In 1943, Edward is 67 years old, Kate is 64 years old and Alys is 59 years old. Eva is 34 years old and Philip is 30 years old (Alys and Dennis’ daughter and son). James is 5 years old (Eva and Teddy’s son) and Eve (Eva and Teddy’s’ daughter) is 3 years old.

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Katharine Boyd
Layton Manor
Richmond
Yorks

Friday 1^st January 1943

Mild. Some rain. Finer, Colder in evening
Kimbo out all night. I went to fetch Kimbo in a.m. Eric, Frank and Keith came with washing. Most of morning cleaning pantry table and shelf and Zeus’ room. Dusted, swept and polished. Artichoke soup and Amy Steel’s cheese spread. Wrote Alan Baumer, lettercard to Alys and sent off parcel – coffee and tin of milk and 2 maple syrup soldiers. Pork in Dutch oven and sprouts and potatoes for supper. Cake. Brushed Kim who had bites by his ears which hurt. Knitted Eve’s socks.

Saturday 2^nd January 1943

Sleet at times. Fair otherwise.
Kimbo out all night again. Came in 9.45 very muddy and bitten, limping again. Cleaned silver a bit. Dusted. Spam, fried and salad of cooked sprouts, grated carrots, potatoes. Mince pie (Mrs Wardle’s). Wrote Ella. Out with Zeus in garden, raked paths twice. Kim by fire all day, ate nothing, screamed if touched. To meet sausages but none. Welsh rarebit with egg, cake pudding made at 6.30 and stewed apples (cooked on Cosy Stove).

Memo:
1^st Wrote C.R. Davey.

Sunday 3^rd January 1943

Lovely day. Hard Frost. Sun. Duller in p.m.
Kimbo still only drinking water and quite an invalid. Out in garden with Zeus. Housework. In p.m mostly read papers and knitted Eve’s sock. Plays by Hans Andersen. Out to post and garden again. Linklater’s play “Socrates Asks Why”. Elysium till 10.30. Grilled steak and tomatoes, sprouts.

Monday 4^th January 1943

Lovely. Very cold. Bonfire.
Letter from Alys. Wrote to her. Dell late and cold. Had breakfast in sitting-room. She did fire and dusted. Kim all day in basket and water but out in p.m. to garden and 3 bites of steak. Did up soap and Persil and Lux and can of dried milk. Picked japonica and laurustinus and snowball plant. Met Captain Urquhart and Major Turner. Very nice. Milk soup for supper and toast. Listened Brains Trust 6.30.

Tuesday 5^th January 1943

Dull. Dark.
To Richmond (with Mrs Blain) in my car. Got car license £10 and 2 dog licences and wireless licence. To Singleton’s – paid bill (10/-) and to get file. Hair cut 6d at cheap shop (others busy). Home 12.45. Found spectacles missing! Back by 2.45 bus to Richmond. Specs at Police Station. Joy! Posted swab to Dennis. Curry for super. Kim still invalidido. Zeus’ blankets went! Brains Trust.

Wednesday 6^th January 1943

Snow all day.
Burnt holly. Major Wilson phoned about my complaint of P. Balney. Out in snow. Arnold snow ploughing paths. To Gell, Barnes, Holt, Dimmock, Dobinson – Savings Groups. Fresh battery in wireless Lettercard to Alys. D’Ell did housework. Kim took milk and cheese a lot.

Thursday 7^th January 1943

Dull, snow in a.m.
Wrote Dennis. Housework upstairs. D’Ell cleaned fire and bath. Kim still very quiet and smelly. Found he had a very bad wound behind ear – suppurating and deep and long. Cut off tags of hair and bathed bites and knots. Miss Peacock in with sheets and savings. Stamps for certificates and 2 lamb chops! One for supper. Lame with chilblain on toe.

Friday 8^th January 1943

Brilliant day. Sun. Hard frost.
Kim howled 8 a.m. so down and let him out. Called up Hill’s and Blain (vet) about taking him to Richmond. Wrote Alys and Lucy (for calendar). Cold pressed beef and salad. Blain brought 2 pots marmalade and Xmas cake. Sent apples back. Called on Mrs Pringle at 12. Paid for D’Ell to January 19^th. Butcher brought pork chops. Met Major Turner with Captain Glyn-Jones. Some one played piano wonderfully 6.30 till 8! Who? Pork and veg marrow. Kim better. Ate well.

Saturday 9^th January 1943

Very cold and dull. Wind. Icy.
Blain came about Sergeant Matthews. Colonel Hemming phoned about complaint. Vet Aylwood came at 1 and cleaned and bandaged Kim’s wound. I had lunch at 1.50. Brawn. Did up box sugar, wrote Alys. Then to post but it had gone; though waited 15 minutes. D’Ell to Ravensworth earlier. Made cap for Kim. Talked to Major Turner and his spaniel. Taking rhinitis all day. Listened Red Cross £250 contest. Had Kim to sleep in my bedroom.

Memo:
8^th D’Ell knitting in p.m. in sittingroom.
5^th Morell didn’t call. 4^th wrote Masheder
9^th and 11^th – didn’t call.
Red Cross Forces,
8^th Paid Pringle 48/6 3 weeks at 15/- and 1 weekend 3/6.

Russians re-take Georgiyevsk (Caucasus) and other spa’s.

Sunday 10^th January 1943

Foggy, dark. Snow in night 9.00.
Took Kim down at 8.30 and lighted kettle. D’Ell down about 10.30. I did Cosy Stove. Wrote Kitty in Edinburgh. Murrayfield Hotel. Sent car insurance cheque. Mutton chop (Barnes) and sprouts (Dutch oven).  Out in garden with dogs. Kim after rabbits. Beat the snow off little hedge Cinnamon toast for tea. Made mild vegetable soup and boiled egg for supper. Stewed apples. P.S. after news by a Wing Commander. Kim in my bedroom.

Monday 11^th January 1943

Foggy. Thaw.
Washed things. Boiled potatoes, made porridge. Blain and Arnold hung bacon and ham up. I to Richmond 2.45 .Posted sugar and coffee parcels to Alys. Bought min balls and bulleys (Woolworth’s) (all my sweet ration), chocolate. Haricot beans. After tea, Miss Peacock and 3 boys to see Kim in his bandage. Wireless too faint to hear. Red Cross again. Bacon and egg and soup supper.

Tuesday 12^th January 1943

Foggy. Dark. Thaw.
Took Kim down 9.20. Dorothy did housework. I wrote Major Bayley of P. Battery (Dragon troop) and Alys and Doris Freer. Sent Masheder’s letter to Alys. Morrell at 2.15 (4 dozen eggs). Out in fog and slush. D’Ell knitted and I too. Aylwood, vet, came 6.45 and took off Kim’s bandage and cleaned wound. Left it open. Kim very restive all evening. Finished Eve’s sock.

Wednesday 13^th January 1943

Spring-like day. Ice on road still. Sunny.
Let Kim sleep downstairs. He howled at 6.25 a.m. Down and let him out. Out with dogs in garden. Made porridge and cooked potatoes. To Dimmock, Holt, Barnes, Dobinson in p.m. Mrs Barnes gave me egg and bacon pie and jam sweet. Cleaned up Kim’s wound. D’Ell held him. Miss Pringle and Barne’s boys came to see Kim’s wound. (I’d asked them). Made vegetable and milk soup.

Thursday 14^th January 1943

Lovely day, while frost.
Letter from Phil. Did up Mink box with honey (put in Cerebos tin from 2lb pot) and milk (dried), 6 bouillon cubes, a little sugar, coffee separate parcel. D’Ell took to Ravensworth to post and to fetch brawn with dogs. Hilda Dobinson had it. Sewed 2 carpets together for Zeus. Group Captain Helmore; Hillery and Middleton. Two R.A.F. heroes. Both wirelesses off at 10. “Holiday Inn” (Irving Berlin),”White Chrstimas”. Kim scratched wound open. Wrote Alys.

Friday 15^th January 1943

Perfect day. Frost, ice and snow in shade. Sun.
Housework till 12.30. Then out garden with dogs and apple room. In p.m. D’Ell planting out young lettuces. Is at on seat in garden. Warm sun about 30 minutes. Sent off socks to Eva (Eve’s green and beige). Butcher with two chops. Hunter came. I made scones. H.G. Wells opened “Man’s Heritage” series. Soup with pork in it and Ryvita supper.

Saturday 16^th January 1943

Foggy. Dark. Cold. Rainy.
Apples for Mrs Wardle (for Mrs Turner). Wrote O Battery Captain with telephone account and Mrs Walton and Alys. Made brawn into a soup with onions and beans. Baked apples. Foggy. Out to post, and garden and to meet sausages. Very slippery in back drive. Grilled chop and sprouts, potatoes, tomatoes; scones with jam, hot. Began to knit blue sock – Dennis? Got wood to dry.

Memo:
Sent sugar and coffee 11^th. Honey, milk, coffee, soup 14^th. Eve’s socks 15^th
12^th Brains Trust with Miss Jan Struther (Mrs Miniver).
15^th New batteries in both wirelesses.
11^th 9.30 Forces. Red Cross Post not later than 14^th

8^th Army pushes forward 40 miles. Rommel retreating.
17^th News Siege of Leningrad raised.

Sunday 17^th January 1943

Lovely day. Sun and thaw. Snow on ground still in parts.
Housework and lighted fire at 10.50. Out with dogs in garden. Cooked chop in Dutch Oven and sprouts and potatoes fried together. Baked apples. Sa ton seat in garden in p.m. in sun till 3.30 when into hear “War and Peace” – 12^th part, till 4.30, Made cake (weight of 1 egg) and bean and milk soup. Soup and sausages and bacon and cake.

Monday 18^th January 1943

Fine. Sunny.
Turning sheet sides to middle. In garden. Made batter and had fritters with sausage bits in them and then pancakes. Machined sheet. D’Ell to Ravensworth, got postal order for me (Finney). I on seat in garden with dogs and then walk round by Papa’s Water. Bean soup and cheese creams (grill). Doing sheet in evening and “Monday Night at Eight”. Officers rang bell and boy came in to apologise.

Tuesday 19^th January 1943

Foggy. Dark Mildish.
Cleaned my room and moved bed. Out at 12 in garden. Got Laurustinus – Morrell. Cold sausage lunch and scones (hot) and jam. Sent postal order to Finney’s; note to Kit in Edinburgh and lettercard to Mrs Masheder. Blain looked at both wirelesses and adjusted. New battery in Philco, made milk soup. Batter on bacon, potato, cheese for supper, grilled, stewed apples and cake. Brains Trust. Leader qualities. Finest architecture – modern.

Wednesday 20^th January 1943

Foggy. Mild.
Baden brought brawn in so I (and D’Ell) packed 2 and honey and sugar in box and I in car to Richmond. Sent it off 11.30. To station to collect Finney’s sack (seed potatoes). To Singleton’s (sugar ration). Home 12.50. Brawn and salad (our pig’s brawn. Wrote lettercard to Alys. To Barnes’ (Eric at home with chilblains). Ginger biscuits. Dimmock, Holt, Gell, Dobinson, O’Brien. Tea. Garden with dogs – soup and grilled cheese.

8^th Army enters Tripoli 23^rd News.

Thursday 21^st January 1943

Perfect spring day.
Arnold in to say Blain in bed with a cold. Did up coffee to sent Alys; To Blain’s about Savings Group. In garden with dogs. Brawn and salad. Out, walked to Collingwood’s for Savings Group (Blain’s) and then Ireland’s (with Nora Blackburn), Savery’s, Corner’s (Mrs Corner who never speaks). Wardle’s; then to Elgey’s. ,Posted envoflap letters to Doz. Alys rang up at 12.45 or so to say Eva found house at Northwood. Miss Peacock and Frank at 6.30. Milk soup and Welsh rarebit and scone and jam (hot).

Friday 22^nd January 1943

Dark, rainy.
To enquire about Baden. Took 2 eggs and later a “Digest” (November). Coats came to estimate damage done by P. Battery. Made batter and had fritters of turnips and then apples. In garden and houses with dogs. Butcher came about 4 (chops). Made turnip and onion and milk soup, thickened with wheat porridge. Lights fused in my room and spare bathroom. Ken put new fuse in. Knitted. Play “Court Astrologer” and ITMA. D’Ell dominoes till 1 a.m.

Saturday 23^rd January 1943

Perfect day. Warm.
10 Urquhart! Housework. Chop in Dutch oven and sprouts. Mrs Wardle’s cakes and apple. Did Mess Bill prices. In garden with dogs in p.m. and met soldiers, gardeners and other. Took them to rock-garden. D’Ell away so not apple store. Lettercard to Alys. Apples to Blain’s. To meet sausages. Mrs Turner (daughter) there. Wirelesses nearly inaudible. Sausages, (milk soup with cubes) and Wardle mincpie. Sewed turquoise slippers in evening. Washed clothes. Peggy Blain back on leave.

Memo:
23^rd Berry’s; to Northwood – 6 Murray Road
18^th Eva and Teddy to London
19^th Red Cross box 5/6
19^th 3 weeks D’Ell. 15/-
23^rd Rents

27^th News of Roosevelt and Churchill meeting in Casablanca. Also Girard and De Gaulle.

Sunday 24^th January 1943

Frost early. Fine later then foggy at times.
Blain still indoors but up. Got casserole of mutton cutlets with leftover parsnips, sprouts, potatoes and fried leeks. Put in oven with baked apples and make ginger biscuits at same time. Out after lunch and scraped and weeded path (above steps). Listened to War and Peace 3.30 lying on bed (very faint sound). Philco no sound. Vegetables with cheese sauce and mince pie (hot bath at 6 p.m). Up to bed 9 for news and War and Peace 9.30 – 10.30.

Monday 25^th January 1943

Mild, rainy. Fine in p.m.
D’Ell brought her raffle books (Home Guard brothers). Took 3/-worth. Cooked “Puff Balls” for pudding (Be-Ro book). Cutlet in Dutch oven. Made leek and sprouts milk soup and did Camden tomatoes into casserole. To Hodgens for rent and Gell’s. To Blain’s and talk with Peggy. Baden down at 2. Cold better. Coffee at 5.30. Baker in. John Edward ill. Phoned Dr Markland. Soup and baked apple supper. 9 News upstairs.

Tuesday 26^th January 1943

Very mild and fine. Zeus out in sun.
Rang up Jackson and got car out and went to get 2 new H.T. batteries for Pye and Philco. Arnold came too for torch batteries. Casserole cutlet and tomato sauce (Camden) and Puffball heated by Cozy with cover over. Very good. Morrell at 1.45. Did up about 19 apples for Ashridge, and wrote Phil. Posted these and coffee to Alys at Northwood. Soldier, Greening, showed D’Ell about pruning fruit. Baden brought batteries and put Philco in. Brains Trust. Bath.

Wednesday 27^th January 1943

Very mild. Dullish.
Washed vest. Did some potatoes. Dusted alcove. Egg and bacon lunch. Baden in with Savings Stamps at 2 and put battery in Pye (new one). Out to Dimmock (Baby John still very ill but smiled at me). Holt, Peacock, (alone there), Dobinson, Elgey, O’Brien. Home. Coffee (my ginger biscuits). To Blain’s, got bread. Out with dogs. Put wire round carnation. Cut monbretia leaves. Sardines and new loaf supper. “American in England” at 9.25.

Thursday 28^th January 1943

Very, very mild. Dull. Showers.
Up to get car (took Annie Patterson, elder sister Mary) and D’Ell and I packed hamper of cooking apples (Lord Derby). Drove in to Richmond and sent off by L.N.E.R. to Alys at Northwood (70bs weight price 10/8). To Law’s. Home, taking Mrs O’Brien and Maureen. Dinner of meat pie, Mrs Pringles ½ of D’Ell’s here. Pringle out. In p.m. put car back. Walked to Collingwood, Ireland, Savery, Corner, Wardle. Coffee. Miss Peacock in for her supper – dried cod in milk (like Finnan haddock).

Friday 29^th January 1943

Very fine and mild wind.
Old Tom Embleton picture chain broke. Soldiers put it in old flower room. Got dust-sheet for it. Fish-cakes for dinner and ginger biscuits. D’Ell to Barney with Mr Pringle in p.m. I out with dogs. Then cooking short pastry, little tarts (Be-Ro book) with lemon cheese and choux pastry in éclair tins. Out with dogs at 6. Then in and made porridge after. Supper of grilled sardines, salad and tartlets.

Saturday 30^th January 1943

Showers, sun and thunder – colder and snow and sleet 4.30.
A bit of cleaning – dust-sheets. Grilled chop in Dutch oven, sprouts. Choux. To Blain’s 2.30 with his wages and some apples. Stevenson came for apples. Heard of cigarettes robbery upon Nissen. Made mincemeat! Stewed apples. Scrubbed bathroom. D’Ell to Richmond (too wet to dig). Made veg, milk soup and scrambled eggs with kidney in it. Sudden change in weather – very cold wind in evening after fortnight of very, very mid spring-like days, and warm nights. “Theatre in Wartime” excerpt after Gram Swing.

Memo:
26^th Two new H.T. dry batteries. Pye and Philco
27^th Alys phoned form Northwood.
30^th Blain’s wages

Russians take Maikop oil fields.
Churchill to Turkey, Cyprus, Cairo, Tripoli.

Sunday 31^st January 1943

Some rain, windy. Not very cold.
Wheat instead porridge. I down 8.30 – and D’Ell at 9.30. She lighted fire. I wrote Pickin, Kitty, Agricultural Ministry for pig pamphlet. Made ruff-puff pastry and sausage rolls of it and a small apple pie (very good). Be-Ro book. Out in garden with dogs. On bed to listen “War and Peace:: 3.30 (Philco no good) 4.30. Coffee and toast. Made a stew on Stokes! Chop, onions, tomatoes (Camden) and vegetable stock and bouillon cube. Supper of milk vegetable soup and sardine on toast. News and War & Peace 9. Philco better. Bath 10.30.

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Monday 1^st February 1943

Fine. Cool.
Blain in and he and Arnold took bacon down and cut off piece for Alys. Wrote to her. Stew and my apple pie. D’Ell put bacon in to cook. 3lb 5oz. Watched it, made porridge and soup from stew gravy. Sausage roll and pancakes (Elise on Stokes). Only out to post all day! Washed oven cloths and gloves.

Tuesday 2^nd February 1943

Fine. Mild. Lovely.
Did up bacon in box, also sugar. Blain in about drains blocked (yard). Had cold bacon for lunch. Very good and stewed apples. Made candy for bees. Then at 3.15 on cycle to Ravensworth. Posted bacon to Alys. Bought some “points” foods. Cycled back with Dimmock grandchild (Neasham House milk). D’Ell’s seeds and daffodils shooting up. Made soup of bacon stock and milk and had it and lemon cheese tarts for supper. Brains Trust and Eva, Eve and I phoned.

Wednesday 3^rd February 1943

Fine. Not cold.
Wrote Alys and Dennis (enclosing with “Rev Embleton”. Major Turner shot 3 rabbis in garden (Zeus ate one in p.m.) Bacon (hot) and sausages, fried lunch. To Elgey (with 7lb apples). Dobinson, Barnes (gave me 3 chops), Dimmock, Holt, Gell and O’Brien. In garden with dogs and Major showed me hole under wire fence. Made porridge and teacake and mince-pie and jam tart (puff and short). Soup, sausage roll and stewed apple for supper.

All Nazis in Stalingrad dead or surrendered. Field Marshal Paulus too.

Thursday 4^th February 1943

Perfect day. Cycled to Collingwood.
Wrote Doz. Baden put candy in hives (one dead – black roof colony). Did up coffee for Alys. Made curry for lunch, had it and jam tart. In p.m. to Collingwood. Ireland, Savery – Savings Group. Then back and wrote petrol paper; posted coffee; did not send petrol request (must be March). To Wardle and Corner’s. Coffee. In garden, Major Turner and Glyn? Took them through glasshouses. Peacock and Eric and Frank in, gave onions. Egg and brawn and sprouts and cheese biscuits from Mrs Pringle for supper.

Friday 5^th February 1943

Mild, dull.
Soldiers away to change guns (for 24 hours). Wrote Major Bayley with estimate P. Battery damage. Wrote Alys with her ration-book. Did laundry. Barnes’ chop and sprouts (Dutch) dinner, apple-stew. To Mrs Pringle’s – paid for D’Ell to 16^th; asked about bread making. Butcher came. Eric and Frank came with money for apples. In garden and round garage. Grilled kidneys and bacon and my mince-pie. Robinson for apples. Made cheese-spread (hot). Letter from Barbara about C.B.D.

Saturday 6^th February 1943

Perfect. Warm sun.
Got up by daylight 8.45. Changed pantry table. Washed shelves and altered positions. Potato and sprouts and cutlet (Barnes’) and jam tart (mine). Wardle at 1 o’clock to kill pig (Blain’s). R.W. came back in p.m. To meet sausages. Zeus jumped the wall at Mail Van. Made potato pancake on fire and had Waffle syrup with it for tea. Milk and onion and soup for supper with wheat biscuits. Red Cross Comp and two plays in evening.

