1950 – Northwood, Broadway, Sherborne, Edinburgh, Kelso

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If on a Spring night I went by
And God were standing there,
What is the prayer that I would cry
To Him? This is the prayer:

O Lord of Courage grave,
O Master of this night of Spring!
Make firm in me a heart too brave
To ask thee anything!

John Galsworthy – Written out for Dorothy Barnard by M. E. James 1943.

In case of accident report to: Dr D. P. Embleton at Northwood 1356

Name: Katharine Boyd`
Address: 12 Grove Road, Northwood, Middlesex,
and 119 Bickenhall Mansions Baker Street W1
Telephone: Wellbeck 6522 and Northwood 1356

Sunday 1^st January 1950

Dullish. Fair.
Slept night of 31^st at Berry‘s. 9 missed breakfast. 10 James and Dougal with me to station. 10.36 to Northwood. Alys and Phil home from 119 Bickenhall Mansions in JLN at 10 o’clock. Cold turkey and ham. Wrote Sissie and to post. Rest. Tea. Cold ham supper. “Virginians”, 8.30. “Pillars Of Society”, Ibsen.

Monday 2^nd January 1950

Dull. Fair.
Phil‘s Tea 7.30. Breakfast 8. Alys and Phil in UMX to town. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned Alys’ room. I 10.46 to Baker Street. To Bank, and to pay rent at office, and electricity bill and voting register. To get milk at Hall’s. Met Alys at Rialto 12.30, 6/– seats. “The Third Man, Orson Wells. Alys home to Northwood. I stayed night 119 Bickenhall Mansions. Boiled egg.

Tuesday 3^rd January 1950

Dull. Mild.
Got wireless license. Alys phoned – wretched letter from Sissie; and Kitty, bronchial pneumonia. Lunch at Club. To British Museum to see Sutton Hoo burial things. Back to 119 Bickenhall Mansions. Tidied bookcase drawers; maps, puzzles. Rested. Two boiled eggs. “Now It Can Be Told – Rendezvous in Crete”, kidnapping German general by two young British officers. Slept at 119 Bickenhall Mansions.

Wednesday 4^th January 1950

Dull, mild.
Phil phoned. I did silver in Polivil? Housework. Lunch at Vienna Café (arcade) 2/– and 6^d tip. Dusted in p.m. Wrote Kitty. Phil called for me in UMX at 4.40. Drove back to Northwood. Rabbit pie and salad, potatoes in jackets. Portuguese book. “The Riddle Of The Sands”.

Thursday 5^th January 1950

Fair.
Letter from Sissie to Alys. Phil’s tea at 8. Breakfast 8.30. He at home; read in hut a.m. brazing in hut p.m. To shops. Post Office sponge fingers. Mrs. Bearcroft clean sitting room. Mrs Hill rabbit pie and fish pie. Alys drove us in JLN to St Albans. Sissie seemed very bright. Home by 4.10. All sent applications for car licenses (Alys and I £5 a standard ration) ½ duty. Savoury rice, cold bacon, orange jelly. Phil to Mount Vernon Hospital.

Friday 6^th January 1950

Fine, windy, cooler.
Phil‘s tea at 7.45. He and Alys in UMX to town. Alys to 119 Bickenhall Mansions and then to Kitty’s. Phil to Queen Square, nerve diseases. I washed and ironed napkins. To Boots, changed books, got oxalic acid. Mrs Hill came. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned kitchen in p.m. I wrote Ella; and Post Office for “Sailing In A Nutshell” 6/4. Alys back at 4. Rest. Phil back 5.30. Fried fish.

Saturday 7^th January 1950

Mild. Dull.
Alys to shops early in car. I later to get kippers and ices. Phil got beer and to Mount Vernon Hospital. Alys cooked roast veal loin. In p.m., I cleaned copper scuttle with all oxalic acid (2 oz in a pint). Gardener ‘flu. Phil rheumatism. Alys made onion soup with cheese. All to bed 8.30-ish. Cath phoned re. Nursing Home for Kitty.

Memo:
“The Late Edwina Black”.
5^th Mrs Bearcroft a.m. and p.m. (Kit nurse?).
6^th Mrs Bearcroft a.m.
6^th Alys to Kitty’s.

10^th I slept 119 Bickenhall Mansions.
8^th, 9^th, 11^th – Alys and Phil 119 Bickenhall Mansions.

Sunday 8^th January 1950

Fair, mild.
Phil to meet with Whiz (Eustace Cooke-Yarborough) at Moor Park. They went later in UMX to lunch at Abbey Hotel and see the Berry’s. Alys and I lunch at home. Wrote Amy Steel. Rest. Tea. “Imaginary Conversations – Maisie”. Supper in kitchen. Alys and Phil and Whiz to town 8.30. Alys and Phil slept at 119 Bickenhall Mansions. “Personal Pleasures – The Long Furrow”, Walter Elliot.

Monday 9^th January 1950

Fair.
Alys phoned. Read her Sissie‘s letter. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned my room. I wrote Sissie, and to Post Office with it and washcloth. Cold veal chop and sprouts. Rested in p.m. on sofa. “The Paying Guest”, George Blake 2.35. Phoned Ernest Vernor Miles, and posted him Sissie’s investments. “An Enemy Of The People”, Ibsen – set in Scotland by Lindsay Galloway. Tommy Handley’s Memorial.

Tuesday 10^th January 1950

Fair, some sun.
Defrosted Fridge. Kit phoned. Mrs Hill cooked fish (and salad) lunch. At 3.13 train to Baker Street. With Alys at 119 Bickenhall Mansions till Phil came, and they to Northwood. To Warner’s to see “Task Force”, Gary Cooper (U.S. Air Force). Home at 9.20 to 119 Bickenhall Mansions. “The English Novel”. Slept at 119 Bickenhall Mansions.

Wednesday 11^th January 1950

Fairish, damp, mild.
At 10, came Eva, Eve and James – Eva and James to shop for jacket (lumber). Eve and I at flat and then to Club. Eva and James there and all had lunch. Eve and I bus to whole Holtzapffel. They all home at 3.58. I to Society Antiquaries– lecture on problem of Sutton Hoo Cenotaph – Robert Bruce-Mitford. Dinner Club with Alys. To Northwood 8.16 about.

Alys and Phil 119 Bickenhall Mansions 12^th.

Thursday 12^th January 1950

Fair. Fog in town. Fine here.
Mrs Bearcroft a.m. sitting room, p.m. kitchen. I to Kitty’s 12 – 1 (Nurse there). Lunch at Vienna Café, bottom of Frognal (opposite) 2/6 + 6^d. Home by 2.15 and got rations at Kingham’s. Rest. Fishcakes and Smith’s crisps. Alys phoned. Radio Awards (National Radio Awards Presentation), Daily Mail in memory of Tommy Handley.

Friday 13^th January 1950

Fair, some sun.
Letters from Cleugh and Sissie. Phoned them to Alys (she went to Brent Bridge Nursing Home). I to buy fruit. Mrs Hill boiled a fowl, baked fillets and she and I had sausages and chips. Made fruit salad all p.m. Wrote a.m. to Sissie and Mr Friend, giving notice for Wednesday. Alys and Phil home at 7.20. Fillets with cheese and bread. Chicken soup(Lusty 1.8).

Saturday 14^th January 1950

Fair, mild.
Alys to shops then I, and met Alys and drove home with choc ices. Lunch at Durham. Marguerite Marwood there. Phil took her to Kingston in UMX and out to tea. Alys and I to Watford and tried to buy dressing for Sissie. Cooke pruned trees. Phil back at 6. Sausage, bacon and eggs 7.30, fruit salad. “Musical Chairs”.

Memo:
8^th Whiz lunch.
11^th Eva, James and Eve to 119 Bickenhall Mansions 10.30-ish. Lunch Club.
11^th Archaeological Sutton Hoo 4.30.
11^th Alys and Phil 119 Bickenhall Mansion, Bunge 6.30 to 8.
12^th Alys and Phil 119 Bickenhall Mansions again – Phil Chang party.

Alys and Phil 15^th and 18^th 119 Bickenhall Mansions

Sunday 15^th January 1950

Dull, damp, mild.
Phil to Blennerhassett, but wrong day. Wrote Ella (with Ernest Vernor Miles’ letter) and Ernest re. Sissie and Lois re. Taunton. Cold fowl and salad. Alys and I St Albans to see Sissie and get nightgowns. Home to tea. Eva cold and sore throat. Cold tinned sausage supper. Alys and Phil to 119 Bickenhall Mansions. “Virginians”. “Personal Pleasures – Water”, G. B. Stern.

Monday 16^th January 1950

Fine.
Washed clothes. Mrs. Bearcroft cleaned Alys’ room. I to Boots, and to post rubber boots to Peacock. Mrs Hill made brown casserole of chicken and baked fillets. Alys back at 4 o’clock, Phil back about 6.45. Fish au gratin. Dolly Willis had to be phoned to. “The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle”.

Tuesday 17^th January 1950

Cold wind. Fine.
Phil tea 7.45, breakfast 8.20, to Queen Square. Alys to meet Eve (Eva with James to go to school). I made pumpkin for pie (from Dorothy Ellerton.) Mrs Bearcroft cleaned Phil‘s room. Mrs Hill, chicken casserole. At 3, Alys took Eve to Moor Park. Phil back 5.20. Alys phoned Helen (Phil talked of fluid). Herrings and Welsh rarebit, nuts. “Justice In Other Lands – Ashanti” Doctor case. Lois phoned.

