned stockings. I cooked kippers for supper.

Wednesday 23^rd August 1944

Dull. Warmer.
Eva with Phil in car to Darlington. 10 a.m. train to Newcastle (for Phil’s refill). Children in garden and James helped me pick French beans. Varnished Eve’s plasticine. U.S. spiced meat lunch; milk pudding. Figs. Rests. Paxton took away radiator from bathroom. I read with James. Out with him to get Victoria plums from broken branch. Cooked them. Phil and Eva back at 6. Cut table napkins. Alys bathed Eve. I bathed James. Eva cooked cauliflower au gratin. Phil to bed 8.15. Play “This Respected Lady”. Mabel Constanduros.

25^th General Leclerc (from Lake Chad!) entered Paris with his French army to help General Kœnig. General De Gaulle to Paris.

Thursday 24^th August 1944

Very warm. Fine and very sunny intervals.
Alys sick in night, and in bed all day, headache – orangeade only. Eva and I made steak and kidney pudding (on to steam at 10.15). With Eve to get marrow. Phil working all day, up or downstairs. Rested. To Eve 3.15 but she for walk with Isabel and Yvonne. I made oatcakes (Dennis, Ug. recipe). James lost his shoes in rhododendron bush. Ken cutting lawn. Bath chap and salad. I made choc-moka with 2 whites eggs. Phil in lathe-room till 9.30. Eva made cocoa. Eva and James stung by wasps.

Friday 25^th August 1944

Very warm. Dullish in p.m. Fine in a.m.
Alys in bed till 7 p.m. Ate nothing till supper. Did laundry. Made trifle of cakes Eva brought from Newcastle. Eva got peas and shelled. Phil in top room and James and Eve also. Corned beef lunch. Rest in sitting-room. As butcher and Hunter. Got Eve up – we fed chicks. Tea. Eva and Phil searched for James’ shoes in rhododendron. I stewed peaches. Grilled kidney. Par-boiled steak – made scrambled egg with kidney in it. Alys down to supper. I varnished Eve’s cat and lion. Phil made little nuts on lathe. Listened to News upstairs. Phil and Alys in bed.

Saturday 26^th August 1944

Warm, dull p.m. Ken finished lawn.
Alys down to breakfast. Eva cooked her beef joint and fried our steak and kidney. I got French beans, James too. James had his hair cut by Blain. Eva made a bread and butter pudding. Phil in top room all a.m. Eve too. Rests. Alys gave James lessons 3.30 – 4.30 on her bed. I got Eve up and we covered honey. Tea. Alys in hut. Hot porkpies, potatoes, salad and stewed peaches and plums. Galsworthy’s “Silver Box” till 11. Alys had boiled egg. Phil to bed 9.35. Alys at 10.15.

Memo:
Murray paid for oatmeal to 26^th by cheque 21/-.
21^st 10/6 to Red Cross, £30 to Red Cross for Whist Drive and Dance
23^rd Phil to Newcastle.
28^th first grapes
21^st Weight 8st 1 ½ lb.
Blain’s wages.
27^th War report about shooting at De Gaulle in Notre Dame.

(2½ months of Flying Bombs).

Sunday 27^th August 1944

Cool, windy.
Phil and James to Road End, but no sausages. Alys got up to breakfast and washed up. Eve sick in night. Up all day. To bed 6. I made chocolate sauce over cake and jam. Eva roast beef and got cabbage. Rests. Phil in hut (worked all a.m. on boat). I did jigsaw with James and he read. Isabel “off duty”. Eva laid tea. Alys went to bed, orangeade. No supper. I read to Eve “Sophy”. Cut up and stewed apples. Eva and I hot pork pies. Phil, boiled eggs. Framley Parsonage 8.30 – 9. All in Alys room for News. “Are you Sure”. Historic War Report.

Monday 28^th August 1944

Cool, sun then dull. Heavy showers.
Alys in bed all day (but came down twice in dressing-gown to fetch things). Isabel made rice pudding. Got lettuce and had with cold beef. Phil working at boat, and cut sail patterns. James and Eve in garden and about by garage. Rests. I got James up. He read and took soldiers to Nissen hut. After tea, he played patience with Eva and had pair. She put him to bed 5.45. I stewed peaches. James sick twice before 8. Pilchards for supper. General Knowledge crossword in Alys’ room till 10.35.

Tuesday 29^th August 1944

Finer. No rain. Mild and dull p.m.
James sick at 2 a.m. Washed up. Eva got cabbages and made shepherd’s pie. I made ginger steamed pudding. James in bed till 4 (orangeade and Ryvita and Bovril). Toast at 9 a.m. Alys in bed all day. Eva in car to meet Teddy at Richmond 3.45, with Eve. I rested 45 minutes. To Holt, Dimmock, Barnes, Dobinson. Tedd in. Tea. Teddy, Phil, James all to see goldfish and then top room. I with Alys. Eva made cauliflower au gratin. I bathed James.

Wednesday 30^th August 1944

Fine on whole. Cool. Clouds and sun.
Alys in bed all day. Phil and I to Barnard Castle by car at 10.30. Got 3 rations at Hunter’s. Haddocks (boiled for lunch, Finnan for supper), veal, sweets. Phil to see the Castle (Balliol). Back at 12.30. Teddy cleaned fish. I boiled it and made sauce. Peas (Teddy had picked and shelled). Eva stewed peaches. Rests. I read with James. Phil on lawn. Rheumatism later. Sewed sails, cooked haddocks. Finished sails in evening in News time. Teddy and Eva with Alys. I up for story reading – Gladys Young about old woman. War Commentary by Lucy Hastings.

31^st British over the Seine push on to Amiens. Rouen ours.
2^nd In Lens (Arras, Dieppe, Douai).
60 miles in 2 days – tanks.

Thursday 31^st August 1944

Variable, cool, cold, showers and sun, wind.
Alys in bed till 7.30 p.m. Eve diarrhoea at 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. I got beans with James and cut up in machine; Eva too, and roast veal joint. I made fish-pie of remnants. Eve with Alys in p.m., after rest. Junket not ready, so chocolate biscuits and plums. I rested 2.45 – 3.50. Got tea as Isabel out. Mrs Peacock did sitting room and shelves. At 6 I made salad dressing and got lettuces. Prem. Mixed salad of peas, beans, tomatoes. Alys down to supper. Phil and Teddy running trains till 8. Alys and Phil to bed 8.50.

---

Friday 1^st September 1944

Cool. Fine. Very slight showers.
James very sick in bed at 2.15 a.m. Alys in bed till 7.30 p.m. but down a.m. to see Benham man about kitchen range. I got cabbage; made chocolate pudding; dried eggs. Tinned stewed beef. I had fish pie. I on sofa (for butcher didn’t come). With Eve feeding chickens. James up to tea, then cards with Alys and top room with Phil and Teddy. Ironed sails and sewed on spar. Made macaroni cheese and we had sardines first. Stewed peaches. All to bed about 10. Cozy Stove in evening. Alys sewed rings on sail.

Saturday 2^nd September 1944

Rain nearly all day. Cold. Cozy Stove in evening.
Alys in bed all day. Doing sails in a.m. and felt sick in p.m., so Bovril and no “tea” or supper. James up after breakfast with Teddy in top-room. Eva made salmon “fish pies” 2. Isabel made marmalade pudding. I stewed plums. Rests. I got James up; read “Sophy”. Made oatcakes on grid, but not good. Eve painted. Then out for lettuces. Hot pies and potatoes and salad; peaches and plums. Butcher came at 6.30 or 7. Play “Thunder in the Air” about ghost of bad son returning.

Memo:
29^th Teddy for 9 days leave.
2^nd Rents
28^th Weight 8st 1lb.

3^rd Allies in Belgium 30 miles from Brussels.
4^th Brussels freed on 3^rd night. La Brabançonne played 1 and 9 o’clock News.
Russia declared war on Bulgaria.

Sunday 3^rd September 1944

Pouring rain but sunny and lovely at breakfast time. Cold.
Phil working on lathe or in top room most of day. Yacht finished. Teddy too working. I made Queen of Puddings. Alys told me how. Eva cooked sirloin (and our “crop” joint). I got cauliflowers. Alys down to dinner. Rests. I got Eve up and read “Sophy” to her. Isabel had faint turn, but got tea, and laid supper. Alys opened pilchards. I got lettuces. General Knowledge crossword and “Are you Sure” after supper. Phil at work all evening in lathe room. All to bed about 10.15.

Monday 4^th September 1944

Fine and warm. No wind.
Alys in bed to breakfast. Eva and I picked teas. Alys shelled them upstairs. Isabel feeling queer all day. Eva cooked beef and vegetables. I stewed peaches. Isabel made rice pudding. We had jelly made by Alys yesterday. Alys down at 12.30; she went to collect rents in p.m. Rests. James read “Sophy” with me. After tea (Isabel got), I with Eve to Blain’s and Elgey’s. Heinz beans and potatoes and sausages, plums and peaches. Isabel not well, would not eat or take temperature.

Tuesday 5^th September 1944

Rainy. Mild.
Alys down to breakfast. Isabel better. Phil and Teddy in lathe-room. Got a cabbage. Cooked peaches. Cold beef, ground rice. Rest. To Holt, Dimmock, Barnes, Gell, Dobinson and O’Brien (he to Ceylon). Tea. Did Eve’s scrapbook, pasting with her, and group accounts. Borrowed loaf from Mrs Bill for Teddy’s sandwiches. Alys made red rice, got salad. Phil and Teddy in top room till 8.5. Phil to bed 8.45. James awake when I to bed 9.50.

Wednesday 6^th September 1944

Rainy, dull.
Teddy, Phil and Eva to Darlington in car and to Newcastle. Teddy to London by 12.25. Phil had refill. They lunched Eldon. I got beans and sliced them. Alys made stew. We had Brunch (children). Rice and plums. Rests. I read with James (he to me). After tea I took Eve and James walk to Quarry. Eva and Phil back at 5.45. I cooked kippers and apples. All to bed early after war report.

7^th account of our victory over Flying Bombs.