Memo:
16^th Sent phone bill
This week sent Red Cross message to Aunt Bella
Joseph Julian in “American in England”.
2^nd Heard from Doz of C.B.D.’s (Caroline Beatrice Davey) death on 25th
Give Ken 10/- for coal 6^th
Wrote Pickin with rent to March 25^th – 31^st

Churchill home again 7^th
Russians retake Kursk

Sunday 7^th February 1943

Perfect day. Frost. Warm sun.
Tried to cook sausage and potato pancake for breakfast. Blain in; gave apples. Lighted Cosy. With dogs in garden. Wrote Barbara Lewis about C.B.D. Wrote Kath with Elsie Adams’ article in Scotsman. Roast neck mutton in oven (and baked apples). Little jam tarts. “War and Peace” 3.30 – 4.30. Knitted socks (Dennis). In apple room and houses. Pig’s liver and bacon for supper (grill) and baked apple. War and Peace 9.30 -11.10. To bed a t9.30.

Monday 8^th February 1943

Very bitter wind, dull. Cold
Letter from Alys. I did up 3 bits of pork and bacon and 2lb sugar in a box (Dorothy helped). Blain and I in car at 11.30 to Richmond. Posted pork. Blain to dentist. I to Singleton’s and Spence’s. Got 3 fire-backs for cottages and 4 gallons paraffin. Back at 1.45. Fried spare ribs at 2 and cocoa and cheesespread. Wrote Alys and Captain R.H.A. about telephone account. Sent cheque for phone to Post Office. Cooked black pudding, sausage meat, liver under grill. Baked apple.

Tuesday 9^th February 1943

Milder. Sunny in p.m. and lovely.
Wrote Alys with 2 packet paper handkerchiefs. She asked for and bouillon cubes. Wrote Phil, with keys of 77 King Henry Road. Wrote Kitty in Edinburgh. Out to garden. Laurustinus and snowdrops for Morrell and 2 dozen eggs. Black pudding and sprouts. D’Ell with pruning. I got Mrs Pringle to give bed to 3 soldiers. Took her packet tea. Brains Trust with Cornelia Otis Skinner in U.S.A.

Wednesday 10^th February 1943

Dull. Mild. Dark.
Blain looked ill – sent him back to bed. Got Phil’s scarf and did it up with Cox’s apples (posted at 4.10). Wrote Phil, confessing about file. Cold lamb and salad, lettuce and mincepie. To Barnes’ and Dimmock and Holt, Dobinson and Elgey. Afer post to O’Brien. Made “drop scones’ (Be-Ro) on griddle. Soup and pork and liver supper. Stewed some apples. Wrote Finney’s about cheque. Ken and Arnold salted pork.

Thursday 11^th February 1943

Mild, dullish. Very windy in p.m.
Letters from Dennis and Kit. Baden in bed all day aching. Did up parcel of 8 hard boiled eggs and raw rashers bacon (our pig). To Blain’s with milk. Black pudding and sausage meat fried, for dinner. On cycle to Collingwood’s and Ireland’s (Savery out) and Corner’s. Home. Wrote and posted lettercards to Dennis and Alys. Out to Wardle’s against gale. Back, coffee and teacakes given by Ireland. D’Ell cut pork for taking to her friend. Did group saving account. In garden with dogs. Churchill’s speech to Parliament condensed on wireless. Major Lewis Hastings War Commentary.

Friday 12^th February 1943

Mild showers and sun and wind.
Did up 3 packets paper handkerchiefs for Alys. Sent to Ashridge. Did up Sedebrol, sent to Phil. Wrote Alys with parcel. Wrote letter to Phil. D’Ellerton away by 11.45 bus for week’s holiday. Hunter came. Had postponed butcher. Pork for dinner. Soup and tart with jam (and Ryvita) supper. With dogs in garden. Kim caught mouse in pantry at 9.30. Sent receipt to P. Battery for £4.5.0 for damages.

Saturday 13^th February 1943

Mild. Dullish.
Kept KIm in, and gave worM capsule at 12.30. Took milk for Blain and wages. Phoned Richmond C.C. that Arnold had flu. Cooked black pudding. In garden with Kim. Met Major Turner and Sue and walked all about seeking rabbit. He asked me to tea. Back and washed things. To meet sausages 4.15. To tea in Officers’ Mess with Major Turner, Lieutenant Daws and another Lieutenant and Price. Later in garden with Kim. To Blain’s with sausages. Baden dressed but feeling ill. Grilled pork and sprouts.

Memo:
12^th Arnold Blain started work at Richmond
12^th Dorothy Ellerton for holiday
7^th Gave Ken 10/-for 4 weeks coal.
13^th Blain’s wages.

Russians take Rostov 14^th
Russians take Kharkov 16th

Sunday 14^th February 1943

Very mild and lovely a.m. Dull in p.m.
No newspapers came. Wrote letter to Alys at Ashridge. Took milk and apples and suet to Blain’s. Dusted and cleaned. Made puff pastry for sausage rolls and short pastry for jam tarts. In garden with dogs, picked snowdrops. Read Churchill’s speech to command. Listened in to plays – “Mr Williams of Hamburg”. Tank accident at 3 p.m.. Sergeant White killed. K.H.D’s sketch arrived from Barbara Lewis.

Monday 15^th February 1943

Variable – Sun and snowy.
Mess Officers’ cook asked for vegetables. We cut 6lb sprouts and 2 Savoys and 3lb leeks. Picked snowdrops and laurustinus and 1 camellia. Sausages for lunch and stewed apple. Made ginger cakes (Dimmock). And tried cinnamon biscuits, small holder but failure. Wrote Kit. Bacon – our’s very salt and pullets’ eggs. Wireless going bad again. “Monday Night at 8”. Bunched snowdrops and heather.

Tuesday 16^th February 1943

Fine, colder. Warm sun.
To Blain’s; with milk. But to get 12 lettuces from greenhouse; arranged flowers – japonica for Morrell. Boiled 8 eggs hard and did them up in “Masterfront” box. Wrote Eva (about bacon) and Phil and Doz (about cheque £37). To Post. Got little wallflowers into pot and some in beds. At 7.15 Sergeant Andrews in to wireless. Worked at it till 10.30 to toproom. To bed 11.20.

Wednesday 17^th February 1943

Warm. Perfect. Blain out.
Wrote Barbara Lewis and Alys. To the Blain’s with milk and apples. Atkinson doing drain (lavatory), soldiers helping. Sausage rolls. Did up parcel Alys’ nightdress and blouses and the last Cox’s. To Hodgen’s – 1lb onions (gift). To Barnes, Dimmock, (Holt out), Elgey, Dobinson, Gell, O’Brien. Home and posted parcel In garden and greenhouses. At 7.15 Andrews and Sergeant Batty in to finish wireless job (carpenter). I had sardines on toast. Listened (they too) to La bohème till 9.

Americans lose 3 towns and airfields in Tunisia.

Thursday 18^th February 1943

Perfect. Warm. Baden out. Fed hens.
1 dozen eggs. I won in Raffle – arrived! To gardens and opened lights. To Blain’s with milk. Dusted landing. Cleaned Zeus’ room and sitting-room till lunch. Bacon and egg and tarts. On cycle to Savery’s and then Ireland’s and Collingwood, Corner. Walked on to Wardle’s but they at Mrs Legges’ funeral. To Holt’s. Wireless silent. Sergeant Andrews in and discovered H.T. battery died. Put in Mr Daws’ battery!!! So could have set for evening. War Commentary. Flight Lieutenant Strachey. Mock crab for supper. Last tomato! D. Ellerton back 8 pm.

Friday 19^th February 1943

Colder. Windy.
Boiled pork, also the bacon rashers (our pig). To Blain’s with milk and 3 eggs (raffle). Machined suspenders. Laundry (nothing from Barnes;). Mrs Pringle in with her’s. To Wardle’s at 2.15 in gale. Sent handkerchiefs to Eva by post and met stamps. Butcher. In garden and met Captain Taylor who was introduced by Major Turner. New Officer coming for next month. Sergeant Goodley in at 7 and put W.D.H.T. Battery in Philco. Said goodbye. Talk by Lionel Curtis after News. “Strimcock”.

Saturday 20^th February 1943

Perfect. Sunny. Cool.
Major Turner said goodbye – 10. Did some washing. Wrote Alys. Envoflap, enclosing Kit’s note. Barrack Warden in – talked about electricity supply. Cold boiled pork and salad and tarts. To Mrs Pringle’s – rent and D’Ell to March 20^th – New Troop? Came in at 3.30 – 4.30. To meet sausages with dogs, cooked pork. Had soup and bacon and kidney supper.

Memo:
18^th Dell back 8 p.m.
Andrew’s from Sherbourne. Westlake over-stayed at his mother’s boarding house.
20th In tank over-turn and nearly burnt to death. Sergeant White killed. Another man killed on shooting range on 17^th.
Dorsetshire Yeomanry go
Pringle – D’Ell to 16^th
20^th Pringle rent.

Red Army Day. Mr Churchill pneumonia.

Sunday 21^st February 1943

Perfect day.
Breakfast 8.45. D’Ell down 10.30. Laid fire. Out to glass-houses and opened them –v ery hot there – and picked 9 camellias. Fried chops and onions and turnip. We got bacon cut off, and boiled (for Doz and Poz). In garden again. Cut out blue gingham night-dress and machined it; listened Brain’s Trust and then to “Salute to Red Army” from Albert Hall. Closed glasshouse light, doors. Blain and Ken tried to do pond outlet (blocked). “Encounter”; play by G.B. Stern. 9.30.

Monday 22^nd February 1943

Cool. Grey sky. Some sun.
Did hardboiled eggs. Did up boiled bacon and sewed it. Took it to Richmond 11.45 bus. Took camellias and mimosa to Beckwith. Got cauliflower seeds and sweets at Woolworth’s. Home 12.45 bus (to Bank, open till 3.). Did up 8 eggs for post. To Gell’s and Hodgen’s for rents. Posted eggs to Alys at Ashridge. To gardens. Made bed – soup, sprouts and eggs (hard boiled). Knitting socks.

Tuesday 23^rd February 1943

Fine. Perfect.
Cleaned and washed things. In garden, picked laurustinus and japonica. Wrote Alys. Cold lamb cutlets and salad. Mr Woodsend came and syringed my ears. Paid him 10/6. He out to see Dorothy Ells and wrote tonic prescription for her. I in garden; got out some couch grass with a fork. Soup and then Miss Peacock in for 45 minutes, 30) had curry sauce over egg and vegetables at 6. Brains Trust Helen Kirkpatrick. U.S. columnist.

Wednesday 24^th February 1943

Perfect. Warm.
D’Ell missed bus but went 11.45 for tonic. I changed bed round and did cleaning. Made curry of pork and vegetables. Beckwith came at 1.30. Round garden with him. He took camellias, mimosa, lettuces. To Barnes’, Dimmock, Holt, Dobinson, Elgey. Met Captain Tay Kasserina Pass lor and then “Yew” to service batteries. To Wardle’s, met Baden and did groups. Made soup with dried egg in it (took apples to Blain’s and blackcurrant jam).

Germans retreat through Kasserine Pass.

Thursday 25^th February 1943

Fine, windy, cool.
Cleaning. Dusting. Swept Zeus’ room. Wrote Phil (with drawings of Kim’s scar). To Collingwood. Ireland’s brought Belgian Fuchsia (or water-plant). Savery out. Corner (had cream and cake). Did fertilising of peach-tree and some weeding. Peacock and Frank with sheets. Soup with dried egg and prunes. War Commentary about Hitler’s Europe.

Friday 26^th February 1943

Fine.
Most of day packing up brawns. Alys’ dentures mending stuffs (old sheets) and apples for Ashridge and a brawn for Eva. Lettercard to Alys and envoflap to Kitty. Hunter’s came. Took points from next period. No butcher. Posted parcels. Made Bruxelles chocolate cream and Welsh rarebit. Lovely supper. Talk on microbes by P.

Saturday 27^th February 1943

Perfect. Warm.
Wrote for more vine manure. Pruned Dennis’ little trees. Cut out dead wood. Fertilised peach tree. To meet sausages. D’Ell to Land Army Social at Morritt Hotel. Made soup and grilled cutlets. Sprouts. No Cosy Stove, so warm. Electric bar at 9.15.

Memo:
Cosy Stove only lighted at 5 or 6.30 all week – no fire on Saturday. Open windows all day.
Electric bar at 8 – 10.
23^rd Dr Woodsend?
Dr Lionel Whitby (M&B expert – called in).
27^th Blain’s wages.
Paid Mrs Blain 1/- for shin of beef (for brawn).
22^nd Hodgen’s and Gell’s rents.

Intense raids on Germany. Berlin.

Sunday 28^th February 1943

Perfect. No fire only electric at 8 p.m.
Stove smoked everything. D’Ell washed shelves. Dell out before breakfast to look for her hat. Lost last night. In garden and opened houses. Tried to reserve primulas from grass. Sausages and bread and jam. Wrote Ella. Planted primulas by hut. Fertlised peach tree. Phoned Mrs Ingram about D’Ell’s salary. Dennis thought it should be 20/11 instead of 17/11. Mrs Bigge too. Rang up. We were right. Agricultural Land Army higher pay. – longer hours.

---

Monday 1^st March 1943

Very fine again. No fire – mild.
Wrote Alys about another landgirl? Ingram suggests. Did up 12 eggs. With D’Ell. Picked mimosa and took it and camellias and 12 lettuce by 2.45 bus to Richmond. Beckwith paid 27/6 for it. I posted eggs to Alys 3.45 bus back. Talked Mrs Tilbury. In gardens weeding away tulips. Bath at 6.

Tuesday 2^nd March 1943

Perfect. Warm. No electric fire at 7.30.
Out to see Atkinson digging out drain from lower pond. Tree roots in it. In apple-store, re-arranging Bramley’s, Lane’s and Prince Albert’s. On cycle to East Layton to take Mrs Hind camellias (for her mother’s grave). Fritters of sausage in batter. Wrote Alys, and did up coffee for her. Postcard to Kit (George a captain). Form to apply for petrol ration. In garden, and apples again. Savery’s in seeing peach-bloom. Boiled bacon. Rice in liquor of bacon and meat and milk – supper. Took apples and cake ingredients to Blain’s.

Wednesday 3^rd March 1943

Cold. Dull.
Took box of camellias and mimosa to 11.45. bus, set to Beckwith’s. Bacon (our pig) and fried eggs and fried bread. Stewed some apples. To Barnes’, Dimmock’s, Holt, Gell, Dobinson (chickenpox, Ronnie), O’Brien. In garden with dogs at 5.30. Tinned haricot beans and fresh Brussels sprouts supper. Felt sick before it (ill?)

Thursday 4^th March 1943

Cool, dull a.m. Very fine after 12. Fine at 6.
Baden and Atkinson and I in car to White House. I to call on Tweddell and they to look about repaint. Rose Simpson took me over house. Boiled egg. Did up Patience cards for Alys. At 11 Little Gaddeston. Cleaned Zeus’ room. Took Mrs Elgey and Mrs Thatcher, her mother, to see peach-blossom. Did up cake from Mrs Blain for Phil. To Post. Fertilised peach-blossom. Cooked risotto (with my bottled tomatoes).

Friday 5^th March 1943

Perfect. No fire. Electric at 8.00.
Did laundry Phoned Jackson about oil. Took mimosa, camellias and 12 lettuce to Beckwith on 11.45 bus. Fried bacon and eggs. In garden. Took Butcher. Hutchinson to see peach-blossom. Lots of bees in there. Weeded border and rock garden. Did accounts. To Mrs Blain’s with milk and apples and paid for marmalade. Grilled steak, potatoes, sprouts and our dried peas.

Saturday 6^th March 1943

Very fine. Warm.
Shivery. Picked polyanthus and squills and tree azalea and D’Ell took box to them and camellias to bus 12.45 when she went home. Omelette and peas and sprouts. Washed vests and cloth. To garden. Got bees out of peach-house. Weeded, made stew, cutlets, tomatoes, vegetables and had supper and Oregon tinned plums (my 12 points). On sofa after supper. Letter to Alys by post.

Memo:
Itch very bad 6^th
Much better 7^th
March 2^nd Write for petrol.

Sunday 7^th March 1943

Foggy. Cooler.
Down at 8.40. Got breakfast. Out to garden and opened houses. Hot stew. Made chocolate biscuits (like Tilbury’s). To East Latyon on cycle for letter. But none. Only one from Alys. Did weeding amongst the tulips and daffodils. Baden about bees and the bacon-hanging. Beef and sausage stew. Did bank book. P.S. about crash in desert by a Flight Sergeant.

Monday 8^th March 1943

Cool. Some fog. Sunny and warm in p.m.
At 10.40 with David and Mrs Barnes to Darlington. To Badcock at 12. He patched up my 2 front teeth. Lunch at Carrick’s. Salmon fish cakes. Shopped, bought slippers. Fish, doll for Eve (5/-). Drove back 4 – 435. To garden. Baden, Ken and Arnold hung up 2^nd pig and put our’s in larder, Herrings and sprouts for supper, soldier brought in letter from Alys 9.40. Rang up Mrs Ingram about 2^nd landgirl. Collected waste paper.

Tuesday 9^th March 1943

Perfect.
To Richmond in car, alone, taking camellias, mimosa, watercress, Siberian currant, daffodils. To Beckwith, Digest’s and Post Office for Forces. Got glass pantiles and manhole cover from Spence’s. Hair trimmed; brought nightgown. Sugar ration, 3 dozen eggs. Morrell. To Wardle, Gell, Holt about landgirl billeting – no good. Made soup.

Wednesday 10^th March 1943

Dull and windy.
Cycled to East Layton to fetch Savings Stamps from Post Office. Phoned R.D.C.C. again about tins. Round by Savery’s, talked Mr Savery (Mrs Savery away). Met Miss Hodgens – talked to her too about billeting. Soup and beans in it. Sweeper in nursery and in the room. Made ginger biscuits – baked apples in oven and made cheese and potato soufflé with dried egg – very good. Ironed socks for Dennis. Began jersey for Eve’s doll.

Germans threatening Karkov again. Russian take Vyazma. Air-raids on Sunderland, Middlesbrough, Newcastle.

Thursday 11^th March 1943

Barnes in about shooting. Mrs Blain about Baden’s bilious attack. Wrote Mr Booth; and Alys about gunroom for Sir John Blunt’s brother. Took camellias and mimosa to 11.45 bus. I to Dobinson’s with savoys. To Elgey’s, Savery, Collingwood’s and Ireland’s for savings group. Did Corner’s. Home (cycling). Took Dennis’ socks to post 4.10 for his birthday. Then to Wardle’s and paid bill by cheque. Back. Tired. Made supper –cheese sauce and sprouts. Peacock with laundry. Flight Lieutenant Strachey? War Commentary.

Friday 12^th March 1943

Fine. Sunny. Frost a.m.
Mrs Blain asked me to phone for Dr Leishman for Baden (Rona and Ken in bed too with flu). Flowers to bus 11.45. Did laundry. Dusted nursery. Egg and salad (lettuce) and prunes. Butcher at 2.15 with steak. Made out garden account for Officers’ Mess. Hunter at 4.50. Posted 12 new laid eggs to Dennis. To garden. D’Ell sowed many seeds outdoors. Water didn’t run in Officers’ bathroom. To cisterns. Mrs Blain over twice. Arnold to reservoir 9.40 and said nearly empty. Water turned off over night.

Saturday 13^th March 1943

Perfect. Frost a.m.
D’Ell and I cut corner of ham. I boiled it. To Blain’s with milk. Atkinson there about water. Egg hard boiled for lunch and prunes. D’Ell home.Took ham and bread-crumbed. Sent my Hunter’s rashers to Phil by post and letter to Alys. In garden and weeded new strawberry bed. To Blain’s. Sausages there (Pringle brought them there). Met Major Campbell. Talked about water (no stove on). Made stew of beef. Had grilled beef and onions, potatoes and kidney for supper. Bees in peach house – 7^th , 12^th and 13^th.

Memo:
8^th 12 o’clock Badock
13^th Blain’s wages
Owe Mrs Blain 2/1 ½
14^th Dennis’ birthday

Germans retake Kharkov.

Sunday 14^th March 1943

Perfect. Warm sun.
To Blain’s with milk, eggs apples. Peggy there for 48 hours. Arnold said a leak in field. Out in garden. Weeded asparagus bed a bit. Rolled foot. Stew for dinner, sat in Phil’s hut in sun. Then indoors and made skirt for Eve’s doll; play “If you have not already done so” on wireless (girl as memory). Did gingham night gown a bit. Sausages and cheese grill.

Monday 15^th March 1943

Perfect.
Peacock phoned about water. To Blain’s. Atkinson to field, and then helped me get car out and I to Richmond to get joint for pipe, at Spence’s. Also posted ham corner to Dennis and took camellias to Beckwith. Brought John Heigham to Gilling. Stew for dinner. Wrote Alys and Mrs Booth about shooting and water. Talked to Baden, through door. Hot bottles in Phil’s bed. Told officer could have stove on in a.m. Mrs Ingram phoned.