Wednesday 18^th January 1950

Fine.
Phil away (pack for Aldeburgh weekend). Mrs Hill warmed up chicken and pumpkin. Alys and I in Pascoe car to St Albans 2.15. Sissie had tea 3, packed her up and took her to 6 Heather Gardens. On by bus to 119 Bickenhall Mansions. At 6 to Wimpole Street Post Office, then Club and dined there (Alys and I). I Northwood by 8.50. “The Riddle Of The Sands” at 9. Alys and Phil at 119 Bickenhall Mansions (Bunge).

Alys and Phil at 119 Bickenhall Mansions 19^th. Phil weekend Aldeburgh.

Thursday 19^th January 1950

White frost. Dull, cold.
Phil’s Busch set taken to be repaired. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned all around. Alys back, and Dolly Willis (from Tony’s) up to lunch; Mrs Hill brought leg of mutton. Dolly stayed for tea. I too Post Office – letter to Kitty. Alys and Dolly away about 5.30. Alys to 119 Bickenhall Mansions. Phil there. I had soup. Hesketh Pearson on theatrical managers – “The Last Actor-Managers”.

Friday 20^th January 1950

Very cold. Dull.
Mrs Bearcroft cleaned kitchen. I to get rations at Kingham’s at 10 and to get onions and potatoes at 12.30. Welsh rarebit. Listened in and rested in sitting room. Alys home in JLN at 4.30 (called at Sissie’s Nursing Home on way). Kippers for supper in sitting room. Phil to Aldeburgh to Whiz’s.

Saturday 21^st January 1950

Very cold. Dull.
Bought hot bottle and cover 8/6 and took to Sissie at 6 Heather Gardens (bus from Northwood to Lord Albert). Erika there. At 1.15 to Appenrodt and lunch. Back to Northwood Hills to get National Registration Number – Sissie’s from Matron Llewellyn. Home by bus 183. Rest. Cook, bonfire. Soup stew (chicken sausage). Churchill broadcast, political. “The Moonraker”, Arthur Watkyn, Griffith Jones

Memo:
17^th Wrote Eva de Baeremaecker.
16^th Rubber boots, slippers and tea to Mrs. Peacock.
17^th James back to school. Pay Erika – Alys paid with my 2.10.
19^th Dolly Willis.
18^th Take Sissie to 6 Heather Gardens from St Albans.
20^th Phil to Aldeburgh – stay at Whiz Cooke-Yarborough.

Alys (and Phil from Aldeburgh with Whiz) at 119 Bickenhall Mansion – 22^nd.

Sunday 22^nd January 1950

A little warmer.
Green woodpecker on lawn. Wrote Ernest Vernor Miles re. Sissie and Amy Steel for Fluke parcel. Alys’ curry, and meatball, ice and coffee sauce. Alys in JLN to 119 Bickenhall Mansions, at 3.40. I planted the fennel from Dorothy Ellerton. Read. Soup, sausages, grapefruit. “Heloise”, James Forsyth (Pamela Brown, Robert Harris).

Monday 23^rd January 1950

Fine, cold later.
Defrosted Fridge. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned sitting room. I to Boots and also got fruit and ices. Two Cornish pasties and spinach (from garden). Made fruit salad all p.m. “The Paying Guest”, George Blake (“Woman’s Hour”) 2.30. Alys home 4. “Mrs Dale’s Diaries”. Phil home from Connaught House at 6.30. Meatballs, chips, cauliflower au gratin.

Tuesday 24^th January 1950

Fair, cold.
Tea 7.45 Phil. Phil to Queen Square in UMX 9. Alys to shops. Mrs Hill cooked cod for us and five minutes pudding. Mrs Bearcroft in p.m. Washed Phil‘s wools. Alys dried in bathroom. Alys and I and JLN to meet Philip Ruislip Gardens (UMX left at Allard). Tea. Alys cooked teal and plover. Monte Carlo Rally. Fred Mills beaten by Joe Maxim – Cruiser heavyweight (boxing).

Wednesday 25^th January 1950

Dull. Cold.
Tea 7.45. Alys away with Phil in JLN to town. Mrs Hill cooked toad in hole. I to buy apples. On sofa in sitting room. Wrote Ella and to post 5.30. Monte Carlo Rally snowstorms.

Alys’ washbasin frozen up. Free on Saturday a.m.

Thursday 26^th January 1950

Very cold. Fog. Sun a.m.
Mrs Bearcroft in a.m. Mrs Hill warmed up pies. Alys phoned. I washed things and strips for Phil‘s vest. At 1.15 to Brent by bus 1/2 and to see Sissie. Tea with her. Took Golden Lion and Bliss books. To Food Office, Golders Green and got Sissie’s sweet ration page replaced. Bus home, at 5.30. “Town Forum” at Bruges.

Friday 27^th January 1950

Hard frost all day.
Phoned Phil re. letter and Alys asked me to go, and return in car. Mrs Hill came and made a stew (Mrs Bearcroft in p.m., kitchen). I by 12 train to 119 Bickenhall Mansions. Alys and I lunched Crawford Street patisserie. Phil in at 3 and all drove home. Tea. Tomato soup and haddock and fruit salad supper. Mrs Cowley in for our subscriptions to Conservatives, 2/6 each.

Saturday 28^th January 1950

Alys and Phil (shops) and then to fetch Allard. Stew, biscuits. Rests. (I first post with eggboxes and got petrol coupon book BHN and lemon squash). Tea. Alys fried fillets of plaice and potatoes, ice cream and coffee sauce. “Inquest”, Michael Barringer, good.

Memo:
26^th Kitty back from Convalescent Home.
24^th Erikca.
22^nd Wrote Amy Steel for Fluke parcel.
25^th Wrote Ella.

Alys and Phil 119 Bickenhall Mansions – 29^th, 31^st, 1^st, 2^nd nights.

Sunday 29^th January 1950

Fine, frosty.
All to Little Abbey Hotel at 12.45 lunch. In UMX. Back through Great Hampden and High Wycombe (90 or 91 mph once). Rests. Tea. Alys’ fishcakes, and sausages. Alys and Phil to 119 Bickenhall Mansions at 8.15.

Monday 30^th January 1950

Milder. Damp.
Mrs Bearcroft cleaned my room. I to Bank and Boots and Carey’s and Salmon’s – pudding basins. Mrs Hill made meat pie and apples. Alys to see Sissie (from 119 Bickenhall Mansions) and back here at 6 by bus. Phil back JLN at 7 (Connaught House). All to bed early.

Tuesday 31^st January 1950

Mild, rainy.
Tea 745. Phil and Alys to town 9 a.m. in JLN. Mrs Bearcroft in p.m. – stairs, halls and dining room. I made tangerine and grapefruit marmalade a.m. 2lb from tin 1/3. Made 2½ marmalade. To get Listener and Elizabeth Shaw (three boxes!) p.m. 6.3. Sewed and darned. “Vanish Underground”, “Party Political Broadcast”, Frank Byers Liberal. “Mr Hartington Died Tomorrow”.

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Wednesday 1^st February 1950

Raw, dull.
Wrote Ella (enclosing papers re. Sissie, Ernest Vernor Miles). Mrs Hill came. I to post on letters, and bought blue scuttle for slack 15/11 at Salmon’s. Kit phoned. Wrote Leyel for appointment. Darned. “The Great Adventure”, Arnold Bennett. Edward Chapman as Liam Carve. “Have A Go” at London Zoo.

Thursday 2^nd February 1950

Dull. Rain. Wind.
Mrs Bearcroft washed Phil‘s flannels. Drying all day in bathroom. I to get Durozone and meet Mrs Hinds-Howell and heard Phil only failed by one mark!! Mrs Hill made cake, and fish lunch. Ernest Vernor Miles phoned re. Potter (Huson Watts) and I phoned Phil (exam). Alys rang me later. Phil Carr on Sargent (“A Portrait Of Sargent”).

Friday 3^rd February 1950

Dull, windy, mild.
Mrs Hill brought rabbit to do; we had scrambled eggs. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned kitchen p.m. I (taking scuttle to Salmon’s, it had a hole in it) to 119 Bickenhall Mansions (Marylebone!). Talk with Alys there. Spray for bath. Phil about 4.30. They away. I out for papers, and choc ices. Quiet evening. Snapshots in album.

Saturday 4^th February 1950

Mild. Showers.
Buses to Sissie at 6 Heather Gardens. With her about 1 hour, then 13 from Prince Albert to Oxford Circus 7^d. Lunch at Club. Home. Looked through drawers. Alys phoned, Phil acute cold in head and throat. Cheese and crescent and cake. To Classic queue about 8.15 2/9, “Homecoming”, Clark Gable, Lana Turner till 11 p.m.

Memo:
New points 29^th.
29^th Ernest to Sissie?
2^nd Lecture – Faints and Fits 8.10. Alys and Phil at 119 Bickenhall Mansions.
31^st Phil’s refill.
2^nd Gasman 2 – 4 p.m.
4^th Killick to measure for battery 9.30 – 10.

