In 1948, Kate is 69 years old and Alys is 64 years old. Eva is 39 years old and Philip is 35 years old (Alys and Dennis’ daughter and son). James is 10 years old (Eva and Teddy’s son) and Eve (Eva and Teddy’s’ daughter (my mother)) is 8 years old.
Katharine Boyd
12 Grove Road,
Northwood
Motor Car No. BHN 545
Telephone No. Northwood 1356
Identity Card: JHPE 66.6
Thursday 1st January 1948
Mild, showery.
Mrs Bearcroft cleaned my room. Alys to Kingham’s, then to lunch with Kitty. I took car back (got oil at Colliver Fisher’s), made soup and had ham. Made marmalade from orange skins. Made potato soup for supper; Alys back about 6. Phil phoned at 2, and again 6.45. Soup and ham toasts. To bed 8.30. Read “The Smacksmen” by George Carter.
Friday 2nd January 1948
Very mild, dull.
With Alys to Northwood Hills. Took Vidor to shop. Lunch at Durham. Home. Wrote George Buchanan re. theatre invitation. Wrote form for CUC. license, and for EYT license. Wrote Mrs Leyel; to pillar-box with all except CUC (for Phil to sign). Put yoghurt in new strainer. Rested about 2 hours. Prepared carrots (from garden). Alys made milk soup, and we had mince as shepherds pie. Phil phoned about 8.30. (Put BHN on charge). Sydney and Gertrude phoned. “Friday Forum” – George Woodcock TUC, Geoffrey Crowther, Colm Brogan.
Saturday 3rd January 1948
Very mild. Dull.
I walked to post Eva‘s letter by airmail. Got oranges. Both in car to get Seville oranges (4/–) and Durham 12.15. Lucy and Doris met us there, all lunched. In car home. Talk, and showing Lucy the house. Tea. Took them to bus 183; (they change to 18 Harrow). Home. Phil phoned at 6.40. Alys and I did vegetables for braised beef – celery, carrots. “No Room at the Inn”, Freda Jackson as Mrs Voray, by Joan Temple.
Memo:
Points Period.
3rd Elizabeth Hale’s 21st birthday party – Phil back 5.10 a.m. Sunday.
Sunday 4th January 1948
Dullish, mild, rain in evening.
Phil in bed all day (only poached egg lunch). I wrote Doz; talked to Phil. Alys and I had a braised beef, celery; chocolate pudding. Slade took EYT for new battery, and exhaust, and back at 3. Rested and finished “The Smackmen”. Phil up and away at about 6.30 in EYT. Alys and I had scrambled eggs with cheese; and cottage cheese and ginger. Alys to bed 8 before. I at 8.25. Bullhampton ended. Defrosted Camley.
Monday 5th January 1948
Colder. Fair.
Wrote in cookery book. Alys and I to Durham at 12.30. To Carey’s, about door lock. Mrs Bearcroft washed things. I rested, and Alys rested later. Braised beef, pancakes (whey instead of milk). Talk “On Professing Medicine” by Professor L. J. Witts; play “The Conquering Hero”, Allan Monkhouse, David Markham.
Tuesday 6th January 1948
Cold. Rainy.
Alys took me to station. 11.14 train to Oxford Circus. Met Kit at Peter Robinson‘s. Lunch 12.10 at Green Lizard. Bus and Taxi to Tate Gallery. Van Gogh exhibition. Very good and comprehensive. At about 2.30 came away. Taxi to Charing Cross. Each went home. I took Colliver Fisher. Long rest. Curry and chocolate pudding. “How To Listen”. Phil phoned 8.35. “Whose Body?” finished.
Wednesday 7th January 1948
Rain, cooler.
Getting slack and coal in. Both of us to Durham 12.20 in BHN. Rested in p.m. and sewed on inner heels on shoes; and collar on green dress. Read a bit. Down at 4. “Dunkirk” play, Andrew Cruikshank. Curry, and chocolate with ginger. Kit phoned re. Van Gogh.
Thursday 8th January 1948
Cold, dullish.
I to town 11.14, to Times Bookshop and got Van Gogh pamphlet 4.6. Lunch at Selfridges’ cafeteria 3/- (sub-basement). Walked in shops (sales) but then buses to King Henry’s Road. Got padded coat. To Manchester Square at 2:50. In Wallace Collection; talk to Curator man and Mrs Beagley. To Mrs Leyel (renowned herbalist) at Culpeper House. She gave me consultation, and prescribed for me. Home at 5.30. Alys sickish and orange juice only. I had cheese omelette. Phil phoned 8.50. ‘No Wreath For Susan”, William Devlin and Marjorie Mars, Maurice Hugo.
Friday 9th January 1948
Showery, dark.
Alys and I cut up Seville oranges, and laundry. Fried liver and bacon and tomato gravy. After finishing oranges later, we walked to shops. Posted U.S. tea to Kitty; check to Ernest (Edward Boyd’s), got onions and 3lb potatoes on my ration book. Orange juice at Durham 4.30. Rested, slept till 7. Kippers and apricots (U.S.). Arthur Salter, Robert Boothby, Michael Foot – Friday Forum.
Saturday 10th January 1948
Cool. Fairish.
Wrote Max and Elsa re. Christmas card. Alys to shops early. Both to Durham 12.15 (I walked). Gardener, Cook came 1 – 4.30 (10/6). Mended sheet; Phil arrived about 3.30. Had tea. He went to bed after, and felt sick, so no supper. We had boiled eggs, apricots. Phil was sick at 9. “The Professor’s Love Story’, J. M. Barrie.
Memo:
9th Laundry?
6th Viking crashed Ruislip evening and one from Brussels.
4th Posted forms and cheque for car license BHN.
5th Wrote Doz.
7th Posted form and cheque for car license CUC.
6th Meet Kit 12 Peter Robinson‘s (for Van Gogh).
8th Mrs Leyel, 17 Manchester Square 3.30.
10th George Buchanan at Junior Carlton Club.
Sunday 11th January 1948
Rainy. Mild.
Phil better, but in bed all day. I sent petrol form to Baden (CUC), filled in. Grilled cutlets, and sprouts and mashed potatoes. Apricot mousse (or “Delicate Pudding”, Boston Cook). Rest in p.m. Wrote Eva de Baeremaecker. Phil read Lease of Layton, to Nelson; talked. He had poached egg and away at 8. We had soup, haddock. Chocolate (Bruxelles). “Barnaby Rudge” 8.30. “Escape?: Submarine K. 13” 9.30.
Monday 12th January 1948
Showery. Mild.
Alys to shops and Food Office for her milk certificate. I made marmalade (Seville). Lunch of casserole, mutton (with onions and sprouts in it) and sprouts and potatoes. Apple purée. Mrs Bearcroft in p.m. Cleaned Phil‘s room. Alys did washing (home) and also defrosted Camley in a.m. I walked to sweet shop. Posted letter to Eva de Baeremaecker, and cheque to herbalists! Rest. Read “Left Hand, Right Hand”. Made creamed haddock. Ginger and grated chocolate. “Measure for Measure” and we patched sheet.
Tuesday 13th January 1948
Showery a.m. Fair, windy, mild p.m.
Alys out to post cold stuff to Phil (express). I re-boiled all the marmalade, and got 12lb also re-boiled 5lb sweet skins. Stew (casserole), sprouts at 1 o’clock. Kunzle cakes. Mrs Bearcroft did kitchen. I walked to Bank, and sweet shop and took bus from High Street, 183 to Northwood Hills. To radio shop and got kippers and oranges (11 all). Walked home via Killick’s; paid 4/6 (exhaust). Did coal and slack. Rested. Alys made mince pies (for supper) with kippers. “Troilus and Cressida”, Chaucer. ‘Butter In A Lordly Dish”, Agatha Christie.
Wednesday 14th January 1948
Fair, some sun. Mild.
Kit phoned, and I asked her to Durham. Alys went to Doris Freer‘s to lunch, and to look at Dunlopillow mattress. To buy? Left car in park. Took padded coat to cleaners. Met Kit and both had lunch at Durham. Drove home. She rested. I took car back to park, and phoned Alys. Machined sheet, and sewed, with Kit. Alys in at 3.50 Tea. I walked back with Kit to station (Diary 1902). Soup with dumplings. Herrings.
Thursday 15th January 1948
Fair, not cold but frost early.
Kitty phoned 8.30, asked Alys to spend the night. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned sitting room. Alys and I to Durham 12.20 (walked separately). Mrs Bate there, and Mrs Machon (marmalade), Marwood’s. Posted dustsheets to Doris for the Dunlopillo. Home. Got coal in. Rested on bed. Read “Left Hand, Right Hand”, then down and made chocolate for orange sweets. Soup, soufflé, tomato, cheese, bread, eggs, milk. Alys’ mince pies. ITMA. Phil phoned 8.20. Alys at Kitty’s. Cut out green sleeves. Sewed. Oranges. To bed 10.30, bath (Gaitskell petrol).
Friday 16th January 1948
Fair.
Various chores. To Durham at 12.30. Alys seated there! We walked home. Talked. I had rest. Alys in car to buy food. I in car at 5 to get more oranges if possible: and potatoes (on my ration book) – no potatoes left. We had Welsh rarebit with two eggs grilled at 7 and the rest of the mince pies. Phil came at 8.40. He had poached egg at 9.15, and glass of orange juice. 6 small oranges! “The Very Devil”, story by Hugh Clifford. Python swallowing a cat.
Saturday 17th January 1948
Rain, mild.
Phil in bed all day. Only down to phone Miss Craddock (his secretary). Smart talked too! I to Sherman’s with prescription; and got pencil leads, and to Boots’, and got cauliflower. Alys cooked guinea fowl 1.15 and Alys and I had Irish stew (tin, Donald Cook). Rest. Read “The Semi Attached Couple”, Eden. Tea. Talked to Phil re. Ernest and Edward Boyd. Alys made omelettes (bacon). Yoghurt cheese. Nurse Cavell play (Gladys Cooper).
Memo:
Mrs Smith, boy at Merchant Taylor’s, and 2 sons killed.
(Mrs Tait, her handsome friend).
12th Letter to Eva de Baeremaecker.
Sunday 18th January 1948
Fine. Sunny. Windy. Cool.
Slade brought EYT back, 2 new tires on. Phil in bed till 11 or so, then out to hut, with hot bottles. He had dinner with us in kitchen (dressing gown). Grilled cutlets and tomatoes and cauliflower. Stewed apples. Talked about Herbalist treatment. Rest. Tea in Phil‘s bedroom. Phil wrote to Appleby, with draft of lease of Layton. Tomato soup, cold guinea fowl and U.S bacon (queer flavour?). Phil away an EYT at 8.10. “Barnaby Rudge”. Scrapbook 1927.
Monday 19th January 1948
Very fine. Cold.
I made marmalade suet pudding. Alys phoned Kit. Alys did lots of washing (also laundry, but they didn’t call). Mutton casserole and potato; pudding. I walked to Sherman‘s, and also other shops – sweets. Alys for little walk later. Sewed green frock. Kippers, apple purée.
Tuesday 20th January 1948
Cold frost, then rain. Some sun.
Hawkins fixed gas heater in bathroom. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned James‘ room. Alys to post eiderdown to Phil. I walked to Durham and lunch 12.15. Alys came in car 12.45. Window cleaner came 5/6. Wrote R.S.P.C.A. re. quarantine. Mended Dutch shopping bag. Corned beef roll U.S.A. and pancakes. To bed 8.40. Read. “A Single Taper”, 30 minute play by R.C. Scriven.
Wednesday 21st January 1948
Damp, cold. Rain in evening.
Alys to Liverpool Street with Killick at 9. She returned at 1.30 with James (from Hamburg via Hook.) Mattress came from Doris (Dunlopillo, Alys paid £11.0.0). Casserole, mutton and tinned potatoes; marmalade pudding. I walked to Bank and Kingham’s. James in bed in p.m. but up to tea – spillikins with him. Poached eggs and coffee cream, with new cream. Ideal milk and white of egg. “Hangman’s Wharf”, 9.30.
22nd Good speech by Bevin on Western European Union.
Thursday 22nd January 1948
Very fine. Sunny. Cold wind.
Alys and James to get his shoes (Clark’s walking). Mrs Bearcroft cleaned my room. I sewed green frock. All to lunch at Durham. Alys packing James‘s trunk. I darning his grey pullover. He taught Alys new patience game. “Children’s Hour” and “Dick Barton”. Stewed mutton with barley and potatoes. Trifle, with cream from evaporated milk, and white of egg.
Friday 23rd January 1948
Fair, cold.
Killick man at 9, and Alys and James off in car to Charing Cross (10.25 to Etchingham). I tidied up rooms a bit. Sewed green frock. Stew and trifle at 12.30. Sewed most of p.m. Alys back 3.45 or so. I walked to sweet shop (none) and ordered my 3lb potatoes; (ration for week). Lay on sofa and dozed. Alys had bought iron, and lots of tinned soups at Fortnum’s. Soup, and nice “spread” from Soho on toast, and marmalade pudding. “Focus On The Housewife”.
Saturday 24th January 1948
Showery, milder.
Mrs Picking came to measure and fit the covers (Chesterfield). I to Oxford Circus; Lewis and Evans and walked down Bond Street to 23 St James’ Square. Junior Carlton Club Ladies Annex. Very good lunch with George Buchanan; we walked to Wyndham‘s Theatre. Stalls. “You Never Can Tell” Shaw (Harcourt Williams, the waiter). Walked to Trafalgar Square. Rooks all round. Very noisy!!! Tube home. Phil there. Spaghetti cheese and egg – apricots and cream (mock). Lord Woolton speech. “Acacia Avenue”, Mabel and Denis Constanduros.
Memo:
James arrives from Hamburg 21st .
20th Letter to R.S.P.C.A. re. quarantine.
23rd James to school. 10.25 Charing Cross – Etchingham.
24th Mrs Picking about covers.
24th George Buchanan. Coat ready at cleaners.
23rd St James’ Square Junior Carlton Club, Ladies Annex.
France devalues franc – 864 to £1.
Sunday 25th January 1948
Fine, not very cold.
Phil in bed to breakfast. Alys doing curry and chocolate pudding and seakale. I housework. Dinner at 1. Phil on garden seat 10 minutes, but sun went in. Washed up; rested, and little walk (oh Kimmy!) round. Phil rested on bed and tea there. Glasgow v. London Quiz. Bacon and eggs and spaghetti; apricots, oranges. Phil away at 10. “Barnaby Rudge”, Wreck Dunedin “True Stories of British Courage – Kaokoveld Rescue”.
Monday 26th January 1948
Rain all a.m. Fair p.m.
Phoned Kitty. Alys did washing, Phil’s shirts. I looked out investments. Curry for lunch, warmed up and braised celery, fried potatoes. To Boots’ and also International and fish. Sewed, darned. We listened to “The Secret Life”, Granville-Barker. 3rd program. Kippers for supper. “The Thracian Horses”, Maurice J. Valency. Sebastian Shaw as Herakles.
Tuesday 27th January 1948
Mild, fair.
Alys and I left car in park by Council and 10.30 train to Baker Street. She by Metropolitan line and bus to Ernest, and I tube to Holborn, walked to 30 Raymond Buildings. Interview with Ernest 11.30 till 1. Tube, Leicester Square, lunch Café de Paris. “Anna Karenina”, Ralph Richardson, Vivian Leigh. 6/-balcony seats. Lemonade and cakes at Wardour Restaurant. Bought rollmops. Bus 13 Baker Street. Home about 7.30. Soup, rollmops. To bed. (Mrs Bearcroft had been in p.m.). Phil rang up at 8.45 pm.
Wednesday 28th January 1948
Lovely day. Sun and cold wind.
Alys and I to Northwood Hills. I got my Vidor radio. We launched at Durham. Bought azalea for 10/– and took it to Mr Longbotham (who very sick). Home. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned kitchen. I dug up carrots, and cut kohlrabi leaves. Two playlets, “No Clue At The Zoo” and “Nathaniel And The Grinning Dogs”. Ate scones, (which I made on Monday). Haddock, soup. “The Existence of God” discussed by Bertrand Russell and Frederick Copleston S.J.
Gandhi shot dead 30th.
Thursday 29th January 1948
Heavy showers, bright intervals.
Alys walked to bus, and took 183 to Golders Green, to see Sissie. I wrote George about £4 for boxing tickets! Curry and kohlrabi; plums (September bottled) and evaporated milk cream. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned Alys’ room in a.m. In BHN to park the car (key at Durham). Got grapefruit (6d) kippers, yoghurt. Walked home. Made lemon soufflé. Alys back after tea, Durham with Mrs Cheston. Brought fur coat from Mrs Page (disappointing). Kippers and lemon soufflé. Phil phoned 8.45. Maurice Webb spoke. “The Puppet Master” by Emery Bonett. Esmé Percy, Rita Vale. “Rocks and Birds of Jan Mayen”.
Friday 30th January 1948
Fair, mild, showery.
Alys took me to catch 11 train; to Waterloo. 12.12 to Cobham. Ethel Miles met me. Walked to “Le Zoute”. Josephine and Doreen. Lunch fishcakes, French beans. Away at 3a15. To Knightsbridge for patterns for Eva at Harrods. Home by 5.30. Rest. Kippers and lemon soufflé. “20 Questions”.
Saturday 31st January 1948
Mild. Fair.
Went to town by 10,15 train and Selfridge’s, and Marshall’s and Evans’ and Lewis’ for patterns for Eva. Poor success. Lunch at Woodstock Restaurant. On to Sagne’s for coffee and cakes. To Post Office to send airmail to Eva. Home. Rested. Phil came about 3.30. Grapefruit, turbot and sauce, beetroot with sauce. Yoghurt cheese. Play “Dark Summer”.
Memo:
26th Letter to Eva (airmail) with wool samples.
27th 11.30 Ernest Miles, 6 Raymond Buildings.
30th Ethel Miles and Josephine. At Cobham. 12.12 Waterloo.
28th Post War Certificates to E.V.M. (Ernest Vernor Miles, solicitor). Max Townley.
31st Started herbal treatment at 7.30 p.m.
31st Patterns to Eva, airmail.
4th Oranges off ration!
Sunday 1st February 1948
Fine a.m. Very mild. Dull p.m.
Phil down to breakfast in dressing gown. I filled coals, and talked to Phil, about Ernest Vernor Miles‘ letter, mortgage and new Prefect car. Alys roasted beef (round) and artichokes; and stuffing and orange soufflé. Rested in p.m. Listened cinema excerpts. Phil stayed in bed till away at 6. I posted check to Blennerhasset £15.15.0. “Ideas And Beliefs Of The Victorians”, Bertram Russell, David Cecil, G. M. Trevelyan, Chris Dawson. Egg and fish (Alys) supper. Plums and cream.
Monday 2nd February 1948
Very mild, fine. Gale. Dull p.m. and shower.
Alys did washing and I cleaned silver; defrosted the “Fridge”. Dumplings in soup (of vegetables stew) and sprouts and leeks. Grated chocolate and dehydrated milk and egg white. In p.m., we went to loft and unpacked silver box and crates of china and glass and silver, till 4.45. Scones. Toasted. Out for little walks. Rest. Cheese omelette. “The Four Feathers” at 8 – 8.30. “Monday At Eight”, “The Pleasure Garden”, Beatrice Mayor..
Tuesday 3rd February 1948
Rainy, mild.
Did some altering to N.F.S. (National Fire Service?) coat, and shoes, red laces. Walked to lunch at Durham at one. Alys put BHN on charge. In p.m., Alys and I in loft again to divide glass in china. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned dining room. Ironed nightgown. Rest, reading “Delta Wedding”. To be concluded “Strange Journey”. Macaroni and cheese with artichokes. “A Nice Cup Of Tea”, Anthony Gilbert. Good. 30 minutes thriller.
Wednesday 4th February 1948
Fine mostly.
I early to Kingham’s. Alys washed James‘ pullover; we did up parcel for Eva (potted meats, coat and frock) and posted it at 12.15. Alys to Durham, lunch. I home (left car), had cold beef and grapefruit. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned hall and kitchen. I lit Cozy stove, sewed shoe lace on and buttons on coat. Alys back at about 6. Kippers. Queen of puddings. “Certain Alibi”, Aileen Burke (good), 30 minutes. “Hangman’s Wharf” 9.30. (Phil phoned re. new car 1.30).
6th Letter from Eva saying returning from Hamburg about 26th February!
Thursday 5th February 1948
Showery.
Mrs Bearcroft cleaned sitting room. Alys and I in loft, put all Layton glass together, and sorted china and labeled crates. BHN lunch at Durham at 1. Shops. Home. I wrote Amy Steel re. 2 packages food. Car to the Longbotham’s. To see Mr Longbotham in bed. Tea downstairs with “Dolly” and Mrs Cheston. Soupe à l’oignon and Queen of pudding. Doz phoned from Broadway. Play “Penny” by Joan Wall. Phil phoned re. new car at 8.45.
Friday 6th February 1948
Fine. 2 heavy showers. Thunder.
Alys and I walked to station and got 11.14 train to Baker Street. Bus to Bond Street. Lunch at Woodstock Restaurant. Then to Marshall’s and bought 6 yards Eva‘s choice; packed it and posted it. Tube to Bethnel Green. Walked to London Chest Hospital. Saw Phil, and his rooms (as R.M.O. (Resident Medical Officer)) and Miss Craddock, his secretary. Alys drove EYT home. Called in on Kitty and Barbara on way 4.35. Onion soup and cold meats, and pancakes. “Much-Binding-In-The-Marsh” and “20 Questions”.
Saturday 7th February 1948
Mild. Fair.
Alys cooking mince; chocolate (Bruxelles) and I squeezed 12 oranges for Elsa’s orange jelly. Put U.S. tins away. We had kippers at 1.25 and Alys made sweet jam omelette after. Odd jobs in kitchen. Phil came in new Prefect car. Ford 10, at 3.20. I rested and slept. Alys drove car a little way. Mince and macaroni, and fried potatoes. Killick came re. spraying car (£35). Phil talked about his work till about 10.30. All to bed.
Memo:
4th Alys to Foakes.
5th To tea at Longbotham’s. Wrote Amy Steel.
4th Two food parcels arrive from Amy Steel, C.A.R.E. England.
“Co-Operative American Remittances to Europe (England)”.
Sunday 8th February 1948
Very mild. Dull.
We measured cars and garage in p.m. Phil stayed in bed all a.m., but wrote later. Alys cooked half shoulder of lamb and seakale with mint sauce. We had orange jelly (Elsa’s way). I walked to Post Office. Cut up grapefruit. Phil away. Cut up grapefruit. Grapefruit and scrambled eggs and Bruxelles chocolate. Phil away an EYT at 8 o’clock. “Barnaby Rudge”, 70 days shipwrecked men from “Two Survived” by Kevin McGarry.
Monday 9th February 1948
Fine. Windy.
Alys did washing. I did coal (coke arrived) and freeing daffodil bulbs in garden. Alys to shops in car, and had only orange juice. I had liver pâté and grapefruit at home; and walk to Boots’ for book. Both rested, and “The Blind Goddess” by Patrick Hastings. Very good, Basil Radford. Haddock and semolina and marmalade pudding. “The Four Feathers” at 8. “The ‘Electra’ of Euripides” 9.15 Maria Becker.
Tuesday 10th February 1948
Fair, very mild.
Mrs Bearcroft in p.m. I went by 10.2 to Baker Street. To Herbalists for Mrs Leyel’s book 4/6. To Foakes, hair done by Margaret. 7/6. To lunch at Danish Restaurant 2/8 and 6d tip. To Foyle’s, then to Handy’s shop. Back to Foyle’s and sold 4 books for 2/9 and bought Vail d’Alvery 12/6. Home by 4.15. Rest. Slept. Seakale soup and haddock. Moved furniture in box-room. “Sweet Death” by Christianna Brand. Murder and Nurse Kelly.
Wednesday 11th February 1948
Fair. Mild.
I made grapefruit marmalade with apple and syrup. Alys to lunch at Durham. I had mince, kohlrabi, and semolina pudding. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned kitchen and hall. I listened “Love and Love Again”, by Paul Arthur (fair). Alys back at 6. I made chocolate covers to marmalade residue. Fried eggs and bacon, semolina iced. “Hangman’s Wharf” 9.30, “Nurse Henrietta” 9.45 (Maria Becker, Zürich).
Thursday 12th February 1948
Perfect day.
