In 1947, Kate is 68 years old and Alys is 63 years old. Eva is 38 years old and Philip is 34 years old (Alys and Dennis’ daughter and son). James is 9 years old (Eva and Teddy’s son) and Eve (Eva and Teddy’s’ daughter (my mother)) is 7 years old.
Wednesday 1st January 1947
Lovely day. White frost.
Fell on ice. Kit phoned. Washed socks. Took cinnamon and collar to Post Office. Kitty came and we all lunched at Durham. Coffee and gingerbread at 3.30. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned 2 – 4. Onion soup, stew and potato, tart. Phoned Will Blaikley. To bed 9. 2 mystery plays.
Thursday 2nd January 1947
Perfect day. White frost. Sunny.
Letters from Eva, Teddy and James. To Bennett’s and William’s and sweet shop and Gas Co. Sweep came and did 3 chimneys. Alys and I busy with our rooms, and airing mattress. Turned out boots and also drawer (undies). Sausages (tin) and mashed. Custards (with one egg). No rests. In loft. Unpacked kitchen crockery. Alys doing her bed trimming, and coverlet. Apple and gingerbread at 4.15. Onion soup (with cheese) and sardines
Friday 3rd January 1947
Fineish.
Man came about gas stoves. I lit Cozy stove (Phil’s). Alys and I to Pinner Gas Co. and had lunch at Cornerways. Made Doz’s bed with Alys. Made sponge cakes. Alys made scones. Made apple sauce, but most apples bad. Wrote Ernest Miles about Edward. Wrote Lucy and Dorothy Ellerton. Alys wrote Eva. Fried potato with sausages, bacon. Sardines on toast (2). Phil came at 9.45 or so (bus from Harrow – fire on train). To bed 10.50.
Saturday 4th January 1947
Cold. Dullish.
Walked to post egg-box to Blain, got Savoy and tomatoes. Molly Hadow in. Tea. Phil saw her back to Kewferry. Mink’s tinned beefsteak pudding (Alys made gravy), apple sauce. All rested a bit. I wrote Marjorie Leggett. Read Berry letters. Ernest Vernor Miles’ to Phil. Alys made omelettes (with onion). At 8.45 Bernice and Derrick Cattle and Mary (Canadian nurse) in, to coffee. Away 10.10. Phil in to Cattle’s.
Memo:
12th new laid eggs arrived from Layton (the first for weeks).
2nd Sweep came.
4th Doz to Kitty’s till Monday.
Sunday 5th January 1947
Cold. Dull.
Phil up about 10.30. Doz phoned from Kitty’s. I turned sheet sides to middle. Phil changed car wheel. Queer joint and sprouts and greens. Chocolate pudding Bruxelles). Posted letter to Marjorie Leggett. No rest (doing sheet). Talk with Phil about Hospital. Kedgeree, apples. Phil away 8.50 in taxi.
Monday 6th January 1947
Snow. Cold. Cloudy.
Did up parcels. Slade came to mend tyre; he put antifreeze in radiators. Alys paid 24/- for that. We in car to lunch at Durham; in snow. Home. At 2.30 I walked to station; met Doz. Taxi home. Talk then rests. Tea, gingerbread. Talk. Kedgeree. Chocolate in glasses, sponge cake. To post with Kimbo in snow.
Tuesday 7th January 1947
Snowing. Thaw.
Electricity off 8.30 – 9. Lit stove (coke). Alys to Kitty’s to lunch. Doz and I to Durham (snowing) and to buy her fat rations. Fowl arrived from Layton and was boiling 11 – 2, then wrapped up in rug in fish-kettle. I rested on sofa; Doz on bed. Got tea. Alys back at 5. Mrs Cattle with milk. Listened to G.M. Trevelyan O.M. speaking on “Society in Roman Britain” 7 – 8. Boiled chicken, sprouts, potatoes, egg sauce. To bed 10.45.
Wednesday 8th January 1947
Fog. Thaw. Slush.
None of us out. Doz wrote letters. Cold boiled chicken, tomato and beetroot (dressed), potatoes in jackets. Steamed treacle pudding. I tidied bottom drawer (cuttings) all p.m. except went to post with Kimbo. Alys short rest. “Tale of Two Cities” 6.20. Very good. Chicken soup and omelette, with chicken, onion. To bed 10.30. Phil phoned 9.0.
Lorry strike, so shortage of meat, fish, etc.
Thursday 9th January 1947
Very fine. Mild.
Mrs Bearcroft 9.45. – 11.45. Walked with Doz and Kimbo to Kewferry Road – Rickmansworth Road. Alys in car, and we drove to The Tree, Rickmansworth. Good lunch there. Drove on to Amersham. “White Posts”. Conrad Ormond and eldest boy and Timothy (11) and John and little girl. In and saw over old house. Doz stayed there. Alys and I back by 4.10. Made mince for supper. Chicken soup first. ITMA. Phil phoned 8.45. To bed 9.25. Radio Forfeits.
Friday 10th January 1947
Foggy at first. Rain.
Alys washed Phil’s shirts and socks and pants. I walked to post shirt and chocolate and soap (registered) to Phil. To Bank. Meat slices in gravy, mashed potato. Rests. Mrs Cattle brought apples in (rosy). Soup (chicken). Bacon and eggs, sponge cake and jam. “The Stately Homes of England” Lord Methuen, Corsham Court. Wills.
Saturday 11th January 1947
Dull. Damp. Drizzly p.m.
Alys ironing Phil’s things all a.m. I talked to Williams with Kimbo. Gave order for next week’s rations, paid book. To Sainsbury’s, 2 weeks sugar. Corned beef “Trude Bliss” way (radio). Potato, prunes. I rested. Alys walked to shops (shut). Kitty phoned – arranged about film Tuesday. Soup, pilchards, sponge cake and jam. “They Came By Night”, good play. Uncle framed by cash, telling nephew dragon story. Blackmailing.
Memo:
6th Phil’s suit to Huntly (registered). Shirt and collar and keys to Phil (registered).
Egg-box to Blain. Books to Phil.
7th Posted cheque for CVC renewal of license and Doz’ letter to Kitty with 1/-.
14th Meet Kitty Rialto 11.15.
Strike to go on. Services to run food lorries. 12th decision.
Sunday 12th January 1947
Dull. Mild. Rainy in evening.
Dusting and cleaning. Took Kimbo out. Hot mutton and leeks. Prunes. Dressed and at 2.50 or so, Sidney Laughton and Dennis (at Magdalen, Cambridge) came in Wolsey 12? or 10? And drove us to Gerrard’s Cross (Holmbury). Talk and over house and garden (railway embankment) and tea. Dennis played Brahms and Chopin and they sang duet. Very good. Drove us back by 5.30 and had sherry. Soup and pilchards. Bath.
Monday 13th January 1947
Fine, windy. Showers.
Alys I both did washing and put up line in garden – very high wind, but soon took it in. To Durham in car and after lunch, drove to the Shenton’s. Phoebe told us how she had to have leg amputated in 1944. Ted in later. Elected member (Hon) of Trinity College of Music. Dinner. Granville Bantock. Home 4.15. Wrote Edith Bache; phoned Lois. Alys phoned Jean Buchanan. Soup. New laid eggs in pots. Queen of puddings. “Enoch Soames”, Max Beerbohm.
Tuesday 14th January 1947
Rain, mild.
Alys took me to station 9.45. To Piccadilly. Phoned Phoebe. To Manfield’s and then joined Kitty in Rialto queue. “Les Enfants de Paradis”. Spoke to Jim Archer (going by) 11.30 – 2.30. (Kitty brought sandwiches, buns, sweet. To Manfield’s again and bought sheepskin boots to be sent Phoebe £4.9.1 (5 coupons). To Jack Solomon’s about Albert Hall Boxing. To Lyons – coffee, cakes 1.9. Home. Alys at station (having had Helen Wilson). Soup, omelette, prunes. George phoned so sent tickets to John Alford for Boxing. Jan 20th.
Wednesday 15th January 1947
Fair, mild.
Alys to shops in car; got apples, oranges. To lunch The Tree, Rickmansworth and on to Marion Berry’s P.N.E.U. school (about James). Home about 4. Apples and coffee after hour’s rest and 2 very good playlets. “Home and Dry” by Graham Doody and “Wizard Show” Antony Gittens. Made sponge cakes. Alys made cauliflower au gratin for supper. Wrote Jim Archer. Booties for Eve!
Thursday 16th January 1947
Perfect day, mild.
Did up coffee after going out and buying 4 white cottons and 2 hair ribbons and woolsoles for Eve. Mrs Bearcroft came. I put in plants from Layton in borders. Mrs Cattle gave us milk again. Tinned Spam and mashed. In p.m. wrote Doz and Eva. Jean Buchanan (Handy’s wife) came to tea at 4 and stayed till 6.15. Made Welsh rarebit (with egg) and breadcrumbs pudding with jam. “Ivanov”, by Chekhov with Val Gielgud, Jeanne de Caselis.
Friday 17th January 1947
Very fine. Sharp shower.
Alys took Mrs Cattle and her cat to Miss Hilary’s (cat vet). I made stew. Then Alys and I took James’ trunk to the Bearcroft’s and on to Finchley Road. Bought cake at Jewish shop. To 77 King Henry’s Road. At our sandwiches. Got things out of Butterfly cabinet; portfolios and pictures, canvases down. Drove home. Apple and coffee. Made milk soup and porridge (Alys and I). Phoned Kitty. To bed 9.15. Henry James “The Turn of the Screw”. Phil phoned 10.15 and came home 11.30.
Saturday 18th January 1947
Fine.
“May” came 9.45 and cleaned my room. I raked Cozy stove out and re-lit it. To Trafalgar Square. To Civil Service Stores about iron. To National Liberal Club 12.30. Lunch with Jim Archer. Taxi to Tate Gallery. French pictures. Alex Cozens’ “blots”. Saw Schwabe, Pre-Raphaelites, Blake’s. Bus back to Club and good tea there. Charing Cross tube and home. Phil put Cossor wireless in my room as Elco broken by May, and to be mended. Roast mutton, greens, cake. To bed 9.20. “Dear Octopus”, Dodie Smith, Barry Morse as Nicholas.
Memo:
14th 11.15 Rialto meet Kit “Les Enfants du Paradis”.
16th Jean Buchanan to tea.
14th Tickets to John Alford for Boxing – Jan 20th.
18th Jim Archer. National Liberal Club 12.30.
18th James leaves Hamburg.
Sunday 19th January 1947
Misty.
Phil dressed after breakfast and down about 10. I made chocolate pudding. Doz’ Baker’s and some powder. George and Kath in car at 12 (Kitty to Elsie Eborn). George took Albert Hall tickets. Cold roast beef and potatoes in jackets. Chocolate sweet and cake. To Post Office with letter (cheque) to C.S.S.A. Rested. Slept. Apple. Darned James’ stocking. Phil wrote letters, cheques. Omelettes. Phil away 8.30. Oranges. Sissie phoned. Talk, Tom Harrisson (Borneo) – “Something to die for”.
Monday 20th January 1947
Misty then clear but no sun.
Alys off to town to meet James. I made custard – chocolate trifle, with bread cubes, 2 eggs, dried milk; then made mince; and fried sausages (Swifts in tin). For my lunch. Alys phoned about 12.45. James might come 1.30, but she and James only arrived at 6.30!!! All had shepherds pie and chocolate trifle at 7. James showed me his stamps in new book and to bed 9.35. Posted card to Eva. “One Traveller Returns” (Hamlet) and Chaucer.
Tuesday 21st January 1947
Cold, dull.
James in bed and only porridge, got up later at 2.30, only orangeade. I read to him a bit. Alys and I had sausages fried up and potato mashed. I to shops with Kimbo and Boots for book. Got tangerines and blue wool and to Bank. Apple and Alys coffee. Ironed nightie. James 102.2℉. Read Biffin and Buffin (Guy Rawlence) to James. Bacon and eggs. Cake. Brains Trust. Harold Nicholson. Joad.
Wednesday 22nd January 1947
Very cold. Some sun.
James in bed all day. Temperature 100℉ at 9 and lower in p.m but not normal. He in Alys’ bed, in sun and with wireless. I to Williams’ and butcher. Queue for oranges, but gone. Welsh rarebit with egg. Barley pudding. Wrote Ella and Eve. Mrs Bearcroft 2 – 4. On bed. 2 plays “Mrs Madden” and “The Quest”. Read Biffin to James. Talk on rooks 8.30. Scrambled egg, soup and corned beef.
Thursday 23rd January 1947
Very cold. Bleak.
James normal but in bed all day. Alys to shops in car (all new-looking done by Slade). I with James. Did looking-glass and drawing. Poached eggs and mashed and sprous. Jelly. Walked to Post Office and Sproggs about plug and flex. Got soups. Wrote Kitty with recipe gingerbread. Tea up in James’ room. Read to him Biffin. He had a bath and soup. We had M & V (meat and veg) Ration, prunes, tarts. “The Doctor’s Dilemma” till 11.30.
Friday 24th January 1947
Very cold. Sunny.
James down after breakfast. He and I went out for walk. Cold but sunny. Alys made salmon pie and we had lunch in sitting room. Prunes and jelly. May came at 1.15. Cleaned silver. Man cleaned all drains out £3.3.0! ALys and James in car to buy shorts, gloves, handkerchiefs. Watford and Edgley’s. I felt coldy. Alys has had suppressed one for days. Soup and boiled eggs. Alys phoned Ferriers and packed James’ box.
Saturday 25th January 1947
Very cold and North wind.
May (Mrs Sweeting) 9.45 – 12.45 cleaned. Alys and James off in Colliver Fisher to Charing Cross at 10.45 for train 12.15 to Etchingham. He back to school. I to shops in p.m. and in a.m. Made ginger cake from cake mixture, Williams’. Spam and cake lunch. Rest on sofa. Alys back by Green Line at 4 (tired and cold). Cossor radio in my room wouldn’t work. Soup, eggs, prunes and jelly. Listened “Double Door” Rita Vale in Alys’ bedroom.
Memo:
25th James to school.
22nd Posted clothing card Phoebe registered. Letters to Ella and Eva and Teddy and Eve (from Alys).
Waste pipe frozen this week, my room basin and bathroom basin.
Very cold spell. Electricity cut off Wednesday.
Sunday 26th January 1947
Very, very cold.
Magpies and seagulls in garden. Out with Kimbo. Alys roasted ribs of pork, leeks. Bought stuffing. Wrote Ethel Baumer. Alys wrote Eva about photos of James. Alys rested and slept in p.m. and no tea. My wireless off. Worked at Eve’s boots, sheepskin. Egg-tomato-cheese pie, in sitting room (soup first), listening to “Moby Dick” 1st part, Ralph Richardson. Mrs Wickham phoned.
Monday 27th January 1947
Very cold, slight snow. Some sun.
Fed birds, out with Kimbo. Alys put fowl from Layton on to boil. Out to Durham, walked, got cabbage. Back for ration book and back to get oranges (3rd allocation) and bread. To radio shop. Sewed Eve’s boots; and in evening. Hot fowl and cabbage, potato, bacon, plums. “Andrew” by Henry Townsend. Listened downstairs till 10.15. Hot bath.
Tuesday 28th January 1947
Very cold. Snow all p.m.
Alys in car to Mrs Wickham with chicken and broth and eggs. I wrote Albert Hall 3rd time about address. Wrote Doz with Albert Hall tickets. Did Eve’s boots. Sticking into rubbers (James’ old wellingtons). Cold pork and Spam. Rhubarb. Radio man fetched Cossor. Rested on sofa. Alys on Phil’s bed. Kitty phoned. George phoned later (Albert Hall). Phil phoned 8.20. Alys made macaroni with tomato and cheese and onion. Brains Trust. Emily Davison and Derby.
Wednesday 29th January 1947
Very cold. Sunny in a.m.
Mrs Bearcroft phoned – not coming, too snowy. Alys made chicken hash and steamed fruit pudding. Fried potatoes. I to post eggs and cinnamon to Phil. Eggbox to Blain. Kimbo off lead, very good. Stuck Eve’s boot galoshes on better. Rested on sofa. Alys in Phil’s room, after little walk. 2 playlets. Electricity failed 5.30 – 6.15. Wrote Lois with tickets. Made omelette; soup, plums. “The Apple Cart”.
31st Royal Family start for South Africa on H.M.S. Vanguard.
Thursday 30th January 1947
Sunny a.m. Very cold.
Mrs Bearcroft in a.m. Swept snow. Did up boots and sent by registered post to Eva (for Eve). Domestic stove leaking. I called on plumbers. No good. Mr Page came. I got orangeade at Williams’ and sprouts. Hot chicken with Spam in, sprouts. Steamed pudding. Phil phoned. Rested on sofa, slept. Alys in Phil’s room and she had coffee in kitchen. Kimbo slept night in sitting room. Knitted Phil’s polo collar, navy blue. Eggs and Worcestershire sauce in pots. Plums. ITMA. Talk by Taplin on European situation and Egypt. Michael Miles.
Friday 31st January 1947
Dullish. 3 or 4 degrees warmer.
Leak no worse. Kept stove going. Walked to post and got points tins. Hudson’s – orangeade, onions. Cullen’s. Alys made bread pudding. We had cold pork and beetroot. May phoned – couldn’t come; so Alys ironed James’ and Phil’s pyjamas, shirts. I rested on sofa. Wrote Doz about Elizabeth Shore crisps; and to post. Welsh rarebit with eggs at 8. “Moby Dick” 2nd part, 8.35 – 9.55. Out, snowing. Waste pipes free of ice.
Saturday 1st February 1947
Slight thaw. Frost at night.
I put chicken (who came from Layton) on to boil with barley and vegetables. Alys in car to shops and brought back Cossor set and we put it in my room. Both to lunch at Durham. Took bill and cheque to Neve. Met Girty. Home. Talk. Rests. I made sponge cake of 4 broken eggs (Layton). Hot chicken, greens, potatoes, sausage, bacon. Chartreuse. Edward Ward from Bishops Rock Lighthouse. “Other People’s Lives” A.A. Milne.
Memo:
End of points period 7.
Burst pipe in lower kitchen lavatory.
31st Man took Electricity Meter reading.
30th Lambswool boots sent off registered to B.A.O.R. (Eve).
1st Phil back.
Very slow thaw 2nd and 3rd. Roads Newcastle to Edinburgh blocked and heaps of others. Buses buried. Very deep snow over most of country. L.N.E.R. line blocked.
Sunday 2nd February 1947
Very slight thaw. Snowed most of day.
Phil down in dressing gown late and back to bed till lunch. Phoned Page about leak. Turned off water under sink at times. Roast beef, roast potatoes, mashed turnips. Chocolate (Bruxelles) pudding. Rests. But Phil into Mitchell’s to take bit out of boy’s eye at 3.30. Took Kimbo to post. Scrambled eggs and chicken broth with barley. Phil away 8.15 or so. “The Escape of Charles II” 9.30.
Monday 3rd February 1947
Snow mainly all day. Very dull.
Mopped water and turned off tap most of time. We did a lot of measuring and cutting curtains in sitting room all a.m. and some of p.m. Chicken hash and colcannon. Chocolate cream – marvellous lunch. Alys phoned Buchanan’. Kitty still flu, Kath there. Rested (I did) 4 – 5. Then to post with Kimbo. Thick slushy snow. Mr West came about pipes. Soup, boiled eggs, bread and syrup pudding. Posted letters – Blain and Murray. Aristophanes’ “Frogs” (in bed).
Tuesday 4th February 1947
Thaw – snow gone by p.m. but more in evening.
Alys’ basin pipe ran away 9 a.m. Plumber from Page’s came and mended “Domestic” stove and sealed off burst pipe in W.C. Alys made mince and vegetables (sprouts) for lunch and chocolate cream (of Sunday). I did a good deal of curtain fixing and in p.m. Alys walked to shops for screw for fuse mending. 15 minutes on sofa and then I took Kimbo a very short walk. Alys phoned Kitty and invited her here. Bacon and eggs. Rhubarb and cake. “Devil’s Disciple” in 2 parts. 2nd part 10.30, in bed. Rob Eddison as Dick.
Wednesday 5th February 1947
Snow. Dull. Sleet.
Did up dental plate and sent it to Badcock registered, Albert Hall boxing to Alford. To Durham to lunch (Alys in car). Bought cocoa (Bournville closing). Drove round by Rickmansworth to charge battery – fuel shortage. Rests. Curtain sewing. 2 playlets. Kitty phoned. Soup (of stock), shepherds pie 9.30. Apple Cart 2 parts.
Ellen Wilkinson (Minister of Education) died. Max Gardner died (on day before sailing to be U.S. Ambassador here)
Thursday 6th February 1947
Frost. Snow. Dull.
Brushed snow away, fed birds. Mrs Bearcroft a.m. May in p.m. cleaning and washing. Alys worked at curtains. I to get fish (cod). Cod steaks lunch. Both worked at curtains all p.m. Coffee and cake. Curtains again. Gas bill in £3.16.9. Soupe à l’oignon; and sardines. Alys wrote Eva.
Friday 7th February 1947
Frost, snow, dark.
Snow brushing and birds. Alys made fishcakes. We had them at 12.30, as May came in p.m. 1.15. Alys made semolina pudding (with dried milk) and whipped white of egg and dried milk, as cream. Alys rested upstairs; I on sofa. May cleaned dining room. Cake after. “Much-Binding-in-the-Marsh”. Grave news of fuel shortage. Electricity cuts. Austin and Morris giving men notice. Phoned Phil 9.30. Kitty phoned in p.m. – bronchitis M&B.
Saturday 8th February 1947
Frost lighter and 2 or 3 minutes sun. Cold wind.
Alys walked to shops for rings. I round block with Kimbo, then put fishcakes in oven for hour. Semolina pudding with jam. After lunch, I to butchers with meat for shopping. Got marmalade, Hudson’s 16 points. Home. Rest on sofa. Alys upstairs. Then sewing curtains. Alys made pea-soup (lovely change). Boiled eggs. Bay window curtains finished. “The Drawing Room” Mabel Constanduros. Pamela Stanley as Caroline Jardine (Lady Livesey) and Robert Beatty as Bob Carson.
Memo:
4th dental plate to Darlington.
5th Boxing tickets to John Alford.
7th Wrote him – received cheque 6.50.
Very serious electricity (coal) situation. Cuts 9 – 12 and 2 – 4 daily.
Sunday 9th February 1947
Frost a.m. Thaw began in p.m. Foggy.
Heavy fall of snow in night – about 5 inches. Alys swept snow and I did too. ALys did roast neck of mutton, cabbage, treacle tart. Phil phoned 2. Rests in p.m. Curtains; very nearly all finished. Kitty phoned at 5. Rene phoned 8.30. “This is the Law” 7 – 7.30, fortune telling. “In Chancery” part 1, Galsworthy 8.30. soup, corned beef, cheese straws!
Monday 10th February 1947
Dull, damp all day. Frost at night again.
Alys to London to get skirt for Eva and pens filled. I to post 3 Sayers books to Kitty and buy sweets. Home. Got ham sawn off and boiled (5½lb) about 3½ hours. Hot ham lunch and treacle tart. Machined tweed beret. Alys back at 4. She finished off curtains. I made corned beef hash with onion, potatoes and cabbage (warmed up). Alys phoned Elsa; and Kitty. Sent papers Eva. Tickets George. “Biography” Behrman. Margaret Rawlings as artist, Marion Froude.
Tuesday 11th February 1947
Colder. Hard frost. Very crisp snow on ground.
Walked to post with Eva’s new skirt and 2 pens (registered). To Bank. Got liver. Alys re-roasted meat and made baked custard. Mrs Bearcroft in p.m. I did beret and rested. Alys to shops and had coffee at Durham with Mrs Cheston (Longbotham’s daughter). Liver and bacon fired and chocolate mousse. Brains Trust, Ben Levy, Phil phoned. Charles Peace “Sensation” 9.30 – 10.
Wednesday 12th February 1947
Hard frost. Dull.
I off to Finchley Road at 10.30. No taxis so bus and tube Hampstead, via Golders Green. Got potatoes (only 3lb allowed) and onions (only 1lb) and cabbage. To Kitty’s. She in bed (bronchitis). Gave her scrambled eggs, orange. Had ham sandwich self. Blackcurrant purée. Slept on sofa. Got tea in Kitty’s bedroom. George in at 4.45. Back Northwood at 5.45. Soup, ham, chocolate mousse. Alys had made new sponge cake.
Blackout (no street lights).
14th BBC off 9 – 12 and in p.m. for saving electricity.
Thursday 13th February 1947
Very cold. Dull. Icy roads but wee thaw at midday.
Cut up orange skins. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned Alys’ bedroom (9.30 – 12.30). Alys and I walked to Durham for lunch. To Hudson’s and home separately. I cut knuckle off ham for seagulls and tits. Sat by Cozy stove. Alys had coffee. Sat in dusk to save light. Soup and kippers. Phil phoned in p.m. ITMA. “On the Night of the Fair” Eden Phillpotts 9.30 – 10.30. Farmer’s wife murders him.
Friday 14th February 1947
Cold. Dull. Icy paths.
I got boxes and parcel (coffee in cocoa tin) ready. Alys tried to start car but couldn’t. Put it on charge. I walked to post egg-box to Blain and get khaki webbing for Eve’s jodhpurs. Alys fried our ham and eggs and made barley flake pudding, as Queen of puddings. I slept on my bed in p.m. Alys in sitting room. May came 1.30 – ironed curtains, cleaned kitchen, stairs. Mended vest. Soup and Welsh rarebit (Alys soup and ham). “Much-Binding”. Phil came at 9.20. He had egg and cocoa.
Saturday 15th February 1947
Warmer but hard frost in a.m. – again at night.