Sunday 5^th February 1950

Sun a.m. Rain later.
Alys phoned, Phil much better (new U.S. remedy). All day cleaning and fixing looking glasses, tiles. Out to lunch at Dutch Oven at 1.20. Made Phil‘s bed up. Washed stepladder. (Chocolate to Sissie). Back at 5.35 Colliver Fisher.

Monday 6^th February 1950

Dull, rain.
Mrs Bearcroft cleaned Alys’ room. Phil breakfast in dressing gown and back to bed till teatime. I to Post Office and brought coal scuttle back. Mrs Hill cooked fish and apple. Rest in p.m. Tea. Election boy called. Alys made salmon fish soufflé. Eden speech. “Six to Ten”, Darrell Wilde, Hugh Burden.

Tuesday 7^th February 1950

Fine a.m. Drizzle later.
Phil indoors all day. Mrs Hill gave him chicken lunch. Alys and I in JLN to collect Eva‘s covers at Pickering’s. On to Cresta, Heath Street, lunch. To 50 Erskine Hill. Talk with Erika, and Huson Watts at 2. (Potters) to survey house. Home by 4. Tea. Wrote Nellie Moir, re. Erika: and to Sissie. Phoned Lois. Grilled herrings. Samba, Samba, Samba.

Wednesday 8^th February 1950

Fine a.m. Dull later.
Alys sore throat (taking histanton). We to post Eva‘s covers, and shops. I to Mrs Bennett re. Erika. Mrs Hill, liver and bacon all three of us in sitting room. Rest. Alys had tea upstairs, and supper too, but made fruit salad. Soup, cold chicken.

11^th Lord Woolton’s Election Broadcast.

Thursday 9^th February 1950

Rain and gales.
Alys got up to breakfast. Better. I at 10.15 to see Sissie, by bus. Phoned Dr Stratford, Hatch End 89. Erika at Sissie’s. Miss Llewellyn‘s offer of room furniture. Lunch at Golders Green, Under the Bridge. To 50 Erskine Hill. Packed papers, scarves. Home by buses: at 6. Rested, and Hoyle on Red Giants – “The Nature of the Universe – The Sun and the Stars”. Alys cooked haddock, and macaroni cheese.

Friday 10^th February 1950

Rain and wind.
Phil walked to haircut. Alys took me in JLN to Bank and then Baker Street (119 Bickenhall Mansions). Had lunch, tunny fish and toast. Out to Selfridges. Got food bags (Parosan). To Post Office to complain. To Leyel at 3. To Dorlou’s chocolates., To Times. Bought “Laughter In the Next Room” 10/6 and Hughes to 1900, 5/–. Supper at flat. Chicken galantine, cheese. 7.14 to Northwood.

Saturday 11^th February 1950

Wind, showers.
Alys and Phil took me in JLN to 6 Heather Gardens (they to Grogono wedding). I with Sissie (lists) to 1. To Teahouse to lunch. 2.50 Erskine Hill. Lois came. Books, pictures, china, papers. About 4.30 Alys and Phil called for me. Home. Rest. Supper. Lord Woolton.

Memo:
10^th Leyel 3 p.m. Manchester Square.
9^th 2.30 Thursday, Huson Watts at 50 Eskine Hill
11^th Grogono’s wedding.

14^th Good election broadcast – Dr Charles Hill, radio doctor.
15^th Ernest Bevin – dull.

Sunday 12^th February 1950

Fine early, rain all p.m. Gales.
Alys and Phil and I in UMX to Little Abbey Hotel. Met Eva, Teddy and Eve. Lunch (£2.5.0 for all; Alys and Phil and I 15/– each). We took Eve onto house through Wendover. Home via Little Gaddesden. Tea. New guessing game (Who’s Who). Letter of alphabet – person’s name. Phil to supper Blennerhassett. Alys and I sardines. Phil back at 10.30 and he and Alys to 119 Bickenhall Mansions for night. I finished “Laughter in the Next Room” by Osbert Sitwell.

Monday 13^th February 1950

Rain.
Mrs Bearcroft cleaned sitting room. I to 50 Erskine Hill by 11 train. Packed and sorted. To Teahouse (but closed). To Fleur de Lys, lunch. To 50 Erskine Hill. Alys at 3.30, Phil at 5.30. All of us to Appenrodts at 6.30. Lois met us. Supper and on to Hippodrome (Mikado) 7.30 9/– stalls (Lois gave me mine). Ko-Ko – Martyn Green, Mikado – Darrell Fancourt.

Tuesday 14^th February 1950

Fine a.m. Cold.
Phil’s tea 7.45. He away in UMX at 9. I to shops, ice cream, Boots. Mrs Hill made sausage meat, apples. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned halls. Alys to get petrol. Window cleaner, so no rest till late. Wrote Ella. Phil at 5 took me to Post Office. Alys slept (sore throat). Mixed grill and ice cream. “Justice In Other Lands – USA” – Lizzie Borden case. Dr Charles Hill (National Liberal Conservative) BBC Political Broadcast. Sylvia Lethbridge phoned.

Wednesday 15^th February 1950

Mild, dull.
Phil in JLN to London. Alys phoning re. Erika to Miss Turner, Care Worker. Mrs Hill gave us fish lunch. Alys to meet Erika and Ilse at Golders Green. I made Genoese cake and soup. Kitty phoned. Alys phoned from Club. Supper, sardines. “The Madras House”, Shaw, very good. 3^rd Ernest Bevin election broadcast. Dr Smart rang up.

Pollitt Communist broadcast – 16^th.
Clement Davis – 16^th Liberal
17^th Winston Churchill.
18^th Attlee.

Thursday 16^th February 1950

Mild. Dull. Windy.
Phoned Alys to hear she diarrhoea in night. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned sitting room. I on bus to Prince Albert; Sissie dressing. Left at 1.10 and bus to Baker Street. Lunch at Vienna Café. To 119 Bickenhall Mansions. Alys lying down and headache and gripes still. I lay down 35 minutes. To Foakes 4.15. Back at 5.30. Phil in at about 6.15. All of us in JLN and home to Northwood. Warmed up fried fillets (Alys straight to bed).

Friday 17^th February 1950

Fine. Mild.
Alys diarrhoea still and blood. Phil to town in UMX. I phoned Dr Baker. Tidied. Mrs Hill early, and roasted chicken, vegetables; I made bread sauce and squeezed oranges for Alys. At 12.15 Eva phoned. Mrs. McNulty‘s car broken down in Amersham. However, they arrived about 1.35. Sherry, lunch, coffee. Dr Baker at about 2. Daisy and Eva away 3.15. Mrs Bearcroft fetched medicine and fruit and cleaned kitchen. Phil in about 5.45 (Bond Street and Oxford for tea). Fishcakes. Churchill’s broadcast. “Portrait of James Joyce”.

Saturday 18^th February 1950

Fine. Mild.
Alys in bed all day. Dr Baker at 10.45. Phil to Durham to lunch, first me to High Street for kippers. Petre Crowder speaking in Northwood (perspective Conservative MP). Gardener came! Moved bulbs, and pruned trees. Phil to tea at Eva‘s. Kippers and grapefruit. Fred Hoyle on “The Nature Of The Universe”, 7.40.

Memo:
13^th Cheques to Teddy £50 towards garage, £10 garden trees.
13^th Gilbert and Sullivan this week. 6.30 Appenrodt’s. 7.30 Hippodrome.
14^th 9 a.m Lane & Sons to 50 Erskine Hill.
16^th 4.15 Foakes.
18^th The Nature of the Universe.

Sunday 19^th February 1950

Fair, mild.
Alys in bed all day. Still pains at times. Phil and I in UMX to Little Abbey Hotel and met Eva and Teddy and Eve. Lunch and then to The Coppice. Home at 3. Rest. Tea. Cold chicken, choc ice cream (soup first).

Monday 20^th February 1950

Heavy showers. Mild.
Phil tea at 7.30. Breakfast 8. He off at 8.30 in JLN. Phoned Dr Baker to come. Alys had another horrid turn at 10. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned my room; she fetched John Collis Browne’s chlorodyne. Dr Baker at 11. I took specimen faeces to Pathologist at Mount Vernon Hospital; and to Collins for M&B (dysentery type). Colliver Fisher home. Kippers. Kit phoned. Sissie phoned. Phil in at 6.30. Mince with mashed potatoes, kippers on toast. “The Browning Version”, Terrence Rattigan – Eric Portman Mary Ellis.

Tuesday 21^st February 1950

Fine. Cold.
Alys in bed all day. Dr Baker in a.m. Phil to town early, left at 8.30. Mrs Bearcroft came and washed vests and pants. Mrs Hill cooked fish and Alys had some. I wrote Ella. Made fruit salad and pea soup. Phoned Kitty. Erika phone. Phil at 5.45. Alys had boiled egg and toast. Story of Warsaw Eva and the children she took to France (“The Undefeated – The Mother”).

Wednesday 22^nd February 1950

Fog, then fine.
Alys still in bed all day. Phil at home as fog. Ernest phoned re, Gareis’ solicitors’s letter and his own of March 12^th. Phil and I in car to get rations and petrol. Mrs Bearcroft in a.m., Mrs Hill cooked chicken. Rest in p.m. Ernest phoned again – “Gareis to make offer”. Tea, made soup, kippers, ice cream.