Mrs Bearcroft cleaned my room. Alys and I did lots of odd jobs. To High Street shops at 12 and to Durham 12.15. I to Boots’ and walked home with Mrs Mitchell). Alys to Bank. Tidying in my room. Shoes to get mildew off. Rest, slept 5 – 6. Wrote Ernest Miles re. investments. Fresh herrings, grilled; ginger. Patched Burberry. ITMA. “The Black Cap Has To Wait” by H. R. Jeans. Grapefruit in bed.
Friday 13th February 1948
Dull. Mild. Damp.
Alys and I to High Street china shop, and for glass to Phiz‘s (Hablot Knight Browne – An illustrator for Charles Dickens’ and friend and professional peer of Fred Barnard’s (Poz and Doz’s father)) picture. Northwood Hills for cake and fish. Home, and out again to lunch at Durham. Home. Cut sandwiches. At 3.45, Alys in BHN to fetch Mrs Cheston and Miss Longbotham for tea with us. They had axi home 5.30. Alys had no supper; I ate sandwiches and grapefruit. “20 Questions” and Phil phoned.
Saturday 14th February 1948
Fair a.m. Drizzle p.m. Mild.
Alys ironed car seat covers (Lincoln-Zephyr). I did mince. She to shops. We had kippers, and an “Apple Cracknel” I made from “Listener”. Gardener came! But only 2 – 4.20 as rained. I to Post Office and oranges. Rested. “Obtuse-Angled Triangle” 4.20 by Mark Hollis. Phil at 6:15, rheumatic (had been at England vs. Wales at Twickenham with Elizabeth Hale). Lovely milk soup. Haddock, yoghurt cheese. “Cut For Partners” by Lionel Brown, Henry Kendall (perfect lover) and Rita Vale (secretary).
Memo:
10th Foakes 11 a.m.
13th Mrs Cheston and Miss Longbotham to tea.
11th Wrote Mrs Leyel (herbalist), and Laundry and Ella.
Éamon de Valera beaten by 8 votes. John A. Costello in.
Sunday 15th February 1948
Very mild. Sunny till 11.30 then dull.
Phil in hut in dressing garden. I made custard. Mince in cockleshells; chicory with gravy. I walked to Post Office with letters. Tea in Phil‘s bedroom. Quiz. Read Lease of Layton and I witnessed Phil‘s signature. Grapefruit, boiled eggs; haddock on toast. Phil away at 8:20. “Barnaby Rudge”, “Scrapbook for 1933”.
Monday 16th February 1948
Much colder. Fair.
Alys washed Phil‘s pyjamas and shirt. Coal came. I to Post Office; wire to Blain re. fowl: lettercard Biro. Warmed up mince in shells, and tomatoes. Apple and custard and egg white. Rest; slept. Re-boiled marmalade of December 30th (slight mould). Mushroom soup, (Alys had kipper). I had pâté and cress and yoghurt cheese. “Four Feathers” at 8. “The Family Reunion”, T. S. Eliot (Phil to “The Relapse” with Lisa).
Tuesday 17th February 1948
Fair, cold.
Alys to Dr Warner (but no good as had breakfast). In BHN from station at 9.45 to Northwood Hills; Post Office and oranges then to Batchworth Heath (for charging battery). Made a carrot pudding (with breadcrumbs), onion and milk. On toast and carrot pudding. Mrs Bearcroft ironed and cleaned Phil’s room. I ironed skirts. Alys back at 5.15 (had lunch with Doris, Frith Street). Boiled eggs in sitting room at 7 and apple. “To Be Continued”, “Detection Club – Bubble, Bubble, Toil and Trouble”, E. C. R. Lorac.
Wednesday 18th February 1948
(no weather).
Alys to see Mr Longbotham, in bed. Various dressmaking, skirts and black coat. Both of us to Durham (in BHN). Sent cheque for Biro. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned kitchen. I doing Alys’ fur coat (that Mrs Page did wrongly). 2 Irish plays, “Light Falling” by Teresa Deevey, and “The Old Man”, Diarmuid Kelly. Alys upstairs. Chicken clear soup; meat pie (Kingham’s), baked apples. Wilfred Pickles at Roehampton Hospital!! “Hangman’s Wharf”.
Doctors vote against Health Bill by overwhelming numbers.
Thursday 19th February 1948
Some snow. Very cold. Sun.
Mrs Bearcroft cleaned Alys’ room. I ironed coat and skirts and lining of Alys’ coat. Alys tidying room, and in loft. Tinned beef steak and kidney pie, and kohlrabi greens. Baked apple. Alys to shops for fish. I made cheese scones (“squones”) with whey. Sewed Alys’ coat lining (fur coat), Walked to Post Office. Cod steaks (oven fried) and chip potatoes (Smith’s), jelly (lemon crystals with egg white). ITMA, “Trial of William Penn”, Leslie Baily 1670.
Friday 20th February 1948
Fine. Some very cold snow.
Made gathers in black coat. Alys to shops in car. I took chairs to loft and got 2 down. Liver and onions in sitting room and jelly. Walked to get fish and binding (wore fur coat). Mrs Bearcroft cleaned James‘ room and kitchen stove. Alys trying to free her frozen wash basin pipe. Pea soup and kippers. “20 Questions”. Peter Kane beaten by Guido Ferracin, Bantom European Championships. Alys felt coldy.
Saturday 21st February 1948
Snowy. Very cold, some sun.
Cleared snow away. Alys up but still cold, headache and pains, so on bed at 12. I to buy fish. Had cold bacon (U.S.A.) and toast at 1. Alys had tinned orange juice only all day (except breakfast). Phoned Phil. He came at 4.15. Put petrol in cans and got more at Colliver Fisher. He had tea. I cooked plaice in milk, and mashed potatoes and chicken clear soup (Rici), Danish. Dalton’s political broadcast. “Mid Channel”, Pinero. Alys in bed all p.m. and evening.
Memo:
17th Alys to Dr Warner for x-ray and lunch with Doris.
16th Wrote W.H. Smith, Aldeburgh for Biro (38/6).
19th or 20th Dougal (Berry’s Scottish Terrier) shipped over and to Hackforth Kennels – quarantine.
Sunday 22nd February 1948
Grey. Slight slow thaw. Alys’ basin still blocked.
Alys better and up to breakfast. Phil up at dinner time. I cleared snow from paths and car (BHN), and got coal from snow. Roast mutton (very good joint for 2 weeks’ ration), sprouts, celery, potatoes. Chocolate mousse. Rest. Phil wrote Alonzo re. C.A.R.E. parcel and D. Brown, and Morlock (re. Country Gentleman‘s Association). Tea in sitting room. Grapefruit, spaghetti, cold bacon (U.S.A.). Phil away in EYT at 8.5 (pushed BHN into garage). “Barnaby Rudge”. “Courier from Warsaw”. Jan Nowak.
Monday 23rd February 1948
Grey. Very slow thaw.
Alys busy all day changing her things from drawers, as Eva writes arriving on Friday. I to shops to post Phil‘s letter “express” and airmail to Alonzo Hunter. Fish soup and mutton and cheese. To shops in p.m. for fish. Got frying pan 4/5½. Killick came for car covers. Kippers in sitting room. “Four Feathers”, 8. “South Sea Bubble”, 9.15. “Raymond Lovell” Nova Pilbeam from play “Away From It All”, Val Gielgud. Phoned Ella re. rooms, at 6.10.
Tuesday 24th February 1948
Fine. Snow. Frost in evening.
Alys up, and off at 8.45 without breakfast, to be x-rayed by Dr Warner. I re-boiled marmalade and made some new of grapefruit and lemon. Cold bacon (U.S.A.) at 1. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned Phil‘s room. Alys home 2.30. I to shops. Ordered 60lb oranges! Wrote Ella. Soup and fish cakes (Durham, 3 at 6d each). In sitting room “The Green Jug”. Alys phoned Kitty. “Where Do We Go From Here?”, Dorothy L. Sayers. Hinduism.
Wednesday 25th February 1948
Fine, cold.
Both of us to Scroggs. Home. Then both to Durham. Met Kitty there 12.15. After lunch, gave Kingham’s orders and saw Kitty off. Home. Looked out shelf for Alys’ cupboard. Mrs Bearcroft clean kitchen. Mrs. Newman called. Lined drawers. Made beds (Alys). Boiled eggs and bacon. Cheese. Alys wrote Gwen.
Czecho-Slovakia forced to go Communist.
Thursday 26th February 1948
Fine, cold.
Mrs Bearcroft cleaned bedroom. Alys to Durham 12.15, I at 1 (in car). Both of us cooking apples, and mince and onions, and custard and jelly, all day. I in car to Northwood Hills for cake and for lighter battery. Boiled eggs and cheese with bap. “Crime Gentleman, Please!”, 9.50.
Friday 27th February 1948
Fair. About 33℉.
Berry‘s arriving at 8.55. Eva phoned at 9.20. Alys with Killick to Liverpool Street Station. Eva and Eve and Alys back at 11.45. We had mince and mashed potatoes and apples and custard. Teddy came at 1.30. I to post books to Ella and letter. To Bank; Kingham’s. Home and rested. Tea. Talk. Eve had a bath. Fishcakes and shepherds pie. Sissie phoned. All to bed 9.10. Both Cozy stoves going all night, and Domestic.
Saturday 28th February 1948
Fine. Mild.
Alys got breakfast. Teddy washed up, and got coals and coke. Alys with Eva and Eve to Northwood Hills Food Office, re. rations. They to lunch Durham at 12.15. Teddy and I at 1 o’clock. Miss Kipping brought covers. Phil came at 3.30. Marion Berry to tea. Killick brought Prefect back (sprayed). Eve on cycle. I rested. Alys cooked fowl (Layton), Teddy helped. “The Title”, Arnold Bennett.
Memo:
24th Alys to Dr Warner 9?
27th Berry’s arrive from Hamburg.
24th ordered oranges 60lb for £2.0.0.
Teddy posted to Headquarters at Bicester, after 19 days’ leave.
Sunday 29th February 1948
Very warm and fair.
Sewed soles of my coat stuff, onto Eve’s carpet slippers; she in my room too. Phil in bed (breakfast in dressing-gown) till 12.30. In garden. Alys cooked ½ leg lamb, mint sauce, cauliflower. Queen of puddings. Jelly mousse. Rest in p.m. Teddy washed up all meals. I made chocolate mousse for supper. Alys and Eva cooked sausage and scrambled eggs and mashed potato. Phil away in JLN (Prefect) at 8.20. “Barnaby Rudge”. Rene phoned. “Roman Britain”.
Monday 1st March 1948
Fine, mild.
Teddy to lunch with his father and Air Ministry. We defrosted Fridge. Alys washed Phil‘s flannels. Eva washed. Alys, Eva, Eve and I lunched at Durham. Eve and I walked home. Alys and Eva to Eastcote – Ruislip, Food Office. Read The Story of Ferdinand to Eve in garden. Eva made curry for supper. “The Four Feathers”, 8. “Topaze”, Marcel Pagnol, Benn Levy’s English version. Edward Chapman, Phyllis Neilson-Terry, Howard Marion-Crawford.
Tuesday 2nd March 1948
Cold. Dull.
To Sissie’s, leaving at 11.2 from Northwood and getting there about 12. Lunch 1.20. Mrs Yug brought in hake (baked). Semolina pudding and jam. I at 3 to town by buses. Got psyllium seeds. To Rialto, 4.10. Saw “An Ideal Husband”, Oscar Wilde (Michael Wilding as Lord Goring). Phoned home 7.30. Supper at the Hamburger Restaurant and home at 9.20. “Waxworks Mystery”, Charles Hatton.
Wednesday 3rd March 1948
Cold. Dullish. Fog.
Teddy dug in garden. Got kohlrabi greens from garden. Alys to shops. Eva up before 7 and took Eve to station and Rickmansworth for school (Marion Berry’s school). Stew and greens and potatoes and U.S. apricots. Teddy drove us to cinema (Rex) to see “Vice Versa” and cowboy film (Eve back to lunch and with us). Teddy left BHN in park. Tea at 5. Teddy to supper with Mabel (Heath Street). Alys, Eva and I had kippers. “Brief Encounter”. Talk and story by Algernon Blackwood.
Thursday 4th March 1948
Fair. Not so cold.
Eva and Teddy off by 8.1 train to go to Bicester. Alys took Eve to station for 8.18 and school. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned my bedroom. Alys and I to Durham lunch 12.50. Home and short rest. Then to get fireguard for Eve’s room, in High Street. Back and more rest, and Eve back from school about 4.45 – 5. Sewed, and “crocodile man”. Alys put Eve to bed. Stew and potatoes and greens; apricots and whipped cream (evaporated). “Crime, Gentleman Please”, 9.30. Phoned Kitty.
Friday 5th March 1948
Cold, dull, raw.
Alys up before 7 and took Eve to the station for 8.18. Alys made gingerbread. I to Durham (Alys not, as cake not done in time). Mrs Bearcroft to clean Eve‘s room. I made lemon soufflé. Rest. Tea. Teddy and Eva came home at 2.15. Eva to bed with heavy cold. Alys made spaghetti and Teddy grated the cheese. Phil phoned, he has cold. George phoned that Kitty has feverish cold.
Saturday 6th March 1948
Mild and fine.
Eve and I drew portraits of each other. Eve and I to Durham 12.30. Alys, Teddy and Phil at 1. Eva in bed all day. Eve rested on floor in my room and drew till 3.45. Gardener came 2 – 6, and did front lawn levelling. Alys made oeufs au jus, Teddy did potatoes. I turned lemon soufflé failure into cake. “Without Witness”, Anthony Armstrong. Good.
Memo:
1st Apply for petrol renewal BHN – sent application.
4th Might hear from Mr Beagley.
2nd To Sissie’s to lunch.
4th Teddy and Eva to Bicester for 1 night.
9th 74℉ in London – highest for this date on record.
Increased ½ pint milk to 2½ pints milk next week.
Sunday 7th March 1948
Fair. Mild.
Alys‘ 2 bottles leaked in her bed, and very bad night. Phil to meals in dressing- gown all day – sore tongue (penicillin). Phoned Kitty. Eva up at about 12.30. Alys boiled chicken, parsley sauce, cabbage, potatoes. Camden greengages, mock cream. Eve and I for walk to railway bridges. Teddy turfing. Slept 3.30 – 4. After tea, Phil dressed and away at 5.15; Alys went with him, and back by train at 7.30. Eva cooked cauliflower au gratin. To bed 8.30. “Barnaby Rudge”.
Monday 8th March 1948
Fair, mild.
Eva got Eve’s breakfast. Alys took her to school (I forgot porridge!). Eva and Teddy to Wembley, but no agent there. Alys and I lunch at Durham and to Pinner to get oil-cloth at Woolworth’s. Eva and Teddy lunched at Northwood Hills (Broadway). Teddy did sodding. Radio man brought Cossor back. Eve back late; wrong bus. Alys listened to “Without Witness”, 4.15. Beef-steak braised, noodles, grapefruit. “Four Feathers”, “The Jew of Malta”, Christopher Marlowe.
Tuesday 9th March 1948
Very warm and fine. 74℉ in London.
Teddy and Eva away early to Aylesbury, and look at house at Quainton too. Alys and I had soup, and bacon (tinned) and apricots in hut. Did bank account. Rested. Read papers. Alys posted Phil‘s pyjamas, I met Eve at Kewferry Road. Teddy and Eve back at 4. (Mrs Bearcroft in p.m, ironed). Teddy and Eva to the Blair’s (Loudwater) to drinks and supper. Alys made cheese omelette. Grapefruit.
Wednesday 10th March 1948
Warm. Fine. 72℉.
I to town 11 a.m. To Drury Lane Theatre and bought upper circle seats 9/-. Walk and bus to Oxford Circus; 2 sandwiches and pastry at Green Lizard 2/6 with tip. To my Club. Rest. Then to Theatre 2.30. Down to Dress Circle at half-time. At 5.30 out. Bus to Oxford Circus. To Club. Rest, “dinner” at 7. Bus 113 to Baker Street. Train home. (Teddy did lots of digging). “Before The Morning”, Mabel Constanduros and Howard Agg.
Jan Masaryk’s suicide – 9th or 10th.
Thursday 11th March 1948
Very fine and warm.
Eva and Alys to town for shopping (Eva‘s hair done at Foake’s 3.30). Bolivar lunch. Teddy and I lunched at Durham; he to pub first. I altering tweed skirt all day. Teddy digging and manuring. Talk to Captain Mercer re. rats. Alys home same time as Eve. Tea. Eve frightened by Children’s Hour story “Biggles Flies West”, Part 1. Corned beef and Alys’ gallantine, (soup 1st), tomato salad. “Crime, Gentlemen Please”.
Friday 12th March 1948
Fine and warm.
Alys only orange juice till supper time. Phil phoned, and Alys went to fetch EYT back from Ford’s in Commercial Road (not back till 3.30). Eva made stew; I did kohlrabi. Teddy did a lot of digging. Teddy and Eva went to tea at Marion‘s. I to fetch BHN from Post Office: got my sugar. Alys left EYT at Killick’s. Alys did “Scotch soles”, oven fried, with lovely sauce.
Saturday 13th March 1948
Fine, warm.
Up 7.15 Eva, Teddy, Eve and I to Victoria. 10.23 to Mitcham Junction, little train onto Beddington Halt. Walk to kennels and saw Dougal quarantined there (near Hackbridge). Back to Victoria, lunch at Stewart‘s there. I to Central Hall; annual meeting of R.S.P.B. (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) 2.15. General Lord Forester. Lecture on Saint Kilda., Birds, slides. Very good of island and gannets. James Fisher, Ludwig Koch records. Colour film by C. W. Holt, very good whinchat. Ice at Milk Bar, Swiss Cottage. Home 6.45. Tomato soup, corned beef. “Libel” by Edward Wooll, Esmé Percy.
Memo:
12th Phil’s Hunt Ball with Morlock’s, and weekend there.
13th R.S.P.B. Annual General Meeting 2.15, Central Hall, Westminster.
15th 2.30 Trinity Church. Mr Longbotham’s Memorial Service.
14th Summertime begins.
17th Truman’s important speech accusing Russia of obstructing peace.
Sunday 14th March 1948
Perfect day.
Phil’s weekend at Morlock’s. Teddy and Eva up early and off to see James at school at Hurst Green. Eve and I in garden. Picked kohlrabi greens. Alys braised beef joint. We had Eva’s stew for dinner, and omelette soufflé. Eve prepared “tea party” in hut. Rested, slept. Tea in hut 4.30. Gardening (with Eve) till 6.30. Soup and bouchée from Durham. (Alys eating very little all day).
Monday 15th March 1948
Cooler, grey.
Eva and Teddy heard they had got the furnished home at Quenton. Alys took only orange juice all day. Not down to breakfast, but up, and doing braised beef and peas. I had to get potatoes (last week). Teddy digging. Alys to Service at St Martin’s for Mr Longbotham 2.30. I did tweed skirt. Teddy to Baker Street to buy Austin 7. Eva made Welsh rarebit, and cabbage for supper. Eva, Teddy and I to Cattle’s at 8.15 (Alys to bed). Home before 10.
Tuesday 16th March 1948
Fair, cool.
Teddy to Reading to get petrol coupons. Eva to town, bought hat. Alys and I to Northwood Hills; (took my radio). Cold Bacon and semolina soufflé, iced apple. I doing my skirt in p.m. Teddy back and digging by 4. Gardner at 5 till 7 (Mrs Bearcroft cleaned Eve‘s room). Eve gardening. Haddock and toast, grapefruit. Phoned Kit and wrote Beach Hotel re, dates.
Wednesday 17th March 1948
Cool, dullish.
Eva and Teddy to Quainton taking some luggage (lunch, Aylesbury with Miss Abbott). Alys and I to Northwood Hills. Got my radio. Home. Alys to Kingham’s and meet Eve. I did kohlrabi. Stew at 1. Eve back 12.30. Baked apples. Rests in p.m. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned kitchen. Eva and Teddy back to tea, and out to Wickham’s. Sausages (Vienna) and mashed potatoes. Truman speech.
Thursday 18th March 1948
Cold but fine.
Eve’s 8th birthday. Teddy to Golders Green to fetch Austin 7. Eva and Alys to shops and Food Office. I sewed coat. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned kitchen. Eva, Teddy, Alys and I to Durham, 1 o’clock. Ted and I to Carey‘s for seeds, and I bought shears, 7/6. Alys and Eva to Rickmansworth to school concert. Teddy sewed seeds and planted shallots till past 7 o’clock, from 2. Tea with a cake and 8 candles at 4.45. Gardener came. 5 – 7. Baked brill with onions and kohlrabi (mashed). Ruth Draper. “Crime, Gentlemen Please”.
Friday 19th March 1948
Cool, grey, showery.
Eva and Teddy busy packing and Alys helping, with stores, all morning. All of us to Durham 12.15; Home and then Teddy and Eva away in the new (1936) Austin 7 about 2 o’clock. Alys in car to shops, and met Eve at 4.30. Tea. Kitty phoned. Later Phil phoned, and at 8 o’clock Eva from Quainton phoned. Vienna sausages and cold bacon, and grapefruit. “20 Questions”. Nobel Prize winners’ speeches. Sir Robert Robinson and Sir Edward Appleton.
Saturday 20th March 1948
Fine. Cool.
Eve down and sewing dolls coat. Alys with Eve to shops. I dusted. All of us to lunch at Durham (upstairs). Gardener came, and we laid sods. I cut lilac (for car). Grand National, we all listened in (Phil arrived at 3). Ironed and sewed and read to Eve (John Gilpin). Walk to get Radio Times and Bourn-Vita and doll’s bottle, after tea. Turbot with egg-sauce. Grapefruit. “The Light of Heart”, Emlyn Williams, Angela Baddeley, Laidman Browne.
Memo:
18th Eve’s 8th birthday.
15th Longbotham’s Memorial Service 2.30.
Rent paid to 18th – King Henry’s Road, £8.8.0. Sent rent till June 10th.
14th Summertime begins.
19th Teddy’s 19 days leave up?
14th Wrote for oatmeal with 14 points.
18th Sent papers back to Ernest: investments
Wrote Captain Gordon.
23rd Rinty Monaghan British Fly Weight Champion beat Jackie Paterson.
Sunday 21st March 1948
Cool, grey.
Phil in bed, after breakfast, until lunch 1.15. Played ball with Eve. Braised beef, chicory. Bruxelles chocolate. Eve cried a lot about wanting Eva. I made yeast rolls. Alys had Eve in her room while resting. Phil in hut, with Vidor. Alys made cheese scones for tea. Talked with Phil re. cars and petrol. Parsley and chives omelette. Phil away 8.15. 8 cases. “Barnaby Rudge”.
Monday 22nd March 1948
Fine. Cool wind. Sunny.
Alys up at 7 and got Eve‘s breakfast and she to school 8 o’clock. I to post with Phil‘s pyjamas. Alys and I to Durham, lunch 12.30. Home. Rest, and sewing at 3. To Pinner, Woodman‘s (no eggboxes). Alys to meet Eve, Kewferry Road. Tea in sitting room. In garden, all of us, ball exercises. Lime on beds. Sewed spring onions. Read “Log of Ark” to Eve. Cheese rissoles and cold bacon, prunes. “Four Feathers”, Edridge, “The Marvellous History of Saint Bernard”, by Henri Gheon. David Peel.
Tuesday 23rd March 1948
Fine, cool, sunny.
I up at 7 and got Eve‘s breakfast and her off to school at 8 a.m. I to Trafalgar Square and bought 2 egg-boxes at Civil Service Stores. Lunch Green Lizard, counter. To Hanan and Lafayette, Evans’, Selfridge’s. Bought grey flannel for skirt. To Foakes – Miss Doreen and Margaret. To Sagne‘s, coffee. Home. Alys and Eve in car. Gardening, with Eve. Tinned Scotch broth, Welsh rarebit with egg (not Alys), prunes. White wine from Layton.
Wednesday 24th March 1948
Fine, cool, sunny.
Alys at 7, and Eve to school, home at 12.30. Mended sheet. Laundry came. Kit phoned. Hot braised beef, kohlrabi greens. Baked apple. Eve played with Veronica (from Seddon’s maid) and Dennis Bearcroft. Mrs. Bearcroft cleaned kitchen, and ironed. Cook came 2½ hours. I unpicked tweed coat and tried to alter it and hem of striped skirt. Paid post egg-boxes 2, and Kingham’s order. Planted lettuce in pots. Fishcakes and chips, prunes.