Thursday 7^th September 1944

Pouring rain all day.
Phil and Baden mended James’ car. I out and picked peas. Shelled them. James and Eve not out. Alys made stew. Semolina and gooseberry jelly. Wrote Kitty during rest-time (about Champney’s). and Ella. Got Eve up. Picked up sticks for fire; fed chicks with Eve. Mrs Peacock cleaned hall carpet and drawing room. Isabel off so Alys got tea and supper. Alys made cheese, egg scallops. Opened pre-war tongue and made chocolate dessert. I got salad and made salad cream. Mrs Peacock at 8.15 till after news. Conquest of Flying Bombs.

Friday 8^th September 1944

Fine till 11 then dull and rain and very cold.
Out with James and Eve and got plums and cabbage. Did 3 bottles of plums in Camden. Alys roasted Bath chap and made Castle Pudding in one with chocolate sauce. Phil at lathe and in hut. Tongue and U.S.A. pork meat, salad, cabbage. Rests. Alys cleaned stoves. Got James up, read downstairs. Tea, made toast at Cozy Stove. Made scrambled eggs with grilled kidney and parsley. Alys helped. Peaches, and plums.

Saturday 9^th September 1944

Got finer all day and lovely evening.
Got a marrow. Alys cooked our little beef joint. Isabel made steamed pudding. Rests. Got Eve up, went out for sticks. Tea, Alys, Phil and James and I in car to pond with 3 boats (the latest new ones that Phil just finished). Sailed them till 7.30 or so. I felt sick so no supper and to bed early, very cold. Alys took James to sleep in her room.

Memo:
6^th Red Cross message from Aunt Bella, dated 3^rd January.
9^th Blain’s wages and Ken’s 10/- and 2/-.
4^th Rents
7^th Wrote Kit and Ella.
6^th Phil to Newcastle
5^th Weight 8 stone 2lb.

12^th Le Havre surrendered. Allies in Liège
13^th Allies on Eupen German soil, near Aachen and Trier.

Sunday 10^th September 1944

Perfect day.
Down to porridge in dressing-gown. Back to bed, read papers and slept till 12.15. Got up and sat in garden. Eva and Phil picked and shelled peas. Eva’s joint. Spotted Dick by Alys. Slept and read till 5. “Tea”. Isabel’s day out. Pork pies and potatoes. Phil to bed before “News” and Alys up to play Goban with him. Conjunctivitis in his eyes and slight rheumatism.

Monday 11^th September 1944

Perfect day.
Got rubber soles and Phil mended his wading boots (H. H. Brown’s). Got cabbage. 2 more Camden plums. Isabel made milk pudding. Alys made shepherds pie. John Clark, Mr Allgood (old man from Chollerford), Captain Cobley to lunch (with sandwiches except Cobley). Eva had James and Eve in nursery for lunch. Rests. Got James up. Read. Eva, James, Eve and I tea in garden. Others away at 5.30. War damage compensations discussion £230 odd decided on. Got apples cooked for supper, sardines, spaghetti for Phil. All to bed at about 10. Talk about my tyre permit. Rene phoned.

Tuesday 12^th September 1944

Very fine.
Out to get beans. Cut them in old kitchen. Alys made canary pudding and chocolate (Bruxelles). Big corned beef. Wrote A.A. after lunch. 25 minutes rest. Got Eve and took her to groups. Holt (Middleton’s there and to Hilda, Barnes, Robinson’s (kitten), O’Brien. Alys, Eva, James and Phil in car at 3.50 to pond. Picnic tea and boat sailing; back 7.15. Eve and I had tea, made batter, fed chickens. I read to her; put her to bed at 6.45. Cooked pancakes with meat inside. Eva ironed. Alys fell in pond, tired, to bed 9.10.

Wednesday 13^th September 1944

Foggy till 11.30. Fine later.
My 65^th birthday. Letters Ella and Kit. Alys, Eva, James and Eve to Barney (Barnard Castle) in car. They met Rene Noble and Judy . Phil in top room. I got lettuces. Made plum juice jelly. Isabel made rice pudding. Stewed plums. Phil and I began lunch 1.30. Others back 1.45. Rests. I got James. Reading Sophy till nearly tea-time. Eve played with Maureen O’Brien after. I read to James and looked for gramophone. Musical box. I grilled liver and bacon. Phil in lathe-room till 9.45. War Commentary by Lucy Hastings. Pickwick (about).

16^th Enemy air activity over Southern England and London area.

Thursday 14^th September 1944

Fine.
Phil working on boiler for Mitch’s engine. Took paper and cardboard to dump. Out for peas; shelled them, Alys and Eve too. Corned beef (Phil had veal cutlet). Chocolate semolina (Nestle’s and dried egg) Isabel made. Rests. I out with Eve to see bantam and to Dimmock’s. Tea. Alys got it, didn’t have any except coffee – she felt sickish. Eve to O’Brien’s. James with Alys. Gramophone. Pilchards and Phil ate very little – diarrhoea. Alys made sandwiches.

Friday 15^th September 1944

Rainy. Better in p.m.

Up 6.30. Breakfast 9.15 (Isabel). Alys, Phil and I to Darlington at 8. Saw Phil off to King’s Cross. (Train came in 8.31). Had my hair cut at Binns – 2/6 very short. Got kippers. Back at 11.30. Coffee. Got cabbage. Corned beef cottage pie. Barley kernel pudding. Plums. Rest. Got James up. He read Sophy. Tea. Eve to Maureen. Alys patience with James. I wrote Ella in my bedroom. Cooked kippers. Beer and cheese. Play “Worse than Murder” Mary Clare as Lady’s Maid (murderess).

Saturday 16^th September 1944

Fineish. Windy.
Got French beans. Alys and Eva cut them up and cooked stew. I wrote to Poz and Doz. Rest. With Eve to post then made chocolate biscuits, Eve helping. Tea. Maureen in to play with Eve. James helped me to empty water from top-room window. I read “Black Beauty” to him. Peat’s pie and cheese supper. Iris play – didn’t listen. Clocks put back 1 hour (we put our watches 30 minutes).

Memo:
15^th Phil goes – 6 weeks here.
10^th Teddy phoned – Berry’s could go back in about 10 days if nothing happened – V2 – gas?
12^th Wrote A.A. about tyre with form
15^th Form to Petrol Officer.
Blackout much modified.
17^th Double summer time ends – clocks back
12^th Weight 8 stone.

17^th Big airborne army landed in Holland.

Sunday 17^th September 1944

Fine.
Alys and Eva cooking beef, cabbage, pastry. Cut up apples for pie. Rests. Alys had Eve. Eva had James. I made girdle cakes. At tea, Eva called over to Barnes’ for phone call (ours’ unhooked). It was Phil, who said Dennis died at 3.45 very suddenly. No pain or consciousness of it. Coronary thrombosis. Alys had her heart pain all the evening. She phoned Phil. Eva phoned Teddy at Arlesford. I rang up Woodsend. Told the Blains. Slept in Phil’s room.B

Berkhamsted

Monday 18^th September 1944

Fine, dull in south.
Alys and I breakfast 7 and to Darlington and King’s Cross. Phil met us 2.5. Tube to Portland Place. Got his EYT car at Harley Street. Drove to Ashridge. Dr and Mrs Warner very nice. High tea in Dr Warner’s room. To the Chapel and saw Dennis lying in state. Up to guest room. Down to dinner 7.15 in Dr Warner’s room. Sherry first. Dr Gordon there and arranged about cremation and notices in papers.

Tuesday 19^th September 1944

Dull, foggy rain.
Breakfast in bedroom 9. Drove to London and Phil to Bank. Lunach at Durrant’s. Phil to Ernest Miles’. Alys phoned Eva. I phoned Yorkshire Post and sent wires about cremation time to Will Cave, Helen, Otto, Dox. To Evan’s. To Marshall’s. Alys bought scarf. Coffee at Sagne’s. Tried to get Elsa on phone. All drove back to Ashridge. Dinner in Serious Medical Staff room. Letters to read. To bed after news.

Wednesday 20^th September 1944

Fine on whole.
Breakfast in beds 8.30. In EYT for Crematorium, Golders Green. Teddy there, U.C.H. students, Doctors, Otto, Will. U.C.H. Padre made lovely address. Dennis cremated 10.45. We drove to Bank. I to Bliver. All lunched there 12.45. Phil to Smart’s for re-fill. Back to Ashridge. Tea upstairs. Alys phoned Eva. I wrote Eva. Phil saw Gordon and Warner. Alys to Lab to see Miss Hampton. Dinner and news. I wrote Poz and Doz. Dr Warner sent up sherry.

Paratroops at Arnhem very hard pressed.

Thursday 21^st September 1944

Fine.
Breakfast in bedroom. Phil read us letters from Ernest Miles. We spent nearly all day in Dennis and Phil’s room sorting out clothes. Packing up in crates and boxes. Skeleton to go to Layton, clothes to be sold, clothes for Mr Berry. Meals in Senior Medical Staff room. Alys phoned Eva in p.m. Tea with Miss Hampton in Lab. To bed after News – about 9.45.

Friday 22^nd September 1944

Mist, then fine.
Phil read letters (Ernest) for Appleby, Bawker. I wrote Kitty. Made inventory of clothes in Dennis’ room. Alys talked to Dr Warner. Phil lay on Alys’ bed in p.m. and slept. Alys wrote to Molly Heanley. I took letters to post and walked round this building. Phil wrote some letters, after tea (upstairs). All down to dinner in Brown Lounge with Dr Warner, Mr Crook, Mr Daniel, Stringer. News and bed 9.45.

Saturday 23^rd September 1944

Fine.
We boiled egg for Phil in bedroom. All in car to Little Gaddesdon to take parcels to post. Sister Wood came up. Wire to Lois, and cable to Rex Embleton. Lunch upstairs. Phil rested on Alys’ bed. Alys wrote Eva and Brook (Manager). Tea upstairs. Wrote to U.C.H. Medical School Dean for Alys and Phil. We had dinner upstairs. Walked in Monk’s Garden. To bed after News.

Memo:
19^th – 20^th night heard Flying Bombs 2 a.m.
17^th, 18^th, 19^th, 20^th – Phil sleeping in Johnny Crosland’s room.
20^th Memorial Service to Dennis at Ashridge at 10.45 while Service at Crematorium.
18^th Rene Noble and Judy and Richard to lunch.
1^st return – Darlington to Kings Cross £3.11.8.

Airborne (2,000 out of 8000) evacuated from Arnhem.

