In 1949, Kate is 70 years old and Alys is 65 years old. Eva is 40 years old and Philip is 36 years old (Alys and Dennis’ daughter and son). James is 11 years old (Eva and Teddy’s son) and Eve (Eva and Teddy’s’ daughter (my mother)) is 9 years old.
In case of accident refer to Dr D. P. Embleton at address below:
Name: Katharine Boyd
Address:
12 Grove Road
Northwood
Middlesex
Telephone No:
Northwood 1356
Saturday 1st January 1949
Very windy. Cool showers.
Phil didn’t dress all day, but meals in his dressing gown. I to get cakes and ices (at Poppies); and mackerel. Alys to Cattle’s about garage and to shops in JLN. Hot beef, mashed turnips. Roquefort? Alys and I in car for sardines. Gardener moved things for garage, and logs. Rest, two plays. Grilled mackerel, ices and hot chocolate sauce. Mrs Lata phoned (Mrs Emile Gray introduced). Deedie phone. To bed 9.15. “A Sleeping Clergyman”, James Bridie.
Memo:
Points period
1st day of Phil’s holidays, after being Resident Medical Officer (RMO) at London Chest Hospital.
Sunday 2nd January 1949
Milder, fair, showers.
Phil up about 11.30 and out walk to see new garage in house, St Mary’s Road. Alys roasted chicken from Layton, sprouts, bread sauce. Baked apples. Cheese, biscuits. Posted letter Murray for oatmeal. Did salted almonds; and picked up more. Mrs Lata and gill came 6, and had sherry. Mock turtle soup; galantine (Australia). Times Quiz. Kit phoned re. Sylvia’s phone message re. Doz.
Monday 3rd January 1949
Fair.
Men began garage 8.30. Phil took me to station. To Club (left bag). To Sales. Got coat, Fenwick’s. Lunch Club. Bus and taxi to Kit’s. We rested. Tea. Old letters and dance list. George in. Letter from Barbara. Tripe, bel paese and baked fairy toast. To bed about 9.30. Phoned Alys and Broadway Hotel.
Broadway
Tuesday 4th January 1949
Heavy showers. Mild.
Breakfast 8. Taylor’s car 8.45 – no petrol. So tube Paddington. 10.45 to Moreton (man and labrador), arrived 12.7. Car to Broadway Hotel. Lunch. Room 6. To Lucy and to Sands Meadow. Saw Nellie and Sylvia Lethbridge. To Dr Willoughby’s. To Foss. To Doz and up with her. Tea with Doz. Wrote Alys and Kit. 6.15 rest. Dinner 7. To see Doz. Dr Till had been and put tube in. Hotel at 9.
Wednesday 5th January 1949
Fine.
Breakfast 9.10. To buy battery and oranges. To Doz 11 – 1. Nellie back to lunch with me. Then rest 2 – 3.40. Wrote Alys. To post, and then to tea in Doz’s room, and I stayed till 6.30. To Lucy‘s. Hotel 7.25. Sylvia to dine with me. Sylvia left at 8.45. Up to bed. Read “Phantom Lobster”.
Thursday 6th January 1949
Fair, mild.
To Doz’s about 10.45. Still being cleaned up. Tube too small. Up with her, got addresses and wrote 4 postcards for her. Lucy to lunch with me at hotel. Rest. Posted lettercards to Alys and Kit. To Doz’s for tea. Sylvia Lethbridge to Cheltenham. Talk and crossword. Dinner alone. Talked to Mrs Jacque re. lodgers. To Lucy’s. “ITMA”.
London
Friday 7th January 1949
Dull, mild.
Round to Doz. Dr Willoughby there putting in larger tube. Sylvia Lethbridge showed us her skirt and scarf from Cheltenham. To Lucy‘s, and to hotel. Paid bill. Car 12.42 Moreton-in-Marsh. 1.6 train. Luncheon car all way. Lunch 4/–. Talk with Meachin? Re. salesmanship, “Mamsell”, Nottingham. Killick at Paddington 3.35. Home 25/– plus 4/-. Phil away to Morlock’s in car. Milk soup, Cornish pasties, peas. beans. Alys phoned kitty. “Much Binding”.
Saturday 8th January 1949
(no weather)
Alys to shops. I did coat with “Neva Wet”. Both lunch Durham. Rest in p.m. Phoned Teddy re. garage. Mince and noodles, beans. “Viceroy Sarah”.
Memo:
Return Moreton 25/2. Car (Whittaker’s) to Broadway 14/- plus 1/- tip.
7th Blain’s to Northwood.
5th Wrote Pelham’s re. garage.
Tommy Handley died.
Sunday 9th January 1949
Fine, cold.
Grilled chops and kidney. Plum pudding. Wrote Teddy and Eva re. garage. Alys and I in car round about Watford, Bushey. Noodles, ice cream. Phoned Kitty and Nellie. Very sick 10 – 2 and diarrhoea.
Monday 10th January 1949
Dull, cold.
Up at 6.50 and down, Alys got breakfast. Back to bed and Alys phoned Sylvia – I couldn’t go to Broadway. Orange juice all day. Phil home 4 from Morlock weekend. “Flare Path”, Terrence Rattigan. Read “Phantom Lobster”, Leo Walmsley.
Tuesday 11th January 1949
Dull. Mild. Some sun p.m.
Alys brought bread and milk at 9. Dozed and wrote to Doz. Got up at 12.30. Did up oatcakes for Doz. Fish in milk and baked apple. Phil and Alys other things. Phil to town in JLN to buy pyjamas. Alys and I kippers in sitting room. “Much Binding”, Naunton Wayne in “Having a Wonderful Crime”, “Paul Temple”.
Wednesday 12th January 1949
Sunny and cold.
Alys to town to meet Kit with 3lb sugar for marmalade and Sagne’s. I got up 12.30 and had chicken legs in sitting room. Phil lunch Northwood Hills. Rest till 5. Mrs Cox ironed (cried about button). Phil working at boat. Soup, fish, Queen of puddings. Phoned Nellie Moir at Club.
Thursday 13th January 1949
(no weather)
Up at 8. Alys down to at 8.30 to move car. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned and washed. Alys to shops. She cooked beef and mince and warmed up fish, cauliflower and apples. Rest. Alys and Phil packed. I undid U.S. parcel and began letter to Amy. Omelettes and fishcakes. Alys cut her finger. Memorial to Tommy Handley at “ITMA” time. “P.C. 49”.
Friday 14th January 1949
Very cold.
Alys and Phil packing, and off at about 12 in JLN to Southampton. I got hot mince and cauliflower, apple purée and cream with white of egg. Mrs Cox cleaned kitchen and ironed. I rested and wrote Eva (re. coupons), Ernest Miles and Amy Steel. To post them 5 p.m. Milk soup, Ryvita.
Saturday 15th January 1949
Very mild. Showers.
Wrote and to post and walked round block. Man and boy working all day in garage. Picked spinach and had it with mince and Queen of puddings. Kitty and Nellie Moir and Alys phoned. Soup, plums, cheese. “Trimalchio’s Feast”, Petronius (Nero’s time).
Memo:
13th Amy Steel’s parcel arrived.
10th To Broadway 9.45?
14th Alys and Phil away, Southampton – Royal Court Hotel.
Nellie Moir up from 12th to 19th.
Sunday 16th January 1949
Fair. Mild.
Wrote Doz, a lettercard to Alys. Reboiled tangerine marmalade. Defrosted Fridge. Mince and spinach. Took letters to post to pillarbox. Read on couch. 2.30 “Bookshelf” books recommended “Amanda Ros, Irene Iddersleigh” authors. Yeats spoke. Cheese omelette. “The Brontës Day-Dream Writings”. Phyllis Bentley. Bertrand Russell “Authority and the Individual”.
Monday 17th January 1949
Dull, cold.
Mrs Bearcroft washed and cleaned Alys’ room. Wrote Kit. To Bank, and lunch at Durham. Home. Sewed, and listened in. “Two’s A Pair”. Sewed green coat. Milk soup, cold beef and corn salad. “The Golden Bridegroom”, ‘Apologia’ of Lucius Apuleius.
Tuesday 18th January 1949
Fine, mild.
10.31 to Baker Street. Foakes at 11.15. To Welbeck Street, 34. Paid £1. Saw Professor Newall. To Club. Lunch with Nellie Moir. To Times Book Club. To Culpeper. To Lloyds Bank at Baker Street. To Northwood – Colliver Fisher up. Killick had left EYT there. Onion soup and mince, prunes. Radio. Sissie phoned.
Wednesday 19th January 1949
Fair. Windy.
Wrote Phil re. £100. Took azalea out of pot. Beef slices, hot gravy, sprouts and carrots; baked apples. Mrs Cox ironed and minced. In EYT to Killick’s with licenses, 3 gallons petrol to put in. Sewed and two players. Welsh rarebit. “This Happy Breed”, Noël Coward. Wilfred Pickles.
Grapefruit and oranges appears again.
Thursday 20th January 1949
Fine a.m. Dull p.m.
Kit phoned early. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned Phil‘s bedroom. In EYT to get sweets and tin opener. Home. Out to lunch, Durham. To Killick’s 12.15 re. noise. Wrote Mrs Mercer and Kit lettercard. Cut up Seville oranges and tangerines. Fried new vegetable fritters and frizzolets. “P.C. 49” and “Railway Of Death” POW’s in Burma.
Friday 21st January 1949
Fine.
Letters from Alys and Nellie Moir. Put marmalade on. I in EYT, got sweets, cream buns and ices. Home. Fried stuff and mince in it, carrots and Brussel tops. Mrs Cox in p.m. I walked to get rations – meat. Sewed and machined. Kit phoned. Made soup, fried liver and frizzolets. “The Man Who Murdered Himself”.
Saturday 22nd January 1949
Fine.
Out in EYT to get potatoes, oranges and tomatoes. Drove round twice by Batchworth. Made marmalade. Fried and grilled sausage meat cakes with yolks. Cook built wall. Tried on two black shirts, machined. Got tea for Cook. “The Steamroller”, playlet. Grilled cutlets, potatoes, carrots, grated kohlrabies and tomatoes. Cream buns. “The Skin Game”, frontal lobes and personality. Silent areas.
Memo:
Reading “No Highway”, Nevile Shute.
21st Laundry.
18th 12.45 lunch at Club with Nellie Moir.
18th 11.15 Foakes.
23rd Kit.
Alys wire saying “staying Highcliff Hotel a week.”
Sunday 23rd January 1949
Dull. Damp.
Wrote Miss Peacock. In EYT around, and to meet Kitty at 11.51. Talk; at 1.45 boiled eggs, and ice cream and sponge cakes. Talk of sewing. Tea with lemon at 4. Took her to Moor Park for 4.26. Sewed padded coat. Kit’s fishcakes and mince. Cream buns. “The Creditors”, Strindberg 9.45 – 11.5. Richard Williams, Sebastian Shaw.
Monday 24th January 1949
Dull.
Mrs Bearcroft cleaned my room. Phone from Nellie. Doz worse. Ernest phoned. Wrote Alys and Nellie, before her call. Kit phoned. Ironed shirts. To get toothpaste. Liver and kohlrabi. Mended doormat. Eva phoned. Sissie phoned. Kitty again re. night nurse. Made milk soup and mince and carrots, potatoes. Phoned Alys at Highcliffe Hotel.
Broadway
Tuesday 25th January 1949
Very lovely.
Tidied up. Phoned Broadway and Kitty. Alys rang me. Killick to station. To Paddington. 11.45 to Oxford, lunch 12 on train. Bus to Carfax. 2.10 to Moreton. Met by Taylor 4.22. Broadway Hotel. To see Doz; Tea there. Signed as witness, with Nellie, Doz signed Codicil. To Lygon Arms. Alys and Phil there. Back to dine 7.30 Broadway Hotel. Wireless at bedside till 10.
Wednesday 26th January 1949
Fair.
Alys came round 10. Sylvia phoned Alys. I to Sands Meadow. Up with Doz. Alys too, after. Back with Alys to Lygon Arms. Back to Doz and did M.F.’s (? Michael Faraday’s) desk with her. To lunch Lygon Arms with Alys and Phil. Rest. Alys and Phil to tea with me 6.20. I to Moreton to meet Nurse Tweedsdale. Dinner at hotel with Conrad Ormond who had come to see Doz (her Executor).
Thursday 27th January 1949
Fair.
Round to Lygon Arms. Alys and Phil left there in car, and to Sands Meadow. Phil to see Doz (Alys at Lucy‘s first). I to shops and then hotel and wrote to Kitty. Alys and Phil here at 12 and then away, to Northwood. Conrad to see Doz again. Rest all p.m. To see Doz at 5.30. She sick then. Dinner 7.30. Read and “P.C. 49” and poems till 11.
Friday 28th January 1949
Fine.
Doz restless in night till 2 a.m. Wrote Bank. To Sands Meadow, at 11. Doz came down, and we sorted music. She had Brand’s Essence. She felt too weak to go out. Back to lunch 1 o’clock. Rest till 4. Wrote Alys. To Sands Meadow at 5.15 (to Foss for prescription). Doz down at 5.30, and wrote Kitty. All in sitting room. Watched pressure cooker temperature. Dinner 7.30. To bed 9.35.
Saturday 29th January 1949
Fine, frosty then foggy.
Wrote Ella and Harrods. Bought notepaper. To Doz. Went over jewelery, necklaces till nearly 1. Back to hotel, lunch. Alys phoned. Rested. To Foss for morphine and needles. To Doz and she sorted desk draw papers. Did crossword. At 7.10 to hotel.
Memo:
Points period.
28th Alys and Phil Home?
23rd Kitty here.
25th Kit and Kath to Worthing.
25th To Sissie’s 11.30? And lunch.
27th Posted letter to Kit (atheism one).
28th Wrote Bank and Alys and Teeds.
29th Wrote Ella and Harrods with 7/6.
Sunday 30th January 1949
Fine. Frosty.
Read papers and talked to couple. Posted letter to Alys and Elsa. To Doz 11.30 – more jewellery, and Women’s Institute papers. Hotel at 2, lunch. Rest. To tea with Nellie 4.30. Sylvia to Miss Carey Gilson’s. Eva Pemberton to see Doz 10 minutes. More small jewellery, rings and brooches. Supper 7.30. Talk. To bed.
Monday 31st January 1949
Dull. Shower in p.m.
To Kemps. To Doz 10.30. Things for Calthrop and Greig. Took Lucy to lunch at the café. Rest. To Mrs Carey Gilson‘s 4.30 till 5.30. To Doz – enema and very sick. Did up music for Betty, silver teapots and took fur coat. Commander Haworth brought two batteries for Vidor 19/5. “Persuasion”.
Tuesday 1st February 1949
Dull, cool.
To Doz, and to Kemp’s. Wrote Alys. 10.10 Bus to Cheltenham. Met Teeds at Bankes’. Sat in cafeteria. Lunch 12 at Brunner’s. Prom and shops. 2.10 to Broadway. Arrived 3.10. Rest till 4.30. To Sands Meadow. Tea. Up with Doz. Letter Greig; viol in case. Alys phoned 8.15. “Much-Binding” and “Naunton Wayne” in lounge.
Wednesday 2nd February 1949
Perfect. Cold.
Along to Sands Meadow. Doz sleepy till 11.30. I did up and posted two parcels registered then Doz dictated letter to Miss Shepherd (quartet). Lunch with Lucy at café, rearranged jewelry. Rest. To Doz at 5.15. Tried on coats, ideas. Fun! R.C. party invasion at hotel (Howarth’s away).
Thursday 3rd February 1949
Lovely. Frosty.
With doors. Tiles – Frederick Barnard – (Doz’s father) and took down names of the artists. Black beret, Doz made me try on. Lunch by self at café. Rest and 4 Alys and Phil came. Tea. To Sands Meadow, and we to all separately to see Doz, who said goodbye. I said I’ll come in morning. “God help you” and laughed. Dinner at Swan Hotel and Alys and Phil slept there. “Experimenting”.
Friday 4th February 1949
Lovely. Frost.
All to Sands Meadow 10.30. Doz in coma. Dr Willoughby in – many times. I sat in Doz‘s room. Phil too. Cheyne-Stokes breathing. We three back to hotel, lunch. Then Alys phoned Kitty, and Phil and I to sit in Doz’s room. She took her last breath 2. Nurse and Sylvia laid her out. Phil phoned Ernest and Conrad, and Registrar; and to S.P. with Nellie and to Evesham. Lucy tea with us. Mrs Mills and daughter in evening.
Saturday 5th February 1949
Lovely. Frosty.
To Sands Meadow. Wrote and sent off packets, registered, to Calthrop, Greig, Cannan. Lucy lunched with us. Sun spots. Up village with Alys. Rests. Tea. I supper with Nellie, cooked by S. Sylvia to dine with Alys and Phil. The Pipers’ Guild on radio. Dorothy Barnard’s “Bonnets So Blue”. “Of Mice And Men”, Bonar Colleanos.
Memo:
31st Mrs Carey Gilson 4.30.
1st To Cheltenham 10 a.m. bus. Meet Tades at Bankes. Two batteries 17/5. Haworth, Milford.
Doz very sick and only Brands Essence, glucose and lemon.
Doz died 4th about 1:45 p.m.
Sunday 6th February 1949
Fine.