Thursday 25th March 1948
Very fine.
Alys packed Eve‘s things, and they both took Quainton by 10.50 train. I drove car back, 9.45. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned my room. I all day cutting out and making grey flannel skirt. Liver and onions and baked apple. Washed grey cardigan. Gardener came. Paid him 15/– for today and yesterday. Alys back at 8.20. Kippers and chocolate mousse. “Crime, Gentleman Please”.
Friday 26th March 1948
Perfect.
Alys to Kitty’s for day. I doing grey flannel coat (of Gorray skirt); and in garden, liming and picked daffodils. Liver soup. Hot cross bun. Gardener Cook 2 – 6, 12/-, finished turfing. Sardines, plums. Alys back at 8.45. Reading “Thursday Afternoons”, Monica Dickens.
Saturday 27th March 1948
Perfect. Cool wind.
Alys to shops then I to shops. I in queue for bread. Phil arrived about 12 o’clock. Lunch on terrace – cold meats and tomato salad. Sewed coat in p.m. Phil lay on terrace. Boat Race broadcast. I in car to get oranges and rock plants, saxifrage. Alys and Phil in his car JLN to Denham. Scallops, grapefruit.
Memo:
Points period ends.
22nd Alys wrote Baden re. Dennis‘s things to be sent to Phil.
I wrote Dublin for patterns.
24th Eve’s term ends. Bought 12 lettuce plants 1/6 Salmon’s.
25th Eve to Quainton.
23rd Foakes.
Sunday 28th March 1948
Very fine.
Made sandwiches and started about 11.20 in JLN. Drove through Amersham and Wendover and Aylesbury to Quainton. To Colonsay, Eva and Teddy and Eve there in their new home. All ate lunch in garden by front door. Saw all over house, garden, out-houses. Tea outdoors too. Away at 4.15 or 4.30. Home by 6. Phil in hut. Vienna sausages and mashed potatoes, tomato gravy (in oven in Pyrex). Bourn-Vita and cheese.
Monday 29th March 1948
Dullish, fair.
Phil didn’t dress till after tea. We had grilled cutlets and mushrooms. Braised seakale with sauce, cabbage and some sausage sausages. Chocolate mousse. Rests. Put cotton across seeds in beds. Tea in Phil‘s room. Phil filled in his petrol request. Spaghetti and poached eggs. “Spring in Park Lane”, Michael Wilding, Anna Neagle 8 – 9. Good. “Easter”, Strindberg (Swede) 9.15 – 10.30.
Tuesday 30th March 1948
Dullish. Fair, windy.
Eva phoned about 9.40; (temperature) so Alys to Quainton by 10.40 (to Killick’s first). Defrosted Camley, and phoned Refrigerator Co. Fried sandwiches (Sunday’s) and colcannon (grill), seakale. Mrs Bearcroft (and Dennis). I in car to Carey‘s. Alys phoned at 5 (Eva sinus pain). I phoned Phil, to tell him. Ironed. Soup, cold sausages, rhubarb (our own forced) and custard. “The Honourable History of Friar Bacon and Friar Bungay”, Robert Greene 1560 – 1592.
Wednesday 31st March 1948
Gale. Cool. Showers.
Very anxious re. Eva all a.m. Stayed in for phone, sewed and ironed. Vienna sausage; chocolate and cake pudding. Mrs Bearcroft at 2. Alys phoned 2.15. Eva better! Out to fill BHN with last petrol coupon (3 gallons). To Kingham’s. Long wait there. Home. Sewed and listened in. Finished knitting borders for grey cardigan. Soup with egg, rhubarb and custard. Pickles from Reeth.
Thursday 1st April 1948
Still very windy. Fine and showers.
Lit Cozy stove. Phoned Alys. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned Alys’ room. Did laundry. Walked to Durham, 12.15 lunch. Got humbugs. Sewed grey flannel skirt and machined coat. Gardener came at 5 and mowed both lawns. Fried corn beef and onions and sausages, apples (raw). Mended old sheet. ITMA. “Crime, Gentlemen Please”. Rene phoned.
Friday 2nd April 1948
Fine. Windy.
Phoned Alys (coming with Eve tonight). In BHN to shops and twice round by Batchworth for battery charging. Bought pansies (2 plant 6d each) and 1 polyanthus 6d, cakes and scones. Had “braised beef and gravy” tin U.S.A. Ironed and sewed grey flannel coat and skirt. Liver pâté on brown bread, 7.15 “The Nurse”, Monica Dickens. Nesta Pain. Alys and Eve arrived 8.30, had sardines.
Saturday 3rd April 1948
Fine. Cool.
All to Colliver Fisher. Air in my tyre. Alys twice to shops, for fish. Eve and I to Durham, ordered fishcakes. All had lunch there 12.15. Gardener did rose beds, and borders of grass. Short rest. Tea, scone. Eve very good. Sausage roll and Ryvita. Fishcakes from Durham for supper. Dull play “Neighbours” by Anthony Merryn.
Memo:
31st Doz to Berridge. Kit to Worthing? 30th.
1st Laundry.
30th Posted Phil’s petrol paper.
3rd Voting for Council.
Sunday 4th April 1948
Windy, cold and heavy showers.
Wrote petrol application for EYT. Sent cheque for BHN insurance. Eve working pony and embroidery frame. Fresh mince and frozen peas and carrots. Plums and custard and white of eggs. All of us to post and round by bridges over railway. Rests. Altered jumper collar. Then Dimbleby in “Cornwall”. Tea. Phil came from Eva’s at 7. Mince, sausage rolls, fish pie. Phil went at 8.15. “Emma” 8.30.
Monday 5th April 1948
Cool, fine.
Alys to meet James from school, and back with him at 12. Eve and James and Alys and I all to Durham 12.15. Home. Then Alys and James and Eve to Quainton. I drove car home. Did sewing, machining. Made gingerbread fudge (of crumbs), and chocolate cream (with soya) and mock cream. Mince and kohlrabi greens and potatoes, plums, custard. “Hurrah For Womanhood”, “The Tipster”, Brains Trust”, “Love and Geography”, Bjornstjerne Bjornson.
Tuesday 6th April 1948
Cool. Showers.
Ironed, sewed. Made Genoese (as 2 cracked eggs). Liver pâté, baked apples. Defrosted Fridge. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned all around. I to Northwood Hills BHN with radio midget (switch gone) and glass to be riveted (dish I broke). Took milk to Mrs Cattle. Soup, mince, plums, cake. “Lords of Creation”, Budget talk – Cripps, “The Morning After”, Michael Pertwee. Buddhism.
Worthing
Wednesday 7th April 1948
Cool wind. Sun. Dull p.m.
Up 7. Killick’s to station 8.50. To Baker Street. Taxi Victoria. 10,25 to Worthing 11.53. Taxi to Beach Hotel 2/6. Kit there. Sat on terrace in sun. Lunch 1 o’clock. Rests. Long sleep. Tea, 4. Out along front together, Kit back by bus (Wallace Avenue) I on and walked back. Phoned Menie – out. 9.15 Oliver Stanley, reply to Budget Speech.
Thursday 8th April 1948
Showers and sun. Cold strong wind.
Out alone to shops, got 3 grapefruit, 2 tins bullseyes. Kit came out, I met her, and to chemist. Sat in sun a little. After lunch, rested till four. Tea; then about 5.30 Menie and Con (Constance) Reid came. Talked till 6.40, in lounges. Dressed. Dinner. Diary 1913 September/October. To bed about 9.
Friday 9th April 1948
Sunny. On whole, warmer.
Both walked to Woolworths. Then sat on terrace. Lunch. At 2.10, taxi to West Worthing station (3d extra on ticket). 2.30 train to Victoria. Arrived 3.58. Taxi Baker Street. Colliver Fisher. Home (about 5.10). Alys there (back from Quainton). Mackerel (grilled). At about 8.40, Phil arrived (has cough and cold, so home instead of to Morlock’s). He to bed. Talked of Nancy Blain who mitral stenosis.
Saturday 10th April 1948
Some sun.
Phil in bed all day. Alys to shops. Sent petrol paper. I lunched Durham, and to Northwood Hills, via Killick. Made custard in p.m. Gardener came. At 5:30 to 34 Cavendish Square, Dinner and talk with Doz till about 10. Slept in No. 33, Doz 18. (Sent herbal book to Kit, coffee to Eva and letter re. gloves.)
Memo:
7th Doz at Club till 14th.
4th Petrol application for EYT.
5th James back.
10th Petrol application re. Nancy CUC.
7th To Worthing till 9th 10.25 – 11.53.
10th To Club for night? 7 dine with Doz.
Sunday 11th April 1948
Lovely day. Wind cool.
Breakfast 9.15 about. Paid bill 13/6, staff box 1/-. About 11, we on bus to Finchley Road and to Northwood. Phil very depressed, in bed and feeling sick. Doz about 10 minutes with him. Baked fish with lovely milk sauce, potatoes (mince to). Phil had orange juice only, in bed. Chocolate mousse. Plums and custard. Doz away 2.30. We 3 in hut in p.m. Phil had egg sandwiches for tea. Read New Zealand papers. Fish (baked) and fishcakes, supper. In Phil‘s room, yachting books. “Emma”.
Monday 12th April 1948
Very fine, perfect.
Alys to town for hair at Foakes, 11. I lost my car key. Cut up grapefruit skins. Grilled cutlet ends, spinach (from garden). Plums and custard. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned Phil‘s room. I took BHN to car park; and posted eggbox with clock in it, to Blain. Letter to him. Alys back about five 3.30. She made cheese omelettes. Teddy phoned Eva – temperature 101℉, sick and diarrhoea. Roosevelt Memorial speeches.
Tuesday 13th April 1948
Fine and warm.
Defrosted fridge. Alys to shops and then she away by 10.40 to Quainton for day. I home, and out again to Durham, for lunch, 12.15. Got 3 cloches, Carey’s. Wrote lettercard to Doz. Cut up oranges, lemons. Machined loops on coat. Ironed. Washed. Sewed. Made sponge cake. Gardener 2 hours. Met Alys at Moor Park with BHN 8.15. Mince and potatoes. (Killick brought EYT back).
Wednesday 14th April 1948
Mild. Fine.
Alys to shops. I put side pocket in grey skirt, arranged about Eve’s dentist, and Killick. Both of us to Durham, I ate 12.15. Alys fetched my radio and at 1, lunch. Mrs Bearcroft in p.m. We rested. At 3.15 called on Mrs Newman. To Kingham’s Home. Made mince for supper, (and cake and jam). Phoned Lois.
Thursday 15th April 1948
Perfect, breezy.
Alys and I at 9 to Waterloo. Saw off Doris, Diana and Sylvia Freer (Althlone) 10.35. I to get herbs at Culpepper, and to Hertford Refrigerator Co. To Durham by 12.25. Alys, Lois and Lucy came (via Marks & Spencer’s) and all lunched. Back and rests; Tea in hut. Sat out on grass. Gardener came 5 – 7. Supper, sardines and egg. I walked to bus 183 with Lois and Lucy, who went off at 8.18 to Golders Green.
Friday 16th April 1948
Very fine.
Up at 7 for breakfast and at 8.30 car from Killick (with elderly chauffeur) came, and I drove to Quainton. Fetched James and Eve to Northwood, met Alys at Wilkie’s. Eve had teeth stopped. James and I home. All Durham 12.15 BHN and back. Garden and rests. Balloons. Pansies 8d each. Tea in hut. BHN to Moor Park. Children off in wrong train. Alys followed them; and they all drove from Aylesbury to Quainton in taxi! I home, wrote Amy Steel. To meet Alys at Moor Park at 8.15. She missed train, and arrived 8.40. Cold Bacon supper.
Saturday 17th April 1948
Fair. Thunder storm p.m.
I made marmalade. Alys to shops. I to Durham 12.15 alone. Alys lunch at home. Phil came about 3.15? Gardener laid paving stones in front. I put in 1 gaillardia (10d) . Bought 4 sweet pea plants at 9d each. “Who Sups With The Devil”, Anthony Gittins 3.30. Turbot steaks, with mayonnaise sauce and chips. Ice cream and chocolate. “Dandy Dick” Pinero’s farce. Dennis Blakelock the Dean, Joan Young as Georgie Tidman.
Memo:
15th Doris and Diana and Sylvia Freer to South Africa (Athlone).
16th 11 a.m. Eve to Wilkie and Killick’s at 10.30. 8.30 car £2.10.0 tip 2/6.
19th 2 soldiers killed on football ground, Aldershot, by lightening.
Sunday 18th April 1948
Perfect, warm.
Wrote Amy Steel about food parcel. Gardened. Phil in bed all a.m. Alys cooked chicken from Layton, purple sprouting greens, sauce, sausages (Phil brought). Rest and sleep in p.m. Phil on terrace in sun. Tea out there. Sewed doormat. Cold bacon and omelette. We drove back to Bethel Green with Phil in JLN, and came home by tube. Got to Bethnal Green 8.40. Got home 10.
Monday 19th April 1948
Warm. Fine. Thunder at 7.
Alys and I to Aylesbury 10.50 (made friends with Pilcher’s). To Brown’s. Lunch at Bull. Bus to Regent Road over 126, house at 3,125. Back, and phoned Eva. 3.30 train to Quainton. Taxi and James on cycle. 3.36 Tea. Eva told about cottage at Launton. Taxi, and 7 train to Moor Park. Changed and Northwood. Car in Post Office park, back. Soup and cold bacon. “The Hidden Years”, Travers Otway.
Tuesday 20th April 1948
Fine. Warm.
Alys met Eve at Moor Park, and took her to dentist 11. I washed things. Met them Durham 12.15. Home. Rested, read papers. Eve in Alys’ room, and then they to Pinner. Eva with James to tea (they shopped in town). Gardener paving front path to garage. Berry’s 5.38 to Quainton from Moor Park. Sausages in batter. Phil phoned 7.40. Bertrand Russell on “Ideas and Beliefs of the Victorians – Toleration”.
Wednesday 21st April 1948
Fair, mild.
Alys rheumatism in back? Did machining. Made belt for a grey coat. Cold chicken, salad, bacon, fried potato. Alys took BHN to Killick a.m. He put new tire and hub on. We bus to Rex Cinema – “An Ideal Husband”, 2.50 (News 2.30, Laurel and Hardy, my 1st time!) Welsh rarebit. Chocolate mousse. “Ruskin”. Phoned Kit. Alys phoned Eva.
Thursday 22nd April 1948
Alys still rheumatic back. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned my room. I made bag for oatmeal, and machined grey tweed coat edges. BHN battery down; Alys spent long time trying to get battery out. I to get lettuce and got androsace 1/3. Chicken and bacon and salad. Killick came. To Post Office and sent 1lb tea to Kitty (U.S.A.). Planted the lettuce plants out. Mrs Gibb to tea (cataract just been operated on). Made cauliflower au gratin for supper. Kipling “The ‘Mary Gloster’”, read by Marius Goring. Gardener came.
Friday 23rd April 1948
Fine. Warm.
Mrs Bearcroft came. Alys took me to station. Got 10.1. To Trafalgar Square. Walked to Westminster. To Victoria, tram to Millbank. Met Lois at Tate. Paul Nash show. Bus 88 to Oxford Circus. Lunch at Club, 34 Cavendish Square. Walked to Grosvenor Square. Saw Roosevelt statue. Lois home; eye to Wallace. So Beagley. Mrs Leyel 3.15 consultation and medicines £1.18.0. To Richoux – chocolate and cake 2/-. Home by 5. In garden. Kippers. (Polished BHN – hubs and metal). Alys to London Chest Hospital with Phil’s collar for dance, Hale’s).
Saturday 24th April 1948
Fine. Warm.
Did machining black skirt. Car to shops for oranges, fishcakes. Both to Durham 12.15. Gardener 2 – 6. Mowed grass. “Rested” i.e. planned old black dress, and blue collar. Sat in hut and darned (Alys too). Fishcakes and salad. Ivor Novello‘s “Murder in Mayfair”, Zena Dare.
Memo:
Points period ends.
22nd Planted Cos lettuces
19th Phil took Angela to dine near Ritz (see her next in October).
20th Wilkie 11.30 Eve.
23rd Leyel 3.15.
23rd Tate Gallery 11-ish, meet Lois.
N.B. Order new medicine end June, early July.
Phil to Elizabeth’s weekend (Hale).
26th King and Queen’s Silver Wedding day.
Sunday 25th April 1948
Fine. Cold wind. Very cold in evening.
Took 183 bus to Golders Green 11.5 (Alys took me in BHN). Arrived at Golders Green about 12.20. Walk to Meadway, lunch 3/6. Through wood and to Sissie’s 1.50. Rest and sleep on sofa. Mrs Jugs helped with tea; and I had it with Sissie in her bedroom. Nellie Barnard in. Left at 6.25 or 30. Bus to Golders Green. 183 at 6:49? To Pinner. Changed and bus to Northwood. Alys made curried corned beef. Alys took BHN a run round for battery.
Monday 27th April 1948
Fine, lovely day.
Alys to Foakes for hair 1.30. BHN battery down. I wrote Ella. Cleaned and put all winter boots in commode. Soup, Ryvita, potted meat. Killick came with battery. I drove to his place. He put our battery on charge. Home. Looked out hats, winter. Alys back about 5. I fetched BHN, as she hadn’t looked for it at Post Office. Sent wash leather to Sissie. Boiled eggs, cakes. King and Queen spoke on radio. “Brains Trust”.
Tuesday 28th April 1948
Dull. Cool. Rain in p.m.
Received £3 from George for boxing. Wrote him, and also Kath. Alys, Barbara and I lunched at Durham. I to Kingham’s and ordered rations. Barbara away. Mrs. Bearcroft cleaned kitchen. Rested. Reading “Dust Upon The Sea”. Washed a lot of stockings. Darned. 2 Plays. Cold mince and salad and mayonnaise. Chocolate mousse. Radio Charades. “Troilus and Cressida”.
Thursday 29th April 1948
Greyish.
Looked out things and suitcase to take Ashridge. Alys to Northwood Hills. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned Alys’ room. Alys fried soles; and chips and new potatoes. Rhubarb. In p.m. we went by bus to Watford to test time. Another bus to Junction. Bus to Croxley Green; and back to marketplace. Then bus to Northwood. Cheese scones on terrace. Gardener. Rest and listened to Part 2 Troilus and Cressida. Kippers. Ginger. “The Small Back Room”, Nigel Balchin. Sebastian Shaw as Sammy Rice.
Ashridge
Friday 30th April 1948
Dull.
Alys got fillets and fried them for lunch, and made Queen of Puddings. At 2, we went to Bank and Salmon‘s. Bought hose (£2.4.0). I took bus 546 to Watford and train from junction 3.50, arrived 4.12, Ashridge. Tea, Lady Padgett and Mrs Gordon and Miss Harvey. Rest. Bedroom 16. (forgot waterproof so no dressing gown!) Address of welcome at 8.30 after dinner (soup, fish mousse and vegetables, apple and custard and breadcrumbs). 9 p.m. election of leaders. 10 p.m. films of Russia. To bed 11. Talk Mrs Jarvis about maids.
Saturday 1st May 1948
Dullish. Cool.
Breakfast 8. Chapel 9. 9.30 The Philosophy of Marxism; Christopher Hollis M.P. 11 o’clock discussion groups. 11.45 questions to lecturer. Lunch 1 – spaghetti, vegetables (fat young man), rhubarb, custard. In p.m. walk through grounds – dog cemetery. Then rest, sleep till 4. Tea 4.30 (moustache with wife headache). 5.15 Historical Background of Soviet Union, Leslie Paul. 6 p.m. group. Waldron appeared. Questions 8.30 – 9.35. Dinner 7.30 soup, beef steak pudding, vegetables, chocolate mousse, cream? Ireland and Brora, Sutherland. Dance 10. I to bath in bed 9.45.
Memo:
27th Sweet peas planted out. 4 pots 3/-, each had 3 plants.
30th To Ashridge till 3rd. Mrs Jarvis.
26th Wrote for oatmeal with 7 points.
27th Wrote Blain for petrol tins.
Sunday 2nd May 1948
Rain. Cold. Some sunshine later.
Up 7.45. Breakfast 8.15. Chapel 9.15. Explored the top floors. Dennis‘ part and cabins. Dinner – roast mutton, mock cream trifle. 3 Walton’s (nurse) and Mrs Pollock. 1.45 Russian Post War Policy, Paul Winterton. 2.45 Groups in World Affairs. 3.30 Questions. Tea (man who walk to Ashridge at midnight). 5.15 The Dilemma of Eastern Europe, Otto Friedmann. 6 Discussion Group. 7.30 supper – soup, tongue, cheese. 8.15 Questions. 9.30 General Paget’s address. To bed 10. Packed (Dance 10).
Northwood
Monday 3rd May 1948
Cold. Fair.
Breakfast 8 (outdoors first). Bus 8.25 to Berkhamsted. 846 to Watford. Bus 346 to Northwood. Alys and Kitty in car. Kit away. We home. To lunch Durham 12.15. Long rest, and sleep. Ate apples. Listened-in 4.15 to play “Great Day”. W.I. and Mrs Roosevelt. Then “Troilus and Cressida” 6.15. Alys made lobster and had fish pie, with peas and potatoes. “The Dark Knight Is Over”, 9.15 (black and tans).
Tuesday 4th May 1948
Cool, showery.
Began Income Tax Reclaim papers. Wrote Elsa re. Exmoor and Ella. Alys to shops. Fridge defrosted. Alys and I to Durham 12.15. Home. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned stairs and sitting room, and washed. Alys to Quainton 2.15 or 2? I took car home, after posting books and cornflour to Eva. Mrs Bearcroft away at 4, when it began raining, so I took all washing in, and tried to get it dry indoors. “The Devil‘s General”, Carl Zuckmayer 7.10 – 9.10. Harass, German general = John Clements. Sausage and potato, onion bacon egg fried together, and salad. Grapefruit.
Wednesday 5th May 1948
Fine.
Dyed 2 pairs of stockings, washed others. To Durham 1 o’clock. Mrs Bearcroft 2 –4, cleaned kitchen and ironed Phil’s clothes. I planted runner beans, and bought pansies, stocks and others (8/-) off man at door, planted them. Ironed nightgown and arms and chair back. Phil phoned 6.45. Made soup à l’oignon. “Troilus and Cressida”. To meet Alys at Moor Park 8.15. Supper in garden.
Thursday 6th May 1948
Very fine, lovely.
Finished Income Tax Claim and posted it. Mrs Bearcroft did Phil‘s room and dining room. To Bank, and Post Office, and bought 20 sprout plants (International) 1/– and another androsace. We had lunch in hut, corned beef, grapefruit. Cider. Planted some stocks (bought 1 dozen, Bennett’s). Read papers on couch. Gardener came and sewed peas and planted broad beans. Hose burst! I did rock-garden. Grilled mackerel, ice cream with chocolate (hot) sauce. “Troilus and Cressida” downstairs, sewing.
Friday 7th May 1948
Perfect day.
We took hose back to Salmon’s and they gave us new part length. Got grapefruit. Alys shopping. I home. Wrote Sissie. Sausages and potato balls, grapefruit. Rest. To post, met Mrs Newman and she back with me. Illustrated London News of Silver Wedding on terrace. Phil came at 7; very tired. Baked brill steaks and sauce, new potatoes. Grapefruit. Watered garden. Phil bed about 8.15. Mormons. Received EYT coupons five weeks.
Saturday 8th May 1948
Perfect day.
Phil drove me to Archway and I by tube to Tottenham Court Road. Looked in shops and bus to Swiss Cottage. Lunch at England’s Lane Restaurant. To 77 King Henry’s Road and dusted and arranged. Beagley came at 2 and took away bracket clock to repair bomb damage. I to secondhand shop, re. Dennis‘ old couch. At 77 till 5. Back (to Milk Bar) and home at 7. Grilled soles, lemon fluff. “The Limping Man”, Will Scott. “Troilus and Cressida” last part.
Memo:
7th Letter from Eva to Alys about Teddy and Group Captain and Depot.
3rd Back from Ashridge. 5.
8th 2 p.m. 77 King Henry’s Road. £5 for clock repairs.
4th James to school. Alys to Quainton for night (and Eve).
6th Sent Income Tax claim to Uxbridge.