Labour 314
Conservatives 295
Liberal 9
Independent Speaker – Clifton-Brown

Thursday 23^rd February 1950

Dull, showers.
Phil’s tea at 7.30. He away at 8.30 in JLN. Alys in bed till after tea. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned sitting room. I too Boots and Bank and butchers and took Ella‘s cheque. Voted. Mrs Hill made fishcakes for supper. I rested on sofa. Made fruit salad. Phil back at 6.35 (Connaught). He and Alys to vote. I got supper ready. Alys had chicken and gravy. “20 Questions”, “James Joyce” poems – record of his own readings.

Friday 24^th February 1950

Cool.
Listening in to results till 1 a.m, and again woke at 3 a.m. till 4.10 a.m. Labour ahead. Phil to town in UMX. Killicks came for JLN. Sad news of Pascoe. To Boots and butcher. Mrs Hill cooked sausage meat. Alys had fishcake in bed; very busy following results all day. Phil back about 3.35. Neck and neck Conservatives and Labour. No other parties. 7 Liberals. Very exciting all day. I asleep 11.30. Alys awake till 12 for late News.

Saturday 25^th February 1950

Alys down to breakfast. Phil out and brought six or seven papers back. All to lunch – Durham in relays. Eva over in CUC! for half an hour. Killick to talk to Phil and Pascoe‘s man with car JLN. Phil out with Marguerite Marwood to tea and “The Blue Light”. Back about 11. Alys and I soup at 8.

Memo:
End of points period.
23^rd General Election
Polling day 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
22^nd Laundry.
21^st Wrote Elsa re. Kelso (and Sissie’s accounts).
24^th Ilse Gareis to hospital for tonsils.

Alys and Phil 119 Bickenhall Mansions Sunday and Monday nights and Wednesday.

Sunday 26^th February 1950

Fair. Very cold wind.
Alys down to breakfast and all day, but not well yet. She made mince for lunch. 1.30 warmed up leeks. Tartlets. Rest in p.m. on couch. Tea. Alys stayed on bed and no coffee. Phil and I talked about Killick. I wrote lettercard to Sissie; and Ella (re. cheque). Scrambled eggs supper, ice cream. Alys and Phil away at 8.30 in JLN.

Monday 27^th February 1950

Fine. Perfect.
Mrs Bearcroft cleaned Alys’ room. I to buy grapefruit marmalade and made tangerine in it. Washed clothes and napkins and ironed. Phoned Alys. Ernest phoned me. Again to shops for vegetables. Phoned Kitty. Mrs Rothwell phoned re. Sissie. Bunge phoned. Last “The Nature Of The Universe”, Fred Hoyle. “Starlight Hour”, Brian Reece

Tuesday 28^th February 1950

Fine. Frost a.m.
Mrs Hill at 11.30 and made fish pie mixture; sausage meat and leeks at 12.45. I bus at 1.10 to Sissie. 1¼ hours with her at 6 Heather Gardens. Back by 4.50, buses. Alys and Phil had just got back from town. Made soup, and mashed potatoes and grated cheese on fish.

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Wednesday 1^st March 1950

(no weather)
Phil in UMX to town at 9. I wrote Ella re. July dates Kelso. Alys took me to station. To lunch Vienna Café. To 119 Bickenhall Mansions. Out to Burlington House, French landscape exhibition – Claude Poussin and Morisot and Monet. Tea 4.30. Antiquaries Society – Royal Archaeological Institute lecture on petrological identification of stone axes. News and Election ciné pictures – Theatre 6.15 to 7.15. Home to Northwood by 8.15. Supper. Alys and Phil at 119 Bickenhall Mansions.

Thursday 2^nd March 1950

Dull.
Mrs Bearcroft cleaned sitting room. I to Finchley Road. Met Alys at 10.45. In JLN to 50 Erskine Hill. Sorted. Ilse in bed. Builders there. Lunch Teahouse with Lois. P.m. again at 50 Eskine Hill. Goodbye to Erika. Drove to 12 Grove Road with things. To station. Alys to 119 Bickenhall Mansions. Listened to Scottish parties debate – “Taking Stock – Should Scotland Have Her Own Parliament?” Soup and Cornish pasty. Read “Trampled Lilies”.

Friday 3^rd March 1950

Dull.
Alys phoned – Phil a cough. Walked to get rations. Mrs Hill cooked beef steak pudding (mince for us). Felt shivery, rested. Alys and Phil at 3. Tea. To bed. I took No. 9 and then No. 10. On bed till 7 (up after intervals). Sole (as Phil wouldn’t), they had eggs. To bed 8.30. Took No. 10 and felt well in a.m.

Saturday 4^th March 1950

Fine. Mild.
Phil down to all meals in dressing gown. Steak puddings. Gardener came – dug at vegetable bed, lime on it. Rest. Tea in Phil’s bedroom. Kedgeree. Read Fred Hoyle‘s last talk.

Memo:
1^st Antiquaries – stone axes – J. F. S. Stone. 4.30 Tea.
28^th Sissie a.m.
27^th Posted letter to Nelly Moir.
4^th Erika Gareis leaves No. 50.

Alys and Phil 119 Bickenhall Mansions 5^th, 6^th.
President and Madame Auriol’s visit.

Sunday 5th March 1950

Fine, mild, cold in shade.
Phil dressed and sat on veranda in sun a.m. and p.m. Beefsteak pudding, fruit salad. Rest. Tea in Phil’s bedroom. Eggs and kedgeree. Alys and Phil to 119 Bickenhall Mansions at 8. Listened European program 9.50 – 10.15. Cold very stuffy.

Monday 6th March 1950

Fine.
Phil phoned (staying tonight). I phoned Ernest Vernor Miles, and wrote to him. Phoned Huson Watts. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned dining room. On sofa (after soup and Ryvita). Bronchial herbs and No. 10. On bed 4.45 – 6.10. Kedgeree.

Tuesday 7^th March 1950

Very fine and mild.
Broke marmalade pot and all spoiled. Phoned Alys (plan to stay at Eva‘s and Little Abbey Hotel). Defrosted Fridge. Mrs Hill made fish pie for tonight and washed up lunch. Rest. Mrs Bearcroft came. Walked to get ice cream at Hudson‘s. Alys and Phil back at 4.30? 4.45 rests. Phil still coughing. Fish pie and ice cream.

Wednesday 8^th March 1950

Fine and warm.
Alys to shops, Phil to get petrol. I, Laundry. Mrs Hill – sausages and mashed potatoes. Alys and Phil in UMX to Great Missenden. Alys to Little Abby Hotel, Phil to stay with Eva. I to post eggbox. Mrss Llewellyn phoned re. Sissie’s eyes. “The Truth Game”, Ivor Novello, Ivy St. Helier, Vanessa Lee (good).

Alys at Little Abbey Hotel. Phil at Eva’s – in bed with cold.

Thursday 9^th March 1950

Fair.
Mrs Hill warmed up sausages and stewed beef. At 2.3 (bus) to Golders Green. Taxi 50 Erskine Hill. Key and Dante; taxi waited and took me back to Golders Green (3/– plus 1/-). Bus to Northwood. Sorted and destroyed old papers, dispatch-box. Soup, ice cream. Alys phoned – Phil a cold in bed at Eva’s. Pascoe phoned.

Friday 10^th March 1950

Dull, cold.
Phoned Ernest Vernor Miles re. 50 Erskine Hill and wrote to Sissie. Mrs Hill made steak pie, steak, plums and custard. Read and destroyed papers from dispatch- box, washed the box. Read about old journals.

Saturday 11^th March 1950

Fair.
Phoned Eva 11.10. Phil answere, down from bed and Alys came by train (Eva dropped her off at Amersham). She back to Little Abbey Hotel in JLN, with medicine and clothes. Gardener came; putting in ceanotes and roses from Northwood Nurseries. To Rex Cinema to see “The Golden Salamander”, Anouk and Trevor Howard.

Memo:
8^th Laundry.
7^th Defrosted Fridge.
9^th Sent key of No. 50 Erskine Hill to Potters – Huson Watts.

Sunday 12^th March 1950

Fine, cold.
Throat still sore. Did very little all day. Read old memoirs 1890, 1900. Steak and kidney pudding and leeks, rhubarb and custard. Wrote Ernest Vernor Miles and Clark – no post. Soup and tongue and ice cream.

Monday 13^th March 1950

Fine, cool.
Send R.P. wire to Nelly Moir, 16th to 20th. She replied “yes”. Posted 2 eggboxes. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned my room, and did washing. To Boots. Steak pie with leeks. Ironed pyjamas, washed own vest. Got all dry and aired. Send cheque £1.15.04 “Oklahoma” seats (Alys going to Eve and Eva 18th). Cold better.

Tuesday 14^th March 1950

Fair. Cold.
Phoned Kit (not heard for weeks!) Threw away 4 old winter hats. Alys phoned from Wendover. Mrs Hill cooked fillets, apple purée. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned Phil‘s room. Rested on sofa. Wrote Jim Archer; to pillar box. Warmed up steak and kidney pie, ice cream. Alys phoned from Eva‘s. Kit phoned re. Katharine (fissure). Sir George Thomson on “The Hydrogen Bomb”.

Wednesday 15^th March 1950

Fine.
Took dispatch-box to loft. Began packing. Mrs Hill cooked lunch. I to Bank; and also got fruit for salad. Listened to 2 playlets. Phoned Alys at 5.40. Wrote Eve with cheque £3.12.0 for birthday. Oxford v. Cambridge Union debates, “Much-Binding” again. Cozy stove on.