Tuesday 16^th March 1943

Mild. Dull.
Did some cleaning in Phil’s bedroom. Washed 2 pairs socks and cloths. Morrell – 2 dozen eggs and flowers and Savoys. To Blain’s with milk. Egg, bacon and fried bread lunch. Did up Eve’s doll and Fougasse book for James and sent off by post. Letter to Eva. Bath at 5.30. Tired. Made porridge, soup and salad – Ryvita. Finished gingham nighty. Virginia Cowles talk on Tunis and British Army there.

Wednesday 17^th March 1943

Mild. Dullish.
To see Baden (in bed) and talk about D.C.R.E. and water and drains. Cleaning nursery, and moving carpet (with D’Ell’s help). To Elgey’s, Dobinson, Gell, Barnes, Dimmock, (Baker’s gone), Holt, and O’Brien. More cleaning nursery and Zeus’ room. In garden; officer shooting pigeons. Got “by Greta Bridge” to lend him. Motor (transformer) started in smoke-room cupboard! To Baden who explained about switch. Lettercard to Alys. Hoovered sitting-room and entrance 6.30 – 7.00.

Thursday 18^th March 1943

Mild fog a.m. then sun in p.m.
To see Blain about army man and water supply. Took 2 eggs and milk. Cleaned bathroom floor a bit. Dusted and swept alcove and swept Alys’ room corners. Airing blanket and sheets – Phil’s. Hard boiled egg. To Savery, Collingwood, Ireland, Corner and Wardle on cycle. Dell tidying flower border into a bonfire heap. I out weeding 10 minutes. Miss Peacock and Frank in and stayed 7.30 – 8.20. Sardines on toast at 8.40! Washed clothes and duster.

Friday 19^th March 1943

Dull. Cold North wind.
To talk to Baden (in bed). Took flowers to bus 11.45. Did laundry. Pasted wallpaper on my room and Dorothy did on her’s. Dobson (landgirl) phoned. Wrote Alys. At 6 Ken helped get car out (and officer and men helped) past trucks and I to fetch milk at Wardle’s and took to O’Brien, Pringle’s, Blain and self. Airing Phil’s bedclothes and bottles in Alys’ bed all day. Saw Dr Leishman at the Blain’s.

Saturday 20^th March 1943

Dull. Mild.
Found bottle leaking in Aly’s bedroom. Much to do about it. D’Ell cut corner off ham and I boiled it. Airing blankets. To Blain’s about electric stove. Ken mended fuse. D’Ell to meet Joan Dobson at 2.15 bus. I saw her, and they both off by 2.45. I made ginger biscuits and baked apples. To meet sausages (and brawn). Cycled to East Layton 6.15 to get letter from Alys and Eva. To gardens to lock up first. Grilled sausages and sprouts and baked apples supper. Bacon and egg lunch.

Memo:
20^th Paid Ken 10/- for coal and 2.9 rabbit
18^th Eve’s birthday 3 years
Aunt Bella might receive message this week

Eighth Army moving up to Mareth, Americans towards Meknassi in Rommel’s rear.

Sunday 21^st March 1943

Fine. Mild.
Airing beds and making them. Soldiers went away for 4 days. Hot water stove out. Dr Fothergill came on cycle; ate his tea here. To see cherry blossom. Mrs Elgey came to say Mrs Peacock couldn’t come and work. Mr Churchill spoke at 9 – 9.45 on after war.

Monday 22^nd March 1943

Fine, sunny. Mild.
Busy cleaning, and airing and D’Ell brushed stairs and washed pantry edges and polished floor and washed shelves too. Took milk to Blain. I took Hodgen’s and Gell’s for rents. Then back cleaned again. Hut airing, In garden with dogs. Cooked beef for lunch with potatoes round it and sprouts. And baked apples for tomorrow. Wardle to kill last pig at 7. Had sausage, bacon, potatoes, tomatoes, sprouts – grill.

Tuesday 23^rd March 1943

Fine. Mild.
Cleaned a bit more and D’Ell helped too, halls. Solider lit boiler stove for D’Ell – our coke. Blain brought car down 2.30. I to Richmond to Beckwith’s. At 3.45 met Alys and Phil. Home. Coffee. All of us up to Blain’s to see them and pig (last of the 3) hanging there. Our ham for supper. Lovely. Brains Trust. Phil slept in nursery.

Wednesday 24^th March 1943

Dull. Coldish.
All breakfast in pantry. Phil dressed after lhe and I to Jackson’s for engine oil and he tried bicycles. Alys cooked pig’s liver and bacon for dinner. I to Dimmock, Barnes, Dobinson and Elgey for Savings Group and Mrs Pringle’s for rent and to pay for D’Ell. Tea. Alys and Dennis out for walk. I got lettuces from greenhouse, and sticks. Cold beef, fried potatoes and salad. Sat in nursery and Phil in bed at 9.

Thursday 25^th March 1943

Cold. Dull. Rain in p.m.
Alys and Phil to Darlington to buy bicycle for Phil. I cooked joint of pork (3^rd pig) and sprouts and mashed potatoes. In p.m. I to Savery, Ireland, Collingwood, Corner, Wardle, O’Brien for Savings Groups and Red Cross. Tea (Alys made gingerbread in p.m. and cut bag out of American cloth). I grilled pig’s liver and kidney and bacon and onion and black pudding. In nursery (Phil’s bedroom) for news and War Commentary – Lewis Hastings.

Friday 26^th March 1943

Dull. Cold.
Phil bad rheumatism still. He began to petrol and paint his engine (that had got rusty). Did laundry. Lighted fire. Alys did up honey to send Eva, and friend of Phil’s (Bedale). To Miss Holt’s in p.m. and Blain’s with Group Savings money. We had sausage-meat and black pudding and bacon for supper. In Phil’s (nursery) room for news. Phil out for little walk after tea. I in garden before tea for 5 minutes.

Saturday 27^th March 1943

Fine. Warm.
Phil in hut, on floor in sun. Wound up the clocks as Baden not in. Lit fire. Alys did roast pork and sprouts and baked apples. D’Ell away by 10.45 bus. Alys gave honey. I wrote Kit and account to Dorset Yeomanry. Got tea ready. In garden, weeded asparagus bed. Made scrambled eggs after Alys’ soup. Kim not in (out all night).

Memo:
23^rd Alys and Phil come?
3^rd pig to be killed 22^nd
March 23^rd – D’Ell paid to Pringle £3.3.6 from Feb 23^rd – 4 weeks at 15/- and 3.6 week of 21^st.
March 25^th – Pickin
22^nd Hodgens and Gell – Rents 27^th wages.

We get through Mareth Line and take Gabès. Round flank by El Hamma.

Sunday 28^th March 1943

Perfect.
Breakfast in sunshine. Alys made cottage-pie for dinner and Savoys and chocolate cream pudding (Brussels). Opened glasshouses. Read papers in p.m. Got tea ready and mustard and cress from greenhouse and made sandwiches. Phil in hut and garden with dogs. We grilled, and fried kidneys, bacon and sausages and eggs for supper. ”Are you sure” in Phil’s bedroom (nursery). Sir A. Sinclair on R.A.F. 25^th birthday.

Monday 29^th March 1943

Dull. Cool.
Alys did fires and I washed up. Alys got roast mutton, savoys for dinner. Phil doing boat in top room. In a.m. he with Blain looking at drains. Alys and I to warehouse. Met Major Campbell. I posted eggs to Dennis. Cold pork and sausages and lettuce and ginger suet pudding. Major Campbell, Captain Alexander, Lieutenant Tee in to coffee and port from 8.45 till 10.20.

Tuesday 30^th March 1943

Gale. Sunny a.m. Rain after.
Some housework. Windy. Alys up to yard at 10.30 and Alexander showed her guns for an hour. Did fires, but only lit at 12.30. Sunny before. Rain in p.m. Cleaned bathroom a bit. D.C.R.E. came and Phil out with him at 3. So we had coffee at 3.45. Alexander in about pennant and stayed till 6.5. Had coffee. Welsh rarebit for supper and 2 mushrooms. Brains Trust.

Wednesday 31^st March 1943

Windy. Fine.
Fires. Two men came about house for Ministry of Agriculture. Finished Captain Alex’s pennant. In p.m. to Dimmock, Holt, Barnes, Gell, Dobinson, Elgey, O’Brien. Alys to get petrol. Swallway’s and then she and Phil to get more at Richmond and Catterick, to use up units (last day). Alex in about red D on pennant. D’Ell phoned. Scrambled eggs and Bath Chap supper.

---

8^th Army going past Outref. R.A.F’s 25^th birthday.

Thursday 1^st April 1943

Fine but very windy.
Alys gave Phil a washout. I made porridge. Wrote a/c electricity to army 79.4.0. Alys made curry for dinner. I cycled to Collingwood’s, Ireland’s, Corner’s (Savery out). Alys to the Wardle’s and took stamps. Phil not out – too rheumatic. I finished Captain’s Alex’s pennant and ironed it after supper. Alys machined zip bag. Bath chap and salad (lettuce) and rhubarb (first, indoor). R.A.F. night on wireless – 25^th birthday. Sir Paul Joubert.

Friday 2^nd April 1943

Fineish. Mild.
Phil in bed to breakfast and wash out after and never dressed all day. Such rheumatism. Did his fire and lighted it after breakfast. Did washing. Salad and began frying potatoes. Corned beef lunch. On cycle to Corner’s about still-room window, broken. To Hodgen’s about rhubarb and Blain’s for 2 loaves. Tea. Took pennant to mess room. Alex had had direct hit on his tank and old flag! Will keep me posted about my flag in battle. Phil in to supper, tomato soup and salted beans and poached eggs. Raked strawberry bed at 6.30.

Saturday 3^rd April 1943

Perfect. Hot. Tiring.
Alys in car to Richmond and sold daffodils and camellias in market. Wisteria to Beckwith. I did fires and got salad and potato. Phil dressed after breakfast and did lathe-work and to hut; lovely hot sun. Alys did her skirt in p.m. I to gardens. Hoed on rose-bed. Coats came about stillroom window. I washed clothes and ironed later. Alys fried fresh haddock for supper. Hodgens called on Phil. Bought rhubarb). Put watches on 1 hour for summer-time (double).Memo:

Memo:
Mr (Lieutenant) Blunt (Sir) John Blunt, Bart’s brother, taking the shooting at £75.
30^th Cowrie (Ministry of Works) called up about water.
Phil bad rheumatism all week.

7^th News of new victory in Tunisia at Wadi Akarit. 6,000 prisoners.

Sunday 4^th April 1943

Lovely day. Sunny. Cold winds.
Phil a bit better, up after breakfast (in to breakfast in dressing-gown). Laid fires, did bathroom’s. Alys cooked leg mutton, Savoy and chocolate cream (Brussels). Phil in hut. Wrote Doz. Weeded strawberry bed of coarse grass. Watered indoor lettuce. ,Buttered eggs with grilled kidney; and rhubarb. Phil at lathe. Then nursery for news. P.S. by Czech Wernker about underground press.

Monday 5^th April 1943

Gale in p.m. Mild.
Alys and I to Richmond in car. Beckwith with camellias. Sent off apples to Eva (42lb box). Rents to Clark, registered. Got my marmalade (last month’s), saw Doris Newcombe. In p.m. in gale to Barn. C. Hunter’s for Phil’s emergency rations. Alys and I doing gun-room for Land Girls. Phil up to see Baden (in bed again). Wrote Pickin. Finney’s for Bone meal and tomato manure, car insurance. To Haughton Car Company.

Tuesday 6^th April 1943

Snow in night. Sunny cold day.
Cleared out carpet from still-room and gun-room. Phil levered desk with stretcher. Lighted fire before breakfast. Sold 52 dozen daffodils to Morrell at 9d each. Mrs Peacock at 2, cleaned gunroom and Zeus; room – 3 hours 2.6. Had coffee and bread and jam. Alys made scones and machined her skirt. Major Campbell brought Major Whitehead in (Next Battery). Steel’s tongue for supper. (Uterine haemorrhage at 7.30!). Brains Trust with La Guardia from New York. Very good.

Wednesday 7^th April 1943

Fine sun. Gale in p.m. Cold.
Phil to Blain, who still in bed. I laid fires. Alys made hash (I cut up meat) with 5 flavourings. Bath Olivers! In p.m. Alys to Blain’s. I to Phil in hut and asked about menstruation. He suggested it was Stilboestrol pills so much relieved. To Dimmock, Holt, Barnes, Elgey, and Dobinson. Rhoda W.A.A.F. there and O’Brien. Poached eggs and spaghetti and baked apples with jam. Getting dustsheets for Berry beds.

8^th Army join with U.S. Army near Gafsa, pursuing Rommel 8^th.

Thursday 8^th April 1943

Fine, cold.
Fires, sewed up one of Eva’s beds. Alys phoned Eva (faint) 7,30 a.m. Phil to Farmers to see about storm damage claims (in car). Alys made lovely shepherds pie and redcurrant and raspberry tart. I (with Phil in car) to Collingwood’s, Ireland’s; walked back, Savery, Corner and home. Then to Wardle’s. Phil to these too in p.m. Alys did up parcel and sent Dennis. She and I to warehouse after tea. I made ginger biscuits for tea. Peacock came with sheets. To Blain’s with Group Savings. Scrambled eggs for supper and cheese soup. Very good. Talk Squadron Leader Strachey.

Friday 9^th April 1943

Fine. Mild.
Still menstruation going strong. Alys and I sewed up Berry’s mattress and it and beds and crated table – went off L.N.R.Y. Laundry. Brawn and salad and tartlets. In garden, picked double. Kingcups and mauve primulas and rhododendrons (pink). Hunter (neither Alys or I saw him) and butcher. Corned beef supper. Phil and Ken doing motor-mower outdoors till 9.30. Captain Alexander and Major Campbell in to say goodbye.

Saturday 10^th April 1943

Fine. Mild.
Alys in car to Richmond with flowers for market (Women’s Institute stall). I did fires and got potatoes and lettuce for lunch. In p.m. on bed with hot bottle, feeling rotten. Took temperature at 4. It was over 100°, so not up. Bread and milk and got into bed about 7. Soreish throat and hurting cough.

Memo:
10^th Scottish Battery marched out. Dorsetshire Yeomanry (Major Whitehead) in.
6^th Mrs Peacock at 2 p.m.
6^th Pringle paid 30/- to 6^th
6^th Waste paper. Last collected on March 9^th.

11^th Eighth army take Sfax and pursue on.

Sunday 11^th April 1943

Fine, mild.
Ken cut lawn. Restless night. Took Empirin tablets. Temperature 101.2°  At 9 a.m. milky porridge, dozing all day. Bouillon cubes and bread and milk. Phil phoned Dennis about the menstruation. He said put foot of bed on blocks and stay in bed. Throat a little sore, chest a little tight. Temperature 99° but up to over 100° by day.

Monday 12^th April 1943

Fair, mild.

Temperature 100.3°. Bread and milk. Alys busy with Dorothy getting ready for new land-girl. Joan Dobson who came 1.15. Temperature 98.4° at 2. Read the Sunday papers. Alys did me poached egg on toast at 8.30 (bread and milk at 5.15). Temperature 98.4° at 4, but cough hurt.

Tuesday 13^th April 1943

Fine, mild.
Temperature 99.3°. Bread and milk. Dozed a good deal and read papers. Alys made lovely milk soup for my dinner and tinned pineapples. Temperature 100° at 6. Bad pain (spasm descending colon) at 6.20. 7.20 Phil came in to see about it. Alys decided to sleep in my room. Took 3 aspirins. Pain went (and came) quite suddenly. No supper. Bovril in night.

Wednesday 14^th April 1943

Fine. Warm.
Temperature normal. Alys up at 6.15 and got Phil’s breakfast and Balin and he to Darlington for 8.40 to King’s Cross (Blain just well enough to go to station instead of Alys). Alys did up books of Phil’s and took to post. I slept a lot and read paper. Menstruation stopped nearly. Temperature 98.4° at 1 and 6. D. Simpson called in my room (on bedroom chair) for news and to bed soon after.

Took Sousse and on. Pause before Enfidaville (Enfidha).

Thursday 15^th April 1943

Fine. mild. Night frost.
Temperature 97.8° or 6. Bread and milk breakfast. In bed all day. Still a slight menstruation and cough. Mutton in white sauce, boiled lettuce and mashed potatoes. Pineapple. Slept a bit all day.   Wrote about car insurance and 12/6 to K-H for renewal and £1.0.0 to Sir Alec Martin for Steer Memorial Fund. Talk “El-Alamein to Gabès”. After news, Alys on mattress in my room. “Marching On”. Kim to Foxhall. Zeus in night.

Friday 16^th April 1943

Fine. Lovely.
Temperature 98.8° bread and milk. Alys made my bed with two clean sheets and took blocks away. Menstruation practically stopped. Blain and D. Ellerton in car to fetch tomato plants from Eliot (30/-). Temperature 98.8° at 2 and 6. Dozed a lot of day. Finished “Through the Eyes of the Judge”.

Saturday 17^th April 1943

Dull. Fine p.m.
Sub-normal 8 a.m. 98°. D’Ell took box of stuff to 8.45 bus for market. I had a bath. Had kidney and bacon on toast and rhubarb. 98.8° at 2. D’Ell and Joan to Richmond. D’Ell home. Alys lent Joan 3 books later. Mrs Crisp and Peacock called. Dozed most of day, rather headachey. 98.8 ° at 6. Poached egg on toast supper. 99.2° at 9 p.m. Barrie’s “Shall We Join the Ladies”.

Memo:
14^th Alys and Phil go
12^th Joan Dobson comes early!
13^th Mrs Peacock 2.
12^th Phil had 1^st asparagus!
New H.T. battery from Jackson’s in Philco this week.
17^th Ken’s 10/- (coal) due. Alys paid it.
17^th Pringle’s rent.

Eighth Army attack. Take Enfidaville. News in on 21^st.

Sunday 18^th April 1943

Perfect.
98.2° 8 a.m. 98.2° 2 p.m. 99.2° 6 p.m. 99.1° 9 p.m.
Bread and milk. Joan here. Wrote note to Kit. Sent cheque to Haughton Car Co for year’s insurance. Hot mutton and cauliflower, roast potatoes. Rhubarb and cream. Slept till 3.30. Eden Philpotts’ play “Honest to Goodness Noah” 3.30 – 4.30. Coffee (1^st time). Toast and bloater paste and sponge-cake. Salted beans and poached eggs and junket. Kimbo not in all night. Pye battery out.

Monday 19^th April 1943

Perfect.
98.4° 8 a.m. 98.8° 6 p.m. Alys heard from Dennis that Tony Ayrton had been killed in Tunisia. Dozed in a.m. D’Ell headache at back of neck. Slept in p.m., after asparagus, and custard and rhubarb. Wrote pencil note to Ayrtons’ after tea. Alys brought Kim up. Sat in sun by window with Kim on windowsill.

Tuesday 20^th April 1943

Fine. Cooler. Not sunny in a.m.
98.4° (8 a.m.) 98.2° (6 p.m.). Porridge for breakfast. Dozed and read paper. Note from Doz. Cold meat and asparagus and prunes. Finished “Cactus’ by Ethel Mannin. Don’t like it at all. Began Framley Parsonage. Wound dark green wool. Brains Trust. Alys talked to Officer in girl’s sitting-room. Dell put Kimbo to bed.

Wednesday 21^st April 1943

Perfect. Hot sun.
98.4° (8 a.m.) 99.2° (6 p.m.) Alys to Richmond in car. To Beckworth’s with stewed rhubarb and 2 dozen lettuces. Got stamps and I sent off Red Cross 7/6. I had bath at 10.30 a.m. Hash and mashed potato, baked apple. Slept all p.m. Scones and gingerbread (Alys made yesterday). Began dark green cardigan for Eve with fawn wool check. Joan said was out till 10 doing tomato plants.

Thursday 22^nd April 1943

Slight shower in a.m. Sun later – muggy.
98.4° 8 a.m. 98.4° 6 p.m. Letter from Phil to Alys. Joan home in p.m. Porridge. Wrote to Dennis. Dennis phoned to Alys in p.m. about Phil and Smart and refill postponed and bronchoscopy. Slept all p.m. after large dinner – shepherds pie, braised lettuce and gooseberry cream. Wound thick turquoise wool and begat it with dark green for Eve and undid other one (begun yesterday). Alys got armchair in. Major Lewis Hastings and Marching On.

Friday 23^rd April 1943

Sun and showers. Mostly Fine.
98.2° 8 a.m. 98.4° 6 p.m. Put on clothes and came down to nursery at 11.30 or so. Sat in armchair. Cosy Stove alight but smoking (daw’s nest?) Rissoles and peas and gooseberries. Lovely dinner. Slept in bed (undressed) in p.m. Let Pye battery fall over, so no wireless. Alys to Ravensworth to get Atkinson for chimney. D’Ell picked watercress for market. Kidney and asparagus supper. Wonderful. Had to undo Eve’s front again – too large.