11th Churchill to Oslo.
11th Moscow willing to meet U.S. for “better understanding”.
12th U.S. and Britain do not want meeting – not taken in by Moscow broadcast.
Sunday 9th May 1948
Perfect day.
Phil in dressing gown in garden on long chair all a.m. (and hut). I did apple purée and cheese. Alys got salad; cold beef, new potatoes. Rests in p.m. (Phil in garden). I read Winant “A Letter from Grosvenor Square”. Tea in hut. Told Alys and Phil about lectures of Ashridge with my notes. Cauliflower with cheese sauce. Omelette, grapefruit. Phil away 8.10. Watered garden. “Emma”.
Monday 10th May 1948
Dullish.
Alys had sharp rheumatism in small of back. She did washing. I machined and got out cotton frocks. Both to Durham 1 o’clock. Home. To Killick’s with both cars; I left BHN to be cared for by Killick and brakes done. He said 3/6 per week. I said 5/–. To Miss Filby’s, tailoress. Took knitted coat to cleaner’s. Got covers at Salmon’s, and left shears to be sharpened. Home. Rest (Alys) and play. I sewed. Todd Baker’s 6. He syringed my ears – “cherry stones”. Fishcakes at 7.30 and orange jelly and apple. “Rain”, Somerset Maugham.
Tuesday 11th May 1948
Rain a.m. Fine p.m. Thunderstorm 7. Hotter.
Alys in bed all day but down to meals in dressing gown; back acutely painful. Defrosted fridge. Sausage and corned beef and bacon grilled, apple snow. To shops and Bank, a thrift plant 8d (planted it on rockery). Gardener didn’t come. Boiled eggs, grapefruit. In Alys’ bedroom. Eva phoned. “The Sympathetic Table”. “Algernon Blackwood”.
Wednesday 12th May 1948
Warm. Fine.
Home for fridge. All grapefruit peels fermented. Heard of Mary Bell‘s death. Alys stayed in bed all day, though down to meals. I took Eve‘s cycle to station, and sent it off (2.23 train to Quainton). Lunch Durham. Mrs and Robert Ballantyne there. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned kitchen. Rested, sewed. Planted 3 more thrifts 8d each. Mrs Cox came for interview. “Buttermere Beauty” Germany prisoners. Welsh rabbit with egg grilled. Grapefruit. “Finished Symphony” Henrik Ege. “Algernon Blackwood”.
First eggs in new waterglass 11th and 13th.
Thursday 13th May 1948
Fine and lovely.
Alys in bed all day, but down to meals. Better. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned my room. I did washing and ironing; cotton and alpaca frocks. Cold mince and lettuces from garden. In p.m. did more ironing, and unpacked big egg-box.; put 33 eggs in new waterglass. 20 minutes rest. Dressed, and then to tea at Mrs Newman’s. No one else there. Gardener 5 – 7, clipped hedge (privet). I planted out. Spinach and eggs (our own spinach), grapefruit.
Friday 14th May 1948
Fine, perfect.
To Kings Cross about ticket. To Carter‘s, Great Portland Street re. couch. Lunch Sagne’s 11.50. To Foakes. To Thornett’s; to “heart Hospital, to Medical Supplies, Wimpole Street. To Fleming’s, Mortimer Street. Taxi to 77 King Henry’s Road. Sorted papers and sketches; and Mrs Haynes in 2 – 3.45. She cleaned windows; I did paint (inky black). Gave her 5/-. To Milk Bar – tomato cocktail 6d. Home 5. In garden. Kippers. Phil at 8.50. “The Relapse”, Sir John Vanburgh. (Alys in bed all day and Eva came unexpectedly, 2 hours or so).
Saturday 15th May 1948
Fine, breezy.
Alys in bed all day (back still aches), down to meals. Phil up after breakfast and in garden. He put awning up. I to shops. Cooked “soused herrings”. Phil and I to Durham and JLN 12.15. 1 hours rest. Gardener cut lawn, and turnips thinned. Taught Phil to net. Tea in Alys’ room. Large dried haddock, grapefruit. Killick and man for car covers (seats). Watered garden. Phil to bed 8.40. “The Kingmaker” by Margaret Luce.
Memo:
10th Dr Baker’s 9 – 10 or 6 – 7.
12th Alys to Davis‘ to tea.
11th Alys to Foakes 10.30
13th Mrs Newman’s 4.30.
14th Mrs. Haynes at 77 after 1 o’clock.
10th Took BHN Killick – brakes (and garage 5/- per week).
13th Ate 1st lettuce from garden. Turnip tops from thinned turnips.
15th Awning put up.
Princess Elizabeth and Duke of Edinburgh in Paris.
Hottest Whit Monday of the century.
Sunday 16th May 1948
Perfect day.
Hospital called Phil in night twice so he stayed in Alys’ room near phone. Alys much better – dressed. I boiled fowl from Layton, and turnip tops; and made parsley sauce. Alys did new potatoes and parsley. Chocolate mousse (too thick). Rests. Phil in hut and on lawn (in dressing gown all day, tired.). Tea in garden. Supper in hut; soused herrings, and boiled eggs. “Emma” in my room. Trimmed hat – black net veil. “Lord, Look At My Field, portrait of a District Officer”, by Philip Woodruff – “India and Pakistan”.
Monday 17th May 1948
Perfect. Hot. 80℉, breezy.
Phil in bed or hut in dressing gown, and no appetite. Alys up and apparently quite well. Grilled cutlets and haddock and soyghetti (kedgeree) cauliflower – meal in dining room, tinned cherries. Rest in p.m. Tea in garden. Thinned lettuces (for supper). Phil bath and dressed 7, and we had asparagus (from Doz) and cold chicken and salad. Phil ate only 4 asparagus and orange juice. Alys and I with him to Bethnel Green at 8; and back by tube 10.
Tuesday 18th May 1948
Perfect, hot, breezy.
Washed gloves. Wrote Doz, re. asparagus. Boiled grapefruit peel. Phoned Waterloo re. Devon Belle. Cold lamb chops and salad. Bus to Watford at 2:18. To Pickford’s (no use), sweet shop. Back by 3.50. Mrs Bearcroft did washing. We rested, (window cleaner came). In garden watering. Moved primulas from front door. Chicken soup, leftover pàté. Phil phoned. “Medea” by Jean Anouilh with Mary Morris, Bernard Miles.
Wednesday 19th May 1948
Very fine.
Made veiling crown to hat and wired ribbon. Chicken jelly. Cold chicken and salad. Rhubarb. Mrs Cox at 2 – cleaned kitchen, and washed up. I sewed, and rested. “The Trap”, good play (Chinaman) by Leslie Boyd. Hoed and tied up sweet peas. Watered. Soup, cold chicken and hard-boiled eggs and mayonnaise. Samuel on Gladstone.
Thursday 20th May 1948
Colder and dull. Some sun.
Alys to Foakes 11.45 (left EYT at Post Office). I got coat from cleaners. Posted coffee to Eva. Home and made stew of liver and corned beef and onions, milk and soya flour. Ate liver pâté for lunch. Camden plums. Ironed and altered skirts and frocks. Kitty phoned. Cook at 5. He planted kohlrabis out. Alys back about 5.30 (she brought reservations for Pulmans on Devon Belle). Liver stew (chicken jelly soup), grapefruit.
Friday 21st May 1948
Very fine, cool.
Alys to shops and Durham (at 12.30). I in bedroom, piece-drawer. Stew and spinach (from garden) and plums. Mrs Cox in p.m. Put down 13 eggs. Altered black and white “beech leaves” frock and cretonne (overall) frock and mauve cotton blouse. Short rest. To shops, Boot’s, Sainsbury’s and back in car with Alys. Kippers, (jelly soup first). Watered garden.
Saturday 22nd May 1948
Fine, cool wind.
Alys to shops. Both lunched at Durham. Phil came about 2.45, and in hut with Vidor wireless. I sewed, planned and rested. Tea and hut. Cook at 2 – 6. Marion Berry cycled over. Sherry and tomato cocktails on veranda. Salmon and mayonnaise and lettuce, and new potatoes. Bourn-Vita (Phil). “Craig’s Wife”, George Kelly.
Memo:
Points period ends.
20th Sent 1/– to Kings Cross for reservation June 16th.
22nd Sent Post Office 9/– to Barnstable Station Master for our 2 reserved Pulmans on September 11th and 18th.
Sunday 23rd May 1948
Very cold. Dull mostly.
Phil in dressing gown and bed, but in hut too, and down to all meals. Alys cooked loin of veal, with stuffing (separate), spring greens. I did chocolate mousse. Rests in p.m. and sewing and fitting. Tea in sitting room. Eva phoned – Eve a temperature: so Alys to go tonight. Corned beef, bacon and mushroom stew, buttered eggs. Phil took Alys to Moor Park Station for 8 train. “Emma”. Electricity failed, candles.
Monday 24th May 1948
Cold. A little sun p.m.
To shops in EYT. Posted egg-boxes. To Bank. Soup, with yolk egg and soya. Plums. Made Genoese cake. Trimmed hat, and tucker in dress. Rest 50 minutes, reading “Dandy Hart”. Washed things, and weeded lawn. Welsh rarebit with egg. “Master-Builder”, fair. Phoned Alys. Eve rash, most likely measles. Furious as missed “Blackbird” by Koch and “The Prisoner of Chillon” instead.
Tuesday 25th May 1948
Cool, showery.
To King Street, and then 27 St James’ Place, Christie’s. Then walked to Piccadilly Circus, and up Regent Street. Lunch Robinson & Cleaver’s 3/–. On (and in some shops re. hats) to Herbal to get psyllium seeds (2 boxes at 6/9). To Foakes; hair done by Margaret. To Thornett’s. Taxi to 77 King Henry’s Road (2/6 with tip). Cleaned butterfly cabinet. Home by 7.50 or so. Met Cook who had been 5 – 7. Omelette with onion and parsley. Chocolate mousse.
Wednesday 26th May 1948
Dull, cool then showers.
Read from 3 – 4 a.m. Phoned Kit. Heard Handy left Jean. Re-trimmed hat, different ways 3 times. Steamed straw beret. Made marmalade and bread pudding for lunch. Soup and Ryvita. Mrs Cox at 2 – 4, cleaned kitchen. I rested – slept. Sewed while poor play “Lady Rose And Mrs Memmary”, Hugh Stewart produced. Alys phoned, not returning today. Phil phoned 7. Cheese and egg. Sewed grass seed.
Smuts out.
Thursday 27th May 1948
Fine. Cool.
Got up at 6.30, caught 8.45 to Finchley Road. To 77 King Henry’s Road by 9.30. Met Thornett‘s men who took butterfly cabinet and dumb waiter to Christie‘s. I to Foyle’s, sold books for 4/6. On to Christies and a sale at 11 till 12.20. Lunch Kardomah. Home. Alys home about 3. Rested. Gardener came. Alys and I to Buchanan‘s cocktail party, Karen Anderson. Madge, Miss Morris, Ayrton’s. Phil late; Alys and I with him at 9 to Berkeley Restaurant dinner (Willy Blaikley and girl, and Bertie’s girl). Home by 10.15 or so.
Tonbridge
Friday 28th May 1948
Dull. Cool.
Packed things. Alys made veal and ham pie for lunch, lettuce. At 1.45 she took me to station. To Charing Cross, 3.15 to Tonbridge (8/6 return). Taxi to Haysden House (2/6). Gwen alone there. Tea. Circe (dalmatian) and Lassie (collie) and Oscarena (white Persian). Round garden and fields and farm. Kid and lamb and ducklings, geese. At 7.30 soup, cold lamb (loin), lettuce, potatoes. Chocolate and cream. Wireless battery ran out – “20 Questions” and “Have A Go”. To bed 11.
Saturday 29th May 1948
Cold and rain all day.
No housework; nice Mrs Patten and Jean with illegitimate, Richard. In car with Gwen to Tonbridge to shops, and then called for Jean Wildish and baby Nigel, 7 weeks. Dinner – cold white fish with sauce over, and lettuce and carrots round it, also oxtail. Steamed pudding. Baby fed. Then I slept on bed till 4.30. Tea. Jean away 5.15 (Gwen drove). Brown soup (oxtail – five points ¼ ), cold potatoes and carrots. Caramel pudding cold.). “Peril At End House” Agatha Christie, Austin Trevor as Poirot.
Memo:
27th 9.30 77King Henry’s Road to meet Thornett.
27th Buchanan‘s cocktail party.
24th Alys to Quainton. Eva‘s hair appointment. Eve measles.
25th Foakes, 2.30.
28th To Cave’s till Monday. Haysdon House, Tonbridge.
Monday 30th May 1948
Fine; but heavy showers.
Sausage and fried bread 9.15. Picked spinach with Gwen and then Gwen and I out for a walk along “measured mile” with dogs. Past 4 cottages bought by Willy in Nancy Gardener‘s name. Roast beef and spinach. Rhubarb tart and cream. Rest in p.m. At about 4.15, Becky and Doris Sharpe came to tea. They left at 6.30 and Gwen and I very quickly in Molly‘s new car, Morris 8, to Tonbridge School Chapel. Service. Sermon by Mr Whitfield, headmaster. Home about 8. Sainsbury’s pork pie, salad and junket.
Monday 31st May 1948
Showers a.m. Fine p.m.
Helped Gwen with beds. Laundry. Packed. She took me to station. 11,15 express to Charing Cross (12). To Baker Street (suitcase in cloak room). Phoned Alys (no answer). Lunch at Cafeteria 3/–. To Rialto, “Spring in Park Lane”, Michael Wilding and Anna Neagle and sailing 18 footers in Sidney Harbour and Avalanche Patrol. Home (about 6). In garden. Unpacked parcel from Amy steel. Fishcakes with fish and egg sauce. Bruxelles chocolate (made by Alys – she at Eva’s). “Brains Trust”. Garden.
Tuesday 1st June 1948
Some sun but thunder, rain and hail.
Dyed stockings, to shops and Boots’. Posted letters to Gwen and Amy Steel. Cold lamb chops with lettuce and Alys’ stuffing. Choc-ice from fridge. Mrs Bearcroft did Phil‘s washing and cleaned spare room. I wrote Thornett’s with cheque £3. Phoned Robinson & Foster. Weeded lawn. Scrambled eggs with curry and onion. Tried ice cream with custard and chocolate.
Wednesday 2nd June 1948
Showery. Cold. Some sun.
Defrosted Fridge. Phoned Kitty. To Kingham’s at 12.45. Boiled egg and toast. Mrs Cox came and cleaned kitchen. Alys home at 2.30 also. Talk. Rest. Wrote Eva de Baeremaecker. Alys wrote to Margaret Cox, and to post. Eggs au jus and cabbage. To bed 8.30.
Thursday 3rd June 1948
Very cold and showery.
Mrs Haynes phoned, and Kit also, both postponing: so I not to town. Alys to fetch suitcase from Notting Hill, and saw “Spring in Park Lane”. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned Alys’ room. Wrote Jim Archer, Hertford Refrigerator Co, and for reserved seat July 7th. Scrambled eggs and yoghurt. Alys back at 4.30 and Teddy came (from Health Examination). He away at 5.50. Alys and I rested. Kippers, and ice cream. To bed 8.30. “The Good Companions”, 9.30.
Friday 4th June 1948
Showery. Cool.
Got lettuces (by thinning) for veg. Alys to shops. I to Durham 12.15. Alys at home as Phil might come. He came at 3.30 or 4? I rested. Mrs Cox ironed a lot, and cleaned dining room. Tea in sitting room (Phil back for his holidays, 2 weeks). Grilled soles and lemon, stuffed tomatoes. Rhubarb (me; ours’). Alys’ wireless gave out. Wilfred Pickles hundredth. I weeded, and also tied up sweet peas.
Saturday 5th June 1948
Cool and dull.
Alys and Phil out and bought a new wireless set – Bush at Northwood Hills. I cooked peaches, and packed onions up. To Durham 12.15. Posted shoes and hats – Mrs. Peacock. 2.15 to Quainton (Alys took me to Moor Park). Arrived 3.29. Taxi to Colonsay. In garden. Tea. Saw hens fed (6 white Wyandotte). Mr and Mrs North in. Filipino. Teddy back at 10 o’clock. To bed 9.15.
Memo:
4th Phil home for holidays – 2 weeks.
5th James’ 11th birthday. To Eva‘s till Monday.
3rd 77 King Henry’s Road? 10.30.
1st Wrote Amy Steel re. parcel; Thornett; Gwen.
2nd Wrote Eva de Baeremaecker.
3rd Wrote Jim Archer, Waverley for July 7th, Hertfield Refridgerator Co.
(New engine put in Camley – 7th).
9th Nasturtiums and wallflowers sewn)
Sunday 6th June 1948
Gale and showers all day.
Not out except to hens all day. Teddy wrote to agents re. houses. I read to Eve a little. Eva cooked mutton and cabbage, roast potatoes and mashed. Gooseberry tart (Teddy picked gooseberries). Rests in p.m. Tea. Boiled eggs and cooked lettuce and mashed and bacon. Apricots; cheese (Australian gift to Alys).
Monday 7th June 1948
Less cold. Some sun.
Teddy off at 8.30 (and Wing Commander Wakelyn?) Eva to Aylesbury re. James’ food at 9.15. I with Eve in her room; she up at 11. Mrs Webb came 9.45; she cooked shepherds pie and Eva back 12.30. Eve out with pullets; I dug up lilies of valley. Rest till 4. At 4.10 taxi and 4.20 train to Aylesbury. Changed. Arrived Moor Park 5.29. Alys and Phil met me. Put plants in. Haddock, chicken soup, eggs (Phil). Alys to see Mrs Cattle (lumbago). New Bush radio – “The Stars Bow Down”.
Tuesday 8th June 1948
Very hot and sultry. 80℉.
Phil took me to station. 10 to Baker Street. Bus to Victoria. Train to West Croydon, changed and on to Beddington Lane Halt (about 12). To kennels. Saw Dougal. Gave man 5/– for cigs and to pluck his too thick coat. Back, changed Mitcham and Victoria at 1.20 or so. Lunch Zeeta. Lady from Stowe-on-Wold promised chocolate from Switzerland! Home (after Victoria & Albert Museum and Queensbury Hall sale rooms) at 4.30. Tea in hut. Gardener 5 – 7, sowed wallflowers and nasturtiums. Cold mince, salad, mayonnaise. Ice cream and chocolate sauce. “The Constant Couple”, George Farquhar.
Wednesday 9th June 1948
Warm, dullish.
Defrosted fridge. Phil running in his lathe. I had cold mince at 12. Alys took me to station. 3.30 to South Kensington by tubes. Got return ticket to Edinburgh at agency. To auction at 2. Our marble butterfly cabinet sold for 6 ½ guineas. Dumbwaiter sold for 24 guineas (Georgian) to deaf man. Home by 5. All to look at Rofant Road house. Wrote Blain re. clock. Kedgeree, gooseberries and custard.
10th Trooping of the Colour postponed for rain.
Test Match fiasco. Hutton out for 13.
2 offers for Layton let.
Thursday 10th June 1948
Dull, warm later.
Tropical rain and thunderstorm. Alys not eating or feeling well but Alys took me to station to 77 King Henry’s Road and Mrs Haynes helped dismount couch (Dennis’ patients) and clean and tidy. Lunch, England’s Lane. To Kennedy and Dunphy. Tubes to South Kensington (ticket to be changed, wrongly dated). Bus 30 to Baker Street. Home at 4. Planted 4 marrows. Kitty and George in his new car, Standard 8. Sherry on veranda. Man came about lathe. Offered £28. Turbot with egg sauce.
Friday 11th June 1948
Mild. Fair.
Alys better and eating again. She to shops. Phil to get door open (key stuck in EYT). Then Phil to get petrol. I posted two eggboxes, and to Bank. Got spinach from garden (with mince and macaroni). Queen of puddings. Mrs Cox in p.m. I altered waist of grey tweed skirt. Ironed. Alys cut fingers opening tin; egg sandwiches for Phil who, after tea, away to Aldeburgh (picking up Elizabeth Hale at Gower Street 6). Kippers and steamed ginger pudding supper. Man about the lathe. “The Gioconda Smile”, Aldous Huxley, New Theatre.
Saturday 12th June 1948
Fair. Mild.
Teddy and Eva and Eve came in car; Teddy and Eva on to James’ school sports. Eve and Alys and I lunch at Durham. Posted U.S. tins to Ella. Mended Eve‘s slippers. Gardener 2 – 6, planted out 3 marrows, cut grass. Tea. Teddy, Eva and James at 7.45 or so (James diarrhoea). U.S. pork meat, salad, mayonnaise. Gooseberry and grapefruit mousse. They all home at 9.15. “George and Margaret”.
Memo:
8th Ticket to Waddon Marsh Halt instead of Beddington Lane Halt changed 3/1 from Victoria.
3 marrows planted. 8d each.
9th Auction 11 am Robinson & Foster, Harrington Road SW7 Queensbury Hall.
12th James school sports. Half-term begins.
Ticket to Edinburgh 3rd class return £5.7.6.
7th “The Stars Bow Down” by Gordon Daviot. Yusef – Griffith Jones.
Australia won Test Match by 8 wickets.
Denis Compton best score for us. Hasset for Australia.
Sunday 13th June 1948
Fine and hot.
Alys in bed all day, on synthetic orange juice. Wrote application for cheque for sale of dumbwaiter. Stewed lettuce and pâté, and gooseberry mousse. At 2.5 too bus 183 to Golders Green, arrived about 3.10. To wood, and sat there till 4, when to Sissie’s. Tea and sat in garden. Nellie Barnard came about 5.30. Both away about 6.30. (Sissie’s wc not working). Got bus 183 at 6.43. Arrived at Northwood 7.45 or so. Grilled sausages with onion and bacon rinds. To bed. Marchesa Origo on “Byron’s Last Attachment” (Contessa Teresa Guiccioli).
Monday 14th June 1948
Thunderstorm a.m. Hot and fair 4 pm.
Alys to shops. I washed things and altered and cut peplum. Cold sausages and salad, Alys had fishcake. Phil home about 2.30. Camdened gooseberries. Sewed, machined, ironed black coat all p.m. Tea in hut. Hors d’oeuvre mayonnaise. “Guilty”, Zola. Sonia Dresdel, Jack Hawkins.
Tuesday 15th June 1948
Dull and cooler.
Packed. Alys to meet Eva, James and Eve at Moor Park 10.49. We all to lunch at Durham (except Phil, who had eggs later at home). Eva off with James to see him off to school. After tea Alys took Eve to station to meet Eva and go home. Cauliflower cheese. Phil felt sick and didn’t eat too much.
Edinburgh
Wednesday 16th June 1948
Fine on whole.
Up 6.30. Car with Killick’s man at 8.30 to Kings Cross. Flying Scotsman at 10 (Lord Farringdon). Lunch 12 30 4/–. Orangeade, savouries, cake 4.30 2/–. Arrived at Edinburgh 5.50 (woman from Accra at lunch), spinster from Battle? and Lady from Horsham. Margaret Hindhaugh met me me. Taxi 2/- to 17 Warriston Crescent. Supper 7 (early). Fried sausage slices, chocolate custard, prunes slices, dessert in glasses.
Thursday 17th June 1948
Showers. Sun.
Breakfast in bed 8. Out to Princes Street in tram (Ella to chiropodist in George Street). I got maps Tweeddale. Back to lunch 1. Stewed mutton cutlets. Bakewell pudding. Rest (slept) 2.10 – 3.30. Tea. Out in Botanic Gardens. Fried fish, and custard in glass.
Friday 18th June 1948
Rain but fair intervals.
Maggie brought breakfast 8 and went away 8.15. Got up about 8.45. Cleared up, dusted drawing room. Out to near shops. Bought stockings and blouse. Cold mutton and lettuce and hot new potatoes. Warmed up Bakewell. Lettercard to Alys. Rest and sleep. Tea. Ella out to neighbour, McKay. I gave Dicky groundsel. Fish pie and cheese.
Saturday 19th June 1948
Showery. Some sun.
Got my breakfast in kitchen. Ella got hers upstairs. I to Princes Street and bought gloves at Mansfield’s, and to Boots’ with book. Cold meat and salad, chocolate shape. Rest, read “Stepping Heavenward”, Elizabeth Prentiss. Tea (at 12.30 with Ella to Murray’s and also got heavy tin on 6 points). Knitted. Grilled bacon, fruit salad – peaches, prunes, rhubarb.