Posted to Eva 1lb our coffee and books. Got my sugar and marmalade and Nescafé, Sainsbury’s. To order coal coke. None. Alys and Phil in car to electricity man with heater. Leek soup and semolina. Ham and potoates. Rest. All in bedrooms. Cut up lemon first. Talk till 7. Poached eggs. Cake. To Cattle’s to coffee about 8.15. Kimbo too. Stayed till 10.20 or so.
Memo:
Phil’s re-fill 10th Lisa Reynolds
11th Posted skirt and 2 pens to Eva registered 5/-.
15th Posted Eva 1lb our coffee; “I, said the fly”, “Tomorrow Never Comes” P. Gibbs book (Foyle), Khaki webbing and silko. Xmas Punch. January Digest.
No ‘air’ at petrol stations; petrol pumps not working in restriction hours. Bells not working.
Sunday 16th February 1947
Very cold. Dull. 15 above zero (17 below freezing).
Wrote lettercard to Doz. Letter to Baden to go with egg-box. Alys roast beef, cabbage, and helped me with making a chocolate Queen of pudding with barley flakes. Alys and Phil in car for skating to Elstree (none at Ruislip). Back 4.30. Coffee and talk. Phil rested on bed. Omelette. Phil in taxi (Killick) at 8.25. “Chancery” 8.30. Bath. “Time for Verse”, Peggy Ashcroft read very well.
Monday 17th February 1947
Very cold. Dull.
Got last piece of ham out of hut. Alys took car to shops. Got apples and oranges and sprats. Back at 12.50 (to William’s for soups). Kippers, and chocolate pudding. Rested on sofa. Slept. Alys in kitchen on chairs. Soup and grilled sprats. Posted Albert Hall tickets to George. Very dark. “Death Takes a Holiday”.
Tuesday 18th February 1947
Cold. Dull. Lighter.
To buy shoe laces for Alys and Phil and post. Alys in car later and got cooking apples. Shepherds pie and chocolate pudding. Rest on sofa. Alys in Phil’s room. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned kitchen, hall. Letter from Doz (about Cozy stove), Eva, Ella. Soup, ham. Happidrome 7.45. for Percy Edwards (132 bird songs). Only thrush!
Wednesday 19th February 1947
Cold. 17th sunless day.
Alys to Kitty’s. I to post socks and laces to Phil and sandals to Mrs Ferrier. Got apples and sweets. Made marmalade of tangerine skins and an apple. Spam and huge baked apple lunch. Got coke and coal in. Mrs Cattle brought rabbit in. Alys back 6.40. I did mashed potato for shepherds pie. But we had ham for supper. Plays “Perspective” and “The Spider Ring” Constanduros wrote it. Good.
Government plan to quit India June ’48.
Weekly papers suppressed for 2 issues. Punch, K.H.
Thursday 20th February 1947
Snowing slightly all day.
Mrs Bearcroft cleaned sitting room. May in p.m. did washing and coke. I to C.S. Stores, changed W.C. mat for credit. Candle-light! Taxi to Pleister, Doughty Street (3). Mecklenburg Square. Left Alys’ and my watches for mainsprings. Same taxi to Club (Cavendish Square). Lunch there. Tube to Chalk Farm. Paid rent to Miss Kennedy (Kennedy and Dunphy). Bus to Swiss Cottage. Bought cake and rolls. To Northwood, taxi to 12 Grove Road at 5. Shepherds pie (and ham, Alys). ITMA. H. Nicholson on France. Michael Miles. Posted Alys’ letter to Doz.
Friday 21st February 1947
Snow nearly all day.
Alys took car to Scroggs’ with electric heater and brought other one back. I had hair cut (2/- with 6d tip), got onions. Roast rabbit lunch and baked apples. May at 1.15, washed and ironed and cleaned kitchen. Alys and I rested in sitting room. Coffee and apple. Fish man brought 6 delicious kippers 2/-. We had 4 for supper. Cake and cocoa. “Much-Binding”. After 9 News, discussion on current affairs by 5 Editors of weeklies – New Statesman, Time and Tide, Economist, Tribune, Spectator. Phil phoned and read Ernest’s letter to us.
Saturday 22nd February 1947
Snow all day.
Wrote Eva de Baeremaecker. Roast mutton and peas. Yorkshire puddings and syrup. Alys and I walked to shops (Alys first). Got chocolate (a little) and apples (Alys) and tangerines. Met ‘Light’. Alys made scones. Rests at 5. News at 6. Said Must Save Gas. So no fires in our bedrooms. Bacon and eggs and chocolate mousse. “Gladstone” play Baliol Holloway.
Memo:
Feb 20th Kennedy and Dunphy £8.8.0.
19th Alys to Kitty for lunch and tea.
19th Registered socks to Phil and shoe laces. Registered James’ sandals to Mrs Ferrier.
22nd Letter to Eva de Baeremaecker.
17th Alford has boxing tickets.
Critical gas weekend – 24th. Sweet ration halved.
Sunday 23rd February 1947
Sunny!!! 1st sun for 21 or 22 days.
Dressed in Phil’s bedroom; no gas fires in ours to save gas. Boned 2 kippers. Alys doing her curtain lining. Stewed rabbit, peas, cabbage, chocolate mousse. Out to post Alys’ letter and cheque to Blain (no overcoat). Nice sun. Hard frost shade. Rests in sitting room. Kit phoned. Alys phoned to Kath earlier. “This is the Law –Bail” at 3. Kippers on toast; ham. 8.30 “Chancery”. Read papers till about 10. Undressed in Phil’s room.
Monday 24th February 1947
Perfect sun. Frost. Hard frost.
Alys re-lit Domestic (wet coke). I began marmalade again (tangerine), only cutting and soaking. To Post Office with books for Kitty. To Williams’ paid book and gave order. Met “Sammy”. Alys did rabbit stew, cabbage, Yorkshire pudding; also pudding with lemon and sugar. Rested in sitting room. Alys in her bedroom. Gas fire on as pipes and cistern frozen in loft. “At the Villa Rose” at 8.15. Omelette with cheese. Soup first. “Edward II” by Christopher Marlowe. Valentine Dyall.
Tuesday 25th February 1947
Sunny and thaw nearly all day. Frost night.
Alys still sore throat. I to Golders Green and to see Sissie 11.15 – 12.30. Met Lois at Teahouse in Northway. Lunch with her there. To 2 Bigwood Court and saw over her flat. House-let or maisonette. At 2 on to 77 King Henry’s Road. Got photos and looked out things. Back to Northwood by 4.45. Rest on sofa. Soup, kippers, jam puffs. Brains Trust. Harold Nicholson, Horabin. Vampire “Mrs Amworth” Benson.
Wednesday 26th February 1947
Sunny. Fine. Thaw.
Alys in car to shops. I did mince. Milk. We both got coke in, from crate. Mince and cabbage and spaghetti; sweet omelette soufflé and jam. At 2.15 or so we drove to Berkhamsted. Saw Paul and Norman Faraday tobogganing. Went towards Ashridge but roads too bad with snow. Had air put in tyre and new fan belt. Back 5. Scones (soup, bacon, and fried bread).
3rd Programme began again. No Radio Times this week. 42 below freezing at Presteigne.
Thursday 27th February 1947
Slight thaw, frost at night.
Mrs Bearcroft cleaned my room. Window cleaner came. Washed clothes. Alys took Mrs Cattle to lunch at Durham at 12.15. I posted letter about insurance to Haughton. Shepherds pie and greens and jam puffs. With Alys and Mrs Cattle in car to shops. Alys got curtains from Davis’. I got books from Boots. Alys had coffee Durham and Mrs Cattle. May did coke, cleaned Phil’s bedroom. Kitty phoned about Worthing. I wrote Blain (in egg box). Chaucer ITMA. Royal Tour – ostrich farm and snake venom. Bath.
Friday 28th February 1947
Very frosty. Snowy. North East wind. Dull.
Kit phoned. I to take Albert Hall tickets for George and have lunch (Kit fried fish) with her alone. Rests after and Barbara and George in to tea. I took honey, 2 eggs, sausage rolls, rock cakes. After tea, George drove me to Finchley Road and I to Northwood. Alys at Mrs Cattle’s. Haddocks supper. 5 Editors discussion at 9.15. Phil came at 10.30 or so.
Saturday 1st March 1947
Perfect day. Phil sat on terrace. Frosty sun.
Letter from Ernest re. Edward’s Estate. Wrote Pleister. With Phil to Williams’, got apples and leeks (10d a lb, 3lb!, small dish for 2/6). Roast beef and Yorkshire pudding; Sidney Laughton phoned and he and Antony (19) to tea. Cut up oranges (Antony in Navy till 1945. Then to Magdalene, Cambridge). Ham toasts and apple sauce. Phil and I read Ernest’s letters to us each and all discussed them. Reading “Mist in the Tagus”, Hopkinson.
Memo:
End of Points period 8.
24th Sent Kitty “The Village Doctor, “The Surgeon’s Log”, “The Last Laugh”, “Stealthy Terror”.
25th To Sissie.
1st Sent Doz Albert Hall tickets.
Jewish terrorists blow up Officers’ Club in Jerusalem.
“Worst winter on record – colder, longer”.
Sunday 2nd March 1947
Perfect. Warm sun. Cold wind. Frost in shade.
Phil sat on terrace in sun (rheumatism). I did orange-peels and made chocolate mousse glasses (mocha). Cold beef, peas, mashed potato. In bedroom all p.m. in sun. Wrote Ernest. Finished “Mist in the Tagus”, Hopkinson. To post. ITMA at 6.30. “Law in Travelling” at 7. Kedgeree and boiled eggs. Phil away (Killick) 8.25. “Chancery” 8.30. Priestley introduced Atom Talk. “Escape”, George Miller.
Monday 3rd March 1947
Dullish after fine early – cold wind.
Sent R. P. wire to Phil Sime about Hotel at Worthing. Lunch early 12.30. Alys in car to town and had hair done at 2.30 at Fowkes’. I made marmalade of tangerine skins, all p.m. Alys home at 5.15 or so. We phoned Kitty. Soup and ham omelette. I phoned Phil Sime who had found rooms in a hotel. Atomic Energy Talk Cockcroft and Oliphant.
Tuesday 4th March 1947
Very cold. Very windy. Snow from 3 till in night. Deep.
Both to shops, Wood’s in car. To look for Commissioner for Oaths. Then to Rickmansworth for lunch at Tree. To pork shop there and got 15/- worth of tinned meat, sausage, off points now. To Hallowell Street, 2.30. Waited at 33 talking to Mrs Gurney (Wadie and K.H.D.) till 3.30. Swore to Edward Barnard’s papers (Administration Grant). Mrs Bearcroft here. Macaroni cheese, added own cheese. Apple sauce. “1860”. Bad Noel Coward. Atomic Energy.
Wednesday 5th March 1947
Snow deep and very cold. Sleet and very cold wind.
To National Provincial Bank. Opened an account there with cheque for £100. To Burlington House to see the King’s Pictures. Wonderful show. Lunch there 4/6. At 1.45 taxi to Pulman’s. Bought map of this part 6/6. At 2 had hair cut and shampooed at Fo2kes’ by Betty. To Sagne’s 3.20, coffee. Home by 4.45. Two Cities 6.20. Bacon, egg and apple snow. Atomic talk Cyril Falls, military. Snowing.
India discussion “2 bottles of powerful medicine given to the wrong patients” India and Palestine. Churchill 6th in Parliament.
Thursday 6th March 1947
Cold, dull.
Mrs Bearcroft (not on bicycle, snow too deep). Kit phoned to postpone Worthing so I wrote Phil Sime and Eardley Hotel. Washed things. Took Kimbo to post and got hit by car. Carried him home (paw hurt). Stew and potato and baked pudding. Took Phil’s shirts to post and registered them. Sent egg-box to Blain. Rested on bed. Sewed cap and scarf first. Sewed. Bad “Taxi” and Murdoch. Soup and Welsh rarebit. Atomic Energy, Sir Henry Dale and Blackett. Out with Kimbo, limping. “Radio Forfeits”. To bed 10.10.
Friday 7th March 1947
Brilliant. Lovely day. Sun and frost.
Alys and I arranged the airing-cupboard with blankets, sheets. To Durham 12.30. May did ironing of Phil’s things. I ironed clothes in my room. Put tit-bell and wire basket outside bedroom window. Rest and read “Vienna Congress”. Mrs Wickham called. Alys and I lined shelf in cupboard (kitchen). Soup, bacon omelette. Coffee mousse. Guessing game. Sir George Thompson. Atomic Energy, Controls.
Saturday 8th March 1947
Snow then clearer, above freezing.
Tidying up. Clearing snow paths. Wrote Nellie Moir. Framed Ozzy’s photo. Chops (grilled), mashed and fried onions. Cake pudding and jam. Alys to shops. I took Kimbo out. Then to Post Office with egg box. Paper for herrings. Cleaned them. Tore up papers and letters from desk and burnt. Grilled herrings (soup). Atomic Energy and human future. Bertrand Russell. “Then and Now” play 1898, 1918, 1938 Avice Landone. “And when I tell them, I’ll certainly tell them”. “How beautiful you are, they’ll never believe me”.
Memo:
5th 2 o’clock Betty, Fowkes’.
5th Opened a/c at National Provincial Bank, Northwood with £100.
Moscow Conference begins.
Bevin, Marshall, Bidault. Debate on Economic Crisis (3 days).
Sunday 9th March 1947
Lovely day. Above freezing but still icy in shade. Rain in evening.
We braised bit of beef steak, onions and potatoes. Tinned peas. Wrote Kitty about Worthing. Sent car registration book and insurance certificate to Haughton Car Co. Took Kimbo a little walk. Alys wrote Doz. Walked to Post Office with letters. Rest, after arranging drawer (washed it) for Bank papers, E.V.M. letters. Read papers. Cut up oranges. Eggs; soup. 8.30 “In Chancery”. Sir John Anderson on Atomic Energy.
Monday 10th March 1947
Thaw. Rain in p.m. Thick slush.
To Bank; to Baker Street and to Daniel Neal’s. Got shoes for Eve; got grey pullover and jumper for Eve, also hood and bag (webbing). Got “Never Wet”, Selfridge’s. To Marks & Spencer and had 2 Vienna’s in rolls (hot) 8/-. To Selfirdge’s again and bought books (James and Eve). To Evans’. Got dirndl skirt. Hat at Pemberley’s, Marshall’s and got 4 Escape maps 4/1 each. Walked to Sagne’s, coffee and cakes 2/6. Taxi to Baker Street. Sandals at Abbott’s. Potted meats at Gittins’. Home at 5.45. Alys had made gingerbread and sponge cake. Kipper fillets and chocolate mousse. Very good Brains Trust; and Frauds (Scotland Yard).
Wednesday 12th March 1947
Dull. Cold.
Did up parcel for Eve’s hood and bag, pullover and card and 2 books. Alys got car out through icy snow. To Post Office. Drove by Ruislip and Orchard. Home. Left Kimbo and to Pinner. Lunch at Cornerways. Home. Did up Eve’s shoes and 2 milk tins of coffee and books and magazines for Eva. Walked to post. Difficulties. Wrote Ernest about signature, and E.S.U. (English Speaking Union) re. Kitty Buchanan. Mrs Cattle to coffee. Tried on dresses. Welsh rarebit. Debate on White Paper. Economic Crisis. 3 days.
Truman spoke (13th) on Greece and Turkey and U.S. responsibility.
Railway and Roads blocked by snowdrifts; bad floods in south.
Thursday 13th March 1947
Rain, thaw. Dark, mild. Snow in north.
Alys to lunch with Helen at her flat. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned Alys’ room. I made date and walnut sweets of leftovers. Cheese soufflé and baked apples. May came at 1. Did washing and Phil’s bedroom. I tried on clothes and sewed. Wrote Eva about parcels. Sent boxing tickets 18th to J. Alford and other tickets George. Alys back about 5. Soup with macaroni and egg. Chocolate mousse. Did coloured wools on black jumper. To post at 10.15. Listened to President Truman.
Friday 14th March 1947
Very cold wind. Grey, snow after.
Did washing in bedroom and emptied suitcase, evening dresses. Tidied out wool drawer. Alys made sausage and onion in Pyrex dish. I to Post Office with egg-box at 2.15 and butcher’s. Rest on sofa; read “Vienna Congress”. Wrote Ella. Alys had to drive May home, as floods prevented busses. Dried cod in Pyrex. I to bed 9.30. Phil came about 11, and had cocoa and sandwich in Alys’ bedroom. Rheumatic.
Saturday 15th March 1947
Sleet and snow. Cold.
Phil down to meals in dressing gown – rheumatism better. Well, but tired and corns under feet. Alys cooked roast beef after both of us to shops in car. I to Bank. Walked home. Beef and mixed vegetables (tinned). In p.m. sewed black skirt zip, in bedroom and on bed. 45 minutes reading “Vienna Congress”. Phil reading books on ships. Out in snow with Kimbo. At 19.30 2 inches. Fish in casserole (glass) with herbs, nutmeg, lemon.
Memo:
14th All roads closed between England and Scotland by snow.
10th Phil’s re-fill.
Phil comes 15th.
10th I to Worthing with Kitty.
13th Sent boxing tickets.
12th Sent Eve bag and cap and cardigan set and books – registered.
12th Sent Eva coffee (in milk cans), Eve’s shoes and magazines.
Sunday 16th March 1947
Thaw, rain all snow gone. Great gale (worst for 100 years in evening and night).
Phil down in dressing gown. I packed suitcase and hat box. Alys did moka mousse. Cold beef and beetroot and mashed. Went on arranging. Sewing in p.m. Wrote Postmaster General re. B.A.O.R., and Jim Archer. To post with Kimbo. “ Chancery” and “The Last Days of Hitler”. Fence blown down by gale. 95 miles of salt in London area.
Worthing
Monday 17th March 1947
Fine, milder.
Up at 7. Rolls-Royce with Lorkins at 8.45 to Victoria (9.50). Met Kitty and George and 10.25 to Worthing. Arranged 12 Taxi to Beach Hotel. Rooms 86 and 80A (mine back). Very good lunch. Slept in p.m. Tea (2/6 an extra) 4. Walked (I) to pier and shops and back (postcard of Hotel to Alys) On bed till 6.30. Dressed. Dinner 7.10. Crossword till 8.50. News in Kitty’s bedroom. Hot bath and bed by 10.
Tuesday 18th March 1947
Rain early then lovely sunny. Windy.
Lettercard to Alys. Sunny early. Breakfast 9.10. Kit sooner. Walked and got methylated and writing pad. Back as cold and rainy. Sat in shelter in sun, after lunch till 2. Then I slept till 4 (Kit slept on terrace in sun). I walked to Marine Gardens and back (about 2 miles) and at 5.20 Phil Sime came. Talk and sherry (4/- a glass). Phil and Kitty. He left at 7. We dined (didn’t dress). To Kitty’s room for Brains Trust, News and Attlee’s speech. Dull.
Wednesday 19th March 1947
Gale and rain. Not very cold.
Phoned Menie. Kitty rheumatic. I out and long time in book shop. Spent 24/9 on books and 1/3 postage. Also got 6 oranges!!! Kitty out. After lunch slept and read. Then Kit had tea and I out to Post Office with postal order. Read Elfrida’s German letters. “Tale of Two Cities” in Kitty’s room. After dinner talked (Clapham). Gielgud “Importance of Being Ernest”.
Terrible floods – Fen and Thames.
Interviewed about Aly’s room, front. 25/ a day.
Thursday 20th March 1947
Sunny and mildish, greyish in p.m.
Walked with Kit to pier. She shopped and I got Biro pen 34 (10 (red) for 55/-). 3 pairs of socks for Eve 15/9. Then Bus 6 to Broomfield Avenue, and to 14 Lavington Road. Menie Reid’s. Talk till 12.30. Bus and walk back by 1. Kit had been sitting out. Tripe lunch. Wrote Bank with Alford cheque and to J. Alford a receipt and lettercard to Alys. Rest. At 4 we taxi’ed (2/6) to 42 Hurst Avenue. Tea with Phil Sime. Kitty and he had cocktails later. Bus back by 6.30. After dinner, Kit read me Elfrida’s letter in German. ITMA in Kitty’s room and Eden’s speech.
Friday 21st March 1947
Rainy, then fine. Rough sea. Cold wind.
Out to buy brown paper. Wrote to Jim Archer. After lunch, did up parcels (socks, Eve) and my boots. 45 minutes rest, then out in sunshine and got sealing wax and matches. Back to seal two parcels and out. Posted boots (registered). In Gerald Neale’s shop; bought “Small House at Allington”, 8/6 and “The Duke” 10/6. 1/6 postage. Posted Eve’s socks from General Post Office. Kit there. Walked back. To pier. Bus 11 to beach. Kit had gin and mixed. After dinner crossword. News.
Saturday 22nd March 1947
Changeable. Rough.
Did Times crossword in lounge till 11. Kit on sofa with hot bottles. I out and got more books at Edgeler’s. After lunch, out to buy brown paper and then back and packed up books and two oranges. Short rest. Tea with Kit downstairs. Then out to Splashpoint and The Eardley Hotel and lost my bag (straw). Dinner and crossword.
Memo:
17th to Worthing with Kit till 23rd March.
21st Phil comes
18th Eve’s 7th birthday
17th 10.25. Kit.
Sunday 23rd March 1947
Sunny, windy at Worthing. Dull, cool in London.
Out in shelter on front with Kit watching huge waves, high tide. Packed and out again. Lunch. Paid bill and tips. We sat on Terrace in sun till 3. Then Rolls-Royce (2/6) to station. Train 3.35 to Victoria. Arrived 5. No porter. By 5.25 a taxi to Baker Street. Train Northwood. Taxi home. Phil there, very rheumatic. Neither Phil nor Alys had supper. I corned beef and gingerbread. Unpacked till 11.
Monday 24th March 1947
Dull and cold.
UP at 6. Alys and Phil in Killick’s car at 7.30 to London Chest Hospital and Alys to Victoria for Worthing. I tidying drawer and washing up. Wrote for Eva’s petrol for CUC and lettercard to Blain about books James. To post. Collops lunch and apple sauce and cake. Rest on sofa. Slept. To post with Eva’s letter forwarded. In bedroom tidying, unpacked books. Cold sausages and toast. Chocolate mousse. “March Hares” Leslie Banks, Ronald Simpson.
Tuesday 25th March 1947
Fine but cold wind.
Washed stockings. To shops, bought stamp album 7/6 and grapefruit (one and 2 lemons). Mince, baked apples. Mrs Bearcroft at 2. She cleaned kitchen, and stairs. I rearranging books. Put lemons in with orange peels to soak. Lettercard to Alys. Fried corned beef with onion and potato. Breadcrumb and marmalade pudding (mine). Brains Trust.
Wednesday 26th March 1947
Dull, milder. Some rain.
Made 2lb marmalade from skins from Worthing. To shops, got apples and liver (lamb). Fried onions and liver, apples mince and gingerbread. Rested on sofa. Slept. 2 good playlets – Chekhov’s “On the Way” and R. Hitchin “Middle-man”. Chaplain and murderer. Yellow cod in milk supper and bread pudding. T.S. Eliot on Milton. Nice. Nicholas Nickleby. A. J. Alan.
Thursday 27th March 1947
Dullish. Mild. Some showers.
Mrs Bearcroft cleaned Alys’ bedroom. I with Kimbo to Williams’. Paid book and ordered rations; brought back 1lb chocolate biscuits and two grapefruit. Made liver in gravy, onion and milk. Apple sauce and cake. May in p.m. She washed the woollens, and cleaned spare room, Phil’s room and bathroom and silver. I had short rest on sofa. Laundry came. Ate grapefruit. Cut up skin, re-made marmalade. “Waste” Granville Barker 6.30 – 8.45. Fish in sauce, ate at 6.15. Did black rug wool. “All the Way to ‘Frisco”. Hayfever 6 – 10.
Friday 28th March 1947
Showery. Mild.
Made marmalade ½ lb of one grapefruit and lemon juice. To shops for meat, brought it home. Corned beef lunch. May and her little boy, Raymond (5). She ironed flannels and did stairs and hall. I rested 1 hour on sofa. Made coffee. Alys came (Killick from Victoria 28/-) Had pain; nothing to eat since breakfast. After talking till 7, she to bed. I cheese omelette. 4 years in Japanese prison.
Saturday 29th March 1947
Mild, showers in late p.m.
Alys came in dressing gown and had coffee at 9. Then to bed but dressed and interviewed the decorator about house painting. Kitty phoned. I had corned beef and beetroot. Alys had egg. I to Carey’s for Perpetual Spinach for Teddy and us. Grapefruit at Walton’s. Rest on sofa. Listened to Grand National. Alys phoned Phil. Alys better from Veganin. Boatrace at 6. Kippers 7.30. “Yellow Sands” Crocheted black bolero.
Memo:
End of Points period 9.
24th Alys back from Worthing
25th I to Worthing.
25th, 26th, 27th nights Barbara here. Phil on 28th
23rd I back 3.35. Arrive 4.57 Victoria.
Sunday 30th March 1947
Showery. Milder.
Alys down to breakfast. I did braised beef; which we had at 1 and custard. Rests. Wrote note to Doz. To post. Neither of us tea, but boiled eggs at 6.45, and grapefruits. Alys to bed 7.30. She read me Eva’s letter. “In Chancery”. Wreck story.
Monday 31st March 1947
Dullish, mild.
alys not feeling well enough, so I to meet James at Charing Cross (alys took me to station in car). Tube Charing Cross. Met James from Robertsbridge 12.3 (from Boarzell Prep School, Hurst Green, West Sussex). Put trunk in cloakroom. Lunch at Charing Cross Hotel, 5/- each. Taxi to Baker Street. Train. Colliver Fisher. I rested on bed all p.m. Alys out with James (in car), got shoes for him. Large tea. Alys packed James’ big suitcase. Poached eggs supper. All to bed early.