Sunday 24^th September 1944

Gale, rain then fine afterwards.
Phil a cold but not bad. Wrote Ella. Phil wrote Professor Miles. Alys wrote Gwen. All down to dinner 1 with Mr Daniel. Lois rang up. Paul Faraday and Paulot came at 2.15. Took Paulot in grounds. Phil rests. Got Paul and Paulot tea and buns from canteen. They away 4 o’clock. Wrote letters. Down to Brown Lounge to supper with Peter Daniel. He in to News with us upstairs and brought very nice letter.

Monday 25^th September 1944

Fair.
All read letters. Alys and Phil out in grounds. Then I out up rhododendron avenue. Miss Hampton up. We all had lunch in Dr Warner’s room. Alys and Phil rested. I wrote Doz with copies of letters. Tea (coffee Alys made) upstairs. Letters. Dinner down in Brown Lounge. Mr Crook, Poppa Daniel, Mr Stringer (Surgical Registrar) in to hear News.

Tuesday 26^th September 1944

Fine. Lovely.
Alys to see Mrs Gordon about staying there. Alys, Phil and I to Berkhamsted in EYT to get my railway tickets and tried to buy pullover. Lunch in Dr Warner’s room. Phil had it in Brown Lounge. At 2 porters moved Phil’s things to his new room. Then Alys and I helped arrange it; books, lamp. Phil rested on Alys’ bed. Tea (coffee) upstairs, all. Dinner downstairs. Bentley. In Phil’s bedroom all eveing till 11. Spelling bee. Dance going on.

Wednesday 27^th September 1944

Fine. Showers.
Alys wrote Kitty, in Phil’s room; he on bed. I wrote Elsa Beckman and Menie in Senior Medical Staff Room. Alys and I took things to Car. Alys and I lunch in Dr Warner’s room. Phil in Brown Lounge. I had sleep on bed 2.15 till 4. Alys wrote Mrs Warner, Lady Exeter. Tea (coffee) upstairs. Dr and Mrs Wrigley in. Wet with dogs. Down to car again. I wrote Josephine. Dinner in Brown Lounge. Peter Daniel, Stringer. In Phil’s room 41 till 10.15.

Churchill spoke in House of Commons – 28^th
Occasional bombs in South, for Heinkels?

Richmond

Thursday 28^th September 1944

Fair, cool.
I breakfast 7 a.m. Alys and Phil in car EYT from Ashridge to Layton. In bus at 7.25 to Berkhamsted. Train 7.43 to Euston. Tube to Kings Cross. 9.40 train to Darlington. Sandwiches. Arrived 3.10 p.m. To Richmond 3.15, arrived 3.55. Eva and James met me in my car. Alys and Phil came through Richmond and got emergency ration for Phil. All arrived together at Layton. Tea. Many more letters for Alys. Phil on sofa. I cooked buttered eggs. All read letters. Phil in bed for News. Alys and Eva in Phil’s room. I downstairs. A.T.S. came in to sleep.

Friday 29^th September 1944

Fine.
Alys and Phil in my car to Barnard castle for paraffin and meat and sweets. Veal chops, cabbage, milk pudding and apples. I wrote Murray with cheque and sent 4 coupons (5) petrol to be changed to Eva. Rested. Phil in garden in sun. James read with me. Eva to see Mrs Barnes about paraffin and children’s bonfires. Phil in bed at 9. Tongue and salad. Squadron Leader Strachey.

Saturday 30^th September 1944

Fine, dull in p.m.
Got French beans (Eve with me). Cut them up with Eva. Eva cooked our sirloin. Isabel made steamed treacle pudding. Alys wrote letters in her bedroom. Phil cleaned stoves, mended various things. He and I to Richmond in car at 2. He to see Brook (Manager). I got clock (12/6) and to Walton’s and Bank. Home. Rested. Tea. Cleaned skirts with Restatus. Eve painted. Cold ham and salad. Phil had kidney and bacon. In Phil’s room in evening.

Memo:
27^th Blain fed bees. Autumn syrup.
29^th Wrote Murray with £1 cheque for oatmeal.
28^th Phil’s 31^st birthday
30^th Wrote L.N.E.R. about ticket
30^th Rent – Pringle (Blain collected).
30^th Wrote Berkhamsted Gazette
We tipped Margaret and Kitty 10/- each. Winnie (not Dell) 5/-.

1^st Dover free of shelling, after 4 years, as Calais and Cap Gris-Nez taken by Canadians.

---

Sunday 1^st October 1944

Fine day, Cold though sun warm.
Alys wrote letter. Phil in hut in sun. I got turnips (swedes) and prepared them. Eva cooked beef. Isabel made bread and butter pudding. I washed Alys’ mauve pullover and cardigan. Unpicked and altering Alys’ grey (Patty) jersey. Phil wrote Ernest Miles. Alys wrote Poz and Doz. 20 minutes rest. Then read to Eve till 4.30. Tea. Did Alys’ jersey. Peat’s pies and cold ham. Phil to bed at 9. We up and ate grapes.

Monday 2^nd October 1944

Fine a.m. Dullish p.m. Cold when frost.
Alys and I in car to Richmond. Phil’s rations, things to cleaners, left at Husband’s. Posted base of lamp. Cold beef, tomatoes in casserole, Eve pudding. Alys and Eva and children to Richmond in car at 3.15 to Post Office for Alys’ certificates £15 and to Singleton’s. I wrote Ayrton’s. All in cellar and got champagne up and gin. Read to children. Eva very tired. Gennar’s minestrone soup and a vegetable soup and tinned kippers and toast and champagne. Counted rents for Clerk. Crocheted on Alys’ pullover.

Tuesday 3^rd October 1944

Very fine most of day. Showers in evening.
Did onions and meat for stew. Isa made chocolate steamed puddings and chocolate sauce. Phil in hat in sun. He took the children a walk and back by reservoir. We got Favarger folder out of smoke-room. Rest 3 – 4. Eva read to James and Eve. I did Alys’ grey pullover, ironed brows. Tea. Alys, Eva and Eve and James to Mrs Wardle’s about milk and account and Savings Stamps in car. Did up parcels with Alys for sending to Ashridge. Isabel made red rice and Phil had spaghetti and poached egg.

Wednesday 4^th October 1944

Showers and sun. Cool. Windy.
Breakfast 7. At 7.40 Alys and Phil, Eva and James in car to Darlington. Aly and Phil to King’s Cross for Ashridge. Phil had re-fill at Smart’s. I with Eve all a.m. Got lettuces, mended plasticine box and lamp. Eva took James to Badcock, and his own teeth seen. They back 1. “Brunch”, salad, rice pudding and apples. Rests. I took Eve to Holt, Dimmock, Barnes, Gell, Dobinson’s, O’Brien groups. Tea (James raging and out of room). Eve to Maureen’s. James with Alan till 7.20 dark. Haddocks for supper. Cyril Falls War Commentary.

5^th Invasion of Greece announced. Airborne, land and naval.
6^th 3000 Bombers over Germany
Flying Bombs over on 5^th, 6^th nights and 7^th.

Thursday 5^th October 1944

Finish. Milder.
Eva heard from James’ new boarding school. Out for cabbage. Tinned stew and tinned haricots. Isabel made bread pudding. Baked soaked bread, spices, custard sauce. Rests. Got James up and he read with me. Eva wrote letters. I cleaned big Florence stove. Both children naughty. Eve screaming when put to bed. Sardines and toast, stewed apples. Mrs Peacock 8.35 – 9.50 (Isabel p.m. off). Mrs Peacock sitting-room. A.T.S. in.

Friday 6^th October 1944

Fine. Lovely all day. Frost.
Did laundry. Eva made salmon fish pie, Isabel made barley kernels and baked apples with marmalade. I wrote Alys and form for new tyre. Butcher brought bill. Eva rested all p.m. I downstairs and Hunter came. Took Eve to Blain’s (Red Cross and pay). Eva put both to bed. I made macaroni cheese.

Saturday 7^th October 1944

Dull, mild. Showers
Card from Teddy and Eva worried as to decision. Isabel made jam layer suet pudding. Roast sirloin. I got turnips. Eve with Eva who did washing. James out with Alan and Ronnie. Rests in p.m. I got James up and he read. Up to top-room with him. Shut windows and looked at bricks. Tea. James out with boy. Read to Eve. Eva got James in at 6. He furious. She read to them both. Impatience with Isabel. I wrote to Jim Archer. Sausages and mash. Stewed pears. “The Second Mrs Tanqueray”. Jack Buchanan, Coral Browne.

Memo:
2^nd Blain fed bees again 2^nd time.
4^th Alys and Phil to Ashridge.
Send pig ration paper in.
5^th Pickin rent
2^nd Rents. Blain collected. Bread 3/9.
3^rd Tooth broke off.
4^th Wrote Alan, Lois, Barber’s.
2^nd Weight 8 stone 1lb.
Blain’s wages, Ken’s 10/-

Churchill and Eden to Moscow.
Flying Bombs 8^th and 9^th, not 10^th

Sunday 8^th October 1944

Rainy off and on.
Wrote Alys. Sent Parish mag with “Memoriam”. Eva phoned Teddy. He said not come this week as more Flying Bombs. Children painted in sitting-room. Roast pork. I got cabbage, stewed pears, tapioca. I had rest all p.m. Slept soundly. Eva rest and then took Eve and James walk to Ravensworth Beck. Isabel got tea, (thought it was her day off) with tomato sandwiches. Eve to Maureen’s. Eva played cards with James. Then I read to him. Eve screamed and called out. James good. Pork pies.

Monday 9^th October 1944

Fair, mild, damp.
At 9.30 I in Barne’s car with D, and Mrs and Mrs Metcalfe to Darlington. Tried to buy Macintosh. Failed. Failed Chilprufe vests for James and Eve. To Badcock 11. He took mould of upper front teeth. Lunch Marks and Spencer self serving. To Smith’s bought books. To Gaumont, Saw “This Happy Breed” Noel Coward 1 – 3 and News reel for 10d. back with Barnes at 4. Tea 4.45. Children good all day. Got James in. Did work on accounts for Ernest. Isabel made cauliflower au gratin. “Trial of Madeline Smith” – play.