Saturday 24^th April 1943

Perfect.
98.4° 8 a.m. 98.8° 6 p.m. Blain and D’Ell in car to Richmond. Dorothy to market with produce. Blain to see Blenkinsop about condemned cottage. I in Alys sunny bedroom. Atkinson (and Ken) cleaning nursery chimney so I didn’t dress. Bathroom door-handle off. Blain mending it in p.m. Boiler stove jacket burst – no hot water. Knitted Eve’s front. Back to bed in my room for sleep and tea and supper. Alys listened to News downstairs then up here and to bed at 10 or so.

Memo:
24^th Wrote Doz
19^th Heard of Tony Ayrton’s death
21^st Sent Red Cross 7/6 rural pennies
19^th new Pye battery
19^th Hodgson and Gell rents. Blain’s wages. Reading Framley Parsonage

Bitter fighting in Tunisian Hill country. Russian-Polish split.

Sunday 25^th April 1943

Gale. Sun a.m. coldish. Sun and showers p.m.
98.4° 8.30 a.m. Didn’t take it again. Wrote to Ernest Miles with draft of new Will. Got up at 11.30 or so and down to sitting-room. Cosy Stove alight. Dennis’ cherry blossom white and red. After dinner up to rest on bed. Slept a little. Read Sunday Time. Down to tea. D’Ell had Savery’s to tea.  Alys had Peggy Blain in. Tea. Knitted, began 2^nd front of Eve’s. Supper Lovely soup, cold ham salad, fried cheese dish. Alys took dogs out. News and P.S. By Peter Scott about “Hitch”. To bed 9.50

Monday 26^th April 1943

Changeable. Wind, sun and rain. Sunny p.m.
97.8°. Stayed in bed and knitted till 11.45. Down (not out as windy, some rain). To sleep on bed in p.m. Read Kitty’s Edinburgh letters to Alys. Mended Alys nightgown and she taught me hem stitch. Alys to peach house. D’Ell pruning nectarines. Captain Damman(?) there with Joan (with red fingernails). Supper. News. To bed 9.45.

Tuesday 27^th April 1943

Showery and sunny.
Down at 11 or so. Alys broached Dennis saying I was to go to Little Gaddesden. Looked for Insurance Tax warrants. Lovely hash and cooked lettuce and Queen of Puddings. Slept in p.m. Tea (Mrs Peacock didn’t come). Searched for garden bill. Tore up letters. Savery came about tennis lawn. Blain out with dogs and brought in asparagus for supper. Brains Trust. Miss Peacock in middle and Alys took her in garden.

Wednesday 28^th April 1943

Lovely day. Dullish evening.
Letter from Max about Tony, with Farrar-Bell’s letter. Wrote bank for Insurance Tax warrants. Up and Alys and I to Barnard Castle in car. To Hunter’s and I to Bank. Back to lunch. Wrote account rendered to Dorset Yeomanry. Slept on bed. Tea. Knitted. Wrote Kitty (told of eczema). Asparagus and egg and bacon supper. Wonderful. Alys out with dogs.

Thursday 29^th April 1943

Fine a.m. Dull later and showers.
Mrs Peacock came in p.m. In bed to breakfast. Letter from Dennis about Champneys Tring. Wrote Ethel Miles. Alys phoned Dennis at lunchtimes. Rested and slept. Washed vest and pants. Up to attic for suitcase with Alys and looking for chairs. Miss Peacock in after tea. Dennis phoned at 6.50. Mrs Oakins can have me, Monday. (Mended Zeus’ bed mat in a.m. on steps).   Dull war commentary by Admiral James. Small boiler stove came. D’Ell to dance at Gilling.

Friday 30^th April 1943

Dull and fine intervals. Mild.
In bed to breakfast. Wrote Ayrtons’ about Farrar-Bell’s letter. Up. Washed blue nightie and gloves. Alys made very good vegetable pie. Rona measles. Slept in p.m. Alys saw Stevens about stove and Captain Arket. Posted coffee (Alys did) to me at Little Gaddesden. Land-girls got broccoli and asparagus for market. Alys and I rebunched it and out to garden. Asparagus and egg and bacon supper.

---

Saturday 1^st May 1943

Rainy and cold. Fine in p.m.
Up to breakfast. Alys and I in car to Richmond. Took vegetables to market. I got my emergency food. To Beckwith’s (22/- paid). Back and saw D’Ell. She away until Monday. Fried Prem and potatoes, lovely and gooseberries. Slept in p.m. on bed. Alys sent off honey to Mrs Oakins. Wrote Finney’s, saying fertiliser arrived. Spaghetti for supper (made with leeks and Camden tomatoes). Play Consider your Verdict” in evening.

Memo:
28^th Sent account rendered Garden Bill to Dorset Yeomanry.
Wrote Kit 28^th
29^th Wrote Ethel Miles.
26^th Phil Midder begins.
Might hear from Aunt Bella in answer to my message sent February 2^nd?

Americans take Mateur 3^rd

Sunday 2^nd May 1943

Dull a.m. Lovely p.m.
Alys up with Zeus, who barked in house 2.30 a.m. Up to breakfast. Tidying out drawers, cleaning shoes. Alys cooked roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, lettuces, apples and jam. In p.m. did more tidying. Out in garden with Alys after coffee “Nescafé”. Lovely. Opened glass-houses, much too hot 97.1°. Supper – cold sausage and prem and lovely salad! And spaghetti. Dennis phoned. P.S. by Herbert Agar.

Monday 3^rd May 1943

Cool, dull and windy. Sunny.
Up 6.15. Breakfast 7. Alys did egg and bacon. Both in car to Darlington. 8.50 to Kings Cross – me alone. Alys gave me 1^st class. Met by Dennis. Taxi to B.M.A. House. Dennis’ car EYT to Ashridge Hospital. Tea in Lab. Miss Hampton. Phil (midder pup). And Dennis on beds till 6 News. Hot bath. Dennis drove me to 11 Little Gaddesden at 6.45. Egg Wrote to Alys.

Tuesday 4^th May 1943

Fine. Windy.
Breakfast 9. Finished letter to Alys and posted it 10.30. Bought pad notepaper 1/4 . Phoned Bruce Green 1.4. Read “your deal my love” Peter Cheyne. Dozed on sofa in p.m. Dennis along at 3.30. Tea. Out and sat or lay on grass in Ashridge Park. Back for News at 6. Read “Knitting for All”. Sardine supper.

Wednesday 5^th May 1943

Dull. Mildish.
Breakfast 8.30. Met Dennis (and Cubby – Cuthbert Welsh) and in EYT to London. To Bluett’s, to Selfridge’s. Knitting book. Walked Oxford Circus. Bus; to Bruce Green’s – 16 West Central Street – spectacles. Bus to Green Lizard. Lunch 12 o’clock. To Darnley’s. To Lewis’; Marshall’s. Wrote Alys. To Selfridge’s. Got Alys’ clock 1.0.0. Walked to 97 Harley Street – Clifford White’s. Dennis there. Examination. Tea Karaway’s. To Goldsmith, 6 Upper Wimpole Street – Eczema. Paid 3.3.0. Back to Ashridge (with Cubby). To 11 Little Gaddesden – supper. Wrote Alys. To bed 9.20. Read “Your Deal, My Lovely. Peter Cheyney.

Tunis and Bizerta taken – 7^th.

Thursday 6^th May 1943

Cold wind. Dull.
My Will came from Ernest Miles. Brekfast 9. Finished letter to Alys and to post. Dennis over at 2 saying booked cubicle at Champney’s on May 20^th (Mitchell from Dakota in). Walked to Ashridge at 4.15. Phoned Eva. Tea in lab. In Dennis and Phil’s room till 6.45. Dennis then drove me back to 11. (Harold Davis in). Knitted. Made belt for Aunt Bella’s wrapper. War Commentary Squadron Leader Strachey. To bed 10.

Friday 7^th May 1943

Very fine. Cold.
Got Mor Oakins and Rose Marks to witness my Will. Wrote Ernest Miles and Alys. Lunch 12.45. At 1.15 Dennis in car, took me to Watford Junction. I got a bus 321 to Croxley Green (about 15 minutes – 3d). Train to Northwood (8 minutes 9 ½ d return). Bought sweets and had hair trimmed 1/6. Then to 6 Murray Road. Eva and Eve in garden. James back from school with Miss(?). Tea. With children in garden. Saw them bathed. Talked Eva and sewed. To bed 9.50 or so.

Saturday 8^th May 1943

Cold and rainy.
Alert at 7 a.m. in London but not at Northwood. Eva dressed Eve. James dressed himself. Eva cooked breakfast. Had it about 8.10. “Miss Buchanan” to do washing-up. Eva and James and Eve and I out to shops; macs on. Got pansy plants. Back and in garden. Eva cooked sausages 12.45. At 1.45 I away. 2.6 train to Croxley Green. Bus 321 to Watford. Left Watford Junction about 3; arrived Berkhamsted 3.5. Walked to station. Bus 4.11 to Little Gaddesden (4.35) 6d. Tea. Read Herald. News at 6

Memo:
Saw no newspaper 8^th till 5.30. Heard no wireless from 7^th 1 o’clock till 8^th 6 p.m. so didn’t know about Tunis and Bizerta till 8^th 5.30.
7^th To Eva’s for night.
Renewal driving licence.
Bruce Green – Temple Bar 8248. 16 West Central Street, W.C.1.
5^th to Clifford White.

6 German Generals and 25,000 others surrender to Americans at Bizerta.
11^th 100,000 prisoners.

Sunday 9^th May 1943

Cold. Very windy. Rain in a.m. Sun in p.m.
Stayed indoors all a.m. knitting and writing. Reading “The Bride wore Black” – John Drummond. Long letter to Alys. News and dinner 1. Out in Ashridge Park after to get wood. Back at 3. Knitted. Tea 4.30. Finished letter to Alys. Out, posted it 5. Walked by golf-course and to Ashridge. To Phil’s room. He on bed. Talked and News 6. Walked back picking up wood for fire. P.S. by Edwin Murray. Letter from Elsa with Tony’s Colonel’s letter.

Monday 10^th May 1943

Rain and gale all day.
Out to get Express at 9.40, in rain. Indoors all rest of day. Did Income Tax reclaim papers, and knitted Eve’s cardigan. Dennis called at 6.15 on way from Phillip’s, Hurlingham. Wrote Alys. Paid Mrs Oakin’s £2.12.6 for week’s board and lodging.

Tuesday 11^th May 1943

Sunny a.m. Cold. Dull p.m.
Wrote to Doz, and later to Kit, telling them about plans. Knitted. Out a walk. After dinner, knitted and at 3.45 walked to Ashridge. Tea in Lab. Eva phoned. Heard news of Alys coming up to take Eve back. In Dennis’ room for News, but he giving lecture and Phil having twins? Walked back. Supper. Posted letters.

Wednesday 12^th May 1943

Dull. Milder.
Met Dennis at 9 and in car (with Mitch, Dakota) to Chalk Farm. To 77 King Henry’s Road. Turned out lots of drawers and put out about 40 books for salvage. Paid Miss Pickin rent. Tube to King’s Cross. Beer and meat pie. Dennis came and we met Alys 2. Bus to car and drove to Eva’s (Northwood). Tea with Eva and the children. James very good. Alys and I washed up. Dennis took a specimen of Eva’s blood. To call in at Cave’s on way to Little Gaddesden (Joan and Mollie’s 2 children and Gwen). Alys back to Ashridge with Dennis, I to 11 and supper.

Tunisian Campaign Ended. Von Arnim and 200,000 prisoners. 12 Generals prisoners. Masses War material.

Thursday 13^th May 1943

Very fine and hot in p.m.
Alert at 3. All clear 30 minutes later. Got Express. Out and got wood, opposite Bridgwater. Washed stockings. After dinner at 2, Dennis came; with him in car for petrol and oil. Then to Ashridge. I in grounds. Monks’ garden, dogs’ graves. Posted lettercard to Alys. Tea in Lab. Mitch too. We phoned Northwood. Talked Alys. Up to bedroom. 6 News. Then I walked back. Supper, and then sewed border on Eve’s cardigan. War Commentary by Lewis Hastings and Strachey.

Friday 14^th May 1943

Very hot.
Washed gloves .Out a little. Got Express. Sewed up Eve’s cardigan. Dozed in p.m. on sofa. Walked slowly to Labs – very hot there. Tea. Mrs Warner in. Sat with her on seat near Monks’ Garden. Talked of her urticaria. To Dennis and Phil’s room at 5.45. Dennis lecturing. Phil on lawn. Dennis, Phil and I to dinner in Brown Lounge. Dr Warner there. Dennis took me to Praying Circle up rhododendron avenue. News and Churchill’s Home Guard talk from White House. Dennis and Phil took me back in car 10 o’clock.

Saturday 15^th May 1943

Lovely day.
Began scarf for Alys. Bought Sylko for Eve’s buttons. Wrote lettercard to Alys. On sofa after dinner. Then walked across fields to the church and around. Grave of Ram, 7^th Baron? Inchiquin to tea. Dennis called, and stayed for 6 News. Lost the buttons and searched.

Memo:
12^th Alys up from Layton
14^th Alys took Eve to Layton
Reading “Guilty Man” Cato. “N or M?” Agatha Christie.

Dams in Ruhr bombed.
Churchill in Washington.

Sunday 16^th May 1943

Perfect day.
Wrote lettercard Doz, and letter to Kit. Walked to Lab at 12. With Dennis in EYT to Norwood. Dinner with Eva, Teddy and James. Roast pork. Teddy washed up, I dried. All sat in garden. Ironed Eve’s cardigan, then sewed up seams. Tea in garden. Read Teddy’s Report (Establishments). “Are you sure”. Dennis drove me back via Helen and Dagnall. Round garden with Mr Oakins.

Monday 17^th May 1943

Perfect.
Did up parcel and took to post (to Layton). Packed. Knitted, read. Wrote Alys. Couldn’t eat dinner, duct closed. After tea, Dennis came and took me in EYT to Champneys, Tring. Dennis talked to Mr Lief. We sat in garden with Elsa Beckman and then dined with her in dining room. At 7.45, I to see Lief. Talked Dennis then up to bed in cubicle. Room 12. About 8.30. Alert in night.

Tuesday 18^th May 1943

Very fine. Breeze.
Lief and Sister in to see me 8.15. Then up and to Light Diet Room. Raw apple, dates and sour milk. Sat in garden and indoors, read Times. Wrote Alys. At 1 had prunes and sour milk. Lay on bed. At 2.30 on bed. Dressed and down and in garden. Knitted and 6 News. At 7 had tinned pears and sultanas and sour milk. Talked to Colonel about Yorkshire. Brains Trust and News. To bed 9.40.

Wednesday 19^th May 1943

Fine. Warm.
Alert at 3 a.m. Mr Chatan and Sister in at 8.30. Down in wrapper at 9.15. Tinned pineapple and pear and sour milk. At 10.30 had a blanket (sweat) bath, 30 minutes then shower. Wound wool from Eva and looked at other cubicles. Wrote Doz and Eva in writing-room. At 1 tinned apricots and sour milk. Knitted scarf. Wrote Ella. Sat and cast on James’ pullover in garden. Then in for News 6 and Churchill’s speech to Congress 7. Raw apple and dates and sour milk. To bed 9.40. Read “Street Scene”. Wrote Alys posted 8.30 for a.m.

Disbanding of 3^rd International Comintern.

Thursday 20^th May 1943

Fine. Warm.
Down at 9 to find I am to Fast. Glass of orange-juice and water. 9.30 Treatment R. massage of tummy and back, shower and sitz. Dressed and read Times. Knitted in garden. At 12.30 apple juice. Knitted in garden. On bed and slept 4 o’clock orange juice. In garden. Went for a walk to Lodge Gates (short way). Apple juice (Appella and water) at 7. News and War Commentary Lewis Hastings.

Friday 21^st May 1943

Very fine.
Mr Lief in at 8.20. Down to orange juice at 8.45. To Treatment at 9. Tummy and back massage, shower and sitz. At 9.45, Irrigation till 10.30. In garden wound wool. Read “Yearling” from Doz. Appella at 12.15. In garden. On bed 45 minutes. Orangeade at 12.45. In garden. On bed 45 minutes. Orangeade at 4. Sofa in radio Room. News 6. Wrote Alys. Appella at 7. Walked nearly to far Gates. 9 News and to bed and read “Yearling”.

Saturday 22^nd May 1943

Fine and rain. P.m.
Felt muzzy at 8 when washing. Mr Chatow in. Down for orange juice 9.30 and treatment 10.30. Blanket heat bath. Shower. Stayed on bed till 12. Appella. Read; on bed sleeping till 3. Dressed and to meet Dennis; in car with him. He tea with Elsa B. I Appella 4. All 3 talk in smoke-room. News 6. Dennis went. Wrote Alys, knitted and talked to Mrs Griffiths and fat friend till 9 (cook-book). Gram Swing.

Memo:
16^th To Eva’s with Dennis?
17^th To Champney’s, Tring, Herts.
22^nd Aircraft wk.
17^th Weight 8.2.
Paid Pickin to July 15^th (on 12^th in person)

Very severe raids on Italian islands and on Germany, Essen, Dortmund, Duisberg.

Sunday 23^rd May 1943

Fine, cooler.
Knitted and talked (4^th day fast). Orange juice 9.15 to Elsa B. and Ferry-pilot and Scotch lade. Nurse fetched me for enema. Upstairs and dressed. Apple-juice 12. Wrote Captain Brett about account and finished letter to Alys. Slept on bed. Orange juice 4.30. Read “Life” Russian no. Mrs Bliss taught me new stitch and cast on. Knitted on seat in garden. Wound wool. Apple juice 7.30. News 9 and P.S. (3) Nigerian, Fiji and Trinidad.

Monday 24^th May 1943

Rain all day. Cool.
Chataw at 9.15. I to Lief’s room 9 (admitted 9.20). Orange juice. Read Times. Cold. Got into bed in coat! Knitted. Apple juice at 2.15. Miss Morrish asked me to go to Mrs Griffith’s room. Sat and talked there. Treatment at 3. Massage, tummy and back with oil. Shower and salt rub, shower. On bed and read “Health for All’ and Champney’s brochure. Dressed 5 and apple juice. Talked Elsa B. In smoke-room – a fire there. News. To bed 9.30. Wrote Doz about “Yearling”.

Tuesday 25^th May 1943

Fine. Evening showery.
Down 8.45 orange juice. 6^th day fast, B.P. 160. Read Times. In Rest Room and (in turn) to be seen by Reddell. To Treatment Room. Irrigation, shower and hot sitz (ony). Then osteopathy 12.30 by Reddell. Apple juice 1 o’clock (sat out in sun before 1). Talked to Miss Morrish who leaving. Lay on bed, dozing till 4. Up to Mrs Gripfish’s room. She told of her brother’s rib. Down to apple juice 4.45. Letter from Kit. Wrote her of rooms. Orange juice 7.15. Brains Trust and News. Posted letter to Alys.

Wednesday 26^th May 1943

Fine a.m. Duller p.m. Fine.
9 a.m. orange juice. 7^th day fast. Read Times, got number for quell. Up and changed my things to new cubicle by window. Seen by Lief 10.35. Knitted in writing room. Treatment at 12. Shower. Oil rub and sitz bath. Dressed, apple juice, knitted on deck chair on grass till 2.30? Up to 45 Mrs Griffiths. Knitted. Down and talked to Mrs Beckman and Elsa till 4. Apple juice (hot). They sat with me in sun lounge. Knitted in writing-room till 8.45 orange juice. News 9. Talked to jolly Scotch lady (with husband). To bed 9.30.

Thursday 27^th May 1943

Perfect day.
Slept in window cubicle. 8^th day fast. Down at 9 (appointment 10.30 brought to room) orange and talked to Ferry-pilot about Whipsnade. Enema at 9.45. Read paper till 10.30. Then Cabinet Bath (steam and electric bulb) shower. Laid on bed. Scarred soldier (14) to mend handle. In garden after apple juice. Talked to big man on croquet lawn. To 45, did up parcel for Mrs G. Apple juice with Elsa, sun lounge. Wrote Alys. Felt a bit weak and queer today. Did crossword. Knitted. To bed 9.30. Miss Gore Dunne very suffering.

Friday 28^th May 1943

Perfect day.
Orange juice 9.10. 9^th day fast. To Rest Room, but didn’t stop to see Reddell, as so long. Wrote Alys. Dressed. Apple juice 1 o’clock. Sat deck chair. Knitted. Big man lay and did Times crossword (Norwegian shoes) till 3.45. To Mrs Griffith’s till 4. Apple juice. Big Man again and Gore-Dunn. Sat on deck chair with Elsa on lawn till 8 or so. Knitting. Midges drove us in. To bed after News. New lady in our bedroom.

Saturday 29^th May 1943

Perfect day.
10^th day fast. Saw Reddell 9.10 orange juice. Then for enema (Welsh). Rested on sofa. 10 went for blanket bath, 20 minutes. Felt faint. Shower. Up and lay on bed till about 1. Apple juice (dressed first). Down nearly slept on sofa. At 3.35 Denis and Phil came. Outdoors. They went at 6.30 after News. Up to see Mrs Griffiths (Brethren). Knitted. Black-out squeaked in wind all night.