Tuesday 1st April 1947
Fair.
Breakfast 8.30. At 10.15 Killick’s car and and Alys and James to St Pancras. James off to Hamburg – (B.A.O.R.) about 12. I made marmalade (grapefruit and orange skins) all a.m. and re-boiled some. Braised beef warmed up. To get sweet ration, twice. Alys back in taxi. Mrs Bearcroft came. Alys and I rested on beds. Wrote Menie lettercard. Sardines and toast. Brains Trust. To bed. Phil phoned. Michael Straight talk on Great Britain’s future.
Wednesday 2nd April 1947
Rain, dark, raw.
Alys drove me to station. To National Gallery. Met Jim Archer there 12. Saw Spanish pictures Loan Collection. Very good – El Greco’s (portraits) and Prodigal son series (5) by Murillo and early ones by Velázquez. The Servant (listening to Christ). Lunch at National Liberal Club. To Passport Office with our 3 passports. Home by 5.15. Rests. Alys had made curry. Early to bed.
Thursday 3rd April 1947
Dark. Showery.
(52 King’s age).Mrs Bearcroft. Wrote Ella. Alys to shops; then Alys and I to Northwood Hills to lunch. 3/-. Waterglass eggs cracked. May in p.m. We rested. Phil phoned (not leaving Victoria Park till end of July instead of end of May.) Alys to Longbotham’s. Vicar there. I made Genoese cake with cracked eggs. Fish in sauce with eggs for supper. To post.
Friday 4th April 1947
Very cold. Rain a.m. Sunny after 3.30. Cold.
Alys in car to Victoria Park E2 to fetch Phil and they back at 1 o’clock. I boiled fowl from Layton with onions, carrots, turnip, barley 10.30 to 1. Cabbage and potatoes. Made apple sauce and put chocolate icing and filling on little chocolate cake. Rests in p.m. and after coffee. Phil to Hillingdon Hospital to see which Doctor ill there (flew back from South America). Looked at daffodils coming up in orchard. Fish with sauce in scallop shells. Ham (Layton last). “20 Questions”.
Saturday 5th April 1947
Fineish a.m. Gales and rain later.
Alys made casserole – meat, sausage. Phil and I to Northwood Hills in car for handle for suitcase. To Post Office Ruislip for Basic petrol book. Rests in p.m. Curried eggs supper (Alys made curry in a.m.) and rice. All 5 Cattle’s in to coffee at 8.30 (Nigel too) till 10.35 or so.
Memo:
1st James to Hamburg.
31st James comes from school.
3rd Laundry.
2nd Meet Jim Archer at National Gallery 12.
3rd Sent K-H to Eva. Alys and I sent £5 (together) to Farmers’ Union.
Sunday 6th April 1947
Showery. Windy.
Phil rheumatism again. I made Bruxelles chocolate. ALys did roast beef and cauliflower. Phil not up till 1 o’clock. Reading on bed. Breakfast in dressing gown. I to Post Office at 2.45. Rests. Reading “Armadale”. Phil reading his great grand-father’s papers, (Dr Dennis Embleton). Chicken broth and cold ham. Wrote passport application. Alys phoned Tony about Brussel’s visit.
Monday 7th April 1947
Very windy. Mild, sunny in a.m.
In garden. Weeded ground elder a bit. Phil read on seat. Cold beef and ham, beetroot, prunes, chocolate cream. Out to post newspapers to Berry’s. Rests in pm. Spaghetti, tomato cheese with poached eggs. Kipper fillets on toast.
Tuesday 8th April 1947
Getting colder. Windy and dull.
Alys and Phil off (after 8 o’clock breakfast) in car to Victoria Park. Just under hour getting there. Alys back in just over hour. Hash. Kitty phoned – she’d come. Telegrams to Clark and Baden. Cottage for Binks. I rested after we’d dusted Kit’s room. Mrs Bearcroft did kitchen and sitting room. Alys to meet Kit in car 4.30. Spaghetti and eggs, cake and apple sauce. Brains Trust – Buddha.
Wednesday 9th April 1947
Sunny.
I wasked to station with Kit who away about 10.20. Hash and potatoes. Apple sauce, chocolate mousse cake. Did last of waterglass eggs (Layton). Mrs Bearcroft p.m. I weeded border 2 – 3.30. 2 good little plays. Sardines (stale) and boiled eggs.
Thursday 10th April 1947
Sunny. Fine. Cool.
Mrs Bearcroft cleaned my room. I wrote Eva de Baeremaecker and Madame Roefs about going to Brussels after Whitsun. Alys to have passport photo. Both lunch Durham in car. May 12.30. Washed clothes. I planted out larkspur from Layton (sprouting in box), and pyrethreum. Marion Berry came (cycle). I crocheted black rug wool bolero. Rested and listened “The Chancery” 3.30. “The Robinson’s”, Monica Dickens. Fried bacon and eggs. Grapefruit. ITMA.
Friday 11th April 1947
Very fine. 61.
Alys to shops, and buy shoes for James. I made batter for pancakes, and rolled the grass. May at 12.30 and ironed. I cut some grass with shears. Alys and I had corned beef in Phil’s hut and gingerbread, and ginger ale. Then in car to Pinner and Goode’s, Woolworth’s. Got plants. Back by Council for licence for painting house. Rested. Alys out gain and saw Bridgon (motor-mower) and to Bradshaw’s. Curry with salmi (far too salt) and rhubarb. Japan. Bernard Leach, St Ives and pottery.
Saturday 12th April 1947
Fine. Over 60 again.
Did more planting out and lit bonfire for roots of weeds (ground elder). Slade came for EYT and took it for greasing. Corned beef and pancakes. Alys walked to shops to post parcel Berry’s – batteries. Rests. Kitty phoned and George drove her and Kath and Barbara over here. Sat in garden and hut. Beer and cider. Smoked salted cod (boiled). Rhubarb and cake. Kimbo bad paw. Double Summer Time.
Memo:
10th Posted letters Eva de Baeremaecker and Roefs.
10th Posted (Alys) to Molly Hadow, Eva.
12th Parcel for Eva. Batteries, knitting pattern, “perfumed mouse”.
11th Daffodils out in orchard.
Double Summer Time begins 13th.
Sunday 13th April 1947
Warm and fine.
Washed and finished rug wool bolero. Roast mutton and stuffing, baked apples. Rests (late). Moved some china to dining room. Made sponge cake 6 – 7. Parliament. Omelette with minced ham. “The Chancery”. News. Henry Wallace 9.15. “Road to Endor”. Kimbo still limping.
Monday 14th April 1947
Warm and fine.
Cleared china and groceries out of kitchen. To Durham for lunch; on to Mrs Bearcroft and Goode. Home. May (exchange with Mrs Cattle) washed cupboards out. We to Watford about James’ pullover. Bought hop-manure 14lb and lime – 2 bags and sage, mint and chives. Home and rests. At 5.15 I planted the herbs. Alys did scrambled eggs and ham. Phil phoned. To post with Kimbo, who better.
Tuesday 15th April 1947
Dull then sunny. Mild.
Breakfast upstairs. Goode came at 10 and began kitchen, he washed all paint. Bridgeon mowed grass with his motor 5/-. Alys and I to Durham to lunch. To Bank. At 2.15 or so, Miss Neve saw Kimbo about skin. Thyroid tablets and oil for back. Home. Rested. Bradshaw came about tools (Phil had phoned at 2 and would have come home). Wrote about car insurance and to post. 2 boiled eggs each and minced ham, grapefruit. Dalton’s Budget 8.45 after Brains Trust. Bruce Woodcock v. Joe Baksi. Baksi won (boxing).
Wednesday 16th April 1947
Fine and warm.
Goode all day in kitchen. Bradshaw and pal 9.30 – 12.30 and 2 – 5 digging and weeding. 1.16.0. Alys and I to Durham lunch. Walked home with Kimbo via Dene Road. Machined pocket on to black skirt. Took sleeves out of black blazer and machines armholes. Rested. 2 very bad plays. To Brackenbury Cottage about Kimbo. Mince (cold Bruxelles), grapefruit. Kit phoned. Anderson on Budget.
Thursday 17th April 1947
Fine. Warm.
Alys to London and Pleister about passport and wallpaper. First I with her in car to Scroggs and bought electric kettle 45/-. To Williams’. To One Day Cleaners (took knitting cotton coat). Goode doing kitchen all day. 2 men doing garden 9.30 – 12.30. 18/-. I to Durham to lunch. Trimmed straw hats (3) in p.m. Rested on sofa and read Times. Did Kimbo with oil and comb. Finnan haddocks and grapefruit. Play “The Trimmer”.
Friday 18th April 1947
Cooler. Fine.
Alys drove me to station. To 77 King Henry’s Road. Looked for Marryat’s – none. Arranged bookshelves a bit. To Kennedy and Dunphy. Paid 12 weeks rent. To Club (Cavendish Square). Lunch. Busses to Piccadilly and Ritz. To Cook’s. Walked to Fowkes’, New Cavendish Street. Hair trimmed, washed and set. 7/6 and 1/- by Margaret. Walked (after getting black cloth for bag) to Baker Street. Alys met me in car at Northwood. Eggs and bacon supper. Cake, grapefruit. “Kendall and Siddons”.
Saturday 19th April 1947
Dull, a very little rain in p.m. Sunny evening.
Goode all a.m. Alys and I to butcher’s and on to Watford, back for passport to Watford again and I left mine at Labour Exchange (or “Citizens Advice Bureau”). Paid 15/-. To Durham for lunch. Got oranges. Home. Rested. Began grey knitting (for magenta). About to start for Sissie’s (Kingsbury). Tyre flat. I planted parsley. Alys did her bed cover at side. Poached eggs and corned beef, rhubarb and cake. “Young Mr Disraeli” by Elswyth Thane. Derrick de Marney, Sophie Stewart.
Memo:
17th 12 weeks rent £8.8.0 Kennedy and Dunphy.
16th Bradshaw and pal in a.m. 3/- per hour each.
17th Laundry
15th Sent cheque 5.14.11 for car insurance.
18th Fowkes 3 p.m.
Sunday 20th April 1947
Cooler and showery in p.m.
In garage. Alys jacked up car. I tidied tools a bit. Stewed beef (with herbs, bay leaf), mashed. Chocolate moka, sponge cake. Rests. Play, good. “Sweet Sister’ about Henry VIII and Anne of Cleves. Alys to Post Office, letter to Eva; and me to Doz and Albert Hall tickets and to George. Kitty phoned. Corned beef, grapefruit. “Charles I and the Long Parliament”, “In Chancery”.
Monday 21st April 1947
Very windy. Cool, dull.
Goode. To Bank, Alys’ and own cheques. To Piccadilly (breakdown on Metropolitan line). To Cook’s; too busy so to Cook’s in Grosvenor Hotel, Victoria. Asked about booking cabin. To Club Cavendish Square for lunch. To Fowkes and got “Housewife”. To Baker Street and (back to Northwood by 5.30) to 77 King Henry’s Road and got some things there. Bought 4 books at Times’ 2nd hand shop for James. Soup, corned beef, rhubarb. Play by Gordon Darviot of “The Laughing Woman”.
Tuesday 22nd April 1947
Windy. Cold. Showers and sun.
Tidied drawers in chest and desk. Brooches. Goode doing blue paint in kitchen. Alys and I walked to Durham for lunch, Longbotham. Rests. I wrote Baden (eggs and Binks). Thatcher. To post. Alys had coffee but to bed after with her pain and tired. In her bedroom sewing plastic on bag. Stew and cake. Alys had no supper. “Front door Frauds”, Editorial Opinion.
Wednesday 23rd April 1947
Gale, showers and sun. Cold.
(Goode). Alys stayed in bed (more or less) all day. I put away lambswool footwear in round commode. Stew warmed up. Alys had hard boiled egg. Rested. At 4.20 Dr Hilton called for me in car and I to tea with them. Walked home about 6. Slade’s man mended puncture. Macaroni cheese and grapefruit. Richard II and Prologue to Canterbury Tales.
Moscow Conference ends (failed in everything). Bevin, Marshall, Bidault, Molotov.
Royal Family started home from South Africa.
Thursday 24th April 1947
Windy. Sunny.
Alys stayed in bed more or less, but dressed at 8.30. Goode all day. Phoned Sissie. I walked to Durham for lunch and to Boots for Petrolagar and got waterglass. Alys made soup à l’oignon for herself. I made waterglass up – 1 pint to 12 pints water. Rested. Read. Up at 4.15 and out to Boots again for Delax (they hadn’t any Petrolagar). Got 6lb oranges. Read paper. Kitty phoned. M&V ration supper. In sitting room. Then Alys to bed. Put eggs in. Alys took 12 eggs to Mrs Cattle. ITMA upstairs. Talk on Moscow Conference. Fuel order about stoves.
Friday 25th April 1947
Windy. Sunny. Warmer.
Alys up and drove to Post Office. Posted 3 egg boxes to Blain. She took me to Durham and I lunched, she had egg at home (not feeling well). I planted a lavender bush (1/3) and put hop manure on some beds. Hot. Rested. Began Income Tax paper. Posted letter to Bank. Welsh rarebit with egg. Alys had no supper – diarrhoea. Phil came about 8.45. He had egg and tongue sandwiches (Durham) and grapefruit.
Saturday 26th April 1947
Very sunny. Breezy.
Phil out in sun, and in hut (when too sunny). Alys dressed but on bed a good deal and only orange juice, or orangeade. I machined pocket on old black skirt and altered waistband. Also made pocket for black zip bag. Phil and I Durham to lunch (walked). Slade brought BHN back at 4 o’clock. Phil and I out in it 10 minutes. Grapefruit, grilled chops and potatoes, apple sauce.
30th Guillotine on Transport Bill.
Sunday 27th April 1947
Cooler. Windy.
BHN wouldn’t start when Phil was going for petrol. Battery flat. Slade came at 1 and changed battery for EYT’s. No tables at “Orchard” so we had corned beef and potatoes and peas, chocolate mousse. Alys had orange juice only. I cut up peels for marmalade and put in soak. Rests. Alys and Phil out for petrol in BHN. In garden a little. Grapefruit and poached eggs. I walked to Post Office with Phil’s letters at 5.45. BHN’s battery flat again at 8.15!!! Away at last in EYT, started by handle at 10.35.
Monday 28th April 1947
Fine. Cold Windy. Picked lots of daffodils.
Slade went to fetch EYT from Mr Collins’ where Phil had to leave it at 11 last night. Goode finishd kitchen and did table blue. Alys and I had corned beef and fried potatoes, apple. I finished Income Tax papers. Rested and at 5.45. to Wembley by train 1/2½ and bus 56 to Blackbird Cross. To see Sissie at 18 Samson Street nursing home. Away at 6.40. Bus 83 to Kingsbury. 183 to Pinner and another 183 to Northwood by 7.45. Alys gave me soup, bacon and egg, grapefruit. “The Sulky Fire”.
Tuesday 29th April 1947
Fine. Growing colder and rain in evening.
Goodbegan lower W.C. and later in Alys’ bedroom. Bridgeon mowed lawn. Alys and I moved things. I to lunch at Durham and got bread and Sissie’s chocolate ration. Slade brought BHN back in p.m. I out in it to post parcel to Sissie. “Greek” book (Prince Christopher’s). Took ice cream back and then to wait for Phil with BHN. He came at 5.20 and Marion Berry came with James whom she met from Hamburg. Ted and coffee. Phil went in BHN to Victoria Park. We had eggs and ice cream. Alys slept in Phil’s room.
Wednesday 30th April 1947
(no weather).
Alys and James away in Killick’s car at 9.45. Alys to shops with him and saw him off to school at 12.15. She lunched Sagne’s. Killick back. £2.10.0 whole trip. Mrs Bearcroft came and we put tins and china back in kitchen all a.m. I had grilled chop and peas (warmed). Rest in p.m. Raked in garden. Welsh rarebit, grapefruit. Dinah Shore, Jimmy Durante, Sinatra. “The White Devil”, Webster. “Old Gentlemen’s War”, Weston Martyr, very good story.
Thursday 1st May 1947
Cold, showery. Sat in Boots!
Mrs Bearcroft cleaned my room. Alys to Northwood Hills by bus to get James’ ration book (left at shop). I did up parcel for Eva and lettercard to Doz and took to Post Office. Lunch at Durham. Met Mrs Newman; Longbotham. Alys lunch at Durham earlier. May in p.m. Washed clothes. Cleaned dining room. Short rest. Alys drove me to shop. Bought 2 dozen lettuce plants 2/-. Planted them out Kippers. Alys phoned Tony about Brussels.
Friday 2nd May 1947
Very cold. Dull.
Alys and I to Watford. She took her passport. I got “slug-death”. Put it by parsley and mint and young lettuces. Alys and I lunch at Durham and then to Bradshaw’s about garden. Home. Alys too busy to rest. After orangeade and toast, she in car to Kitty’s to stay. I with her to butcher’s. Walked back with meat. Fried it and vegetables and put on to stew. Fried corned beef and onion and grated potato and egg over it. Prunes.
Saturday 3rd May 1947
Much warmer, fine.
Began marmalade. Kit rang up! Did marmalade all a.m. Various ways. Stew and cake. To shops for rhubarb, and got oranges too! Made custard (waterglass) and cooked rhubarb. Made a shape (mousse) from Camden blackcurrants, (45) yoghurt and marmalade; and whipped white of egg and gelatine. Cheese omelette. Slugs. Phil phoned 8.30. In garden till 9. To bed 9.15. “Barnet’s Folly” Jan Stewer. Bath at 10.45.
Memo:
29th James from Hamburg.
30th James to School.
28th Posted Income Tax papers.
1st Posted cheque to Haughton (insurance London Area).
1st Posted parcel Eva; green stuffs and books.
1st Posted lettercard Doz about £100.
May 5th – “Stop the Home ires burning” – Daily Mail.
Sunday 4th May 1947
Rain and dark a.m. Sunny and warm later.
Breakfast 9.15 Kit phoned, but cut off at once. Made Genoese cake. Cold corned beef and toast, rhubarb and custard. Rest and slept on sofa. In garden and put “slug death”. Did weeding. Wrote Sissie. To post. Picked nettles. Boiled nettles and had poached egg on it. Mousse of blackcurrants and yoghurt. “Vanity Fair” 8.30. In bed 9.20, “Canterbury Tales”.
Monday 5th May 1947
Fine. Sunny.
Made waterglass and put in dustbin. Out to post egg box and to lunch at Durham; met Alys there (from Kitty’s) unexpectedly. To get more waterglass at Boots’. Home in car. Out again (after phoning Phil) and Alys to Food Office about lost sweet ration. Then Alys to Harley Street to take brace from car, and meet Phil (by train). I got 2 grapefruit and home. Sowed 3 rows spinach (perpetual),1 row cabbage lettuce and 1 ditto other bed. Row of scarlet runners. Alys back 6.35. Stew. Scrambled eggs. “Socrates”, “Canterbury Tales – Knight’s Tale”.
Tuesday 6th May 1947
Showers and fine.
Goode finished Alys’ room and began staircase. I to Bank and then to Victoria (trains) and to book cabin and seats on boat and trains (28th) to Brussels. Lunch at Cafeteria, Vauxhall Bridge Road. To Post Office and to Staines. Back at 2.10 in queue and to buy return tickets 1st class for Alys and self. Bus 2 to Baker Street. R. P. telegram to Anspach Hotel re. room. Home. Read; bacon and eggs and custard and rhubarb. Editorial Opinion – W.W. Hadley (Sunday Times), Ivor Brown (The Obvserver), John Kimche (Tribune), Douglas Woodruff (The Tablet).
Wednesday 7th May 1947
Hot. Fine. 73℉.
Alys to have hair done at 11 at Fowkes and back at 4.15. I made orangette, and custard. Meat pie (Sainsbury) and salad (with our chives), rhubarb and custard. Goode scraping paper off walls in hall. I forked hop manure in beds. Rested, read. Alys rested (still in Phil’s room). Pilchards, asparagus, prunes. Mr Cattle lent cloches. “The Courtneys of Curzon Street”.
Thursday 8th May 1947
Very warm, slight showers.
I in garden sowing French beans and raking. Mrs Bearcroft helped in Alys’ bedroom. Goode put up looking-glasses; and in Hall. We to Durham lunch; to Northwood Hills Radio shop. Got torch batteries. Alys got fish and chips. Back. I did hats, and rested. At 4.30 again to Radio shop taking ERCO (from Radio here). They had valve 12/-. Nearly bought Airmaster £15.8.0. Bought rhubarb plants 4d each. Planted them. Fish, chips and stew and junket.
Friday 9th May 1947
Very warm. 76℉ London.
Alys and I drove to Well Walk to take cut glass basket as wedding present Dick May. Lunched at Duke of Bohemia (?). To Frognal for Alys’ coatee. Home via Northwood Hills. Cakes and to Radio re. Sissie’s set. Trimmed straw bonnet and coarse straw hat. Rest. Finished Captain Bulldog Drummond. Alys to butchers. Goode papering hall. Phil arrived in BHN at 6.50. Steamed eggs on spaghetti; asparagus. “Canterbury Tales”.
Saturday 10th May 1947
Thundery showers. Warm.
Goode still papering hall. Alys, Phil and I in BHN to Davis with grey trousers. Then Northwood Hills. Alys bought fish and cakes. Phil with me to Radio, and I bought “Airmaster Midget” Mervyn for £15.8.0 (with purchase price £3?). Alys fried 2 halibuts and mashed potatoes. Chocolate (Bruxelles). Rest in p.m. Play. Grilled chops, spinach, mashed potato, grapefruit. “Quiet Wedding” Esther McCracken.
Memo:
Wedding 10th Dick May
Cecil Trouncer as Socrates and Chaucer.
5th Sowed lettuce, spinach, runner beans.
Sunday 11th May 1947
Very warm.
Phil reading in garden and hut. All to lunch at “Orchard” at 1.0 in BHN. Rests. Phil in hut. Alys and he had tea in hut. We did awning; planning, unpicking and machining; mostly outdoors. Spinach soup, omelettes and bacon. Oatcakes. “Vanity Fair” 8.30. Phil away in BHN before 9.
Monday 12th May 1947
Warm and dull.
Out in car to post (registered) Phil’s wallet. To Northwood Hills. I took radio midget back as it has a “hum”. To Sainsbury for sugar. Back. Lunch of corned beef and lettuce salad with chives from garden. Washed vest. 30 minutes rest. Phoned Sissie; to shops to Sharman for meta; for slugs. Raked beds. Spinach soup, Welsh rarebit (and egg), custard ice. “A Doll’s House”, Vivienne Bennett as Nora.
Tuesday 13th May 1947
Very hot. Sultry. 82℉ in London.
Goode doing bathroom. Alys to London to get Belgian money and Traveler’s cheques. Watered garden. Corned beef; rhubarb. Went with Alys in car and went to Bank with my passport. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned kitchen and hall. Alys back at 4.35. Rested. Very hot. Anchovy eggs, pineapple (African – dark). Put Metaldehyde and tealeaves for slugs. Editors (Editorial Opinion) of The Daily Mail, The Daily Herald, The Daily Worker.
Wednesday 14th May 1947
Very hot a.m. Rain at 6 and cooler.
Alys to shops (Elizabeth) and fetched Airmaster back. I gardening a little. Both Durham to lunch. Home and rest (very hot). Thinking and talking of altering Layton. At 5.30 to call on Vicar and Mrs Walker. Alys got oil in EYT. Kippers, rhubarb. Churchill at Albert Hall on United Europe Rally. “Piers Plowman”, Langland.
Thursday 15th May 1947
Cool. Fine, but showers.
To shops and took Erla to Radio, Northwood Hills. Home. Out again and lunch Durham. Home. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned Alys’ and my rooms. I cut grass (shears) and Bridgeon mowed it. At 5 Alys and I to Sissie’s at 18 Samson Street, Kingsbury in EYT. Supper at Northwood Hills at 7.14 on way back.
Friday 16th May 1947
Fine but thundery showers in p.m.
Pruned roses as Bridgeon showed. Wrote Eva de Baeremaecker. Wrote Entomology Institute re. spiders. Wrote for DDT. Wrote Kitty. With Alys to Durham. To Bank for Traveller’s cheques and Belgian francs. May in p.m. – ironed and silver. Alys rested. Thunderstorm. Goode cleaning outside paint and mixing green paint. Eggs and jelly with pineapple. “This is the Law”, Domestic Servants. “The Flies” Jean-Paul Sartre, Electra, Orestes.
Saturday 17th May 1947
Hot and fine.
Alys to Cave’s, Killick at 9.55 to station. I to butcher’s, liver and chops and corned beef. Also rhubarb and tomatoes. Liver, bacon and onions for lunch and rhubarb and yoghurt. Gardened a bit and sat and read paper. Phil phoned . Worked and listened “Savanrola Brown”, Max Beerbohm. Corned beef and tomato and spring onion salad. To bed 9.5. “Eothen”, Kinglake till 10.30.
Memo:
17th Alys to Cave’s till Monday
(14th Oil in EYT)
15th Bridgeon
16th Wrote Entomological Institute re. spiders.
16th Wrote for D.D.T. (not posted yet). Wrote Kit.
Sunday 18th May 1947
Warm a.m. Cold p.m. dull.
Cut grass by public path with shears. Did gardening all a.m. till 1. Sowed dwarf peas, clipped hedge. Grilled cutlets, with liver and onion stew. Rhubarb, jelly, yoghurt. Rest on bed. 7 “The Debate Continues”, Disraeli v. Gladstone. Supper in sitting room, corned beef. Rhubarb, cake. “Vanity Fair”. “Escape or Die”, Istanbul ships.