Wrote Kitty, Alys to Sands Meadow. Alys and Phil and I all walked around Russell House, and Phil and I right up village. Lunch and rests. Tea. Phil and I along Willersey Road at dusk. Looked at hotel book. Supper. Read. Bed 9.15.
Monday 7th February 1949
Fine a.m. Stormy rain.
All up to flower shop, ordered Piper‘s Guild spray, ours; and Undertaker re. car. To Mrs Carey Gilson at 11, till 12.30. After lunch, rests. I to Sands Meadow at 4.30 – 5.45. Read at hotel later. Dinner. “Brains Trust”.
Tuesday 8th February 1949
Fair, showers.
All to Sands Meadow. Hearse and two cars; Alys, Nellie, Lucy, Sylvia, Phil and I to Cheltenham Crematorium. Dorothy cremated 11. Lucy to lunch with us. Alys and I to sort and pack clothes. Phone calls – Miles’. Packed car. Took jewelry. Tea at Sands Meadow. Looked at jewelry in hotel bedroom. “Much-Binding”, 8.
Wednesday 9th February 1949
Showers, gale.
Alys and Phil away in JLN about 10.45 or 11. I to pay for spray and wreath. To Lucy‘s to do clothes in Doz‘s room. Sylvia Lethbridge a great help. Lunch. Rest. Wrote Dorothy Palmer, Phil Carr, Leyel. Out to post and walk. Lucy to dine, and all listened to “Frieda” till 9.30.
Thursday 10th February 1949
Changeable.
Took two coats to Achille Serre agent. 11/10 paid and registered. To Sands Meadow. Finished packing suitcases, and two parcels. Sent shoes registered. Lunch. Rest. Wrote Jane de Glehn and Mrs Thornton. To Sands Meadow. Did up Asprey and posted it. Got oranges. To Lucy’s; saw her upstairs rooms. After dinner “20 Questions”. Paid bill £14.13.6.
London
Friday 11th February 1949
Fair. Coldish.
Breakfast 8.15. Car with Nellie Moir and Sylvia Lethbridge in it at 9. All to Moreton. 9.45? to Paddington 11.45? Met Kitty and all lunched in hotel. Nellie and Sylvia to Upton Lovell. Kit and a taxi to Finchley Road. Train. Northwood. Taxi home (with big suitcase, Doz’ things). Alys and Phil; Phil in hut and sun. Tea. Rest. Kedgeree. Ices with coffee.
Saturday 12th February 1949
Fine.
Alys to shops. Phil walked by railway. Unpacked a little. Alys cooked guinea fowl, bread sauce, frozen beans, fried potatoes; trifle. I to Boots and Sainsbury. Ordered sheepskin brown suede boots. Tea. Gardener came. Did path and wallflowers in a corner. Rest. Kippers. Kit phoned re. Tuesday. “Rain On The Just”, by Peter Watling. Barry Morse, Curigwen Lewis.
Memo:
7th Mrs Carey Gilson 11 a.m.
From 7th to 9th Club alterations; meals members (not guests) V.A.D. (Voluntary Aid Detachment) Club.
8th Cremation at Cheltenham 11 a.m.
11th to Northwood, car at 9.
Sunday 13th February 1949
Fair, cool.
Phil put up bird-shelf in my window! Alys cooked roast lamb, onion sauce; trifle. Wrote Miss Peacock. Rest. Tea. All out for a walk looking at houses’ gates in Kewferry Road. Milk soup, boiled eggs. Ices and chocolate sauce.
Monday 14th February 1949
Fair, mild.
Alys and Phil in car to town. Alys’ hair done. Phil to oculist. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned Phil‘s room. Soup, guinea hen salad. Made salted almonds. Alys back 7.30. Sardines and eggs. Phil to flick with Mary? “Noah”, Andre Obey.
Tuesday 15th February 1949
Rain. Mildish.
Took two corduroy coats to Achille Serre. 11 train Waterloo (arrived 11.45). Met Kitty snack bar 12.15 to 1.20. To Kingston. Bus Sunbury. Kit packed for Maie. Back by 4 Waterloo. Home. Rest. Soup and scallops and pancakes. Churchill’s speech recruiting for the Forces.
Wednesday 16th February 1949
Fine. Perfect.
Wrote Ella. To cleaners with red padded coat and wrapper. All had lunch on veranda. Cold meat. Altered skirts. Rest. Hertford Refrigerator man came. Mrs Cox didn’t come, ill. Tea. Phil and I to see “The South Yorkshireman” go by. Roes and herrings. “He Had A Date” 1907/1942.
Thursday 17th February 1949
Very mild. Fair.
To Club. Room 15. Lunch at V.A.D. Club 2/8! Kennedy and Dunphy, paid rent. To Hertford by 31 bus. To Chalk Farm and Hampstead. Visited Alan Baumer at Walden Nursing Home, 90 Fitzjohn Avenue 3.30 – 5. Priscilla Bengel. To Club. Rest on bed till 7.30. Dinner V.A.D. Club 3/6. Back to Club, read Times. To bed 8.45.
Friday 18th February 1949
Mild. Fair.
Breakfast in room 8.40. To Haymarket Theatre. To Susie Zilari 11 – 12.15. To Burlington House. The Chantrey Bequest Show. Lunch there 1/6. Left 2.30. To Asprey’s. £4.10.0 for Poz’s dressing case. To Meda – ordered skirt. To Leyel 330. To Sagne’s. Back to Leyel. To Club, 5.
Saturday 19th February 1949
Lovely day.
Phil lit bonfire. Gardener came; dug up beds. All to Orchard at 1.30 (wedding in progress). Tried on Doz’s grey dress, and unpicked it. Rest. Bernice Cattle in until 7.30. Haddocks, ice cream and chocolate.
Memo:
15th Waterloo snack 12.15 Kit.
17th Rent 77 King Henry’s Road £8.8.0. Alan Baumer.
18th Susie‘s 11 or 1130. Leyel 18th 3.30.
19th Call for bootees.
18th Left Doz’s Burberry with Susie (to sell?)
Sunday 20th February 1949
Fine a.m. Dull later.
Hung Fred Barnard‘s pictures. Wrote Elsa and Ernest Miles. Alys roasted veal, sea kale, kohlrabi; apple purée. In garden and to Post Office. Rest after tea. Soup, eggs, ices. Phil doing boat. James Lever “Fashion – The Next Five Years”. “The Production of Androcles” – Hesketh Pearson.
Monday 21st February 1949
Fair. Mild.
Mrs Bearcroft cleaned my room. I to Boots, and took Doz’s frock and coatee to Achille Serre. Mince loaf, and kohlrabi, ices. Defrosted Fridge. Made creamed fish with cod (grilled and smoked). Sewed in bed. Phil doing boat.
Tuesday 22nd February 1949
Fair, cool.
Mrs Bearcroft (iron out of order). Expected Hartford man: postponed. Alys and I with Phil to town in JLN. Lunch England’s Lane. To 77 King Henry’s Road. They went to buy overcoat and shoes. I met them at Fortnum‘s 4.30. Hot chocolate. To Kardomah. Alys bought coffee percolator. Drove home by 7. Cold bacon (South Africa), eggs. “Much-Binding”, “A Note With Music” – Joyce Grenfell.
Wednesday 23rd February 1949
Fair. Dull.
Out and bought iron at Green Lane Electric Co. Wrote Mrs Thornton. Bacon, veal, salad. Mrs Cox came. Helm came to tea. Phil to town. Cinema with Mary? Alys and I darned. Eggs. “The Sacred Flame”, Maugham. “The Madness Of The Heart”, Byron.
Thursday 24th February 1949
Fair. Mild.
Eva and Dougal came in car. I to 77 King Henry’s Road to get frame. To Club to meet Madeleine Calthrop, 12.45. Lunch and talk about Dorothy. To Times Book Club and slowly home via Baker Street at 5 p.m. Cold supper with mayonnaise, tomato cocktail. “20 Questions”, Ted Kavanagh guest.
Friday 25th February 1949
Dull. Cold.
Again fridge man didn’t come. Alys to shops. On loggia with Phil. Bluck Sherrington canvas on mount. Mince, cauliflower. Cheese and biscuits. Alys and I to look over 12 Eastbury Road. Tea and talk about it and building “study” here. Cod and pickled walnuts. Chocolate mousse. “Pariah”, Strindberg.
Saturday 26th February 1949
Dull.
Did up boxes and sent off post to Broadway. Phil took me to Post Office. On by 183 bus. 12 to Golders Green and lunch with Sissie. Erica and Ilsa (aged 4). Rest. Tea in Sissie’s bedroom. Talk of Executorship; and Dorothy. Left at 6. Buses and train and Colliver Fisher. Home 7.20. Soup, fishcakes, cream buns and chocolate. “Staff Dance”, Robert Morley.
Memo:
24th Calthrop.
24th Things may come from Achille Serre, Broadway.
25th 1 day cleaners 10/6. Hertford before 12. Laundry.
23rd Helm to tea.
26th Debbie Lindquist. I to Sissies 1.15.
Key and scissors to Carey’s.
Sunday 27th February 1949
Fine. Cool.
Not our except in garden. Did apple purée. Packed bags and sorted jewelry to take. Rang up Teddy (re. garage) and Ernest (re. Will). Roast beef, leeks, gorgonzola. Tried on two dresses (Doz). Looked out wools. Tea. Read and talked. Phil at lathe. Pilchard and eggs.
Broadway
Monday 28th February 1949
Fine. Cool.
Packed. Alys and Phil to Harrow (doll). 12.13 from Northwood to Paddington. Lunch station. Rest, 2/- carton. 1.45 to Moreton. Arrived 4.2. Car 12/– to Sands Meadow. Tea. Rest, and looked in tallboys. Risotto with bits and slices sausage and bacon. “The Independence Of Daniel Thwaite” till 10.45.
Tuesday 1st March 1949
Fine. Very cold.
Nellie and I with Sylvia, and Ada. Did linen. Curry and carrots and cauliflower. Apple. Rest, sleep. Tea 4. To visit Lucy and post letter to Alys, and ration-book to Evesham. Bought painting books for Eve (costume). Home. Fish soufflé with tinned cake, stewed apple. “Much-Binding”.
Wednesday 2nd March 1949
Fine. Very cold.
Got trunks and suitcases out and box-room drawers. Sausages and bacon and tomatoes and fireproof dish, onion sauce separately. Pancakes. Rest, sleep. Tea. To post letters to Alys, Susie, Phil Carr and walked to old church. Soup, eggs, cheese.
Thursday 3rd March 1949
Fine, cold.
(Valuers for Probate). Valuers (Bayley) at 10. Round with them a bit. Handkerchief drawer. Fish pie (tinned hake) and leeks with sauce. Lemon sponge (steamed). Rest. Tea. Up village. Saw oak chest. Wrote Alys re. it (22.10.0). To Lucy‘s. Haricot bean soup, omelette, with bacon bits and tomatoes. “Evelina”. Sylvia made yard measure baskets.
London
Friday 4th March 1949
Wet. Mild.
Bayley and colleague 10 – 12.30. I packed stockings and blouses. Nell to shops. At 11.35, Phil phoned, Alys flu. Temperature 101°F since 2 days. So I by car 12.30 to Moreton. 1.6 to Paddington, lunch 4/– at 1.15. Arrived 3.35. Taxi, train, taxi home 4.30. Just saw Phil five minutes. He to town to coach. Alys in bed. M&B. Fish and vegetables in oven. Phoned Sylvia to come on Saturday a.m.
Saturday 5th March 1949
Dull. Very cold.
Alys had bread and milk. Dr Baker to see her at 12.30. Mrs Bearcroft 2 – 3.30. I to shops in EYT. Walked to Durham 12.50. Phil to Durham 1.30. Sylvia Lethbridge came 1.50. Phil to Watford for lemon squash. Gardener till dark, in snow. Soup, shepherds pie, evaporated milk mousse.
Memo:
1st Coats for Achille Serre? Doz’s corduroys.
Phil begins work for M.R.C.P. (Membership of the Royal Colleges of Physicians)
28th To Broadway. Paddington, 1.45 Moreton 4.2.
Sunday 6th March 1949
Snow melting, grey.
Birds on shelf. Snow 2 inches. Alys had porridge. 99.3°F, less pain in sinus. Stew and casserole, cauliflower. Pancakes. Wrote Nellie with £5 cheque. To Post Office at 3.30. Drop scones tea. Alys had milk soup and all had kedgeree for supper (and vegetable soup). “Much-Binding”, 6.30.
Monday 7th March 1949
Dull. Cool.
Alys normal, but felt sick and still aching sinus. Phil working all day. Mrs Bearcroft here. I to shops, and with car to fetch bags. Curry and tinned peas. Ices and jam. Took Sylvia to station (for Harrods). To Food Office, and Mrs Cox in. Got tea for Phil and Alys. Tidied. 35 minutes rest. Sylvia back 7.20. Alys kedgeree. We omelette with peas. Phil out at 6 till 11 to coach.
Tuesday 8th March 1949
Cold wind. 30 minutes sun.
Alys had coffee! I to get 7lb potatoes; Sylvia made meat pie (open) of scraps and leeks, lemon steam pudding. Mrs Cox cleaned Phil sitting room. He in dining room. Cozy lit. Wrote Ella, Sissie, Baden. Sylvia made scones and cakes. Phil to Claridge’s dinner (Smart). Lovely soup, haddock, strawberry mousse. “Much-Binding” and “The Brain At Work” – experiments.
Wednesday 9th March 1949
Very cold.
In car to get Alys’ prescription. Took Sylvia to High Street. Huge stuffed haddock, with sauce, greens. Cheese, lemon pudding. Phil on bed in p.m. I rested. Dr Baker to see Alys at 4. Mrs Cox did kitchen. Phil worked after tea. Celery soup, omelettes, meat pie, grapefruit.
Thursday 10th March 1949
Very cold. Fair.
Phil working all day and to Insurance Office (National Health). Alys coughing and 98.8°F after normal two days. I to get rations, meat, hake in car. Irish stew and kale. Danish cheese and French. Apricots and jam tarts. Sylvia and I slept on beds. Tea. Butterscotch cake, muffins. Sat with Alys and read paper. Soup. Hake and egg sauce. Chocolate soufflé. “The Tichborne Claimant”.
Friday 11th March 1949
Fair.
Mrs Bearcroft washed in a.m. To shops and Bank. Walked. Alys in bed all day. (99°F at 6). Macaroni cheese and tomatoes and kale. Ice and chocolate sauce. Mrs Cox ironed in p.m. I in car to have snail and desk valued, and to get Phil‘s rations, and guinea hen 16/–. Phil took Sylvia in car to Kitty’s. I rested till 6.45. Soup, fish pie, tartlets. Sylvia back at 10. Phil at 10.35 from coach.
Saturday 12th March 1949
Dull. Milder.
Phil to Scroggs with iron. Sylvia did guinea fowl in fresh stuffing, bread sauce, greens. Cheese. Alys 99°F so not up. Phil rested, all of us did. Scones. Sylvia made risotto with scraps. Oranges, peaches after. “Youth At The Helm”.
Memo:
7th Doz’ frock and coatee ready? Achille Serre?
8th Phil to dinner of London Medical Society at Claridge’s with Joe Smart
11th Sylvia to Kitty’s.
14th Clothes Rationing Ended!
Sunday 13th March 1949
Dull. Mild.
Alys got down to dinner 1,15 in sitting room. Sylvia did beef in Presto, Yorkshire pudding. Apple dumplings. I wrote Calthrop, Westerman, Bayley and posted Post Office 4. Wrote Nellie with list. Drop scones tea. Alys up to bed before supper. Rissoles, tomatoes. “The History of Henry Esmond”, 8.30. Robert Moreton in “Variety Bandbox”.
Monday 14th March 1949
Showers. Mild.
Walked to shops. Food Office. Alys in bed to lunch. Guinea fricassee. We had shepherds pie, leeks, cheese. Eva came at 2.30, and stayed tea. Drop scones and chocolate cakes. Phil drove her back. Wrote Eva de Baeremaecker and to Post Office. Alys in kitchen to supper. Lentil soup, omelettes and fried bacon bits, guinea in sauce. “Silence In Heaven”.
Tuesday 15th March 1949
Perfect.
Sylvia to buy fish and cheese and undies. I washed stockings. Phil in hut all day. Alys down to lunch. Baked brill, sea kale. Steamed ginger pudding. I too Caroline‘s for tea. Alys and Phil in car to Kitty’s. Phil to coach. Sylvia and I on beds. Rissoles, tomatoes. “Much-Binding”. “Unicorns And Their Uses”.
Wednesday 16th March 1949
Fine.
Sylvia and I to High Street, and Carey‘s, Elizabeth’s. She bought moiré petticoat. Fried liver and onions, bacon, tomatoes. Cheese. Mrs Cox cleaned kitchen, and sitting room. I slept (had no tea). Wrote Ella, and to post with Phil. Phil in hut in p.m. mending James’ engine after supper. Fishcakes (us), rissoles (Phil), soup with fried toast. Oranges. Sylvia made stew.
Extra petrol (double) announced for June, July, August.
Thursday 17th March 1949
Fine.