Memo:
Petrol renewal 1^st week June
B.P. 190 when I came; 160 25^th
On arrival 8.2. 26^th weight 7.8 – lost 8 lbs.

Intensive bombing and shelling of Sicily, Sardinia and Pantelleria.

Sunday 30^th May 1943

Perfect day.
Down at 9.15. 11^th day fast. Orange juice. Wrote Petrol application and a letter to Alys (after dressing). Sat on lawn – apple juice 12.15. Out on lawn in broken chair. Made bonnet for sun, as hat lost. To Mrs Griffiths’ 3.45. Orange juice 4.20 and crossword and Big Man, then under tree. Read in Rest Room. Mr Lief’s lecture at 8. Interesting – answers to Questions in Box; and on Energy. News. Walked round garden. To bed 10.

Monday 31^st May 1943

Fine. Strong wind.
Orange juice 8.45. 12^th day fast. Irrigation. 9 Rest Room. Waiting. Saw Lief at 11.15. Osteopathy (Reddell) 11.30. Shower, sitz bath. Dressed, apple juice. Sat in deckchair knitting with rug. Up to Mrs Griffiths. Down at 4.00 orange juice. Hat lost. Wrote to Eva, and Doz about Conrad’s school. Card from Kit and wrote her letter saying might be leaving 7^th. On sofa with Elsa, knitting. News.

---

Tuesday 1^st June 1943

Cold. Windy.
Orange juice 9. 13^th day fast. Sat in Rest Room. Knitting and reading. Saw Reddell. Wrote Ella till 12. Apple juice 12.30. Cabinet bath. Shower. To bed and read King Henry. Wrote Alys. Orange juice 4. To Mrs Griffiths. Letter from Alys. Wrote her again. Crossword with big man. Apple juice. Talked Scottish couple and son and with Elsa out a little walk.

Wednesday 2^nd June 1943

Cold. Lovely showers.
Orange juice 9. 14^th day of Fast. At 9.30 shower, oil massage and enema. Waiting room. Lief at 11. Weighed 7.2. Dressed. In drawing-room. Talked “white cape” and Belgium. Fire there. Hot apple juice 1.15. Wrote Good Housekeeping for patterns. Out a little way between showers. Knitted, by fire. News and bed.

Revolt in Argentina against Pro-Axis Government. Mr Churchill back after U.S.A., Gibraltar and Algiers. Italian islands severely bombed.

Thursday 3^rd June 1943

Windy but some brighter times.
Orange juice 9.15. 15^th day of Fast. Read Times. 10 blanket bath and shower. Long wait. Saw Reddell (soup instead orange). 1 o’clock. Wrote James and Alys. Wound wool on verandah. To Mrs Griffiths 2.30. Finished letter to Alys. Out little walk. Talked in radio room to red-haired lady and Belgian girl. Photos of baby. Knitted. Apple juice at 4. Walked along drive. Elsa to Luton with Mrs Morton. Soup, Marmite 8. Talked to 82 lady (fir cones).

Friday 4^th June 1943

Dull, mostly.
Apple juice 8.45. 16^th day’s Fast. Back and tummy massage, shower, sitz and enema. Lay on bed till 11. Dressd. Knited by door. Soup (Marmite) at 12.30. Walked round, by Staff quarters. Lay down and dozed. To Mrs Griffiths’. Knitted and she talked. Apple juice at 5. Wrote Kit. Very nice “soup” (vegetable water and vecon) at 8. Elsa B thought she had to go to Blundell’s to sleep but didn’t (though packed). Did crossword with Big Jim. Dennis phoned.

Saturday 5^th June 1943

Fine on whole.
At 9.15 apple juice – hot. 17^th day’s Fast. At 10 oil massage, limbs and back by Pickles. Shower and sitz. Saw Reddell, 2 minutes. Dressed. Read. Marmite at 12.30. Knitted and News. Slept on bed 1.45 – 2.45. Dennis and Ug came at 4. They had tea with Elsa B. I apple juice in L.D. Room. Wrote Alys and posted it before 4. We all sat on verandah till News at 6. Then in room. They went 6.35. Knitted, Vic Oliver and News at 9 then to bed.

Memo:
1^st 2 letters to Alys (each post).
5^th 3^rd in 1 to Alys
5^th James’ birthday (6)
2^nd Weighed 7st 2lb.

Sunday 6^th June 1943

Mostly sunny.
Down at 9. Apple juice and then enema. 18^th day’s Fast. Lay on bed. Dressed 10.30. Sat on verandah with rug. Talked new Edinburgh lady. Knitted. Also A.T. Transport. Vecon at 12.45 .Knitted verandah (sun). All 3. Then sun in. On bed and slept till 4.15. Apple juice and talked to Timmers about Holland. Copied bootee recipe and mittens. Vecon at 7. Knitted in sun. At 8 Reddell auctioned eggs (Pedigree fertile for Red Cross). Sat by Mrs Griffiths. P.S. Lord Woolton about Russia.

Monday 7^th June 1943

Fine till 4 then dull cool. Rain.
To Osteopathy (after apple juice) at 9.30 19^th day’s Fast. Reddell and did hip joints. Out to sunbathe!! About 10 minutes. Read in writing-room. Saw Lief. Weighed 7 stone. Dressed. Vecon at 12.30. Knitted on verandah. Chaitow talked. Slept on bed till 3.45 Wrote Alys. Wire from Kit in a.m. Phoned Orchard and wired Kit. Talk by Reddell 8 0 9. Lady Beatty and Mrs Griffiths on each side. Interesting evening. Lettercard to Alys about paraffin.

Tuesday 8^th June 1943

Dullish. Mild.
Apple juice 8.40. 20^th day’s Fast. At 9 enema, shower, sitz. At 10.15 oily massage by Bickerdyke. Dressed. Knitted. Vecon at 12. Bought Lief’s book. Elsa B. brought knitting cotton for me 1/-. Knitted. Verandah with Mrs Dodd. Slept on bed 2.30. 4 apple juice. Talked to Peek Frean (Carr) lady about gardens. 6 News. Sat on verandah, knitted scarf till 8.30. In for 9. News. Lady Beatty knitting stocking. To bed 9.30.

Wednesday 9^th June 1943

Perfect day.
Apple juice 9. 21^st day’s Fast. At 9.30 shower, sitz and tummy and back massage. Saw Reddell. Dressed. Soup 12. Knitted on verandah (sun-bathed before dressing). At 3.15 Kitty arrived (from Sevenoaks Mail). Talked on lawn. Tea (with Elsa B.) I watched. Then apple juice and Kit in with me. Showed her cubicle Treatment Rooms and sat on deck chairs by big beech tree. At 7, Kit had dinner with Elsa B. and Mrs Morton. Sat on seat and at 8.20 Kit away. Walked down drive. Others in bus with her to Orchard, where she slept. News and to bed.

11^th Pantelleria surrendered.

Thursday 10^th June 1943

Dull, mild.
Up at 8.40. Apple juice 8.50. 22^nd day’s Fast. In Rest-room 9 – 10.40. Waiting to see Lief. He said I could go on Monday 21^st (gave notice in office. Wrote Alys). Osteopathy from Chaitow at 11.15. Salt rub and shower. Vecon 12. Knitted. Wrote Kitty, Albert Hall, Ernest Miles. Phoned Dennis at 4.15. Got books from library. Walk down back drive with Mrs Griffiths. Apple juice 4 and Vecon 7. Knitted till 8.35 outdoors. News. Elsa beside me. War Commentary Strachey. To bed.

Friday 11^th June 1943

Mild. Windy.
Broke fast 2/3 milk 1/3 water. Milk and water 9. Saw Reddell 9.40. Enema 10. 11 dressed. Milk and water 12.30. Sat on verandah and under magnolia. Elsa Beckman went away (9 weeks here). Slept on bed till 4. At 4.30 milk and water. Knitted James’ pullover sleeve outdoors. Talked old lady and Mrs Bigland. 6 News of Pantelleria surrender. Mr Griffiths here. Talked to him. Milk and water 8.30. To bed 9.

Saturday 12^th June 1943

Very fine. Very windy.
Milk every 3 hours. Down 8.40, sour milk. Terrible! In waiting-room. Saw Lief 11. Changed milk. At 11.30 milk. Bickerdyke came for me and (had enema earlier) I had showers, sitz and oil tummy and back massage (instead of 3.30). Finished milk after. Dressed. Wrote Alys. Milk at 2.30. Dennis came at 3.30. We sat in sun, deckchairs. He told about Tony’s wedding. He had tea. I watched. Posted letter to Alys, after Dennis added a note. News 6. I had milk 6.15. Dennis away 6.40. Sat in sun and knitted and wound wool. Walked Mrs Griffith’s a little. Milk 8.40. News. To bed and U.S. Commentary – Lindley. News. To bed 9.40.

Memo:
Tony Wilson’s wedding 9^th
12^th Instep looking quite normal and no itch there. Irritation better all over.
6^th Began eye exercises.
11^th Wire from Kit – “Handy married today.”
Reading The Squire, Enid Bagnold. Birth midwife
7^th weighed 7 stone.
11^th still 7 stone.

Lampedusa surrendered, and other little isle – Linosa.

Sunday 13^th June 1943

Fine. Hot sun, big clouds.
At 9 fruit! Salad – pears and strawberries and milk. Talked to Scotch (Martin) people, (like Archers) while eating breakfast. Knitted out on deckchair all a.m. stewed gooseberries and 8 prunes at 1 with milk. Sun bath 5 minutes each side. In and on bed. Terrible itch from sun-bathing. Read paper and “Death of my Aunt”. A little walk. At 7 3 stewed plums (sour) and a dish sultanas (dry). Mr Lief gave me a talk, answered questions. Insulin?

Monday 14^th June 1943

Changeable. Sun and hail showers.
At 9, down and was told breakfast in Dining-room!!! So there, figs and milk (sour). Saw Reddell. Wrote Alys. Osteopathy 11.30 Chaitow. Dressed. In sunbaths and sat half in shade, as suggested. Knitted. At 1 in to lunch. Huge salad, cheese and fruit jelly (Ryvita and butter). On bed. Slept. Irrigation 3.30. Rested again. Letter to Alys. 6 News. Knitted. A little walk. At 7 finished dinner – potato and cheese pudding, baked, French beans, spinach, caramel pudding. Talked recipes to Mrs Dyer and Miss Grantham.

Tuesday 15^th June 1943

Sun and thunderstorms.
Breakfast 9. Stewed plums and Bemax. ½ glass hot milk. Knitted. Waiting to see Lief till 11. Blanket bath 11.30 and shower. Rested. Dressed. Lunch 1. Salad with new potatoes. Gooseberries in sauce. Out for walk, long drive. Thunderstorm. Did up parcel (food chart) and posted at office. Rested. News 6. Walked short drive. Dinner 7. Mutton. Out – walked short instead of coffee. Talked Bigland, Dyer, Grantham, Griffiths about recipes and servants. Natex.

Wednesday 16^th June 1943

Changeable. Cool. Thundery. Showers and sun.
Prunes and milk. Saw Reddell. Read papers. At 11 shower and sitz and massage (Bickerdyke). Dressed. Knitted. Walked long drive, caught in rain. Lunch. Talked to Mrs ? about her ill daughter (son-in-law gone). Knitted in sun. Verandah till 3. On bed, slept and read till 4.30. Wrote Alys and Lois. News 6. Talked Mrs Dodd on verandah about food (her food stores). Dinner. Walked along drive and back with Mrs Bigland (lobster salad talk). Talked recipes with Grantham, Morton, Griffiths.The King in North Africa.

Thursday 17^th June 1943

Perfect day.
Slept without nightie, after reading “Air your Skin” article. Breakfast. Cherries, sour milk. To shower and sitz 9.25. Osteopathy Chaitow (South African) 9.45. Sun bath, stayed till nearly 12, knitting. Chiefly covered lightly. Dressed. Changed cheque £10 in office. Lunch; rested, read till 3. Out a walk, Tea Wigginton and got lost (nearly). Back at 4.50. Talked Griffiths and Grantham on verandah. Dinner. Walked with Mrs Dodd to the road to see her back to Mrs Macks’. Wrote Kitty about Handy’s marriage. News and War Commentary. Cyril Falls.

Friday 18^th June 1943

Wet. Chilly.
Cherry and sour milk. Breakfast 8. To Mr Reddell (calsalette). Hot shower and wet into blanket bath – 30 minutes – then hot and cold shower. Dressed. Finished James’ pullover in radio room. Wrote Elsa Beckman. Lunch. Sent off Income tax reclaim. Slept on bed. Did up James’ pullover and sent off with letter to Eva. Talked Mrs Dodd (her husband deserted her). Dinner very nice. Knitted and talked Miss Grantham in writing-room and read “All this, and Heaven too”.

Saturday 19^th June 1943

Fine, windy.
To see Reddell 10.30. Shower and sitz 10.45. Massage. Bickerdyke 11. Forset’s sister live opposite Beckwith’s. Out in sun bath and sat and lay there. Knitted head scarf (finished it) till 12.15. In and wrote lettercard to Doz. Did up parcel and posted to Layton. Lunch. Read. Dennis and Phil came. Sat on lawn. Phil told about his time at Victoria Hospital; throat. They had tea. Talked. They away 6.30 taking Alys’ hot-bottle and suitcase and rug. Dinner. Read in writing room and in to News 9. To bed 9.30.

Memo:
Derby – “Straight Deal” won 19^th
Reading “All this, and Heaven too” Rachel Fild.
Phil back and to Victoria Hospital 17^th.

Sunday 20^th June 1943

Fine, windy.
Breakfast 9.30. Reddell weighed me 7.3 and took blood pressure 135. Out to sunbathe till 12.35. Dressed. Lunch. Wrote Dennis lettercard. Rested on bed till 3.15. From 3.30 till 4.30. waiting room, waiting Lief. They said 7.30 so out for walk (back drive). Read. Had talk Mrs Bigland. Dinner (veg in batter). Last interview Lief 7.30. Got directions. Talk by Lief 8 – 9. News. Talked to Mrs Griffiths and goodbyes. Bigland and Grantham, Mrs Vaughan.

Richmond

Monday 21^st June 1943

Very fine.
Betty called me 6.35. Breakfast 7.15. Mrs Griffiths there. Taxi 7.30 to Berkhamsted. 7.47 to Euston, tube to Kings Cross 9.15 train. 1^st class to Darlington. Very good sandwiches from Champney’s – cheese and lettuce. Alys and Eva met me 2.30 (train 30 minutes late). Bought chocolate with ration. To Layton. Cherries and Ryvita. In garden and all round glass-houses. Dorothy Ellerton and Joan off early to dance. Alys put Eve to bed 6. Salad and supper and prunes. Hot bath. To bed 10.10.

Tuesday 22^nd June 1943

Fine a.m. Dull later and cool.
Milk and cherries, sultanas 9.10. Made bed. Out with Eve and picked gooseberries. Wrote Captain Brett with receipt for cheque. Lunch 1. Wrote Form about petrol ration. Rested, slept on bed, unpacked parcels. Mrs Peacock cleaning. Alys and Eve at tea. (I none). Out with Eve; Got lettuces, weeded. In at 6.15. Eve bathed (in sink). I made my salad. Ate it 7 – 8. Alys eggs and bacon. Zeus ear bad. To bed 10.30. Kimmins on Pantellaria.

Wednesday 23^rd June 1943

Fine on whole. Cool. Sun cloud.
Breakfast – fruit and milk 9. Made bed. In garden with Eve. Weeds and getting lettuce, corn-salad, carrots, scallions for supper. Wrote Red Cross message to Eva de Baeremaecker. In p.m. to Dimmock (Butler’s there), Barnes’, Miss Peacock only at home. Gell’s. Others all out. Alys and Eve had tea. Made soup of vegetables. Prepared salad. Alys and Eve in garden. Nancy in with sweets raffle. To do net and bird, strawberry bed. Supper 7. Soup, salad, strawberries. Alys had omelette.

Thursday 24^th June 1943

Fine, dull in evening.
In garden for lettuces, and back and then again with Eve. Doing strawberry nets carefully and getting bird out. Lunch. Cut old rag mat up, for Zeus. Mrs Peacock cleaned sitting-room. Washed vests and nightgown. To Miss Holt’s, Mrs O’Briens and Dobinson’s for Savings Group and Red Cross. In garden cutting thistles. Did salad; supper. Miss Peacock and Noel in 8.50.

Friday 25^th June 1943

Dull. Cool, fine in evening.
Breakfast (stewed raspberries). In garden with Eve (getting gooseberries for lunch). Back, top and tailed. Again in garden picking strawberries and going round with Dorothy. After lunch, short rest and out picking gooseberries; for market. Land-girls and John Hunt (soldier) strawing strawberries. I out till 5.50. Then in and got salad ready and made soup. Alys took Eve out and put her to bed. Whist Drive on lawn 7.10 for Red Cross. Organised by Blain. Alys and I out. I gave prizes. Baden auctioned cheese, port, whisky and raffle of toffee. Made £10.15.9.

Saturday 26^th June 1943

Fine and warm.
Alys, Eve and I in car to Richmond with gooseberries and rhubarb to Market. Dressing-gown to cleaners. Alys bought shoes for Eve. Got my new Ration-book. Took £10.15.9 to Lady Serena James for Red Cross. Mr James took us all over their wonderful garden. Back. New broad beans and egg and Ryvita at 1. Baden and Ken in and extracted honey (20lb). Helped and washed jars. Picked strawberries and salad things. Eva and Alys out later. New Wensleydale cheese (16/- at auction – Mrs Wardle’s) for supper, salad and strawberries and cream. Very good. Alys to Blain’s with sausages, and gave 2lb coffee to them.

Memo:
Strawberries this week.
Extracted 20lb honey 26^th
21^st 5 weeks Champney’s. Layton 23^rd?
23^rd Sent Red Cross message to Eva de Baeremaecker, Clinique 55 Jean, Elisabeth, Brussels.
26^th Last day of sweet ration.
20^th Weight 7st 3lb. BP 135.

Churchill speech. Guildhall. Freedom of City given him.

Sunday 27^th June 1943

Very fine and hot. Flit needed 1^st time.
Sour milk and gooseberries. Out with Eve. Cut down thistles. In at 12 or so. Wrote Lois. Alys cooked beef and new carrots. Custard and damsons (bottled0. Rested 30 minutes and Eve rested. At 3.15 I with Eve in garden. Picked strawberries and walked in shade. In at 4.30. Officers in garden without tunics. Picked more strawberries and salad. Small rat caught by leg in trap. Alys out with Eve. I back. Made soup of bean stock and pea pods. Ken got swarm off high Ash.

Monday 28^th June 1943

Cool a.m. Very fine later.
Sour milk. Fruit. Cooked rhubarb. Weeded and D’Ell with wheelbarrow put them on bonfire. Alys made soup of broad bean pods in evening and vegetable for lunch. In p.m. wrote Poz. Helped Baden with honey extracting – 2^nd day, 21lb. Picked gooseberries for Stephenson. He came 4.30. Watched honey. Out with Eve and picked salad. Girls picked strawberries for our jam – 5lb. News and Priestley and U.S. picks an army.

Tuesday 29^th June 1943

Perfect all day. Hot but breeze.
Took 11.45 bus to Richmond to get Eve’s ration book but Food Office closed for lunch. Got sugar – took 5lb strawberries to Mrs Blain and 5lb or 4 ½ sugar. She made our jam. All p.m. doing nets over raspberries and redcurrants with Dorothy and Joan and Sergeant Benham (1^st army, Tunisia). Mending nets and then more thistle (mike or cow thistle). Rona with Eve in garden. Mrs Peacock cleaning. Salad and cheese (Wensleydale) and strawberries and cream.

Wednesday 30^th June 1943

Very dull and cold.
Girls picked strawberries nearly all day (Benham helped). Got out tomatoes and jams. Stewed Camden ones. Out and got salad in p.m. Alys took strawberries to Hodgens. To Holt, Dimmock, Butler, Barnes (Miss Peacock asked me to tea, as Sir John Brook was coming), Dobinson, Elgey. Did some weeding. Mrs Clark and Miss Holt about fruit 6 p.m. Miss Holt took strawberries. Dorothy Simpson too. D’Ell took strawberries to Ireland and Savery. Ironed and News and Churchill fine speech on receiving Freedom of City of London.

---

Thursday 1^st July 1943

Cool a.m. and dull. Fine p.m.
Baden extracted honey 10.30. Helped him, till past 12 – 20lb. Made bed. Ran down to Dorothy in garden earlier. After dinner (stew, potatoes), French beans (1^st time). Did Zeus’ basket, brushed him and room. To garden, with Eve at 3.15. Thinned muscatels, weeded and Joan lighted bonfire. Benham helped. Did laundry and earlier. In at 5.30. Alys and Eve to caravan. Wrote Red Cross for prizes. Whist Drive and Miss Ford-Dunn. Miss Peacock in 9 – 2 eggs and bacon supper, prunes, good; strawberries. Phil Joubert talk. Alys made gingerbread cake.