Mother died 50 years ago on 17^th – born April 22, 1850.

Thursday 16^th March 1950

Dull Gale.
Mrs Bearcroft came. Told her about electric stoves and Pascoe‘s man at 10.45. To station 2/6 with tip. 11 train to Baker Street. To 119 Bickenhall Mansions. Ate sandwiches. Out for ticket. Taxi at 1 to Paddington. 1.45 train. Arrived Moreton 4.5. Taylor’s taxi to Broadway. 153 High Street, Nellie Moir’s house. Tea. Rest. Supper at 7.30 – soup, Dover sole and tomato. Damson mousse. Maud Caffin’s old cottage beautifully renovated by De Navarro.

Friday 17^th March 1950

Showers. Hail. Thunder. Gales.
To shops with Nellie – pouring rain on way back. Called at Miss Emerson‘s (out), got eggbox. Tinned spam and potatoes, orange salad. Rest. Met Lucy Bindery (her tea). Bought tea and soap ration for her. Snapshots. Soup (McConochie‘s tomato), kedgeree, grapefruit.

Saturday 18^th March 1950

Showers. Gales.
Walked to phone box and ordered 2 lunches Broadway Hotel. At 12.30 Nellie and I to Hotel – lunch 1.45 (4/3 each). Kathleen (waitress) Hodson and old butler, Miss Whiteman and Mrs Jacques all there. To Lucy‘s (she with Teeds in Cheltenham). Bought home-made chocolates. Home. Rest 3 – 4.15. Crossword, Times. Spam and salad, junket and cake.

Memo:
12^th Ernest Miles to have vocal cords removed.
16^th to 20^th Broadway? Paddington 1. 45 – 4.2 Moreton.
3^rd class return 25/2, 2 taxis 4/6 with tips.
18^th Eve’s 10^th birthday – riding cap £3.12.0.

Sunday 19^th March 1950

Fine, windy.
Sore throat in night. Breakfast 8.45. Lovely walk up on hill. Round the garden. Fried cutlets, cauliflower, cheese and biscuits, grapefruit. Rest. Tea. Lucy at 7, supper – boiled eggs, damson mousse (with dried milk). Aunt Nelly‘s flower paintings.

London

Monday 20^th March 1950

(no weather).
Packed. We went to “Whiteley‘s” and back. Mrs Kendall. At 12.15, Taylor‘s son and car to Moreton. Sent off umbrella stand 1/7. Train 1.6. Lunch 4/- arrived Paddington 3.35. Taxi 1/3 and 2/-). Phoned Alys. To Central Hall (159). Talk with colour ciné – Peter Scott on Arctic (Ross Geese) 6 – 7.40. 24 bus and 1. Supper Dutch Oven.

Tuesday 21^st March 1950

Fair to fine.
To Northwood 11.36. Phoned home and Phil met me (getting suck-pump for drain). Lunch (Mrs Hill). Alys and I in JLN to meet Mink. I to 119 Bickenhall Mansions. Rest. To Central Hall at 5. Photos. Lecture – Captain Knight (with Mr Ramshaw, his golden eagle, age 22), young foxes, cranes. Welsh rarebit at ABC at 8.30.

Wednesday 22^nd March 1950

Mild.
Bus to Golders Green. To 50 Erskine Hill, a long time there. Bus to Baker Street 1. Did scrambled eggs. Rest. Kit phoned – George engaged to Joyce Blaikley. To Country Life Exhibition Lecture 6.30 Dr de Witt – Belgian Congo till 8. Phoned Alys 8.45.

Thursday 23^rd March 1950

Fairish, drizzly.
Wrote Jim Archer (memoir), George (congratulations). Buses to Sissie at Brent. To 50 Erskine Hill (after lunch at Appenrodt’s). Home by 4. Out to Classic 4.45 to see “Fanny By Gaslight”. Supper hard-boiled eggs at 7.30.

Friday 24^th March 1950

(no weather).
Phoned Kit. Alys phoned. Cleaned flat a bit. Kit to scrambled eggs at 1 (onto Lambeth). I to Hampstead, Well Walk to see ski jump stage. By tube back to Charing Cross. Took Central Hall. At 6.30 – 8 coloured film and lecture flamingos in the Carmargue – Walter Higham, Doctor Landsborough Thomson in chair. Supper 8.30 at 119 Bickenhall Mansions.

Saturday 25^th March 1950

(no weather)

Up at 7 (about). Train 9.19 to Northwood. Got rations, Kingham’s, Sainsbury, ice cream. Colliver Fisher home. Teddy phoned, Eva flu 100°F. Gardener dug herbaceous bed. Gave 6 eggs. Phil phoned 8 from The Granville Hotel, St Margaret’s Bay, Kent. “A Writ For Libel”, Hesketh Pearson.

 

Memo:
20^th 3 p.m. Central Hall, Westminster.
22^nd Laundry. 6.30 Peter Scott.
20^th Leave Moreton 1.6 – Paddington 3.35.
27^th Mrs Curtin 4 – 5.

Sunday 26^th March 1950

Fine.
Mended mat on veranda. Got off some of the spots (marmalade), ceiling and wall. Sent Digest and Punch to Eva. Rang up Teddy 5. Eva better. Phil phoned at 8. Reading “Susannah of the Mounties”, Denison.

Monday 27^th March 1950

Fine.
Mrs Bearcroft cleaned sitting room and laid fire. I to 119 Bickenhall Mansions (Bank on way and Sissie’s £50). Lunch there – egg. To Kettle’s for eggboxes, got Parmesan nearby. Selfridge’s bill and sail bag? Bought grey skirt. Walked to 119 Bickenhall Mansions. Mrs Curtin 3.50 – 4.40 – 2/6. Home 6.54 Colliver Fisher. Mulligatawny and sausage, plums and custard. “An Inspector Calls”, Priestley, Richard Williams (not Ralph Richardson as ill).

Tuesday 28^th March 1950

Grey.
Phone Teddy. Planted lettuces in pots. Ceiling spots. Mrs Hill. Wire from Alys. 2.13 to 19 Bickenhall Mansions. Washed. To Victoria. Staine’s Spong mincer. Army & Navy for canvas sail bag as plastic. Posted chocolate to Sissie. 5.30 for 6.30 lecture and film – slow motion wild fowl Dr Richard Borden, Canada geese. Home Northwood 8.30, Colliver Fisher. “We, The Condemned”.

Wednesday 29^th March 1950

Fine. Cold.
Phoned Teddy. Mrs Hill early; scrambled eggs and lettuce at 12. Took things to cleaners. Posted boxes, Blain and “Susannah of the Mounties”, Eva. To 119 Bickenhall Mansions (12.58). Paid rent. To “Seals and Herons”, Frances Pitt 3 – 4. Home Northwood by 5. Alys and Phil home at 6.30. Fish and cheese and potato. Ice cream. Talk.

Cambridge won Boat Race.

Thursday 30^th March 1950

Cold. Sunny.
Alys and Phil out. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned dining room. Mrs Hill – roast beef and treacle pudding. All in to lunch. Sewed p.m. After tea, Alys took me station. To 119 Bickenhall Mansions (arrived 5.50). All shops closed. Fish warmed up. Nellie Moir at 8.30. Listened to Cary-Gilson on silicosis. She left 10. Slept on divan. Read “An Old Captivity” till nearly 1 a.m. Neville Shute.

Friday 31^st March 1950

Cold, dull.
Washed net curtain. To Club. Lunch 12.45 with Nelly Moir. Both to Exhibition at 1.45. Lord Alanbrook’s lecture and film – Golden Eagle and Hobby (nestlings) and Oyster Catchers. I stayed on (sandwiches) for Dr Bertie Haglund’s film – Sea Eagle (home life of) and Swedish wildlife – fox, elk.

---

Saturday 1^st April 1950

Milder.
Altered net curtain while Boat Race commentary. Sausages from V. D. and cheese. At 1.32 lecture and films “Gorilla Hunt” and British Guiana film C. S. Webb – anteaters and sloth. Home. Put curtain up (with tuck). Eggs and cocoa. Back to Northwood by 8.6 train. Colliver Fisher with a man. “Daughters of the Parsonage”, Denis Constanduros.

Memo:
27^th Mrs Curtin 4 o’clock.
25^th Nellie Moir to London till 3^rd.
29^th 3.0 Seals and Herons – F. Pitt.
31^st 3.0 Golden Eagles Lord Alanbrooke 12.45. Club Nellie.

3^rd Alys and Phil at 119 Bickenhall Mansions.
4^th I at 119 Bickenhall Mansions, and 5^th.

Sunday 2^nd April 1950

Showers and sun.
Felt chilly. All too Little Abbey Hotel 1.30. Met Berry’s. Lunch. In p.m., rested, slept on bed and felt cold – rhinitis and No. 10. Supper upstairs (not to be with Phil). “The Country House” began.

Monday 3^rd April 1950

Cold.
Cold gone! But down at 8.50. Phil away in JLN at 9. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned my room. Chicken stew and jam pudding. To get Marmite and post Sylvia‘s book. Alys away to 119 Bickenhall Mansions at 4-ish. I to Boots. Cooke came and cut front lawns. Read Jim Archer‘s memoir. Welsh rarebit and nettles. “The Skin Of Our Teeth”, Thornton Wilder.