Mrs Bearcroft cleaned Alys’ room and washed. Did laundry. Walked to shops. Got 6lb sea kale and sprouts, sausage meat and liver. New potatoes 8d/lb. Stew and cabbage. Cheese. Phil at 1.45 to Mount Vernon. Rested. Dan came. Did hut. Assessment men came (garage). Sylvia made éclairs and fudge (with Nestlé’s). Fishcakes and eggs. Alys and Phil back 10 o’clock.
Friday 18th March 1949
Fair. Cold.
Eve 9 years old. Alys in bed till teatime. Phil worked in sitting room all day, till supper. I walked to shops a.m. Got meat and bones, cigarettes (for Christopher L.). Curly and sprouts. Éclairs. Rest. Wrote Elsa. Painted on Sherrington cottage picture. Alys in kitchen. Sylvia made Scotch eggs, milk soup (deep fat fry). “Much- Binding”.
Saturday 19th March 1949
(no weather)
Alys in bed to breakfast. Phil to have haircut. Sylvia cleaned his sitting room. I had to get fish (cod) and potatoes and my bootees. Roast mutton, sea kale (cheese), new potatoes. Did Sherrington picture. Phil to Mount Vernon. Tea. Soup, fish pie, cheese straws. “The Admirable Crichton”. Sylvia phoned Swiss girl re. one for us.
Memo:
15th Alys to Kitty’s
14th Lettercard to Eva de Baeremaecker
17th Laundry.
18th Eve’s birthday – 9 years.
19th Scissors ready – Carey’s. Postcard to B.B.C.
Sunday 20th March 1949
Very cold. Dull.
Alys rang up Swiss girl, Pierette Gordan. Sylvia did a lot of cleaning and packed. All of us to Orchard at 1.30. Took Sylvia to Northwood Hill Station: she to stay with Kitty. Home and rests. Tea. Phil in work room. Soup, boiled eggs, ices and strawberry jam. Alys phoned Swiss girl again. “Esmond”.
Monday 21st March 1949
Warmer. Fine a.m.
Alys down to breakfast and cooked Phil‘s. Phil worked in hut all day. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned my bedroom. I to get fish. Tinned sausages and mashed potatoes. Alys to meet Swiss girl at Piccadilly. Phil and I had tea. I made soup: kippers (boned), grapefruit. Eva phoned re. Sunday. Sylvia phoned.
Tuesday 22nd March 1949
Dull. Mild.
Defrosted Fridge. Alys to shops in car. Phil in hut, working. Alys got mince, cauliflower (in Presto), tinned bread pudding. Rest. Alys and Phil to Watford. Gas man, re. fire in Phil‘s room. Altered skirt hem. Fried brill fillets (deep fat). Alys did sauce. “Much-Binding”. Joyce Grenfell – “A Note With Music”, Brighton and school.
Wednesday 23rd March 1949
Dull, mild.
Alys took me to 9.34 train. To Hartford re. Fridge. To Foakes, hair done. Got hat, Evans’. Lunch, Club. Black jumper, Dickins & Jones’. Grey cardigan, Grafton Street. Tea, Brown’s Hotel, Miss Evans, Royal Archaeological Institute. Lecture at Society of Antiquaries by Colvin on 50 new churches. Laurie Faraday there. Dined Club 7. Home by 8.45.
Thursday 24th March 1949
Fine. Lovely.
Phil in hut and on veranda. I washed vest. Mrs Bearcroft washed too. With Alys to Northwood Hills and took both radios. 9d battery for Vidor. Left Mervyn. Corned beef and pigs trotter shape, salad. Ironed hems all p.m. Tea. Worked again ironing till dark. Alys very upset re. French girl in prospect. “20 Questions”. Alys only slept 2½ hours.
Friday 25th March 1949
Fine.
Talk again at breakfast re. help. Window cleaner. Sewed. Alys out early for Eva‘s cakes. She cooked chicken for lunch. Rested. Felt “cold” behind nose. Nose all dry. Phil to town (Bungy – coach), and to get my ticket. Welsh rarebit, loganberries.
Saturday 26th March 1949
Fine. Warm.
Boat Race. Wrote Nellie Moir with shoebox. All to Durham. Talk. Alys to Eva‘s (Eve’s party). Phil listening to Grand National. Dorothy Ellerton phoned and came 3.25 and stayed till 7. Gardener came. Alys back 7 or 6.45. Fishcakes, ice cream and loganberries. “Duet for Two Hands”.
Memo:
Points period.
25th Laundry.
22nd Ayrton’s to St Mawes.
26th Eve’s birthday party.
26th News of Barbara Buchanan’s engagement.
23rd Browns Hotel, Society of Antiquaries, Burlington House 3.45 to 4.50.
23rd 10.45 Foakes.
Sunday 27th March 1949
Dullish. Fine midday.
Ironed skirts. Kitty, Cath and George at 12.30. On veranda. All to Orchard 1.30. Home. Rests. Phil to tea and supper at Eva‘s (Eva and Teddy to a sherry party 6 -7 so Phil with Eve). Alys and I had eggs (I grapefruit) in sitting room. “Esmond”. To bed 9.
Monday 28th March 1949
Very cold and dull.
Stayed in bed all day. Sewing on black silk coat (turquoise embroidery over red). Mince and Queen of puddings. Cold not heavy. Wrote Elsa lettercard. Wire to Ayrton’s postponing till Thursday. Sole for supper.
Tuesday 29th March 1949
Cold and dull.
Stayed in bed all day. Very stuffy nose. Knitted black front with bright wools in. Hot mutton and vegetables. Phil to town at 1.15 and until 10.30 pm. Reading “Came A Cavalier”, Keyes. Lovely sole supper. Phil got my ticket and boat reservation. Letters from Kitty, Ella; postcards from Elsa and Nellie Moir.
Wednesday 30th March 1949
Cold and dull.
In bed till teatime; but got suitcase down and packed. Mrs Cox in p.m. Phil to dine with Dr Alexander and daughter (infant paralysis). Alys and I supper, stuffed haddock and egg sauce. “Candida”.
St Mawes
Thursday 31st March 1949
Very cold and dull.
Breakfast 8.30. Killick’s car 9.15 to Paddington. 10.30 train 1st class. French man and barmaid English wife. Lunch 12.15 4/-. Chocolate at 3/6. Arrived Truro 4.33. Car, across King Harry‘s Ferry to Saint Mawes. Elsa and Max met me en route to The Rising Sun. Tea. Unpacked. Dressed, Doz’s scarf. Dinner 7.45. Soup, fowl, caramel puddings. To bed 9.30.
Friday 1st April 1949
Cold. Dull.
Wrote Alys at 8 a.m. Breakfast 9. To post 10 o’clock. Sat and talked. Out along front. I back, and Ayrton’s on in other direction. Soup, cold meat, salad. Soufflé. Long sleep. Tea. Chocolate cake. Out to easterly. Major Langdale to dine with us for Max’s birthday, 74th. Soup, guinea hen. Ice cream with grapes.
Saturday 2nd April 1949
Mild. Wet.
Wrote Kit before breakfast. Out to post at 9.45. Read Vogue and Life. Max and Elsa out at 11.45 or so. I out a little later, as finer. To Fort. Rain came on. Back. Soup, Dover sole, greens. Rest. Looked at Doz’s jewels (sent by Nellie Moir). Elsa gave Tony’s pullover to Major Langdale. All for a walk inland, in rain. Bouchées with chicken, caramels and cream. Max, potted shrimps. 3 new people with poodles.
Memo:
28th Alan Baumer death in Times (March 24th)
Cornish Riviera Express to Truro.
1st Max’s 74th birthday. £5.13.6 1st Class.
Summer Time begins – clocks forward.
Sunday 3rd April 1949
Gale and rain.
Wrote Nellie Moir and Hamilton Allan. All walked inland, but to cove with boats and jetty first. Soup, hot meat, swede. Rest (posted letters on walk, and postcard to Phil, of harbour at 2). Tea. Max out alone. So windy, we talked to Major Langdale. Cold duck and salad, trifle with fruit (fresh) in it. Talked to poodle people. Read our books. To bed 10.
Monday 4th April 1949
Some sun. Windy.
Elsa sore throat. Max and I walked up east and inland and sat on seat. Milk and egg soup. Curry, spinach. Rhubarb, baked custard. Rests. Tea. Max had been breathless. Walk with him, all about. Liver and bacon, tomato, savoury – scrambled egg with anchovies crossed on bread, paprika.
Tuesday 5th April 1949
Dull morning. Misty.
To chemists. Letter from Alys. Elsa up, but went to bed after tea. I posted “Came A Cavalier” to Alys before 3.50 (after rest). Max and I for a walk a.m. and again after tea. Talk about his Algeciras holiday, and with “Debear”? Belgian. Hot beef with savoury – rolls of bacon with chicken livers in them, on fried bread.
Wednesday 6th April 1949
Gale and rain.
Elsa in bed all day. Max to post washing, early. I out later in rain. To library. Minestrone; ham and salad and fried potatoes. Gooseberry tart, cream. Rest. Tea. Talked to services honeymooners. Walk with Max inland. Sat on seat. Showed Doz’s things to Elsa. Chicken, peas, lovely greens. Fruit in glass with cream.
Thursday 7th April 1949
Fine. Cool. Hail.
Wrote Nellie before breakfast re. sale. Out to post it, and met Max. Elsa up and out at 10.15. Walked down sat with her, and Max sketched. Rest. Max to Flower Show. Tea 4. Car to Veryan, lovely old church. To Portloe (Virginia in war) and Caerhays Castle. Back 6.30. Clear soup, sole; fruit salad or lemon soufflé.
Friday 8th April 1949
Fine. Cool.
Wrote postcard of hotel to Ella, with Max to post. Then Max sketched on rock rocks and Elsa and I walked up past Fort and back inland by Seagull Café. Perfect oyster soup lunch. (Mrs Montgomery sat on the seat in a.m.). After team car to St Just-in-Roseland inlet with old 15th century Church and graves on hill side. Unique. Walked home, 2 miles and oysters for dinner, soup and chicken.
Saturday 9th April 1949
Fine. Cold wind.
Elsa and I in MV Balsa to Falmouth 10.30. About 25 minutes. She bought two ships’ bells and at 2/10 each. Back by 12 boat. Honeymooners away. Talk about cottage, Dalton. After tea, all walked to Percuil Ferry. Across fields. Clear soup, cold beef, baked bananas with cream and sugar. Talked to Major Langdale about Ypres.
Memo:
St Mawes’ Castle built in Henry VIII’s time.
Nellie Moir at Club 4th to 8th.
At Veryan, 4 (actually five) round towers to watch for the Devil and keep him out.
Sunday 10th April 1949
Dull.
Didn’t eat my egg or coffee. Grapefruit and toast. All for walk up in village and sat on seat; to garden first, talked to Captain Marshall. No appetite for large chicken, pea soup, Eve’s pudding, lunch. Slept. Out past Fort along Falmouth shore. Grapefruit, tomato and bacon. Felt queer and up to bed in middle of dinner. Slept well.
Monday 11th April 1949
Dull. Not very cold.
Up at 10.30 (milk-toast and toast and marmalade). Met Max and Elsa and on jetty, very low tide. On beach. Did up parcel and registered it. Met Montgomery’s. Back. Cream soup, tongue and salad. Rest. Tea. Out by Mrs. Martin’s (Mouse). Home and packed. They on. Drinks and dinner with Major Langdale. Clear soup. Guinea. Trifle, fruit.
London
Tuesday 12th April 1949
Dull. Mild. 9.20.
Breakfast downstairs 8.30. Car to Truro. Called at Waterloo Farm, eggs. Train about 10.25. Paddington. Arthritic lady kept carriage very hot. Lunch and tea on train. Arrived Paddington 20 minutes late (due 4.50) 5.10. Killick’s car to Northwood 25/– and 3/– tip. Phil and locum’s job. Soup, cold chicken, grapefruit.
Wednesday 13th April 1949
Fine on whole.
Wrote Nellie. Phil away to Kingston County Hospital as H.P. (House Physician, locum). Alys and I lunch at Durham. Mrs Cox came. Rested. Cooked tripe and onions for supper (me) and Alys minced chicken (I preferred tripe!!) Read letters, and James’ and Eve’s reports. Phil phoned. Laurie Faraday phoned re. Norwich.
On 16th 4°F. Highest for April for over 100 years.
Thursday 14th April 1949
Fine. Warm.
Alys to shops, long queues. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned Phil‘s room and sitting room. I washed lots of things of Doz’s and mine. Belgian stew (in Presto), lovely lunch. Ices and chocolate cleared out “portable WC”. Rested. Ironed a lot. Alys to shops again with Mrs Cattle. Scrambled eggs and fried bacon. Plums, whipped cream. “P.C. 49” at 9 p.m.
Friday 15th April 1949
Lovely, warm. 70°F or more.
Sorted out clothes to give away. Kitty and Kath came (Alys met them)12.30. Sat on veranda and had lunch there (tin brisket beef), plums, cream. All rested in p.m. Kath in hut. I finished “Dumb Witness”, Agatha Christie. Tea outdoors. Took them to station. Took Mrs Hindolt back. Sausage meat and mash, grapefruit, cake.
Saturday 15th April 1949
Hot. 84°F.
Alys to shops. I did a lot more turning out. Made chocolate mousse. Phil back at 4. Alys resting in hut. I listened to “Thunder Rock”, (not good). Cold mutton and mashed potatoes and peas (frozen), chocolate mousse. “Miss Mabel”, play.
Memo:
12th All return from Cornwall, St Mawes.
13th Wrote Ayrton’s (bread-and-butter letter).
13th Wrote Nellie Moir suggesting 25th.
14th Wrote Norwich Museum re. meeting.
Sunday 17th April 1949
Very fine and warm. 76°F.
Phil mended bed leg (Alys’). Ironed in my room. Alys roasted guinea fowl, beans. Cheeses (Gorgonzola and sour milk). Rest. (Phil outdoors), Alys in hut. All tea outdoors. Hot cross buns. Photos of Saint Mawes. I phoned Sissie. Savoury rice and hard eggs, grapefruit. Field-Marshal Earl Wavell on “Living and Reading”.
Monday 18th April 1949
Fine. Warm. Cooler in p.m. and more cloudy.
Phil away at 9.10 or so, to Kingston. Alys and I did washing. Cold guinea fowl and mashed potatoes and carrots. Mrs Bearcroft in p.m, cleaned Alys’ room. She rested in hut. I planted out two psyllium plants. Posted letter to Ella. Guinea soup (Alys, in Presto), eggs,fruit salad. “While The Sun Shines” by Terrence Rattigan. Hubert Gregg. American, Bernard Braden. Duke, Norman Shelley. Thea Holme.
Tuesday 19th April 1949
Fine, cooler.
Alys and I to Northwood Hills. Biro filled. Got my new ration-book and emergencies, 2 weeks. Home. Lunch at Durham. Rest. Alys took me Moor Park 3.18 Finchley Road. To Sissie’s. Talk to Erica. Sissie ill and not eating. Got Miss Gask in to witness Codicil. On to Lois at 7. Supper. She with me to bus. Train home. Northwood 9.35. Alys made gingerbread.
Wednesday 20th April 1949
(no weather).
Dyed two pairs of Dorothy’s stockings. Cold mince, and lettuce; plums, junket. Alys to Sissie’s by bus, taking air cushion ring. Mrs Cox cleaned kitchen. Casparson to see bookcase pane. Mince and salad again for supper. Alys back at 7.50.
Thursday 21st April 1949
Dull. Rain in p.m.
Sissy phoned twice re. Dr Aymer and Anderson. James came at 10.10. He to shops too with Alys. Dougal here. Letter to Nellie Moir. All lunch at Durham and Eva and Eve came too (from shopping in town). Home. Gramophone records “Lili Marlene”. Gave Eva, Kath’s £3 (for Dorothy’s suit) and pullover. Tea. Alys took them to Moor Park at 6.35. Welsh rarebit, plums.
Friday 22nd April 1949
Cool, fine.
Alys and I to Golders Green in EYT at 10.15. Alys to meet Dr Aymer at Sissies. I to 77 King Henry’s Road. Gave Haynes key. To Kennedy and Dunphy. Paid extra. To Kings Cross, booked seat 13th June. Lunch at Club. To Golden Co. Left Poz’s diamond and platinum watch (for £60.) To Etam. To Foyles’ (Jim Corbett’s man-eating things). Got bag 35/- in New Oxford Street. Ice at de Brys. Tube. Home. Taxi. Warm turbot and salad and mayonnaise. Rhubarb. Alys phoning for Sissie’s burn, Aymer, ambulances.
Saturday 23rd April 1949
Fine, cool.
Alys to Sissie’s 10.15 in a “Hazel” car (she took Sissie to Mount Vernon Hospital). I lunch (carrot and cheese toast) and Alys in at 2 to lunch. Did up parcel for Actors’ Benevolent Fund. To tea with George Buchanan at Bury Cottage, 59 Belsize Lane. Home 7. Sardines and poached eggs. To bed 8.30.
Memo:
Points period.
18th Letter to Ella, and to Haughton Co. re. insurance.
19th Posted 2 parcels, old clothes to Oxford.
20th Posted 1 parcel – Jaeger coats – to Oxford.
21st Paid Kennedy and Dunphy rent. To 10th June.
Sweet ration ends.
Sunday 24th April 1949
Fine. Coolish.