Tuesday 10^th October 1944

Dull. Damp. Mild.
Blain helping me with estimates of expenses. Made out list and sent off to Alys with letter. Did up parcel, long envelopes (Lab drawn) maps, and Bean case-folder. Fried fish (Eva did it) and chocolate pudding. Stewed pears. Rest. Out to Dimmock, Holt, Barnes, Dobinson’s (Mary whooping cough), O’Brien. Tea. Eva to O’Brien’s with Eve till 6.35. James with Alan. Both good. Did Savings Group accounts – hard boiled eggs in cheese sauce. Brains Trust dull.

Wednesday 11^th October 1944

Dull. In p.m. rain and windy.
Eva and James and Eve and Isabel and Yvonne to Barnard Castle in car. I sent filament off to Phil; looked for Phenobarbitone. Put potatoes and apple pudding (made by Isabel yesterday) on to boil and then pork meat (tin). They all back at 1. Rests. I got James up (Eva gave him dictation yesterday and today). He read “Wolf” after tea. They made wool balls with cardboard and wool. Bacon and fried eggs supper by Isabel. War Commentary Lewis Hastings.

Aachen not allowed to surrender by Nazis so shelled and dive-bombed.
Flying bombs every evening (except 10^th) alerts in London.

Thursday 12^th October 1944

Fine a.m. Dull p.m. mild.
Did washing, stockings. Did up 8 eggs and “Grand Barrage”. Wrote Pickin. Eva wrote Alys. I enclosed bills to her (up to September 20^th). I with Blain, who washing EYT. Dried haddock and jam steam pudding. Rests. Got Eve up and out to post parcel (eggs). Eva got tea. Isabel to Baden Blain’s. Eva washed her head. Eve to Maureen’s. Pilchards for supper. Mrs Peacock cleaned sitting-room and Arcade a bit. Captain Webb in. A.T.S. came.

Friday 13^th October 1944

Fine early, dull and rain in p.m.
Eva made pastry, jam tarts. Isabel made bacon and onion roly-poly. I got cabbage and cooked it and put it and potatoes in rugs (to save paraffin). Cooked Scott’s porridge oats in haybox. Wrote Doz. Dinner. Rested in Phil’s room. Got James up and read with him in sitting-room. Tea. Tomato sandwiches. Children did woolly balls. Eva and I read to them a little. Looked at my photos of old times. Eva made scrambled eggs (dried) and onion and cheese.

Saturday 14^th October 1944

Very variable. Sun and hail, rain.
James and Eve in old flower room and emptied bottles, petrol, oil. So James had bread and water for dinner. Eva ironed and cooked beef; and Isabel made apple charlotte and stewed pears and apples in oven. I put cabbage and potatoes in same saucepan and in rugs (got swedes too). Rest. Wrote Alys and posted. Isabel got Eve up. Eva took James a walk along street. Tea. Railway in sitting-room. I unpacked suitcase sent from Ashridge. Wrote Sissie. Peat’s pies and fried potatoes and cabbage. “Hobson’s Choice”. Pye in nursery.

Memo:
9^th 11 a.m. Badcock. Bought “Grand Barrage” gun blaster and Pastoral – Nevil Shute.
11^th Registered parcel off (done up on 10^th)
12^th Paid Pickin to November 30^th.
13^th Wrote Doz.
14^th Alys and Sissie
(about 40 V2’s over in all, so far)
9^th Weight 8st 2lb.

15^th Rommel’s death announced.

Sunday 15^th October 1944

Very perfect day.
Eva phoned Teddy. James very good. Children on top floor. I took them out blackberrying and elderberries. Took keys (as Eve had one in overall pocket!) Cold meat and swedes and apple Charlotte. I had long rest as Eva took James and Eve to quarry for walk. After tea, James out with boys. Eva cut Eve’s woolly ball and I read to her. I cut James’ after with him. Boiled eggs and stewed pears.

Monday 16^th October 1944

Rainy and dull.
Cooked blackberries and elderberries and apples. Children painted. Eve upsetish all day. Roasted my scrag end, vegetable marrow. Isabel made semolina. Mrs Peacock cleaned big front bedroom (A.T.S.). Rested in Phil’s room. Got James up. He read to me in sitting-room. Tea. Children had bricks in sitting-room. Eve to bed 6.15. James and I play Demon. He wrote to Alys in rest time. Sardines for supper. Cleared out drawer. Mrs Churchill for Red Cross. Mended Eve’s shoe.

Tuesday 17^th October 1944

Fine but showers, windy.
James and I in car to Richmond. Bought waterproof. Got bee sugar permit for 105lb sugar. Isabel made rissoles and jam steamed pudding. Rest, then to Dimmock, Holt, Barnes, Gell, Dobinson and to Mrs Blain, paid bread. Tea. James out and Eve on sofa, did beads and Eva read to her. James with Ronnie and Alan. I made porridge. Isabel made savoury rice. Brains Trust.

Wednesday 18^th October 1944

Fine, showers, rainbow.
Changed my bed round. To garden with James and Eve to get swede and parsnip for stew. Eva making it. Isabel had made apple pudding. Eve threaded beads in arcade. Rest till 3.15. I took James to Honeypot wood, where watched timber cutting gang axing and hauling. Met Stephenson. Back by East Layton Road. James read with me after tea, then out. I wrote Minnie. Isabel made Welsh rarebit with potato. Battery gave out. Wrote Alys in p.m.

Americans invade Philippines 20^th.
Soviets and Tito enter Belgrade
Aachen surrendered.

Phil 99.8°F on 17^th, Alys writes.

Thursday 19^th October 1944

Fine on whole.
I felt asthmatic in night (apple smell?). Eva rheumatic. Eve restless all night. Eva kept her in bed till dinner-time. James coughed a bit. He out with me to get cabbage and artichokes, washed and scrubbed them. James helped. Prem, and Isabel made apple fritters. All p.m. I was cleaning honey extractor (and kettle of paraffin). With Baden and we extracted about 14lb of honey. James to Ravensworth with Isabel. Eve out with Eva in garden. James very cross about not going out after tea. I read to them. Boiled eggs supper. Miss Peacock and Eric in. A.T.S. in (Mrs Peacock cleaned sitting-room).

Friday 20^th October 1944

Rainy, cold.
Did laundry. Found (with Blain) that it was the children, not mice, that had spoilt honey frame. Locked bedroom doors. Eva made salmon fish-pie. Isabel made date pudding. Didn’t rest. Wrote Phil (with enclosure army cheque rent, note to Alys) and Ella. Albert Hall tickets, horticultural journal added. Tea. James very disobedient. Eva put him to bed. I read to Eve. Eva very stiff with rheumatism. News. Pork meat cakes from Hutchinson, fried by Isabel. Very good. Hunter brought for bees 105lb sugar.

Saturday 21^st October 1944

Dull, showery, finer in p.m.
Eve still rheumatism. I made stew and did artichokes. Eva took James and Eve out. Did up 2lb pot honey and 6 eggs. In 2 parcels. Stew and prunes and custard. 20 minutes rest. Eva none. She wrote Alys and gave James lessons. James good all day but baddish cough. I out with Eve to pick up sticks and post parcels to Phil. Tea. Reading to James and Eve and made peppermints (Mrs Barnes’ recipe). Pork pies. “London Wall” play. Van Druten.

Memo:
Richmond cleaner only Mondays.
20^th Wrote Ella and Phil
17^th Phil’s temperature 99.8°F.
21^st Blain’s wages
19^th Teddy’s card saying perhaps they could return in two weeks.
21^st Letter to Kit
19^th James began coughing.
16^th Weight 8 stone 1lb.
19^th Extracted 14lb honey.

Big Naval and Air Battle in Pacific off Philippines. Churchill back from Moscow.

Sunday 22^nd October 1944

Fair, mild.
Eva phoned Teddy, return about 31^st? Eva very upset after bad night. James coughed a lot. Eve cried, James subdued. I found oatmeal upset everywhere and with James and Eve swept it up for over an hour. Roast mutton, cabbage (Eva made prune moulds). Baked apples and Nestlé’s. I put James and Eve to rest. Mended James’ slipper. Got him up. He read. Eva took Eve out. I took James to Wardle’s for walk after tea. Isabel made tomato sandwiches and laid tea (though her day off). I made artichoke soup and grilled sausage and tomatoes and bacon.

Monday 23^rd October 1944

Perfect day.
Paxton put radiator back. Eva out with Eve and got swedes. James with Alan all a.m. I wrote Alys. Cold mutton and prune shape. Rested. Got Eve up (who had been very fractious all a.m., we to warehouse at 12). Weeded and read in garden on seat and steps. James with Baden and Rona to Honeypot. Tea. Read to Eve. James in arcade with Alan. Billiard room radiator spurted. Baden mended it. “Three Men in a Boat” after news. James till coughing a lot.

Tuesday 24^th October 1944

Dark, damp, raw.
Eva and I with James and Eva in car to Barnard Castle. Eva got shoes for James. Got our rations and sweets. James coughing a lot. Slices of mutton in gravy, cabbage. Marmalade pudding. I rested on sofa (cold upstairs). I rested 40 minutes. Out to Butler, Holt, Barnes, Dobinson, O’Brien. James temperature 99.4°F. Tea on sofa. Eva read to him. Eve with Isabel. James to bed 6.15, no bath. I read Slippery Sam to him. Poached eggs.

Wednesday 25^th October 1944

Fairish, no rain, no sun.
James 99°F. Kept him in bed all day, in Eva’s room after breakfast (Teddy’s bed). Out with Eve for cabbage. Mr Rushworth (a trustee) came in garden. Isabel made rissoles, rice pudding, stewed apples. Rested. Up 3.15. Out with Eve to post and around and wound signals’ wire in garden. After tea, I read to James and played Demon with him, till bedtime. Eva wrote Alys. Welsh rarebit (cheese sauce and potato). War Commentary – Squadron Leader Strachey on Germany’s oil.

Thursday 26^th October 1944

Dull. Dampish.
James 99.4°F in bed (Teddy’s) all day. Eve tided Alys work basket. Cold cough, good spirits, good appetite. Eve and I got swedes and parsley. Prem and apple Charlotte. Mrs Peacock did sitting-room and pantry shelves. I wrote Alys. Rested 20 minutes. With Eve to post and walked to quarry. Eva got tea, and had read with James. I with him after tea, playing patience. A.T.S. in. Eva washed her head. Heinz potato soup and boiled eggs. James had aspirin.