Memo:
16th to Edinburgh? 10 a.m.
Points period ends.
19th Maggie to wedding.
18th Maggie home.
14th Two bottles of gooseberries in Camden.
19th “What Every Woman Knows”, Barrie.
(Wrote his speech as MP John Shand, Maggie).
Sunday 20th June 1948
Cool, fair.
To meeting with Ella in Sinclair‘s car 10.25 (Roger “professed faith” in p.m.). Walked home alone at 12.30. Cold lamb, salad; fruit salad and junket. Wrote Doz, and Alys (lettercard), posted. Posted them. Ella back 3.35. Tea. Packed. Boiled eggs supper and cheese. “Emma”, last one. Easton took Dicky to neighbours.
Monday 21st June 1948
Changeable. Rain all p.m.
Up at 7.30, breakfast and swept rooms. At 10.20 off in Sinclair‘s Humber 16, through Dalkieth and Kelso to Yetholm, the Romany House; arrived 12.25. Rooms 9 and 10. Lunch at 1, macaroni cheese, apple shape and cream. Rest in p.m. Tea, sat in lounge. Knitting, reading papers. Changed. Dinner 7. Soup, roast mutton, redcurrant jelly. Raspberries and semolina?
Tuesday 22nd June 1948
Changeable.
Breakfast, bacon and pancakes 8.45; Ella in bed 8.30. Both walked through village and to shops. Sunny. Corned beef, salad, potatoes. Bread pudding (good). I with Mrs Trainer and Miss Trainer in Mr Muirhead’s car to Kelso to Mrs Trainer’s house and saw Abbey ruins (Norman). Posted lettercard to Alys. Fried fish (broth), caramel shapes. Finished “Red Piper”.
Wednesday 23rd June 1948
Mostly fine.
Poached eggs, rolls. Out with Ella to Mill. Curried vegetables, beans and meat. Gooseberries and semolina. Rested (showed Trainer’s our rooms first). Slept. Tea, chocolate cake. Walk to bridge over Bowmont, with Ella back; then I to Kirk Yetholm, back by bus 1d. Sat in garden, wireless news (Marconi). Broth, mince, cauliflower, bread pudding with white of egg. Miss Latta and other ladies.
Russians aiming to drive us out of Berlin.
Thursday 24th June 1948
Perfect. Hot.
Both walked down to seat by Bowmont Water and I walked on all along it and round home. Dried haddock and mash, rhubarb suet pudding. At 1.50 Ella and I with Mrs and Miss Trainer in Muirhead‘s car, lovely drive by Hownam, Kale Water, Oxnam and Jedburgh. Wonderful Abbey, early 12th century. Home 4 o’clock. Rested till 7. Mutton, gravy, boiled onion; semolina orange cream (very good).
Friday 25th June 1948
Drizzle, dull.
Kippers. Went together to buy picture cards, then down to Bowmont Water. Sat. Home as drizzle. Paper – Scotsman crossword. Fried sausage slices. Rest. Tea. Walked along road; sat, and back. Listened in Test Match at 6 – 6.30. Lewis and Frances called in at 6.50. Rissoles, cauliflower; milky pudding. Sago and jam.
Saturday 26th June 1948
Windy. Heavy rain and sun.
Ella “squeamish”. I out to buy brown paper. Up hill (North) a good way. Back with Mrs with Miss Dalziel. Vienna sausages and spaghetti or soya. Ella, corned beef pie with sultanas in it. Rests. Tea. To Kirk Yetholm with Ella and Trainer’s. “Romany Palace”, bus back. News at 6. Soup, fried fillet, semolina shape. Lettercard to Alys. Windows soaked. Kirk Yetholm card to Lois. Crossword at 9 again.
Memo:
21st To the “Romany House”, Yetholm.
Telephone Yetholm 6, visitors 60, Roxburghshire.
Miss Latta (glove maker) Doctor and Mrs Piggott – house excavation
Dalziel (thought Dale).
Bissett sisters – crossword expert
(Peebles) – Miss Shaw’s.
Dock Strike goes on. “State of Emergency” proclaimed 28th.
Berlin situation “grave”.
Sunday 27th June 1948
Showery. Cold North West wind.
Bacon, egg and trout breakfast. To church, Kirk Yetholm 11.30. Ella part of way. Walked back with Trainer’s. Soup, roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, greens. Pineapple mousse. Rest. “The Stars Look Down”, A. J. Cronin. Hot doughnuts and shortbread. Both along road, between showers. News 6. Brisket and ham salad, cheese and biscuits and oat cakes, coffee. To bed 9.45.
Monday 28th June 1948
Sun and heavy showers.
Out and bought Heinz soup, and Ella bought slippers. Posted at Post Office 8/6 to Blain. Fish pie. Steamed fruit pudding (sago). Rest. Tea. Mrs Trainer‘s daughter (dentist) Jim came and took Mrs Trainer and Miss Trainer home to Kelso. We walked to mill stream and over it. Soup, cold beef, salad, semolina and raspberries. Talked about Mary Morison and Archer’s to Miss Dalziel. Attlee’s talk to dockers.
Tuesday 29th June 1948
Very dull and cold. North east wind.
Half rasher and pancakes. Sat with Ella in Smoking Room. Then along with coupons to boot-maker and seeking gooseberry‘s. Meat and bread shape, marmalade steamed pudding. Rest. Tea only Miss Dalziel, Mr Green? and us. Out alone to The Plough. Fried haddock with sauce, custard cream.
Wednesday 30th June 1948
Dull. A little milder.
Ella and I walked round by Bowmont shore, the haugh and back by road. I on and to Christie‘s and ordered gin 32/4 and oil 14/– to be sent Alys for birthday. Fried sausage and Heinz beans, semolina cream. Rest. Tea. Up hill with Ella. Mutton, carrots and brown steamed pudding. Miss Dalziel told me of her travels. 9 News and talk to Mrs Piggott.
Still feeding Berlin by air, fuel also.
Strike ended – 1st.
Thursday 1st July 1948
Fair, milder.
Ella giddy in night. I to Christie‘s, and paid for gin and olive oil, and posted them to Alys (registered). Walked over hills to Yetholm Lake and back by Kelso Road – Ella out a little way. Cheese puffs, semolina and cream. Wrote Alys. Rest. Tea. Out to shop with Ella. Miss Dalziel searching for room. Meat mould and cauliflower (Ella cold brisket beef), coffee shape and cream. Mended gloves. News.
Friday 2nd July 1948
Fair.
Out with Ella and sat on the seat by Bowmont Water. Wrote Doz. Shepherds pie, steamed pudding. Rested till 3. Then in Mr Muirhead’s car to Wooler – 15 miles? Tea at Padgepool Café, Phyllis Robson‘s, Leo’s daughter. Very nice. Home by Flodden. Cold meats and salad, apple pie. Talked to Mrs Piggott of Archaeological Society and News.
Saturday 3rd July 1948
Windy, dull.
Ella and I to Post Office. I posted tins of soup and hat home. I walked onto Kirk Yetholm and passed Gypsy Palace. “Faa” up road to Staerough. To Border Hotel. Bus back. Macaroni cheese, jam roll. Rest. Tea. Out a very short way with Ella. New 6. Soup, rissoles, semolina, tapioca and jam.
Memo:
Jeanie, Moira – Edinburgh? maids.
27th Haugh card to Kath.
29th Wrote Jim Archer.
Mrs Trainer, Hallidon, Kelso.
Miss Daisy Dalziel – secretary of Ancient Monument Society.
Mr Whittle, The Plough £5.5.0 clean and good cook.
Sunday 4th July 1948
Rain, nearly whole day.
Wrote Kitty. Mr Muirhead drove me to Kirk with Mrs Glover and tall daughter, and back. Soup, boiled fowl and sausage, cauliflower. Lots of strawberries and cream. Rest. Tea. Heavy rain, so only out after 6, along village. Ella not out all day. Cold brisket beef, salad, coffee, cheese and oatcakes and biscuits. Talk with Miss Dalziel.
Edinburgh
Monday 5th July 1948
Rain. Some sun.
Both packed. Out short way. Packed more. To fetch flowers 2/6. Omelette and vegetables, steamed pudding. Talk with Miss Dalziel. At 2.30 Sinclair with car and we to Edinburgh. Arrived 5 or nearly (about 35 mph). Unpacked. Tea. Marjorie there – fish (fried and stew), salad, plums, custard and crab apple shape.
Tuesday 6th July 1948
Fine. Sunny.
Breakfast in bed 7.50. To Princes Street. Bought 4 pairs of stockings Jenner’s. To Albertina Collection at National Gallery. Met Louise Bell and Ella, Crawford’s 11. . Back to National Gallery. To book shop “Red Piper”. Home. Cold chicken and sausage (soup first). Out to post doll and get rations for Marjorie. Tea and soup and marmalade. Nell Sandeman at 4 – 7. Vernon Bartlett situation. Sardines, jelly (Ella an egg).
London
Wednesday 7th July 1948
Dull, rainy.
Breakfast in bed 7.40. Taxi 9.30 (Sinclair’s 2/8. Gave 3/6). Flying Scotsman at 10 o’clock. Australian lady (Scot from Aberdeen), little Rosemary 6 years, Dundee. Lunch 12 in buffet. Hors d’oeuvres. Turkey’s egg salad. Sundae 5/11 – 10d tip. Crosswords (Scotsman). At 4.30 orange squash and 2 shortbread and ice cream 1/6, tip 6d. Arrived at Kings Cross 5.50. Killick’s chauffeur. Arrived 12 Grove Road 6.45. Alys on orangeade only. Cooked me haddock. Plums, custard. Talk, and garden (roses!). King-Hall.
Thursday 8th July 1948
Dull and colder.
Unpacked. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned Phil‘s room. Kit phoned. Wrote Ella. I to Durham 12.15 and to Bank for auction cheque; and kippers. Alys haddock at home. Talk and rest. Tea. We drove to Eva‘s new home “Newlands”, Bacombe Lane, Wendover with spinach and lettuce and curtains. Nice visit 6.15–7.15. Home 8. Kippers, plums, custard. Alys phoned Sissie, I phoned Frank Archer.
Friday 9th July 1948
Very dull, cool.
Alys to shops. I washed things and picked spinach. Alys had kipper, I had sausage meat and spinach. Garden, tidying and tying up and clipping small lonicera hedge. Alys out again. Mrs Cox cleaned kitchen. Rest. Gingerbread. Cleared drawer in dining room desk. Cod steaks grilled with cheese and milk, potatoes. Ginger. Phil phoned going to Curwen and car with George and Helen Hayes and “The Glass Menagerie”, Gielgud. “20 Questions” and News.
Saturday 10th July 1948
Dull.
I to get rolls at Elizabeth’s and kipper‘s. Wrote K-H (King-Hall) with cheque for Teddy. Gardener in p.m. I sycthed a bit in orchard. Phil came at 9.20 after being with George to Curwen’s Car (model) Exhibition and supper with Buchanan’s.
Memo:
5th Eva and Teddy and Eve move to Wendover.
5th Back to Edinburgh from Yetholm.
7th To Northwood?
6th Eva‘s 39th birthday.
8th Teddy‘s birthday 42?
Gave them £10. Eva for special brush (hair). Teddy towards Dougal.
Berlin crisis, and “air lift” continues.
Sunday 11th July 1948
Dull. Slightly drizzly.
I gathered our first crop peas. Phil in bed till 1. He told me about his motor launch trip, Dover to Hampton Court with Tutton’s and pilot. All 3 to lunch at Orchard at 1.30. Then I to Sissie’s. Bus from Pinner (left Norwood 2.37). Tea at Sissie’s. Left at 6.30. Bus 6.43 from Golders Green. Home at 8. Alys and Phil away 8.15 (Alys to sleep at Club). I had corned beef and salad and mayonnaise. Coffee junket, cantaloupe.
Monday 12th July 1948
Rainy, not so cold.
Mrs Bearcroft. Alys back 11.30. We had cold beef and peas. Alys took me to catch train and I to Waterloo. 1.57 to Guildford. Frank Archer got in at Worplesdon. He took me to the County Hospital. Jim there (waiting for cataract operation). At 3 Frank and I by bus to Tyting Corner; tea with Grace Stedman and Louie (Lady Parsons), and Frank. Bus 5.20 to London Road Station. Train to Waterloo. Home by 7.45. Alys met me. Milk soup, fish cakes, peas. Melon.
Tuesday 13th July 1948
Heavy showers and sunshine.
Alys out enquiring re. insurance. I washed stockings. Wrote Bank and Mrs Trainer. Beef and salad, custard. Rests. At 3.15 we in EYT to 53 Frognal. Winnie Turner (Hanhart), Bertie Buchanan, Will Blaikley., Frank Archer, Barbara later. Tea and talk of old times. At 6 to Sissie’s. Then home. Alys had orange juice. I soup, boiled egg, cheese. Wired Sylvia Lethbridge re. Sissie (off).
Wednesday 14th July 1948
Dull, mild, showery.
Fridge defrosted. Alys only orangeade and toast and marmalade. She wrote John Clark; I wrote Ella, Sylvia Lethbridge (re. Sissie). Alys to Moor Park at 1 to go to Eva‘s. I drove EYT back. Had scrambled eggs and anchovy paste. Junket. Mrs Cox at 2 – 4. Ironed and cleaned dining room. I gardened a bit and walked to Post Office to post telephone directory to Doz. Posted Alys’ letter to J. Clark. Beef and gravy, and spinach. Rhubarb. To bed 8. “Service” with Ronald Simpson. “Sentimental Journey”, France, revisited 5 French people.
Thursday 15th July 1948
Dull. Inclined to drizzle.
Mrs Bearcroft cleaned sitting room. I wrote to Miss Dalziel. Met Alys at Moor Park 10.34 in EYT. Both to Durham at 12.15. Talked to Mrs Bate re. insurance. Home at 2. Alys to town for hair and tea at Mrs Harold Davis‘ (baby). I to Boots and Carey’s. Home (walked). Made yeast rolls. Gardened. Alys back 7.15. Kippers, and semolina cream (with grapefruit juice).
Friday 16th July 1948
Dull, mild.
Alys took me to station. 10.14 to Baker Street. Bus to Herbalists. To Debenham & Freebody’s. Then to Terry’s, 57 New Bond Street. To Marshall’s, got cardigan. Lunch at Club. To Lewis’. Bought green blouse. To Lafayette’s, bought blouse and black skirt. Coffee and cake there. Home. Alys met me 5 p.m. Rested. Phil came by 7. Milk soup, cold mince, new potatoes. Strawberries, junket. In garden. To bed 9 p.m.
Saturday 17th July 1948
Dull. Rain at 5.
Phil in bed (down to breakfast) all a.m., rheumatic. Alys to shops. I wrote form for CUC petrol, and form to Head, Wrightson. Picked peas. Fishcakes at 1. Phil had peas. Picked spinach. Gardener 2 – 6. Alys and Phil to Eva‘s at Wendover at 4 taking pail and waterglass eggs 30, and spinach. I got carrots ready and made milk and potato soup and parsley. Boiled fowl (4 hours) from Layton. “Old English”, John Galsworthy.
Sunday 18th July 1948
Fine. Warm. Dull at times.
Killick for JLN. Phil‘s rheumatism better. He in bed till 12. Barbara came at 1, and we all in EYT to Orchard at 1.40. Very good lunch. £1.10.0 with 3/6 tip. Home. Rests (Barbara in garden, Phil in hut). Tea in hut. Barbara away in JLN with Killick and Phil about 6.45. Grapefruit (from Eva), cold fowl and tomato salad. Alys and Phil to London 8.30. Alys to stay at Club. I to bed 9. “W. C. Grace”.
Monday 19th July 1948
Hot. Breezy.
Mrs Bearcroft came and washed flannels. I machined coat and raked hay. Cold mince and salad at 1.30. Rested. Alys back about 3.30 (she took Sissie to Dr Barber‘s re. skin on cheek £5.5.0). We both rested till 6 or later. I took up shallots. Chicken soup, mince and creamed potatoes. Chocolate Bruxelles. “The Singing Lesson”, Katherine Mansfield and “Antony and Cleopatra”.
Tuesday 20th July 1948
Very fine and warm. Breezy. Perfect.
Put shallots out to dry. With Alys to shops. To Bank, Hudson‘s. Corned beef and salad at home and cheese (our cottage, and bought Hudson‘s) and lovely cold soup (fowl). Mrs Bearcroft cleaned my room in p.m. I washed apron and nightgown. Alys washed things. Read Sunday papers on sofa. Garden – weeded. Kit phoned Alys. Chicken and bacon and gravy soup and spaghetti. Ginger and chocolate crunchies. “Miss Dangerfield” 9.30.
Wednesday 21st July 1948
Gales. Fine.
Defrosted Fridge. Alys at 9 to Mrs Bearcroft’s to take her to train (for Eva‘s). Put shallots out again. Tinned curried nuts, Alys added onions, curry, rice). Junket and stewed raspberries. Mrs Cox ironed; and cleaned dining room. Ernest Miles phoned that Murray wants Lease of Layton Manor for 7 years at 250 (long talk with Alys). Rests. Dawned. Three plays in sitting room. Alys fetched Mrs Bearcroft from Moor Park 4.50. Garden. Kippers. “Marie Bashkirtseff ‘s Journal”. Marie Bashkirtseff – Mary Morris. Born 1860. Died TB 1884. Jules Bastien Lepage – Frith Banbury. Died aged 34, 5 weeks later of cancer.
Thursday 22nd July 1948
Fine. Windy. Shower at 5.30.
Phoned Kitty. At 11.20 to Finchley Road. Walked up to 53 Frognal (Barbara sleeping). Took sandwiches, and 4 eggs; Kit had one. Junket and blackcurrant. Talk and lunch and then rests. Slept on divan. Tea and then I walked down and back about 5.30. Home at 6.10, standing to Wembley. Curry (Alys, kippers), raspberries and junket. “For All The Tea In China” from the French play “Faut-il tuer Ie Mandarin” by Theo Fleischman.
Friday 23rd July 1948
Fine. Warm (cotton dress).
To shops (after picking green peas) with Alys and onto Watford to take Eve’s doll to be mended. Bought rug wool. Back at 1. Corned beef and onions, fried. Short rest. Eva and Eve came on way back from shopping in London for new school outfit. All had tea in dining room. Mrs Cox cleaned kitchen. Welsh rarebit. Trifle. Phil back at 8.40 or so.
Saturday 24th July 1948
Warm, dull, showery.
Phil didn’t dress all day. Alys to shops. I picked petit pois. Alys reheated joint of lamb, and we had it with peas. Chocolate éclair buns (Elizabeth Frid’s). Knitted and slept in p.m. Phil on long chair in garden with wireless for Test tatch. Tea out there. Salmon and mayonnaise and lettuce and new potatoes and then ice cream (brought by Eva yesterday). A hot chocolate sauce. Phil arranged bookshelves with us. Bought books down from my bedroom. “Constant Nymph”, all listened, downstairs till 10.
Memo:
19th Sissie and Dr Barber.
21st Phil to Arlesey for night.
4th Test Match – Australia won, after (very good chance for England).
28th 94°F – highest since 1870.
Sunday 25th July 1948
Very fine and hot. 78°F in London.
Crocheted green and black rug wool for stool for Phil. Picked spinach. Alys made mince and rice shape with gravy. Melon (cantaloupe). Phil dressed at 12.30, and in p.m. was in garden by hut. I on bed, listened “Lady Susan” by Jane Austin. Sat with Phil in garden. Watered with hose. Boiled egg, sausage rolls, salad (peach and ice cream). Alys and Phil away about 8.25. Lady Bonham Carter on Arthur Balfour.
Monday 26th July 1948
Hot. 87°F.
Mrs Bearcroft washed flannels. I scythed a little, but too hot. Corned beef and salad and junket. Short rest, and crocheted stool and sewed webbing on sitting in hall with front door open. Test Match. Hard-boiled egg and salad, and chocolate mousse. Crocheted Alys’ dress edge. “Lucretia”, Andre Obey. Alys in at 10.15 from Tonbridge v. Clifton at Lords and dinner with Cave’s.
Tuesday 27th July 1948
Hot 89°F Bournemouth.
Alys up 7.15 and to Wendover 8.36. Moor Park, to be there while Eva met James. I washed things and also did scything in Orchard. Corned beef and salad. Stewed plums and junket. Rest and Test Match. Finished edging Alys’ dress. Kit phoned re. Jim. Alys back 3.45. Gardener till 7.40. Gave us loganberries. Eggs and chocolate junket and loganberries.
Wednesday 28th July 1948
Hot. 94°F. Highest since 1870.
Defrosted Fridge who gave out, and didn’t refreeze. Washed stockings. To shop with Alys to get hose junction, and to Ruislip for ice cream. Alys made corned beef hash. Junket and raspberries. Rested in spare room. Put kapok in cushion. Plums and ice cream (melted) at 5. Kippers and raspberries at 7.30. Kitty and George at 8.15 on veranda. To bed 9.20.
Footwear off ration.
Olympic Games begin.
Thursday 29th July 1948
Very hot. 90°F.
Fridge not working. Alys up early and to London Chest Hospital with Phil‘s pyjamas, back by 11.15. I changed my bed round. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned Alys’ room. Hard-boiled eggs and mayonnaise and salad. Listened to opening of Olympic Games at Wembley. Thorne came about Fridge. Mrs Cattle brought us ice creams. Scrambled eggs and cheese and bacon in it. Read in sitting room till 10.20.
Friday 30th July 1948
Cooler night. Over 90°F.
Fridge working!! Alys to Mrs Cattle’s to borrow milk for breakfast. Alys to shops, took Mrs Cattle. She mended awning. Sardines lunch. Window cleaner. Rest in p.m. and sewed Phil‘s cushion. Wrote Ella re. bad fall; and Beagley. To shops again and got ice cream. Back to High Street for fruit. White fish and mayonnaise. “For Services Rendered”, Somerset Maugham 9.10 – 11.10.
Saturday 31st July 1948
Cool, grey a.m. Fine, warm later.
Alys to shops and I did housework. Both lunch Durham 12.15. I rest, and then sewed cushion. Alys cooked fish and beef, made mayonnaise. Phil arrived about 5.30 (had had tea picnic with Tibbles?). Cold Heinz soup; cod mayonnaise. Fruit salad. To bed 9.20. “The Shop at Sly Corner” by Edward Percy. Kenneth Kent as Heiss. Good. Archie, Basil Jones.
Memo:
26th Alys’ hair.
27th James back. Alys to Wendover 8.30.
27th R.P. to Hartford Refrigerator Co.
29th – 30th James camping. Chesham Bois.
31st We ask for meeting with Stalin. Took place on 2nd.
Each made wins 1st time for their countries in Olympics.
Belgian Reiff, Czech Zátopek, Dutch girl, Franny Blankers-Koen. Very dramatic end to Marathon (26 miles). Richards 2nd (Welsh).
Sunday 1st August 1948
Hot, but perfect.
Quiet a.m. Phil up at 1 and all 3 to Orchard. Tried to get Kit on the phone but her line out of order. Rests in p.m. wi little plays 3 – 4. Tea in garden. Phil mended hose, and I watered privets. Hard-boiled eggs and mayonnaise and salads. Melon.
Monday 2nd August 1948
Hot a.m. Rain p.m. Cooler.
In garden, sewed more beans and lettuce. Picked beans and cut them for lunch (with hot mince and macaroni). Phil in bed till 7, down for meals in dressing gown. Rests, and Olympic Games commentary – 5,000 yards thrill. Finished stool with tapes. Cold mince and hard boiled eggs and mayonnaise. With Phil in car to Hackney and back by tube. Colliver Fisher.
Tuesday 3rd August 1948
Warmish. Dullish.
To town 10.15, Waterloo. Got our return tickets to Barnstable. To Bruce Green’s. To Club for lunch. Trains crammed with foreigners (Olympic). To 77 King Henry’s Road by bus from Baker Street. Beagley at 3, brought clock. Paid £5.10.0. Home. Alys met me about 4.30. Picked sweet peas. Cold mince and mayonnaise. Fruit salad, junket.
Wednesday 4th August 1948
Warm. Dull.