We did braised beef on vegetables, Camden gooseberries. At 2.15 to Mount Vernon Hospital to visit Sissie. Dora (Horace‘s wife) came. Sissie had tea. Posted letters to Ella and Dr Warner. Rest, Alys took brandy to hospital. Scrambled eggs with cheese, grapefruit. Phoned Nellie Moir re. coming on Tuesday.
Monday 25th April 1949
Fine. Cold. Hail.
N. Butler called for Phil‘s things. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned spare room. Alys and I to High Street. Bought chocolate. Posted clothes to Actors’ Benevolent. Ordered cardigan at Annette‘s. Paid in £60 cheque. Wrote to Eva. Lunch Durham. To Mount Vernon Hospital with sleeping tablets for Sissie and acid drops. Rest. Scones for tea. Did gardening. Cod steaks, grapefruit.
Tuesday 26th April 1949
Fine. Milder.
Made jelly of gooseberries. Cooked Camden 1947 tomatoes. Both to Durham 12.30. To hospital 1.30. Alys 30 minutes or so with Sissie. Dan came and put up shelf. Nellie Moir arrived 4.15. Tea. Gardening. Eggs and bacon. Jelly and cream (with evaporated milk and egg). Jelly too stiff. “Brains Trust”, “The Man Inboard”.
Wednesday 27th April 1949
Coldish. Fair.
Alys to shops. Picked rhubarb. Nellie out a walk. Lit Cozy again. Fridge defrosted. Stew (old braised beef), cottage cheese. All to hospital in car to Sissie. Nellie and I walked back. Horace Barnard cycled to see Sissie and came to tea with us. Egg, cheese, tomato, and breadcrumbs dish. Rhubarb, junket, cream. “The Bread-Winner”, Somerset Maugham.
Thursday 28th April 1949
Dull, not cold.
Did Income Tax Return papers. Alys, Nellie and I met Kitty at Durham, lunch. Nellie spoke of advertisement in Times. Home and rang up Agents. Alys, Kitty and I to 36 Gloucester Place Mews. Eventually came Mrs Jones (4.30 or 45). Showed us over. Alys and I onto Symmons, 36 Berkeley Square and offered £2500. Phoned Ernest. Home at 6.45. Baked turbot, apricots and cream.
Broadway
Friday 29th April 1949
Dullish. Fine, cold.
Nellie and I to 11.48 train (posted cheque £250 to Symmon‘s, deposit) to Paddington by tube. Lunch. 1.45 to Moreton-in-Marsh. Met by Taylor 4.2. Drove to Broadway, Sands Meadow. Tea. Rested. Boiled eggs, stewed plums. To bed early.
Saturday 30th April 1949
Fine. Very cold.
Met Mrs Carey-Gilson at 10.30 and all to look over Maria Caffin’s cottage. I in turning out lace drawer. Corned beef and salad, plum pie. Rest. Tea. Wrote Alys, and Ernest over (re. Executorship). Washed brushes (Dorothy‘s case). Eggs, and junket and cream. “The Younger Generation”, Stanley Houghton.
Memo:
This week? To Broadway 25th?
1.45 to Moreton for Broadway 30th ?
Picked and ate our first rhubarb this year.
Offered for mews cottage, 36 Gloucester Place Mews this week £2500.
Sunday 1st May 1949
Fine.
Tidied drawers, and washed lots of gloves, scarves. Nellie fried cutlets in dried egg and breadcrumbs, pie. Rest. We walked to the De Navarro’s to garden show (for Nurses’ Fund), 1/– entrance. Back at 6. “Much-Binding”, 6.30. Tomato soup, cheese, gingerbread.
Monday 2nd May 1949
Cold. Fair. Windy.
Ada came. All a.m. doing lace drawer in Doz’s room. Took red curtains to cleaners (Accille Serre). Stew, peas, grapefruit. Rest. Nellie to see Sam at Buckland. Tea. Sorted out Chinese embroidery. Parsley omelette, junket. “Adventure Story”, Paul Schofield as Alexander, Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies.
Tuesday 3rd May 1949
Cold and grey.
Wrote Kit (with pockets). Sent dressing case to Drew’s, registered and took coat and skirt to cleaners. Lunch at café. Nellie had lunch there at 1 (I in 12.30). Read paper. Rested. Out to post and round by Russell House and lane. Tomato and cheese on toast. “Brains Trust”.
Wednesday 4th May 1949
Fog. Grey. Fine evening.
Phoned Winwood’s. Nellie took more drawings from frames. I cut mounts off. Out and with Nellie to Christie’s. Fried bacon and cabbage and potato, Bel Paese cheese. Rest. Tea. More pictures. Wrote Elsa and to post it. Tools. Poached eggs on peas, junket. A man running.
Airlift (Berlin) to stop Russians – week.
Thursday 5th May 1949
Fine, with thundery showers. Cold.
Photos and prints and toys and piece drawers and bags. Out; posted payoff for Banker with letter. Got chocolate creams. Hamburger steak (U.S. tin), cauliflower and potatoes, prunes. Rest (and pieces). Lovely walk, (Christie’s first with combs), back by Pye Corner. Salad, Bel paese cheese. Birmingham Rep Theatre – Beck.
Friday 6th May 1949
Fine, then dull. Cold.
To meet Teeds at 12.15 at station. Took her to lunch, Café (fish). She rested on my bed. Talk, tea, piano. At 5.15, we walked to station (5.58 to Cheltenham). Walked home. A lot more sorting till 7.20. Poached eggs on haddock, rice pudding and prunes. “Much-Binding”, 9.30.
Saturday 7th May 1949
Dull, cool.
All a.m. packing linen, and also things in desk. To Bank, and to get my chocolate, ordered 4/10d for a lb. Oven-fried Dover soles, with lemon. Baked custard, Swiss roll. Rest. Tea. Packed tea set, and silver till 7.15. Marmite soup, hamburger (cold) and salad and cheese. Telegraph crossword.
Memo:
3rd Dressing case sent to Drew‘s, registered.
Spotted coat and skirt and belt to Achille Serre.
6th Teeds 12.15, station.
(Faukes – March 23rd – last).
Sunday 8th May 1949
Perfect day.
Packed wine in the dispatch box, and found two more. Wrote Haynes. Cashmere shawls and key. Walk with Nellie to pillar box in Winchcombe Road, and through field with pear trees. Stew (beef), with mixed vegetables (tin), grapefruit. In garden on seat. Rest. Tea. Cleared big desk drawers. Salad with fried haddock and hard-boiled egg and peas; milk jelly, damsons and cream. Mrs De Navarro phoned.
Monday 9th May 1949
Fine. Cold.
Changed desk things, packed rugs and blankets. Winwood’s man came 12.30 re. removal. Stew, cabbage; damsons and cream. Rest. Wrote lettercard to Alys. Out to post and walk and call on Lucy. Spaghetti, baked with extra cheese and breadcrumbs. Lucy at 9.25. Lucy to sleep.
Tuesday 10th May 1949
Fine. Perfect.
Rearranged and packed Doz‘s bookcase and workbasket. Lucy at 12, and chose rugs. I to Café 12.30, Lucy too. Nellie at 1. Read paper in garden. Rested. Tea. Took jewel parcel to post and registered, also box with clock, chocolates. Salad, grated cheese, peas; junket. “Brains Trust”. Ada didn’t come. “The Silent Areas”.
Wednesday 11th May 1949
Fine, to fair.
No Ada again. Did up two parcels and took to post, registered. Bacon and egg lunch with salad. In garden. Rested. Did labels and list, and took pictures to post (Shepherd, Paulton’s Square) and tushes brooch (registered envelope), cut off beads. Steers’ curtains. Asparagus (sprew), cheese, gingerbread. Brain talk – “The Physical Basis of Mind”. Beads, Lucy with Gloucestershire Live, newspaper, read Doz’s Will.
Borough Council Elections
Conservative gains 812, losses 27.
Labour gains 84, losses 777.
Northwood
Thursday 12th May 1949
Fine. Warm.
Did some more book choosing, Poz’s little case. Packed. Nellie out to coffee at 11.30. Car at 12.30, and to Moreton-in-Marsh (15/–). 1.5 train to Paddington (3.35). Lunch 4.7 on train. Taxi 2/9 (with tip) to Baker Street. Train, Northwood. Colliver Fisher. Phil came back 4.45 from day at Kingston. Tea. Garden. Soup, haddock. Fruit salad of frozen fruits.
Friday 13th May 1949
Fine. Mild.
Rang up Daniel Orme and said not to go on with buying lease of 36 Gloucester Place Mews. In car to get liver and ices. Liver and mushrooms, ices and syrup, cheese. Wrote Nellie. Phil and I in JLM to Camden Town. I to Rialto, saw “That Dangerous Age”, Richard Livesey, Myrna Loy, Richard Greene. Home by 7.45. Soup, fish pie. Phil out till late. (I bought blouse-case £2.4.6.)
Saturday 14th May 1949
Fair. Mild.
Discovered chives still there and growing. Planted chives sent by Nellie. To vote (Borough Council) with Phil (Alys in p.m.). Curry and spinach (some from garden), ices, cheese. Rest. Phil to Mount Vernon (Dr Warner) 2.15 till 7.15. I did Income Tax papers. Alys made hors d’oeuvre supper but to bed and none herself. “Lovers’ Leap”. Gardener came.
Memo:
Blouse-case £2.4.6 at Bernard Lewis’, 22 Panton Street.
12th Rent King Henry’s Road 12 weeks from 14th.
9th Mr Winwood in a.m. Lucy back from Northampton.
12th To Northwood.
Sunday 15th May 1949
Fine. Warm.
Alys right again. Finished Income Tax claim paper and posted it. All to Orchard at 12.30. At 2.30 Alys drove me to Mount Vernon and I was Sissie till 4. Walked home. Tea in hut. All drove to Great Missenden. In garden – Eva‘s new coat and hat. Home by 8. Supper – eggs mayonnaise.
Monday 16th May 1949
Fair. Shower. Mild.
Alys took me to station (and Bank). I to 50 Erskine Hill. Gave Erica cheque. With her to Bank. To Club and lunch there. To Parke’s and Hammond’s and Harvey’s and Gore and Goldsmiths Co, to get offers for jewellery (Doz’s). Bus to Club, fetched basket. To Foakes (appointment). To House Agents. Home. Curry and corned beef (Phil). All looked at jewels and values.
Tuesday 17th May 1949
Fair. Showers.
Wrote Ernest re. Executorship and Murray (oatmeal). Alys and I to Durham 12.30. Phil to Kingston for day. Rest, wrote Eva de Baeremacker. In car to see Sissie and take things. Stayed 3 – 4. Wrote Ella. Celery soup, corned beef, salad. “Brains Trust”. Phil home 10.20 or so.
Wednesday 18th May 1949
(no weather)
Phil at home all day, in hut, working. Alys to shops and made stew in Presto. I to Boots’; and posted case to Asprey. Alys to see Sissie in p.m. I rested and sewed on bed. Tea in hut. Ironed two blouses, and coat hem. Made soup. Hamburger tin and French beans and Presto potatoes. “Distinguished Gathering” 8 – 9.30 by James Parish.
Thursday 19th May 1949
Fair. Mild.
Phil bought a boat. Andrée not coming. 9.31 to Baker Street. To Bickonhall Mansions’ office. Bus 8 to Parkes; got £18 for jewels. Phoned Phil Carr and Orme. To 77 King Henry’s Road. Paid Haynes £1. To Club 1.15, lunch. Rest. To Welbeck Post Office. To Leighton (Agent). Foakes 3 – 4. Taxi, 19 Queensgate Gardens. Tea with Phil and Lucie. Taxi Club. Bus. Lyons – help yourself meal 6.40 and 7.15 Globe Theatre “The Lady’s Not For Burning”, Christopher Fry 9/6 Dress Circle. John Gielgud and Pamela Brown.
Friday 20th May 1949
Mild.
Phil got stuff and he and I sprinkled on lawn to kill moss and clover. Rabbit in casserole, broad beans. I with Phil to Bank; walked home. Phil to help Smart in town. Alys to see Sissie. I rested. Mrs Cox here. Made vegetable soup and Welsh rarebit with two eggs. Chocolate soufflé.
Saturday 21st May 1949
Mild. Fair.
Alys with Phil to Northern Hospital to see Smart’s patients. I met them at Durham 1 o’clock, lunch. Rest. Took two of Doz‘s blouses to be dyed, Hind. Gardener dug up bed. Phil and I put weed selector on lawns. Stewed steak (Presto) and spinach (I picked), cheese, cherries.
Memo:
Points period.
19th Haynes at 77 King Henry’s Road.
19th Foakes, 3.
15th Posted Income Tax claim.
17th Wrote Eva de Baeremaecker and D. Murray and Ella.
18th Case to Asprey’s.
19th Phil bought boat.
19th Wrote Miss Broder, 119 Bickenhall Mansions.
Sunday 22nd May 1949
Fair. Warm.
Miss Bruder phoned re. 119 Bickenhall Mansions. Sewed black coat and skirt, (Mrs Hands) put braid on skirt. All to Orchard 1.30. Home 2.30. I drove up to Mount Vernon and visited Sissie till 4. Erica Gais there. Tea in hut. Phil put lawn sand on other side. Phil phoning re. his new boat “Whim” (Swallow Class). Boiled eggs. (“Much-Binding”, 6.30). Ice cream and hot chocolate sauce.
Monday 23rd May 1949
Mild. Dull.
Phil away at 8.30 to Kingston. Alys to shops and cleaner. Mrs Bearcroft did Phil‘s room. Stew and tin and spinach. Alys and I to Bickenhall; Alys to Foakes. I Foyles (Lucie‘s chef book 15/-). Dinner at Club 7. At 8.30 we to 119 Bickenhall Mansions. Mrs Broder showed us flat. Home at 10.
Tuesday 24th May 1949
Mild. Showery.
Eva phoned, leg strained, so Alys in car to Great Missenden. I phoned Ernest Vernor Miles re. 119 Bickenhall Mansions. At 12.20 to Kitty’s. Lunch (stew, ices, cheese straws). Rested. Ernest Vernor Miles rang up. Tea. Kitty cooked black cock (black grouse), cauliflower, bread sauce, crumbs. George to dinner. He drove us around and to Finchley Road station. Home at 9.30. “Beau Brummel”. Alys sleeping at Eva’s.
Wednesday 25th May 1949
Mild. Dull.
Got up early. Mrs Broder phoned. I said would take flat, subject to Contract and £400. Alys back at 12. Lunch 12.30. Did Fridge in a.m. Mrs Cox p.m. Alys to Kitty at 2.45; I onto Mount Vernon and with Sissie till 4. Card to Miss Clough. Soup and tomato and cheese on toast. Alys sleeping at Kitty’s.
Thursday 26th May 1949
Fineish, showers.
Mrs Bearcroft came. I to Bank to put in cheque from Symmons and got Codicil signed and witnessed. Frizzettes and chips, cottage cheese, Bath Olivers. Wrote Ella. To post. “Brains Trust”, 3.45. “Wooden Horse”, 5. Rest. Did grey cardigan into waistcoat. Stew as soup, plums. Alys back from Kitty’s at 9.20. “P.C. 49”.
Friday 27th May 1949
Cool, windy, grey.
Car wouldn’t start so Killick came. Alys to shops late. Kippers and fruit salad. Alys to see Sissie and take biscuits and safety pins. I rested, slept. Unravelled grey border. Wrote Eva de Baeremaecker. Baked turbot, new potatoes, ice cream and fruit. “The Physical Basis Of Mind”, Wilder Penfield.
Saturday 28th May 1949
Fine p.m.
Alys got asparagus and we had some (lunch) and Cornish pasties, and ices. Phil back at 2.15 from Kingston, and at 3 he and Alys off to Aldeburgh (where Phil‘s new boat “Whim”, Swallow Class) is). Cook here, and dug bed. I sewed Doz’s cosmea seeds. Soup, (with asparagus water) and cheese. Made Genoese pastry. “Oklahoma”, “Beppo” by Byron. Got Phil‘s rations a.m.
Memo:
8.30 at 119 Bickenhall Mansions.
23rd Ring up Orme.
23rd Phil, Kingston hospital.
24th Spend day with Kitty.
26th 2 – Schools, George Waterstone.
25th Alys to Kitty for night.
Sunday 29th May 1949
Fine. 1 shower.
Did washing. Wrote Nellie Moir with 8/9 for curtain cleaning. Soup, salad, cheese. Walked to Mount Vernon, and Sissie at 3. Home 4.30. Did up two dirty nightgowns, and wrote Erika. Listened “The Road To Ruin”, Holcroft 1792.
Monday 30th May 1949
Fair. Showery.
Mrs Bearcroft cleaned my room. I ironed, and washed. Orme phoned, so I phoned Simms. Lunch Durham. On to Goring and Webster. Ticket 11/6. To Refrigerator Co. To Bickenhall Estate Office. Saw Simms (Manager of mansions). To Club. Tea. Walk to Charing Cross. Haymarket 7.15, “The Heiress”, from Henry James’ “Washington Square” (Ruth and Augustus Goetz). Ralph Richardson, Peggy Ashcroft. Home 11. Alys and Phil home 6.30.
Tuesday 31st May 1949
Fine.