Monday 19th May 1947
Cool, dull.
Looked out clothes for “D.P’s”. To Durham, lunch. Alys back about 2.15 from Cave’s. Rests. Alys sent form for permit for house-painting. I posted it. Eggs, boiled. Semolina and orangette pudding made up. “The Last Cigar”, “Iris” Pinero.
Tuesday 20th May 1947
Cool, dull.
Alys motored me to Sissie’s, 18 Samson Street (lost our way). I with Sissie in car to 50 Erskine Hill, sandwiches there. Sissie getting thin clothes and arranging things. Fires in all rooms. Rests after lunch; then I to Temple Fortune and bought pads and envelopes. Car back to Kingsbury at 5. I on in it to get 183 bus and back Northwood. Phil there, tea and supper, away 8 o’clock in BHN.
Wednesday 21st May 1947
Very cool and dull.
Alys to Fowkes and to her Bank for Traveller’s cheques. I made custard, got rhubarb. Warmed up liver. Weeded on terrace. Good painting outside grey. Alys back 4.30. We drove along route to Kingsbury to see where we went wrong. Cutlets and mashed and onions. Phoned Ernest and said £500 in bank. £1,000 in 2½% Government Bonds.
Thursday 22nd May 1947
Dull, but fine later and warmer.
Alys took me to station. To Fowkes and had hair cut, washed and set (Margaret) 5/6! To Times second-hand shop and bought books £2.10.0. To Green Lizard, lunch 12.45. Bus to Leicester Square to see C.R.W. Nevinson Memorial Exhibition. Tube to Camden Town. Taxi to 77 King Henry’s Road. Got Canton sauce boats; hair plait. Coffee and ice and cake. Finchley Road. Rest. Home. Kit phoned. Sowed more lettuce seeds and a few scarlet runners. Fish and sauce with onion and cheese. Rhubarb custard.
Friday 23rd May 1947
Dull, rain and sun. Mild.
Got £1,000 Bonds. In garden. To Northwood Hills and got Erla back, mended. Home, then to Durham, lunch 12.15. Got bread. Home. May ironed. Alys very coldy and on her bed, till about 6. I rested and in garden. Got Goode’s tea. Listened “Driving Test” 7.10. Boiled eggs and trifle. Phil came at 9 or so. Alys to bed early. He had eggs and cocoa.
Saturday 24th May 1947
Fine. Warm. Dull later.
Alys and I in car to shops and talked milkman. I walked back with Kimbo. Phil reading on terrace. Gardener, Jenkinson, called. All to lunch Durham. On to look for runner beans. Woodman’s, Pinner. Got sodium chlorate, 14lb – 15/-. To Woodman’s Nursery Garden (roses 13/6, order August). Got 12 bean plants 2/4 Northwood (near Bridge), also lime 2/2 14lb. Alys and Phil rested. I mended old coat. Made braised beef. Phil and I to Kitty and Kath to supper. Home 10.35 (fried fish, plum pudding).
Memo:
End of Points 11.
28th Alys 3.30 Durham Cheston.
21st Alys to Fowkes.
22 11th Foakes.
23rd Put cheque £1,000 in Post Office for 2½% Defence Bonds.
Sunday 25th May 1947
Warm, fair – dull p.m. Sun later and a.m.
Alys cold still heavy. Gardener Jenkinson came 9.15. He did the ground elder and drive with sodium chlorate and planted 13 scarlet runner plants. 2/6 an hour till 1 o’clock – 3 hours ¾ = 9/4½ . I gardened too. Braised beef, peas, masked potato. Did hats. Sewed on bed, listening. Wrote Ernest and Doz, with £100 cheque. To Post Office in BHN and to Batchworth Heath. Planted daffodils front garden. Anchovy eggs, salad, fish. “Vanity Fair”. Altered black coat. Watered beans.
Monday 26th May 1947
Very warm a.m. Nice breeze p.m.
Put path down a bit more. Phil reading in hut. Braised stew and mashed. Chocolate Queen of pudding. Sewed black coat. Rested. Phil had to go back to Victoria Park at 3! (Peter Preston’s fault). Began packing up; Alys too. Cold bacon (tinned). Watered garden.
Tuesday 27th May 1947
Fine. Warm.
Posted books for James’ birthday and wrote him with 20/- certificate token. Posted gold bag to Jean Cave for wedding. Home lunch. Walked with Kimbo to Neve and left him to go to Harding Kennels. Mrs Bearcroft came. At 4.30 Killick took us to U.N.S. Club (United Nursing Services’ Club), 34 Cavendish Square. Phil came and dined with us at 7. We walked round Hanover Square. Phil away in BHN to Hospital. We do bed (a double bedded room).
Wednesday 28th May 1947
Fine. Hot.
Served own breakfasts 8.15. Taxi to Victoria 10.00 train to Dover. 12.30 boat (Prince Baudouin) to Ostende. Lunch on board 5/- or 50 francs. Sat on deck in sun. Cabin 11. Alys wrote Phil. Arrived Ostende 4.15. (Belgian time. Watch put back 1 hour). Orange juice and Café filtré and gaufres (pancakes). Arrived Brussels 6.35. Met by Eva, Teddy, Eve. Taxi. To Auspach Hotel. Dinner at Grand Hotel on Teddy’s tickets. British Armed Forces Overseas.
Over 92℉ in London. Hottest for 70 years.
Brussels
Thursday 29th May 1947
Hot, fine.
Café complet in our rooms. I walked to Garde du Nord to reserve cabin. To Hôtel Albert Ier. Sat with Teddy, Grand Hotel. Eva, Alys, Eve shopping. Packed and taxi to Hôtel Albert Ier. Lunch there 100 francs each. Rested on beds. At 4.30 to 7 Rue des Cendres to see Eva de Baeremaecker. Madame Juliard there. With her in tram to Rue des Deux Eglises. Taxi to Hotel taking all I’d inherited. Berry’s there. Looked snapsheets. Dinner (Alys and I) in Boulevard Adolphe Max. 2 bedrooms with bath 350 francs.
Friday 30th May 1947
Very hot, 84℉.
Alys and I taxi to Monsieur Stokvis and discuss Rand Mines, Albert brooch and candle stick (left all with him to value). Tram Poste de Namur. In shop – shoes. Taxi back. Berry’s lunched with us Hôtel Albert Ier 100 francs each. Rested. Alys had Eva and Eve, Teddy back to Grand Hotel. I fixed about rooms and we changed to 226-7. I shopped Innovation. Alys and Eva and Eve separately. All dined Cascoque Restaurant 55 francs each. Taxi Grand Place. Café filtré. Manneken Pis. Taxi back.
Saturday 31st May 1947
Very, very, very hot.
Eve with me all a.m., looked at laces and photos and candlestick. Alys and Eve and Teddy shopping. Alys got schick. Alys and I lunch near Nord. Back to rest on beds. At 4, taxi to Grand Hotel. Eva, Eve and I Café filtré and ices at Grand Bazaar restaurant – 6th floor. In Toy Department. To Grand Hotel in Berry’s bedroom till 7.45. Eve to bed. We dined there. Tram back to Hôtel Albert Ier at 10. I out to buy oranges. Awake a lot. Men talking till 2 in café opposite.
Memo:
To Brussels 28th – 5th
Gave waitress 10 cigarettes.
Gave man about same.
29th to see Eva de Baeremaecker 3.30 or 4.
Sunday 1st June 1947
Very hot. Thunder storm p.m.
Awake most of night noisy café. Hôtel Albert Ier. Berry’s round. Talked and photos and lace and rug in my room. All to near café. Bun and Coca Cola. Then to Eva lunch. Grand; Eve and Alys and I ham and mayonnaise, ices. Little café. Alys and I rested my bed. Eve in Alys’ room. She and I wrote to Phil. Mended petticoat. Others coffee in café. Eve to bed. We to 58 Avenue de la Toison d’Or, out as too dear. Another one and dined £3.5.3. Tram back to Anspach, tram to Nord. Spa.
Monday 2nd June 1947
Very hot.
Took decanter to Grand Place. Sold for 50 francs. Tram strike. Taxi there. Got sweets at coffee shop. Walked back via Post Office. Lunch at Bon Marché. Salmon. Talked to secretary girl. Rested all p.m. Slept. To Eva de Baeremaecker’s. Georges Stokvis there. To Hotel. Orange juice. Wrote postcards. Kitty and Sissie. Taxi to Grand Hotel. Dinner with Teddy and Eva. Sat in España Café. Café filtré. Beer. Lemon natur. Bed 11. Read “The River Road”, Frances Parkinson Keyes.
Tuesday 3rd June 1947
Very, very hot.
To see Eva and take candlesticks. She gave me 3,000 francs for Alys. Taxi to Stokvis for Albert brooch. No offers. Trams Sabena, then Hotel. All met Bon Marché lunch. 55 francs. Shopped with Eva and alone. Housecoat, nightie. Resed 30 minutes. Taxi to Madame Cauderliers, Avenue Louise 2 – 3. Coffee. Trams back and tried for shoes. Got fruit. Rest. Cocktails Palace 280 francs. 1.13. 6 for 3! Dinner Bristol. Good. 65 francs. Trams. Place Louise.
London
Wednesday 4th June 1947
Hot then cool.
Up at 6 and packed, and wrote Ella. Café dejeunes at 8. At Banque de Belge 9. Changed £5.0.0. To Smith’s, got “Vienna Congress” 198 francs. 23/6. Got stockings – Nylons, sweets, thermos, elastic. Left Hotel and seen off by 3 Berry’s 11.45. Dover 6.30 or 7.30. No Duty on Schick! Dinner on train. Arrived Victoria 10.40. Phil and Chas. Killick home. Arrived about midnight.
Berry’s left Brussels 5th at 7 and arrived Hamburg next a.m.
Thursday 5th June 1947
Cool, and showers. Windy.
Mrs Bearcroft cleaned books. I washed things and May ironed in p.m. Unpacked. Wire to Doz. Eggs in bedroom as May in p.m. She ironed my things and cleaned book shelves. Alys and I rested. Alys slept soundly till nearly 6. I wrote Eva de Baeremaecker. Alys to see Derrick Cattle (with Cointreau). I in garden. To bed finally at 10.45. (still writing Eva de Baeremaecker).
Friday 6th June 1947
Cool, windy, heavy, showers. Some sun.
To Wickham’s in car and elft it there 11.45. To Charing Cross. Trains wrong, got one to Sevenoaks, eating a sandwich in it. Changed and to Tonbridge; cars had left, so in taxi to Haysden House. Bride and groom and others already there. Marquee. Good sandwich lunch. Daisy there. Guy Cave (in train with us) made speech. Alan Cave took us to station. Daisy (neé Glover) with us – train to Charing Cross. Phoned Phil. He met us in BHN. Dined Bolivar (5/-). Drove home, getting EYT.
Saturday 7th June 1947
Cool. Fine.
In BHN to Bank with Traveller’s Cheques and Belgian francs (1200). To Butcher’s. Back with shaving soap for Phil. Then to fetch Kimbo at Miss Harding’s. Kennels 25/- (2/6 a day) for 10 days. Alys cooked liver and bacon and tinned spinach lunch. Phil away to Camberley. Jenkinson at 1.45 and gardened till 5. I in and out. Alys rested and then to shops. I made Brussels chocolate (dried milk). Phoned Kitty. Rested. Alys did eggs and bacon. Mrs Cattle in with “Chum”, her 2 months Labrador. Lamb play. “Guide to Britain”.
Memo:
4th Back from Brussels 5, arrived 9.41 Victoria.
2nd to Eva de Baeremaecker. Flight Lieutenant Dale and Andrée de Jongh swam 20 times across Somme – saved 20 soldiers that way. 2 years in Concentration Camp.
4th Back from Brussels.
5th Kim back.
6th Jean Cave’s wedding
4th Leave Nord 11.45.
7th Posted letter to Eva de Baeremaecker.
Sunday 8th June 1947
Cool, windy, sun and dull at times.
Phil in at 4 a.m. from Camberley and dance there. He in bed all day and down to lunch in dressing gown. Washed a corner of prayer rug. Read Sunday Times. Alys roast beef, peas (tinned), our mint, chocolate (Bruxelles). All rested in p.m. Listened rather sill playlet “Mr Sampson” about Brussels. Alys to post in car at 6. Phil dressed and tongue and salad (our lettuce – 1st). He away 8.15 in EYT as no oil in BHN. I drove BHN in.
Monday 9th June 1947
Fair, coolish. Sunny later.
Goode finished side (outside) doors with creosote. Alys and I to get oil and water and petrol in BHN. Posted book to Eve, and egg boxes. Alys arranged Sunday papers to go to Teddy. Home. Tongue lunch. Rests. I did black and green knitted cardigan epaulettes. Listened Robinson’s and Mary Lamb play, bits missed on Sunday. Barbara to supper. Cold (Bruxelles) mince, Cos lettuce. Stewed apricots and custard. Eye watering, and in inflamed duct. Immersion heater wrong.
Tuesday 10th June 1947
Fine and warm.
Alys to London to Bank and buy new hat. I trimmed hat with lace veil. Did up parcel for Displaced Persons. Mince with lettuce and oil; bread and yoghurt. Mrs Bearcroft. Man to mend fuse of immersion heater. I to BHN to meet 4. Posted parcel and lettuce to D. Murray. Gardened. Kippers. Watered garden. Alys mended fuse again. Alys made finger bread.
Wednesday 11th June 1947
Warm. Dull in p.m.
Tidied room. Posted blue frock and trousers – Huntly. Both in BHN to Durham. Met Kit there. Home. Put in 3 vegetable marrow plats 9d each. Rests. Kitty on sofa. Coffee, cherries, ginger bread. Took Kitty to station. We to Moor Park golf club and then Watford to get battery up. Gardened. Alys wrote to Professor Newall. Mrs Gordon phoned. Phil phoned.
Thursday 12th June 1947
Very fine, breezy.
Mrs Bearcroft 9.45. I washed prayer rug. Alys to Northwood Hills. Both lunch at Durham. May in p.m., cleaned bookcase room. I did some gardening. Listened Vanity Fair till 3.45 then Captain and Mrs Gordon came and Jean, aged (queer eye formation) Tea and then sat in garden. Men to mend immersion again (fuse). Sandwich supper in hut.
Friday 13th June 1947
Fair, then dull, mild.
Alys did up pyjamas and chocolates and posted to Phil. I altering and trying on frocks. Both lunch at Durham. Home. Gardened a bit in front; weeding and roses. Then upstairs going on with frocks and on bed, read The Digest about Russian Slaves. Alys machined awning on lawn. Soused herrings. Alys had done and bap. Very good. Watered garden alittle. Dennis/Phil’s – darned stockings in bed.
Saturday 14th June 1947
Dull. Rain all p.m.
Alys to James’ school sports (Boazell, Etchingham); to station in BHN. I got meat on way back. Braised beef (with onions), stewed gooseberries (Camden ‘45) and made custard. Sausage meat for lunch. Jenkinson didn’t come as rained. Bradshaw borrowed scythe. Read old Times (dates we were away). Alys and James back 8.45. Eggs on spinach (ours from this garden, first). Gooseberries and custard. “Mile away Murder”, Anthony Armstrong.
Memo:
James ½ term 14th – 17th.
James School Sports 14th.
9th Barbara 6 p.m.
12th Vanity Fair 3.30.
10th Sent coat, patent shoes, black and white cotton frock, black and green cardigan coat, purple pullover to “Oxford” F.R.S. (Friends Relief Service)
12th Gordon’s.
14th Jenkinson.
First spinach out.
Sunday 15th June 1947
Dull and cool.
Alys and James to Mrs Wickham to get milk. All of us to Orchard for 12.30 lunch. Nice waiter. 4/- tip as he gave James two sweets. Rest in p.m. Play “The River” James did jigsaw and then halma and spillikins with Alys. I planted out 4 lettuces and weeded lawn. Corned beef and cos salad. Jelly. Peter Scott on mine rescue 1877. Enjoyment of Living.
Monday 16th June 1947
Dull. Warmish.
Alys and James to Bearcroft’s. I to Club to meet Doz as 12. Lunch with her. To Baker Street. Met James 1.50. Tube to High Street Kensington. Taxi to Olympia. Royal Tournament. Princess Elizabeth there. Commandos scaled “precipice”, blockade and raid, motorcycle Tricks, Seaforths won tug of war. Taxi. Tube (very crowded, stood to Harrow). Alys had lovely fish salad supper. To bed 8.45. “Bells the Bride”, “Castle”.
Tuesday 17th June 1947
Very fine and hot.
Alys to Northwood Hills. James helped in garden. Put brushwood for peas. Stew and stewed lettuces and fruit salad (strawberries and cherries). Alys and James away at 3.15. I drove car back. Alys saw him off to school. Phil at Charing Cross too and back with Alys in EYT to sit in garden and supper. I reorganised wardrobes. Wrote Personal letter cheque. Phil away about 9 in EYT.
Wednesday 18th June 1947
Showers. Warm.
Wrote Stokvis. We drove to Pinner and shopped, Woolworth’s. To Northwood Hills, got chocolate and cigarettes and points tins. Lunch cafeteria there, 2/-, no tips. Good. Found 4 (last) tomato plants on High Street. To William’s. Rests. Planted tomato plants in rain. Welsh rarebit and stew. 8.30 to Marwood’s, coffee, ginger-nuts. Marguerita and Elizabeth (St Paul’s). Bridge engineer.
Thursday 19th June 1947
Fine and warm.
Mrs Bearcroft did Alys’ room. I put rubber soles on brown slippers. To Durham at 12.20 lunch. To Boot’s. May washed my pink zephyr. I to get 12 tomato plants for 4/- at Internat (International Tea Co. Stores) in BHM. Played them in various places. Now have 16 tomato plants. Rested at 5 till 6.15. Wrote Amy Steel. Alys gave Kimbo sausage and corned beef. He was sick. Sardines. Treacle steamed pudding.
Friday 20th June 1947
Dull, warm, some drizzle.
Phoned Kit. Alys to butcher and Northwood Hills and William’s. I in garden a bit. Both lunch at Durham. Longbotham’s there (and Marwood’s). To Hudson’s and got tins on points. Home and rested. Sewed hat trimming. Alys to shops again and Durham for chicken sandwiches. Phil came about 7. I clipped hedge, soused herrings which May did. Salad. Tinned new potatoes (no others yet). 20 Questions. Edgeworth play.
Saturday 21st June 1947
Fair. Warm.
Phil in bed all a.m. Breakfast in dressing gown. Alys to shops. I to Sainsbury’s (with Kimbo, walked). Alys cooked round of beef, stewed lettuce, new potatoes (first ones), biscuits and cheese. I steamed pudding. Jenkinson came at 2 till 5 (7/6) I gardened too, till then! “tea”. He planted out French beans and lettuces. Cold fish salad and cos lettuce, potatoes, strawberries! Watered a little but nice shower at 8. Mrs Cattle in. “To What Red Hell”, Percy Robinson, Paisley actor.
Memo:
16th Meet Doz at Club.
Royal Tournament 2.30. End of Points 12.
Prefect 10 HP. £360.
18th Coffee at Marwood’s.
20th Letter to Amy Steel with cutting Daily Mail.
Sunday 22nd June 1947
Mild. Fair.
Rearranged rockery a bit. At 1 lunch at Orchard. Looked at cars there. Rests. Took letters to post (Phil’s). To tea at Cattle’s 4. Mr Cattle showed me round garden, till nearly 6. Watered garden. Omelettes. Chocolate mousse. Phil away 8.30. Sissie rang up. ”Vanity Fair”.
Monday 23rd June 1947
Dull, warm.
Alys and I in car to Kitty’s Sandwich lunch there 12.15 and yoghurt and blackcurrant. Sale at the Godfrey’s flat. Dealers! Kit’s sideboard. At 3.15 all over and up to her flat and coffee and cake. Dying samples for Barbara’s shoes. To Sissie’s at 4.35. Talked and took her in car to Lois! (out). Home about 7. Cut spinach and had eggs on it. “Springtime for Henry”. Benn W. Levy.
Tuesday 24th June 1947
Dull. Warm. Fine evening.
In car to Pinner. I train to Baker Street. Bus Horner Street. Left china dish at Smith’s. To my bank. Put £100 (from Doz) in. To Grosvenor House, Antique Dealers’ Fair, 3/6 entrance. Little tables. Lunch 5/- there. Minister of Agriculture. Sample vegetable plot Hyde Park. To Civil Service Stores. Hoe, secateurs 8/-, 11/. Foakes. Hair done at 3 – 4.15. Home. Phil there to tea and supper. Beef, peas, kippers. Watered garden till 10.15. Wrote Doz.
Wednesday 25th June 1947
Fine. Warm.
To Food Office for new Ration Books. Antique shop and talked. Corned beef and peas and potato salad. Rhubarb. Rests. Finished washing rug. Gardened in front. Alys wrote Eva. To Harefield and saw Slade. Eggs and bacon. Rhubarb shape. Watered garden. Bernice in.
Thursday 26th June 1947
Very hot and sunny. 84 London.
Wrote E.V.M. and D. Brown. Alys to sohps. I gardened and then read paper. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned my room. May phoned not coming. Corned beef and our last cos. Rhubarb. Rest. Alys at 4.30 to take BHN to Phil and bring EYT back. She home 7.30. I put muslin on larder window. Fried herrings. Watered garden and mulched beans and peas. Slept with door open.
Friday 27th June 1947
Hot, muggy, thunderstorm p.m. Very fine later.
In garden. Began mince. Slade took EYT. Cut spinach. Slices beef in gravy and spinach and new potatoes. Rests. Read “Chequerboard”, Nevil Shute. Gingerbread and on veranda. Fine after thunder. Alys wrote Blain. I planted out some lettuces and kohlrabi. Boiled eggs. “Dreams” Psychiatrist play, Nesta Plain. Ralph Truman. Edward Chapman.
Saturday 28th June 1947
Hot. Thundery.
Alys by bus to Bearcroft for milk, back with Killick. Mince and spinach. Then I dressed and at 3 walked to Vicarage Fête. Bought books, grapes, plums, spring onions, cakes, ice and cake to eat. Talked to Hilton’s, Longbotham’s. Marwood’s, Selden, Walker. Walked home, very heavy bags. Did plums in Camden. Cheese dripping for cottage cheese. Rest. Put spring onions in. Pilchards and cherry plums. “Such Men are Dangerous” Ashley Dukes. Clarke-Smith, Farquharson.
Memo:
June 28th Fête Vicarage.
26th Get Listener.
27th Slade for EYT.
24th Foakes 3 p.m.
29th Jenkinson.
Sunday 29th June 1947
Cool, grey mostly. Some sun.
Mosquito and Kimbo whined. Made cottage cheese. Mince and carrots (from Fête) with parsley. Cottage cheese and Ryvita. Jenkinson didn’t come, so gardened, till 3.40. Rested. Kit came at 5.20. Sat on terrace. Barbara came about 6.30. Cold lamb and mint sauce and potatoes. Custard, chocolate cream, plums. “Vanity Fair”. Barbara away 9.25 (train 36). Kit stayed night.
Monday 30th June 1947
Grey. Mild.
Phil a cold. Sat talking over breakfast, then Alys and Kit to town (Alys had hair done, Freda and both to see Edward Burra’s pictures). I weeded. Cold lamb and spinach, stewed cherry plums and custard. In garden. Alys back at 4. We rested. Read “Chequerboard”. Tied up runner beans. Soup, eggs, pilchards. Phil phoned, better. Belgian voice phoned.
Tuesday 1st July 1947
Grey. Mild. A shower.
Walked to post and sent eggs to Phil. To Bank. To Leicester Square Galleries to see Edward Burra’s Show and Charles Rogers’ (Euston Square). Lunch at Hamburger House 6/- and tip 8d. To Finchley Road. Met Belgian girl at 3. She and I had ices at Stewart’s. She gave me packet (from Stokvis, Aunt Bella’s Rand Mines 700). Home. Rested. EYT back £10! Lamb and plum tart. In garden 7. Bed 9.30. Bird Song and Air Chief Marshal Lord Dowding on Spiritualism.
Wednesday 2nd July 1947
Grey. Mild.
Alys to shops. I made a croûton of left over lamb (Josephine Terry’s “cooklet”) Delhi. Wrote Stokvis. Eva de Baeremaecker and Eva (for birthday 6th). Did up parcel for Eva. Coffee, cigarettes (20), book (club), Reader’s Digest – May, books for Eva (Fête). Took to Post Office in EYT. Put £200 in certificates 10/- issue. Macaroni cheese, plums, treacle tart. Gardened 8.30 – 9.45. “No Such Constant Lover”, Sir John Suckling.
Thursday 3rd July 1947
Dull, muggy.
Alys drove to Sissie’s and took her out shopping in Falloden Way and lunch at Cafeteria. I did clipping and weeding. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned sitting room. Sainsbury’s sausage and plum pie. May at 12.35. cleaned Phil’s bedroom and bathroom and washed clothes. I read Listener on sofa. Alys back at 3.30. I wrote Ella. Rested and read Digest. Macaroni onion cheese, spinach water. Cream cake. Fed the tomato plants. “Britain’s Crisis – Ways and Means”, Sir George Shuster, Edward Marshall, Mary Burns.
Friday 4th July 1947
Dull, mild, rain at night.
Alys’ 63rd birthday. Gave her 2 pair Nylons (Brussels) and Katzenzungen. She to Northwood Hills for fish. I in garden. Wrote Ernest for Bond Book. Took our cold sausage and plum pie and cream cake into hut. May in kitchen. We drove to Northwood Hills and Pinner. Bought saucepan, bean bamboos. Home and rests. In garden. Alys cooked kedgeree. We had it at 8 p.m. Phil didn’t get here (phoned twice). “Portrait of Ouida”.