Friday 27^th October 1944

Perfect. Cold. Sun warm.
James 99°F. In bed all day, still coughing. Eve out with me for cabbage and we sat on seat, she decorating birthday cake for Zeus. I mended James’ pullover and Eve’s cardigan. Eva made apple pie and jam tarts. Rested, to James at 3.30, read to him. Eva and Eve out. Eve a cough. Eva to dine with Irene and Arthur Noble at Morritt (By 7.15 bus). They brought her home in car 10.45 and came in. Isabel made savoury rice for my supper. I wrote Alys. “One Fine Day” (Apollo) play.

Saturday 28^th October 1944

Perfect a.m. Rain in Richmond. Fine here.
James hot bottle leaked. In garden with Eve; Got cabbage and wrote Alys out there. Eva with James and also roasting leg mutton. Apple pie and custard. Eva, Eve and I in car to Richmond to take cabin trunk and send off at station. To Barclay’s Bank, changed £20 cheque and Eva changed Teddy’s cheque. To cleaners. Sent off 8 eggs and 1 packet chocolate to Phil. At 3.35 back. Read to James – book about wolves. Tea. Eve drew twins for me – read to her. Patience with James. Pork pies and cabbages, potatoe fried.

Memo:
“The flowers will have an illness, carbon dioxide – don’t want them to!! (Mon and au-bretia)
23rd Sent 10/- Red Cross Rural Pennies
28^th Rents
23^rd Weight 8 stone.
Still a good many “rockets’ and flying bombs coming over.

We bomb Cologne and destroy it.

Sunday 29^th October 1944

Dull, then fine. Cold in p.m.
James paroxysms of coughing in night. 99°F. Eve coughing a lot too. James in bed all day. Eva phoned Teddy who said get doctor. I with James all a.m. Jigsaw chiefly, “Robin Hood”. Cold meat, gravy, swedes (Isabel got them). Eva rang up Dr Woodsend. Eve “rest” on sofa in sitting-room. Eva in my room. I as usual. With Eve at 3.15 playing, reading, drawing. Eva with James. Tea. I with James – jigsaw and read “William”. Ham and eggs and potato cakes.

Monday 30^th October 1944

Fine.
With Eve, who played “Matilda”, and wrote pig ration, Hunter’s. Alys phoned from Ashridge. Cold meat, gravy, jam suet pudding. Eva made a pudding too. Eva and I rested about 20 minutes. Dr Woodsend came and injected all 3 children. I out to Hodgeson’s, Gell’s for rents. (Cliff out, Pringles away). After tea, with James doing patience. Savoury rice. James sick at lunchtime. Eva rang up Teddy at 6.30 or so. James and Eve’s arms very sore from injection. “Rupert of Hentzau”.

Tuesday 31^st October 1944

Fair, mildish.
James no appetite all day. Eve coughed a lot in night. Ate very little. Eva took Eve out at 2 o’clock (½ hour). Eve drew in a.m., chalked. Rissoles and Savoy. Boiled rice and golden syrup. Rested. Eva wrote Teddy and Miss Sage and didn’t rest. I to Dimmock, Holt, Barnes, Dobinson, O’Brien. Tea. Eva had to clear up eiderdown out of quilt all thick. James pulled it out. Hoover. I made Barnes’ mints with Eve. Savoury egg (dried). Very good Brains Trust. Stephen King-Hall, M.P. (chair). Mrs. E. Arnot Robertson, Bertrand Russell.

Wednesday 1^st November 1944

Fine, mildish.
James in bed all day though coughed less – 99°F. Eve out with me in garden and took big Teddy in white frock. I wrote Doz. Eva made salmon fish pie. Isabel made “Eve” pudding. Rests, then Dr Woodsend came at 3.30 and inoculated all 3 children 2^nd time. Eva wrote Alys. Isabel made sponge cake and tartlets and apple tart (open). Patience with James after tea – egg, tomato and bacon supper.

Thursday 2^nd November 1944

Fine day.
James sick in night with his cough. Eve coughed incessantly. Eva and Eve to Barnard Castle in car for liver, dried eggs. I with James a bit. Read geography book to him. Lighted fire in smoke-room. Liver and apple tart (open and custard). Eve rested in smoke-room till 4.10. Tea for us and Mrs Peacock. Isabel out, but she cooked liver and bacon with tomatoes and potatoes (fried bells) for our supper. I with James after tea. He sick at 6.30. Miss Peacock and Eric for 10 minutes.

Friday 3^rd November 1944

Perfect all day.
Did laundry. Out with Eve about 1½ hours, raking leaves, gathering sticks on lawn. Haddock (Finnan) lunch, and barley kernels and apples. James in big front bedroom in sun 2 – 4.30. I wrote Alys with cheque-book to go registered by Mrs Ward in a.m. Eve on sofa, drawing. Butcher came 12.35. Hunter not till 5.35. Eve drew portrait of Zeus and Kimmy for Phil. James sick at 8.45 and called Eva. In basin, as before 6^th or 7^th time. War Commentary Lieutenant Hastings. Yvonne coughing? Send cheque-book in a.m.

Saturday 4^th November 1944

Fineish a.m. Gale later.
James still 99.2°F. In bed all day. I made stew and Eva and Eve fetched onions and turnips in. Eva tidying drawing-room. Packed 5 eggs (all there were) and “Pastoral” by Nevil Shute and Eve’s portraits to Phil.   Isabel took to post at 4 p.m. In p.m. I sent off petrol request with car book. Eve drawing on sofa. She sick once; coughing a lot. With James after tea. Read “William” to him. He sick at 5.15 and again at 11 p.m. Peat’s pies and potato supper. “The Dover Road” play – A.A. Milne. Esmé Percy as Latimer. Runaway couples.

Memo:
31^st Write Doz. Berry’s away.
Letter from F/O Richards about Aunt Bella!!!
Send Pig Paper, Petrol?
4^th Blain’s wages. Kens 10/-.
30^th Rents
1^st Teddy to Course – Control Commission.
3^rd Yvonne coughing.
30^th Weight 8st 2lb.

Sunday 5^th November 1944

Wet, wild a.m. Gale. Very fine p.m. Cold.
Eve 99°F so in bed all day. Eva phoned Teddy who sounded very depressed. James 99°F in Eva’s room after breakfast till 1; when dressed and down to dinner. I read to them a bit. Eva cooked loin mutton and out for cabbage in rain. Suet spotted dick (Isabel). Wrote Alys lettercard and about Hodges. In garden on seat lying down, about 15 minutes then Dr Woodsend, who gave all 3 children inoculations (3^rd). Tea. Read with James first. With Eve after (in fur coat and cardboard house with James). Eva did dried eggs, scrambled with kidney in them.

Monday 6^th November 1944

Very fine a.m. Dull and wind later.
James and Eve in same bedroom till 12.30 and made awful mess of clothes on floor. Then James up and in garden with me. Open hut. Vegetables and scrap soup and marmalade pudding. I did up 4lb Mink’s tea and sent it off to Alys. 10 minutes rest and at 3 with Eve till tea (except with to post). She sick on tea-tray. I with James after tea, Pelman Patience and made house of cardboard (Mrs Peacock cleaned halls – no tea). Savory rice. Eva very sick on everything at 11 p.m. Made dress for rag-doll all evening.

Tuesday 7^th November 1944

Cold. Sleet wind. A good deal of sun.
Isabel lump in breast. With James and Eve in bedroom a good deal. Read them book about Switzerland and Lunn photos. Out to get cabbage. With Eve while James got up. Mince and toad-in-hole, chocolate ground rice. With Eve and then wrote Alys with Bruce Green’s’ address. To Dimmock, Holt, Barnes, Dobinson. Then to Pringle’s (rent) and to Blain’s. After tea with Eve (pretty pets). Eva for walk with James after lunch; very windy. Pelman with James till 5.45. Sardines. Brains Trust. Good.

Wednesday 8^th November 1944

Perfect day.
Eve retching. We lit fire in Eva’s room. Eve in bed all day. James in bed till lunch. I alone in car to Barnard Castle for rations and tyre permit, at Lewis Smith’s. Back by Wholrton bridge, at 1. Mince and Brussel Sprouts (1^st) rice pudding. Eva a walk with James. I rested then with Eve. Eva wrote Alys (presents, books). Tea. I read “Maggie the Streamlined Taxi” to James. Savoury eggs (bacon and cheese and potatoes). War Commentary Philip Joubert. Eve and James both sick in evening.

Roosevelt elected for 4^th term. Big majority over Dewey.

Thursday 9^th November 1944

Very fine. Very cold. Sunny all day.
Eve in bed all day. Sick several times. Isabel awake for 4^th night and Yvonne awake all night. James up at dinner-time. I with Eve a good deal. Isabel got cabbage. Eva fried liver and made bread and butter pudding. I sent off fuel permit paper (for coke 9 rooms, 7 people). Took James walk to Wardle’s brook. He then rested in big front sunny room. I rested 30 minutes on own bed. Mrs Peacock cleaned sitting room. We got tea (Isabel off). I read to Eve. Eva with James. Got North America out and began it with James. Eva cooked sprouts and potatoes and I cooked bacon. Eva up 4 times in evening. James or Eve sick. Churchill’s speech Guildhall. A.T.S.

Friday 10^th November 1944

Dull, milder.
Out for lettuces and sticks. Got wool zip boots out. Baden brought “Battleship” in, for James’ room, resting. Eve and James had poached eggs on potato and we had pork meat. With Eve in p.m. till 3.35. Eva a little rest. Then I had rest till 4.30. Zeus bad rheumatism. Hurt to move. James did “models’ and I painted with him and read “Little Ships”. Isabel made rock cakes and sponge .Eve sick in evening. James not sick all day till evening.

Saturday 11^th November 1944

Mild. Dullish. Not dark.
Zeus better at 12. Stove out. Washed up with kettles. Eva ironed. James dressed at 10.30 and in Eve’s room all a.m. I out to get sprouts. Eva cooked roast beef. We had Yorkshire pudding and syrup. I with Eve, which Eva and James for walk. Pasted wallpaper. Then did up Alys’ fur coat and wrote to her and to post. Eva short rest. James in my room, with battleship, stove. Scrambled eggs and kidneys. Eve sick and James also at 8.30. Eva and Eve bad night again.”Musical Chairs”. Made peppermints.