Phil working, and writing. I sent Income Tax certificates to Ernest Vernor Miles. Alys to shops. Liver and onions, cabbage, cheese. Phil to town in p.m. to Dr Bange. I finished cardigan into waistcoat. Phoned Mrs Gertrude Thornton (Doz). Kippers and meat pies ice cream. “Brains Trust”, “The Wooden Horse”, “Take It From Here”.
Wednesday 1st June 1949
Showery, cool.
Phil working a.m. and to Kingston p.m. Alys and I in car. I do get ferrule for stick (Sissie). Stew and cabbage, cheese. Read “Jacaranda Tree”. Phil home to tea. Clipped grass edges. Haddock and Bruxelles chocolate. Fridge wrong. Gardener came and planted lettuces and beans. Alys to hospital to Sissie 2.30 – 4.
The Derby
Thursday 2nd June 1949
Fine. Cool.
10.16 Finchley Road. To 77 King Henry’s Road and measured. To Kennedy and Dunphy. Paid rent till July 8th. To Club. Wrote James. Lunch with Miss Calthrop and on to Royal Academy, via Burlington Arcade. At 3.45 to Handy‘s shop. Iced coffee and brioche, Fortnum‘s. Walked to Club – sat in Hanover Square. Rested and read. Dinner 7 with Alys (who up with Phil). Phil called for us at about 10 in JLN.
Friday 3rd June 1949
Showery. Fine.
Phil away by train to Aldeburgh. I wrote Elsa. Cornish pasties and gravy, ices and chocolate sauce. I at 2.28 to Mrs Thornton‘s, Chesham Mews. Met her Hyde Park Corner. Tea there. Home at 6.40. Soup, fish pie, plums. Phoned Kitty about Barbara’s letter. “Much-Binding”, “Taxi”.
Saturday 4th June 1949
Letter from Orme with Agreement. Alys to shops and I walked to shops. Hot salmon and sauce. Ice cream and Bruxelles chocolate. Gardener cut grass. Rested and listened to the Derby. Got Cook’s tea. Wrote letter to Orme re. dates. Both listened “The Road To Ruin”, 6.45 – 8.15. Soused herrings, plums. “Bird In Hand”, John Drinkwater. Dull.
Memo:
3rd 3.30 Hyde Park Corner, Thornton
2nd Meet Calthrop? Club 12.30 and Royal Academy.
5th James’ 12th birthday.
3rd Phil to Aldeburgh (train).
James’ 12th Birthday
Sunday 5th June 1949
Lovely day.
Finished letter to Orme and signed Lease of 119 Bickenhall Mansions. Salmon and mayonnaise. Gooseberry tart!!! Alys drove me to see Sissie 2.45. Stayed till 4. Horace Barnard there. Then Alys and I to Great Missenden and tea with Berry’s. Home 7.45. Kippers, plums. “Far From The Madding Crowd”. Five years ago D-Day.
Monday 6th June 1949
Perfect day.
Weeding in garden. Soused herrings and fish pies. Gooseberry pie. Alys to hospital to take Sissie envelopes. I rested. Ironed and sewed black wool fronts. Salad and mayonnaise and hard boiled eggs. Ice cream and hot chocolate sauce. Alys in Cattle‘s garden. “Maytime in Mayfair”, “Lady Windermere‘s Fan”.
Tuesday 7th June 1949
Fine. Rain a.m. Muggy.
To Boots and Bank, car with Alys. Phoned Lane and Kit. Mrs Broder phoned. Rang her. Mrs Bearcroft here. U.S. boned turkey and lettuce, gooseberry pie. Planned “Joseph coat” renovation. Rest. Very muggy and tiring. Scrambled eggs and broad beans, treacle tart. To bed 8.30. “Much-Binding”. Sewed. Phil back from Aldeburgh (Brudenell Hotel) 10.15. Told about racing in Whim.
Wednesday 8th June 1949
Fairish.
Sewed Joseph coat. Phoned Orme; sent cheque £70.15.0 to him. Killick with Alys’ car? Tinned turkey, bacon, salad, treacle tart. “Great Scott, Caroline!”, very good matinée. Phil away 4 in evening dress. Refill and evening with Alexander’s. Milk soup, fillets, rhubarb. “Old Acquaintance”. John van Druten. “The Countess Cathleen” by W. B. Yeats.
Thursday 9th June 1949
Warm. Dull.
Phil home at 2 a.m from Alexander‘s party. Alys took me to 10.2 train. To Bank at Baker Street. To Goring and Webster to buy return ticket to Edinburgh £5.7.6. To Bickenhall 230 Volt, saw loft. To Hertford Refrigerator Co. To Herbal to get tea. To 77 King Henry’s Road. Lunch, England’s Lane. To K. H. Paul’s, and he back with me re. buying. Lane‘s men (Coleman) at 3. Washed China. At 6, taxi to Baker Street. Soup in café. Home by 7.30 (Colliver Fisher), 6.45 from Baker Street. Kippers. Rhubarb. Phil out at Bunge’s till 10.30.
Friday 10th June 1949
Fair. Warm.
Wrote Ella re. flat. Alys packing. Got spinach for lunch, with cold lamb, mint sauce, peas. Rest in p.m. Wrote Nellie. Phil in hut. At 4.35 to station. Alys and Phil to meet Dick Cave, and with him in his car to Aldeburgh. I to get ice cream, and to cleaners. Home. Watered garden. Salad and mayonnaise, cold bacon (tin), choc ice.
Saturday 11th June 1949
Warm.
Ironed and sewed. To Bank and got Cornish pasty for lunch (with spinach), cheese, cherries. Gardener in p.m. – cut grass. I rested. Finished “Mrs Beeton And Her Husband” Nancy Spain. Began packing and tried on frocks. Soup, potato mayonnaise. Treacle tart. “An English Summer” by Ronald Adam, with Andre Morell.
Memo:
9th Colman from Lanes between 2 and 2.30 (77 King Henry’s Road).
Call at cleaners (Hind) this week.
10th or 11th Alys and Phil to Aldeburgh.
10th Kennedy says rent paid to 10th. Paid.
5th Sent Agreement (signed) to Orme – 119 Bickenhall Mansions.
Sunday 12th June 1949
Hot. Fine.
Packed. Got spinach and had it with cold lamb, sour milk cheese. 30 minutes rest. To Mount Vernon in EYT. With Sissie 2.45 – 4. Took 3 eggs, roses and Alys’ barley-water. Finished packing and another rest. Soup, tarts, choc ices. “The Technique of Acting” on Third Programme. “Far From The Madding Crowd”.
Edinburgh
Monday 13th June 1949
Dull, then fine.
Up at 6.15. Killick’s man at 8.20 (5 minutes late). Took till 9.15 or 9.18 to get to Kings Cross. “Capitals Ltd” to Waverley, Edinburgh. Lunch 12.45. Ice 4.30. Arrived at Edinburgh 5.30. Taxi to 17 Warriston Crescent 1.8. Ella well. Supper 7. To bed 9.10. “Dicky”, budgerigar very amusing.
Tuesday 14th June 1949
Fair. Mild.
Breakfast in bed. Up at 8.45. Tram to Princes Street. To Waverley to get reserved seat. To Jenner‘s for dressing jacket (Alys). To 17 Inverleith Row, called on Louie Bell and Mrs Gordon. Lunch (Cornish pasties, rhubarb and shape). Rest till 3.10. Christina Barnard to tea. Ella out after. Omelettes and tomato, prunes and jelly. “The Wooden Horse”, “Mrs Gaskell in Manchester”.
Peebles
Wednesday 15th June 1949
Fine. Fresh.
To Cleghorn’s in Princes Street to get lampshade stuff. Made pattern. Maggie away at 12.50. We had eggs and lettuce. Ella rested. I packed. At 3.15 Sinclair with car (15 minutes late). We drove to Peebles, Hay Lodge, Mrs Watt (22 miles). Tea. Miss Blain of Minden Hotel with leg bandaged. Dinner 7; talk to son of landlady.
Thursday 16th June 1949
Perfect.
Ella in bed to breakfast. Later we walked in Hay Lodge Park and sat on seats. I posted lettercard to Alys, and letter to Christina. Stuffed tomato macaroni. Rest. Tea 4 (“Mrs Dale”). Out along river to shelter and sat. Dinner 7. Cutlets, peas, shape. Greenock lady (kilt Davey). “20 Questions”, “News”. To bed 10.45.
Friday 17th June 1949
Perfect. Warm breeze.
Ella giddy, and in bed all day. I walked to Neidpath Castle (1500 AD). Lovely walk by Tweed. Fried herring and Heinz beans, apple Charlotte. Rest and sleep. To post Transfer (2½ Bonds for £400 for Broder‘s effects) and paper to Ernest Vernor Miles and to lane and walked onto town. Stewed steak, prune shape. Sat with Ella till 8.45. Then “News”. “The Question of Coal” and “Much-Binding” till 10.30.
Saturday 18th June 1949
Perfect. Warm.
Miss Leslie left. Sat on deck chair and then on grass, reading. Ella came down to lunch (poached egg). We had Cornish pasties, milk pudding and apple. Several new people came. Rest. Tea on terrace, but I took ours indoors. Both strolled through Park till 6. Stewed veal, junket. “Eisteddfod Entertainment”.
Memo:
Points period.
To Hay Lodge, Peebles.
13th To Edinburgh – return ticket £5.7.6. Car 30/-, tip 2/6.
15th Sinclair’s car to Peebles – 22 miles – £2.2.0.
March Riding and Beltane.
“Queen Festival” – 50th year.
Sunday 19th June 1949
Very perfect.
Walked to bathing pool, and sat. Young couple bathed in river. Wrote Alys there. Boys diving. Ella sat in lounge and wrote home and Bell, and out a little. Soup, hot mutton, rice pudding. To post letters. Then rest. Tea. Both out, on seats by river. Supper 7.25. Ham, salad, scone biscuit, jelly. (Lost my silver teaspoon)
Monday 20th June 1949
Perfect. Hot.
(Teaspoon found). Ella shaky, (and had to re-dress). She sat in lounge all a.m. I walked through High Street and North gate and to gates of The Hydro. 20 minutes walk back. Rabbit stew, apple shape and cream. Rests. Tea. Out with Ella in garden, and on second seat. Macaroni cheese lunch, prunes and custard. Scotsman crossword and evening. With Miss Stewart (K.H.D.) and Blain.
Tuesday 21st June 1949
Perfect. Hotter.
Walk to Chambers Institute and in reading room, papers and magazines. Ella only out on terrace. Cold mutton, hard-boiled eggs and salad. Semolina and jam. Rests. Tea. To post letter to Lois and lettercard to Alys. Bob and Winnie Waterston appeared 5 o’clock and took us to Hydro and round by Manor river and Neidpath. Liver and onions, shape. Nancy Laurence sang on BBC – winner of a cup (Mrs Poustie).
Wednesday 22nd June 1949
Perfect. Hot.
To Post Office. With Ella by river. Dinner at 1. Turbot, rhubarb pie slice. Rest. Tea at 3.30. Sat in garden. I to S.M.T. (Scottish Motor Traction Co.) to get seat on bus (tomorrow) 1/6. Supper (cold) 5.45. Out to gates at 6.45. Saw Pipe Band and young people dancing, to Neidpath (for installation of wardens). Crossword. Tea and biscuits and cookies at 9.45.
Thursday 23rd June 1949
Perfect.
(Coolest summer clothes). At 10.15 Miss Stewart and I to bus. To Traquair House (Bear Gates and Oath) and Rigg‘s Garden (Mrs Pittman’s son Wolf Murray). House made from blacksmith’s cottage. Back via Innerleithen. Lunch, macaroni, tomato stuffed, rice and sultanas. Rest. At 3.30 Princess Elizabeth at Guernsey on Miss Blain’s set. Tea in small lounge. Out in Park. Stew, junket. “20 Questions”.
Friday 24th June 1949
Perfect.
Mr and Mrs Moorhouse away. Ella to shop (first time). I went to buy Listener and Radio Times. Card for Nellie Moir at 1. Wrote to her saying 20th. To post before tea. Rest. Read Scotsman. After tea, Ella and I along river to bathing pool. Dinner 6.30. Others out to festival doings. Miss Stewart and I did the crossword (all but three).
Saturday 25th June 1949
Very fine.
Breakfast 9. I to Post Office at 9. Sent A.P. wire to Winwood re. date. Bought labels. Saw fancy dress procession, and Coronation of Beltane Queen till 11. Back and with Ella by riverside, deck chairs. Ham, salad, rhubarb and custard. Rest. Tea. Sat by river in garden, watched bathing, with Miss Stewart. Stew, strawberries and ice cream.
Memo:
Take 119 Bickenhall Mansions from 24th.
25th Wire.
Winwood, Worcester – can you collect from S.M. (Sands Meadow) by July 20 or 21st. Reply Boyd, Hay Lodge, Peebles.
Sunday 26th June 1949
Perfect. Hotter.
(Wedding Anniversary of Kelso’s and Poustie’s). Sat in deckchairs close by river. I alone for first hour. Lamb and mint sauce and peas. Tapioca pudding. Rest. Mr S. Laurence and Poustie‘s left. Tea. Along in Hay Park. Miss Edith Stewart sitting with us. I along to diving place (quite a lido today). Tinned salmon. Scones, jam.
Monday 27th June 1949
Muggy. Dullish. Very warm.
To try for peppermints and knitting pin for Ella. Got “Unforgotten” and from library (Buchan’s sister, O. Douglas) and Shaw. Sat in terrace with Ella. Letters from Alys and Kit and from M. to Ella, re. visit to Sissie. Cornish pasties, Heinz beans, steamed bread pudding. Rest. Wire from Winwood. After tea, posted letter card to Alys re. 20th. Sat with Ella in Park. Stewed mutton. Custard and figs.
Tuesday 28th June 1949
Showers. Dull. Very mild.
Lettercard to Alys. Letter to Winwood. We walked to letterbox, and saw garden. Macaroni cheese (Ella egg), Apple (Eve’s pudding). After tea, I along river to diving place and saw school camp children. Ella out with me along roads again. Beef stew, apricot pie with white of egg. “Much-Binding” put on by Miss Blain. “News” and cricket, Kelso.
Wednesday 29th June 1949
Dullish.
To Tweed Green. Saw old bridge arches. To Tontine Hotel. Then in Hay Lodge Park with Ella. Turbot and peas, rice pudding. Miss Stewart left. Rest. Sat in garden with Oldham woman. Ella and I walked to S.M.T. to book and back by 5.5 bus. Mr Watts told us rooms booked. Settled I was to sleep out. Ella very upset.
Thursday 30th June 1949
Fine. Warm.
Phoned re. bus. Frasers went instead of us. Phoned Dr Rod Wilson to come. In Hay Park with Ella, upper part. Did up parcel (Alys’ dressing gown jacket and my things). After lunch, took it to Post Office, registered. Home and rested. After tea, Dr Wilson to see Ella. I to Boots to get tablets (phenobarbital, I think) and sent labels to Nellie. Lettercard to Alys with £2 for house. Harrogate artist and wife came back.
Friday 1st July 1949
Fine. Warm.
Ella’s breakfast forgotten. She rang 9.10. Over to Neidpath House, to see my room. With Ella in Park and back by garden. Fried herrings with sauce. Steamed pudding. Rested on couch, lounge. Wrote Mrs Moorhouse (for Strand). Ella to try for bananas. Sat in garden. Three new couples came. Toad in hole. Over at 9.10 to room – Cook? carried my bag to Neidpath House.
Saturday 2nd July 1949
Fine. Hot.
Both in Park and sat on bank. The Kelso‘s (Aberdeen) and Fraser’s (arthritic) (Dingle) and Grants (farmer) all left and couples of babies came. Tongue (not tinned), cornflour and apple. Rested in Neidpath House. Tea. Took Barrie’s book to Post Office (to Christina). Ella saw my lodgings. Beef steak and dumplings. Junket. Talked to young mother.
Memo:
Mrs Young, Neidpath House.
1st Sent off Alys’ dressing jacket for the 4th.
Tontine Hotel 6.6.0 in August. 5½ July?
30th Sent £2 per week ending 18th.
Sunday 3rd July 1949
Fine and warm.
Back to my room after breakfast. Changed things to other room. Then to Northgate for newspapers. Sat and read in garden. Ella not out much – just by letterbox. Pork. Custard and grapes. Rest. By river to diving pool and out watching. Tongue and salad. Cream and strawberries. Mrs Ross gave us Edinburgh rock. Listened to Wynford Vaughan Thomas – “A Visit to Sir Max Beerbohm”. Ross M. A. and baby 11 months.
Monday 4th July 1949
Dull. Cooller. Rain.
(Alys’ 65th birthday). Round to post letters with Ella on my arm. Wrote Laurie and Berry’s. Cauliflower Greta, rice pudding. Rests. Tea. Family with three girls from Dundee. Ella and I to Co-op. She got meridian combs 10/– and to Boots and I to Post Office. Walked back also. Crosswords. Roast pork, Heinz beans. Pastry slice with white of egg. Read papers. “News” 9. Over to bed 9.40.
Tuesday 5th July 1949
Dullish. Mild. Rain in night.
Dr Wilson see Ella again. I wrote Kitty and Mrs Haynes. Began to pack. Cold meat and salad. Semolina and tinned peaches. Rest (after making bed) at Neidpath House. After tea, Ella and I to get biscuits and I to Library with books. Walked back at 5.45. Stewed meat, mostly potatoes. Steamed pudding. Ella packed.