Saturday 5th July 1947
Dull. Cooler. Fine evening.
Phil arrived at 9.15 (no breakfast or tea). So had breakfast and to bed. Alys to shops. Plaice in oven and peas and chicken mould (from chicken sandwiches Phil didn’t come for last evening). Raspberries and currants. I in BHN to 97 Potter Street for Jenkinson. To Northwood Hills and got plums and cherries. Took Jenkinson boy in car. Put fruit in Camden. 2 2lb jars. Tea in Phil’s bedroom. In garden. Kohlrabi 5. Mr Walker came. Chicken and potato soup dish, tomatoes. Very good. Cantaloupe 6/-. “Milestones” by Arnold Bennett and Edward Knoblock.
Memo:
2nd Sent coffee and books and cigarettes to Eva. Wrote her.
2nd To Lloyd show with “Sammy”?
3rd Wrote Ella.
Eva’s 38th birthday.
Sunday 6th July 1947
Grey, cool, a little sun in evening.
Phil to meals in dressing gown; in bed all day (still coldy), dressed and in hut after tea. Sewed black tunic frock (blue and yellow pattern). In garden a bit. Roast lamb, broad beans, raspberries and currants. Rests. Sewed a bit “Tea” in Phil’s room. Talked of Peter Preston and Lisa Reynolds. I clipped privet hedge. Scrambled eggs and salad. Melon. Phil away in EYT at 8.55. Compton Mackenzie on “Enjoyment of Living” – continuing at 64.
Monday 7th July 1947
Dull, fine afternoon.
Wrote Ethel Miles. Phoned Blennerhassett. Alys and I to The Treet (Rickmansworth) to lunch at 1. On to Marion Berry’s P.N.E.U. school; coffee there. Home by 3.15. Bridgeon mowed lawn and front strip. I swept it. Rested and listened to “Thine Inheritance” (convict father and son). Gladys Young and James McKechnie. Very good. Gardener Walker came 6.16 – 9.15. Gave him 8/-/ Eggs, bacon, tomato. Plums. “A Month in the Country”, Turgenev. Ronald Simpson as the Doctor, Lydia Sherwood.
Tuesday 8th July 1947
Showers and sun. “More” cold.
Alys and I to Northwood Hills. Got 2 cakes, Heinz soups. Went to 7 Woodford Crescent to ask about cycle for sale (advert in shop). Home to cold lamb lunch, 2 lettuces and spring onions from garden. Plums. Rests. Mrs Bearcroft. Slept and dream hard. Phil came about 3. He on bed and “tea” there. Australian tinned sausages, tomatoes, eggs, spinach. Phil away 8.20. Alys and I to buy and fetch girl’s cycle from Mr Wood. £5.0.0 paid.
Wednesday 9th July 1947
Thunder shower and sunny intervals.
Alys to town to meet Gwen and get umbrellas. I back in BHN after getting liver and yoghurt. Cooked onion gravy for mince; had it at 1.20 and plums. Cooked cherries. Washed vest. Alys phoned key didn’t fit car (I’d taken it to park for her). So I walked down with key at 5.30. We both rested. “The Wind Cannot Read”. Cold sausage, cherries. Excerpts from “Ever since Paradise”. Priestley and “Off the Record”, King-Hall and Ian Hay.
To 53 Frognal 1 night.
Thursday 10th July 1947
Rain and/or dull all day.
Mrs Bearcroft cleaned Alys’ room. She to town to meet Phil (his re-fill – Smart away). I walked back with Kimbo and Mrs Cattle. Sewed black hat. Liver and tomato lunch. May 12.35. Sewed knots on sleeves of blouse and tunic. Alys back about 3.45. Went on sewing. To Williams’ and registered and to Sainsbury and Marks’, ditto. Kippers. “North West Passage” at 8. “Anna Karenina” 9.30. “Bing” 9.15. Alastair Cooke.
Friday 11th July 1947
Finer all day.
Alys took me to station. To Oxford Circus. Evans. Then Hanover Court, Blennerhassett stopped my tooth 11.30. To lunch Green Lizard. To Harrods. Got plastic stuff. To Mrs Hands. Bought black coat and skirt 14.14.0. Taxi to Adams Gallery, Bond Street, Lloyd Show. Sammy Hilton there. Busses to Hands again. Paid for suit and wore it (got hat after lunch C&A). Bus to Camden Town. Tube to Kitty’s. Tea. Barbara there. Alys and Helen came with food and away 6. Kit burnt her hand. Barbara got supper, tripe, yoghurt, blackcurrant. To bed 9.30. George’s room.
Saturday 12th July 1947
Warmer. Fine.
Kit got breakfast. The hand blistered. Grilled herring. Washed up. We walked to Finchley Road. I home. Then Alys, Helen (who had spent night at 12) and I lunched at Durham. Home. Walker at 1.30 transplanted the tomatoes and the lettuces. Went at 5 *3/- an hour 10/6). Alys and Helen to London at 4.45. Alys to Kit’s for night. I back in BHN and gardened. Macaroni and cheese, raspberries and custard. “The Pharoah Ahkenaton” .
Memo:
10th Rent paid to (we weeks from April 17th).
7th Marion Berry’s
9th Alys to meet Gwen.
11th Helen here.
12th Walker 1.30 at 3/- per hour.
Sunday 13th July 1947
Hot and fine (grey early).
Made milk soup. Cut out plastic cape. Cooked the beef (round) in saucepan in oven with wire thing (from Worthing), spinach, gravy. Raspberries and junket and yoghurt. Took car to park for Alys. Walked back with Kimbo. Read papers. Weeded plantains. Scrambled eggs, and salad, camembert cheese in sitting room. “Vanity Fair”. Phil phoned at 9. Alys back 9.30. Cyril Banks summed up “Enjoyment of Living”.
Monday 14th July 1947
Dull. Thundery storms. Very hot.
In garden and doing hats and Alys to Northwood Hills. Weeded and got very hot. Cold beef and lettuce (ours), rhubarb (ours, first). Alys to Northwood Hills. Posted coffee and shoes (Eve) to Eva. I wrote Ethel Miles. Alys wrote letters. Mended sandals. Fish-balls (Norwegian), potato soup, buns. Slugs!!
Tuesday, 15th July 1947
Fine and hot. Breezy.
To get wine at Carey‘s. To Longbotham’s. Lunch at Durham. Home. Did bank accounts, and tidied desk. Short rest. Mrs Bearcroft. Alys and I to Pinner for wire. Looked over frocks. Alys fried fishballs and made sauce (and chips). In garden.
Wednesday, 16th July 1947
Fine, hot.
Alys took me to station for 9.48. To Blennerhassett’s 10.45. He stopped top tooth and took mould of lower jaw. To Kennedy and Dunphy. Paid rent to October 2 in notes (£5 and £3.8.0). Tube to Marble Arch. Got sandwiches. “The Best Years of our Lives” 1 till 4 – Fredric March, Myrna Loy. To Glasshouse Café, coffee iced. Home. Alys fetched me from. Station. At 6:30 Walker till nine. Scythed orchard. Cold mince shape, our lettuce and rhubarb. Yoghurt.
Thursday, 17th July 1947
Dull, rainy, mild.
Turned out piece-drawer and cleaned it. Mrs Bearcroft did Alys‘ bedroom. To Durham, lunch 12.30. Home, rested a little, after finishing draw. In BHN to Kit’s at 4. Sylvia Lethbridge, Marge Winterbotham, Cecilia Hal-Williams, Lady Bloomfield – good tea. Interesting to meet all. Took Marge to F. Road. To Sissies. Talk and home at 8. Beef (in marinated), gravy. Trifle. Anna Karenina, “The World of Light” Aldous Huxley.
Friday, 18th July 1947
Dull, warm,
Up 7.30. Alys took me to the station. 9.30 to Blennerhassett. Tried wax for “bite”. 10.30 on to Gilbert’s, Hans Crescent (off Sloane Street). Bought plastic macintoshes for Alys and self (Alys’ blue). To Royal Academy saw Churchill‘s landscapes. Lunch there, came away about 3.15. Tubes home. Phoned Alys who met me. Chocolate cake. Posted cheque to Gilbert. Garden, sewed parsley. Phil came at 7. Dried haddock and rhubarb and raspberries. 20 Questions, Cyril Fletcher.
Saturday, 19th July 1947
Very warm, thunder at 7:30 and cooler later.
Alys to shops and get milk from Bearcroft. I picked the dwarf French beans (1st crop) and cut them in slicer. Alys cooked bit of lamb, mint sauce, raspberries and cherries. Rests. To Post Office with two egg boxes and letters. Phil fetched Barbara from Nurses’ Home at Watford. All talked on terrace, supper in dining room. Soused herrings, jelly with meat, carrots, peas in it salad, mayonnaise, trifle. At 10, Phil drove Barbara back to Watford. (Walker, gardener 2 – 6) 12/-.
Memo:
Points end 13.
17th to Kitty‘s tea party
19th French beans, 1st picking
18th 10.30 Blennerhasset. Walker at 5 or so.
Sunday 20th July 1947
Fine, warm.
Phil bad rheumatism (acute) all day (hip). I wrote Ella. Picked peas and shelled – our own 1st crop. Cold lamb. Rest, but chiefly unpicking white and black and red blouse (Romanian). In garden, tea in hut. Talked of watercolour painting. Phil away at 8.15 after a bite of supper. “Vanity Fair” during our meal. “Plot against Hitler” 9.15.
Monday 21st July 1947
Dull, warm showers often.
Alys getting ready for Heanley’s. Had lunch at 12, off to Hassocks (Keymer Hall) at 12:45. I drove home. In the garden a bit. Robert here cleaning windows. At 3:15 I rested and Kit phoned. Sewed Romanian blouse. Phil rang up about A.A. book. Soup and soused herring, chocolate cake and orange. “The Devil in the Summer House”, John Dickson Carr.
Tuesday 22nd July 1947
Fine, warm.
Wrote Sadler’s Wells as well with cheque for stalls. Washed vests. Wrote Jim Archer and Ernest Miles. Did bank accounts. Minced the lamb and warmed up spinach, rhubarb. Mrs Bearcroft. Kit came (on bus from Kings Langley – Mail). Tea. Cut spinach for her. Car battery flat so walked to station with her. Phoned Killick. Soup, bacon, egg and tomato. Cut up oranges.
Wednesday 23rd July 1947
Fine, warm.
Killick came, bringing battery and put it in BHN, taking other back. I made orange skins (4) into marmalade. Laundry came. Welsh rarebit and two eggs in it. Began making my plastic cape. Walker at 6:15, chopped wood and made bonfire. Alys back about 6.45 with Sydney Laughton. Bacon and eggs. Walker went at 9.30.
Thursday 24th July 1947
Very warm. Fine.
Blennerhassett at 11:30. Lunch Green Lizard. Iced coffee. Bus to Home Street. China dish not mended. Bus and tube Leicester Square and got Hotel list at A.A. Tube Chalk Farm. At 77 King Henry’s Road, had rest on bed. Read Froude on Growth of Romanism. Unpacked big trunk. Home by 5.10. Alys came for me. Wonderful supper – soup, turbot, broad beans, coffee junket. Phil phoned about Clark and cottages. Made us wire for Clark.
Friday 25th July 1947
Very hot, sun and breeze
Alys to London, Faulkes and plastic mac shop and Hands (2 blouses). I to Boots – presents. Kit phoned. Wrote Jim Archer about 31st. Phone Lois. Toasted cheese, plums and yoghurt. May 12.30 – 3. Took BHN to park for Alys. Made salad dressing. Alys back about 6. Very hot. Fish salad, plums. “The Voysey Inheritance”.
Saturday 26th July 1947
Very, very hot.
Alys to shops and Bearcroft. Did some sewing. Alys phoned Ernest Miles. Grilled veal chops and spinach (from Mrs Bearcroft’s). Letter to Blain. Walker at 1.40, clipped hedge (privet). I had short rest. Alys to Phil’s with eggs and chocolate, at 5:30. I posted Alys’ letter to Baden – Hodgson‘s house and copy to Ernest Miles. Made trifle. Alys back 7.50. Eggs and salad. “Journey’s End”.
Sunday 27th July 1947
Very, very hot day and night
No Sunday Times. We put bearkskin rug in bag with D.D.T. Alys wrote to J. Clark and a copy. Veal cutlets and our French beans and potatoes. Trifle. We rested and I listened to book critics. Daniel George on “A Free House!” by W.R. Sickert, edited by Osbert Sitwell. Sir Francis Meynell on book design. “Pendennis and the Fotheringay” 4. Lob Lie-by-the-fire. Soup, scrambled eggs and salad, apples. “To Let”, Ronald Soames.
Monday, 28th July 1947
Very, very hot 88°F London.
Mitchell in until 10.30. With Alys to search for plimsolls for James, Pinner. Lunch at Durham. To Killick’s. On bed most of p.m. Read “The Scarlet Tree” Osbert Sitwell’s 2nd volume (left hand, right hand). Alys took Mrs. Cattle to shops and went to coffee with her. I altered blouse and ironed dress. Kit phoned. Alys made Pulleine egg dish. I did soup, rhubarb. To bed 9.45. Phil phoned, Killick phoned.
Tuesday 29th July 1947
Fine and hot, breezy.
Alys took 9.6 train to meet James at Charing Cross. I bought stamp album and books for Eve (14/-). Alys and James back and we all to Durham for lunch. Picked spinach and packed two tins coffee for Eva. James on cycle on lawn. Alys doing his trunk and suitcase. Poached eggs on spinach and apple snow with custard over it and white of egg – “custard surprise”.
Wednesday 30th July 1947
Fine and one shower at 8.30.
Alys and James in Killick car to St Pancras. James away to Hamburg, left here at 10.45. Dusted, and did up eggboxes and tomato box. Spinach soup lunch with toast and marge. Alys rang up at 3.30 from Post Office and I to fetch her in car, and posted parcels. Alys to bed, as very tired and Bovril only. Walker cut grass and hedges. I had two eggs and salad. Altered grey silk apron dress.
Thursday, 31st July 1947
Hot and fine.
10.3 to Blennerhasset. Got my new lower denture. To Woolworths for talcum, to Club and phoned Lois. To National Liberal Club, but no room, so Jim Archer and I taxi to Burlington House. Lunch, and watercolour room and Bonnard’s. Tea 3.30 or so, there too. Then I bus to Kings Cross, no reservations possible for Edinburgh in September. Tube to Harrow. Home, very hot. Alys came in car. On bed, dozed. Corned beef and salad. Apple snow. Posted Sadler’s Wells tickets to Lois and Proms. Anna Karenina.
Friday 1st August 1947
Warm, dullish.
Alys slept on till nearly 11. So I took parcels to post (express Barbara‘s mac). Then Alys to shops. I transplanted kohlrabi. Both to lunch Durham. Put ant-killer on beds. Wrote Ella and posted (re. visit). Rest. Weeded. Kippers, sour milk cheese. Phil arrived 9.20 for the holidays – unloaded the car. He told us of offers of jobs. New York cargo ship; Midhurst locum, All to bed about 11.
Saturday, 2nd August 1947
Dullish, shower in p.m. Mild. Windy.
Alys early to fetch milk at the Bearcroft’s and to shops. Marjorie Leggett rang up and Kitty. Picked peas and beans. To try and get fish, when Alys came back. Failed. Round of beef and apple snow. Walker at 1.30. Tied up rosebush (nearly blown down), chopped wood. Rest. “Wolf, Wolf” Lance Sieveking. Corned beef and salad with eggs and tomatoes, apple jelly.
Memo:
(2nd Phil phoned Midhurst re. post)
30th James to Hamburg.
2nd Sadler’s Wells 2.30 12.15 Greek restaurant Jim Archer
30th Laundry ?
31st Royal Academy 12.30
31st 11 Blennerhasset
August 1st Phil home for hols.
Sunday 3rd August 1947
Fine, perfect, breezy and sunny.
Serious news of drastic new cuts in all directions. Petrol, meat. Capital. Cold beef and salads of tomato and potato: cold French beans, lettuce. Bruxelles chocolate pudding. Phil in hut in p.m. Rests. Phoned Sissie. Tea in garden. Arranged books (medical) with Phil. Posted cheque, Yorkshire Post. Did up boxes. Poached eggs on toast. Melon. Yoghurt.
Monday 4th August 1947
Dull and showers, but some sun. Lovely evening. Warm.
Dusted. Cold beef and salad, with tomatoes. At 3:15 Marjorie Leggett and David drove here, and we all talked, in sitting room and garden. They left at about 4.15. We had tea in hut. Picked spinach, and we had scrambled eggs on it. Coffee junket. Alys and Phil walked round by little path with Kimbo.
Tuesday 5th August 1947
Showers. Cooler.
Phil drove to town to see Smart (re. plan Midhurst and holiday). Alys and I to Killick’s, and shops and post shoes to Eve and boxes, Blain. Lunch Durham (Phil lunched “Duck” with Smart). Mrs Bearcroft, (back from holidays). Rested, slept. Kitty and George called in and had sherry. Trude Bliss on train noises 7.30. Stuffed marrow and applesauce. At 10 “American Character”.
Wednesday 6 August 1947
Cooler, dull.
BHN to Killick. Phil phoned Todd and General “Allenby”. I to town – to Edgware Road; and Blennerhassett, and to Sissie’s at 12.50. Little walk with her. Lunch (Mrs Green cooked) – cod, vegetables, pancakes. Mended my shoe so with Croid. Rest. Talk 3.30 – 4. Then buses and trains back. Alys fetched me. Sat in Phil‘s hut. Walker front garden 6.15 – 9. Eggs and bacon and vegetable marrow stuffed. Apple custard. Attlee’s speech in Parliament on economic crisis and remedy.
Clocks back to summer-time (from double summer-time)
Thursday 7th August 1947
Cool, fair.
Mrs. Bearcroft cleaned sitting room and Alys. Alys found tyre punctured EYT so I walked and got potatoes, (no fish, only whalemeat and cod). BHN back from Killick, so Alys and I to Northwood Hills – herrings and cake. To Woods and Neve (paid bill) and bank. May did washing in p.m. Rests. Alys listened to “To Let” 4 – 4.30 and I got coffee. Phil made tomato sandwiches. Tea and hot. Grilled herrings supper, caramel pudding, apple snow. Kit phoned. Paul Davis phoned.
Friday 8th August 1947
Warm, very perfect. Alys and Phil lunch in garden.
I to Kings Cross about sleeper Edinburgh, paid 10 shillings for 3rd class reservation. To Smith’s for china bowl 3/6. To Green Lizard, lunch. To Selfridge’s and Times Book Club. Bought “World’s Railways” and 3 books at secondhand shop which cost 19/- with postage (2 for James). To Foake’s, Sagne (closed till 13th). To post and write lettercard to Ella. Saw refrigerators, “Hertford” shop. Choc ice and home. Phil met in car 4.45. Cooked rhubarb. Did cheese, kippers and chocolate junket (in cups). Finished Sitwell’s “Scarlet Tree”.
Saturday 9th August 1947
Perfect.
Alys to shops and Bearcroft’s. I made trifle. Did spinach. Alys cooked round of beef. Walker cut lawns, and cleared weeds off stone path. Tea in hut (apple). Put awning up. Made choc-mocha mousse. Dr Allenby (“The General”) at 7. Beer in garden. Supper, fish salad (turbot), cucumber and potatoes, mayonnaise. Trifle and mousse. Bernice Cattle in. All on veranda, coffee and cognac (Teddy’s old brandy) till 11.30. Phil drove him back to Harrow.
Memo:
Margaret from Foakes away 9th
Clocks back
6th Sissie’s a.m. Lunch
5th Phil to Smart.
11th Blennerhasset
Reading “Dutch Vet” Roothaert, Doctor Vlimmen
Sunday 10th August 1947
Fine and warm.
All to Orchard to dinner 12.45. Rest. Tea in hut (Soames “To Let” 8.30). Phil to meet Barbara 6.30 and she to supper. Sat on veranda till 7.30. Cold beef, salad (own spring onions). Apple snow, trifle (leftover), mousse. Attlee’s speech 9.15.
Monday 11th August 1947
Very fine and warm.
All of us to Baker Street via Moor Park. To Hereford Refrigeration Co., 106 Baker Street. Looked at Power Master £89.50, Grove £102.18, and then Camley £115. Decided on last. Lunch and to get James’ clothes. Phil and I to News Theatre – little bears and skunks and otter. 2.15 to Moor Park. Alys got in at Finchley Road! Rest. Read “Miss Mole”. Tea in garden. Darned and listened-in play “Unconsidered Trifles” by Mary Gore-Brown. Cold mince and lettuce and spring onions, apple sauce.
Tuesday 12th August 1947
Perfect.
Alys and I to shops. Boots’ for books. Alys bought pyjamas for James. To Bank, talked about Butlins and Consols. Picked runner beans and cut them. Lovely cold meat shape with rice in it, and Heinz soup sauce (hot). Mrs Bearcroft cleaned sitting room. Phil to tea and supper and flick with Paul Davis. Alys to shops and long queue. Made Dunsa salad dressing. Cold mince and salad. In Cattle‘s garden. Plant parsley out.
Wednesday 13th August 1947
Perfect. Hot.
Alys to shops. Did apple sauce (one of our apples). All to Durham. Rests. Made choc-mocha mousse. Lisa Reynolds to tea (in garden) and supper. Phil drove them to Batchworth and walk in golf club grounds. Mince (cold) and salad. Walker 3 hours. Watered beans. Sawed wood. Jean Batiste came to.
Pakistan and India begin; Union Jack lowered 14th.
They become Dominions in Commonwealth of Nations.
Thursday 14th August 1947
Perfect. Hot.
Alys took me to catch 10.16. To Welbeck Street Post Office and asked about Savings Certificates 32. To Blennerhasset 11.30. To Club with Albert Hall tickets. To lunch, Green Lizard. To Gamages. Bought coat tunic and skirt (Women’s Civil Defence). To Rymans, Great Portland Street for paper. Didn’t suit and posted to self (did up at Club). Gave Mrs Jefferson Albert Hall prom concert tickets. Taxi to 77 King Henry’s Road. To Swiss Cottage Milk Bar. Ice and apricots 1/3. Home. Letters re-letting Layton in garden. Kippers. Phil into Cattle. Kimbo bad paw.
Friday 15th August 1947
Very hot and fine.
Alys and Phil to town, Phil to Blennerhassett: Alys shopped. They lunched at Danish Restaurant, Wigmore Street. I got grapefruit, and then “points”, Hudson‘s. Corned beef and salad and grapefruit. May came 12.40 – 3.10. I took Mrs. Cattle to Williams’. Alys and Phil back about 4.30. I made custard. Marion Berry cycled over; talked in garden. She stayed supper; eggs and spinach, tinned grapes and custard. Kit phoned.
Saturday 16th August 1947
Very hot. 93°F at Bournemouth and Falmouth.
To shops with Alys. Long wait in queues at Sainsbury’s. Phil to get petrol. All to lunch at Durham. Grapefruit at home after. Alys ironing and I sewed frills on shoulders chiffon coatee. Rest. At 4.30 Phil and I to change books at Boots and to Pinner for camp stool. Self starter wrong. Killick came and did it. Alys and Phil packing, Kippers, melon. Churchill’s broadcast at 9:15.
Memo:
13th or 14th to Bank re. Butlin. Bertram Mills?
13th Lisa 4.15
14th 11.30 Phil to Blennerhassett 2 pm, Friday 15th
10th spring onions 1st time (from seed)
12th runner beans 1st time (from seed) very good.
No converting Sterling to Dollars to order.
Sunday 17th August 1947
Temperature in the 90’s (but not 93°F?)
Alys and Phil packed things into EYT and went off about 11.45 (to Aldeburgh). I cooked the French beans (old) and had an egg with them, grapefruit, cake. Sat in hall upstairs reading (coolest place) and listening in. Richard Usborne on Joseph Conrad, and Louise Golding on his new novels and James Laver on Victorian novels, Moths by Ouida. Sewed pocket. Bean and tomato soup. Junket.
Monday 18th August1947
Very hot. “Well up in the 80’s”.
Picked peas, and runner beans. Washed things. Had egg (in poacher) and these vegetables and cottage cheese. Cut and cooked rhubarb. Rest on bed. Finished “Dutch Vet”. Sewed and listened-in play. To post with letters forwarded. Clipped Kimbo and after 6 o’clock washed him in the George’s shampoo. Bean soup (very thick). Ryvita. Rhubarb, cake. “The Quicksand Years”, William A Rose.
Tuesday 19th August 1947
Very fine. A little less breezy. 80°F, hot.
Cut up grapefruit for marmalade. Felt headachey. Drove to Durham for lunch. Changed book – Boots. Posted Phil‘s clothes Huntley registered. Mrs. Bearcroft cleaned kitchen. Laundry came. Rested about 1½ hours. Read Sitwell’s “Sing High! Sing Low!” At 4.45, motored by Batchworth Heath and Rickmansworth (from Fairfield Road) and home by Sandy Lodge Golf Club (lost). Boiled grapefruit skins. Lettuce, eggs and tomato salad. “The Voice of Jonathan Mallow”.
Wednesday 20th August 1947
Perfect, hot.
Took Mrs Cattle to shops and back. Herring roes for lunch, and plums (also put plums in Camden). Drove out by Wolsey Road to Rickmansworth Hill and back. Walker 5.45 to 7.45. Corned beef and salad, grapefruit. Dalton made important statement on Sterling and Dollars.
Thursday 21st August 1947
Lovely day. Breezy.