Friday 2^nd July 1943

Fine and hot most of day. Cool a.m.
Out (after doing laundry). With Eve and we picked blackcurrants. D’Ell too. They picked some raspberries. After lunch, I picked raspberries (new canes), mended nets. Alys and Eve to Barnes with 5lb blackcurrants and cake to Mrs Mitchison (Pringle). I sold Stephenson 1lb raspberries (instead strawberries) and told him no more fruit, and Eunice 1lb raspberries. Dorothy took blackcurrants to Vera Corner in evening. Alys ironed Eve’s frocks. I made cap for shower-bath. Blain at Ram all day. Phoned Dorothy Brown!

Saturday 3^rd July 1943

Lovely day.
Parcel from Dodd. Out with Eve and picked 1^st new peas (very difficult – overgrown weeds. Shelled them. Alys cooked and then pods. Then mincer. Corned beef. Lots of stewed fruits, gooseberries, blackcurrants, prunes, rhubarb apples, custard. Rested on bed. Reading with out glasses. Rona to tea. I picked raspberries; got lettuces. Potato salad (I dug some new potatoes before lunch) and lettuce and Wensleydale cheese. Raspberries cream. Knitted striped brown socks for Eve. Alys ironing.

Memo:
3^rd 1^st green peas. Early’s.
2^nd 1^st picking of blackcurrants and of raspberries
28^th Extracted 21lb honey. 1^st got 20lb honey.
29^th Ken got 3^rd difficult swarm.
29^th Heard only 9 units (gallon) petrol, instead 1. No allowance for station.
28^th Write Poz.

Sunday 4^th July 1943

Dull a.m. Fine later. Mild.
Phil sent wire for Alys’ birthday (59^th). Dennis phoned her. Out with Eve and Blain and Arnold (Dorothy to Rally at Richmond). Picked broad beans. Shelled them. Out again and picked strawberries. Major McDermott phoned; he arrived on horse from Catterick at 2! I took him to Barnes’, horse in loosebox there. He told us lots about George Buchanan, showed photos. Very nice man. Had strawberries and tea and left at 3.45. All of us to Barnes’ for horse. Out with Eve and got lettuces weeded. Alys to pick raspberries for Officers’ Mess (present). After supper, Major Blunt of out Notts Battery brought Colonel Mitchell. In at 8.40. They stayed till 10.20 or so. Alys wrote Eva. I wrote Dodd – to post (with cheque).

Monday 5^th July 1943

Fine a.m. Dull later.
Dandelion coffee. Out. Got lettuces and mint. Dorothy and James picking strawberries for our jam. Alys and Eve in car to Richmond for Paxton’s. Got potatoes and ready for lunch. After, took 6lb strawberries and 6lb sugar to Mrs Blain for jam for us. In p.m. rested 30 minutes. Out and picked 3lb or so strawberries (some for Atkinson) and some gooseberries. Eve out a little. Made soup, and did spinach. Alys poached eggs, strawberries and cream. Lovely supper. Put strawberries for Wardle’s. Wrote Eva for birthday. Eva phoned – James ill.

Tuesday 6^th July 1943

Rain on and off all day. Cool.
By 10 bus to Barnard Castle to get Insurance stamps and Eve’s ration papers to Hunter’s. Got enema too 4/9 and toaster Back 11.40 mt by Alys and Eve in rain. Wrote for Driving License. Alys phoned Eva for birthday. Eve spoke too. Covered honey in my room and Eve there. Out to garden. Picked strawberries. Then Alys picked some after tea. Dorothy Ell pruning grapes. Got salad and prepared Alys to take strawberries to Mrs Barnes, present and got ginger biscuits. Alys ironing all day. Mended Eve’s cardigan. Took letter to post.

Wednesday 7^th July 1943

Very showery. Cool.
Washed green jumper. Girls picked strawberries and raspberries. Alys shelled peas on seat. Eve and I picked redcurrants. After lunch, I to Barnes’ (teacakes and salad cream). Butler, Holt, Gell, Dobinson and O’Brien. Picked gooseberries and lettuce. Miss Peacock, Vera Corner, Butler – all for raspberries, rhubarb, strawberries. Covered jam. Blain to Barnard Castle to see Doctor about Nancy. Labelled strawberry jams.

10^th Allies invade Sicily.

Thursday 8^th July 1943

Sun and dull, mild.
Land girls picking raspberries all day, nearly. Put away new jam. Topped and tailed gooseberries, and redcurrants with Eve (boy in bed with cough). Shelled broad beans, out to get more. Mrs Peacock in p.m. Cleaned sitting-room. Alys and Eve to Miss Holt’s to see doll, “Hilda”. Counted Red Cross money. Out and got lettuce. Eunice in garden. Picked flowers for Officers’ Mess and arranged. Weighed raspberries. Miss Peacock took 5lb, Settled accounts. D’Ell took raspberries to Holt and Hodgens. Stewed some raspberries. Lord Winston War Commentary (Fletcher R.N.)

Friday 9^th July 1943

Very cold. Rain early, sun after 4.
Out with Eve but very cold, collected sticks from pyrethrums. Out alone latesr and picked early peas and lettuce. Girls thinning grapes. Indoors in p.m. Alys did up darned socks for Phil. I shelled peas and boiled them and also potatoes for salad (Welsh rarebit for lunch and rice for Alys and Eve). Alys rested upstairs. Eve and I to post, but no girl came. Supper. Unpicking red cotton skirt and shortening it and Alys doing Masonic robe, for merino to make nightgowns for Eve.

Saturday 10^th July 1943

Showery, dull.
Alys and I began skirt on bodice for Eve, blue wool stuff. I out with Eve at 11.45. Got lettuces. D’Ell and Joan missed bus, but met Mrs Ellerton and 2 sisters and they came here. Eve cried about Michael’s hat at rest time – 3 times. I out and picked raspberries for supper 4.30 – 5.30. We did Eve’s skirt a bit after supper. Listened to 155^th Battery (Sergeant Benham) in Forces Programme – only 7 men left. Good play.

Memo:
5^th Weight 7st 7lb.
6^th Send card for Teeds’ 81^st birthday
5^th Eva phoned about James being suddenly ill. Query pneumonia. M&B given.

We take Syracuse and Augusta and other ports.

Sunday 11^th July 1943

Mild. Fine, windy.
In garden with Eve. Got lettuce and weeded. Alys cooked pork and broad beans and lovely forcemeat. Washed up and Alys made fish cakes. Read paper. Sewed Eve’s skirt. At 41.5 out and picked strawberries. Alys and Eva came out and Alys picked too. Had lots for supper, and Alys took 2lb to Blain’s.

Monday 12^th July 1943

Showery. Mild. Windy.
1 pint cream from Mrs Ellerton. In garden with Eve and thinned muscatels (while showers). Sergeant Benham clearing beds. Girls picked raspberries and strawberries. Alys made cake in p.m. (egg and bacon pie a.m.). Cream with black-currrants. Stewed raspberries in p.m. and weighed raspberries for Ireland’s and Savery’s and strawberries for Morrell. Later, raspberries to Elgey and Wardle. Ironed red cotton frock and night gown, after supper. Looked at Illustrated London news of V.C. Battery (Benham out of 7 survivors).

Tuesday 13^th July 1943

Showers a.m. Milder. Fine all p.m.
Out with Eve for flowers. Showering. Arranged flowers, and shelled peas. Egg and bacon pie (re-heated). And peas for lunch. Mrs Peacock cleaned hall, pantry, laid fire. Alys and Eve in car to Richmond to meet D’Ell – 3.45. I laid tea for them (strawberries). In garden, rock-garden, salad supper at 7 (spinach soup). Alys and Dennis at 7.45. Egg and bacon. Out with dogs after. News. Knitting Eve’s sock, striped. To bed 10.15.

Wednesday 14^th July 1943

Dull. Mildish. No fire needed.
Eve out with Dennis. Housework. In garden, got lettuces. Joan to her sister. Talked to D’Ell about serious water situation. Picked strawberries. In p.m. to Dimmock, Holt, Barnes, Robinson and O’Brien, groups. In vinehouse with D’Ell and thinned grapes. Supper. New Wensleydale cheese and salad and Dorothy and Alys had ham (our pig) and all had lots of strawberries and raspberries. Mrs Mitchison in with rent and treacle. Knitted Eve’s socks.

Thursday 15^th July 1943

Heavy rain a.m. Fine after tea. Mild.
Did posters – Whist Drive – before bath. Not out all a.m. (Omelette, bacon, onion and peas, raspberries and redcurrants). Did broad beans with Eve. She and Dennis out in rain to yard. Mended sheet upstairs. Eve played with brushes. Wrote Lady Serena James. Rested on bed 45 minutes. Slept. Read to Eve while Alys to get rents. Tidied Zeus’ rug and did clean laundry. In garden. Supper. Miss Peacock in. News and War Commentary. Antony Kimmons (Joan back).

Friday 16^th July 1943

Very fine. D’Ell and Eve sunbathing on lawn.
Did laundry. Not out. Alys to Blain’s about bread, cleaned around a bit. Alys shelled peas on front steps. In p.m. rested an hour. Then with Eve downstairs. “Hi” and Butcher and Hunter came. Out to pick raspberries for us. Officers invited but out. Took raspberries to Gell’s. D’Ell and Joan picked lb’s. D’Ell took to Savery’s and Ireland’s – 3lb each. Alys and Dennis to Barnes with 5lb after 9. News and Talk on Tripoli. I had supper with others and ate ham and salad.

Saturday 17^th July 1943

Perfect day.
Supper with others and sunbathed. Out and picked strawberries with Eve. D’Ell showed me dead tomato plant. They picked raspberries for our jam, taken to Mrs Blain. Rested in p.m. till 3. Down with Eve. Made porridge. Out and picked. D’Ell and Eve sunbathed again – tennis lawn. Major Blunt and 3 officers in at 6.30 (beer and port) and stayed till 9.10!!! Then Alys, Dorothy and I had supper. Dorothy to Blain’s with sausages.

Memo:
Sergeant Benham of the V.C. Battery 155^th (1^st Army).
12^th Blain took out queen bee cells.
Pickin paid to 15^th
12^th Weight 7st 7lb.
13^th Blackout Time 11.17

Sunday 18^th July 1943

Dull a.m. Very fine p.m.
After breakfast out and got lettuces with Eve. Washed then for dinner. Cold meat, stewed raspberries and currants and custard. Benham all day with Joan. Dorothy and Eve in top-room (Blain’s wireless). Alys wrote Kitty. Wrote Doz (for cheque) and Pickin (with cheque) and to my Bank. Rested an hour. Slept. Eve in 3.10. Made porridge. Covered raspberries. Jam. Out and tidied path (tower steps) and picked strawberries and red-currants. Dorothy to reservoir with Baden – 3ft water. Made scrambled eggs. Alys made tomato soup. D’Ell brought cream.

Monday 19^th July 1943

Dull a.m. Fine later. Mild.
Out with Eve. Spoke to Dorothy about bruised peach. She putting net under. Picked raspberries. Talked Ireland who cutting hay. Alys made redcurrant and raspberry tart. Phil phoned – wired “coming Tuesday”. Dorothy wrote letter about walls. Slept 2.40 – 3.15. Made porridge, put jam away (with Eve). Out picking raspberries for supper till 6.20. Alys and Eve out. Bonfire (Benham). Salad. Alys and Dorothy had bacon and egg. Major Blunt in till 10.15. Talking about tanks. Compressed air brakes and steering.

Tuesday 20^th July 1943

Dull, mildish. Finer after tea. Sun.
Out with Eve. Lettuce, in and cut up greenhouse French beans. Alys getting nursery ready for Phil to sleep in. Wrote for Whist Drive prizes. Began to rest, but Alys thought Phil arriving sooner, so up and got Dorothy from top-room. Alys got car. Had Eve in my bedroom and painted. While they tea, picked gooseberries for stewing. Mr Hodgens to see Dorothy. Alys and Dorothy to Darlington in car to meet Phil and all back 9.35 or 40. Phil had 3 boiled eggs, cocoa and honey and gingerbread.

Wednesday 21^st July 1943

Dull. Cold. Damp (but no fire).
Breakfast in kitchen. Others in dining room. Phil in dressing room. Out to pick gooseberries. Helped shell peas. Phil and Eve in top room. In p.m. rested 40 minutes. Slept! To Dimmock, Holt, (she gave 3 lettuces). Barnes, (Hamilton there about W.V.S.) Gell, O’Brien. To Dob’s after tea, only Sidney David there. Made porridge while others at tea. They ran engines in top room. D’Ell brought in raspberries and 2 peaches. Major Blunt in. His last night here.

Americans took Palermo 22^nd

Thursday 22^nd July 1943

Dull, cold. Fire at 4.15. Fine at 7 and evening.
Phil dismantling old blue engine. Notts Battery marched out 7.30 a.m. (Captain Heald, new captain). Dorothy went round with D.C.R.E. and Blain. Picked strawberries with Eve til 12.50 and shelled broad beans. Alys made stew in casserole. Rested 1 hour, slept in p.m. Down with Eve and made porridge. Arranged raspberries and picked redcurrants. Took raspberries to Miss Holt and got lettuces in exchange. Cooked masses raspberries and prunes. Salads. After supper, Major Dill in, and then 9.10. Miss Peacock and Rev. Jones. Whitechapel and Aberystwyth till 10.30.

Friday 23^rd July 1943

Fine and warm.
Alys, Dorothy and Eve to Richmond in car for “points” – paraffin, sweet ration. I stewed redcurrants, made custard (which curdled), shelled and cooked peas, potatoes. Laundry. Rested 1 hour (slept) 2 – 3. Made porridge. Phil in hut in a.m. and doing engine. Picked gooseberries; cooked them. Got salads ready. Dorothy and Eve sun-bathed 5.30 – 6. After supper. Alys and Dorothy to see Mrs Cliff – very bad bunion, septic. Alys busy all evening – kidneys (for breakfast) and blackcurrants to cook.

Saturday 24^th July 1943

Very fine, all day.
Out with Eve to raspberries. Picked same. D’Ell and Joan picked some. Joan away weekend. Stove bad and joint in, so dinner at about 2. Kohlrabi green. Dorothy, Alys and I opened secret cupboard. No more oil! Cooked raspberries and made porridge. Tea 5. I out – sunbathed on tennis lawn. Then up and on bed. Dorothy and Eve to quarry. I threw Dorothy’s plant on compost. Out to get more raspberries for supper. All out to search for it after.

Memo:
22^nd Notts Battery out and other Battery in
24^th Landgirls’ wages raised.
21^st 22^nd Wood sawing. Engine here, for fences.
19^th Weight 7st 9lb.
Wrote Doz 18^th
Alys wrote Kit
20^th wrote for Prizes – Whist Drive
Only 3 foot water in reservoir.
21^st The first peaches.

Mussolini resigned. Badoglio took over.

Sunday 25^th July 1943

Fine and hot. Stormy. Heat in p.m. Not sunny.
Dorothy doing enormous washing in potting shed. Shelled peas with Eve and then out with her and picked raspberries. Phil at lathe. Dorothy doing Blain’s wireless, top room. In p.m. rested, slept. Then with Eve down and made porridge. Out and picked strawberries (the last) while they had tea. Out with Dorothy and Eve (and Fluff) to Ashes Pond to look for plant. Saw Noel riding and jumping. Sir John Blunt’s pony. Alys made spaghetti. Alys, Dorothy and Phil in garden after dinner (boiled milk as so thundery and hot).

Monday 26^th July 1943

Dull. Mild.
Began making prune whip. Then out with Eve and picked raspberries. Kohlrabi root part as veg. Lunch. Nice taste. Thompson came and Dorothy up for rest to see him about ram and crying. Dennis and Phil to Barnes’ about ponds cleaned for cattle-watering. Rested, then porridge. Mrs Peacock here. Alys rested and I was late on tea (Mrs Savery to see Dorothy). Alys, Eve and I picked peas. Dorothy helped shell them. Made scrambled eggs (on peas) for supper. Had lettuce and spaghetti. To bed 10.10.

Tuesday 27^th July 1943

Warm. Fair.
Dorothy took Eve out till nearly 11. I did housework – my room. Dorothy and I wrote letters to Petroleum Officer about my ration being cut. Rested, slept in p.m. (prune whip at lunch, I made). At 4.45. Dorothy, Alys, Phil and Eve all to tea at Barnes’. I in garden and orchard. Did salad. At 6.30 Alys bathing Eve. I in garden with Dorothy. He planted seeds from Ashridge (mixed). Alys made omelettes. Dorothy did Alys’ feet after supper. Soaking. I made sandwiches for Dorothy. European News 10.45 in Phil’s room.

Wednesday 28^th July 1943

Stormy heat. Dry. Fine.
Up at 6. Did up sandwiches and Dorothy’s botany books. Alys, Dorothy and Phil in car to Darlington and Dorothy off by 8.50 train. I with Eve, clearing up. Cooked raspberries and porridge. In garden with Eve, when others bath at 11. Lunch at 12.30. Rested, slept heavily, till 3. Out to Barnes, Dimmock, Holt, Dobinson. Teacakes from Mrs Barnes. Lettuces. Had tea, with the others. To O’Brien, taking Eve and Blain’s, Eve too. Ays did cauliflower. Swarm bees. Phil out. I had supper with Alys and Phil. Peaches. To bed 9.45.

Thursday 29^th July 1943

Very hot and very fine.
Peaches, breakfast. Shelled broad beans (corned beef). Mrs Peacock cleaned pantry. I slept, and then down with Eve. After tea, Phil in pond in waders, clearing weeds (and cut gorse). Tinned lobster and salad and Barnes’ mayonnaise. War Commentary – Vernon Bartlett. Sat up till 11.30 for Kim, who out all night (in land-girl’s room).

Friday 30^th July 1943

Hot and very find.
Did “washing”. Alys took Eve to Pat Mitchison (Pringle’s) and she played there (fell on her nose). I helped Phil in top room. He started engine he had re-done. Peas and fried corned beef and gravy. Raspberries and custard. Rested. Slept. Wrote Kitty. Knitted at teatime and Hunter’s man came. To Blain’s with redcurrants and Eve. Alys short rest as none before tea. To garden. After supper ,news and Alys and Phil in garden. Phil had cold cocoa.

Saturday 31^st July 1943

Very hot and fine. Breeze.
Cooked blackcurrants and then out to pick gooseberries. Cooked them. Eve in top room with Phil (playing shopping). He painting engine. They 25 minutes late for hot beef, peas, carrots. Rested, slept till 3. Eve in my room then; took out fur coats, umbrellas. Made porridge. Shortened green spot dress. Got flowrs and lettuce. After supper got broad beans – 7lb for Wardle. Joan too, and she got gooseberries for Savery’s. News in Phil’s room. Peaches after. Eve awake at 9.

Memo:
27^th Sold 6 peaches Morrell at 2/- each! (1^st time this year).
27^th Weight 7st 4lb.
28^th Wrote W.V.S. poem.
29^th Write Kitty
27^th Dorothy Ellerton here a year.

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Sunday 1^st August 1943

Fine, with thunder showers.
Up late-ish. Phil very busy over engine and tender all day. Cooked prunes. Out to look at peaches, nectarines, tomatoes – got peach net down (from raspberry and redcurrant bed). Very torn. Alys cooked cauliflower. Cold beef. Brussels. Chocolate pudding. Rest. Eve in, buckles. Porridge. Tea. Out with Alys and Eve in garden. Phil came later. Captain Heald in about requisitioning porch room. Mended peach net after supper till 9.30. D’Ell away all evening.

Monday 2^nd August 1943

Fine and warm.
Revally 3.30 a.m. Made gelozone shape (Irish moss) with fruit juice. Shelled broad beans. U.S. sausage m eat for lunch and Alys made chocolate (Bruxelles). Phi and Eve to Blain’s to see Peggy. Battery out and early shooting. Mrs Peacock cleaned sitting-room. Rested till 3. Made porridge and a soup of peas and beans. Phil finishing off green engine. Very busy all day. Picked last strawberries 10. D. Simpson came about lost ducklings. News in Phil’s room (omelette supper). Alys made egg and lettuce sandwiches for Phil. Eve awake till 9.45.

Tuesday 3^rd August 1943

Perfect day.
Up 6.30. Alys and Phil to Darlington in car. Forgot suitcase. Gave Eve her breakfast. Alys back 9.10. Out and cut weeds by apple-trees. Brought peaches in, cut and stewed them. Morrell came. Lunch 12.30. To rest 1.30. Slept heavily. Alys rested later. Eve and I to post parcel to Phil (after porridge). In garden after tea-time. Picked 1^st tomato. Ate it in salad. Spaghetti. Phil’s sandwiches! Mrs Mitchison brought fish from Pringle. Sausages came (instead Monday).

Wednesday 4^th August 1943

Dullish. Cooler.
In garden. Weeding. Alys and I both sewing Eve’s nightgown (from masonic gown merino) during day. I in evening – mostly. Fish dinner. Slept in p.m. 2 – 3. To Barnes’, Dimmock, Holt – stayed 20 minutes as raining. Gell, Dobinson. Made porridge. In garden for lettuces with Eve. Sewing machine in evening on nighties. To Blain’s about electric engine. To bed 10.