Edinburgh
Wednesday 6th July 1949
Fair, mild.
Finished packing, and brought things over from Neidpath House. Talked to “Cousin June” and the Rosses. Ella and I out by river and style. Fish and boiled onions and sauce, apple pie. At 2.30 Sinclair came, and we drove home to 17 Warriston Crescent. Margaret there. Rest, after tea. Did lampshade. “Nest eggs”, cheese, custard and cooked strawberries. Cripps’ speech on economic crisis.
Thursday 7th July 1949
Very fine and warm.
Lettercard to Alys with £2 for June 25th. Went on with lampshade. Then out, posted three books. To Bird-man in Botanical Gardens. Talked. Lunch (sat in garden with Ella 10 minutes, her garden.). Stewed chopped meat, carrots, strawberries, junket. Rest. Tea. Ella and I to herbaceous border in Botanical Gardens. Willie Sandeman. Fried fish, cauliflower and pastries, strawberries. Finished lampshade.
London
Friday 8th July 1949
Dull, then fine and warm.
Breakfast in bed 7.40. Packed and with Ella, 15 minutes. Sinclair at 9.15 to Waverley 2.9 (+ 6d tip). 9.45 to Kings Cross. Changed the engine at Doncaster. Lunch in Buffet – corned beef and salad and sundae – 3/6. Arrived 15 minutes late at 6 pm. Killick’s man (and Killick’s son) met and to 12 Grove Road. Alys alone. Jelly soup, salmon, mayonnaise and peas, ice cream and raspberries. In garden, unpacked (Killick 31/6).
Saturday 9th July 1949
Dull. Fine later.
Phoned Kit. Alys to shops. I washed clothes. Alys and I to Baker Street. Lunch at restaurant 2/6. To 119 Bickenhall; measured for furniture. Buses to 77 King Henry’s Road. Cleared out big trunk. Gave Mrs Haynes 10/– (owed her 5/–). Home by 6. Alys paid gardener. Jelly soup, salmon and mayonnaise. Raspberries and currants, ice cream.
Memo:
4th Wrote Eva and Teddy for birthdays.
7th Sent £2 for 25th June.
Bill at Hay Lodge 17.13.6. Tip 10/–. Ella gave 10/–.
Leave Edinburgh 9.45, arrive Kings Cross 5.45.
Ross’s Edinburgh Castle Rock.
Only permitted to use hose in garden twice a week.
Sunday 10th July 1949
Hot and fine.
Alys phoned Kitty, and met her and she spent the day with us (not eating, except toast and marmalade) at 1. I wrote Ella. Salmon and tongue and raspberries. Alys and I to Sissie’s (Hospital) and saw Sister and Almoner about Sissie coming out on 14th. Dora Barnard there. Sat in garden with Kit. Scrambled eggs, ice cream (she had tongue). Took her to Moor Park. Watered garden. Phil back from Aldeburgh about 12.
Monday 11th July 1949
Hot.
I to Baker Street. To Bank; to Bickenhall Estate Office, N. Butler and on to Town Hall re. electricity. To 119 Bickenhall Mansions. Measured and phoned Onsite and Lane. Lunch at cafeteria. Buses to 77 King Henry’s Road. All p.m. cleaning bedding and packing. Got croissants and cheese and grapefruit but for tea. Home at 7.30. Omelettes, coffee junket. Talked in dusk about exams and new typhoid treatment (chloromycetin).
Tuesday 12th July 1949
Very hot.
Wrote Ella (with Piping Times) and Mrs Thornton, and letter to Nellie at Club. Phil to Mount Vernon. Alys to shops. Steak and peas, cheese. To post letters. Alys and Phil out. She bought then skirt. Phil with cigarette case to value (for James Campbell). Rest. Talk. Tinned ham, lettuce. Strawberries and ice cream. Watering cans.
Wednesday 13th July 1949
Hot. Muggy. Showers.
9.34 to Baker Street, waiting at 119 Bickenhall Mansions for Mrs Haynes (never came). Onsite came and washed carpet at 12.20. Nellie at 12 and we lunched at the Club together. To 119 Bickenhall Mansions and Mr Briggs – the damages, windowpane. To 77 King Henry’s Road. Cleaned. Alys and Phil in car 5 with things. All to 119 Bickenhall Mansions. Then Soho, Regents Park, Baker Street. Alys and I home at 7.30. Bacon, salad, cheese. Alys to Selden’s. I to bed, Algernon Blackwood “Two Holidays”.
Thursday 14th July 1949
Hot. Fine.
Wrote Nellie with a list. Washed clothes. Phil in hut. Sausages and steak, cabbage, apple. At 1.40 to Mount Vernon in car; Alys took me and suitcase. Then at 2.20 Sissie and I in Hospital car to 50 Erskine Hill. Erika and Ilse. I left and to 119 Bickenhall Mansions re. cleaner. Tea at ABC. Home Alys met me. Rest. Phil hosing his car. Camp pie, bacon, Welsh rarebit. “Quiz”, “The Piddingtons”.
Friday 15th July 1949
Hot, dullish.
To 119 Bickenhall Mansions and saw window cleaner, Copsy. Talk re. cleaning and staining. To England’s Lane restaurant 12.10 lunch. To 77 King Henry’s Road all p.m. doing canvases and pictures. At 4 to Finchley Road. Home. Eve at tea with Alys (Phil and Springfield off to Aldeburgh). Ball with Dougal, and cut roses. Haddock, strawberries and ice cream. “Much-Binding” (last of season) Eve stayed the night.
Saturday 16th July 1949
Thunderstorm.
Alys took Eve back in a.m. and took me to Bank. Train to Finchley Road. Thunderstorm. To Swiss Cottage, and then to Chalk Farm – Kennedy and Dunphy. Paid rent. Looking over drawings and packing till 6 (lunch – England’s Lane 3/6). Home, Alys met me 6.50. Lusty’s soup egg and jelly, Alys made. Ice cream, plums. “The Guinea Pig”, school play by Warren Chatham-Steed. Derek Blomfield, Robert Lovell.
Memo:
14th or 15th 11 a.m. Take Sissie home 2 p.m.
13th Mrs Haynes? Onsite 11 a.m. – Coleman.
15th Eve for night.
16th Paid 15/2 for rent 77 King Henry’s Road.
Sunday 17th July 1949
Dull. Thundery. Mild. Showers.
Wrote list of “to be sold” things. In garden between showers. Transplanted pinks (from pots). Stew and peas. Ice cream. Rest and “Penny Plain”. In garden. Phil back (with Springford in Springford’s car) at 7.15. Scrambled eggs and jelly eggs and meat. Plums.
Monday 18th July 1949
Dullish, colder.
Alys took me to station. 9.10 to Baker Street and then to Swiss cottage and 77 King Henry’s Road. Met Lane‘s removal man (Coleman, foreman), packed and by 12.15 finished. I met them again at 119 Bickenhall Mansions. Alys there and helped unpack. Tipped £2.0.0 as Coleman mended bed and bookcase. Lunch (Phil had lunch at home, salmon). Home and Colliver Fisher. Rest. Weeded, oeufs au jus, Ice cream and chocolate sauce. “Our Mr Meredith”, “Dr Wortle’s School”, Trollope. Phil rheumatism.
Tuesday 19th July 1949
Warm and fine.
Alys took me to station. 9.48 to Baker Street. To 119 Bickenhall Mansions and busy all a.m. Washed bath. Put canvases away and arranged room and curtains. Paid Copsey £3.17.0 for cleaning and staining floor and washing paint (Saturday). Lunch Dutch Oven 3.6. To Herbalist and Selfridges. Home at 5. Alys met me. Gardening. Lambs tongues. “Pimpernel”.
Wednesday 20th July 1949
Fair.
Alys to shops. Home all day awaiting Winwood. Wrote Amy Steel. Alys cooked fowl, beans. Mrs Cox here. Washed frock and coat and apron. Laughton’s called (Sydney and Dennis). Eva phoned re. Winwood. Soup, galantine, kippers, melon. “To Have And To Hold”, Lionel Brown.
Thursday 21st July 1949
Fine. Hot.
Winwood only arrived at 9.25 (instead of yesterday). I in cab of lorry all the way to 119 Bickenhall Mansions. Doz’s desk, table, chairs. Had Camp pie lunch at Doz’s gate-leg table. Unpacked suitcase, hat box and stowed things away. At 4.30 Home. Sent Amy’s letter airmail. Unpacked other boxes – silver, linen. Soup (cold vegetable), kedgeree, apricots. Phoned Kit re. flat and Kenneth Ashcroft.
Friday 22nd July 1949
Fine. Hot.
Took cold pork slices and lettuce to Bickenhall Mansions at 1.30 or so. After collecting two tickets at Webster and Goring for International Horse Show. Launch at flat. Arranged portfolios in cupboards, from tallboys and cleaned. Phil took Teddy and Eva to Aldeburgh, and Eve and Dougie and parrot here (Mrs McNulty’s). Alys met me 7.20. Fishcakes, choc ice cream. “Paralysis of the Insane”, Walter Jauregg – discovery of malaria cure. Gertrude Lawrence.
Saturday 23rd July 1949
Very, very hot and muggy.
To shops in car with Dougal. Got Stilton and books. Alys and Eve to Horse Show at White City. Lunch Paddington Hotel. I had cottage cheese and salad. Gardener came. I walked with Dougal to Postal Order for Blain, and sent letter. Got lead 4/- and biscuits. Rest. Alys and Eve back 7. Kedgeree. Watered garden. Dougal away for 2 hours 6 – 8.
Memo:
23rd Sent Baden 8/- for clock.
Cancelled Lois June 21st.
20th Wrote Amy Steel re. Gus airmail.
22nd Eve here; Teddy and Eva at Aldeburgh.
25th 89°F London.
Sunday 24th July 1949
Very, very hot. Fine.
Wrote Ella, and posted it before 3 p.m. Eve painted in her book. Tinned steak, peas, ice cream. Phil, Eva and Teddy back at 8. Tinned ham, salad, cantaloupe, cheese. Berry’s and Dougal and parrot away after supper. Watered garden.
Monday 25th July 1949
Hot. 89°F in London
Met Kitty at Baker Street. Showed her my flat. Together to Sale (Phillips, Son & Neale), Blenstock House, Blenheim Street. My things and two carpets (Broder) and Kit’s carpet. Lunch at Club. To shops and to 119 Bickenhall Mansions. Did books till 5.45. Home, Colliver Fisher. Ham and salad, ice cream. Sat in dusk. News and talk till 10.25. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned my room.
Tuesday 26th July 1949
Very hot. 87°F in London.
Alys to meet Eve, and Eva on to meet James from school. Defrosted Fridge. All of us to Durham, lunch 12.30. They back with us in two cars. Gave Eve Dougal‘s bag and pieces. Eva, James and Eve away 2.40. Phil reading in spare room (so hot everywhere). Alys wrote Sissie with account. Omelettes and salad. Ice cream and apricots and chocolate sauce.
Wednesday 27th July 1949
Hot. Dull. Breeze.
Alys and I in Phil‘s car to 119 Bickenhall Mansions. Phil to Smart’s for refill. Alys and I in flat and Phil called for us at 12.50. All to Club; lunch (nurses and Dame Katherine Jones). To Bomba for coffee. Took Alys to Foakes 2.30. I out and to get herbalist medicines. To Lilley & Skinner, got shoes. To flat. Phil came. He did curtain rod. Phil and I met Alys at Sagne’s, coffee. Home. Salmon (cooked by Mrs. Cox), melon. Watered garden. “The Four Just Men”.
29th Slept at 119 Bickenhall Mansions 1st time.
Thursday 28th July 1949
Cooler and fine.
Sent Driving License form and 5/- and 10/- to Ashridge Fellowship. Mrs Bearcroft. Phil working in hut. Sausages from Sainsbury’s and butchers and Spinach (Mrs Bearcroft). Alys and Phil to Watford. Rests. In car to try and get bread – none. Packed things to take to 119 Bickenhall Mansions. Alys made fish cakes for supper. Ice cream and chocolate sauce (hot). Into Cattle‘s garden.
London
Friday 29th July 1949
Very fine, warm.
Income Tax refund back £149. To shops with Alys to buy comb. Packed. Sausages and fishcakes, ice cream. At 2 in JLN and to Kit’s. Left sponge cakes there. To 119 Bickenhall Mansions. I there till 6.40; put up curtains, made bed. Alys and Phil shopped and to see Munich pictures. All met at Hong Kong Restaurant 7. Very good Chinese meal. Then to 119 Bickenhall Mansions. I slept there. “Death In High Heels”, Christianna Brand.
Saturday 30th July 1949
Dull. Fair.
Did hot milk on Tommy cooker as no gas. Nescafé. Joiner came 11 – 12 and put up one curtain rod fixture. I put curtains up in bedroom. To lunch 12.20 at Dutch Oven – 3/4 and 6d. In p.m. washed knives and on bed 30 minutes. Home at 6. Alys making burgee (racing). Kippers, apricots. Finished “Mountain Madness”, W. D. Fortescue.
Memo:
30th Joiner to 119 Bickenhall Mansions – 10.30.
27th 2.30 Alys, Foakes.
27th Hot water off.
Sunday 31st July 1949
Dull, showery, mild.
Phil at lathe. Alys doing roast lamb and peas. Lunch. Arranged Doz’s burnt mat. Eva phoned, and after early tea over to The Coppice in JLN. Teddy sold 4 gallons petrol. Phil looked at Eva who had pain in chest. Took hat case and chintz curtains and jigsaw and basket with ribbons and doll’s table and picture, huntsman. Buttered eggs and melon.
Monday 1st August 1949
Dull. Mild.
Wrote Susie re. V. O. Kitty, Catherine, George at 12.45; Sherry and Kit‘s health (70). All to Orchard at 1.30. Good lunch. Rest in p.m. Slept. Cold mutton, lettuce, noodles and melon. “Our Mr Meredith” Edwin Styles. “It Depends What You Mean” – very poor play, James Bridie. James and Eve’s reports.
Tuesday 2nd August 1949
Cooler, heavy showers.
Alys took me to 9.50 train. To 119 Bickenhall Estate office about electrician. To my Bank. Electric and gas company. Signed contract. To Tate Gallery to see Viennese pictures (The Kunsthistorisches Museum) – Giorgione, Vermeer (Artist in Studio), Titian, Tintoretto, Canaletto, Rubens, Van Dyke, Velasquez, elder Breughel. Rested at 119 Bickenhall Mansions. Home at 7.30. Chicken and rice, ice cream. 9 “The Scarlet Pimpernel”, “Adventure in France”, Howard Marion-Crawford.
Wednesday 3rd August 1949
Dull. Mild.
Drove self to car park. Left EYT for Alys (to see Sissie, went with Phil). To 119 Bickenhall Mansions. Joiner’s lad worked at window cords and curtain rails. Electrician came. Gas man connected gas for pipe. Lunch Minerva 3.3 + 6d. Bought handles 6/–, thoroughly cleaned. George at 5.30 – 7. Sherry. Scrambled dried eggs. Italian cheese. “Busman’s Honeymoon”.
Thursday 4th August 1949
Mild. Fine.
After breakfast, electrician and mate came and wired for light plugs, 11 till 1. Phoned to Lane; lunch at Swedish Restaurant 4/6+ 6d. At 2, I went to see cellar for coals. At 2 Coleman and man came and put model throne in attic (£1 paid). Home, arrived 5.15. Alys and Phil just leaving for Aldeburgh in JLN. Soup, salmon and mayonnaise and lettuce and melon. In garden. Alys’ wireless (from Teddy) in my room.
Friday 5th August 1949
Fine and hot.
Walked to 10.12 train. To 119 Bickenhall Mansions. Rest. c – Lunch (no sweet) 2/9. To National Gallery (Munich pictures). Home via tube by 4. Got Vienna sausages 6 points 6/6, on way home, Halls, Whitcomb Street. Sat in garden. Rest. Garden again. Picked beans. Scrambled eggs and cheese, apple purée. Phoned George re. Fridge.
Saturday 6th August 1949
Fine, warm.
In EYT to shops. Got haddock, stung by something in flowers. Egg and cheese and marrow in a Welsh rabbit. Alys and Phil came home about 2.20. Gardener here 2 – 6.30. Alys and Phil both slept in p.m. Alys roasted chicken from Blain. Our own beans, cheese. “Celestial Fire”, Gerard Tyrrell. Flying bomb killed “Ricky”, Catherine Campbell. James McKechnie, Charles Urquhart, Grizelda Hervey.
Memo:
1st Kit’s 70th birthday.
For Alys and Phil to Aldeburgh, back on 6th.
3rd George at 5? to 5.30 to 119 Bickenhall Mansions.
2nd Lunched at Lyons cafeteria, Victoria
6th Phone George to order an Electrolux refrigerator.
8th, 9th, 10th, 11th at Bickenhall Mansions (till 3.46)
Sunday 7th August 1949
Dull. Rain in p.m. at tea and evening.
Made chocolate mousse. Put pieces in Doz’s suitcase. Alts roasted English beef joint and marrow (Berry’s). To post. Alys planning letter to Ernest Vernor Miles re. Will and Codicil. After tea, did lettering on Phil‘s boxes. Dried haddock, cheese. “Mary Lovelace”, Trollope.