Mrs Bearcroft cleaned Alys’ room. Awning broke away. I drove to Northwood Hills: got cakes. In p.m. posted frock to Alys and box Blain. Put £200 in notes in Defence Bonds at Post Office. May came before 12. She did washing in bathroom. I had kippers and toast, and plums and cake, in kitchen. Rest on bed, read Punch. Picked beans, peas, kohlrabi and cooked them with grilled chop. Pears. Bernice in. Returned cloches to Cattle’s. Anna Karenina.
Friday 22nd August 1947.
Lovely. Breeze and hot sun.
To butcher’s for two chops and got yoghurt. At 12 took Bernice Cattle to station with bags. May at 12.30, so had corned beef and salad and plums in dining room. May cleaned bathroom and kitchen. Rest on bed, and at 4.30 to get petrol (and had oil and air and looked at, none needed). On to Denham and back; let Kimbo out on Batchworth. In garden. Phoned Sissie. Vegetable soup and Ryvita (egg in soup). Pear and cake. Sewed green chair back.
Saturday 23rd August 1947
(no weather)
To shops to get “Emergency rations” Alys sent (James). Then at Durham, and Lois came, about 1 o’clock. Drove her back and we both rested (she on Alys bed). Tea in garden at 3.30 or so. Drove her to station about 4.40. Home. Put vegetable soup through strainer. Had it all at 7 with Ryvita, plums and yoghurt. Some plums in Camden. “Will Shakespeare” by Clemence Dane.
Memo:
17th Alys and Phil to Aldeburgh till 31st
19th lettercard to Alys from Post Office.
18th wrote Doz with Albert Hall tickets.
21st sent dress to Alys registered.
27th Announcement of drastic cuts in imports, no basic petrol from October 1st, no money for foreign travel, 1/- meat a week (instead half).
Sunday 24th August 1947
Perfect; slightly cooler and more cloud.
Making grapefruit marmalade; and “spreading” tinned marmalade with some of it. Wrote Alys and to post it. Grilled cutlet, with tomatoes and onion; plums and yoghurt. Sewed and listened to play “Nostalgia Pays No Dividend” and at 6 “Dangerous Drugs”, addiction play. Fried onions and corned beef at 7:45. (Koch’s “Birdsong in August” at 7:30), chocolate custard and cake. “To Let” 8.30.
Monday 25th August 1947
Perfect.
Drove to Gerrards Cross and found chestnuts and saw H.A. Leggett and David. Marjorie in bed asleep (had a fall). Got home by 12.15. Heated up cutlet and tomatoes; baked apples. Rendered down the two basins of fat, in oven. Rested and read papers. Drove to Pinner, Woolworths. Back by 4.30. Stewed apples, watered garden a little. Welsh rarebit and little marrow and potatoes. “Green For Danger” and “The Brontës of Haworth Parsonage”, Davison.
Tuesday 26th August 1947
Perfect. Hot. Breeze.
Drove to Gerrards Cross to butchers. Home. Then to Durham. Lunch 12.30. Mrs Bearcroft 2 – 4. I rested. She cleaned sitting room and kitchen. In garden. Picked and cut runner beans. Corned beef and salad, lettuce, potatoes, beans; stewed apple. “The Relapse” Sir John Vanbrugh, Ronald Simpson 9 – 11.
Wednesday 27th August 1947
Perfect. Hot.
Set out about 10.30 for London. Called on Sissie (in bed) with Latvian Ines there working. To lunch at Cafeteria. Soup, rabbit, date pudding. Drove home (leaving Golders Green about 1.15, and arriving about 1.50). Window cleaner came. Rest. Wrote postcard Sissie and lettercard Alys and posted before rest. Walker 5.30 – 8. Bean soup, Ryvita, greengages, yoghurt.
Big massacre of Muslims by Sikhs.
Miners’ strikes, Grimethorpe.
Phoned Hertford Refrigerator Co.
Thursday 28th August 1947
Perfect. “In the 80’s”.
Mrs. Bearcroft cleaned my room. I went out and left her; drove to Wildwood Road. Out with Kimbo. Then on to England’s Lane; lunch there; to 77 King Henry’s Road. Got a lot of things; two frocks, dispatch box. Drove back home; leaving about 1.15. Northwood Hills 1.50. Got cake there and posted egg box. To Boots to change book: Home 2.30 or so. Rest on bed. In garden. Washed things. Fried bacon and onions. Stewed apples, cake, yoghurt. Sissie phoned. Phoned Kitty. “Anna Karenina”.
Friday 29th August 1947
Perfect again.
Plums in Camden. Washed things. At 12:30 to Rickmansworth. Lunch at The Tree. Back at 1:45 about. May cleaning hut. Read in sitting room. Altered and ironed various frocks, and tried on. “Green For Danger” 4.15 (repeat of Monday). 6.25 “On Such a Night” by Anthony Quayle. Good. E. J. King Bull made play from novel by Anthony Quayle. Lusty’s mulligatawny, greengages, yoghurt, cake. To bed about 10.
Saturday 30th August 1947
Perfect.
To shops; yoghurt, and to get watch at Atkins’, High Street (17/6 cleaned and repaired). Got petrol and 3 pints of oil in. Late lunch 1.40 of corned beef and onions, fried together. Plums, cake, yoghurt. Out at 2.30 for emergency rations (received from Alys at 12.45). To Killick for air and tires; gave petrol coupon July, from Conrad story (blind captain). Did two Camden of greengages. Two eggs scrambled with cheese, chocolate mousse. “Service” Dodie Smith. Sewed Elsa’s dress. Talk on economic crisis by Roy Harrod, a student of Christchurch Oxford, 3rd programme at 10.40.
Memo:
27th Laundry
31st Alys and Phil back.
30th Wrote Eva and Ella (not posted 30th)
Strikes in Yorkshire pits still increasing.
Sunday 31st August 1947
Perfect, after cool early.
Dusted rooms. Washed Phil‘s brushes and cooked all the cutlets (semi). Had cutlet with tomatoes and onions. Plums, yoghurt, cake. In car to Post Office and posted letters, Ella and Eva. Made apple sauce and stewed greengages. Alys and Phil came home about 3.30. Sat in garden. Scrambled eggs with anchovy; corned beef and lettuce.
Monday 1st September 1947
Cool and misty early, perfect after 9.30 or so.
Did up parcel for Eva. Alys and I to Northwood Hills; I drove. She to shop about James’ sandals. We lunched at Durham. Phil to London Chest Hospital in EYT all a.m. and had refill, and home at 6. We rested in p.m. Slade came. Posted parcel to Eva in a.m. Picked peas. Alys shelled them on veranda. Grilled cutlets and peas, potatoes. Steamed chocolate pudding. Kit phoned Alys. “Importance of Being Ernest”.
Tuesday 2nd September 1947
Fine. Cooler and dullar in p.m.
Phil at home all day. Slade took EYT to put new engine in it. I planted out more kohlrabi. All to Durham for lunch. Rest. I slept a long time. Mrs Bearcroft came. Tea in hut, and talk after re. “South Cottage” at Aldeburgh. Grilled steak and our vegetable marrow. Greengages, apple. Phil posted letter to Eva. Lord Samuel on “Creativeness of Man”.
Wednesday 3rd September 1947
Fine.
Phil off to Hospital at 9 am in BHN. I walk to get fish (turbot 5/10!) and potatoes. Corned beef and cold peas and potatoes, and chocolate pudding. Rest after. Unpacked green foulard, listening-in “Family Group” 4 – 5. Wrote Ashridge. In garden piling logs and watering. Walker didn’t come. Phil phoned not in till 10.30 (with Lisa). Fish and cheese and onions baked. Mulligatawny. Bevin at T.U.C. Alys phoned Doris.
Thursday 4th September 1947
Warm and fine; duller in p.m.
Kimbo howled in night. I went down twice to him. Phil off in BHN to Hospital. Alys in bus to get fish. I met her at Durham for lunch with Kimbo. Marwood’s there. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned Alys’ room. May in p.m. I rested, and sewed green foulard and tried it on. Tea and hot. Slade brought EYT with new engine put in it. Cost £52. Kippers and melon (gathered apples, big cookers, with steps, about 49). Anna Karenina, Alastair Cook.
Friday 5th September 1947
Warm and fine
Kimbo howled at 1:30 and 3; I went down. Phil off in EYT, and back at 4:15. I changed small chest of drawers round, and cleaned it and behind. Both to Durham at about 12.55. Crowded. Alys to Northwood Hills, earlier. May in p.m. Iron and washed. I sewed foulard skirt and ironed it. “Green for Danger” 4.15. In garden, watered; cut spinach. Phil to Watford see Tony Matthews. Eggs on spinach, chocolate mousse.
Saturday 6th September 1947
Warm and fine.
Phil off to Hospital in EYT. I wrote Doz. Alys to shops. I made spinach soup and apple sauce. I had to get beer and cider, and lunch at Durham. Alys did soused herrings. And had roes for lunch here. Phil called for Tony and Mrs Matthews, and Anthony (4 ¾) and Phillipa (18 months). Tea in dining room. In garden with children. Soup, stuffed marrow (steamed), grapefruit. Bernie and Derek in to coffee. I up to bed and listen to “Deep Are The Roots” by Arnaud d’Usseau and James Gow.
Memo:
Last peas Sept 1st
Phil doing a locum for T.B. Officer, Caplan.
1st Sent parcel to Eva. “The River Road”, Miss Mole. Books for Eve and James. Digests, Picture Post, coffee, cigarettes.
4th Gathered apples – keepers.
2nd Ate our 1st marrow.
7th Doris, Diana, Sylvia coming.
Alys pains and not eating – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. Thursday better.
Sunday 7th September 1947
Warm but dull most of day.
Kimbo howled, but I not down. Picked runner beans. Alys cooked beef joint, potatoes round it. Cheese (from two yoghurts) and biscuits, grapefruit. Expecting Walker and read papers in sitting room (didn’t come). Tea in kitchen. To meet Freer’s in EYT, but they came in taxi, sat on veranda, sherry. Jelly with meat and vegetables in it, lettuce, mayonnaise potato salad (melon first). Chocolate Bruxelles and apple snow cake. Diana, Sylvia and Phil washed up. Phil took them home in car at 10.30.
Monday 8th September 1947
Warm. Fair.
Phil to Moor Park and town (I drove EYT back). Alys to shop about James‘ sandals, I to Bank re. investments. Stuffed marrow heated up, lunch. Alys had boiled egg. Apple snow. Mrs Bearcroft in p.m. Kitchen. Gave her 12 1lb jam jars. Rests. Sewed foulard dress. Watered garden, tomatoes. “Green for Danger” 8.15. Jelly (Alys’ savoury) and salad. Alys on bed, didn’t eat. “Autumn Gold” Lionel Brown.
Tuesday 9th September 1947
Cooler, fair, windy.
Phil away in EYT (after difficulty in starting) to International Conference of Physicians. Alys and I to get points tins, and 12lb plums for bottling (High Street). Alys egg, I soused herrings and salad. Alys not feeling right inside all these days. Both had long rests, and slept. Then bottled 8 jars (2lb) plums, in fish kettle and bread bin and 3 Camden bottles. I to Northwood Hills for 2 more caps at 5.20. Soup and Ryvita and stewed plums and cake. Alys had Bovril.
Wednesday 10th September 1947
Fine. Warm.
Phil and I from Moor Park 8.58. I to see about refrigerator. Heard it was on its way! Phone Alys. Bus to Regent Street, called on Pamela Townley at Aquascutum (100), on to Handy’s shop (Heywood Hill, 10, Curzon Street, London W1J 5HH). Bought and ordered 4 books. Taxi to Susie‘s. Talk 11 – 12. Bus to Cordon Bleu, Sloane Street. Lunch. Home tube and back 3.45. Refrigerator Camley came and was fitted. Paid cheque for £95 (balance of £115.20 paid as deposit on August 11th). “Mary Wolstencraft” 1759 – 1797.
Grimethorpe miners go back to work 15th, we hope.
Thursday 11th September 1947
Fine. Hot. 80°F in London.
Phil to town from Moor Park 8.58. Alys to shops. I wrote to Doz, Kitty, D. Murray. I to post with Telephone Directory for Doz. Mince and carrots. Plums and cake. Made cottage cheese. Rests. Slade‘s man brought EYT back. I had to get bread and stewing steak in BHN at 3.50. “To Let at 4. Phil back 3.45. In garden, working. Kippers, melon. Joseph Harsch 9.15 Anna Karenina. Alys phoned Amy Nichol.
Friday 12th September 1947
Showery, mild.
Kimbo howled in night. Alys and Phil packed, and at about 12 off in EYT, Phil to Aldeburgh; Alys to Snape. I did laundry. Had stew and plum moose. May cleaned dining room and kitchen. Man came about Camley and put handle to rights. Barbara phoned. I put BHN in and “B” snapped off. Phoned Killick. Made custard. Barbara came about 6. She made onion and parsley omelette. Alys’ plum shape and custard and cake. “20 Questions”. Phone call for “diabetic expert”. Stafford Cripps’ talk on economics.
Saturday 13th September 1947
Showery, mild.
My 68th birthday. Killick’s man called for BHN, and took it to rivet number plate. Back at 11 or so; and I with Kimbo to Pinner to buy 4 tins (for petrol) 1 gallon. 2/11 each. Got meat at Marks’. Home. Stew and spinach, plums and custard. Rested, after long trying on of green foulard. Telegram from Alys. Not returning till Monday, and birthday wishes. Phone talk with Sisie. Soup, kipper, toast. Sour milk cheese. “If”, Lord Dunsany. Crystal and ten years’ back, I sewed frock.
Memo:
12th Phil to Aldeburgh, Alys to Snape.
10th May coming, instead Friday.
10th 11 a.m. Susie Zileri, 18 Cheyne Court.
Sunday 14th September 1947
Dull. Mild.
Kimbo not very well all day. Pulled up carrots and grilled chops; tomato and parsley. Cottage cheese, grapefruit. Wrote Ella. Made ginger pudding, with suet (came with kidney) and it steamed 3.45 – 6. “Perpetual Honeymoon” 4.10. Sewed. Supper. 6.45 soup, toast and pudding with golden syrup. “To Let” 8.30. “The Battle For Britain” 9.15. Kimbo ate nothing all day.
Monday 15th September 1947
Fine,
Took Kimbo to vets and sat an hour there. Back to lunch (cheese omelette and plums). Going again to get medicine for Kimbo: car wouldn’t start. Got Killick’s man to start it, in road. Fell on paving stone and strained wrist: so took Kimbo back and phoned Neve. Alys and Phil arrived about 6. Alys to Longbotham’s. Phil told a sailing adventures. Kimbo sick often, and never passing water. Grilled chops and carrots. Grapefruit.
Tuesday 16th September 1947
Fine, windy, a shower.
Kimbo sick in night. Phil and I took Kimbo to vets 10.30. Left him for catheter. Back for him at 12:30. Nephritis (kidneys not working, and no secretion), so he was given Nembutal injection and died. Phil there. I went back to car. Home to fried fish and chips. Ginger pudding. Phil made bonfire to burn Kimbo‘s puttee bed. Alys and I to Pinner – pans for store. Mrs Bearcroft. All of us to see “Holiday Camp”, Northwood Hills 5.45. Scrambled eggs.
Wednesday 17th September 1947
Fine
Rang up Dr Hilton who came. Arranged for x-ray. All lunched Durham, and onto hospital 1.30. Had wrist x-rayed. Slight crack (no break), academic interest. Plaster bandage on. Alys defrosted fridge in a.m. All rests and slept. Play “Mr Pidger” by Lord Berners, and “The Octave of Jealousy”, Stacey Aumonier. Tea in hut. Cut three marrows. Scrambled eggs, Marmite, cheese, plums.
Thursday 18th September 1947
Dullish, mild.
Mrs Bearcroft in a.m. Alys took Phil to station and he to London Chest Hospital for job in a.m. (he later had tea with Lisa and supper with Paul Davis). Alys and I to shops and to Pinner to get Dennis’ soapstones from Mr Baker-Birch. Lunch at Durham. To Hudson‘s; got cocoa. May washed in p.m. Alys wrote Sissie. Long rest. Gingerbread at 4.45. In car to take Phil’s stopwatch to be mended. Got other watch. Cost £2.10.0. Sausages and mashed potatoes. Ginger pudding, plums. Anna Karenina.
Friday 19th September 1947
Dullish. Very warm and muggy.
Phil home 10.20. Wrote Kit. May in p.m. Phil working on 12 foot model dinghy all day, nearly. Dr Hilton came, with my x-rays, and re-bandaged my wrist. All to Durham for lunch. Rested. Men (Smith, Pinner) brought logs and stacked 1,000 at 15/per hundred. Paid £7.10.0. Man repaired electric water heater and new washer – my tap. Mr and Mrs Marwood and Marguerite in to sherry 6.20 – 7.15. Cold tinned bacon, coffee junket, apple sauce (our crabs).
Saturday 20th September 1947
Dull. Thundery. Rain.
Phil busy at his boat. Alys and I to Northwood Hills for cake. To Boots for “The Robe”. Got petrol, and Basic book (last, for how long?) Stew, marrow, cheese and biscuits. Rests. Phil to meet James Campbell, and dine (with Lisa and Pam) and theatre. Alys doing James’ clothes names. Vegetables and cheese and egg over it grilled. Apple sauce, cake. Alys had no supper. Painy. “Quinneys’”.
Memo:
15th Kit back.
19th Wrote Doz about Kimbo.
19th Phone Sissie and go there.
17th Wrote Eva with recipe.
21st James arrives Northolt 6.15, leaves Hamburg 3.15.
Sunday 21st September 1947
Fine. Fresh wind. Cold, those sun hot.
Wrote Ella. Phil busy at his dinghy. Alys cooked beef joint. All to Orchard at 1. Home. Tried on skirts for lengthening. Short rest. Made apple sauce of crab apples first. All to Northolt to meet James at 6.15. But plane late from Hamburg, so back for supper at home. At 9:10 met James, and home, and he had soup and egg. We ate cheese sandwiches from Eva and jumbles made by her.
Monday 22nd September 1947
Fine. Very windy.
Alys with James to shops, Watford, for clothes. Phil doing dinghy, very difficult. I walked to get Durofix for Phil (very miserable without Kimbo). Weeded. All to Durham. Mrs Bearcroft in a.m. James cycled in p.m. Alys again to Watford. I sewed names on James‘s clothes. Tea. Alys, James and I to Northolt to try for James‘s raincoat (found in car later). Kippers. Apples. “Green For Danger” 8.15 Joyce Grenfell on 3rd programme.
Tuesday 23rd September 1947
Fair. Cool. Slight showers. Some sun.
Alys packing James‘ trunk. Phil in EYT to Midhurst (Lisa to a friend near). Beef and gravy and baked apples. Alys and James to Charing Cross in Killick’s car at 1 o’clock. I cooked potatoes for tonight. Walk to Bank. Cheque £500 for shares in Daily Mirror. Ironed skirt, hem. Rested. Alys back 5.30 (had tea, Sagne’s with Helen). Phil back 6. Beef, spinach, cheese. Phil sent application petrol.
Wednesday 24th September 1947
Cold. Fine.
Phil off at 8.45 in EYT to Victoria Park (and later to stay at Aldeburgh). Alys and I to Food Office and watch shop and hospital (to pay bill). To Council about claim. Lunch at Durham. Very good. Rests. Play by Henry James (“Confessions of a Man of Fifty”), and another “Long Distance”. To Post Office, letter to Eva from Alys. Alys made spinach soup and bacon omelette. To bed 8.30 as cold downstairs.
Thursday 25th September 1947
Perfect. Warm.
Packed most of day. Mrs Bearcroft came. To lunch Durham. Rests in p.m. Gathered French beans with Alys. May in p.m. Alys massaged my wrist. Mince and beans. Baked apple. At 8.30 car with Killick’s chauffeur drove me to Kings Cross, 3rd class sleeper to Edinburgh (£4.12.5 return). Started 10.15 p.m. arrived 7.15 a.m.
Edinburgh
Friday 26th September 1947
Fine. Mild.
Taxi to 17 Warriston Crescent. Ella up and dressed. Breakfast 7.30. Slept on bed all a.m. Dinner, collops, carrots and turnips. Chocolate mould, apples. Dressed. Taxi 2.15 to hall. Wedding of Doreen Sandeman (Willy’s youngest) to Ian Farquhar. Sandemanian Glasite service by Mr Ferguson. Speeches hours. Sherry, orange juice. A big sit-down tea. Talked Hester, Gerard, Pat. Frances (Lewis’ wife). Car back. Fried fish, cheese.
Saturday 27th September 1947
Windy. Fair.
Maggie bought breakfast about 8, got up slowly. Out, walk and to shops. Hairnets. Chicken, sausages, cabbage, potatoes, fried and boiled, bread sauce. Baked apples. Wrote Phil. Rest (slept) all p.m. Tea 4. Out a “turn”, and later I back for hairnets again. Knitted string. 7.15 sausages, cheese, oatcakes. “Grand National Night”. Very good play (Hermione Baddeley, Deryck Guyler).
Memo
26th wedding Doreen Sandeman.
23rd James back to school.
23rd Phil’s petrol application sent.
25th Kings Cross 10.15 pm arrive Edinburgh 7.30
21st James flies back, Northolt.
24th wrote Council claiming damages.
Phil‘s 34th birthday at Aldeburgh, alone.
Sunday 28th September 1947
Fine. Very cold wind.
Breakfast in bed at 8.30. Taxi with Ella to Meeting at 10.35. Walked back with Maggie, home 12.30. Wrote Alys. Collops, beetroot (sauce over if hot). Cake puddings, marmalade sauce. Rested, slept. At 3.15 in drawing room, fire there. Ella back 3.35. Tea 4, Mary Bell called. Edith called. Roger came for her. Crab, lettuce. Chocolate in glasses. “To Let” 8.30.
Monday 29th September 1947
Fine. Windy.
Breakfast in bed. Out with Ella, tram to Allan’s about her shoes and onto G.P.O. for petrol paper. Met Mary Bell at National Gallery, The Bridgewater Collection. French, Goya. Back to lunch 1. Out to Enterprise Scotland, Chambers Street by 27. Too long queue so to shops instead. Back 4. Hester Chisholm open (Reigate) to tea. Crab and cheese and toast. “Green For Danger”. Brahms.
Tuesday 30th September 1947
Fine. Duller later.
Ella and I to shops in 27 car. To Jenner‘s, tried on coats. To Mackie’s 12.15 – very good lunch 2/6 each. Then Ella back, I to Binn’s, Small’s, Forsyth. Bought hot bottle Boots 4/8 ½. Tram 9 home. On bed 3 – 3.50. Dressed. Tea. “The Ghost of an Idea” read by Gladys Young. Kipper, cheese (Ella egg). Bob and Winnie Waterston in 8 – 9.30. Tea, biscuits (Maggie’s).
Wednesday 1st October 1947
Fair, mild.
Winnie and Bob Waterston came at 10.15 and took me in car to Law Courts to see exhibition old missals, earliest printing, Gutenberg Bible. To MacKay’s and then C&A and Thornton’s. Back 1, dinner stuffed haddock fillets, beet and carrot. Tomato soup. Rest till 4, Christina Barnard to tea. Fried bacon. Apple condé. Jane and Dennis Sandeman 8 – 9.15. Tea and cakes.
Thursday, 2 October 1947
Dull, mild.
Out with Ella, she to local shops, I to get seat reservation at Mackay’s. To Binns, Wilkie’s. Back at 12.30. Lunch boiled mutton, cabbage, apple dumplings 12.45. Short rest. At 2.30 Lewis and Frances Sandeman in Standard 16; drove us through Dalmeny, by Rosebery‘s estate and Hopetoun House (Linlithgow), near Rosyth, and Forth Bridge; tea at South Queensferry. Good. Back by “Society” and Cramond. Maggie out. Boiled eggs, cheese.
Friday 3rd October 1947
Mild. Fair. Sun in p.m. from 12.
Ella and I in motorbus to West End. To Binns, then to jeweller’s (Maggie‘s friend) who valued Aunt Bella‘s jewels. 100% purchase tax. To Hamilton and Inches. I bought chromium watch £8.15.6 and band 17/- £9.12.6. Car home. Cold mutton, cabbage, vegetable soup. Very good. Both rested and at 4 to Edith‘s to tea. Eilden Street. Winnie Waterston; later Roger. He drove us to the Pat Sandman‘s at Corstorphine – baby 3 months, Mary. Peter Scott pictures. Bird table. Tame birds. Home by Cramond. Sausages, cheese and Maggie making elderberry and apple jelly.
Saturday 4th October 1947
Perfect day.
Ella and I spent morning in Botanical Gardens (Arboretum). Stew in Pyrex, boiled onions. Redcurrant juice shape. Long rest. Slept all the time. Tea. Out to gardens, rock plants again and into Mrs Kunzberg‘s to see baby 4 months. Charming house and taste. Hot bacon (Ella egg), cheese. Ginger and oatmeal biscuits. Edith and Roger in with rowan branch. Play “Power Without Glory”. Maggie and I listened, not enjoyable.
Memo:
2nd Rent paid July 17th in notes.
Baird’s size 3 ½ sandals
30th Sent petrol form to Alys.
Sunday 5th October 1947
Perfect, again.
Wrote Doz. With Ella to meeting 10.45 – 12.45. Walked back with Maggie, Winnie and Sandy. In Botanical Gardens till 12.50. On to Mary Bell’s at 1. Miss Burrough’s and she cooked baked fish, apple pie and also custard. Sat with Mary on balcony in sun till 3. Rabbi‘s photos. Back. 30 minutes on bed. To the Bob Waterston’s, 27 Inverleith Terrace at 4. Tea. Winifred (WAAF (Women’s Auxiliary Air Force), radar, Weymouth, Dover) Doctor’s secretary and Sandy. 15? Back 6. Eggs, sweet. “To Let” and Mary Ferguson.
Monday 6th October 1947
Perfect, again!