Russians take Orel. We take Catania, Sicily and Belgorod.

Thursday 5^th August 1943

Cool. Thunderstorm in p.m. 4 – 5.
Out to Potting Shed. Joan’s fiancé there. Spoke out to Dorothy about work and leave. She stayed here the p.m. instead of going, as asked. Eve out, and weeded. Fish pie, apples and custard for lunch. Slept till 3. Down with Eve. Mrs P. cleaned pantry . Wrote Finney and to post. Thunderstorm. Left bag on wall – soaked. Made salad dressing, before lunch. Sewing nighties for Eve (Alys and I). Out in rain for lettuces for supper. War Commentary. Cyril Falls. Marching on (German army). R.A.F. raids.

Friday 6^th August 1943

Dull a.m. Wettish p.m.
In garden (Zeus had tape-worm showing). Joan away with fiancé on embarkation leave. Made cheese and scrambled eggs and Alys did cauliflowers and Queen of Puddings. Slept in p.m. Then with Eve to post and Blain’s. Alys doing nightie and I occasionally. Out and cut weeds and poppy seeds and lettuces. Tried nighties on Eve. Sewed at mine all evening. News and play “The Stunner” about Pre-Raphaelites – Elizabeth Siddal, Rosetti. Whist Drive postponed as cold and damp.

Saturday 7^th August 1943

Dull and showery all day.
Not out in a.m. – rained. Alys cooked beef and I did Kohlrabi (and let leaves burn). Alys wrote letters and bills. Slept in p.m. 30 minutes. At 3, down. To post, made porridge; sewed Eve’s nightdress. Joan back only in p.m. Dorothy home. I took Eve in garden at 5.45. She a pony galloping in rubber boots. Alys ironed and sewed nightie. Joan in for News. Alys horrid loud head singing always; especially last 2 weeks and sore throat Saturday.

Memo:
8^th and 9^th Rents
1^st wrote Peggy Freer with cheque £25/- (wedding present)
3^rd Phil to Ashridge (and refill, Smart in p.m.)
6^th Whist Drive
6^th Alys phoned Dennis – heard James better. Phil well.
2^nd Weight 7st 7½lb.
Dorothy planting out winter cabbages and kale.

Sunday 8^th August 1943

Dull. Milder.
Worked at Eve’s nightgown. Alys finished Eve’s blue silky cardigan. Joan brought in Swiss chard.   Very nice new vegetable, like spinach, to eat and cook. Out with Eve picked up apples, nectarines. Alys made custard. Slept in p.m. 2 – 2.45. Down with Eve, after porridge made. Finished nightgown. Alys washed 2 old ones and lots of Eve’s things and ironed. Out with Eve at tea. Lettuces. Finished her striped brown sock after supper (sausages). News and P.S. by Soong (Mei-ling, wife of Chiang Kai-shek).

Monday 9^th August 1943

Dullish. Some sun. Mild.
Baden and maggots in ham muslin in larder. Alys busy doing up parcels for Eve’s things to send on. In garden with Eve; apples and lettuces. Eve and I did potatoes (she washed little ones). Mrs Peacock cleaned my room (Alys taking aspirin for sore throat and very horrid head noises and feelings. Temperature normal. To post rents – Hodgson and Gell (instead of Alys and to post 3 parcels (1 to Phil, 2 Eva). Garden with Eve. Cut poppy-heads. Eve “galloping pony“. Bacon and egg and soup supper and peaches. Alys wrote cheques. To bed 10.

Tuesday 10^th August 1943

Dullish. Mild.
Up 5.45. Alys got breakfast for 6.30 for Eve and her. All of us to Darlington and Baden too. Alys and Eve off 8.52 (1^st class) for Northwood. I shopped. Home. Bought 50 slates for farms about 12. Cold mince. Slept in p.m. 1 hour. Tidied up sitting-room, and washed-up breakfast things (water cold, earlier). Stewed nectarines. Mended clothes, sat up (on sofa) till 11 listening to Peer Gynt with Ralph Richardson.

Wednesday 11^th August 1943

Dull. Cold.
Dorothy and coffee and apples. Tidied Alys’ bed and Eve’s. Cooked French beans. Had them with boiled egg and then nectarines and cream. Made chocolate mousse (with Alys’ whites of egg). Slept on bed. Out to Holt (took 1lb tomato’s frissent). Butler, Barnes, Dobinson, O’Brien. Cooked 3 of ham pieces which Baden and I saved from maggoty ham on Monday. In garden, lettuce, little peas. Cut weeds. Miss Peacock and niece, Elsie in, with cake (Raffle). Blain’s in arranging hall for Whist Drive.

Thursday 12^th August 1943

Fine, shower, dull.
In car 10.30 (Mrs Blain too) to Richmond. Took 6 peaches and flowers and kohlrabi to Beckwith. Dennis’ cheque to Bank (50) and took £20 out for wages and bills. Grate at Spence’s. Chicken medicine. Clarkson. Back 12.50. Sardines on toast, nectarines and cream and prunes. Mrs Peacock cleaned hall, stairs, bathroom (no tea). Paid rent. I sent cheque for phone bill. Rested 40 minutes, slept 15. Got wax from honeycombs. Baden, Arnold and Nora and I arranged sitting-room for Whist Drive. I had supper at 8. Soup, lettuce (got at 5.40 – 6), ham, chocolate from yesterday. Bed 10.30.

Friday 13^th August 1943

Dull, showers in a.m. Mildish.
Laundry. Did trump-cards for Whist Drive diamonds, clubs and auction and prize notices. Marrow and fried egg and bacon and stewed peaches. Rested 1.30 – 2.30. Cleared desk, and arranged prizes. Had tinned haricot beans and lettuce (out to get it, and grapes). I in nursery, crocheting for Alys’ dress. At 10.10. I gave the prizes (Red Cross) and Baden auctioned the gifts from others. To bed at 12.

Saturday 14^th August 1943

Fineish with showers. Cool.
Captain Heald in to borrow pillows. All a.m. tidying up sitting-room and with Blain family. Hoover. Cooked steak and onion and tomato and cabbage; also wineberries and nectarines. Rested 1¼ hours (slept). Wrote Red Cross with cheque £15.18.6. Sent off 9/6 Rural Pennies. In garden (shock at coke on fairways!) Gave pillows to batman for Brigadier and Colonel. Began cheese got at auction 15/6!

Memo:
13^th Cut 1^st grapes.
Sold 1^st lb tomatoes
9^th weight 7st 4 ½ lb
10^th Alys and Eve away? 11^th Phil’s refill and Alys to Ashridge.
13^th Whist drive (indoors if wet of cold).
9^th Rents
11^th Alys phoned 1.25. Wrote to her in a.m. and Clark.

Allies enter Messina 17^th. Germans evacuate Scicily.

Sunday 15^th August 1943

Fine. Coolish.
Double Summer Time ended. Clocks back 1 hour.
Cooked French beans and made a custard and put prunes and nectarines through sieve. Battery busy was Brigadier and Colonel Mitchell coming. Borrowed 9 knives and forks. Wrote Alys. Blain in to wind clocks (stopped). Out to garden. Got 9 ripe nectarines (Mess Sec) in to thank. Slept in p.m. In garden later. Salad of cheese and Nora’s cake. Cooked nectarines. Zeus noisy in night.

Monday 16^th August 1943

Rainy. Mild.
D’Ell back with cold and to bed in p.m. Coal came. Baden in about coke and to Ireland’s about moving it. Booth’s secretary phoned about car. Cooked cauliflowers and broad beans and stew with meat and tomato. Mrs Peacock cleaned Alys’ and Phil’s rooms and washed socks. I rested 45 minutes. Slept a bit. Joan brought lettuces in. Got Mrs Peacock’s tea. Washed ham – kettle. In a.m. made salad cream. With Ellerton cream. Colonel Mitchell in 9 till 10 p.m.

Tuesday 17^th August 1943

Dull and cool a.m. Very mild in p.m.
D’Ell not out all day. I picked montbretia and arranged 12 peaches for Morrell. Cooked kohlrabis and peaches. In p.m. rested 1 hour (slept). Wrote lettercard to Alys. Out to Holt, Butler, Barnes, Gell and Dobinson – Group Savings. Blain and W. Holt and Ken (in air-training Corps uniform) and Noel took away forms and tables in cart. In garden at 6. Crocheted Alys’ insertion.

Wednesday 18^th August 1943

Dullish. Very mild.
D’Ell in bed all day – flu? In car at 10.45 to Richmond. Beckwith’s and paid bills and to see Bickerdyke and get paints (pram) and chocolate. Met Mr Clarke and Booth at 11.55, station. Drove them to Foxhall for lunch. Got own – bacon and egg, peaches and cream. Mr C. in at 2.45. At 3.10 rested till 4.15. Made Irish moss from Wade’s recipe. Stewed nectarines. In garden with dogs (Ireland had moved coke). Supper and soup, rusks and bread and cheese, Irish moss and nectarines. Brushed dogs. Zeus had no food from me.

Churchill, Eden and Roosevelt to Conference in Quebec.

Thursday 19^th August 1943

Mild, dull. Fine later.
D’Ell not working all day. I walked to Wardle’s about cake for McDermid’s. Picked mushrooms. Baden extracted honey in p.m. I helping and covering pots. Mrs Peacock cleaned sitting-room and pantry and kettle and helped with stoves. I rested at 4.30 – 5.20. Slept. In garden for lettuces and Mrs Cliff sent soldier’s wife for tomatoes. Sold 1lb. Cooked pea-pod soup and mushrooms in milk. Wrote Alys and posted it after News.

Friday 20^th August 1943

Mild, dull, fine in p.m. and evening.
Doing paper salvage and in pig-larder (blue bottles). Sergeant Plume in about accident – 2 lorries (and Stevens’ fault). To road end to see. D.R. had leg broken too here. Kohlrabi and egg and bacon. Short rest in p.m. Butcher left steak with maggots. Mrs Nelson’s grandchild came. Tidied drawer, but no keys to be found. To garden. D’Ell working but Joan getting a cold. Salad and corned beef. Captain Heald in with requisition paper to sign. Crocheted in evening. Mended egg cup.

Saturday 21^st August 1943

Heavy rain. Fine later in p.m.
Wardle left lovely cakes. I got flowers. D’Ell and Joan to Richmond in p.m. Corned beef and lettuce. Wineberries (stewed) and cream. Got tea ready. At 2.20 arrived Major John McDermid and Petronella, and Alistair (7). They walked about. Petronella and I talked. She “expecting” at Christmas. All went to peach house, ate nectarines. Tea (Mrs Wardle’s cakes) and honey. Phil phoned. Alys in a ward. Headache, fever. Sunstroke? McDermid’s helped clear and wash up and away 5.35 for bus. I took tomatoes to Hodgens, Barnes’ cow ill. Read paper 6 – 6.35. Cooked sausages. Soup. Heard Mrs Brown of Dunsa Bank died today.

Memo:
16^th Weight 7st 7lb
18^th Boothy boy and Colonel Clarke – Meet 11.55.
Last week points.
20^th Alys into Hospital – Ashridge.

Russians re-take Kharkov – 23^rd.

Sunday 22^nd August 1943

Fine (thunder showers).
D’Ell and Joan to Ell’s – Taxi to Richmond. Raw apple and prunes and dandelion coffee. Covered honey. Wrote D. Brown condolences. Wrote Alys. Posted. Ate nectarines only for dinner. To green-houses. Cut grapes, got many nectarines and peaches (dropped). Rested 2.30 – 3.45 (didn’t sleep). Listened Socrates – Lewis Casson. Wrote Claims about wall. Stewed nectarines and sour cream, grapes and gelozone fruit juice at 6 – 7. Crocheted Alys’ border. To garden at 7. Officer there. Kimmins on King and Fleet. Found Keys to fit bookcase.

Monday 23^rd August 1943

Fine. Electric stove in evening.
Apples and prunes and dandelion coffee. At desk tearing up letters and copying recipes. Stewed nectarines and cream. Mrs Peacock did hall and stairs and washed things. Got ready for honey-extracting, but Baden said do both crates together later, so rested (slept). Got tea for Mrs Peacock. In garden cutting paths that overgrown. Peaches and cream and prunes 7. Ironed clothes and Mystery Play.

Tuesday 24^th August 1943

Warm, fine then dullish.
Fruit and dandelion; coffee. Baden in with 2 crates and we got honey out 10.30 – 12. Nectarines, gelozone and cream at 1. At 2 slept till about 3. Out to Holt (but first maggoty ham discovery in still-room). Soldier putting up our Tin Dump in corrugated iron. To Butler, Barnes, Dobinson. Cut nectarines up and stewed. N. Butler and Dobinson in for tomatoes – 1lb each. Wrote Alys. Raw peaches supper. After News talk on Mosquito.

Wednesday 25^th August 1943

Rain in a.m. Very fine. Mild.
Fruit only for breakfast. Sorted out recipes. Wrote lettercard to Alys. More pasting in pantry with Baden, as more bluebottles. Rested 2 – 3 on 4.15. Fruit then. Out in garden and glass. Dorothy cutting tomato leaves of. Did Alys’ dress and crocheted border. Measuring. Vecon 7.20. Out with Kim. In nursery in evening crocheting. Electric stove.
Fasting this week – 25^th on till Sept 1^st.

Italian prisoners tar spraying our road.

Thursday 26^th August 1943

Very fine. All day.
Fruit only breakfast. In garden, got corn – salad (seeding) to send Dennis. Tied up tomato plants. Picked raspberries. Fruit at 12. Rested p.m. 12.50 till 1.45. Did up nightie and Nescafe for Alys and wrote her. Did up corn salad and wrote Dennis. Baden in to take off honey. I helping and to post at 4.10. Mrs Peacock cleaned nursery and washed sooty carpet. Miss Peacock and Eric in. Saw Captain Heald with gun and out to him. War Commentary Wickhamstead.

Friday 27^th August 1943

Very fine. Mild.
Fruit breakfast. Did laundry. In car to Richmond. 10.30. Took nectarines and grapes and chrysanthemums and gladioli and rhubarb to Beckwith. Took clock to Kriwanek’s. Home at 12.15. Did wax down (beeswax). Stewed nectarines. Short rest on sofa, as Hunter came. Out to garden, got nectarines. Gave Nancy Blain lettuces and peaches (jam). Did blue crochet on table and in chair. Talk Eric Kempson on Education.

Saturday 28^th August 1943

Pouring nearly all day. Mild.
Fruit breakfast. Doing wax again. Cleaning muslin and pouring off honey. Paid D’Ell and Joan wages. Put some honey away after covering. Rested 2 – 3.45. Out to post and to garden. Out again at 5.30. Picked grapes for self and two peaches. Cooked sausages (to keep them). Vecon at 8. Put blue crochet border on Alys’ frock by machine. News. Alastair Cook and play by J. Dickson Carr. Mended gloves and Alys’ sleeve crochet in.

Memo:
August 19^th – 15lb honey
24^th – 33lb honey
26^th – 20lb honey
1^st July – 20lb honey
28^th July – 21lb honey
23^rd Weight 7 stone 3lb
28^th Blain’s wages
22^nd 23^rd and 24^th Fruit and 1 pint milk only – all days.
25^th Fruit and Vecon.
26^th Fruit and Vecon
27^th Fruit and Vecon
28^th Fruit and Vecon.

Sunday 29^th August 1943

Heavy rain and bright intervals. Very mild.
Wrote Kitty. 5^th day whole fast.  Wrote Booth with water supply letter. Cooked bacon. In garden and opened houses 10.30. Picked peaches. Tied up tomato plant. Picked up apples. Rested 2.10 – 3.45. In garden again. Wrote long lettercard to Doz. Finished crochet on Alys’ frock. Took lettercard to post at 8.40. P.S. by Malan of Toc H and BBC on U.S.

Monday 30^th August 1943

Very fine.
D’Ell brought cream, so I made salad cream. Cooked prunes. In garden. Gave self enema. Primus blazed and I put apron and mat on it and took it and boiling kettle to sitting room windowsill. Mrs Peacock cleaned sitting-room, pantry. I rested 45 minutes. Wrote lettercard to Alys. Phil phoned at 2. Eric Barnes brought rabbit. I fried it. To garden. Wrote Ella. Sewed. To bed 10.

Tuesday 31^st August 1943

Fine, then dull. Mild.
Apples for breakfast. Did honey with Baden. The last crate. Wrote to Booth, Claims Commissioner and Alys’ Bank (Selfridge’s cheque). Cup of milk and prunes and peaches lunch. Rested 2 – 3.15. To Barnes’, Holt, darned socks and O’Brien, Cliffe, Dobinson came for tomatoes and apples. Churchill’s speech from Quebec read by John Snagge.

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Wednesday 1^st September 1943

Fine, heavy showers, muggy in p.m.
Dandelion coffee and fruit breakfast. Out in garden. Mended old sheet, machined. Put pocket on blue linen coatee and red stitching. Salad lunch from 1 till 2. Rested 2.20 till 3.50. Out and got nectarines and wineberries. Machined sheet till 7. Cooked rabbit with onion and sausage and bacon; also steamed cabbage (lovely supper after week’s fasting). Began the Belton Estate by Trollope.

3^rd – Allies land on toe of Italy.

Thursday 2^nd September 1943

Fine all day.
Major Dill in to say goodbye. Captain Health said goodbye. Stewed peaches and also prunes. Cooked French beans and rabbit with onion and sausage for lunch. Rested 2.20 – 3.40. Mrs Peacock did halls and stairs. In garden for lettuces. Most of Battery left. Salad and cheese supper and soup and wineberries and cream. Miss Peacock in. War Commentary by Joubert.

Friday 3^rd September 1943

Fine all day.
Made coffee with milk. To Richmond in car. Mrs Blain came. D’Ell doing nets, didn’t know it was today so rush. Took grapes. Beckwith didn’t want them. No flit. Back 12.15. Shelled peas; had rabbit stew with them. Baden in 1.45 about Claims for damaged walls. Rested 2.30 – 3.30. Butcher. Out and propped up dwarf peas with dead apple boughs. Officer and soldier there with girls (digging). Salad and cheese. Peaches and cream and cake. Ironed chair cover. Picked up apples at 8.40.

Saturday 4^th September 1943

Fine.
Wrote 2 letters to 2 Claims Officers about damage. Cooked kohlrabi. And had it (both ends) with rabbit, stewed peaches. Baden round with Clerk of Works as troops leaving. Lieutenant Broom in about possible tubs missing. Rested in p.m. Couldn’t sleep. Wrote Alys. Altered skirts black and tweed. In garden picking up windfalls. Play “Round Robin” but batteries of both sets gave out, so couldn’t hear end. To Pringle for Rest.

Memo:
31^st 8lb honey. Total this year 136 lb.
30^th Weight 7st 2lb.
Fasted on fruit only from 24^th – 31^st (Vecon too, as at Champney).
31^st 1½ pint of milk and fruit
31^st Churchill broadcast.
4^th and 6^th Rents
September 1^st Dandelion coffee and fruit breakfast, salad and cheese lunch, supper – rabbit, onion, cabbage, sausage.

8^th Italy surrenders unconditionally. Armistice granted. Dwight Eisenhower broadcast from Algeria. Still about 9 soldiers here.

Sunday 5^th September 1943

Very fine day.
In garden. Cut a big marrow for Blain (she had apples, tomatoes and plums). Wrote petrol application and posted it. Cutlet with tomato and onion and broad beans. Tante’s sauce. Rested slept. In garden. Propped dwarf peas, picked up windfalls. Baden brought me mushrooms. Fried them with bacon and had lettuce for supper. Stewed the new plums picked yesterday with honey. Hemmed and ironed tweed skirt. Gielgud in Pilgrim’s Progress.

Monday 6^th September 1943

Sun and showers.
Mr Savery came and took D’Ell to help harvest. I out and picked apples with Joan till 12.20. Shelled peas and had cutlet and mushrooms with them. Wrote Doz lettercard. Mrs Peacock cleaned sitting room and brasses and washed stockings (Alys’). I rested 45 minutes. Out to Hodgen’s and Gell’s for rents. Gave Mrs Peacock her tea. Cooked mushroom soup. Out to get lettuce. Supper. Salad mushrooms in milk and mace. Stoked stove supper as soldiers all away. Hot bath.

Tuesday 7^th September 1943

Fine but showers.
Took 10lb plums and 3lb sugar to Mrs Blain. She made 5lb for us. Got peas and cauliflowers and stewed peaches. Later cooked apples and plums together with honey. Cutlet, peas and cabbage with tomatoes and onion gravy. Rested 2.20 – 3.15. D’Ell to harvest in p.m. I to Dimmock. Holt, Barnes, Dobinson, O’Brien and Cliff for rent. To garden for lettuces. Salad, new bread (Blain). Stewed fruit. Sewed, mended.