Defrosted Fridge. Up at 5.15. Alys to station at 6.30 (for Liverpool Street Station and Aldeburgh). I took car back. Made grapefruit marmalade and milk potato soup (for lunch). Out broad beans with cheese sauce, junket. (Very gentle and slow defrosting of Camley). Mrs Cox at 2. I slept on bed. Hardboiled eggs and spinach. Early to bed 8. “The White Château” till 10.
Thursday 5th August 1948
Dull. Warm. Muggy.
Wrote Lois and Leyel. Picked spinach for Cattle’s. Phil phoned re. Camley. Cold milk soup. Lettuce and hard-boiled egg, carrot. Washed clothes. At 4.30 to post 2 egg boxes: got ice cream and back (in EYT), then to Miss Philby with coat. Copied recipes in book. Ice cream, chocolate sauce. “The Case of Ronald True”, (criminal lunacy).
Friday 6th August 1948
Muggy. Dull. Showers.
Made carrot soup. Alys phoned about 12.40 or so. I to meet her at Moor Park in EYT and both to Durham. Lunch there and heard about Aldeburgh trip. Home. Mrs Cox cleaned kitchen. Alys to shops. I sewed, on bed, and at 4.50 to Kingham’s in EYT. Alys rested. Supper 7.30. Carrot soup, steak and kidney pudding (tinned), peas (ours). Apple snow and ice cream. Phil arrived at 8.45. Knitted neck of jumper.
Saturday 7th August 1948
Muggy. Dull. Heavy rain later.
Alys to shops. Picked spinach. I walked to butcher’s at 12, and posted cheque to Leyel. Phil up and at lathe at 12. Mince and spaghetti and spinach. Melon. Sewed green cotton cuffs and listened to Olympics. Gardener cut grass. Suddenly all of us in JNO to Wendover at 7.30. Eve‘s head bandaged from bad fall and cuts stitched up. Supper, sausage cakes fried by Eva, and our eggs. Home about 10 in pouring rain.
Memo:
4th Alys to Aldeburgh, Brudenell Hotel till 6th.
3rd Beagley 2.30 to 3, 77 King Henry’s Road.
3rd Sent Kit van Gogh’s portrait of himself.
7th Aly wrote Baden and John Clark.
5th Test England lost by an innings and runs.
Sunday 8th August 1948
Dull. Fair, rain at times.
Phil in bed till 1. Wore my house coat till 1.20. Kitty, Kath and George over at 12.30. All to Orchard 1.30 (us 3). Rests. Alys to fetch Becky Sharpe in JLM, and he to tea here. Philip took him back. Eggs, mince. Alys and Phil away at 8.15 or so. Alys slept at Club. Letter to Times (cricket) and for driving license.
Monday 9th August 1948
Fine on whole. Mild.
Mrs Bearcroft washed flannels. Alys home 12.35. I took EYT to meet her. Corned beef and salad. In bedroom doing old tweed coat, and resting. We to High Street but clock shop shut. Welsh rarebit and chocolate mousse. “National 6”, French play, Jean-Jacques Bernard.
Tuesday 10th August 1948
Dull. Mild.
Alys took me to 10.2 to Finchley Road. Bus to Sissie’s 11.15. At 12.30 Lois to lunch, Teahouse (Agnes Rush). Coffee at Lois‘ flat. To New Theatre. Baker Street, Olympics. To get psyllium to Selfridges and Lily & Skinner’s (boots). Bus and to Lillian’s. Tube to Wembley and Home. In garden 6 – 7. Kippers, ginger and chocolate. “Dangerfield”. Christopher Smart, “Cat Jeoffry”, Ronald Simpson.
Wednesday 11th August 1948
Rainy, mild.
Defrosted Fridge. Alys to Watford for doll, and to meet Eva, James and Eve 11.38. We all to Durham, lunch. I with Eva to Miss Philby‘s. Picked Kohlrabi greens for Eva. They away 5.40 Moor ParkP. Corned beef fried with onions, potatoes, and our last peas. “Rebecca”.
14th Big floods in south Scotland. 7 bridges down on main line.
Thursday 12th August 1948
Coolish, rain (very little) and sun.
Mrs Bearcroft cleaned my room. Alys took me to station. 10.16 to Waterloo (changed Baker Street), arrived at 11.10. Met Kath at The Astolat (pub) and she gave me lunch. Walk to Condor Court, her flat. To County (Surrey) Hospital at 2. Visit to Jim Archer (in bed after cataract op) till 3.20. To station and 3.50 train. Arrived Waterloo about 4.45. Tube and home 5.45. Alys fetched me in car. Rest. Haddocks. Fitting Alys’ claret silk frock.
Friday 13th August 1948
Cool. Showery, windy.
Alys to have hair done (11). I took car to High Street for points – ginger 2/-. Home. Opened, and did up egg -boxes. Took to Post Office. Parked EYT. To Durham to lunch 12.15. Walked home. Did flowers; roses. Alys back 1.45. Mrs Cox 2. Cleaned the kitchen. Did hem of Alys’ grey skirt. She sewed evening frock. Phil at 6.45. U.S. beef in gravy. Coffee molds. “PC 49” and American commentary (Utley) at the Olympics.
Saturday 14th August 1948
Fine. Warm.
Picked beans, kohlrabi and spinach. Alys to shops. Then I to get Phil‘s rations at Kingham’s at 12.45. All had roast mutton and kohlrabi (tough leaves). Chocolate mousse. Packed. Rest. Tea in garden. Phil took me to Moor Park 5.37. Teddy met me Wendover 6.25. Took ironing board. Sausages, eggs and spinach, all five of us. Then Teddy and Eva to fancy dress dance at Bicester. I washed up and fed cat and to bed in drawing room on camp bed. Teddy and Eva back 3:15 am.
Memo:
Points period ends (except sugar next period)
Phil‘s holidays begin 13th
10th To Sissie’s 11-ish, meet Lois Golders Green Club 12.30 – 1.
12th 11.45 Waterloo – “Astolat”, High Street, Guildford, meet Kath.
11th Coat ready Philby.
14th Spend night at Eva‘s 5.37 Moor Park, Saturday 6.25 Wendover.
Talks continue with Kremlin.
Sunday 15th August 1948
Fine.
Breakfast about 9.30. James mowing lawns with motor. Eve and Clare. All to the Leg of Mutton Hotel to lunch then back to Newlands, got my bags and off to station. 2.15 to Northwood. Phil and Alys met me 2.54. Rest in hut, talking and tea – grapefruit galantine (Freer’s Lyons), chocolate mousse. Alys and Phil packing.
Monday 16th August 1948
Fine.
Alys and Phil packed and went off about 12 in JLN. Mrs Bearcroft here, washing. I wrote Eva and I did up Picture Post and Digest. Had galantine and corned beef and junket. Made custard. Stewed plums and apples. Hawkins and helper at 4.15 and did ballcock and WC‘s. I to Post Office at 5 in EYT and Boots for books. Gardener 5 – 7; I planted house leeks. Cold bean and bread sauce, plums and custard. “New Judgment”, Jane Austin, and “Sanditon” by Jane Austin at 9.40.
Tuesday 17th August 1948
Fine and warmish. Rain 4 – 5 then fine.
I to town by 10.2. To Lillian’s – hair cut, shampoo and set 9/–, tip 1/–. Lunch at Milk Bar. To Civil Service Stores and then to Harrods. Got ironing board £2.16.2. Home and Colliver Fisher at 3.45 about as raining hard. Radio “Sanditon” and “Dangerfield” and sewed in bed. Phoned Ernest re. his letter and mortgage to his home at 8 p.m.
Wednesday 18th August 1948
Fair. Warm.
I bought slippers. Defrosted Fridge early. Made grapefruit skin marmalade. Did up margarine, lard, mink and to Post Office with them. Hot chicken 1.30. Apple sauce and custard. Mrs Cox at 2. Ironed things. I ironed and altered flannel skirt hem, green satin blouse collar. Cheese omelette at 7.40. Plums and custard in sitting room. Killick took EYT. “Curtain Up – Many Waters”, Grizelda Hervey.
Thursday 19th August 1948
Fine.
Put in cuttings of pink. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned Alys’ room. Alys’ phoned about Phil‘s milk certificate: I walked to shops and got another pair of slippers (smaller). Killick’s man brought EYT back (oil changed and petrol in). Hawkins did taps. Kippers at 1.45, apple sauce. In EYT to postbox. 4.30. To Northwood Hills for ice cream. Spinach and chicken and mince, chocolate and ice cream, grapefruit.
Friday 20th August 1948
Fair, mild.
Washed. Wrote Eva and sent Alys Ernest’s letter re. Layton and paper to sign. To post. Made stew of liver and onions, and corned beef, chocolate mousse. Mrs Cox at 2. Cleaned kitchen, and grocery cupboard. In EYT to Pinner, Woolworths. Plums, tomatoes 2/6 a lb! Butcher on way home. Machined tweed coat (very old one). At 5 “The Water Gipsies”. Cold mince, lettuce with Alys’ mayonnaise. Victoria plums (fresh stewed). “London River” and “Sanditon”.
Saturday 21st August 1948
Showers. Mild.
Tweed coat to cleaners. Walk to butcher’s and also got 4 grapefruit. Later EYT to shops for Kingham’s rations before 1. Mince (cold) and salad, plums. Gardened and Cook cut grass. Alys phoned re. sand shoes. French beans and warmed up liver and onions. Soup first. “Whiteoaks” and “Sanditon”.
Memo:
16th Alys and Phil Aldeburgh? Hawkins p.m.
Dougal‘s quarantine ends 23rd.
17th 11 Lillian’s.
20th ironing board comes.
15th Arrived Moor Park 2.54.
17th Letter to Alys from Baker Street. Parcel on 18th – mink, sweets, lard.
19th Sent milk certificate to Alys.
Sunday 22nd August 1948
Fine.
Made grapefruit marmalade and Irish moss. Grilled steak and tomatoes and French beans. Machined hem of tablecloth. Wrote Hannah Sandeman. Boys posted it (in trailer). Did up Phil’s sand shoes and wrote lettercard to him. Put pocket in tweed skirt. Fried sausage meat and Irish moss. “Lyons”.
Monday 23rd August 1948
Fair, Warm.
Up at 7. EYT to Post Office. Parking. Posted shoes to Phil. Took 9.22 Baker Street, bus to Victoria. 10.24 to Mitcham, and on to Beddington Lane Halt. To kennels and got Dougal. Brought him home (taxi Victoria to Baker Street). Lunch 2.15. At 3.15 James and Eve came; Eva 3.30. All stayed tea. I took them to Moor Park 4.53. Home. Gardener 5 – 7. He sewed corn salad. Soup, and rhubarb. To bed 8 or so. Tired. “The Skin Of Our Teeth”, Thornton Wilder – A history of the world in comic strip.
Tuesday 24th August 1948
Fine. Warm.
To take Romanian blouse to be cleaned at Achille Serre. Also to Eborn’s and ordered 7 rose bushes in EYT. Mince (of steak and corned beef) and spinach. Ice cream (express) and chocolate sauce. Grapefruit. Rest on bed. Then wrote Alys (on bed) and posted it 5.15. In garden, tying up and cutting down. Welsh rarebit. Rhubarb and cake. Sewed white blouse (Philippine). “Pompeii” third program – excavation began 1748.
Wednesday 25th August 1948
Fine, windy, warm.
Defrosted Fridge. Made grapefruit marmalade. Made fruit salad. Hard-boiled egg, Patum peperium, brown bread; rhubarb and cake. Washed and ironed white U.S. blouse. Finished pocket tweed skirt. Wrote lettercard to Doz. Soup: thick. Fruit salad. “The Unguarded Hour – Curtain Up”, “The Miser”, Molière, English version, Miles Malleson: he acted Harpagon, the miser.
Thursday 26th August 1948
Fine. Cool wind.
Mrs Bearcroft cleaned my room. I wrote Ella. Ironed blouses. EYT to go to Durham 12.15 and bring back 6lb red plums, 2lb greengages; 3 grapefruit. Bottled the plums and greengages (Camden). Ironed grey flannel skirt. Cold mince and salad. Plums and semolina sponge. Made Irish moss too. Drama critic and Laurence Housman’s “Firelighters”, Carlyle’s. Claud Mullins JPS, Martin Thomas.
Friday 27th August 1948
Warm, fine.
EYT Post Office and to Bank. 10.20? to Piccadilly. To Women Artists to see Lois‘ figure and cows. To Handy’s. Paid bill and ordered books. Tube to Club. Lunch there. Got two cream jugs, Lewis’. To Evans’; got “Can-Can” Brevitt’s at Lilley & Skinner’s. To Selfridge’s (no nice aprons for Alys anywhere). Bus and train and EYT, home about 4.30. Undid eggs. Soup and Irish moss and fruit salad and semolina.
Saturday 28th August 1948
Fine.
Early to get meat and other rations, and tomatoes and cake in EYT. Made stew, and put in casserole. Welsh rarebit, plums and custard. Did up two egg-boxes and took to Post Office at 2.30; got Certo 1/6 from chemist (Mrs Wilson). Gardener and I cleaned and tidied garage, and rearranged it. Made marmalade with Certo. Stew and spinach; semolina sponge. “The Blues – a Literary Eclogue in Two Parts by Lord Byron”. Phoned Eva 6.30. Yetholm – blue stockings.
Memo:
23rd Dougal; Eva, James and Eve to tea to fetch him (his six month quarantine ends).
25th Lettercard to Doz. Letter to Ella.
Sunday 29th August 1948
Fine and warm, perfect.
Wrote Lois (with Ashridge) and Merriman (at Ernest Miles’) and Killick with cheque. Tried on green, and grey silk dresses. To post. Soup; plums and custard. Made jelly of plum juice and gelatin. Made filling (soya) and icing chocolate for cake. In garden. Roses, sweet peas. Stew and French beans. Mrs Cattle brought in ice cream. Sewed black rug wool bag and lining. Good play “Fiat Justitia” by Reginald Hargreaves. “A Parsonage in the Hesperides”, Herrick, “The Hey-Day Of The Great Editors”, “Window On Europe – Holland”.
Monday 30th August 1948
Fine and warm.
Took milk to Mrs Cattle. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned up generally. I did roses, and washed grey apron dress. To Northwood Hills for gas lighter battery. Lunch at Durham. Took green smocked blouse to be dyed at Achille Serre. Orme phoned. I phoned Eva. Mrs Cattle brought ice cream again. Made milk and onion and potato soup. Corned beef and salad. “Water Gipsies”, “The Healing Stream” – Lourdes.
Tuesday 31st August 1948
Fine and warm. Breezy.
Wire from Alys “returning today”. To post eggbox, and letter to Merriman with cheque £500 and letter Kit. Corned beef and salad, greengages. Washed black (and colours) cardigan (sleeveless). Alys and Phil arrived from Aldeburgh 3.30. Coffee and cake in hut. Alys phoned Eva. Stew, with tin added, French beans. Ice cream from Mrs Cattle.
Wednesday 1st September 1948
Fine.
Phoned re. Layton – Clark and Orme. Up 7.30. Alys to shops and took me to station. I to Wendover 9.23, arrived 10.13. To the Berry’s and got Dougal and brought him back 10.54. Alys met me at 11.38. To cleaners for things. Liver and bacon and tomatoes. Rest. Coxes. Tea in hut. Alys and Phil out in car. Cauliflower au gratin, grapefruit.
Thursday 2nd September 1948
Rainy. Muggy.
Alys and Phil in JLN to London; Phil back to work; Alys shopping (cardigan). Mrs Bearcroft cleaned Phil‘s room, and ironed shirts. I defrosted Fridge. With Dougal on lead to Bank. Stew and apples. Trimmed black straw. Sewed Alys’ belt. She home 4.15. Rests. (Alys altered skirt again). Took Dougal out on lead. Picked sweet peas. Kippers, plum jelly, grapefruit.
Friday 3rd September 1948
Fair. Some thunder and rain.
Alys took me to Bank. Got 10.16 to Oxford Circus. To Bourne & Hollingsworth, to C&A (bought frock 3.5.0). Lunch at Bourne & Hollingsworth 2/– and 6d tip. To Marks & Spencer‘s (shoes) and then Dolcis, Brompton Road. Macintosh shop and Woodland’s; got plastic materials (for apron) at Woodland’s (very good choice). Home by 5. Alys met me in car, with Dougal. Rest, and tried on things. Grilled herrings, chocolate mousse. Alys told about talk with Orme re. Layton (Finnegan, Longden, Clark).
Saturday 4th September 1948
Showery.
(Alys query boil, should I go instead?) Both to shops, my sugar Sainsbury’s, Hudson’s, emergency rations. Dougal came too. Grilled veal lunch. Cream buns. Sewed. Picked spinach. Took Dougie walk along path. Phil came 3.45. Tea. Alys packed. Sewed weights instead Dennis’ chain! Grilled veal cutlets and tomato and spinach and potatoes.
Memo:
31st Tweed coat from cleaners. Blouse to Achille Serre.
2nd Rent 12 weeks from June 10th paid.
30th Alys and Phil home from Aldeburgh?
1st Berry’s to Thorpeness.
5th Alys to Brendon, Pullman reserved 4/6
The Staghunters Inn, Brendon, near Lynton, North Devon.
Sunday 5th September 1948
Fairish, not sunny.
Alys cooked Phil‘s breakfast and at 10 went off in a Killick car to Waterloo (for 12 Devon Belle to Barnstaple). Phil got up at 12.30 and we to Orchard 1.30 for lunch. Dougal in car. Home and rested (on beds). Coffee at 4.30. Toast and anchovy paste. After washing up, Phil talked about future, membership exam, health. At 7.30 he had 3 boiled eggs and chocolate mousse and away about 8 (with 6 hard-boiled eggs and 4 oranges). Phil Comyns Carr on 5 actresses he knew (“Five Famous Actresses”).
Monday 6th September 1948
Fine.
Mrs Bearcroft washed flannels, I did the grapefruit marmalade with pectin (but not good). In EYT with Dougal to post bath towels to Eva at Thorpeness, and paid subscription Boots £2.10.0 for Phil. Corned beef and spinach at 2. Rest. Posted lettercard to Alys, and walked with Dougie along path. Sewed bag lining. Spinach soup. Phil phoned 8.15. Orme phoned in p.m. “Water Gipsies” and “Dorian Gray”.
Tuesday 7th September 1948
Fair.
Alys’ watch arrived registered 7.35. All a.m. nearly trying to make marmalade. To Northwood Hills with my Airmaster radio, left it there. Got plum 6lbs. Corned beef and salad, plums and Victoria sandwich. Put up 4 bottles plums, Camden. Planted out a few wall flowers. Short rest. To post and round by path with Dougie a lot off lead and good. Kit phoned, long 6.45 – 7.15? Made soup, potato and milk and soya flour. Finished bag with black canvas net.
Wednesday 8th September 1948
Fair. Fine p.m.
More marmalade: and stewed some plums. To Colliver Fisher and got petrol in (no oil needed) EYT. Bought gruyere cheese at Sainsbury’s – 1 point, oranges and potatoes. Fried “brunch” and onions. Defrosted Fridge. Mrs Cox ironed Phil’s things. I cut out plastic apron for Alys, and cut out gloves in cheap bits chamois. 2.2 each. For a walk with Dougal over railway and back by shop. Soup and beans. “The Devil’s Horse”, Lunardi balloon ascent 1780?, “Robert’s Wife”, St John Ervine.
Thursday 9th September 1948
Fine. Warm.
Mrs Bearcroft cleaned Alys’ room and washed Phil‘s green pullover (dried on veranda). I to Kingham’s for my rations, and posted 2 egg-boxes. Cheese omelette, lunch and plums and cake. Made filling (soya) for 2 layers. Short rest Finished “ABC Murders”. “Captain Maryatt” story play. Did bag (silver) and cut out glove quirks. For walk with Dougal by path. Cut kohlrabi and had 2 with cheese sauce. Sewed Alys’ apron and “Steinie Morrison Case”, “The Silent Woman in France” at Avignon till 11. True.
Friday 10th September 1948
Fair. Muggy.
Made fruit salad, apples, oranges, sultanas. Covered cake with chocolate icing. To butchers. Omelette with kohlrabi. Plums. Mrs Cox cleaned the kitchen. I to Northwood Hills for radio £1.2.6. Got 2 peaches 1/6 for fruit salad. Took Dougal for a walk. Made soup; had it and gruyere cheese and cake. Finished Alys’ apron. Red buttons on blouse. Phil came 9.10. Had Bournvita. “London River”, “Gordon Grantley K.C.”. Machined grey coat.
Saturday 11th September 1948
Fine, mostly but showers.
Walked to butchers. Phil up at 12; and at 1 we in JLN to Durham. Good lunch. Dougal in car. Phil in garden, but rain (very short), 30 minutes bedroom. Arthur Hanhart phoned. I packed, and sewed. Tea. Alys arrived (Salis met her) about 6.45. Phil in hut then cutlets, French beans, potatoes (soup).Fruit salad. Packed. “Give Me Yesterday” by Edward Percy and Reginald Denham.
Memo:
Gardener for holidays 2 weeks from 6th?
5th I to Brendon 12 arrive 4.49.
8th Laundry. Points end 11th
11th Back from Brendon Alys
12th Alys to Brendon. Pullman reservation 4/6 Sunday.
Brendon
Sunday 12th September 1948
Rain all day, after 12.50.
Alys got breakfast. I off at 10:45 (Killick) to Waterloo. 12 train Devon Belle to Barnstaple Junction. Lunch 5/–, ice 1/–, Tea 2/–. Arrived about 4.55 or 5. Mr Pile met me in Austin 18. 24 mile drive to Brendon. Max, Elsa, Longden met me. The Staghunters Inn. Dinner, salmon, caught by Pile. To bed at 8.45.
Monday 13th September 1948
Fair, windy.
Elsa and I sent Alys’ ration book and took her wash to woman, with very old cottage and along by Lyn to Rockford. Max and A.L. sketched. Slept in p.m. and at 3.30 all in car to Kipscombe Farm – Devon cream tea!! Men sketched doorway. Elsa and I walked home, downhill. Beef steak puddy, sponge pudding and jam. Read in sitting room till 9.
Tuesday 14th September 1948
Perfect day.
Elsa and I walked up by lovely stream and round over top and back other side of Inn. Others sketched. After lunch (dumplings) and rest at 3.30 to Kipscombe Farm again. Tea and Elsa and I walked back other way, across moor by cliff (seeing Wales and lighthouse). Across Porlock Road. Mutton, apple and custard.
Wednesday 15th September 1948
Wet a.m. Fine later.
Trout caught by Mrs Fox with bacon and tomatoes and fried bread. Elsa and I walked across the bridge and through woods and back across by Rockford and by road. Men’s sketching waterfall and quarry. Mutton and corned beef. Rested 2 – 4. Tea here. Elsa and I got bus to Malmsmead (in Somerset), Doone Valley, and walked back. Fish. Mrs Little and Mrs Fox in and saw sketches.
Thursday 16th September 1948
Fine.
Sent ration book to Alys registered. All in car Kipscombe. Elsa and I walked down to lighthouse, and back, meeting men (who had sketched at farm) and home. Tired. Late 1.15 for lunch. Oniony stew, semolina, plums, cheese. Rest. Wrote Jim Archer for Breughel book. Tea – I poured. Men sketching. Elsa packed. Chicken dinner. Talked about Max’s youth. Langden packed.
Friday 17th September 1948
Dull. Cool. Fair so early.
Along to send parcels, registered, lettercard to Eva. Elsa and I walked down stream, nearly to Watersmeet. Men sketched. Beef and Yorkshire pudding. Rest 2 – 4, tea. Major Longden out again up to Kipscombe. Max painted interior. Packed a little, after dinner 7. In Mrs Little’s room. Harley blind.
London
Saturday 18th September 1948
Drizzle. Very fine on arrival and evening.
Goodbyes to Piles and Mrs Little, at 11 driven by Mr Pile to Barnstable. Devon Belle 12.35. I 3rd class, they 1st Pullman seats. Lunch (5/- each – 3rd class – fish and 1st class – chicken)). Nice young couple. Arrived Waterloo 5.20, met by Killick’s tall man. Goodbyes to Ayrtons and Longden. Phil in bed with cold. Alys cooked grilled herrings. Treacle tart. Talked in Phil’s room.
Memo:
13th My 69th birthday.
18th Return from Devonshire (arrive 5.20 Waterloo?)
Sunday 19th September 1948
Fine, warmish.