Memo:
Ration Period ends 11^th.
Yvonne a cough all week began on November 3^rd
Isabel a cough too.
Nov 9^th Fuel permit sent.
6^th Weight 8st 6lb.

Walcheren taken. Big offensive by 6 Allied Armies for Holland to Switzerland.

Sunday 12^th November 1944

Dull (after frosty a.m. and rain in p.m.).
Eva very tired and shivery with so many bad nights. Yvonne coughing – a cold? James up to breakfast. Eve all a.m. in bedroom. Eva washing sheets and Eve with sick on them. I to get cabbage. Cooked my mutton (slice) and cabbage. Isabel made chocolate suet pudding and sauce. With Eve but she very difficult when coughing and sick. I had 45 minutes rest on sofa. Eva a little on Alys’ bed. Read to Eve till tea. And up with her afterwards till 6. Then read to James “toad”. Zeus no food and lay under coats all day. James and Eve both sick at 8.30. Peat pies and potatoes . Began “The Bamboo Blonde”.

Monday 13^th November 1944

Very fine day.
Eva and James out for leeks and sat a little in garden. James out all a.m. weeding. Isabel and Yvonne slight coughs. Measured cloth in billiard room and with Mrs Peacock – carpet in Bewley’s room. Cold beef and leeks. Barley kernels pudding. Eva made. Sat with Eve and read to her a bit. She better, though often sick still and in bed all day. Wrote Alys with measurements. To post. Got James up and read Toad to him, also after tea till 6.45. He wrote letter to Alys. Welsh rarebit. Eve sick once more and retched often. Eve bad night again.

Tuesday 14^th November 1944

Rain most of day.
With Eve a bit, and to garden in rain to get cabbage. Phil phoned for Alys, offering she should come. James with Eve a bit. Toad in hole and mince. Ginger steamed pudding. With Eve while Eva had 30 minutes rest. James rested in sitting room. To Holt, Dimmock, Barnes (only boys in), Gell, Dobinson. Zeus not well. All p.m. and evening. With Eve till 6.10. Onions, fried on toast and grated cheese on top, under grill. Eve cried 3 or 4 times but only sick once. Good Brains Trust.

Wednesday 15^th November 1944

Snow and sun intervals. Very cold.
Sleet and snow so Eva not to Richmond. I wrote Alys with Eve’s letter. James up with Eva a good deal. Eve sick 3 or 4 times during day. Isabel out for cabbage. Yvonne coughing. Minc and Eve pudding. With Eve most of p.m. Eva wrote Teddy. Eve chalking. Read Caldecott to her. After tea, read “Toad” to James and played patience. Cheese, potato, and tomato pie. Farm book. Yvonne ?whooping cough?

6 Allied Armies, from Holland to Switzerland.

Thursday 16^th November 1944

Fairish, showers. Milder.
Isabel all night downstairs with Yvonne. Didn’t undress. Eve better. Still sick sometimes. No letter from Teddy since Sunday. Dr Woodsend fuss. Alys rang up 11 o’clock. Eva and James in car to Richmond. I with Eve in bedroom (plasticine) but called up Woodsend to report Yvonne. Rene phoned. Isabel cleaned sitting room. Pork meat for us; poached egg for Eve on mashed. Mrs Peacock cleaned my room and halls. James rested in sitting room. I sat in nursery with Yvonne 1 hour. Got tea. Isabel laid it. James did some reading. I with Eve till 6. Read to James. Sardines. A.T.S. in. Isabel very low but Yvonne not at all bad yet.

Friday 17^th November 1944

Showery. Cold.

2 letters from Teddy and 1 from Isabel’s boy in Italy. Alys letter to me about escape from Doodlebug. Laundry. Haddocks and Queen of Pudding. With Eve. Eva wrote Alys and Mrs Farrier. James rested in bedroom with stove. Out to post tin to Murray and books to Alys. Trees being felled. Got shavings (chips) in 4 or 6 basket loads. Wrote Kitty. Tea. With Eve (after Hunter). Grilled bacon and kidney and potato. Eve sick 3 times in evening. Eva to bed 10. Yvonne coughing more and sick too.

Saturday 18^th November 1944

Fair. Mild.
Eve better night. Eva made stew. Isabel made chocolate semolina. I out for turnips and sprouts. Later took James in wood where trees felled. Brought chips back. With Eve after lunch. Till 3.40. Then slept on my bed till 4.30. Tea. With James and read Pirate book and Wind in the Willows. Isabel cooked fried eggs and Spam and tomato. Eve not really sick all day, but James sick in bed at 8.30.

Memo:
18^th Wrote Murray with cheque.
Since 15^th Isabel nights in nursery.
17^th 4 weeks since it began
28^th Blain’s wages.
12^th Posted Will to Alys and Eva’s lettercard.
14^th Sent James’ letter to Alys.
15^th Sent Eve’s letter to Alys and wrote.
16^th Ken Blain to Army.
17^th Wrote Kitty
13^th Weight 8st 5lb.

Metz taken. French through Belfort Gap to Rhine.
Alys and Phil had very narrow escape from Flying Bombs at Ashridge.

Sunday 19^th November 1944

Very warm. Damp, no sun.
Eve still retching a lot in night. Eva cooked sirloin and out with James for cabbage. I with Eve. Isabel made Castle puddings. Yvonne sick but not worse in coughing. Wrote Alys and to post. Then with Eve at 3. Eva short rest. Mrs Bill Blain in to see Eve. James ther too. (Eva brought Eve down to tea on sofa, to bed again at 5.45. Isabel fried potatoes and heat pies, though her day off. Eve sick in evening and James too and nervous.

Monday 20^th November 1944

Dull, mild. Rainy.
Eva very tired and back hurting. She in Eve’s room most of a.m. I out for sprouts. Cold Beef and stew and ginger puddings. Eve ate no meat. In p.m. Eva on her bed and tried to make Eve sleep but no good. Mrs Peacock didn’t come. I rested 45 minutes on Alys’ bed. Yvonne sick and coughing. Eve very sick after tea. I read to James. Welsh Rarebit. Eva up to bed 8.45 so as to not to have to go up so often. “The Happy Hypocrite”. Max Beerbohm.

Tuesday 21^st November 1944

Perfect day.
Eva took James out to see tree-felling. I with Eve. Isabel got sprouts. Shepherds pie (with rice in) and Barley Kernel pudding. I took James out at 2 to get chips. Wrote postcard to Alys. To Holt, Dimmock, Barnes, Dobinson. Tea. Eva had hers’ with Eve. She read to children. I made peppermints and cinder toffee. Sausages and chip potatoes. Eve sat with Yvonne in p.m. while Isabel cleaned her room. Brains Trust we only heard half. Eva up at 8.45.

Wednesday 22^nd November 1944

Snow on ground a.m. then very warm. Thaw.
Lettercard from Alys and talk with Isabel about Dr for Yvonne. Eva and James in car to Barnard Castle. Got my tyre and high tension battery for Pye. Eva paid for it £1 or more? I with Eve. Eva bought liver. Prunes and custard. Did Red Cross. Sent 10/- off. To Mrs Blain’s to pay marmalade. Tea. Eve dressed and had tea at table. Read to them and Eva did too. At 6 James watched Isabel draw young cockerel. Mrs Blain plucked it. Rissoles (mince). Eva sat with Yvonne. Eva to bed 9.45. War Commentary with Hastings.

Strasbourg liberated. General Leclerc (of Lake Chad) Vicomte de Hauteclocque of Picardy.

Thursday 23^rd November 1944

Fine and very warm showers in evening.
Dr Leishman to see Isabel and Yvonne. Bill and Margaret and Nora Blain doing sausages in kitchen. Isabel cooked cockerel and bread sauce and James and I out for sprouts and out till 12.35. Eva up with Eve – chicken dinner and apple Charlotte and custard. Isabel upset and wanting her sister. I wrote Alys in Yvonne’s room. To post. Eve dressed (very sick after dinner) and down to tea and reading (Uncle Remus) and game with James (dog) after. Fried new sausages and black pudding for supper. Both James and Eve sick in evening. Eva up 4 times and to bed 8.50. No Mrs Peacock. James and Eve with Charles Heanley’s books.

Friday 24^th November 1944

Dull. Showers. Mild.
Eva got cabbage. New pig-liver and rice pudding and prunes. Eve down to lunch. Alys phoned about inventory. Searched and sent wire. Timber-man (Witton-le-Wear) in to phone. Packed 2 inventories and took to post. Brought in chips. Eve rested ¾ hour alone, then Eva there. James and Eve painted after tea, then played. I washed honey extractor. Grilled sausage, bacon, black pudding. Sat with Yvonne. Eve not really sick all day. Strachey on bombs – V. and others.

Saturday 25^th November 1944

Drizzly, dullish. Better in p.m.
Yvonne better night. Eva cooked pork meats. I to get sprouts with James. With Eve in bedroom. Water upset. Read to them. Pork and cold chicken (children) and jam steamed pudding. Both children rested. Eva wrote Alys. I on sofa 45 minutes. Got James up 3.30 and read to them both in Eva’s room. She a rest on Alys’ bed. Eve not so sick or coughing. Dr Woodsend rang up to. Read Uncle Remus after tea. Brawn (Blain made). Eva upstairs 5 times to children. “Youth at the Helm.” Battery gave out in middle.

Memo:
24^th 77 King Henry’s Road bomb.
22^nd Sent 10/- Red Cross. Eve very sick after dinner.
20^th James out to woods and round garage. Sick in evening.
25^th Rents
22^nd Eva got battery at Jackson’s for Pye and paid man there £1 for it.
20^th Weight 8st 5lb.

More V2 sites bombed in Holland.
Great explosion in Midlands 27^th.

Sunday 26^th November 1944

White frost and sun. Dull and snow in p.m.
Yvonne bad night coughing. Eve better, in bed till 12. Out with James to get cabbage and to Papa’s Water. Ice on ponds. Eva took Eve out (1^st time) in gardens. James and I to Saw log in top room. Hot wing rib beef. Chocolate shape and apple. Wrote Alys and Badcock. Eva put both children to rest and had 45 minutes herself. I to get wood and to post. Then with Yvonne till 4.30. Isabel “in”. “Birds, beast and Fishes” after tea. Made spills. Sat with Yvonne while Isabel laid supper. Brawn and cold sausages. Eva to bed 8.45.