Tuesday 4^th April 1950

Dull.
Mrs Bearcroft came, cleaned sitting room. I machined thin grey skirt. Lunch 1 with Mrs Hill, and Alys and James in at 1.30 (Alys met James). I to town 1.58. To my own Bank. To pay gas bill. To 119 Bickenhall Mansions. To News Theatre (boat race and skiing on Heath). Supper and slept 119 Bickenhall Mansions. Alys phoned, Eva a lump; they to tea and Laughton’s in too!! Phil with Wiz.

Wednesday 5^th April 1950

(no weather)
Cleaned. To Club at 12.30. Met Eva there. Lunch. Both to 119 Bickenhall Mansions at 1.30. Phil examined Eva‘s breast (lump). He phoned Dr Warner. I to Zoo to see Brumas (polar bear cub) 5 months old and Ivy (his mother) and Mischa (father). Eva and Phil had tea with me at flat. Eva away 4.26. Phil rested till 7, then to Angela’s cocktail party. I supper and phoned Alys.

Thursday 6^th April 1950

Fine.
Phil phoned at 8.45 to say appointment with Dr Warner 9.45. Alys, Eva and Phil all came to flat at about 10.15 (good news). They had coffee. Alys and Eva to Northwood and lunch there. Phil cold lunch at 119 Bickenhall Mansions with me. He in Park and I to shops first. Then Phil to Connaught at 4 p.m. I to Selfridges – bought double saucepan 7/6. Sewed black and red curtains into bedspread. 6.44 to Northwood. Walked up. Kippers and Bruxelles chocolate. Spitfire, R. J. Mitchell (designer) “Success Story”.

Friday 7^th April 1950

Fine.
Phil to Aldeburgh (Brudenell Hotel) in UMX (meeting Wiz at Moor Park at 10.20). Alys did lots of washing. Mrs Bearcroft in p.m – cleaned kitchen. Rest in p.m. At 5.15 Alys and I in JLN to 50 Erskine Hill and then (taking basket on wheels) to Sissie at Brent. Alys only in to see her. I in car. Home 7.20. Phil phoned 8.15.

Saturday 8^th April 1950

Dull. Windy.
Alys to shops. Grilled sausages. Gardener came 2 – 6. I to buy sweet pea plants and delphiniums (4), lupins (4). He planted them and the lettuce plants. Alys machined sail-bag; and boiled piece of bacon, and made beef sausages. Soup and omelette. “Victoria Regina”, Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies, Laurence Housman.

Memo:
3^rd My room.
5^th Laundry.
4^th James from school.
7^th Phil to Aldeburgh.

Sunday 9^th April 1950

Very windy and sunny. Cold.
Alys finished machining sail-bag. I wrote to Ella. Mince and purple sprouting, fruit salad. Rest. At 4.30 we in JLN for oil to Colliver Fisher. Then to Berry’s. Easter eggs. Gave James Maundy money and Max’s horseshoe to Eve. Garden with Teddy. Eva depressed still. Home 7.30. Soup and beef roll.

Monday 10^th April 1950

Cold wind, rain. A little sun.
Sewed sail-bag and listened-in in sitting room. Mince, ice cream. Lettercard to Nellie Moir and to post with it. Took cloches off lettuce for rain. Rest. Read papers. Soup and cold bacon and sausage. Finished sail-bag. Phil home from Aldeburgh 9.50. Talk. Bed 10.45. Seton Lloyd on Tell Harmal (Eshnunna) excavations.

Tuesday 11^th April 1950

Cool. Some sun.
Phil to town in UMX at 9. Ironed machined skirts. Alys to shops. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned sitting room. I sent £10 to Eva‘s account and wrote to her and Eve (for mastiff). Curry – Mrs Hill. More sewing in p.m. and rest. Phil home at 6. I for walk round. “Love From Leighton Buzzard”, Robert Beatty.

Wednesday 12^th April 1950

(no weather)

Alys met Eva, James, Eve and to Edgely’s to buy trousers (his first!) for James. Eve with me. “Buffin and Biffin”. They had lunch here. Cold Camp pie, ice cream. Rest. Eve did portraits of Alys and Serena. Tea. They away 5.40. Phil home 7. Grilled herrings, cold bacon, fruit salad. “The Immortality Club” Monckton Hoffe electing Roosevelt, new member.

Summertime begins on Sunday.
I at 119 Bickenhall Mansions 13^th – 14^th.

Thursday 13^th April 1950

Cold. Fair.
Phil not to town. Ironed skirt. Alys took me to 11.28 train; to 119 Bickenhall Mansions. Lunch of kippers. Washed clothes. To Herbal shop. To Wyndham’s, but no seats. Sweets in Coventry Street and Swan and Edgar’s for sweets. Tunny and potato salad, ice cream. Phoned Phil.

Friday 14^th April 1950

Fine. Milder.
Cleaned up, polished. Out posted Lindt to Sissie. Lunch at Club (after selling books 3/6 Foyles (and left French ones there). Miss Calthrop lunched with me. To Wyndhams. No seats. Home. Alys at 119 Bickenhall Mansions. We listened to “Critics” at 3 (Phil Carr), “Holly and Ivy”. Phil came 4.15 and they went home. I too Classic “Frenchman’s Creek” Joan Fontaine. Got chocolates at Dorton’s. Soup and tunny.

Saturday 15^th April 1950

(no weather)
Did a good deal of cleaning at flat. Out to buy soup, soup, cheese. Phil phoned – he would meet me 2.35 train. Gardener mowed lawns. Cod and hollandaise sauce. Vanilla ice and chocolate sauce. “Smith”, Somerset Maugham, Jack Hulbert.

Memo:
Summertime begins 15^th.
9^th Wrote Ella (Louis’ cheque).
11^th £10 to Barclays Bank – Eva‘s account.
12^th Berry’s to lunch. Scouts 12 – 1.

Clocks put forward 15^th – 16^th.
17^th and 18^th Alys and Phil 119 Bickenhall Mansions.
18^th Budget – Stafford Cripps.

Sunday 16^th April 1950

Fine, mild.
Phil doing mowing machine and grass adjusting. All to Little Abbey Hotel 1.30, 5/– with tip. JLN on to Berry’s (Eva anxious again). In garden. Tea at 4. Home. Put rock plants from Teddy’s until 7.30. Alys felt sick and to bed. Phil and I eggs and “puppy” (family name for meatloaf) and ice cream. “The Ram In The Thicket”, Tel-Aviv.

Monday 17^th April 1950

Fair a.m. Rain p.m.
Alys well and off with Phil at 9 to London, JLN. Mrs Bearcroft washed woollens. To Bank. Took gloves to Davis’ for cleaning – 3 pairs, Dorothy Barnard’s. Mince and macaroni, rhubarb tart. Dried clothes by Cozy all p.m. Mushroom soup, pudding. “The Lady’s Not For Burning”, C. Fry.

Tuesday 18^th April 1950

Rainy. Cold.
Cut out pockets, grey skirt. Mrs Hill – cold meats, salad, rhubarb pie. To shops, two ice creams for pie. Sugar ration. Mrs Bearcroft in p.m. – cleaned Alys and Phil‘s rooms. Kitty phoned (just back from 2 weeks, Sylvia‘s). Made pockets. Soup, Welsh rarebit, jam tart. Sir Stafford Cripps on Budget. Petrol 9^d up!

Wednesday 19^th April 1950

Fine, milder.
Began mushroom soup. Mrs Hill made chocolate covered cake too. To Boots and made pockets. Put on skirt. “The Kon-tiki Expedition” at 2.40. In garden, new compost. Cut daffodils and 3 vases. Sent off Doz’s bedspread to Nellie. Alys and Phil back at 6. Oliver Stanley on Budget.

Petrol up 9^d a gallon (3/-)
Mother was born 100 years ago – April 22^nd
I at 119 Bickenhall mansions 20^th, 21^st.

Thursday 20^th April 1950

Warm, fine.
To 119 Bickenhall Mansions. Got milk. Then to Smith’s, Homer Street for plate, left other 3/6. To Bank, got silver teapot out. To Lisson Grove to see Sissie’s furniture. Home. Sausages. Rang up Kitty (house). To Aspreys; left silver there, (valuation or do up). To Hayward Hill (bookshop). Walked home via South Audley Street. Phil phoned. Rested. News. Egg supper and ice cream.

Friday 21^st April 1950

Fine, mild.
Phoned Kitty re. teapot and George. To Hawkings 10.30 – Sale till 2. Sissie’s furniture. Home – egg and cheese. 2.15 Eva and Phil (from Dr Warner’s), good news. They away. I sewed. “Critics”. Supper at 6.30. Lyon’s self-service, Coventry Street. “Fallen Angels”, (Noel Coward) at Ambassadors. “Two Hermione’s” (Hermion Baddeley and Hermione Gingold) 10/– (for 8.6), Keith Prouse.

Saturday 22^nd April 1950

Fine. Mild.
I to High Street for coffee (Sagne’s 2/4). Cleaned. Cornish pasty and sago pudding with dried egg and ices. 2.25 to Northwood. Alys met me. Gardener laying stones. Marguerite Marwood called after tea. Stayed supper. Rabbit pie, meringue pie. I watered garden (lawn had fertiliser on it). “Mary Read”, James Bridie, Flora Robson.