Phil in bed all day with cold and cough. Wrote Ayrtons, and Doz (for pears). Alys cooked Layton chicken (roast) and bread sauce, cabbage, melon after. Sat in Phil‘s room – rested. Tea in Phil‘s room. In garden, picked sweet peas; picked up apples. Eggs and cress supper, chocolate pudding. Discussed going to Layton.
Monday 20th September 1948
Fine.
Phil in bed breakfast, and hut later and lunch with us. Mrs Bearcroft washed. Hawkins to put new taps on. Mince, macaroni, spinach. Melon, treacle tart. Rest. (Wesley). Tea in hut. Walk to Scroggs’ with iron flex. Kippers, grapefruit. Talk of things at Layton still. “Water Gipsies”, “The Apple Cart”, “The Careerist”, Louis MacNeice, morality play.
Tuesday 21st September 1948
Fine. Cold.
Phil better and got up about 12. Alys to shops, twice. I started grapefruit marmalade, made apple purée, and porridge. Planted strawberry (Swiss) plants Doz sent. Chicken and rice, and sauce gravy, melon and treacle tarts. Rest. Phil in hut (though outdoors in a.m. in sun). Tea in hut. Talked there after. Alys did turbot and mayonnaise. Apple sauce. Bruce Woodcock v. Lee Oma. “The Beggar’s Opera”. Benjamin Britten version.
Wednesday 22nd September 1948
Cold. Fair.
Alys to shops, and then met Eva and James at Moor Park. They had lunch here (all of us 11.45). Phil made appointment with Arthure for Eva, 1.30. She there; Alys saw off James to school: I to Wendover 2.24 (Mrs Cox here). Phil in hut. Eve back from school (1st day new school) 4.50 with Claire. They cycled on garden. Dougal and Claire‘s dog played. Alys phoned Eva alright. Polyps. Eva back 6.17. I away 6.39. Alys met me at Moor Park. Scrambled eggs.
Thursday 23rd September 1948
Fair, showers.
Phil didn’t dress all day, but came down to meals, and in hut afternoon. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned Alys’ room. Alys to shops in car. I walked at 12, Kingham’s, Boots and got blouse (dyed). Alys fried fish fillets lunch and made treacle steamed pudding. Rest. Tea and hut. Roses. Phil had spaghetti and egg. Alys and I Welsh rarebit with two eggs.
Friday 24th September 1948
Very fine and warm.
With Alys to butchers 10. She on to town. Bank. I home with chops and sausage rolls. Grilled chops for Phil, who dressed and down to lunch. French beans from garden. Grapefruit and baked apples. Alys back at 2. Mrs Cox cleaned kitchen. Rested and packed and at 5 in car with Alys to Northwood Hills and train to Finchley Road. Taxi to 53 Frognal. Talk, supper fried fish and chips. Slept in George’s room.
Saturday 25th September 1948
Very fine and warm.
Breakfast 8.30 or so. Off at about 10. Kit to shops, I to Finchley Road and put bag in cloakroom. Tube to Piccadilly. To Lillywhites and then Tricker’s, Jermyn Street. Got Grecian slippers. To Handy. Paid bill 9/3 “Red Piper”. To Club, lunch. Phoned Alys (she and Phil to Great Missenden, picnic lunch and to see house). Rested in Room 24 (or 25) (Doz coming). At 3 buses to Sissie’s. Tea in Jugs’ room. Miss Wilshaw there. Left 6.5. Home 7.20 (Colliver Fisher). Fish and trifle (Phil scallops).
Memo:
20th Blouse dyed Achille Serre.
22nd James back to school (Eva to Arthure).
27th Speeches by Bevin and Spaak accusing Russia at Assembly, U.N.O.
Hottest day for time of year for 100 years – 79°F.
Sunday 26th September 1948
Very hot, 79°F and fine.
Boiled grapefruit skins. At 11 to Oxford Circus and to Club. Doz there. Talk and lunch, and talk, till 4. Then by tube home. Phil in garden, they had tea there. We all sat out till past 6. Phil wrote out advance for his model railway and bricks. Alys and I had eggs; Phil only soup (mock turtle), and orange juice. He and Alys away at 7.45. Alys to sleep at Club and see Doz.
Monday 27th September 1948
Dull. Windy.
Mrs Bearcroft washed and cleaned Phil‘s room. I made marmalade from grapefruit skins and apples. To lunch at Durham 1 o’clock and left EYT in parking place, and key with Mrs Hill. Walked home. Sewed pink chiffon slip patches. Alys back 6 or so (had her hair washed 2.30). Sardines and toast. Cold, so took No. 9 at 12, 2, 4, 6, 8.30.
Tuesday 28th September 1948
Rain a.m. then very fine and warm.
Cold no worse; took No. 9 all day. Both to Durham 1 o’clock and after drive to Northwood Hills, and then by leafy lane to Rickmansworth. Home 3.15. Washed clothes. Rested. Eva, Kitty, Blain phoned Alys. Also Phil. Made milk and potato soup and apple purée. Soup and kippers. Cold very stuffy, but didn’t feel ill.
Wednesday 29th September 1948
Mild. Fair.
Up to breakfast. To bed again (to prevent getting worse) at 11, for rest of day, but down to lunch and supper. Alys to Northwood Hills, and got my watch. Listened in “Brains Trust”, 3.30 and two plays – “Confession to an Abbe”, Herbert Ferrers and “What’s In A Name”, Joyce Bell. Sardines and toast. “Ladies In Retirement”, Edward Percy.
Thursday 30th September 1948
Perfect. Warm.
Up at 8 and got breakfast but didn’t dress, and went back to bed. Sewed and listened in. Down to lunch – mince, cabbage, mashed potato and baked apples. Alys not out till p.m. Sewed, mended. Tried to put in dress buttons. Finished “Death Comes To The Ward”, Isabel Bayne-Powell. Began Captain Slocum’s “Sailing Alone Around The World and Voyage of the Liberdade”. Heinz spaghetti, Ryvita. Bath. ITMA.
Friday 1st October 1948
Fine, warm.
Up at 8 and got breakfast. Then back to bed all day there, but down to lunch and supper. Alys phoned Orme re. valuation and wired Blain. She to shops. Lovely fried fish and spinach. Read and sewed. Phil phoned, too busy to come till tomorrow. Blain phoned. Haddocks, and cream buns and Bruxelles chocolate. T. S. Elliott “The Family Reunion”, with Gielgud as Harry, Lord Monchensey.
Saturday 2nd October 1948
Perfect. Warm.
Up at 8 and got breakfast. To bed for rest of day, until 6.30 pm. Finished wash-leather gloves (from 2 pieces at 2/- each pre-war); down to lunch. Hard-boiled egg and lettuce, milk soup, baked apple. Gardener came. Phil only came at 7. Mixed grill with egg, kidney, chops, tomato, watercress. Cream buns and chocolate sauce.
Memo:
28th Phil to Smart. Phil’s 35th birthday.
30th Alys sent wire to Blain.
Sunday 3rd October 1948
Very fine. Warm.
Up to breakfast. Phil too (Alys had very bad night, awake till 6 a.m.). All to lunch Orchard 12.30. Rests in p.m. Phil and Alys packed engine, and we packed. Phil phoned Eva (gave them CUC). Eggs. Alys and Phil away in car at 8. Wrote Ella.
Richmond
Monday 4th October 1948
Fine and mild. Shower or two.
Alys slept at Club. I at home. Mrs Bearcroft came. I in Killick’s car to Kings Cross. Started 10.45. Arrived at Kings Cross 11.30. Met Alys in train and left Kings Cross 12.20. Very crowded. Reverend Brereton (P.D.). Lunch 4/–. Tea 1/6. Arrived Darlington 5.5. Met by Blain in Phil’s car. To Scotch Corner Hotel. Dinner 7.30. Rooms 4 and 5. To bed 9. Coughed; wakeful worrying re. Blains.
Tuesday 5th October 1948
Find a.m. Mild.
Breakfast 9. At 9.45 Baden in CUC and we drove to Layton Manor. Auctioneer Hodges to value. We in warehouse and dinner at Mrs Blain’s 1 o’clock. Ken came in. Alys to gardens in p.m. To Mrs Blain‘s at 4 and had Nescafé. Blain drove us back to hotel 6.15. Dinner. Read papers. Heard News 9. To bed. (Kenneth Clarke called).
Wednesday 6th October 1948
Fair.
Alys drove CUC at 9.45 and we to Layton. Talked, and then Mr Finnegan came 11.30 and we discussed flats project and plans. Alys and I to Scotch Corner. Lunch. Saw Mr Finnegan again re. railway, bricks and called on Miss Peacock, Pringle and Binks. Tea at Mrs Blain’s. Baden drove us to hotel 6.30. Dined 7. Looked at new papers that Fontana kept bringing us.
London
Thursday 7th October 1948
Fine. Fog early.
Baden at 9.45. To Layton. Did more collecting (for Eva chiefly). I to gardens, talk with Bill Blain’s; got thyme and aubretia and Alys and I took Baden and wife lunch Scotch Corner Hotel. Then all to Darlington. Goodbyes. Alys and I 3.18 to Kings Cross. Dinner 6 o’clock. Very comfortable and new coach. Arrived at Kings Cross 8.48, (due 8.40). Killick met us in new Austin 18 or 20? Back about 9.50? Gas fires, as house cold. Listened “Let Justice Be Done – Treason: The Case of William Joyce” (Lord Haw-Haw) trial (a bit) and U.N.O. report.
Friday 8th October 1948
Fog. Then fine.
Alys to shops and Scroggs’. I defrosted Fridge. Both Durham lunch 12.50. Mrs Cox came. I gardened all p.m., till 5. Planted aubretia and pinks (rock garden) and thyme. Cut roses, gathered apples. Rested 6 – 7. Kippers. Phil came home about 9.25, had 2 eggs and Bournvita. Talked re. Layton. To bed 10.20.
Saturday 9th October 1948
Fog. Then very fine and warm.
Alys and I to shops and Bank, and I to Boots, and Hudson‘s, and I walked home. Phil up and at his lathe. Roast veal and marrow. Cheese and biscuits. Cook came; cut lawns and cleaned mower for winter. He picked apples off corner tree. Gave him a lot. Tea on veranda. Phil on it all p.m. in sun. Rested till 7.30 from 6.30. Soup and mince and noodles. Apple purée. “Wild Justice” by James Dale. Criminal, Gabriel Perry acted by James Dale.
Memo:
3rd Alys to Club.
4th To Layton (Scotch Corner). Kit to St Margaret’s.
Booked 2 nights. Stayed 3.
5th Alys heard from Eva that they are buying house at Great Missenden. Their offer accepted 5,750?
Sunday 10th October 1948
Fine, warm.
Phil in bed till 12.30. Sent wire to Baden, with a list of things for Berry’s. All to Orchard at 1.30 lunch. Phil on veranda all p.m. and we had tea there. I wrote Doz re. Eva and Layton. Haddock supper. Alys and Phil away 8.15 or so. Alys to Club to sleep. (Nellie Moir there).
Monday 11th October 1948
Showers. Mild.
Mrs Bearcroft washed and cleaned room for Eve. I sewed Phil‘s buttons on. Wrote Green Hill Laundry, giving them up. Mince and noodles; apple sauce. Alys back 2.30. I rested 2.15 – 4. Kitty phoned, and Eva. Kippers and haddock, and toast and jam. “Return From Darkness” and “The Gentle People” – Abraham Sofaer, old fisherman.
Tuesday 12th October 1948
Fair. Mild. Showers.
Eva, Teddy and Eve and Dougal all in Baby Austin, here at 12.45. All went on to Durham with us, and lunch. Then Teddy to Reynolds Close and we home; Eva tea at 3.30 and then Alys drove her to Mount Vernon Hospital. Eve had tea with Alys and slept here. Dougal too. To bed about 8.30 (Alys slept very badly, not asleep till about 6).
Wednesday 13th October 1948
Showery.
Alys took Eve to shops. I got Brussels sprouts; our first ones. Minced veal and sprouts, treacle tart. Alys drove to Mount Vernon Hospital to visit Eva about 2. She fetched Eve and me at 3.10, and we up there. Eve not allowed in (under 14). I talked with Eva in Ward 1 (Calais). Back in car at 4. Teddy came at 6. Talked of mortgage and 2nd mortgage. Haddock at 7. Teddy left at 9 or so. “Mr Pim Passes By” – A. A. Milne, Irene Vanbrugh.
Thursday 14th October 1948
Showers. Mildish.
Mrs Bearcroft cleaned my room. Alys, Eve and I to Durham 12.30. Rest; and read “The Americans”. Laundry expected. (Eva had her operation for polypus). Cut cardboard for brass tray (Layton). Ironed. Eve took Dougie for runs. Read “Toomai of the Elephants” to Eve. Cod steaks in oven. Baked apples.
Friday 15th October 1948
Showers. Mild.
Phoned Orme for Alys. Eve went to shops with Dougal and bought doll. Alys in car to shops. Early lunch, tin steak, spinach. Then Ays and Eve to town from Moor Park. I walked back from there with Dougal. Mrs Cox cleaned kitchen. I rested, read “The Americans”. Alys and Eve back at 4. Tea. Read “Rikki-Tikki-Tavi” to Eve and she knitted vest for doll. She tried on new skirt (grey) and new frock (blue). Mackerel (grilled). Phil came at 8.45 and straight upstairs.
Saturday 16th October 1948
Showers.
Alys to shops. Phil got up and in lathe room. Chicken came from Layton, and Alys roasted it. Brussels sprouts, I picked. Roquefort, and treacle tart. Rest, and Eve stuck pictures on tray. Tea. Teddy phoned at lunchtime. Phil to see Eva in hospital 2.30 – 3. Marion Berry came 5.30 – 6.45. Soup and tin (Lyons, South Africa) or meat. “By-Way To Eden”, John Coningham. Talk of Ernest Vernor Miles’ (solicitor) and his costs and mortgages.
Memo:
Laundry (new). Thursday the 14th “Royal Bucks”.
12th Eva to hospital – Mount Vernon for operation on polypus. Eve to us.
Sunday 17th October 1948
Dull. Mildish, damp.
Phil at his lathe a good deal. Eve started a brown felt horse, with which I helped her. Teddy came at 12, and we all to Orchard 12.30 in Phil‘s car. Rested in p.m. and Teddy to see Eva in hospital at 2. Alys after 3 till 4. Tea in sitting room and talked of mortgage on Great Missenden house (being valued). Cold meats, sprouts and cheese. Alys and Phil to London, Teddy to Wendover at 8.15. Alys back here 10.10. “The Story of Munich”.
Monday 18th October 1948
Very changeable. Hail. Storm. Sun.
Mrs Bearcroft here. Alys took Eve to Watford and bought skirt. I took Dougal a walk, and then met Alys and Eve at Durham. I took Eve to Trafalgar Square and we fed pigeons, and to Horse Guards. Bus to Baker Street. Home. Alys in car met us. Eva there; Alys fetched her from hospital in p.m. Tea, crumpets. I slept. Cold meat and tomatoes and cheese. Teddy phoned. Phil phoned. “A New Way To Pay Old Debts”, Philip Massinger.
Tuesday 19th October 1948
Very fine all day.
Eva to breakfast in dressing gown and up at 12. I phoned Ernest Miles re. mortgage on Eva‘s house £5000. I drove Eva and Eve to Durham, lunch (Alys egg at home). At 2.30 all of us and Dougal in EYT for Wendover, but not charging. – garage at Rickmansworth; A.A. man near Amersham. Got Wendover at last about 4.15. Fed hens. Tea. Alys and I very quickly home 45 minutes as Blain to phone at 6. Rest. Kippers. Ernest phoned at 7.30 re. mortgages. “Meet The People – Allan K. Taylor, a freelance journalist”.
Wednesday 20th October 1948
Dull. Mild.
EYT battery flat. I to town 12. Lunch at Club. To Times re. advertisement and bought two books, Eve. To Club again and wrote Ella. To Foakes re. appointment, to Wallace to see Beagley. To 17 Manchester Square – Mrs Leyel at 3.45. To Baker Street. Taxi 1/6 up. Alys went to Cave’s and Killick took her to station in EYT, and took it to repair. I rested, chicken soup, Ryvita. Phil phoned 7.30. Alys phoned. “Quiet Weekend”, “Echo de Paris”, Laurence Houseman (Oscar Wilde).
Thursday 21st October 1948
(no weather).
Rang up Eva; phone Alys, at Cave’s. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned sitting room. I to get rations – Kingham’s and butcher. Got liver. Royal Bucks Laundry called 11.30. Put liver, and mince and apples in oven. Had chicken and gravy and French beans and baked apples. Altered coat sleeves (overcoat). Washed things, rested. Phoned Miss Scott at Albert Hall. Wrote re. auctioning stalls 1171–2. Fishcakes and chocolate mousse. Teddy phoned.
Friday 22nd October 1948
Dullish.
Killick’s partner brought EYT back. I drove with them to shops. To Bank and sweet shop, and got honeydew melon and 2 lemons. Soup, lunch, and baked apple and cake. Mrs Cox cleaned kitchen; I machine coat shoulders and ironed them. Alys came back from Cave’s; lay on my bed and talked. Phil came at 8, and we all had soup (milk and curry) and liver and casserole and gravy, cauliflower. (I sore throat in evening).
Saturday 23rd October 1948
Fine.
I to town 10 o’clock, and to get handkerchiefs for Barbara at Givans (Irish Linen Store), Bond Street. On to get “skows” for Phil at Roberts & Rowe, Jermyn Street. Tube back and lunch Durham 12.30. Home. Alys and Phil having lunch (hot) on veranda. Rested. Gardener 2 – 6. Got his tea 3.45. Plays Henry James, “A Day Of Days” and bassoon one. Grilled herrings, mushrooms on toast, melon. “Once A Crook”, (Charles Leno) by Evadne Price and Ken Attiwell.
Memo:
20th Ella. 20th and 21st Alys to Cave’s.
18th Eva comes out of hospital.
Friday 22nd?
24th sketch show Ayrton’s 11.30 – 1, 5–7.
20th 3.45 17 Manchester Square.
Sunday 24th October 1948
Cooler. Fair.
Alys drove to Ayrton’s sketch show (11.30 – 1). I cooked joint and made gingernuts. Then Phil (who at lathe) and I to Orchard 1.30. Alys had lunch in Hampstead. I, at 3.20 to Finchley Road and tea with Buchanan’s (and young Doctor of Music), and Barbara showed me her clothes for Africa. Kitty, Barbara and I to Ayrton’s 5.45. Sketches by Tessa and Theo, and Max and Longden. Sherry – Miss White of number 10, Doctor Plowright. I home at 7.30. Egg and liver sausage, melon. Ays and Phil away.
Monday 25th October 1948
Dull, dark. Rain in p.m.
Mrs Bearcroft washed. I began little lampshade. Took EYT to Post Office. Got kippers. Mixed leftovers lunch. Drying flannels by gas stove after. Eva phoned; and I called her again re. Hoults. Alys in at 3.30. We rested. Kippers supper. “The Warden” 10. 1st part.
Tuesday 26th October 1948
Much colder. Very fine.
Postcard from Nellie Moir re. Doz going Acland Hospital, Oxford “for observation”. I to Jermyn Street with Phil‘s “skows” to change. To Foakes’ 11. Hair done. Sagne’s 12.30 lunch. To Hartford Refrigerator Co. To 77 King Henry’s Road. Beagley 1.30. He took mirror. Emptied small chest of drawers. To Belsize Road (59 found at last) and talked to service manager re. Camley. Up Fairfax Road and home. Alys met me. Wrote Doz at Oxford. To Kingham’s and Sainsbury. Rests. Onion milk soup; grilled herrings.
Wednesday 27th October 1948
Very cold. Hard frost.
Ernest phoned me, and Orme too re. Blain. Alys to meet Lucy Brewtnall and lunch and cinema, “Oliver Twist”. I cleared big draw papers. Wrote Frank Archer, Hannah and Mrs Muirhead. Made soup, and apple sauce: lunch, soup, liver pâté and apricots. Mrs Cox ironed. I in EYT to Pinner: posted books to Yetholm and H. Archer. Drove to Harefield, and back by Breakspear Road; left car at Post Office. Walked home. Alys back at 7. Welsh rarebit, apple sauce. Nell phoned re. Doz – “gallstone”. “The Ware Case”, George Bancroft.
Thursday 28th October 1948
Cold. Fine.
(1st time since spring). Lighted Cozy stove. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned Alys’ room. Alys to shops. I washed stockings. Chocolate from Montreaux. Both to lunch Durham. Home. Then drove to Watford, and searched for warm bootees (Alys). Bought stockings, both. No success warm bootees. Home. Coffee in sitting room. Sat there. I writing Eva de Baeremaecker. Alys sewing. Cheese omelette and apricots in sitting room by fire. “ITMA”. Darned. To bed 9.35 or so.
Friday 29th October 1948
Dull and dark. Cold.
Kit phoned. Alys to shops and I wrote Foster & Cranfield re. auction of stalls and Mrs Dunn-Yarker!!! Alys took me to station. To Kitty’s at 12.30. Talk and lunch with her; walked down 2.30 and home about 3. Wrote Doz, and Eva de Baeremaecker. Alys posted them. Sat in sitting room, dozed on couch. Alys made kromeskies, and (first) leek soup with milk. Then apple fritters. Phil came at 9.45 or so. To bed 10.30.
Saturday 30th October 1948
Cold. Dull.
Alys to shops, and then I to Boots and Rawlinson’s. Got parchment 4/–. Man came re. Fridge, oiled it; Phil with him, late, so lunch at 1.40. Boiled neck mutton, caper sauce, kohlrabi, cream buns with Bruxelles chocolate over them. Cook cut grass again, and swept leaves. I cut out big lampshade. Got Cook’s tea in kitchen. Phil at lathe. Rest 6 – 7. Alys got supper. Leek soup, new kind kipperlets. Apple sauce, apricots. (“Fools Rush In”, Kenneth Horne).
Memo:
29th Letter to Eva de Baeremaecker and Doz.
26th 11 a.m. Foakes’. Beagley 1.30
28th Laundry.
29th Kitty?
26th Barbara Buchanan flies to Tanganyika (Nurse to employees of groundnut scheme).
30th Hartford Refrigerator man to come.
2nd Sugar and cooking fat ration increased.
Also sweets 1lb a month and some sorts off ration.
Jams and marmalade off points and ration.
Sunday 31st October 1948
Fine.
Picked sprouts. Kitty and Kath and George came at 12, and Eva and Teddy and Eva at 12.15. Drinks and talk. Buchanan’s away at 1. We all had dinner – roast beef, sprouts. Cream buns, Bruxelles chocolate, apricots, caramel pudding. Berry’s went at 3. Rest. Eggs at 6.50. Phil and Alys away about 7. I thonged lampshade till about 11. “Error In The Universe” – Galileo play. “The Flying Bomb”.
Monday 1st November 1948
Rained nearly all day.
Defrosted Fridge. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned my room. I finished lampshade for Eva‘s lamp. Fried liver sandwiches for lunch. To Post Office; posted books and letters to Doz and lettercard Nellie Moir; letter to Ernest Vernor-Miles. Alys home 4. Tea. Rested. Kippers (in sitting-room), chocolate Bruxelles. “The Governess” by Patrick Hamilton. Miss Fry – Kathleen Michael. Milton Rosmer – Laidman Browne.
Tuesday 2nd November 1948
Very mild. Dull, damp.
Wrote Mrs Piggott. Laundry came. With Alys to Durham 12.30. Home. Then we drove to Pinner. Lloyds Bank, Woolworths. Back at 4. Rest. Read “Great Morning”, Osbert Sitwell. Vegetable and milk soup, Alys made with mutton broth. Kippers. Alys phoned Sissie.
Wednesday 3rd November 1948
Mild. Fair.
Alys phoned Orme. Alys drove to Sissie’s; Nurse Hook there. I to get rations, Kingham’s. Warmed-up meat and caper sauce and Eva‘s curly kale. Mrs Cox cleaned kitchen, and got coal. I rested. Two poor plays. “Brains Trust”, 330. Wrote Ella with shoe-bags and took to post at 2.15. Alys back at 5.30 (dusk). Soup, bloaters. “Message for Margaret”, James Parish.
Harry Truman won presidential election over Dewey.
Thursday 4th November 1948
Fair.