Monday 27^th November 1944

Perfect a.m. Dull in p.m.
Out with James in snow to get sprouts. Eva and Eve too. Big fuss with Isabel about her going out with Yvonne. Forced her. Laid lunch. Eva fried chops. Baked batter and syrup. Mrs Peacock came, cleaned my room. James rested in sitting-room. Mr Clark and Riddell came for rents and I collected Hodgson, Gell and Pringle. Tea. Did rent accounts and wrote to Miss Pickin. Cold pork round and colcannon. Up to Eve who sick. James and little sick too. Eva to bed 8.50.

Tuesday 28^th November 1944

Mild. Dullish. Finer in p.m.
James and I to Richmond in car; diary, groats, slates. Eva took Eve out (very anxious about Teddy, explosion). Cold pork, jam steam pudding. Read in sitting room and then to Dimmock, Holt, Barnes and Dobinson. Children playing caravanoss after tea. Fried chine of pork and potatoes. Eva to bed 9.30. Brains Trust. Big battery gave out in Philco.

Wednesday 29^th November 1944

Mild. Fine.
Isabel a cold but took Yvonne out. Eva and James and Eve to Jackson for battery. I wrote Alys about Berk house. Mince and bread pudding. Isabel brought Yvonne into sitting-room and went to sleep herself in nursery 2.45 – 4. I wrote Alys and Phil. James no appetite at tea. Query he and Eva getting Isabel’s cold. Yvonne lost 15oz. I made mints with James. Roast chine of pork and fried potatoes. P. Joubert.

Thursday 30^th November 1944

Mild.
Took large sugar sack paper to salvage box. Measured table-cloths for Alys. Eve in bed till 11. All children in garden. I got cabbage with James. Yvonne in pram. Eva wheeled her a bit. Mince and cold pork and fried bread pudding. Mrs Peacock cleaned arcade and Eva’s room, while Isabel rested. Wrote lettercard to Alys about cloths. Dr Leishman at 4.30. Said baby not to travel next week. Made coleslaw, brawn and also mince and scrambled egg on toast. Mrs Peacock and Noel in till 9.15. Took my shoes.

---

Friday 1^st December 1944

Mild. Damp. Showery. Windy.
Eva and James in car to Barnard Castle for Boots, fish. Eve dressed and down at 11.20. Did laundry. Eve playing “Matilda”. Fillets fish fried, rice pudding, apples. Wrote Amy Steel. To post and get sticks. Eva a very short rest upstairs. After tea, Hunter, children played Matilda and Maid. Read to James (Uncle Remus). Scrambled egg and fried bacon supper. I with Yvonne. To bed 10.25.

Saturday 2^nd December 1944

Very fine. Cold wind.
Isabel news of sister’s death. Made stew with carrots and brawn in. In garden with children, getting sticks. Yvonne out, in pram with Isabel. Stew and bread and butter pudding. To Wardle’s for James. Wrote Alys lettercard and to post. Eva preparing bed for Teddy. Tea at 5.45. Eva in car to Richmond. I put Eve to bed 6. Teddy phoned – missed connection. Eva phoned. Isabel’s sister, Connie, phoned. Put James to bed 7.15 after jigsaw, fried egg and bacon.

Memo:
26^th letter about Bomb damage on King Henry’s Road (and my room and contents).
2^nd Blain’s wages
30^th Pickin rent. Paid to January 25^th
28^th Eva very anxious about Teddy as huge explosion at Burton on Trent Bomb depot. He might be there that day.
27^th Weight 8st 5lb. Wrote Amy Steel 1^st.

Fighting in Athens.

Sunday 3^rd December 1944

Dullish. Damp.
Eva starting a bad cold. Out to get sprouts. Isabel made cake. Eva cooked loin mutton, rice pudding and apples. Teddy and James out a little way, then in top room. Eve rested on sofa, as Eva and Teddy in their room. I posted Isabel’s letter. Alys phoned to send carpet. James read to Teddy. After tea, I read Uncle Remus and Angus to James and Eve. Teddy helped bathing children. Peat pies and fried potatoes. Are you sure and ITMA. Eve screamed. To bed 10.20.

Monday 4^th December 1944

Very fine. Cold shower showers (wind).
We made Eva stay in bed all day. Isabel said fainted in night, and very glum all day. James with Teddy at garage in a.m. Got cabbage and took Eve in garden. Prem, and cold mutton, coleslaw (I made) and Queen of Puddings (Isabel and I). Eve rested on sofa, and James on chair. Teddy got James up and to top room 3.30. Teddy with children after tea and I with Eva. Teddy bathed them. I made Red Rice. Isabel laid supper. Teddy washed up (and tea). Eve crying in spite of Eva in bed. Jigsaw and Treasure Island.

Tuesday 5^th December 1944

Fine. Snow on ground.
Isabel got breakfast. Then no more work all day. Teddy and James in car to Barnard Castle – got cod fish and veal. Eva up after 10.30 and made rice pudding. She and Eve in garden. I did potatoes and cabbage. We steamed cod. Rested in arm chair, Eve on sofa. At 3.20. to Dimmock, Holt, Barnes, Dobinson. After tea, read to Eve. James and Teddy cards. Eva bathed children. Teddy helped with sausages and fried potatoes and cabbage. Eva too. Eve cried twice. We took meals in to Isabel. Brains Trust.

Wednesday 6^th December 1944

Fine and heavy showers. Colder.
Eva up to breakfast. Eve in bed as a cold (up at 11). I out for sprouts. Teddy brought carpet down. I sewed carpet up in old curtain. Eva cooked veal. Isabel made stuffing and gravy. After lunch I wrote Alys and Lois (about bomb damage) and Badcock. Eva (Matilda) rest on sofa. To post. Tea. Teddy began swan jigsaw. Finished sewing carpet. Isabel cooked savoury eggs with tomato round. Lewis Hastings.

Thursday 7^th December 1944

Fine. Snow storms. Sun and dark.
Eve in bed still to breakfast. Bonfire. James and Eve out. Letter from Phil and G. Tompkins to Eva. Out with Teddy for leeks. Cold veal and Camden plums and custard. Mrs Peacock swept Eva’s room and then pantry-kitchen. Eve on sofa. Caldecott. I on chair. Wrote Kitty (Aunt Bella) to post. Tea. Eve and Teddy upstairs packing case. I read “Remus” and hunt the thimble with children. Alys phoned. Rissoles by Isabel. ITMA. News. “Appointment with Fear”. A.T.S.

Friday 8^th December 1944

Very fine. Snow on ground.
Eva, Teddy and James to Richmond in car with carpet and 2 boxes to station. Eve in bed to breakfast. Got wire wool and chocolate and points. I took Eve in garden, after dressing her. Isabel made salmon pudding and castle puddings. Baby’s finger pinched. Isabel very angry about leaving on Monday. “Rest” in sitting room with Eve (Matilda) and Yvonne in pram too. James and Eve played “builder” after tea. Welsh rarebit and baked beans. Linklater on R.L.S. (Robert Louis Stevenson).

Saturday 9^th December 1944

Very fine. Snow on ground, thin.
Out for sprouts. Both children out with Eva and then Teddy built ice-house. Yvonne to Road End with Isabel. I got firewood. Loin mutton and steamed cod. Chocolate shape, apples. “Rest” on chair and Eve on sofa and Yvonne in pram 2.30 – 3.30. Then Eve only. Isabel very rude to Eva and then to me. After tea, Eva talked to her 5.30 till 6. Teddy played with children. I made peppermint. Isabel apologised. Sausages and colcannon. Eve very sick twice at 8.45. Evening play “Music for Miss Rogers”.

Memo:
9^th points period ends
9^th phoned Hunter, who put our rations on 12.30 bus. Teddy met at 1.10.
5^th Weight 8st 4lb

Sunday 10^th December 1944

Snowing from 2 till nightfall.
Eve up at 12.40 and James in her room all a.m. I out for cabbage. Phoned Dr Leishman as afraid he not coming. He came at 12.30 and said Yvonne might travel. Eva and Teddy tidying and packing. Roast mutton, Eve pudding and Nestlés. Eve on sofa. Yvonne in bassinette and I in chair in p.m. Lettercard to Alys. Alys phoned at 5.30. Peat pies and ale. “Are you sure”. James said pain in side when he breathed (at 9.30).

Monday 11^th December 1944

Dull. snow still lying.
Up 5.30 a.m. Breakfast 6.15. At 7.15 all Berry’s and Burchett in car to Darlington (for Northwood). I tidied up a bit and washed up. Asked Blain to go for car (in Barnes’ car). Cold mutton and sprouts. Eve pudding. Mrs Peacock helped with beds and bed clothes and room for Meeting. Baden lit fire there. At 8 came Hodgson, Peacock and Eric, and Dimmock, Butler, Savery, Blackburn’s, Elgey’s, B. Blain’s, Vera. Chose Chairman. Dance 29^th. Wrote Alys.

Tuesday 12^th December 1944

Dullish. Snow still in parts.
Up at 8.30. Did a lot of tidying. Put feather bed on my bed. Out for lettuces and swedes. Cold mutton, salad, mashed potato. Toast and jam. Rested till 3.15 on sofa. To Holt, Dimmock, Barnes, Gell, Dobinson. Made soup and had boiled egg and barley kernel pudding with 1 pint milk, 3 tablespoons because no sugar. 1¼ hours in oven. Did group accounts. Brains Trust. Fry, Gould, Elton, Samuel. Mended clothes.

Wednesday 13^th December 1944

Perfect. Cold.
Woke 8.40. Did washing – stockings, vests. Hunt outdoors. Got sprouts. Cold meat and veg. Wrote Phil and Claims Officer. To post, and cut branches to make path. Two Mrs Blains in kitchen cooking pig, black pudding. I had liver and onions, fried potato cakes and sprouts, also soup.

Thursday 14^th December 1944

Dull, foggy, cold.
Tidied up and washed things. Folded sheets and blankets. Letter-card from Eva. Sausage cakes (of new pig) and sprouts fried. Mrs Peacock cleaned in sitting-rom. I wrote Kitty, with George’s letter and Mink (air letter). Roast pork and mashed potato, sprouts at 7. Miss Peacock and Eric at 8 with 8 with washing (To Blain’s and paid bread and brawn meat (1/-) and marmalade. A.T.S. in.