Out to Hamilton & Inches with watch wristlet. To Jenner‘s for Rodex coats. To Cleghorn;s (felts 1/- each). To National Gallery. Home 12.30. Fresh mince and carrots and turnips. Cornflour sauce. Baked apples. Wrote Alys and Kennedy and Dunphy. Rest, slept. Tea. At 6.15 tram 9 to Dennis and Jane Sandeman‘s flat. Top floor. Very nice indeed. Curried cod, mashed potatoes. “POM” green tomato chutney. Pear apple and plum with mock cream and cherry. Biscuits and cheese. Peppermint creams. Taxi home at 8.45.
Tuesday 7th October 1947
Dull, rain at night. l mended “Man of Property”. With Ella and bus 5 to Stockbridge. I on in tram to George Street. Got elastic bands at Waterston’s. To Wilding to get jewels valued. Fetched watch bracelet Hamilton & inches. To see Charlotte Square. Tram back by 12.50. Bought Galsworthy 15/-. Fried fish, beets. Bakewell tart pie. Rest. Norman Sandeman drove us to his home. Tea and cakes, Enid and her mother and dog. Norman took us home. Potted meat, crab apple full. Mended book – Ella’s Mentone diary.
Wednesday 8th October 1947
Fine day.
Ella and I to National Portrait Gallery – stairs! To Mackay’s, lunch 5/-. Ella home. I to Conservative Sale and Market. Got “My Brother Jonathan” 5/6. Home 2.15. Packed till 3. Rested. Tea. Photos. Snapshot album. Mary Bell at 6. Supper. Fried fish, grated carrot and beet salad. Jelly and custard and cream (mock).
London
Thursday 9th October 1947
Warm. Dullish. Some sun.
Breakfast in bed 7.45. Taxi to Waverley 8.15. Train at 10 to Kings Cross. Young doctor from South Africa opposite. Old lady going Queen Elizabeth and “A.T.” sergeant (ex) from Dublin. Small lunch 3/6 and service 4 ½ . Ate Maggie‘s cheese and apple sandwiches and cake and apple later. Arrived Kings Cross 6.10. Phil and Killick’s man on platform. No porters. Drove to 12 Grove Road. Phil told me of his Aldeburgh holiday. Lovely dinner. Alys had ready. Soup, chops and mushrooms, beans, mashed potatoes. Chocolate Bruxelles. Unpacked Amy Steel’s parcels.
Friday 10th October 1947
Dullish, mild.
Wrote Ella. With Alys and Phil in car to Durham at 12.50. Phil away to Southampton about boats “Dragon” (Lisa too). Alys and I home and rested. Listened “Lady in a Fog” 4.30. Wrote Amy Steel. To Doctor Hilton‘s at 6. He took off plaster splint and not put on again. We talked to Sammy, Mrs Hilton. Finished letter to Amy. Lovely soup and fish and chocolate and tart (Hale girls). Phoned Sissie.
Saturday 11th October 1947
Dullish. Fair. Mild.
Man (Lawson) about “Ascot” (water heater). Alys and I in car to shops. Alys to town for hair appointment at 11.45. I got points, Hudson’s and Sainsbury’s. Then to Sissie’s. With her in taxi (5/-!) to cafeteria (3 minutes). Lunch. Mrs Dakin and Shenton‘s there. Iris Dakin drove us back to Sissie’s. At about 2.50 I along to Ted and Phoebe‘s. In garden (hummingbird hawk-moth). Back at 4 to Sissie’s. Tea. Pears and cake in bedroom. At 5.30 home, arriving 6.45. Alys met me. Soup, fish pie, apricots from Amy. To bed 8.15.
Memo:
Point End.
Home from Edinburgh 9th – 10 a.m. arriving 6 p.m. Kings Cross.
10th Wrote Ella.
10th Wrote Amy Steel for CARE.
Sunday 12th October 1947
Dull a.m. Very mild. Sunny p.m.
Cold and sore throat in night. Down breakfast, but in bed all day, only down for meals. Reading “Murder on Display”, Christopher Hale. Alys cooked roast beef and marrow. Tart jam. Gardener, Cook called and saw garden. Poached eggs on spinach, apricots and junket. (Phil home about midnight from Southampton and Cowes).
Monday 13th October 1947
Some sun. Mild.
In bed all day, with cold. Alys and Phil lunch at Durham; I down and got liver pâté (from USA – Amy) and apricots. Slept a little and read in p.m. Wrote Ella (for coat which arrived). Wrote petrol request and it was sent. Alys brought up soup, kippers, baked apple (she and Phil to Ashridge for microscopes, tea with Gordon’s).
Tuesday 14th October 1947
Fair, mild. Sunny p.m.
Got breakfast. Alys off with Phil. Alys to Board of Trade re. Eva‘s clothing coupons and bought Phil a raincoat at stores. I in bed all day, but down as yesterday, for liver pâté and toast, apricots, custard, cake. Did crosswords and read papers and “The Robe”. Mrs Bearcroft in p.m. I slept a little. Cold better; supper, milk soup, kipper, baked apple. Phil at Victoria Park Hospital and then met Elizabeth Hale, to talk boats. Back 10.30 or so. My cold heavy still.
Wednesday 15th October 1947
Sunny, then fine.
Got breakfast at 8.20. Then in bed rest of day but down to lunch, liver pâté, custard and cake. Very blocked nose. Read, mended nightgown. Two rather poor matinée plays. Alys and Phil had lunch on veranda. I in kitchen. Alys brought me up milk soup, oeufs au jus (poached eggs) and tomato.
Thursday 16th October 1947
Mild, fair, dullish.
Alys not feeling well, and didn’t eat until supper. I in bed (after getting breakfast) till 4. Took liver pâté up to room as May coming. Phil to Durham. Dressed at 4 and down to tea with Alys and Phil. Phil on bicycle to Moor Park, and to London Chest Hospital for cocktail farewell to Doctor Howells. New gardener (Cook) came 5.15 to talk about post. I phoned Kitty. Grilled plaice, and baked apple. Both to bed 7.45.
Friday 17th October 1947
Mildish, dull.
Stayed in bed (after getting breakfast) till 12. Then dressed. Phil packed into my canvas sketching bag and a satchel. Alys to shops. Mince and celery, lunch. Phil away (Alys took him to station) 3 or so. He to Aldeburgh (at Molly Cave’s). Mrs Bearcroft in a.m. with apples. Alys and I on beds, resting in p.m. Made soup of celery water. Alys fried onions and whale meat sausages. Very good. To bed 8.15.
Saturday 18th October 1947
Mildish, dull.
Breakfast at 9 in dressing gown. Dressed after. Alys a bit better. Both to Durham at 12.45. Alys to shops first. I sent off parcel to Ella, registered, elastic, powdered milk, handkerchief. At 1.40 also Cook came. We settled about hedge and line of new herbaceous border. He cut down current tree, and began removing paving stones. Rested. Alys got him tea and cake. Soup (with tomato cocktail in it), mince and whale. Alys only had soup. “The Druid’s Rest”, Emlyn Williams.
Memo:
13th Sent form in for petrol BHN 545.
15th Hilton to tea. Postponed.
16th Gardener. Cook at five.
18th Cook at 1:30 till 5.30.
18th Parcel to Ella – elastics, handkerchief, milk powder – letter with it.
17th Kit to Worthing. Phil to Aldeburgh. Train.
Phil to Pembridge, 14 Dawson Place.
Parliament opens.
Sunday 19th October 1947
Dullish. Fair.
Didn’t do much all a.m. Put cheese to set for yoghurt. Slade brought EYT back. Alys cooked beef (very frozen in Camley). Runner beans. She only ate vegetables and gravy. Baked apple. We cleaned up EYT (dirty from Slade’s). Rested. Lusty’s tomato soup. I grilled whale sausages – Alys poached eggs. “Vicar of Bullhampton” 8.30. Phil back at 11 from Aldeburgh.
Monday 20th October 1947
Very cold. 9°C frost.
Alys very well. Got up at 7. Breakfast early. Phil to Victoria Park Hospital. Alys took him to Moor Park 8.45. I made ersatz marmalade (Maggie‘s way) – minced skins and apples. Alys to shops, then she and I to Durham. I walked back. We rested. Phil phoned, and Alys to meet him 4.30. All “tea” and a fire in Cozy stove. In garden. Then Phil on bed. Supper in sitting room. Haddock and iced shape and chocolate sauce. “The House of Borgia”, Peter Ustinov – Caesar Borgia, Margaret Leighton – Lucrezia Borgia, Pope Alexander VI – Anthony Ireland (by Clifford Bax).
Tuesday 21st October 1947
Fog early, very fine later. Up to 60°F south.
Late breakfast. Fridge defrosted. Got my US tinned food into green hut. Began doing up Eva‘s parcel. All to Durham at 1 (Alys and Phil packing his things in a.m.). Mrs Bearcroft. All of us in EYT to 14 Dawson Place and Phil put his suitcase, wireless in his room there, onto my room 77 King Henry’s Road and got “Wadie‘s” chair. Home. Tea. Drove to BHN. To Rickmansworth. “Aquadrome”. Then Phil away at Moor Park. Home. Scrambled egg and haddock, yoghurt cheese.
Wednesday 22nd October 1947
Warmer, some sun.
Man came about Ascot (Mr Cattle’s man), Hawkins, and about lagging cistern, and lower wc pan. Alys made beef and gravy, marrow. Semolina soufflé. Very good. Wrote Kitty, at Worthing. Sent off parcel to Eva. To Killick’s, about BHN not starting. Home and rested. (Algernon Blackwood play 4.40). Potato soup, kippers, rhubarb. Phoned Sissie.
23rd heard Nelson offers again for Layton: short lease.
Thursday 23rd October 1947
Fine, sunny.
Mrs Bearcroft cleaned my room, and we changed bed round for winter. Alys to shops then we both to Durham. To Boot’s and then Alys home. I had to Pyke’s, 72 Dene Road and paid 5/- for Alys and me to join Northwood Residents’ Association. May didn’t come (fell down at Moir’s). Alys washed handkerchiefs. Both rested. Killick called for BHN to change oil and service. Potato soup, tongue (on points) and cheese (sour milk). Montgomery at Albert Hall (El Alamein Day), “Jamaica Inn”. ITMA. “Wuthering Heights”.
Friday 24th October 1947
Fair. Mild.
Hawkins came about license for wc. Alys and I in car to post; sent my red cape macintosh to Kitty at Worthing (registered). Alys made mince, marrow. May phoned – not well enough to come (after her fall). We both in loft searching for Phil‘s gloves and flowery material for Eve. Eva‘s letter saying they might return home in a month! Rested. Slept. Sylvia Bearcroft to tea. I to Post Office and phoned Alys who met me. Soup, kippers, cheese. Killick brought BHN back.
Saturday 25th October 1947
Fair. Fine. Mild.
Alys to shops. (Cook mowed grass). Both of us to Durham, lunch and Alys to Watford for Eve‘s nightgown stuff. Phil phoned from Moor Park; I couldn’t get brake off EYT. Cook took my cycle along for Phil. Tea. Rest. Did marrow, grilled veal chops, cheese and biscuits. All 3 to Marwood’s at 8.30. Elizabeth out after 10 minutes. Camley handle broke. (Talk about Layton letting.).
Memo:
20th 1st time Cozy stove alight p.m.
21st Phil to room at Miss Spicer’s, 14 Dawson Place, Bayswater W2.
(Dykes, Spicer, Pembridge)
22nd Parcel to Eva. Eve’s rubber boots, coffee, magazines.
Wrote John Alford
24th BHN serviced and winter oil in.
25th To Marwood’s.
Sunday 26th October 1947
Very fine.
All to Orchard to lunch at 1 (goose). Phil in hut in p.m. Phil phoned John Clark re. appointment for Alys at Layton. Did up stuffs to send Eva, for Eve‘s nighties. Kippers, mince and celery hearts. “Vicar of Bullhampton”. “Alhambra”, Gilbert and Sullivan.
Monday 27th October 1947
Fine. East wind.
Told Alys and Phil that better not go to Layton tomorrow (cough still) so phoned Clark and postponed. Phil off to Victoria Park Hospital in EYT. Alys to post stuff to Eva; man about Camley. Liver pâté (USA) lunch, on toast. Bread and jam. I had to post and buy diary, Rawlinson‘s. Telegram to scotch Corner re. rooms 4th and 5th. Took cheques to Platt’s at Brynteg (Conservative Fund). Rest. “Trespass”, Emlyn Williams. Ghost play. Celery soup, brill in cider a sauce. “After All”, Lillian Braithwaite, Frank Lawton, John van Druten.
Tuesday 28th October 1947
Dull. Cold.
Re-doing hats and tidying hat box. Laundry went. Alys wrote Blain. Phil phoned. Both of us to Durham. Mrs Bearcroft in a.m. – did ironing. Alys looking out Phil‘s dress clothes for Charing Cross dance. Both busy, but I had little rest 4.30 – 5.30. Phil came in EYT (via Acton for petrol coupons). Tea. Did cauliflower-au-gratin. Baked apples. Phil away 8.
Wednesday 29th October 1947
Dull. Cold.
To town, Kings Cross – tickets and reservations. Phoned Alys about them. To Jack Solomon‘s (no use). Looked at coats at Simpsons, Debenham & Freebody’s. Taxi to Sagne’s. Lunch 1.20. Talk to Professor Newall. To 34 Welbeck Street and paid £1 each for 4 and self. To Association American. To Foakes. Margaret 7/6 and 1d. To Food Centre and herbalist. Home. Alys met me 4.45. Grilled herrings and toast, yoghurt cheese.
Thursday 30th October 1947
Dull. Cold.
Mrs. Bearcroft cleaned Alys’ room. Both to Durham, but first shops in High Street. Took folding leather chair to Casper’s. May in p.m. (with Raymond). Alys and I in car to Northwood Hills – W.H. Smith’s. Got book for James, got chocolate. To Williams’ and Eborn’s, re. privets. Home 4.45. Rested, slept. Alys took chrysanthemums to Mrs Cattle (ill). Soup, with dried peas and cauliflower au gratin, baked apples. “Jamaica Inn”, “Wuthering Heights”.
Friday 31st October 1947
Fair, dullish.
Made apple and green tomato stew. Alys to shops and I decided to go to town suddenly. To Kings Cross for tickets. To Knightsbridge. Lunch “Cordon Bleu” 4/-. To Mrs Handy – tried on coats. To Harrods; Harvey Nichols. Bought coat there -grey tweed £20 (18 coupons). Bus to Baker Street. Boxing tickets to Webster and Goring. Home (Alys had been in town too). Soup (pea), sausage rolls, apple sauce. (Alys had nothing). To bed early.
Saturday 1st November 1947
Mild, dullish.
I walked to buy mushrooms 3/- for ¼ lb! and chocolate. Home and found letters from J. Alford, so back and train to Baker Street. Got Albert Hall tickets from Webster and Goring, and sent them to J. Alford, acknowledging cheque. Lunch at restaurant there. Wrote Doz. Home by 2.30. Rested, slept. Gardener there. Phil came home, and rested. All of us in EYT to Freer‘s at about 6.45. Very nice evening and supper there. Sausages and mashed potatoes, and tomatoes. Fish pie, cauliflower. Chocolate shape with cream and cherries. Custard. Stewed apple. Home 10.30. Clocks back.
Memo:
1st clocks back to Greenwich Time. Write Doz.
27th a.m. Lathe comes.
27th parcel to Eva, stuff for 2 nighties, frock and old wrapper of Alys’ and Lab one (Dennis gave me).
1st Sent Albert Hall boxing tickets J. Alford. Paid for.
643 Conservative gains.
Big Conservative gains and Labour losses in Borough Council Elections.
Sunday 2nd November 1947
Fine, rain later.
Altered new tweed coat and other sewing. All to lunch at Orchard 1.30 (widgeons). Rest in p.m. Alys very well at breakfast, but ate no supper. Phil checking his new lathe parts and tools. Alys cooked steak (grilled) and tomatoes, (soup too) and apples and yoghurt cheese. “Vicar of Bullhampton”.
Monday 3rd November 1947
Very fine, mild.
Phil away in EYT at 9.15. Mrs Bearcroft here. I took fur off bottom of pony-coat. Alys to shops. Both of us to Durham. Rests in p.m. Alys phoned Kit (who home from Worthing). Alys in to Cattle’s, re. our being away. I made a cheese, tomato, potato soufflé with 2 eggs. To bed 8 pm.
Richmond
Tuesday 4th November 1947
Fine day, mild.
Up 6.15. Breakfast 7. Killick at 8, took us to Kings Cross. Train 9.30; lunch 12 (W.A.A.F. twin). Arrived Darlington 2.20. Baden Blain met us in Phil‘s CUC, hood up. Alys drove to Scotch Corner Hotel (Biden back to Layton). Alys and I had long rest on beds (Rooms 8 and 9, 1st floor). Dinner 7. I phoned John Clark at 8.15 re. meeting Nelson. To bed 8.30.
Wednesday 5th November 1947
Very fine.
Blain called for us at 9.45. To Layton. Long talk with Baden and into all rooms. Corned beef and cake and U.S. orange juice lunch. Segregated things, all p.m. Binks. Ginger nuts and Nescafé. Talk to the Bill Blain’s. Biden drove us back to Scotch Corner Hotel at 6.30. Dinner 7. Papers – magazines. Talk to Mrs Fontane about rooms there Thursday evening.
Thursday 6th November 1947
Very perfect.
Changed to Room 17. Breakfast 8.30. Blain at 9.15. We drove to Layton in CUC. (saw Mrs Peacock). John Clark and an assistant at about 11. We talked of terms for letting. At about 12 K, came Mr Nelson, his niece, Mrs Thomas, and husband (played football for Wales and Yorkshire), engineer (mining). They brought marvellous lunch for all of us – lobster and chicken sandwiches, champagne, (gin, brandy and sherry too). Grapes. Talks – sapphires, stamps £37,000. They went about 3.30 and Alys made tea and dinner for John Clark and boy. Baden took us to hotel six 6.50. Phoned Killick’s. Wire to Phil “later train”. Slept together in 17.
London
Friday 7th November 1947
Rather foggy, bad in London.
Breakfast 8.10. Baden called for 9. To Layton and very busy going all around and putting things for sale. At 12.15 to Darlington, Baden drove CUC. 1.13 train to Kings Cross. Lunch as soon as started. Reading “My Past Was an Evil River”, George Miller. Arrived Kings Cross 40 minutes late. Due 5.55, arrived 6.35. Joe Harding met (instead Killick). Home at 7.45. Kippers. Alys phoned Phil.
Saturday 8th November 1947
Fair, mild.
Wrote letter to Baden with instructions. Both of us to Williams’ and Durham 12.25, very full. Wrote Hoults (both of us) and Hertford Refrigerator Company and Scotch Corner Hotel for hot-bottle. In my car to Post Office. Phil came 3.30; we talked on veranda. I planted polyanthus from Layton. Liver and mashed potato, and tomato sauce. Alys and Phil to Cattle’s to meet Rhodes’ (Ruth and Brian). Kit phoned. Read Times of last 4 days. “Lucy Arnold”, play. To bed 9.45.
Memo:
5th Leave Kings Cross 9.30. Arrive Darlington 2.20.
Points period.
7th Bill at Scotch Corner Hotel.
8th To Cattle’s to meet Rhodes’.
Potato rationing begins. 3lb per week (1 potato a day and 2 on Sundays).
Sunday 9th November 1947
Showers and sunshine. Very mild.
Cozy stove alight all night. Wrote to Ella. Phil cleaned lathe. All to Orchard at 1.30, and had to wait till 2 (in Bar room), for lunch. Mallard breast (not widgeon). Home. Rests (slept). Phil got new lathe into position. Steak, gravy and tomatoes, mashed potato. “Alhambra of the Air” 8 – 9.30, Joyce Grenfell, Murgatroyd & Winterbottom, Laidman Browne and Gladys Young, Leslie Henson, Tommy Fields.
Monday 10th November 1947
Fine. Mild.
Wire to Blain. Phil away 9.10 in EYT to London Chest Hospital. Alys to Dr Warner’s, 2.30. I brought car back from station. Later walk to Durham for lunch, 12.30. To Post Office to get mutilated 10/- back for Phil. To Boot’s library. Home. Made potato cheese dish for supper and apple purée on 2lb potatoes. Lita Daniel phoned. Alys back at 6.45. She had tea with Phil, re. lambswool waistcoat.
Tuesday 11th November 1947
Very windy. Mild.
I to town, and bought Macintosh for Eva at George West’s. Asked re. Marconiphone. To Handy. Ordered Heaton‘s book. To lunch with Lita Daniel at English Speaking Union, 12.30. Both to Criterion Theatre, Ruth Draper “Three Breakfasts, Irish woman Dandarolles, Scottish Immigrant”. To Ayrton’s for tea, paintings. To Finchley Road. Relief bus to Baker Street as too early. Home 7.15 (Colliver Fisher). Plaice in oven. Pain perdu.
Wednesday 12th November 1947
Mild, rainy.
Alys to shops. I wrote Blain and Hoults. Did up and posted mac to Eva. Alys and I met Kitty at Durham 12.30. Then home. Talked in Alys‘ bedroom: man to open lock of Phil‘s desk. I had 1 hours read on bed. Kit away at 5.15, after coffee and toast. Kippers at 7.30. Dalton on his Budget (Autumn).
13th Dalton resigned. Stafford Cripps Exchequer.
25th Anniversary of B.B.C. all week.
Thursday 13th November 1947
Coolish, fine.
Alys diarrhoea in night; stayed in bed all day. A “Universal Aunt”, Miss Hixman, came and took packet to Phil at London Chest Hospital. I drove her to station. Alys had orange juice. I to Durham. Got apples and herrings. Packed parcel to Helen. Home and rested. May here, washed and did herrings, (soused). Altered green (dyed) wool frock. Ran to get case of Cox‘s and lemons before 5 p.m. and yoghurt (5.30). Blain phoned re. sale. Grilled herrings and baked apples. Alys down in dressing gown.
Oliver Stanley on budget.
Friday 14th November 1947
Cold. Dull.
Alys better, and up to breakfast. She drove me to station 10.3 to town. To try to change sheepskin waistcoat (Phil). No go. Got collars (fur, Air Force). To Sissie’s. Lunch with her and Kunze Yugs (Mrs Jugs). The Latvian. Away at 2.45. Got cake and pattern at Barnes’. Home (Colliver Fisher) 4.30. Talk to Alys (on Phil’s bed). Rested. Mulligatawny (Heinz) soup. Soused herrings. B.B.C. memories. Woodrooffe’s “fleet lit up”. Malmö, “For he’s a jolly good fella”, “The Beggar’s Opera”.
Saturday 15th November 1947
Very fine. Very cold.
Wrote Amy Steele. Alys and I in BHN to High Street and Northwood Hills (re. Vedor radio set). I to Durham 12.30 (too late), lunch. Alys home and had fish (oven fried), start of her diet week. I back, no gardener! Phil at 3 or so. Talk re. sale of silver at Layton. I rested after tea (liver pâté), herring roes on toast and fish. Cottage cheese (yoghurt). Musical. Water’s sisters, Clapham & Dwyer, Tommy Handley! “The Winslow Boy”, Frank Cellier.
Memo:
13th Laundry.
10th Alys to Dr Warner‘s 2.30.
12th Kitty Durham 12.30.
10th Wired Baden re. thermometer.
11th to Sissie 12 or 12.15?
13th Bullhampton.
15th Wrote Amy Steel.
12th Macintosh and “Claudia” to Eva.
13th Tea and cigarettes to Helen from Alys. Albert Hall tickets to Lois.
Alys on diet (no meat, no green vegetables)
Sunday 16th November 1947
Very cold, fine.
Made chocolate mousse, and mock cream. We had cold beef and tomato salad. Alys had fish (baked). (Wrote letter to Cook on Saturday by Mr Halliday?). Mitchell’s. Did a lot of sewing on green dress. Rested 4 – 6. Phil worked on little dinghy. Grilled herrings, kippers, supper. Listen to Murdoch & Horne, Eric Barker, Powell (12 years old), Julie Andrews.
Monday 17th November 1947
Very cold. Some sun.
We got curtains and planned sofa-cover from them. I to Durham. Alys had fish (soused) at home. Got kohlrabi leaves in, and carrots. To Boot’s; took out a “B subscription” 12/6. Rest. Read “Claudia and David”, Franken. Made pudding of horrid honey cake and chocolate and jam. Barbara to supper. Oven fried slips or fillets. Beef and gravy and kohlrabi and chocolate trifle. I altered Phil‘s “lambskin” “Liberty bodice”, Kildeer – plover.
Tuesday 18th November 1947
Very cold. Fair.
Alys and I in loft. Hawkins’ man and boy to do lower wc – new pan and cistern. All day. 3 to Durham at 12:45; Met Phil there. Alys had fish at home, then Phil drove Alys to Dr Warner‘s. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned kitchen and sitting room. Alys back about 5.45. Sewed Phil’s “Liberty” waistcoat. Soup and kippers, and baked apple. 20 questions. To bed 9.10. Two aspirins.
Wednesday 19th November 1947
Cold. Dull. Damp.
Man finished lavatory work. Old man came to move coal, ready for coal from Layton. Alys to shops. I had shepherds pie and kohlrabi (warmed up). Alys scallops. Both chocolate and cake pudding. Moved china, and put hooks for cups. Alys to tea Durham with Mrs Cheston. I rested. Mended gloves. Welsh rarebit. Herrings, plums and yoghurt. Goldoni play “The Servant of Two Masters”.
Warmest November for 67 years,
20th Royal Wedding – Princess Elizabeth and Philip Mountbatten (Duke of Edinburgh) – Lieutenant and Prince.
Thursday 20th November 1947
Very warm – muggy, damp and steamy.