Monday 8th August 1949
Perfect.
Miss ? to measure sofa. To 119 Bickenhall Mansions. Phoned Violet Ormond (away), Mrs Dunn-Yarker, Lois, Elsa. To Dolcis. To lunch at Club. To Hall’s, got milk. Home to 119 Bickenhall Mansions. Cleared more of photo drawers and lined them. Via Warren Street to Hampstead. Bread. Tea with Elsa and Max. Back (via Virginia’s). To 119 Bickenhall Mansions. Phil Carr on Anthony Hope at 6.25. Boiled egg and pears. “Our Mr Meredith”, “Report on a Failure”, (‘Zwölftausend’), Bruno Frank with Raymond Lovell, Jack Livesey, Ursula Jeans.
Tuesday 9th August 1949
Very fine. Mild.
Alys came at 12. Out to 2/9 lunch. To Selfridges; bought divan £12.1.7. Alys got pyjamas for Phil. To New Gallery, “Obsession”, 9 Church Row. Man about a dog. At 6 to Hong Kong supper 4/6½ each and 1/6 tip. To Classic, “Quiet Weekend”. Home to 119 Bickenhall Mansions. “Pimpernel”. Phil came for Alys at 10.10.
Wednesday 10th August 1949
Fine. Warm.
Shopped. Got milk, Marylebone Lane. To Onsite (after long search). 159 bus back. Lunch Minerva – 2/9, choc ice 4d. To Faukes – hair done 1.15 – 2.25. Bought hooks and plug for basin. Home to 119 Bickenhall Mansions. Mended rug a long time, and all the evening. Scrambled eggs (powdered), cheese. Rang Alys re. Haynes. “The Last Days Of Dolwyn”.
Thursday 11th August 1949
Fair.
Onsite man called for two rugs, four cushions and small saddlebag and eiderdown. Divan brought by Selfridges at 12.15. So I went out and changed saucepans and got cheese Port Salut and veal sandwiches. Had them and trifle. Did odd jobs in flat and home by 3.46, car with Bernice. Dr Hinds–Howell came 5.30 – 6.30. In hut. I grilled sausages, bacon, tomatoes. Ice cream and chocolate sauce. “20 Questions”, “I Came To Nagasaki”, (atom bomb).
Friday 12th August 1949
Fine p.m.
Mrs Cox came. James came and Phil gave him trucks. He had sandwich lunch and went 12.38. We all had lunch at Durham. They took me home and then Alys and Phil off in JLN to Aldeburgh. I rested. In garden. To shops for ice cream express. Grilled chops, marrow and potato. Express ice cream and grated chocolate, Port Salut. “Johnny Washington, Esquire”, 9.30.
Saturday 13th August 1949
(no weather)
Hawkins’ men cleared out sink at 9 a.m. In garden. To shops, ice cream. Washed things. Cold cutlet, salad with Alys’ mayonnaise, ice cream and apple sauce. Cook came 2 – 6 and cleared convolvulus all p.m. Metcalf‘s home and cleared wasps’ nets. Alys’ sauce and brown bread. Port Salut. Watered garden and weeded. “Ann Veronica”, H. G. Wells.
Memo:
Points period. Sweet rationing begins.
Foakes 10th 1.15.
8th 4.30 Elsa’s.
12th Alys and Phil to Aldeburgh for three weeks?.
8th Met Mrs Chapman at Club (Bedlington Smith)
Alys and Phil to Jay’s Hotel, Aldeburgh
Sweet rationing begins again (sugar shortage).
Sunday 14th August 1949
Very hot and fine.
Washed things. Wrote Haynes and Alys and to post. Made custard. Cold cutlet, lettuce and beans. Ice cream with chocolate coffee sauce. Rested. Sewed blue silk dress. In garden, getting box prepared, and sewed delphiniums and lupins. Amy’s sister, Mrs Low, phoned. Soup and Ryvita. Ice cream and custard. “Mary Lovelace – Is He Popenjoy”. Turkey.
Monday 15th August 1949
Very hot and fine.
Mrs Bearcroft washed. I washed and ironed Philippine blouse. Durham was closed till 22nd so I to Fuller’s for lunch 3/6. To 119 Bickenhall Mansionsand got ready for Lois who at 4.15 to tea (she brought milk). She left at 6.45. I washed up and back by 7.37 train. Welsh rarebit with egg and apple purée. “The Norwood Builder, Vicarage Gardens”, 11.
Tuesday 16th August 1949
Dull, cooler, windy.
To Piccadilly at 12, and to Handy’s and paid bill and bought 3 more books. Saw Miss Ely. After 1 to The Ritz. Lunch with Mrs Low. Mrs Marshall in their suite. To Selfridges (no limpets), 119 Bickenhall Mansions, and then home 3.28 train. Killick to do EYT. Liver and bacon, ice cream. “Talk Yourself Out Of This”, “Death and Mary Dazill”, “The Quest of John Clare”, 6.30. “Escape From Port Jackson”, Mary Bryant of Fowey.
Wednesday 17th August 1949
Fine.
To High Street (bap) and Eborn’s, and for my rations to Kingham’s. Ends of cutlets fried up with onions, spinach, apple and custard. Mrs Cox ironed. Rested. Sewed “Ajax” dog 5.30. Wrote Alys and Nellie, Winwood and to post. Tyne meat soup with milk, Ryvita, Port Salut, ice cream. “The Island”, Sherlock Holmes – Dulcie Grey.
Friday night at 119 Bickenhall Mansions.
Thursday 18th August 1949
Fair. Dull.
Mrs Bearcroft. Alys phoned and so I in loft to look for birth certificate. Got rug and holdall. Cheese omelette, ice cream. Took EYT to park (Post Office) and to 119 Bickenhall Mansions with the holdall and rug. On to Somerset House. Had copy of Phil‘s birth certificate sent to him. Home, and did up shirt and wrote Phil and posted it, with ribbons for burgee. Watered front grass, and sewed seeds. Liver and onions and tomatoes, apple. “Frogman”.
Friday 19th August 1949
Fine, warm.
To butcher and for ice cream. Post Office and Elizabeth’s in EYT. Wrote Amy Steel (airmail). Soup, ice cream and sauce. Mrs Cox did kitchen. I sewed edge on coat and watered garden. At 4.45 to Baker Street (119 Bickenhall Mansions). Sewed hooks on curtains and did pearls. Scrambled egg (powdered), oranges. “Johnny Washington, Esquire”. Electric man came at 8.20.
Saturday 20th August 1949
Fair. Very hot. Dull.
To Club at 12.45 and met Katharine Buchanan and gave her lunch there. Then to 119 Bickenhall Mansion and showed her flat. Home to Northwood at 3.30, and got tea for gardener. Very hot. Rested. Dozed. Watered garden. Cold sausage meat and lettuce, ice cream. “Badger’s Green” by R. C. Sherriff, (Baliol Holloway, Arthur Young and Charles E. Stidwill.
Memo:
20th Kath to lunch 12.45 Club.
15th Onsite may come.
16th 1 o’clock, Ritz – Mrs Low and Mrs Marshall.
Tuesday 23rd – Night at 53 Frognal.
Sunday 21st August 1949
Very fine and hot.
Picked spinach and had it with butcher’s rissoles (fried), ice cream. Re-doing Doz’s beige cotton spotted suit buttons. Wrote Kit for cheque (return loan) and to post. Read papers on Chesterfield. To Cattle’s with blackberries. Saw petunias, zinnias, phlox, salpiglossis. Soup, boiled egg, choc ice later. “Mary Lovelace”, “The Famous Voyage of Sir Francis Drake”, (Golden Hind).
Monday 22nd August 1949
Dull. Fair. Hot sunny a.m.
Mrs Bearcroft cleaned my room. I to Bank in car, and to post eggboxes. Lunch at Durham (reopened). Defrosted Fridge early 9 a.m. and seemed alright, but at supper-time no good. Sewing and ironing spotty suit (Doz’s). Sausage and bacon. Sat up till 11.34 Fridge. “Blind Man’s Buff”, Denis Johnston.
Tuesday 23rd August 1949
Dull. Thunder and rain.
Down at 3 a.m. to Fridge. In the morning it went alright. Phoned Sissie postponing visit. Packed and by 12.15 to Finchley Road, train to Kitty’s. Lunch at 1.50. Rests. Sleep. Tea. Read old letters of mine ’94, ’95, ’96, ‘97. Lady about room (larger). Fish (in shells) in kitchen and brie. Read George’s letters from war, North Africa.
Wednesday 24th August 1949
Muggy and hot.
Kit didn’t eat breakfast. I went off at 9.20, and caught 9.40 to Northwood. Colliver Fisher up. In garden. Roses and spinach. Kit’s Cornish pasty with spinach, steamed plums (Camden). Wrote order for fruit tree and posted it. Mrs Cox cleaned drawers. To Kingham’s for ice cream at 5.20. Sewed. Oatmeal and cheese and onion grilled cakes. Strawberry jelly shape and ice cream. Sewed.
Thursday 25th August 1949
Dull. Warm.
Mrs Bearcroft cleaned halls and stairs. I wrote second Codicil to my Will. EYT to Post Office car park. To lunch at Durham 12.30. To Baker Street. To Lloyds Bank and got cashiers to witness my signature to Codicil. To Sissie’s to tea. Took roses, and 6 eggs and Doz’s clef paperclip away at 6.45. 2 buses and train and then car home. Soup, cold cheesecake from yesterday, plums and ice cream. To bed 9 p.m. “As Others See Us”, a Dutchman on Britain.
Friday 26th August 1949
Dull. Mild.
In car to take Phil‘s tie to post. To butcher’s, and Kingham’s, and Chalet’s and Elizabeth’s. Cooked the cutlets, sausage meat and rissoles, and ate the latter with fried onions and tomatoes. Plums and ice cream. Mrs Cox did kitchen. I mended blanket and towel. Cold sausage, eggs, strawberry mousse.
Saturday 27th August 1949
Very muggy and dull.
To shops to get onions, and tomatoes. Shallots (ours) with fried rissoles (butcher). Jelly and ice cream rest. Finished Alfred Marsh’s “ Death at the Bar”. Sewed scarf blouse. Watered garden as well. Soup and cheese (U.S.). Lord David Cecil on “Reading As One Of The Fine Arts”.
Memo:
23rd Lunch Kit and stay night.
25th Sausages at butcher. Tea, Sissie’s.
25th Laundry.
29th Slept at 119 Bickenhall Mansions.
Sunday 28th August 1949
Muggy. Dull.
Kit phoned. Did various sewings on blouse, and altered tweed skirt (narrower). Lettercard to Alys. Made sausage rolls with bought pastry (Seward’s), spinach, strawberry mousse. Reading “Beauty For Ashes”, Fortescue. Soup, plums and cake. “The Living Goethe”, “The Lost Pharaohs”.
Monday 29th August 1949
Very hot and muggy.
Mrs Bearcroft cleaned Alys’ room and bathroom. I washed things. Machined and ironed tweed skirt. Cutlets, tomatoes, spinach, potatoes. At 2.58 train to Baker Street. To 119 Bickenhall Mansions. Out to get bread. Rested. Egg, and my cold Cornish pasty, cheese and peach. “Our Mr Meredith”, “Tamburlaine”, Christopher Marlow.
Tuesday 30th August 1949
Hot and muggy.
Carpenter mended windowpane, and put up shelf. Mrs Haynes came from 11 and I gave her 10/- (only change 2/6) so she owes me 2/6. To Minerva, at 1.10, lunch. Bus to Strand to get blue bowl paint. To 119 Bickenhall Mansions, and then to Northwood by 5. Quick macaroni with cheese and tomato and onion. “Death and Mary Dazill”, “South Riding”.
Wednesday 31st August 1949
Dull. Warm.
In all day, except to post. Made apple and blackberry pie and cutlets and spinach. Defrosted Fridge. Window-cleaner came. Kleeneze man bought brushes. “The Third Visitor”, Sonia Dresdel, Bruno Barnabe.
Thursday 1st September 1949
Warm, dullish.
Fridge still not freezing. Not until 9.30 a.m. (since 1:30 pm yesterday). Mrs Bearcroft finished Alys’ and Phil‘s rooms. To shops in car, High Street and then lunch at Durham. Then Kingham’s (rations), Hudson’s, back by Batchworth Heath. Phoned Eva. Planted cuttings (pinks) in garden two poached eggs on spinach, my apple tart. Mended basket. Still sore throat and I gardened.
Friday 2nd September 1949
Showers in p.m. Mild.
Took EYT to shops for butcher and choc ices and vegetables. Cooked sausage meat. Had Cornish pasties and lettuce, stewed apple and blackberry and ice cream. Wrote Kitty (at Deal) and Ella. Rested and slept, and better (no more earache and throat better). Sewed pocket and tweed skirt. Phil Carr 6.35 on “Comedians, Comics and Clowns”. Soup, cold sausage.
Saturday 3rd September 1949
Fine.
Throat much better. Ironed and sewed tweed skirt pocket. Made ginger biscuits. Did up Breughel book and wrote to Jim Archer. To Post Office and registered it. Grilled chop and tomatoes. stewed fruit and ice cream. Gardener cut lawns. Cleared desk a bit. In garden. Sausage and lettuce, cheese. “The Foolish Gentlewoman”, Professor Gordon Ray on “Thackeray – The Unwritten Part”.
Memo:
Reading a “A London Child Of The 1870s”.
30th Mrs Haynes? 11 or before.
Alys and Phil home for on Sunday 4th.
29th Kit to St Margaret’s Bay – to Deal on 1st.
Phil out all night at moonlight play on island on Alde.
Sunday 4th September 1949
Very hot all day. 88°F in some parts of England.
Awning up. Did housework, dusting and in cleaning silver. Sausage and tomato and celery, ice cream. Alys and Phil arrived home about 3.30; very brown. Coffee and tomato sandwiches and ginger biscuits. Rested. Read. Alys unpacked. Phil on bed. Boiled eggs, cheese, choc ice. D. H. Lawrence “A Personal Memoir”, Brigadier Fitzroy Maclean, M.P. “Escape to Adventure”.
Monday 5th September 1949
Very hot.
Breakfast 8. Cistern overflowed through my ceiling. Phil away to Kingston Hospital at 8.30. Mrs Bearcroft did a lot of washing. I mopped up in loft. Cold meat and salad. Rests. Mrs Bearcroft again at 6 to iron. Wrote Phil Carr. Omelette. Phil phoned. To post with combs.
Tuesday 6th September 1949
Hot. Wore Doz’s spotted suit.
Alys and I to Baker Street. I to 119 Bickenhall Mansions. Hill, the carpenter, put up shelf. I put curtain up. Alys shopped and back at 12.45 with fillet and bread. Lunch; then at 2, we to shops for cretonnes and black coat for Alys – Liberty’s, Dickens & Jones, Lewis’, Evans, Jaeger. Coffee at Sagne’s. Revall? Selfridges. To 119 Bickenhall Mansions. Rest. 6.38 to Northwood. Dinner at Durham! 5/– each. Home.
Wednesday 7th September 1949
Cooler. Fine.
Alys and I to Baker Street and then to Haynes in Spring Street. Taxi to Heals. Bus to Bourne & Hollingsworth, lunch there, (3.10 for both). To Lewis’ and Alys decided to buy the black coat. I then to 119 Bickenhall Mansions and Alys phoned Orme. Home at 3.48, changing Harrow (missed the 3.46). Rests. Cynthia Asquith, “D. H. Lawrence As I Knew Him”. Soup, eggs, ice cream.
Thursday 8th September 1949
Warm. Fine.
In garden, and picked apples. Washed clothes. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned bathroom. Tinned beef roll (U.S.) and salad and mayonnaise and our beans. Alys to get rations. Fridge defrosted. I rested. “Mary Lovelace”, 3. At 4 walked to Kingham’s, and Sainsbury’s. Alys in car and back. Cooked apples. Soup, kippers, plums, cheese. UNESCO, “Citizen Of The World”.
Friday 9th September 1949
Dull, but warm.
With Alys to see cretonne at local shop. Mrs Bearcroft came (instead of Cox, to oblige). Tinned galantine and salad, apple purée. In garden. Cut grass by garage with shears. Rested. Alys on terrace. Gardened till 6.45. Cheese omelette (Alys made). Vegetable minestrone soup first, choc ices.
Saturday 10th September 1949
Lovely day.
I turned out big bag. Drawer re. pile of stuff to give and throw away. Alys to shops. Both to Durham 1.15. Gardener took Bromley seedlings (about 20) down, most with holes. Went on arranging piece-drawer. In garden. Parsley soup, grilled herrings, apple. “Counsellor At Law”, Elmer Rice. Abraham Sofaer gave him 20 Players.
Memo:
Points period.
8th Sausages – butcher?
9th Wrote Westerman Hilversum, wrote Spalding’s – bulbs.
5th Phil Kingston for week.
5th Berry’s to Aldeburgh.
Sunday 11th September 1949
Lovely day.
In garden, a good deal and also tidying desk, shelves. Cornish pasties, marrow (Elsa’s way), gravy, choc ice. Rests. Reading “A London Girl Of The 1980s” by M. Vivian Hughes. Cold galantine, salad. “Battle for Britain”.