Memo:
Points period
18^th Bungé to 119 Bickenhall Mansions.
Ticket – Ambassador 10/– (8/6).
19^th Laundry.
21^st Sale 11 a.m. Lisson Grove – Sissie.
21^st Eva to Dr Warner – 2.

Division over petrol tax or Government majority.
Very cold week with snow.
Alys and Phil 119 Bickenhall Mansions, 24^th, 25^th.

Sunday 23^rd April 1950

Fine, after dull a.m.
Phil phoned, Kit to come here. He’d fetch her. Couldn’t. All of us too Thame, Black Horse 1.15 to lunch 4/- each 6^d tip, very good. 30 miles each way. 51 minutes. Home about 3. Sewed belts on skirts. Rested. Alys and Phil to Laughton’s after tea. I watered garden and moved pinks and forget-me-nots. Rabbit pie and ice cream. “Rosmersholm”, Pamela Brown, Godfrey Kenton.

Monday 24^th April 1950

Snow storms and wind.
With Alys and Phil in JLN at 9 to Kings Cross. Alys and I buses to 119 Bickenhall mansions. I to see Sissie 11.30 – Alys away in snowstorm, and train Northwood. Lunch Durham (re-opened) 1.45 Home. Wrote Ella, and to post. Did thick grey skirt. Rabbit pie. “Myself A Stranger”, Ceylon and race questions, Hugh Burden.

Tuesday 25^th April 1950

1” snow on everything. Sun.
Kit phoned re Church Stretton. Washed vest. Mrs Hill – meat-cakes, leeks. To shops and Post Office. Mrs Bearcroft p.m, halls and lavatories. I put rings on Whim photo. Sorted “Listeners”. Soup (in sitting-room; so cold). “Eyes in the Pacific”, Australians in Solomon Islands, Boxing – World Flyweight Championship – Terry Allen versus Honoré Pratesi of France.

Wednesday 26^th April 1950

More snow and sun.
Defrosted Fridge. To shops, got marmalade. Mrs Hill did Welsh rarebit and tomatoes and fried fish-cakes for supper. I did red blouse. Alys and Phil home 6.10. Talked about Mink. Alys to The Prospect of Whitby (pub) with him.

 

North wind.
Phil to Aldeburgh 28^th – 30^th.

Thursday 27^th April 1950

Cold. Showers and sun.
Hem of new frock up. Phil to London Hospital; and Gamages (got 2 bags at 1 – £1.3.0 each. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned sitting room. Mrs Hill did mince (for lunch). Rest in p.m. Phil home at 7.25 (Bungé at 119 Bickenhall Mansions). “20 Questions”. “Speeches from the Royal Academy Dinner” – Birley (Eton), Gerald Kelly (Trinity Hall).

Friday 28^th April 1950

Fine. Sun with north wind.
Tidied top (middle) drawer. Phil working in sitting room. Mrs Hill – steak and kidney pudding, leeks. (Phil packed bags, and after tea 4.45 to meet Wiz, Moor Park and in UMC to Aldeburgh). I did shepherds pie for supper and soup, ice cream.

Saturday 29^th April 1950

Showery, milder.
To Boots, and Kingham’s (ice cream). Alys to meet James. He came to lunch – shepherds pie, Camp pie, lettuce. He and Alys, chess in p.m. I slept, and read “The Desperate Pursuit”, N. Bell. Tea (Alys made gingerbread). In garden with James. Alys took him to Moor Park 6.7. Haddock and sweet Dutch omelette. “Silence In Heaven”, Lance Sieveking.

Memo:
28^th Phil to Aldeburgh, with Wiz.
29^th James here.
26^th Jumble sale 10 o’clock
Gloves at Davis’ (this week ready).

Alys and Phil at 119 Bickenhall Mansions 30^th, 1^st, 2^nd.

Sunday 30^th April 1950

Fine. Warm.
Alys searching for silver-box key. Some gardening. Hot sun in p.m. Tea on seat. Steak and kidney pudding and tinned beans at 1. I rested. Alys not much. Cold Camp pie and salad. Alys to 8.29 train in JLN. I drove car back. (Alys meeting Phil from Aldeburgh at 119 Bickenhall Mansions).

---

Monday 1^st May 1950

Fine, warm.
Mrs Bearcroft did dining room. I by 10.11 to 119 Bickenhall Mansions. Alys with Eva and James to Polyphoto. Alys and I to Asprey’s and Hemingway‘s re. teapot. Met Eva and James, Club lunch 13/–. Alys and I by four buses to near Hatton Garden. Edward Barnard‘s (54). Mr. Joynes re. teapot. (Erica Barnard – 80’s). Eric Barnard out (son of Stanley). I to Northwood 4.0. Alys and Phil brought UMX back. Scrambled eggs and in JLN to 119 Bickenhall Mansions. “Sea Flood”, Richard Kelly.

Tuesday 2^nd May 1950

Fair.
Ironed and machined (napkins and cuffs). Mrs Hill baked fillets, and apples. I to Nank and then 119 Bickenhall Mansions to take Phil‘s pyjamas. Back by 4.23 train. Mrs Bearcroft lit Cozy stove. Cauliflower cheese, ice cream. Letters of Gainsborough and Reynolds.

Wednesday 3^rd May 1950

Fair.
Defrosted Fridge. Laundry. Eggboxes to post, got ice cream and chocolates. Mrs Hill – mince with suet and rhubarb pie (our first rhubarb). Alys and Phil home at 6 (gasket blown). Fish pie (Mrs Hill a queer one), soup. “Much-Binding”. Wrote Amy Steel.

I to 119 Bickenhall Mansions 4^th and 5^th.

Thursday 4^th May 1950

Fair.
Alys took JLN to Pascoe‘s. Phil at home working. I to 119 Bickenhall Mansions at 11.16. To Roger’s for “Anthisan” cream 3/6. Lunch at “Quality” in George Street. Buses to Sissie, 2.30 – 4.30. Home. Phoned Alys – looking glass! Made sago pudding and got Ribena (blackcurrent 2/6) with it. Fish pie from Northwood. “Success Story – Mayor (Fiorello) La Guardia”, BBC.

Friday 5^th May 1950

Fair-ish.
Sorted cupboards, shelves, old newspapers. Paid bill – Selfridges. To Marks & Spencer‘s, tongue sandwiches 1/-. Alarm clock to Paul’s, Crawford Street. Lunch at home. To Austin‘s re. chair. Took Mervyn (wireless) to Whizard’s and back. Bought Vidor (secondhand) at Derbin’s. Fish pie, milk pudding.

Saturday 6^th May 1950

Dull, showers.
Austin didn’t come for chair. In all a.m., cleaning. Also canvases (for Ella‘s). Egg and cheese and cocoa. K. Derbin brought Vidor portable wireless and took Mervyn to repair. I gave him cheque £9.4.6 (£8.18.6 + 6/- for batteries). 2.35 to Northwood. Alys met me. After tea, we all cut lawn and as no gardener, grass very long. “Out Of This Wood” by John Mark.

Memo:
James to school 5^th.
3^rd Laundry.

Alys and Phil at 119 Bickenhall Mansions 8^th and 9^th.

Sunday 7^th May 1950

Very dark all day, cool.
Getting ready – flowers, lilac and narcissi, drinks – for the Springfield’s (Bill – surgeon). They at 12 – 1.30 (lent him Michelin map, and her “Savouries”). Cold mutton and salad. Talked. Rested. Tea. Phil tidied map and photo cupboard, we all looked at snapshots. Grapefruit, pilchards and ice cream with hot chocolate sauce.

Monday 8^th May 1950

Dull, rainy p.m.
Breakfast at 8.30. Phil and Alys in JLN 10 to London (Phil, Queen Square) Alys 119 Bickenhall Mansions. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned Alys’ room. I to Boots, Kingham’s – Steak pie, ice. Wrote Ella. Phoned Ernest Vernor Miles re. Sissie, and Barnard teapot for G.J.B. (George Buchanan). To Rex to see “She Wore A Yellow Ribbon”. Good horses and riding – John Wayne) also Claudette Colbert in “Bride For Sale”. Supper 8.30 Welsh rarebit. “All Souls Night”, Joseph Tomelty.

Tuesday 9^th May 1950

Very fine and warm.
Wrote Ernest re. sale catalogue. To shops for ice cream and marmalade. Mrs Hill made rissoles and bread pudding. Wrote Jim Archer re. memoir. In garden 5 -7.20. Also washed things. Made soup (Rosella tomato with it). Darned socks.

Wednesday 10^th May 1950

Fine and warm.
In garden, a good deal; clipped bushes. To shops – lemon, apple, marmalade sugar. Mrs Hill did sausages and mashed potatoes, and a semolina pudding. Wrote airmail to Amy Steel. Alys and Phil home about 6. Clear vegetable soup, fishcakes (Mrs Hill), ice cream.

I at 119 Bickenhall Mansions 11^th and 12^th.

Thursday 11^th May 1950

Fine, warm.
To Boots to choose book. Alys, dressmaker. Mrs Bearcroft and Mrs Hill sausages. Tea. All of us in JLN to 119 Bickenhall Mansions. George Buchanan brought Joyce Blaikley to see us. Sherry and salted nuts. They went about 7. We to Faw’s, Frith Street (north of Isola Bella), quite good dinner. They drove me to 119 Bickenhall Mansions and Alys and Phil to Northwood.