At about 10.15 at Hoults came with tea-chests of coal, and crockery and bed and cupboards from Layton. Wedding scenes broadcast from 11 – 1. Liver pâté, sardines, toast, cake, dates. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned my room and Phil‘s room. Mr Jackman came and put coal in new bin. (£3.10.0?). He 2/6 per hour. Alys to buy fish. I read on the sofa. We put port wine in loft. Egg and cheese, and Alys kippers. Baked apples.
Friday 21st November 1947
Dull, very mild.
To Hilton‘s (both of us) goodbye and explain. To Bank and Post Office. Home. Both to Durham to lunch (Alys eating meat again). May came (late). Alys (at 2.30) and I to Watford in car. In shops. I 3.50 train from Watford Junction, arrived Berkhamsted for 12. Bus to Ashridge. Room 92. Tea, beside General Paget, Sir Bernard, Dr Giles (woman). Read in library. Barbara Burnham’s. Dinner 7.30. Grace, soup, beef olives, steamed jam pudding. Talked to Gordon’s. Elected Group leader (Group 4).
Saturday 22nd November 1947
Dull, mild, spots of rain.
Rising bell 7.30. Breakfast 8.15. Major and Mrs Miles (Guildford). In garden. 9 Chapel. At 9:30 Professor Mace’s lecture “Man in Modern Psychology”. 10.30 break (went in garden, monks). 11 discussion, Group 4. 11.45 group leaders put questions to lecturer for 1 hour. At 1 lunch – soup, cod with tomato and onion sauce, carrots, bread and butter pudding. On bed, slept 4.30. Tea 5.30 Dr H. V. Routh on “Man In Recent English Literature”. Discussion 6.15. Dinner 7.30 – rabbit semolina, pears. 8.30 questions. 10 dance.
Memo:
21st to Ashridge till 24th.
19th Kitty phoned about John Alford‘s suicide.
18th Alys to Warner, x-ray.
22nd Miss Picking.
20th Holt “Winslow Boy” 4
Laundry 19th.
Alys Tea Mrs Cheston 3.45 Durham.
20th 2 Mrs Bearcroft.
Sunday 23rd November 1947
Mild. Fair. Not much sun.
Rising bell 7.45. Breakfast 8.30. Chapel 9.15. Lesson read by Professor Jessup. I went for a walk to circle of trees, and dog’s graves. Read in library till 1. Lunch. Soup, mutton stuffed loin, carrots, apple pie and custard. 1.45 Dr G. P. Gooch on “Man In Political Ideologies”, till 3. Discussion group till 3.30. Questions to lecturer till 4.40. Ran to Gordon’s. Wonderful tea. Twins, Sheila and Barbara, Leslie and Jean and others. Major Davidson Houston and Mrs. 5.15 Professor T. E. Jessup “A Philosophical Summary”. 6.15 Group dinner – soup tongue, salad, cheese, celery. 8.30 questions. 9.30 Paget address.
Monday 24th November 1947
Very fine, cooler.
Breakfast 8. Bus 8.25. Talked to Mrs Foreman, a Czech. Train from Berkhamsted about 8. Got out at Wilsden Junction (as it went through Watford). Tube back to Harrow (Weald?). Bus to Harrow on the Hill (Alys at nine – Killick, to Dr Warner’s, for x-ray of gallbladder). I rested; to Durham 12.15. Slept in p.m. Alys back 4. Talked and then she on bed, and I read papers. Vienna sausages and mashed potatoes and spinach, prunes. “The Narrow Corner”, Maugham. Arthur Sinclair, Milton Rosmer, Barry Morse – good. “Almroth Wright” by Colebrook.
Tuesday 25th November 1947
Fine. Cold.
Alys not very well. Defrosted Camley. Both to Durham 12.30. To Williams’, and Northwood Hills and Killick’s. Mrs Bearcroft in p.m. Altered shoulders of new overcoat and berets. Rest. Finished “Claudia and David”. Dr Hilton called introducing Dr Baker, his successor. I made Genoese pastry. Alys made stew for supper, spinach and mashed potatoes. Cozy stove in all night.
Wednesday 26th November 1947
Fine. Very cold.
Alys not feeling very well. Killick sent for my car to do brakes, and switch. I to butcher’s and to get grapefruit and yoghurt. Started cheese. Window cleaner came 5/6. We had stew in sitting room, prunes. Rest. Read “Fanfare for Elizabeth”, Sitwell. “Did She Go?” Jeanne de Casalis. Very good little play. Sewed Alys’ fur coat. Kippers in sitting room. Grapefruit.
Thursday 27th November 1947
Very cold. Dull.
Mrs. Bearcroft. I started at 9.40 and to Piccadilly. To Fortnum‘s for shoes, also Hanan’s (no good). To my Club (United Nursing Services’ Club), 34 Cavendish Square to pick up car key. Taxi to Quo Vadis Restaurant: Dean Street. Met Max and Elsa; also Alys 12.30. Excellent lunch – minestrone, (smoked salmon), steak, mushrooms, sprouts. Ice cream. French vermouth, white wine. To Bruce Green’s in Ayrton‘s hired car. To Bourne & Hollingsworth. Tube to Northwood. Got car key from Durham (Killick left BHN in park). Home. Rested. Welsh rarebit. Baked apples (Alys had toast and grapefruit). “Very good, Mr MacAndrew”, Ronald Simpson.
Friday 28th November 1947
Very fine. Cold.
Alys and I at 12:15 in BHN to Mrs Page, 42 Huntsworth Mews, Ivor Place. She out. Lunch at Berkeley Road Restaurant. To Camley shop. Back to Page and Alys left her old black seal fur for making into short house coat. To Phoebe‘s. Ted out. Home at 3, but May had left. Rests (Alys in kitchen by domestic stove). Darned. Kit phoned. Norwegian fiskeboller (fish balls) with tomato soup as sauce. Yoghurt, cheese.
Saturday 29th November 1947
Very cold.
Alys to fetch chair from caning at Watford. I had to get 6lb apples and later alone to Durham. Alys had only orangeade at home. Rests. Cook laid paving stones by garage. 10/6. 3½ hours. I gave him tea in green hut. Marion Berry appeared and I got tea for her. Alys down later (no coffee). Phil appeared about 6.15 from rugger at Twickenham. Alys roast cockeral from Layton. Bread sauce, kohlrabi. Grapefruit. Phil sore throat. “Mr Bolfrey”, Bridie (Alys ate no supper.)
Memo:
27th Quo Vadis – Leoni, Max and Elsa – Dean Street 12.30.
28th Sent Max boxing tickets. 4 “Vicar of Bullhampton”.
25th Sale at Layton (small).
29th Varsity rugger, Twickenham.
25th Phil takes Elizabeth Hale to “Annie Get Your Gun”.
Sunday 30th November 1947
Foggy, some sun p.m.
Phil‘s throat still sore, but he away, after difficult start, and EYT (to take three doctors to Middleton-on-Sea to Doctor Howell’s, with presents). Alys had fishcake, and I had beef stew. Alys spent all p.m. doing electric plug in cupboard (ket water out of BHN, out all night). Phil returned about 6, a cup of tea. Told us about his day. Alys cooked chicken with rice and sauce. Chocolate biscuit and apricots. “The Undefeated’: Wing Commander Yeo-Thomas”.
Monday 1st December 1947
Very foggy. Raw. Hard frost.
Phil away 9.15. Did up parcels. Books for Handy (Handasyde Buchanan) (in bed? glandular fever). Books, solitaire board, old shirts (Bennett!!), coffee, and little lamp – Eve and Eva. Alys to Durham, lunch. I had stew curried. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned kitchen. Odd jobs all p.m. Chiefly big book parcel. Sat and read in sitting room. Phil phoned about 6? I had tinned fishballs in vegetable soup. Alys did up the chicken. Grapefruit. (Refrigerator man came with handle).
Tuesday 2nd December 1947
White frost. Sun.
I breakfast 8.15. Alys nothing at all. To station for 9.45 (Dr Warner’s 9.45). I to Hudson‘s. Got chocolate biscuits and Lane Smith, Pippins 10/-. Posted parcel Eva. Fuss about name (scratched out). Made stew of onion and whale sausages for lunch. Roasted loin of mutton (Friday’s). Sent Clark‘s letter with cheques to Phil. Took to post. Ate grapefruit at 4.30. Alys back at 6.15 in Doctor Warner’s car (chauffeur). Tongue sandwiches (Alys), I had beef stew and vegetables. Chocolate pudding – I made of old cake and biscuits.
Wednesday 3rd December 1947
Dull, damp, drizzly.
Alys to shops, and Durham, lunch. I cooked up beef and vegetable stew with curry, and ate it, after clearing out Cozy stove (out, and full up with slack). A t 2.30 both to Boys Club, Hallowell Road to cookery demonstration (Conservative Club). Mrs Hind Howell; Mrs. Wickham there. Till 4.30. Elgin on Blackwood on fear of heights. Bloaters, chocolate pudding. Phil phoned 9.15, got the post of R.M.O. (Resident Medical Officer) at London Chest Hospital!
Thursday 4th December 1947
Milder, damp, rather dark.
Alys took me to station 10.3. Tonight‘s bridge. To Mrs Hands’. Bought pair suede “casuals” £3.0.0. Left goloshes to be sold. To Harrods and Lilywhites and Burberry’s and Horns’ and Civil Service Stores seeking fur gloves for Phil. Also tried for lambskin bootees at lots of places. Had lunch at Hamburger Restaurant. Hamburg steak, salad, chips. To National Gallery to see restored cleaned pictures. To sheepskin shop. To Selfridges for gloves £8.18.6. Sagne’s: coffee cake. Home. Colliver Fisher taxi. Soup and kippers. ITMA (King and Queen there). “Clock Strikes 8”, J Dickson-Carr.
Friday 5th December 947
Mild. Gales. Damp.
Alys iced chocolate cake. I cut up grapefruit skins. Made grapefruit marmalade most of day. Alys to shops, and took electric stoves, I had whale potted meat (I made) in sitting room. Alys had spaghetti later. May ironed and cleaned kitchen. On sofa, read “Fanfare for Elizabeth” and dozed. Kit phoned. Re-boiled marmalade, at 5 – 6.40. Soup and meat pie (Williams’), horrid. Alys onion omelette. Slade phoned. Picked kohlrabi. Forum Roy Harrod, Elliott, Geoffrey Bing.
Saturday 6th December 1947
Rainy. Mild.
To Northwood Hills. I bought Vidor portable at the Radio Shop (Mrs Wason) £22.9.8 (purchase tax about £4 or 5). We got stable broom at Carey’s 6/– with stick. Home. Later I walked to Durham, in rain. Alys had poached egg, with cheese grilled on it. I added grapefruit marmalade to some of the other. Phil arrived about 3 and the Slade’s men came for car EYT (kingpins and leaky radiator). Lambs’ tongues for tea, and cake with chocolate icing. Grilled loin chops and raw greens. Soup first. To bed at 9.15 “Touch Wood” Dodie Smith, Carl Bernard.
Memo:
Oesophageal ulcer? Alys.
4th Lettercard to Doz (from Hamburger).
Points Period.
2nd 9.45 Warner’s.
3rd Phil‘s job Committee 6.30? For R.M.O. (Resident Medical Officer).
1st Sent shirts, coffee, toy lamp – Eva.
2nd Sent books, solitaire, red bag, Eva. Fuss about postage.
Vidor miniature receiver £17.10.0? Tax 4.19.9.
Meetings of Bevan, Molotov, Marshall, Bidault – re. Germany and Austria.
Sunday 7th December 1947
Fair, no sun.
In garden a bit. Got kohlrabi (turnip part). Did apple sauce. Went for lovely walk with Phil over fields. Alys cooked roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, sprouts, kohlrabi. Apples. Phil got petrol out of EYT into can. Cudlipp-Brook debate. Bernice Cattle in, and stayed to tea and until 5.30. I rested, and sewed in bedroom. Phil a sore throat. Soup, cold tinned bacon, grapefruit. “I Married a German”, Riedl. Dante, Storrs.
Monday 8th December 1947
Fair, damp.
To High Street in BHN. Phil away at 9 or soon after. Alys tried to mend switch of electric stove. Home. Both of us cooked own lunch, Alys had boiled fish (haddock) with Heinz sauce. I had warmed up odds of meat and vegetables. Coal arrived. Sewed Phil’s coat sleeve. Rested. Alys listened to “Touch Wood” 4.15. Alys cooked macaroni with onion (fried), tomato, cheese. “Monday Night at 8”. Oscar Wilde’s play “An Ideal Husband”. Rob Edison, Lord Goring.
Tuesday 9th December 1947
Fair, coldish.
Wrote Doz re. Phil. In car to Food Office re. changing; got electric fires and High Street. Lunch at Durham. Home and out (after getting slack and moving coal). To Kingham’s at 2.30, and Northwood Hills Food Office, and Williams’ (Wood) to tell them we are changing grocers!!! Home. Mrs Bearcroft did sitting room and kitchen. Alys not very well, no tea or supper. She to Cattle’s about Wood. I had cheese sauce over kohlrabi and first soup. Peter Grimes. “Whose Body?”
Wednesday 10th December 1947
Fair, mild.
Alys not well so I took Foake’s instead (for her appointment at 1.30). To buy Sissie’s commissions. Post Office, then Barnes, Gayler & Pope. Lunch Duck Inn. Hair washed (not much cut), gave Albert Hall carols. To see Royal Wedding at Baker Street. To 77 King Henry’s Road. Then paid rent till March 9. To Sissie’s. Tea. Left at 6.35. Home 7.50. Kippers, prunes. “Linden Tree” excerpts.
Thursday 11th December 1947
Coldish. Rain.
Mrs Bearcroft cleaned sitting room. Sent off Sissie‘s needles. We sent cigarettes and silks to Teddy and Eva. Both of us to Durham. Very nice. Lady from Moor Park. Home. May had left as we arrived. Doing piece draw; silver lace, velvet hat. “Vicar of Bullhampton” at 4. Cake and water. Kitty phoned 5.45. Sewed Phil’s sleeve buttons. Warmed up cutlets with greens, and potatoes. Grapefruit, prunes. ITMA. “Inn Of The Two Witches”, Joseph Conrad. James MacKechnie.
Friday 12th December 1947
(no weather).
We cleared out larder and washed shelves ready for Mrs Bearcroft who cleaned it and kitchen. Put tins back later. Lunch at Durham, and then Alys to Foake’s at 2.45 for hairdo. Made extra cheese and onions to a macaroni tin (Harvey’s). Phil phoned. Prunes. Early to bed. Bevan and Marshall’s speeches at Pilgrims’ Dinner.
Saturday 13th December 1947
Mild. Fair.
Letter to Mr Longbotham from us both. Phoned Kitty. Both to Durham 12.15. Home. In BHN and posted Elsa’s vest, registered and got Alys’ medicine from Boot’s. Phil arrived in EYT. He left Pembridge, and job at London Chest Hospital ended. Playlet “The Intruders” with Nancy Price. Tea. Talk and read auction list from Layton. Cold beef, beetroot, baked potatoes. Yoghurt, cheese and biscuits and brown bread. “Peace In Our Time”. Noel Coward’s play.
Memo:
10th Alys got Dr Warner‘s report. Small oesophageal ulcer.
13th Phil leaves Pembridge, and ends TB officer job.
12th Letter to Eva.
8th Mr Longbottom.
9th Phil to Peter Grimes with Elizabeth Hale.
9th Hawkins put cover on cistern (lagging).
10th We registered at Kingham’s, and gave order for Monday (day they send). 11th Posted to Teddy cigarettes 100. Silk, white, and turquoise.
Molotov’s accusations at Conference of 4 powers make going on impossible. No more meetings.
Sunday 14th December 1947
Fair, not cold.
Alys cooked roast chicken (from Layton), chestnut stuffing, bread sauce, sprouts, potatoes. Bruxelles chocolate. Slade brought EYT back with two new tyres. Bernice Cattle came in, about Masonic dinner dance. Phil and I for a walk to Rofont Road and Reginald Road – houses to sell. Rests. Tea. Phil chose Japanese pictures (from Laboratory) (Japanese sandal straps between toes). Corned beef., tomato salad, potatoes. Bruxelles chocolate. “Vicar of Bullhampton”, “San Dimitrio”.
Monday 15th December 1947
Fair, cooler.
10 Phil to London Chest Hospital. Made grapefruit skin marmalade; through mincer. Alys to shops and lunch, Durham. I at home; liver pâté, apple sauce. Out in car at 2 to get sausage from Kingham’s, and fish. Washed things and gas fire in bedroom. Read Mink’s letter. Did silver lace on coatee. Soup, kippers, chocolate and cake. Wrote Marjorie Leggett and Teeds. Sewed pony fur coat. Peter Kane vs. Joe Cornelis fight. Phil in at 10 (supper with Nick Cave).
Tuesday 16th December 1947
Fair, cool.
I with Phil in EYT to town. To Bruce Green re. my glasses. To de Bry’s (bookshop). Tube to Kitty’s 12.30. Lunch with her and Barbara. Tripe, and cheese straws. Quits’ pictures (Barbara to Sylvia Lethbridge’s for 2 days). Kit and I to see Kimmins’ picture, “Mine Own Executioner” at Empire 2.50. From Balchins’ book. I took 2, 6/- seats for us. Coloured Wedding (Elizabeth and Philip). Scrapbook for 1922. Home by 7.30. Soup. Mackerel. “Whose Body?”
Wednesday 17th December 1947
Rather cold, dull.
Phil to hospital. Alys at 9.30 off to meet James. Charing Cross 10.27. I to butchers and back with BHN. Did more marmalade from orange skins. Mrs. Bearcroft cleaned James‘ room. Alys and James back 12.15. All three of us to Durham. Back. Did coal moving to get slack, and more apple marmalade. Two plays by Will Scott, and Claridge. Tomato soup, corned beef. Apples, custard.
Thursday 18th December 1947
Mild, drizzly.
Mrs Bearcroft in a.m. Phil drove James and me to Kings Cross at 11.15. We took 30 bus to to Daniel Neal‘s. Got James‘ slippers. 17/6 (2 coupons), elastic sides. To Rogers’ for peppermint (oil of). To Madame Tussaud’s. Then home, by 3.30. (Lunch at Duck Inn (after Neal’s) at 12.25). James did jigsaw puzzle. I made porridge and began the trifle. Tea. Rest. Phil in at 8:10. Soup, chicken casserole; chestnut sauce, cabbage and plum tart, cheese!!! James spillikins and to bed 8.30.
Friday 19th December 1947
Mild. Some drizzle, some sun.
Phil in BHN at about 11.30 to Hospital. Alys and James to lunch at Durham 12.15. May came 1.15. I lunch, on my potted meat. Wrote Blain card, to Lois, cards Amy and Frank Steele. Walk to Post Office with James. Back in car with Alys. She and James made peppermint creams. I wrote Minnie and Doris Freer. 20 minutes rest. Tea. Phil home about 6.30 and rested. Minced beef, mash turnips. Trifle.
Saturday 20th December 1947
Very mild. Fair.
Wrote to Ella, and card to Miss Peacock. Kitty came, bringing me Quits’ watercolour of bird-table in snow. She showed James how to work his speed boat (camphor) in sink. Alys and James to Durham at 12.30. I, my potted meat, and plum tart. Sewed in p.m., and tried on evening dress (Irish lace). Phil in about 3.15. Rested. Alys getting James’ things ready to post. Mink’s tinned ham for supper. Soup first. Treacle tart, cheese. Sir William Elliot’s speech. “Ten Minute Alibi”, (political broadcast).
Memo:
17th James back from school. 10.27 Charing Cross.
16th To Kit, 12. “Mine Own Execution” 4.30.
Burgess Meredith (psychiatrist), Kieran Moore (RAF, schizophrenic), Dulcie Gray.
Sunday 21st December 1947
Very fine and mild.
Alys packing James’ things. Phil and James for a walk. I cooked beef (3lb 4 rations) and celery; Alys mashed potatoes, made gravy. Bernice called. Dinner 1.30. Stewed apples and plum tart and tartlets. Made yeast rolls in p.m. (as bread short), U.S. yeast. James played trains. Phil soldered speedboat for James. Sewed fur, Alys’ coatee, and things for self and James. Ham (soup first), apple purée. Alys and I listened “Vicar of Bullhampton”.
Monday 22nd December 1947
Fair. Mild.
Alys doing final packing for James. Mrs Bearcroft cleaning up. I made sandwiches. At 12, Killick’s man, Harding, came and drove Alys and James to Liverpool Street (James to Harwich – Hook – Hamburg). Phil and I lunch at Durham. Home. Wrote Eva de Baeremaecker and Albert Hall tickets – to Kit (Messiah), Doz (folk-dancing). Ironed 3 frocks. Phil packed. Alys back 4, and to rest: Phil and I tea. Packed. Ham, grapefruit. To bed 9.45.
Aldeburgh
Tuesday 23rd December 1947
Dull, mild.
Up 7.15. Hardy in Morris at 9.30. To Colchester. Lunch café opposite “Three Cups”. Bought three tins and sheepskin gloves. Onto Aldeburgh, arrived 3? All walked to gun site and back. Tea at Alistair‘s. The Bedwell’s in. Another tea at Wentworth Hotel. Unpacked. Rested (I No. 2, Alys No. 3, Phil No. 7). Dinner sole! Oranges. To bed 9.
Wednesday 24th December 1947
Drizzly, mild.
Walk with Phil, shops. Oranges. At 10.45 taxi to Snape. May there, with Amy. Back by 12. Wrote Sissie. Phil for a walk. After lunch, all out shops, Alys called on Miss Bedwell who at 6 called on her, and took her back to Tiffany. I rested. Fire in bedroom. Clark’s boots! Dinner, and then oranges in my room.
Thursday 25th December 1947
Cold wind. Dull.
All of us walked to Slaughden; talk to Jerry (about “Davy Jones‘, bor”). Saw “Gairloch” and other boats – Emerald. Lunch Amy and Arthur with the Reggie Young’s. Amy and Miss Cox to tea.(we to Miss Bedwell‘s to drinks 12.15). In p.m. rested. Finished “Looming Lights”, Carter. Tea. Talked to Amy and Arthur. At 7, all of us down (evening dress). Miss Bedwell came. In bar for drinks. Dinner, turkey. Talk till nearly 11.15 after dinner. Suffolk accent stories – fish, whey for pastry.
Friday 26th December 1947
Perfect day. Cool.
All of us walked north, then alone by station and back. Through 1861 house and grounds, past Colonel Forestier-Walker’s and back by front. Phil to Tiffany, as asked to talk re. telephone. I wrote Phil Sime (with B.U.S.). Alys and I talked to Mrs Howard-Lowe. Lunch. Rest. Tea. I to the Bedwell’s. Saw over Tiffany, had long talk. Turkey dinner. All to cinema 8.10. “The Upturned Glass”. James Mason. Very good doctor and criminology. Brain surgery. Suicide.
Saturday 27th December 1947
Fair, milder.
Along for new bread. Met Bedwell. Alys and Phil out. I wrote and Mrs Howard-Lowe phoned, re. Captain Bevan. Amy and May and Arthur Young to lunch. Fire in my room and talk there after. They away about 3.15. We out for a walk, up in town; saw “Vaseline”, bull terrier. Tea (with Reggie and Lillian Young who talked of Red House at Snape they want). Rest after. Dinner. Dance; we watched till about 10.30. I read John Fothergill’s 2nd book about inn keeping.
Memo:
25th Rent paid to 19th of March.
23rd To Aldeburgh till 28th . Miss Bedwell 7.30.
27th Amy and May and Anthony Young 1.
22nd James to Hamburg via Harwich and Hook.
Tipped Bethel 7/6. Electric stove and fires in room 3/6 each.
Northwood
Sunday 28th December 1947
Fine, not very cold.
Packed. I out with Phil along front to gun site at end of prom. Alys to Miss Bedwell’s. Lunch 1. Then (having paid bills, mine £8.0.6, and their’s about £21.0.0), at 1.40 away in Killick’s Rolls. Killick drove us home (Lea Bridge), arrived Northwood 4.35. Tea. Unpacked. Phil on his bed. Sore throat? Heinz soup. Ham, grapefruit. Alys to Cattle’s. We to bed 8.30 “Bullhampton”.
Monday 29th December 1947
Fine, much colder.
Phil to Hospital in EYT, at 11 (still a sore throat). I made mandarin marmalade. Alys and I to Durham in BHN at 12.15 (put distributor back and hot water in). Defrosted fridge. Miss Bearcroft and her Dennis at 2. Cosy stove and Domestic lighted. We darned socks, Alys washed some. “Ten Little Niggers”, Agatha Christie 4 – 5.30. Fish chowder, supper. “The Show”, Galsworthy 9.15.
Tuesday 30th December 1947
Fineish, frosty, a little snow.
Alys with Phil in EYT to Harley Street about 1. He to Smart’s for re-fill. Alys and he lunch together at pub, Woodstock Street. Alys to Bank. I made marmalade of grapefruit skins most of day. To post with Mrs Bearcroft and eggbox. Alys home about 5.30. I made potato soup for supper. Phil in at 6.50. Still rough throat. Ham and oranges. “Whose Body”, 9.30 (20 Questions, 9). Phil and Alys packing his things for London Chest Hospital.
Wednesday 31st December 1947
Fine, cold.
Phil packed all his books, radio and two suitcases in car and off 11.15. Alys with him to buy instrument for use at hospital. I washed and ironed table napkins and napkin holders, nightie and handkerchiefs. To Durham to lunch 12.45. Minced the beef. Alys back about 4. Two very poor matinees. Raikes produced. Mince, kohlrabi greens. Ginger!!!
The Diaries of my Great-Great-Aunt Kate 