Monday 12th September 1949
Lovely day. Hot.
Phil came home about 11.45. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned my room. I turned out piece-drawer. Hot leg of lamb, mint sauce, French beans, cheese. Rests. Phil in hut. Tea in garden. Gardened and forgot Waterston on “Bird-Watching on Fair Isle”. Soup, mackerel, fruit salad. “The Zone”.
Tuesday 13th September 1949
Fine, breezy.
My 70th birthday. Wrote Violet Ormond and Kitty. Phil to Kingston. Cold sausage and salad, ice cream. Rest. Finished book; sewed. Mrs Hill (of Durham) to tea in garden with Alys 3.40 – 6. Soup, breadcrumbs, tomato and cheese, fruit salad. Phil home after supper.
Wednesday 14th September 1949
Dull.
Fridge defrosted. Looked at exam papers with Phil. He and Alys to Killick with his car (pinking) and rabbit. Mrs Cox didn’t come. Alys took me to station. To 119 Bickenhall Mansions by 3.45. To Whitcomb Street (Hall’s closed). Home at 5. Put away linen. Egg and salad, potato salad, cheese. “Bonnet Over The Windmill”, Dodie Smith.
14th and 15th at 119 Bickenhall Mansions and till 8 on 16th.
Thursday 15th September 1949
Fair. Mild.
Breakfast 9 of dried milk with coffee and brown bread and cheese. Rang up Lanes. Re-did the divan, and rugs, chairs and cushions. Lunch 1.10 Minerva – bready hamburger. Relined drawers. C.H.W.‘s (Wadie) chest. To Classic 3.50 (wrote Ella first) at 4.5 or 10 began “Major Barbara” – Wendy Hiller, Rex Harrison, Emlyn Williams, Sybil Thorndike. Marie Ault. News – traffic problems in U.S.A. Alys and Phil in with milk on the way to Palace.
Saturday 17th September 1949
Fine.
Phil up 8.15 and away to Bethnal Green till about 3.30. Alys to shops. I walked to Boots and got grapes. Made fruit salad. Alys did chocolate filling and icing. We had cold mince lunch, and hot mince supper. Phil had fishcakes. Wrote Amy Steel. “Keep Murder Quiet” by Lance Sieveking, Leslie Perrino.
Memo:
12th Laundry
14th Letter to Violet Ormond.
13th My 70th birthday (quite unbelievable!)
15th Alys and Phil to Palace – Twistington-Higgins?
Pound devalued to £1 = $2.80, $2.80 instead of $4.03
14 countries devalued.
Sunday 18th September 1949
Fine.
Wrote Jim Archer. Got spinach. Alys made rabbit pie. Letter to Mrs Thornton (Doris). Phil in hut, reading for exam. Phil and I cleaned out green hut. Cripps broadcast pound devalued.
Monday 19th September 1949
Fine.
Took Doz’s counterpane to Achille Serre. Sent off Amy Steel‘s letter. Mrs. Bearcroft cleaned sitting room. Mrs Hill 12 – 2 and we had lunch in dining room. Altered grey flannel skirt. Tea in hut. Gardener 5 – 7. Bonfire, digging, honeysuckle off window. Haddock. “Prize Novel”, Edward Bourdet.
Tuesday 20th September 1949
Fine.
Made fruit salad and in garden and hut. Phil reading in hut. Mrs Hill 12 – 2, spoiled Alys’ rissoles and Queen of pudding. Rested, slept in p.m. Swept out hut. Phil did lawns. Lemon soles grilled, fruit salad. “The Prison Without Bars”.
Wednesday 21st September 1949
(no weather)
Phil read in hut. Mrs Hill cooked liver and onions and bacon, steamed treacle pudding. At 4 all in JLN to 119 Bickenhall Mansions. Phil off to St Bartholomew’s Hospital to Henry Bunge. Alys made beds up. I home bus and train (by 7.45 got home). Colliver Fisher. Alys and Phil slept at 119 Bickenhall Mansions. I egg, cheese, salad and ice cream. “The Happy Man”, Norman Ginsbury.
24th Russians have an Atom Bomb.
Alys and Phil at 119 Bickenhall Mansions – 21st to 22nd.
Thursday 22nd September 1949
Warm showers.
Phil to Smart and monitored all day. Mrs Bearcroft. James phoned “goodbye”. Scroggs at 10.45. I at 119 Bickenhall Mansions. On to 23 Carlyle Mansions. Wonderful lunch with Violet Ormond. Gave her Doz’s keepsake. Away 2.45. Collected and saw Nellie Moir. Home to 119 Bickenhall Mansions. Rested. Began supper, but Phil in to get basket and phoned Alys who said get supper, so Phil and I to Canutos, about 8. Slept at 119 Bickenhall Mansions. Phil home. Got nylon waterproof at West’s.
Friday 23rd September 1949
Warm.
Cleaned up and opened inlaid box. Tore up old papers and lettercards. Shut it with key inside! Nellie Moir at 12. Back to Club to lunch with her. To 42 Cornhill, Dodds. Took clock. Introduced by Captain Bigg of Melsonby. Changed 1lb sugar at at Green Lizard for ?lb chocolate at 5/3 per lb. Home at 5. New map 14/11 at Selfridges. Supper. To Northwood by 7.50. Alys and Phil met me. “In Good King Charles’es Golden Days”. Shaw.
Saturday 24th September 1949
Fair, warm.
To shops; got peaches, peas, grapes. To Bank. Home. Made fruit salad. Alys cooked chicken and French beans in Presto. Rest. Tea in hut. All to Eva and Teddy‘s 5.30 – 7. Eve in bed 99°F and toothache. Teddy chopping wood (electric). Soup, eggs, spaghetti. “Annie Get Your Gun”, “Morning Departure”.
Memo:
1lb sugar banked at Green Lizard.
French fr.980 to £1.
19th Berry’s back from Aldeburgh.
22nd Nellie Moir till 24th.
22nd Violet Ormond, 21 Carlisle Mansions 1 o’clock.
23rd Kit back.
21st Susie back.
19th Wrote Amy Steel, airmail.
Account Lillerton’s – bedspread.
Alys and Phil – 119 Bickenhall Mansions 25th – 26th.
Phil’s exams all 26th.
Parliament recalled for Debate on Devaluation and Vote of Confidence.
Sunday 25th September 1949
Very fine and warm.
In garden a good bit. Phil in hut? but mostly worked at lathe. Alys cooked beef joint and beans, fruit salad. Listened “House Of Strangers”, radio adaptation of movie. Tea in sitting room. Cold mince shape. Phil and Alys to 119 Bickenhall Mansions, as exams (Membership) 26th at 9:30. Algernon Blackwood “On Being Eighty”, “The Battle Of The Atlantic”.
Monday 26th September 1949
Good. Fair. Very warm.
Phil‘s exam. Mrs. Bearcroft claim. In EYT to park Post Office. To 119 Bickenhall Mansions by 10.46. Alys in (from Bank) and Eva at 12. All 3 to Club, lunch. Nellie Moir and Janet and Francesca there). Eva and I to Jay’s, Marshall’s, Selfridges. Taxi to Fortnum’s. Met Alys there (changing sugar for chocolate). Taxi to 119 Bickenhall Mansions. Eva home 3.23. I to Northwood. Got haddock, High Street. Gardener came. Alys and Phil at 6.50. Supper. Bed.
Tuesday 27th September 1949
Fine. Cooler.
In garden a good deal. Phil in hut, and at lathe. Mrs Hill made apple Charlotte (cold beef and salad). In p.m., I to Boots and Carey’s and got oranges. Scroggs finished job for new plug in kitchen. Men from Hawkins for system. Chicken soup, mince and rice, beans, ices. Wrote Ella re. budgie.
Wednesday 28th September 1949
Fine. Warm.
Phil‘s 36th birthday. He in green hut working, and to fill up cans with petrol. Mrs Bearcroft in a.m., washed and cleaned. Mrs Hill cooked guinea fowl. I sorted stockings, and in garden. To get our rations in EYT. Made chocolate mousse for supper. Soup and kippers. “Queen Elizabeth”, Edith Evans by Hugh Ross Williamson.
Thursday 29th September 1949
Warm, fine, (dull a.m.)
Phil away at 9.30 in JLN to Acton where his clinical exam took place. Alys to shops. Sweep came. Fridge defrosted. Mrs Hill brought and cooked plaice fillets, and jam tarts. I changed glove and belt drawers. To change tea at Kingham’s. Phil home (after Motor Show in p.m.). Savoury rice, cauliflower gratin. Phil to Mount Vernon after supper till 10 to meeting.
Friday 30th September 1949
Fine.
Nellie phoned, a cold so postponed. Spent all day putting in bulbs which arrived from Spalding‘s. Phil working all day in green hut. Mrs Hill cooked soles, and brought meringues as present (and cakes). Tea in hut. Alys fried rest of soles in evening. Melon bitter (green kind). “Frolic Wind”. Finish Doz’s mat (burnt one). “We Beg To Differ”.
Saturday 1st October 1949
Fine. Cooler.
Alys to Sissie’s in car and lunch at Golders Green Restaurant there. I put bulbs in front garden, and washed things. Phil and I to Durham, and then Northwood for nurseries to get flower pots, and ordered ceanothus and pelagonium. Gardener 2 – 6.30 (or near 7 – nearly dark). Meat rissoles, bread sauce, mashed potato, treacle tart. “Devonshire Cream”, Eden Phillpotts. Phil at lathe all day.
Memo:
28th Laundry.
26th Phil‘s exam.
29th Phil‘s clinical exam (for membership a.m. R.C.P. (Royal College of Physicians)
29th Rent paid £40.
20th 29th sausages, butcher.
28th Phil’s 36th birthday.
30th Planted bulbs.
27th Wrote Ella re. budgie’s death.
29th Sweep.
30th Nellie Moir to lunch.
Sunday 2nd October 1949
Fine. Midday – hot sun. Cool a.m. and p.m.
Kit, Kath and George to sit on terrace and drinks. To lunch 1.30 Orchard. Eva and Eve, Dougal over in CVC to tea. Also Helen and Tony in his new Standard car. Helen and Tony stayed to supper. Eggs and ice cream and éclairs. Nigel Balchin on “The Uses of Criticism”. Hinds Howell phoned.
Monday 3rd October 1949
Very hot and fine. Sun.
Alys and Phil to town (Phil to fix courses for term). Alys hairdo. They chose dressing gown for Phil’s birthday and stuff for settee and chair covers. Mrs Bearcroft here. I washed things and made orange-salad. Alys and Phil home 4.45. I weeded on lawn. Galantine veal, mushrooms on toast, fruit salad.
Tuesday 4th October 1949
Very warm and fine.
I to town by 10.20. To 119 Bickenhall Mansions and out to buy lampshade. (Berwick Street) and searching for coffee pot. Soho, (lunch at Club). Law 17/6. Bought pullover in Berwick Street. Bus to 119 Bickenhall Mansions with supper from Lyons (Coventry Street). 8.5 to Northwood. Phil met me at phone box. “Justice in Other Lands – France, The Case of Henri Désiré Landru”. Peter Pears and Benjamin Britten “Dichterliebe”.
Wednesday 5th October 1949
Warm and fine.
Alys to shops. I defrosted Fridge – OK. Mrs Hill’s rabbit pie; very good. Alys and Phil to town – Phil’s refill. Fixing Chinese coat blouse. Planted pinks (from Grogano’s). Eva phoned re. Teddy‘s two months’ course. Sausage and potato and soup, ice cream. “Egmont”, Stephen Murray, Part 1 downstairs. Part 2 upstairs, sewed. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Beethoven – grand.
6th Phil told by Dr Smart that Scadding said he’d passed his “clinical”.
Thursday 6th October 1949
Fog a.m. Very fine and hot later.
Mrs Bearcroft cleaned kitchen. I transplanted primroses, and repotted cineraria. Mrs Hill did baked sole: very good. Mrs Bearcroft again at 2.15. Washed and then cleaned Phil‘s hut out. Alys and Phil home at 2.30. Rested, slept. Tea and hut. Garden till dark, 7.20. Kedgeree. Eva phoned re. Teddy‘s possible two month course. Eve two teeth out with gas and bitten by Polly (parrot).
Friday 7th October 1949
Fair. Warmish.
All a.m. cleaning up “What Happened To The Corbetts” (from Bethnal Green Library). Mrs Hill cooked round of beef, cauliflower, semolina pudding. Rest (after going to get chocolate biscuits and spend points). All Great Missenden. Eva alone. Back at 7.45 (went at 5.30). Cold meats, salami.
Saturday 8th October 1949
Fair. Some sun.
Alys very bad night. Made fruit salad – apples, pears, bananas, oranges. Went to buy black grapes; in car again for cheese. Rabbit pie heated, French beans, cheese. Gardener cut grass and took up dead hawthorne and dug bed. I planted three stocks, and three aquilegia (bought at door 4/–). Soup, soft roes on toast, fruit salad. “The Jungle is Neutral”, Colonel F. Spencer Chapman 7.45. “Alien Corn” by Sidney Howard.
Memo:
Points period.
3rd Alys potted azalea from garden.
5th Alys and Phil to 119 Bickenhall Mansions for night.
6th Joiner at 10.
P.m. Phil’s refill and course 9.30,
6th Heart Hospital.
6th I planted out seedling delphiniums.
Alys and Phil to 119 Bickenhall Mansions 9th night and 12th.
Sunday 9th October 1949
Fair, warm.
Thunder and rain in night. All of us in JLN to Bedford Arms, (Chorleywood 434) at Cherries. Good. 1 o’clock. Walk to ford over stream. Home by lanes, exploring. Rest. Phil at lathe. Tea indoors. All poached eggs, lemon meringue pie. Alys and Phil to 119 Bickenhall Mansions at 8. I to bed and listened. “Is He Popenjoy?” and the “The Trial of Daniel M’Naughton” – M’Naghten Rules” (re-murder and insanity).
Monday 10th October 1949
Fair. Some sun.
Mrs Bearcroft cleaned my room, and Phil’s. I washed table napkins and bags, and cleared out boxes, and took Alys’ dispatch box to loft. Cold beans and hard-boiled egg for lunch. Ironed in p.m., and in garden. Alys phoned and I met her in car at 4.25, Moor Park. Rests. Kippers and pie. German wireless out of order. “The Siren” about George Sand and Alfred de Musset on Vidor. Phil to George Buchanan’s to dinner.
Tuesday 11th October 1949
Heavy showers, warm.
Phil working. Alys and I Northwood Hills. Got 9d battery for Vidor. Mrs Hill made apple cracknel. Cold beef and salad. Phil away to in car. I cleaned out reels of cotton drawer. Short rest. Kippers, fruit salad. Gladys Aylwood, “The Undefeated”, missionary-parlour maid in Chinese. “The Roof” by John Galsworthy.
Wednesday 12th October 1949
Fine.
De-frosted Fridge. In garden. Picked spinach (with mince and macaroni for lunch). Alys and Phil and JLN to 119 Bickenhall Mansions at 2 o’clock. Mrs Hill here. I sorted out jewels to take to Dodd. To get rations and ice cream. Soup, cold meats salad, ice cream. To bed 8.30. “Paul Temple”, “Have A Go”, Bolton. (Got “magenta” plant after dark).
Phil heard he has passed written part of Membership exam, too (14th). Taken on 26th.
Thursday 13th October 1949
Fair, mild.
I planted stolen “magenta” roots. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned kitchen. I to 119 Bickenhall Mansions by 11.16 train. Alys there, and Phil came into lunch there. I to Club to lunch. Met Kath and Kit accidentally. To Selfridges and bought mattress (internal spring, £6). Tube to Bank. To Dodds 2.15. Hour or so with Major Dodd and Mr Thurlow. Cheque for 77.17.6 for old gold and rings. To 119 Bickenhall Mansions. Alys and Phil again, and then they drove back to Northwood 5.45. I liver sausage, pear, oranges, Heinz soup. Max Beerbohm, “Quia Imperfectum” on Goethe’s portrait.
Friday 14th October 1949
Fine. Mild.
Alys phoned – Phil passed 1st part exam! I to Hawkins, Lisson Grove, Auction (met Kit there) – her family furniture and my pair of curtains. We had lunch at Bun Café. Home and in all p.m. Alys came about 5 and Phil 515 (he’d been at Charing Cross in museum of bottle specimens). They left at 5.45, after coffee and I had supper – egg and cheese and then at 6.30 to Coliseum – “Annie Get Your Gun”, Dolores Grey (Irving Berlin). Home 10.45.
Saturday 15th October 1949
Fine. Mild.
Stayed in all a.m. Prepared beds, and at 12.30 new mattress arrived. To Club, to lunch. Read papers there. Back (walked) to 119 Bickenhall Mansions. Cleaned floors and re-covered pillow with underslip (Phil). 6.38 express to Moor Park. Phil met me 7.7. Soup (chicken), grilled herrings, ice and chocolate sauce. “The Constant Wife”, Maugham with Pamela Brown (“The Lady’s Not For Burning”).
Memo:
13th To 119 Bickenhall Mansions for night?
14th Sale with Kit.
9th Alys and Phil to 119 Bickenhall Mansions, and 12th till 13th.
13th Dodds 2? p.m. or 13th.
The Diaries of my Great-Great-Aunt Kate 