Friday 15^th December 1944

Foggy and cold.
Did laundry and left note. Signals Captain in. With Blain in car to Darlington to Binns: to Badcock 11.30. Gas and 4 front teeth extracted, plate fitted in. Blain drove home by 12.45. Cooked up liver, onions, sausage – cake and jam. Slept on sofa till 4.15. Hunter came. Grilled bacon and kidney at 7. Stewed plums (soup first). Wrote to Alys at 8. “Origin of Species” how written – Darwin. To bed 10.

Saturday 16^th December 1944

Foggy, damp.
Out for sprouts. Tidied a bit. Peat came with pies and took holly. Cold pork and sprouts, plums and cream. Rested on sofa 2.30 – 4.30. Wrote Alys. To post. Coke came. Cooked apples and peas (dried), soup, black pudding and sausage cakes grilled, fried potato cakes. Darned stockings. Filled in claim for war damage.

Memo:
11^th Berry’s might go. Teddy’s leave up.
Badcock 15^th 11.30 a.m.
11^th Pig killed (3^rd). Blain’s wages 16^th
12^th Weight 8st 4½ lb

Big counter-offensive by Germans against U.S. troops into Luxembourg and Belgium, near Malmedy.

Sunday 17^th December 1944

Dull, mild, windy.
Tidying in Eve’s room. Roasted neck mutton and pork, mashed turnips. Wrote Miss Pickin and Lois and sent claim for bomb damage to District Valuer. Out oto post and walk with dogs for firewood. Rest on sofa 4 – 5. Did posters for Dance “Welcome Home”. Sausage Meat and colcannon and cake and apples (made cake at 2). Read papers.

Monday 18^th December 1944

Mild. Dullish.
Wrote Teeds. Wrote E.V.M too with 2/6 stamp book. Wrote Minnie and little card (E.V.M). Had brawn and bread and butter. Apples and cake. Mrs Peacock cleaned Eva’s room and passages. I minced pork and mutton and cooked gooseberries. Wrote Doris Freer with £1 cheque. Mince and turnips, gooseberries. Wrote Edith Bache with calendar (heather and dogs from Sissie). “Ghosts” Ibsen very good. Gladys Young, James McKechnie.

Tuesday 19^th December 1944

Fine. Cold. Then fog in p.m.
Letter from Alys so got out black evening frocks, velvet coatee, silver lace. Put new collar. Brawn for lunch; car at 2.30 to take parcel to Ravensworth and register (Alys phoned at 2.15). Back 3.15 and to Barnes’ (took honey) and Holt, Dimmock, Dobinson, then to Mrs Cliff with Baden and Savery, about piano. Fried sausage meat and black pudding. Gooseberries cake. Brains Trust. Pared and cooked apples; did up eggs for Phil and chocolate.

Wednesday 20^th December 1944

Foggy. Cold but mild later.
At 10.45 in car to Richmond; posted registered to Eva, and eggs to Phil (West P.O.). Blanket to cleaners, eiderdown to Swaledale Cleaners. To Bank. Got shelves from Spence’s. Very foggy. Car nearly hit head on. Mince and potatoes lunch. Made gingerbread from King’s ginger mixture. Wrote Ella, Sissie, Lucy, Phil, Alys. Mince, sprouts (out for them after rest 3 – 4). Wrote all evening. No fire. Electric stove. To post at 9.45.

German tanks 30 and 40 miles advance into Luxembourg. U.S. retakes Malmedy and holds Stavelot.

Thursday 21^st December 1944

Mild. Damp. Clean.
Did tidying and washing all a.m. Took feather-bed off my bed. Pork mince and salad, apples and gingersnap. Mrs Peacock cleaned Alys’ room and kitchen. Wrote Doz. To post and to Red Cross 10/-. Eva phoned for Rene’s address. Put stones on way to post, in mud. Opened damsons, threw away. Cooked red curry and raspberries. Mince and colcannon. Mended gloves. Strachey on enemy air weapons. “Lair of the Devil Fish” play – Appointment with Fear.

Friday 22^nd December 1944

Very mild. Nice (not sunny).
Beetroots in oven and made Genoese pastry (Mink’s butter, dried eggs). Sprouts with cheese sauce over it for lunch. Wrote Wilf Binks (in Brussels) and Ken Blain with 2/6 stamp book. Posted and forwarded lots of letters. Cut laurels on drive. Rested 30 minutes on sofa. Rev Booth came for holly. Made tea for him. Ironed things (dressing table slips). Herrings in tomato sauce supper. “How to Give a Party” and Alastair Cooke.

Saturday 23^rd December 1944

Very mild. Dullish. No fire. Electric in evening.
Out for cabbage. Got flour out of billiard-room. Cooked loin of mutton and potatoes round it. Cooked beets again in oven. Made gravy (forgot fat). Mince pie from Nora Ireland. Sifted flour into tin, from biggest enamel basin. Rested on sofa. Did up tea and coffee and money and savings stamps for Blains. Egg and bacon fried on griller. “Michael and Mary” A. A. Milne. Good.

Memo:
Reading “Maid in Waiting” Galsworthy
21^st 5.30 Kidnapped.
17^th Sent Claim for Bomb damage to District Valuer, Finsbury.
21^st 10/- to Red Cross, Rural Pennies.
22^nd Wrote Binks in Brussels.
18^th Weight 8st 5 ½ lb.

V2 or V1’s over northern England as well as south (1^st time) 24^th Spennymoor?
Alerts at Richmond and Barnard Castle. Churchill in Athens.

 

Sunday 24^th December 1944

Clear and then fog.
Tidied up in nursery, books. Post came! Postcard from Doz. Out for lettuce and parsley. Mince pie from Wardle’s. Wrote lettercard to Alys. Rest on sofa 1 hour. Zeus in, and restless. To post first. Wrote Dr W.B. Davis a letter. Grilled sausages and fried colcannon and then onion and made gravy to pour over. Stewed apples and Nora’s cake. Alice thro’ Looking Glass. Bleak House. Carols from Front.

Monday 25^th December 1944

Lovely white frost on trees and sunny.
Sawed some wood for fire. Got suitcase down. Opened chest, put Dennis’ clothes in suitcase, unpacked bones, skeleton. Out with dogs round Elgey’s field by garden, and through orchard back. Mrs Baden B brought dinner for me at 1.40 – chicken and plum pudding. Lay on sofa. Listened to Broadcast “Journey Home” all round world and at 3 King’s talk till 3.10. National Anthems. Slept a little. Brawn and salad. “Xmas Night at 8”.

Tuesday 26^th December 1944

Fine. Sunny.
Washed things. Round garden with dogs. Took disks to Blain’s. Cold chicken and salad. Hot mince pie. Wrote Alys. To Hodgson’s for rent; also Gell’s and Pringle’s. Took bulb 40.115 to Hodgson’s later. Wrote notes to Nora Ireland and Mrs Wardle about cake. Sausages fried on griller with onion and bacon. Stewed plums (Camden) cake. Brains Trust.

Wednesday 27^th December 1944

Fineish, mildish.
Stayed in for phone about Band. Blain brought 1lb sprouts in. Made mince. Did up 4 parcels. Teddy’s shoes, 14 eggs and 2 chocolate for Phil. Tin for Murray (oatmeal and Alys’ sheepskin lined boots (she phoned from Northwood for them). Brawn and sprouts and potatoes. Plum cake. To Ravensworth in car to post and register. To tea at Brown’s. Woman friend there, and Harry. Home 5.40. Soup, Ryvita, mince-pies about 7.30. Report of Churchill, Eden and Alexander at Athens Conference.

30^th 1.30 a.m. Earthquake (shook Layton)
29^th Heard big explosion 3.30 p.m.
Churchill and Eden back from Athens – 30^th

Thursday 28^th December 1944

Perfect day. Frosty.
Did up parcels of Mink sweets and Atora suet and honey. Out in garden. Put away pantry things. Mince in oven (shepherd’s pie) and fried sprouts and potatoes. Mrs Peacock cleaned kitchen and sitting room. I mended blanket in Phil’s hut, warm. Zeus too. Took parcels to post. Sawed logs. Soup and Ryvita, cold sausage, apples and Xmas cake (from Mrs Peacock). A.T.S. in. Miss Peacock and Eric in at 8 – 9 with Washing. Paid 15/- for Teddy’s shoes.

Friday 29^th December 1944

Fine first. Thaw in p.m.
Did laundry. To garden and round, tidying up. Mrs Pringle in and we looked at Waterfall in icicles. Thawing later. Heated up shepherd’s pie, leeks. Wrote to Lois, Phil (with tickets to both, Albert Hall) and note to Doz. Finished unpacking skeleton and packed again. Mended sheet, with machine in evening. New bacon and sausage, grilled. King John on wireless. (Faulconbridge) Ralph Richardson as Bastard of Coeur de Lion.

Saturday 30^th December 1944

Perfect day. No fire, electric stove.
Earthquake 1.30 a.m. Tidying in billiard-room. Out and fetched cabbages. Roast my piece of leg mutton with potatoes round it, semi-boiled. Made gravy. Baked apples. Lovely p.m. so out sorting coke from grass. Dogs lying out in sun. Made ginger cakes and snaps. Made soup (leek) and stewed gooseberries and soup, sausages (grilled). Lay on sofa listening in. Gillie Potter, Music Hall “The Chimes” play but went to bed at 10 as not good.

Memo:
29^th Our dance for Forces Fund 8 – 12 – Cancelled.
30^th Blain’s wages. Coal 10/- Arnold.
26^th Rents
(N.B. Intense cold in South at Xmas – northerly).
28^th 5.30 Kidnapped.
25^th Weight 8st 9lb.

Sunday 31^st December 1944

Fair (frosty). Fine.
All a.m. clearing up in nursery, bringing bricks down, tidying toy-cupboard. In garden 10 minutes. Cold mutton, colcannon, gooseberries and cream and cake. Wrote Alys, sending chequebook. To post. Rested on sofa an hour. Made little cakes with King’s “bun flour”. Soup, (with groats in), grilled cheese, cake and jam. Listened in Travellers Tales. Eyre’s 1^st time across desert round Bay, Australia 800 miles (100 years ago). Raymond Gram Swing 7.30. Bleak House 8.30. News. Philco gave out 9.20.

Memo:
4^th 5.30 Kidnapped.