Friday 12^th May 1950

Fine. Very warm.
All a.m. cleaning and to Selfridges re. hose wheel. Cold sausage at home and ice cream. In p.m. cleaned larder, and washed paint and windows. At 5.40 to Continental to try and see “Red Shoes”, but wrong time, so to Odeon (near Maples), James Mason in “One Way Street” and also “Stop Press Girl” (stopped all engines), “Terramycin”, (6 diseases and colds). Soup at home.

Saturday 13^th May 1950

Fine and warm.
To Austin‘s and Derbin. Cleaned in flat. Austin collected the Hepplewhite chair; Derbin brought Mervyn radio back 10/–. Egg and sausage; and 3.21 train. Eve to tea. (Alys and she to Rex). Phil to yacht races at Rickmansworth. Tea in hut. Marguerite Marwood in, and stayed supper. Gardener mowed lawns (4 hours, 16/–). All in UMX in evening. We all voted, Borough Councils.

Notes:
11^th George and Joyce to 119 Bickenhall Mansions, sherry.
Odeon balcony 2.9 very good, Tottenham Court Road.

Sunday 14^th May 1950

Fine. Cold strong wind.
Wrote Sissie. All of us in UMX (open) to Aquadrome at Rickmansworth, 2/– admittance. Picnic at water edge. Firefly sailing race (12‘) in 18 yachts, all clubs – exciting, 2 capsized. Home at 4. Tea. Garden. Alys and Phil to Ernest Miles, UMX and back 8.30. Spinach from garden. Mince, new potatoes, tartlets.

Monday 15^th May 1950

Dull. Cold wind.
Phil to town in JLN at 9. Alys and I lunch at home. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned my room. Walked to station with Alys who to 119 Bickenhall Mansions at 1.57. I to Bank and to get rations and home. To shops again, too much weight for one journey. Cook’s son to paint plate. In garden. Sewed. “Justice Is Deaf” by Charlotte Haldane.

Tuesday 16^th May 1950.

Dull. Cool.
In garden. To Salmon’s, bought hose roller 10/6. Took it home. Mrs Hill, scrambled eggs with Spam and lettuce. Began Income Tax papers and wrote Ernest Vernor Miles. Ironed. Gardener 2½ hours. Mowing all time (and edges). Soup, Welsh rarebit. Robert Kemp on “New Judgement on J. M. Barrie”.

Wednesday 17^th May 1950

Fair, cool.
In garden. Washed Phil‘s yellow cardigan and Laundry. To Salmon’s, seeds and ”Tide”, Andrace at 1/3/. Mrs Hill sausages and greens, and rhubarb crunchy. In garden a long time, moving rock plants. Soup, Ryvita, ice cream. “Much-Binding:”. Sewed. “It Always Rains On Sundays”, Googie Withers.

End of Points rationing.
19^th Evening in Parliament.

Thursday 18^th May 1950

Dull and cold.
Mrs Bearcroft washed clothes. I by 11 train to 119 Bickenhall Mansions (11.31). Club. Kit and I lunch there. To Plaza and saw “State Secret”, very good (1.45). Finished 3.45, 6/– seats. Saw Alys again at flat (“Mrs Dale’s Diary”), then she to Northwood. I wrote Louis Bell re. Mabel. Danish pork and potato salad.

Friday 19^th May 1950

Cool, grey.
To Bank re. Income Tax. Got a grey frock at Marks & Spencer’s, Edgeware Road. 36 and 6 (buses) called for plate 3/– and clock. Lunch of leftovers, and milk pudding and apricots. Housework. 4.45 to Northwood. Alys and Phil had just left in UMX for Aldeburgh. Sewed. To bed 9.30. (Mr Webb said “no more points”.)

Saturday 20^th May 1950

Grey. Muggy.

Did alterations to grey dress, buttons, hem, ironed it. To Hudsons, ice cream, sponge cake. Tide. Cold lamb and lettuce at 1.30. Gardener 2 – 7. He sewed French beans, spinach, beet and nasturtiums. I sewing. In bedroom 9.15. “A Play For Ronnie”, Warren Chetham Strode. (hose top 5/–, to clip 1/– and put on hose).

Memo:
17^th Laundry.
18^th Phil – Connaught. Nelly Barnard to Nellie Moir.
18^th Meet Kit 12.30 at Club, at Plaza (“State Secret). Sissie to Clinic with Rothwell.

Sunday 21^st May 1950

Thunder, hail, sunny intervals, hot.
Most of day going over thin frocks and hats. Fried Spam and cooked lettuce and leek together, ice cream. Reading “The Cornish Fox” by C.H.B. Kitchin, good. A little in garden. Sardines. Made a failure sponge cake of waterglass eggs. Alys and Phil at 10.40 or so from Aldeburgh in UMX. Away in JLN at 10.50 to 119 Bickenhall Mansions. “John Gabriel Borkman”.

Monday 22^nd May 1950

Warm and fine.
Mrs Bearcroft cleaned sitting room. Phoned Eva re whirling thing. I either gardening or sewing all day, except to shops in a.m. Cold lamb and leeks, ice cream. Leek soup and cheese sauce over vegetables in evening. Bernard Braden in “On The Eve Of A New Day”.

Tuesday 23^rd May 1950

Warm and fine.
Washed rest in “Tide”. Wrote Josephine Palmer re. Ethel Miles’ death. To buy hose connection. Mrs Hill did shepherds pie and baked apples. Alys phoned 1.30. Mrs Bearcroft cleaned Phil‘s room. Gardener 5.30 – 8.30, mowed lawns. Robert Eddison did Edmund’s Burke’s speech on eve of American War of Independence (“English Eloquence”).

Wednesday 24^th May 1950

Cold. Dull.
Train 9.46 to Knightsbridge and met Kitty at 11 at Bonham’s, Knightsbridge Carpet Sale. Lunch Harrods snack bar 2/3. I to 119 Bickenhall mansions and rested on bed. Alys on divan. Took Vidor to Derbin; and fetched it at 6.15 (3^rd) battery 1.3. Soup and cold fish, salad. Phil at about 9.30, and all drove in JLN to Northwood.

Petrol ration ended 26^th in Parliament.
Derby 27^th French horse, Gulcador.

Thursday 25^th May 1950

Rain or cold.
Phil working in sitting room. Alys to shops and meet Eva, who to lunch. Mrs Bearcroft here, Mrs Hill; curry and rice and greens, blackcurrant pie with whipped cream (evaporated milk). Eva 3.51 train. Phil and I took her to Moor Park; and on to get “Listener”. Fishcakes. Phil to Mount Vernon after supper.

Friday 26^th May 1950

Cold and dull.
To shops with Alys who took Mrs Hill. Sardines (Yugoslav) and Morocco and Portuguese. Phil put hose end on (rubber lining 4½^d). Phil packed, and away after tea in UMX to meet Wiz and go Aldeburgh. Soup, tunny fish and ice cream. Winnipeg floods. “Much-Binding”. Fred Hoyle on European at 10.15. Whittaker at 8:30.

Saturday 27^th May 1950

Fine till 11 then cold, dull, drizzle.
Alys to shops. I made pancakes with mince in them for lunch. After 5, we to Berry’s. Cooke here, clipped hedge and cut lawns. We home 7.30 and took Eva‘s glass (present to George) with us. Soup and grilled soles! 6 each! “The Unguarded Hour”.

Memo:
26^th Phil to Brudenell for Whitson, Aldeburgh.
24^th Sale with Kit. 11 a.m. 2/3 Knightsbridge.
28^th Mink – tea and supper.

Alys and Phil to 119 Bickenhall Mansions – Monday and Tuesday night.

Sunday 28^th May 1950

Fine. Cool.
We motored to 119 Bickenhall Mansions with milk and took wedding presents to Will Blaikley‘s, 24 College Crescent. Edward Blaikley opened door. Just saw Kit at her gate, and home to lunch by 1. Mince and blackcurrant pie. Mink at 4 to tea and until 10.40. He made omelettes, spring onions, and parsley.

Monday 29^th May 1950

Fine. Milder.
Turning tweed skirt. Mrs Hill came and did our lunch. Wrote lettercard to Eva with £10 (for birthday). Alys and I on terrace at teatime. She planted zinnias. Our spinach with poached eggs. Alys to 119 Bickenhall Mansions 9.41 train (Phil going from Aldeburgh). (“The Cherry Orchard”), “The Light of Other Days” – Irish setting by Peter Watts.

Tuesday 30^th May 1950

Fine and warm.
Ironed skirt. To get rings at Carey’s. Ironed tussore curtains and sewed rings and put up. Soup and ice cream. Mrs Bearcroft in p.m. Alys and Phil at 4 in UMX, and away after tea in JLN to 119 Bickenhall Mansions. I into Cattle’s garden 7. Omelette.

Wednesday 31^st May 1950

(no weather)
Alys phoned. To shops, Sainsbury. Mrs Hill cooked sausages and onions and rhubarb. I to Langham at Pinner by 183 bus (it started about 3 p.m). “The Happiest Days Of Our Lives”, Alistair Sim 3.30 – 5. “Desert Victory” first. 8^th Army. Pinner Fair. Home, collecting ice cream 5.30. Alys and Phil back at 7.45. Cold meats and salad.