I to town. To Knightsbridge, got Barbola at Mealand‘s. Walked to Bond Street. Bought hat at Scott’s. To Club for lunch. To Bank. Walk to London Auction Mart, 155 Queen Victoria Street. Sale 2.30 of Albert Hall stalls. Mine Lot 6, £600. Walked to Fleet Street. Bus to Oxford Circus. Got shoes at Raoul’s. Home and Alys met me 4.35. Wrote Eva with cheque £50; and George Buchanan. Rest. Fried sausage. Nellie Moir phoned 8. Doz to be operated on tomorrow. “Let Justice Be Done – Double Trial – The Case Of The Seddons”.
Friday 5th November 1948
Perfect day.
Were going Oxford, but phoned Acland. We drove to Great Missenden. Then on to Wendover – picnic lunch with Eva. Talk re. furniture. At 3, started home. Back before 4. Mrs Cox there. Tea. Rest. Alys did mince and for supper. Postcard from Doz, letter from Kit. Mince and greens and mousse. I up waiting phone call. Alys to her room at 9. Nellie never phoned. (Much-Binding-in-the-Marsh, Derek Bond). Doz being operated on. Gallbladder removed. I to bed at 11.30.
Saturday 6th November 1948
Very fine.
Rang up Acland Home. Condition “as good as can be expected”. I to Great Missenden 9.41 from Moor Park. To “The Coppice”. Miss Killish took me over house and garden. 11.49 back to a Moor Park. Alys met me. To Durham, 12.30 lunch. Gardener lit bonfire. Phil at 3 and had tea early. Rested after 4.30. Mr Till (Doz’s surgeon) phoned Phil 6.30. Mince, curly kale; cream cheese. Phoned Eva. Alys phoned Kit, Upton Lovell. “The Gentle Hangman”.
Memo:
Points period ends.
1st Doz?
5th Doz’s operation 6 p.m (Acland Home).
4th Auction Foster and Cranfield, 6 Poultry EC2.
London Auction Mart, 155 Queen Victoria Street
3rd Alys to Sissie’s (Nurse Hook).
6th Moor Park 9.47 – Great Missenden 10.26.
Sunday 7th November 1948
Showers. Raw.
Wrote Mrs Dunn-Yarker with cheque and Mr Duffy, Royal Archaeological Society, phoned Nellie Moir. All to Orchard 1.30. Rested. Phil did radiograms and case papers for London Chest Hospital. Alys phoned Sissie. Eggs and cold bacon (tin) in sitting room. Alys and Phil away about 8. “The Inward Eye – Boy, 1913” R. C. Scriven. “In My Experience”, Alys Russell.
Monday 8th November 1948
Fine. Cool.
Mrs Bearcroft cleaned Alys’ room. I to Rawlinson’s, and got Elizabeth Shaw chocolate mints. To Bank. Got herrings. Had them baked (soused), and baked apples at 1.20. Let down velour skirt, and did other alterations. Wrote Doz (Mrs Bearcroft posted it). Alys back 5.30. Kippers in sitting room, and coffee junket. “Return From Darkness”.
Tuesday 9th November 1948
Fine, then dull.
Defrosted Fridge. Alys not out all day. I washed things. Mince and vegetables warmed up and macaroni. I to Post Office and sent tin of milk to Sissie. Phoned re. Berry telephone re. Ernest for Eva‘s. Rests. “Nature Parliament” in Children’s Hour (corgi dwarf dog, cardigan long-tailed, Pembroke short.) Onion and milk soup. Roes on toast. “Focus On Old Age”, Ellen Pollock in “Celia”. Kit phoned. Phil phoned.
Wednesday 10th November 1948
Very fine.
Washed Highland wool coat. Alys and I to Durham. Posted spectacle case to Ella. Mrs Cox cleaned kitchen. We rested. Made lampshade for Eva‘s little lamp. Macaroni with tomato ketchup and grated cheese, grilled. Apple. “The Old Folks At Home”, H. M. Harwood, Phyllis Neilson Terry. Phil phoned Till’s report – carcinoma.
Thursday 11th November 1948
Fine. Mild.
Mrs Bearcroft wash things. Put up new line. Made milk and potato soup. Wrote Kitty all about Doz and report by Till. Wrote Mrs Wardle. Alys to shops. Soup and cold bacon. Rests. Sewing. Walked to Post Office and Carey’s for hooks after lunch. Fishcakes from Durham. “ITMA”, “P.C. 49”. Phil phoned.
Friday 12th November 1948
Fog at first. Fair, mild.
Wire from Kit re. Sylvia Lethbridge. I to town 10.16. To Lloyds Bank, 195 Edgware Road. Got Albert Hall certificate from dispatch box. Talked to Manager (Sowerby) and signed Transfer of Stalls. Bus to Bourne & Hollingsworth and lunch at self service 2/4. Walked to Baxter‘s, got black felt and glove pattern 3/6, and felt for soles 2/–. To Kettle’s – got two sheets parchment (?) for lampshades at 4/6 each. To Marshall’s and Selfridge’s, trying on overcoats. Home, and Alys fetched me by 4 o’clock. Tea and rest. Soup and kippers. Sewed. Phil arrived 9.50.
Saturday 13th November 1948
Very mild. Fair.
Cards from Doz, and Nell. Wrote to them. Phil began new boat and used fretsaw, in hut. Alys to shops. Liver and mushrooms, apple sauce. Cook planted 7 new roses, and moved coke. Alys and Phil to Carey‘s. Alys took me to Northwood Hills cinema (Rex). I saw “The Fallen Idol”, Baines – Ralph Richardson, Mrs Baines -Sonia Dresdel. Little boy (Philippe) – Bobby Henrey. Walked home, via Eborn‘s; paid 1.11.6 for roses. Unpicked old lampshade. Fishcakes (haddock), mince, Chalet Cheese, biscuits.
Memo:
9th Mr Till to phone Phil re. Doz.
10th Laundry. Beagley?
13th Wrote Doz postcard saying we’ll go Oxford, Monday.
Wrote Mrs Piggott with proposal form for Archaeological Society.
Wrote lettercard to Nellie Moir.
Wrote letter to Kitty.
Princess Elizabeth and Duke of Edinburgh – son born 9.10 p.m. – 14th. 7lb 6oz.
Sunday 14th November 1948
Very mild. Dull.
Phil busy all day at fretsaw and grinder on new boat. Doris Sharpe called 11.30. Phil asked Clark (of hospital) to drinks, but he couldn’t. Steak, sprouts (from garden), roast potatoes, apple purée, sponge cake – rum, cream. Did black wool bag with Neva-Wet, and ironed it. Rested. Read “Three Came Home” by Mrs Keith. Fish pie and eggs. Chocolate. Alys and Phil away about 8 and Alys back 9.50. (Prince born 9.10).
Monday 15th November 1948
Very mild. Showery.
Up 6.30. Alys took me to Moor Park. 8.37 to Aylesbury 9.35. 10.20 bus. Arrived at Oxford 11.48. Lunch at Elliston‘s 12 (3/6). Walked very slowly to Acland Home, Banbury Road. Visit to Doz 1.15 to 2.15. Bought horse 13.6. Bus 3.20; arrived Aylesbury 4.48. Left Aylesbury, train 5.15, changed Moor Park. Phoned Alys from Northwood. She met me in pouring rain. Rest. Soup, fishcakes. “The New Morality”, houseboats, Harold Chapin, Cathleen Nesbitt.
Tuesday 16th November 1948
Very mild. Some drizzle.
Wrote Albert Hall with tickets (Scott). Alys to Killick for car’s plate (dynamo) and we met at Durham at 1. To Boots’. Home. Rests. “Silas Marner”. Cut out big lampshade. Alys wrote Lucy. Sissie phoned. Phil phoned, but interrupted. Soup, mince and macaroni rings, sprouts. “Celia”.
Wednesday 17th November 1948
(no weather)
Washed things. Defrosted the Fridge. Alys to shops. I to post letters and got oranges and Dreft. Alys met me in car. To High Street. Home. To Mrs Hutchinson‘s (Scotch, at Corner House), Blind Babies Bazaar. Brill (in oven with onion) and ginger marmalade pudding (steamed). Mrs Cox cleaned kitchen. Rest. Welsh rabbit with two eggs. Soup first. “Cynara”, Robert Donat, Griselda Hervey, Glynis Johns. “Have A Go”. Finished big lampshade.
Thursday 18th November 1948
Dull. Rainy. Very mild.
Alys to Moor Park to catch 9.23 to Aylesbury and to see Dorothy at Oxford. Mrs Bearcroft washed. I to shops for fish and to Bank to put cheque for Albert Hall seats in – £54. To Mount Vernon bazaar at hospital. Fortune told by palmist. Salt cod and spinach. Did odd mending and sewings. Alys back 6.20. Soup and kippers. Phil phoned. Made shade for my bed lamp. Finished “Three Come Home”, Agnes Keith.
Friday 19th November 1948
Fair. Mild.
Wrote to Nellie Moir. Washed carpet by Cozy stove where burnt. To Bank. Alys sent off Veginin to Doz. Fish (salt cold) and spinach again. Mrs Cox ironed. Did dressmaking and rested. Slept a little. Crocheted handle of black bag. Sardines and pancakes.
Saturday 20th November 1948
Perfect day.
Housework. Alys to shops. Both to Durham at 1. New couple there; after, we drove by Moorpark Golf Club and Anson Road, looking for their house. In p.m., picked sprouts. Unpicked black skirt (Hands’ one). Phil came out about 6, after very full day with meeting of thoracic surgeons (about 90) at London Chest Hospital. Soup, turbot with pickled walnuts, mushrooms on toast. “Trial and Error”, Anthony Berkeley, James Dale.
Memo:
18th Alys to see Doz at Acland Home.
18th Albert Hall stalls deal to close.
14th Wrote Amy Steel with little purse, and elephant tag.
16th Sent cards and tickets to Scott, Albert Hall. Lettercard to Dunn-Yarker.
23rd King suffering from obstructed circulation in legs and especially right foot. Tour to New Zealand and Australia postponed.
Sunday 21st November 1948
Fine. Mild.
Phil sat on veranda ½ hour. Alys roasted chicken from Layton, sprouts, Bruxelles chocolate. Dried the almond stones. Rest in p.m. Tea. Talk and Phil drew diagram of Doz’s inside. Wrote Ella. Lambs tongues (points) and eggs. Alys and Phil away about 8. Alys stayed at Club.
Monday 22nd November 1948
Dull. Cold.
Card from Doz. Kit phoned. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned my room. Did laundry. Cornish pasty and baked apples. To Northwood Hills for battery for radio. Gardener came and dug foundation for coal place. Gave him tea. Ironed and machined skirt, and arranged tweed edging. Alys back about 4.30, walked back for car, which I left at Post Office (she had no key). Soup, tongue, chocolate Bruxelles. “The Malindens”, Jonquil Anthony. “A Dream Play”, August Strindberg.
Tuesday 23rd November 1948
Foggy.
From Moor Park at 10.45. To Lewis’ for lampshade frame, but sent onto Berwick Street. Got one 4/–. Lunch Bourne & Hollingsworth, 2/6 self service. To Chalk Farm. Paid rent. To 77 King Henry’s Road. Mrs Beagley bought mirror £2.15.0. Tidied, and altered furniture. Home at 4.30, with Colliver Fisher taxi. Rest. Very hot curry. Baked apple, prunes. Sewed. “Celia”, “Focus” on tobacco smoking.
Wednesday 24th November 1948
Fair.
Defrosted Fridge. At 11.20 Blind Babies Bazaar. Alice took door off Cozy to clean. Mrs Cox did kitchen. Alys and I to Rex to see “The Winslow Boy”, 2.25 Cedric Hardwick, Robert Donat, very good. Eva phoned. Soup, scrambled eggs. “Uncle Harry”, Thomas Job.
Thursday 25th November 1948
Fair. Some sun. Frost in a.m.
Mrs Bearcroft washing. I 10.45 to Finchley Road. To Kitty’s at 11.30. Talk and tripe. Away about 2.30. To Woolworths’. Train to Northwood. Walked home. Eva spent day with Alys, and Teddy and another RAF to tea. Rest. (Alys not feeling okay). Kippers. “ITMA”, “P.C. 49”.
Friday 26th November 1948
Perfect day. Frost a.m.
Moor Park 9.26 to Aylesbury. Tried on Clark‘s bootees. Bus 11 to Oxford. Lunch at Elliston‘s 12.30. To Acland by 1.20. Nice visit to Doz in Room 11 till 2.40. To bus stop, and by 3.20 to Aylesbury, eating chocolate biscuits at Thame. Train 5.16 (having got plastic at Woolworths’). Changed Moor Park (land girl) and home, Colliver Fisher. Phil in at 6.40 (with cold beginning). Soups, chicken hash and sausages (South Africa). Phoned Kit, re. Doz and Sylvia Lethbridge. All to bed early.
Saturday 27th November 1948
Foggy.
Phil stayed in bed all day. Alys to shops. I walked later to get lemon squash and to Boots’. Alys did fish for Phil, and we had sausages, apple pie, trifle. Rests. I phoned Nellie Moir 6.15. Alys did liver in rounds of fried bread for Phil. We corned beef. “When We Are Married”, J.B. Priestley.
Memo:
23rd Town. Beagley.
24th Blind Babies Bazaar.
25th Rent 12 weeks from September 2nd. Paid.
25th To Kit’s 11.30?
26th Doz 9.23 Moor Park.
Queen Elizabeth held up first by strike (sympathy with New York dockers), then by fog.
The Great Fog – over 100 hours continuously for 14 days.
Sunday 28th November 1948
Very foggy everywhere.
Phil in bed all day, but good appetite. M&B for cold. Alys roasted mutton, and stuffing and cabbage. Kit phoned re. Lethbridge, and I then phoned Nellie Moir. Posted Alys’ letter to Finn: re. car. Rest. “Brains Trust”, 4.30. Tea in Phil‘s room. Kidney omelette Phil. We had fish. Vita Sackville-West on “Gertrude Bell”. “Trinity House”.
Monday 29th November 1948
Foggy. Cold.
Breakfast 8.30. Phil away in car 9. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned Alys’ room. Unpicked sofa cover. Lunch Durham. Wrote to Blain with cheque but not posted. Rest. We cut out chair cover. Kippers and cream buns in hall. “The Malindens”, “Rogue Male”, Geoffrey Household.
Tuesday 30th November 1948
Fog. 72 hours by evening.
Alys wrote Blain re. Hoult. Lunch at Durham. Walked to Hudson’s and Carey’s. Posted letters to Blain (Alice with £5 notes Mike, mine with cheque). Rests. After tea, both went on with chair cover in cretonne for green velvet chairs (for Eva, from Layton). Phil phoned. Alys phoned Teddy. Cornish pasties in hall, and cabbage. Baked apples and sandwich. “Celia”.
Wednesday 1st December 1948
Fog a.m., clear later. Fine at Great Missenden.
Alys wrote Blain re. tools (joiner) – to keep back from sale. I wrote Doz with lettercards. To station 11.15. Trains delayed (fog). We waited long there and at Moor Park. Finally got to Great Missenden past 1 o’clock. Eva met us in car. To The Coppice. Teddy there; Hoults just left! All had sandwiches and rolls, corned beef – we took them. Hung pictures. Eva to fetch Eve from school at 3.30. We home by train, at 4.30. Rests. Smoked cod in hall. “Lady From Edinburgh”, Sophie Stewart.
Thursday 2nd December 1948
Fine, mild.
Alys and I to shops and then to Great Missenden in EYT, taking lampshades etc. Mrs Hedger they’re making curtains. Alys and I to lunch at café; very good 2/– each. Teddy bought hens over from Wendover. They lunched in kitchen. To Baptist Sale of Work; bought tins. Alys and I motored home by 4.30. Rested. Alys very little supper (kippers). “ITMA”, “Farewell, Earth’s Bliss – A portrait of the Plague of London, 1665”, “Let Justice Be Done – The Sinking of the Peleus”.
Friday 3rd December 1948
Very mild.
Overslept! Alys in car alone to look after Eve (101°C). Eva inventory at Newlands. Got things in from garage. To buy turbot 6/–. Met Mrs Marwood. Soup (of old pork fat), apple pie. Mrs Cox ironed and cleaned Phil‘s room. Mince. Alys back at 4. Rests. Turbot (in oven). Did chair covers. “Call North Side 777”, Majczek, McNeal proves his innocence. Phil only home about 12 midnight.
Saturday 4th December 1948
Fine, lovely, mild.
Phil down to meals, but in bed all day. Alys to shops. I did kohlrabi. Had shepherds pie and baked apples. Gardener came, with designed for coal and coke bins, bricks (300) needed. Rests. Talked in Phil‘s room. Two good playlets. Produced by Frank Hauser – Norman Edwards and Wallace Geoffrey. Ham from South Africa. “The Big Drum”, Pinero.
Memo:
Points period ends.
30th Eva and Teddy get possession of The Coppice, Great Missenden.
4th Lindquist wedding.
1st Hoults from Layton to Great Missenden.
28th Wrote Daisy Dalziel.
29th Wrote Blain with £100 cheque.
Sunday 5th December 1948
Dull. Mild.
Wrote Doz, Nelly Moir. Phil in bed till 11.45. We all drove in JLN to Little Abbey Hotel and lunch there about 1. On to The Coppice (took up tarpaulin and mat over). Eve in bed (Eva‘s room). Temperature 99.4°C. Away at 3 or so. Home. Rests. (Alys cleaned JLN‘s radiators). Tea in Phil‘s room. Talk. Ham! (tin from South Africa). Cheese, stilton and Dutch. Alys and Phil away about 8. Alys back at 10.25, Colliver Fisher. Owl calls. Sewed skirt.
Monday 6th December 1948
Rain early then fine. Mild – windy, gale.
Mrs Bearcroft cleaned sitting room. Alys took me to Moor Park. 10.33 to Great Missenden. In Eve‘s bedroom reading Mowgli stories to her, while Eva to shops. Lunch 1.30 at a café. Back 2. 3 to Northwood. Alys at station! Home. Wrote Mrs Haynes and to post. Rest. Slept. Alys phoned Kit and Eva. Made soup. Shepherds pie and baked apples and ice cream. Cut pattern of big lampshade. Bruce Woodcock v. Lee Savold.
Tuesday 7th December 1948
Fair. Very mild.
Priced catalogue of Layton came. Alys took me to station. 10.16 to Baker Street and Swiss Cottage. The 77 King Henry’s Road. Tied up green carpet and laboratory armchair, and labeled them and mirror (laboratory) and steel chair. Taxi from Swiss Cottage to Paddington. Met Kitty and Sylvia Lethbridge and Alys. Lunch 12.30. All saw off Sylvia Lethbridge 1.45 to Moreton-in-Marsh (to help Nellie Moir and Doz). We three in lounge in hotel. Then home, by 4. Rests. Alys rather painy. Soup (me), kippers. Alys then to bed. I did lampshade. “Focus On Food”, Sir John Boyd Orr. “Paul Temple”.
Wednesday 8th December 1948
Fair. Very mild.
In car to Watford, Woolworths for plastic tape. Lunch at Durham. I by 2.16 to Swiss Cottage. Stayed at 77 King Henry’s Road, waiting for Pickford’s; came 5.15; no room on van so away. I to England’s Lane to phone Alys (busy). Back to 77 King Henry’s Road. Pickford‘s man took two chairs (laboratory), green carpet, chest of drawers at 6.25. Mrs. Haynes gave me tea. Taxi to Finchley Road, Metropolitan Line. Home 7.20. Fishcakes, ricetti pudding. “Gaslight”, Patrick Hamilton. Gwen Ffrangcon Davies, Robert Helpmann.
Thursday 9th December 1948
Gale. Heavy showers. Bright sunshine. Mild.
C. Pattison and Pickford brought chairs from 77 King Henry’s Road. Not out all day. Washed chair cover from 77. Mrs Bearcroft washed flannels. Hot roast beef, tinned French beans and roast potatoes. Alys out in car. I rested. Read “Vail d’Alvery” and also slept. Put leather on armchair that Pickfords brought (Lab one). Braised onions, baked apples (stove lit to dry clothes). Phoned Nellie Moir and Kit. “ITMA”, “P.C. 49”.
Friday 10th December 1948
Mild. Windy.
Alys to town, and I (after getting woollie dry: jacket from Caroline‘s), to Sissie’s by train. 11.45 – 1.10. Then to Greek Restaurant, Parade, Golders Green. Lunch 4/6. To W. H. Smith’s. Bought “No Highway”, Neville Shute, and two books (children). Home by 3.45. Ironed things from 77 King Henry’s Road. Alys home and out again to shops. Mrs Cox had helped put green carpet down. Rests. Slept. Cornish pasties, ice cream and chocolate sauce and ricetti pudding. Finished big lampshade. Phil phoned re. going to Belcher-Stanley Hearing.
Saturday 11th December 1948
Dull. Mild.
Cut and prepared sprouts from garden. Alys to shops. Both of us to Durham, lunch. Looked at Electro cooker. Gardener came, and (very late) gravel and bricks and cement £3.19.0. So he worked 1.30 – 5.30. Made folded shade for my lamp, and one with green for Alys’. Kippers. “The Paragon”, Michael Pertwee. Arthur Wontner as Lord Clarendon. Phil home at 11.15.
Memo:
9th Sale at Layton Manor.
7th Alys and Kit see off Sylvia Lethbridge to Broadway.
8th Pickfords to 77 King Henry’s Road 4 – 4.30. Paid £1.1.10 and tip 2.8.
10th To Sissie’s.
12th To E. V. Miles.
15th Princess Elizabeth and Duke of Edinburgh’s son christened Charles Philip.
Sunday 12th December 1948
Dull, mild, damp.
Phil didn’t dress till after tea. We got things ready to go to Eva‘s; sewed up mattress, and bookshelves (for James). Alys cooked curry; sprouts (our last), rice. Wrote Ella; Alys wrote Blain. Posted. All to Ernest Miles, Grove House at 5.30 in JLN. Talk re. incomes and capital. Saw Faith (in bed) and Nicky. To Kitty’s at 7:30. Took Camp pie, prunes, port and with 9 eggs. Kath and George. In car to Bethnel Green tube to West Ruislip. Killick met us 10.10, 7/–.
Monday 13th December 1948
Dull. Mild. Showery.
Arnold and a man came at 8.45 and took beds, chest of drawers to Eva‘s. Alys went in car at same time. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned my room. I made soup and cheese in it, over sprouts. Rested in p.m. Alys in at 4.30. I out at 5.40 to Club, and dined there. To Cowdray Hall, Henrietta Street at 8, but no lecture there (Professor Newall), so home by 9, Colliver Fisher. “The Devil’s Disciple”, Shaw – Robert Eddison.
Tuesday 14th December 1948
Heavy showers and some sun (by river and windy).
Alys defrosted Fridge. Met Kit Waterloo 10.25. Train to Kingston 10.29. Bus to Sunbury 11. About 25 minutes? Sat by river: (weir, geese). To Nursing Home. Maie with us to The Magpie Hotel, to lunch. Back with her, and in her bedroom. Away about 2.30. Bus to Kingston, train to Waterloo. Tube. Home at 4:45? Colliver Fisher. Rest. Soup, kippers, apple. To bed 8.40.
Wednesday 15th December 1948
Sunny.
Mrs Cox cleaned kitchen. To Moor Park. Alys into train 10.9 joining Eva. Eve and Dougal got out and we drove home in EYT. To Scroggs. Home, did almonds in vice. Drove to park (Post Office). Eve and I lunched 12.30. Got Dougal and walked home. Read “The White Seal”. Alys and Eva home 4. Tea. Read “Letting In The Jungle”. Milk soup, veal stew and greens, apricots. Eve supper at 6.30 – oatcakes, apricots. To bed 9 p.m. Eve and Eva slept here and Dougal.
Thursday 16th December 1948
Sunny. Very fine.
Mrs Bearcroft washed clothes. Fishcakes breakfast. Alys took Eva to Moor Park for train to go and meet James – 9.10? Eve and I did Barbola Virgin and child! Eve painted it. We took Eve to Moor Park (and Dougal) at 12.44 and put her in train, where Eva and James were. We to shops and took Cornish pasties home for lunch, with colcannon, in sitting room. Then to Watford. Got handkerchiefs. Home 4.30. Tea and rest. Alys phoned Elsa. Fishcakes with Heinz dressing sauce. “ITMA”, “P.C. 49”, “Hypnotism” – Mesmer.
The Diaries of my Great-Great-Aunt Kate 