Wednesday 8^th September 1943

Very fine all day.
Blain mended leak in stove (boiler room). In garden, Dorothy and I picked Victoria plums on West Wall. I picked red apples on North wall and corner tree by carnations. French beans and cutlet and cabbage and cauliflower leaves and fried onions. Stewed peaches and cream. Rested. Wrote Alys and Elsa Beckman. In garden, dwarf peas. Girls scrubbed apple shelves. Nancy Butler for apples and tomatoes. Covered jam. Made soup. Sewed and listened-in. Wireless stopped. Stove went out.

British ships in Taranto. Landings at Salerno.

Thursday 9^th September 1943

Fine all day.
Joan tried to light stove. Baden did it. He and I about in requisitioned rooms. Stewed plums and sorted out ones for bottling. Looked out bottles. All to Mrs Blain to do sausages, kohlrabi and peas. Mrs Peacock did passages and stairs. Rested, slept. When Peacock went, I made “Genoese pastry” square cake. In garden first, but didn’t get lettuces. D’Ell at Ireland’s for harvest. Joan picked apples (red eaters). Mrs O’Brien and Miss Peacock in for tomatoes. Cyril Falls on Russian Campaign.

Friday 10^th September 1943

Dull a.m. Rain p.m.
Washed Alys’ woollies. Covered honey. Washed honey extractor. Did laundry. Cooked broad beans and cabbage and sausages (fried) with onion, tomatoes and kohlrabi slices. Wrote Alys and Kitty. Butcher came and Hunter. Put away crates for bees, in laundry cupboard and wine-bin. Not out, except for post and no rest. Raw cabbage salad and cold broad beans, with Ryvita and cheese and stewed plums. Play “I’m taking these flowers to a lady” about sealing bomb.

Saturday 11^th September 1943

Rain, rain, not in p.m.
At 10.10 to Richmond in car. Took grapes to W.I. and chrysanthemums. Then to Beckwith, refused grapes. Took to Cherry’s. Refused. Sold ½lb in queue and got 2 pairs of kippers. Finally took grapes and left with Mrs Bigge. Hair trimmed 1/. Got Derris. Back 12.45. Joan forgot lettuce so out for some; corned beef. Rested 30 minutes. Phone. Soup. Peggy’s telegram. Took it to Blain’s. Did stewed peaches. To garden – Ireland’s bullocks been in and eaten carnations. Wrote Alan Baumer. Kippers for supper. Stove boiling. Ireland called to pay for Dorothy’s ½ day there.

Memo:
11^th Blain’s wages
5^th Wrote petrol application
6^th Weight 7 stone 5lb.
6^th Last soldiers left with ammunition.
Reading Belton Estate – Trollope – very good
9^th Pickin paid.

Terrific fighting round Salerno. Fifth Army (U.S.A. and us too) and Germans.
Mussolini freed by paratroops. Nazis say.

Sunday 12^th September 1943

Very mild and damp. Thundery. Dull.
Stove out. Baden lighted it. Out and talked Ireland mending and peas fence. Fried vegetables, Tomato, cabbage, onion and cutlet. Stewed plums and peaches. Kept stove going and got coke in old waterproof. Slept an hour 2.30 – 3.30. Listened in play “Ardregle “ Cornish story. Sewed. In garden with dogs. Corned beef and potato hash with onion and lettuce. Stewed plums (picked up under tree). News. Sewed and crocheted for elastic.

Monday 13^th September 1943

Foggy. Mild and damp.
My 64^th birthday. Girls slept late. Stove out. Wrote Alys. Did Swiss chard for dinner with curried cutlet. Did up 5 bunches grapes for Alys. Lay on sofa till 4. Nora Ireland with cake. Paid 1/- and gave her Mink’s sugar 1lb. Took grapes to post. Out in garden. Kippers for supper and cheese and lettuce. 2 plays. The White Cow.

Tuesday 14^th September 1943

Fine a.m. but thunder and rain in p.m.
Phoned Jackson about electric cable. Did stewed peaches. Cut up Swiss chard stalks and boiled, also shelled peas. To compost. Morrell 2.1.1. Fried sausage in gravy, and tomato. Rested 2.15 till 3.15 To Del, Dimmock, Holt, Barnes and O’Brien; Dobinson’s out. Mrs O’Brien and Nancy Butler for tomatoes and apples. Wrote Ella, Pickin. Fried egg and bacon and peas. Peaches and cream. 1^st Brains Trust of season.

Wednesday 15^th September 1943

Fine all day. Breezy.
Put carpet in Zeus’ basket (on steps) and cleaned it. Savery came. Paid 10/- for D’Ell (2/6 for herself – “I’m hardly satisfied heartily”). French beans and sausages fried with tomatoes, onions. Syrup for bees and Blain put it in feeders. Atkinson in, talk about work and estimates. Rested 50 minutes. Finished letter to Ella. To garden. Girls had picked apples. Reverend Wilkes and Lord Derby. Stewed peaches and plums. Salad and cheese supper. To Dobinson and Elgey’s (Red Cross).

Russians re talk. Novorossiysk, Black seaport and Bryansk. We win on Salerno beaches.

Thursday 16^th September 1943

In car at 10 to Darlington; to Atkinson’s for slates. First to Mrs Peacock to postpone her day. Only 250 could go in car (wanted 340). To Binn’s 11, hair shampoo and set (Benson) 4/6. To Badcock 12. He put new patch on tooth. To Carrick’s (after queue for herring). Stuffed marrow. To Smith’s and Kent and Brydon. Took wax there (bees). Derris sprayer. To herbal shop. To Lear’s. Hoe at 3.10. Out to get parasol mushrooms. Cleaned herring. Rested 4.30 til 5.30. Lieutenant Gray (Land Agent) about porch requisition. Man to coat stove with asbestos. Miss Peacock in. Cooked and ate mushrooms and herrings.

Friday 17^th September 1943

Rain. Nearly all day.
Took peaches. Wrote Alys lettercard and Doz. Cooked peas and cauliflower, mushroom. Rested 2.15 – 3.30. Man about Minnimax. Posted letters. To garden. Phoned Mrs Bigge (away) and Mrs Waller about W.I. (Women’s Institute). Settled to take grapes. Herrings under grill, and salad and cheese. Wrote to Poz and Mrs Dodd. Play “Charlotte Corday”.

Saturday 18^th September 1943

Fine.

Alys wrote – Phil passed. Up 7.30 and in car at 9 to Market (W.I.) with grapes and chrysanthemums and red apples through Wallace. To Sausage shop. To Dodgson and bought cretonne frock (overall) and 2 pairs of socks for Phil. Woolworth’s and points also Whitwel(?) Ducks for lunch with lettuce and cabbage (Mrs Peacock cleaned sitting-room and bathrooms. I slept 2.30 – 3.30. To garden. Mrs Cliff and Alan and Rona came. Cooked peas; had brawn, lettuce. Miss Peacock and Mrs Herbert Peacock of Whaw (Arken, Forthdale) and Eric in – ¾ hour or more.

Memo:
12^th Sent Red Cross message to Aunt Bella
15^th Phil’s pharmacology exam and refill.
13^th Weight 7st 6lb.
15^th 1^st syrup for bees
14^th Wrote Pickin.
Lord Derby apples packed.

Russians take Poltava.

Sunday 19^th September 1943

Fine all day. Mild.
In garden. Picked elderberries. Stewed apples with them. Wrote Phil congratulations. Cooked Swiss chard, and broad beans, and potatoes for hens. Cutlets with onions and vegetables and gravy. Fed hens. Rested 2.15 – 3.30. In garden and got firewood. Looked out wools. Red Cross 1ds. Kipper for supper and stewed fruit and cake. News. P.S. by young V.A.D. Play Gogol “Dead Souls”.

Monday 20^th September 1943

Very fine all day. Windy.
In garden. Also cut grass round steps, and sawed branch. Stew and Swiss chard stalk. Mrs Peacock did staircase from top floor and landings. Wrote Eva and Lois (postcard of Richmond). Wrote Claims Officer and sent Atkinson’s estimates. Rested 2.15 – 3.15. Got Mrs Peacock’s tea. In garden. Did syrup for bees with Baden. “The Woman in White”. Salad and cheese, elderberries and apples.

Tuesday 21^st September 1943

Very fine. Colder. One shower.
Letter from Dennis. Did up parcel of 2lb sugar and apples. Mended clothes. To garden. Curry and cauliflower, elderberries and apples and cream. Rested 2.15 – 3.30. Out to Holt, Barnes, Blain’s. Posted parcel to Dennis. To Dobinson’s and O’Brien’s. In garden; picked lettuce and peas. O’Brien and Nancy Butler for fruit. Lettuce, cheese, hard boiled eggs. Brains Trust and Mr Churchill to House of Commons – summary.

Wednesday 22^nd September 1943

Very fine. All day cool.
Made syrup for bees. Cooked potatoes for Zeus. Picked elderberries and stewed then with apples. Cooked peas. Warmed up curry (sat on steps in sun, preparing fruit and vegetables). Short rest. Sleep. Wrote Dennis and to Alys at Dorrie’s. To garden; picked broad beans. Mrs Cliff for tomatoes. Shelled beans and boiled them (for hens), bacon and egg supper. Phoned Mrs Ingram; Atkinson did our roof.

Russians re-take Smolensk

Thursday 23^rd September 1943

Fineish. Dullish. No rain.

Made syrup for bees (4^th time). Made chicken food of old broad beans. Washed undies. Fried Prem and broad beans and kohlrabi; and stewed elderberries, apples. Mrs Peacock cleaned sitting-room. A Captain Troughton came “H” Q.C. I slept 40 minutes. Sent revised Hotel handbook (A.A.) to Phil. Wrote Booth about railings. To garden. Got roses and lettuce. Hodgens for tomatoes. Cold Prem and salad. Mending. War Commentary. Vernon Bartlett.

Friday 24^th September 1943

Fine. Dull in a.m. Mild.
Laundry. In garden. Picked flowers. Cooked cauliflowers and French beans and parasol mushrooms for lunch. Made syrup for bees. Blain in car to Jackson for electric cable but too long to go on it. Wrote D. Brown about gardeners. Hunter and Butcher, so didn’t rest till 4 till 5. Slept. Made mixed bunches for market. Miss Peacock and Vera at 6. Pumpkin pie made by D’Ell for supper and marrow on toast, beans and soup.

Saturday 25^th September 1943

Fine (hail 3 minutes).
Up 7.30. To Richmond in car at 9.10 with grapes, flowers, apples. To W.I. stall. Shopped. Back and cooked potatoes and chops in oven. Had hot chop and tomatoes (tanks) and D. Ellerton’s pumpkin pie. Fed chickens. Rested in garden. Got peas, and grapes. Ironed. Alys things. Did my new cretonne dress hem. Took apples and tomatoes to Blain’s. Got lettuces for Wardle and put out with red apples and tomatoes. Alastair Cooke and play “The Silver Cord” till 11.

Memo:
25^th Joan away week’s leave.
19^th 13/3 to Red Cross. Rural Pennies.
20^th gave syrup to bees (2^nd time)
22^nd – 3^rd time
24^th – 4^th time and 5^th time
20^th Luxton Superb – apples picked
Blain’s wages.
20^th weight 7st 9lb

Sunday 26^th September 1943

Very fine.
Wrote Alys on front steps. Shelled peas there. In garden. Hot chop, peas; pumpkin pie. Fed chickens. Lay on Phil’s folding couch in sun by porch and sun-bathed 2.45 – 3.30. Wrote Kit (after post time). Church bells. P.S. after News about Battle of Britain. Squadron Leader Fitter, Firemen (about Judy).

Monday 27^th September 1943

Very fine a.m. Frost. Duller p.m.
Letter from Phil. Baden in and said his brother would like to rent garden. Sat in sun on Phil’s chair and wrote letter to Phil for birthday and about garden plan. Hot chop and kohlrabi, and pumpkin pie. Mrs Peacock cleaned arcade and back stairs. I did up chocolate and 2 pairs of socks and posted to Phil. Also sweetcorn. Rested on Chesterfield 5.30 – 6.30. Grilled sausage. Baked apples. Darned stockings.

Tuesday 28^th September 1943

Cold. Windy.
Blain and Atkinson doing electric cable. Zeus sick. I did beeswax down. Received “foundation” for wax from Scott and Brodie. Fed hens. Cooked meats and tomatoes in oven and pumpkin pie (2^nd). Rested 2 – 3. To Barnes’. Met Sir John Blunt . To Holt, Gell, Dobinson, O’Brien. In garden for lettuce. Nora brought cake. Soup. Prem and salad. Apples and cream and cake (Mrs Blain’s scone). Brains Trust. Ardrade – Yvonne Arnaud. Betjemen.

Wednesday 29^th September 1943

Milder. Fine though cloudy.
Stove went out. Mended mat (in boiler room). Fed hen’s. Cooked potatoes. Zeus cabbage. Mixed cold meats, sausage, black pudding in oven in gravy. Pumpkin pie. Rested in sun (and shadow) on Phil’s long seat. Wrote Dennis for a cheque for wages. In garden. Picked blackberries from under tree. Stewed them with apple. Mrs Gell and Eric and Alan all for apples and tomatoes. Cold sausage and salad and scone.

1^st War Correspondents killed all together by shell in Italy.

Thursday 30^th September 1943

Fine day. Cloudy.
Phoning MacLean for 9 a.m. for galvanised conduit. Cleaning bee apparatus, cupboard in Arcade and scraping washer. Made bee syrup (6^th time). Stew of meat, onions, tomatoes, bacon. Blackberry and apples. Mrs Peacock swept parquet, pantry, sitting room, fire laid. Lettercard to Alys. Slept 2.40 – 3.40. Stephenson came. To garden. Mrs Ellerton and daughter came. Blain in car to MacLean’s. Richmond for conduit for electric cable. Made cheese spread. Eric brought washing and a sponge cake.

---

Friday 1^st October 1943

Dull, mild. Windy.
Had to mend Zeus’ basket. Also mended arcade door-mat (in boiler-room). Picked flowers. Fried bacon and egg and bread and apple all together. Lettuce. Blackberry and apple. Rested. Slept 2 – 3. Letter to Alys at Uckfield. Butcher with steak. Picked heather and bulrushes. Made up mixed bunches. Miss Peacock came at 7 so no supper till 7.45. Then cheese spread, bread scone; cake and grapes. Dorothy in for News and till 10. Knitted. Dorothy brought Pringle’s rent.

Saturday 2^nd October 1943

Perfect. Windy in p.m.
Up 7.30. In car at 9 to Richmond with grapes, flowers (heather and bulrushes), lettuces, parsley. To Walton’s. Clarkson’s for hen medicine. Got bee sugar permit. Home 11.20. Cooked beef rib in oven and Brussels sprouts (1^st). Stewed apples. In p.m. sun bathed (Phil’s hut) and sat on long seat by porch 2.15 – 4 with dogs. In garden and got grapes and lettuces. Melted beeswax 5.10 – 6. Cooked potatoes – Zeus. “Duck” and salad (watercress too). Soup first. Apples and cream.

Memo:
30^th sponge-cake from Mrs Barnes. 1^st sponge cake from Mrs Wardle.
30^th 6^th time bee syrup.
28^th Nora’s cake.
30^th Petrol cards
Rents 2^nd – 4^th
27^th Weight 7st 10lb.

Corsica free of Germans.

Sunday 3^rd October 1943

Dull. Windy. Cool.
Up at 8.15. Cooked 42 bottled gooseberries. Made custard. Looked out wools. Made oatmeal into chick food. Cooked potatoes and carrots for dogs. Sirloin steaks, onions and tomatoes and sprouts (fried). Slept 2.15 – 3. Made gooseberry fool. Got beeswax from wild-looking combs. Cleaned Queen excluders. Wound worsted and began coat with big needles. Grilled sausages, lettuce, gooseberry fool. P.S. Brockington. Joan back.

Monday 4^th October 1943

Fine. Windy.
Baden began putting plug for toaster through to pantry. Captain Bigge came. S.O.S. his electric plant. I tidying, wrapping up Phil’s leather coat. Fried “Ducks” and cauliflower, gooseberries and custard. Mrs Peacock did halls. I rested 2.30 – 3.15. Slept. Out for rents – Hodgson and Gell. Back to make Peacock’s tea. To garden. Girls picking Bramley’s. Cooked potatoes – Zeus. Play about pawnbroker and first wife by Dostoevsky (Marius Goring).

Tuesday 5^th October 1943

Dull, windy. Mild.
Baden finished plug in pantry (electric). Lots of odd jobs. Bee things in kitchen sink. Made mince for lunch, Brussels sprouts. Baden helped me to give worm capsule to Kim (in teaspoon). Rested 2.15 – 3.15. To Barnes’ (took little apples for boys). Dimmock, Holt, Dobinson, O’Brien. In garden. O’Brien, David Dobinson, Nancy Butler for tomatoes and apples. Salad and sausages. Stewed apples. Knitted.

Wednesday 6^th October 1943

Rainy. Mild.
Letter from Dennis and Phil. Baden mending cistern in officers’ bathroom. W.C. Cooked potatoes for dogs. Heated up mince and cooked a little marrow – very nice. Rested. In garden. Lettercard to Dennis about cheque. Picked elderberries and stewed them with apples. Knitted, and looked up wools. Toasted cheese (grill) salad. Soup first. Apples (stewed). Sewed parcel. Phil’s leather coat. Wrote Alys with little towel. Kim out, at Pringle’s and only in by Dorothy 11.30.

Thursday 7^th October 1943

Very fine.
Letter from Alys. Phil negative and lung well inflated. At 10 o’clock I to Darlington to get 50 slates for Foxhall. Got little stove from Lear’s 18/1, dog biscuits, books, dandelion, coffee. Posted Phil’s leather coat, registered and towel to Alys. Back via Savery’s 12.55. Dried haddock in milk. Lunch. Mrs Peacock sitting-room. I doing beeswax kitchen sink. Rest at 4 till 4.45. Garden. Miss Peacock 5.30. To Mrs Cliff’s for rent (5 p.m.). Grilled sausage meat from Sissler’s and new bread and salad. Hastings – War Commentary. ITMA began again.

Friday 8^th October 1943

Fineish, cooler.
Finished Lady Anne. Laundry. Got beeswax off old frames. Made bee syrup. Kohlrabi (leaves), sausage and bacon. Rested on sofa; Butcher and Hunter came. Stayed in for Stephenson (didn’t come). Cooked beef steak (electric grill) and tomatoes and onion. To bed 9.30.

Saturday 9^th October 1943

Dull. Foggy. Mild.
At 9 to Richmond in car with grapes and flowers. Helped to sell in W.I. stall (as shorthanded) from 9.20 – 10.20. Home 11.10. Made sponge cake from Bero book (sandwich recipe). “Ducks” and kohlrabi (round). Rested 2.20 – 3.25. In garden with dogs. Cooked apples. Knitted varied front. Stephenson came instead Bride’s.

Memo:
4^th Bramley seedling apples picked
8^th Bee syrup 7^th time
6^th Gave Ken 10/- (coke, coal and lawn mown).
9^th Blain’s wages
Alys to Doris 6^th to 9^th. Alys to Eva’s 9^th to 16^th
4^th Weight 7st 12lb.
8^th Bought 1944 diary.

Sunday 10^th October 1943

Fine, then foggy and cooler.
Some knitting on coloured coat. Minced the tough beefsteak and made gravy. Brussels sprouts. Wrote Alys. Home guard in 4 private busses; in our drives. Slept in p.m. In garden for lettuce and grapes. Knitted. Supper of soup, Welsh rarebit, salad and scones and apples and cream. Play “Poor Man’s Miracle” (Polish authoress), News. P.S. by Chinese student.

Monday 11^th October 1943

Perfect all day. 9^th syrup to bees.
Mended Zeus’ bed on door-steps in sun. Oven on and stewed pears. Baked apples and potatoes (Zeus). To mince with marrow slices in it. On chaise longue, sunbath 2.45 – 3.30. Girls picking “Reine du Canada” apples. I in garden. Derris spray on lettuces. Mrs Peacock’s tea. Alys phoned to send keys to Phil. Posted them. Cold sausages, lettuce, stewed fruit. “Woman in White”. Sewed up coat (coarse). To bed 10.

Tuesday 12^th October 1943

Fine and warm.
Most of a.m. doing wax from big very old frames, fermented. Letter from Dennis about Blain’s brother and garden. Cheese and tomato over kohlrabi and marrow. Made custard. Slept 2.15 – 3.15 or so. To O’Brien, Dobinson, Barnes, Holt, Dimmock, Gell. In garden – apple room. 4 came for fruit 5.30 – 6.00. Looked out bread recipes. Sausage and salad. Pears and cream. Brains Trust. Frank Owen and Lord Provost. Land-girls brought lost beagle home.

Wednesday 13^th October 1943

Rain, dark.
Threw away bad honey and wax as no old combs. Cleaned up (pans in kitchen sink). Phoned Mrs Norman Field and Zetland Kennels about beagle. Fried Australian meat and Swiss chard dinner. Pears and custard. Made mayonnaise. Rested. Wrote Dennis. Set bread with brown flour. And yeast. Shortened green jersey frock. Baked fadge and rolls about 7.30. Egg and bacon, baked and apples and custard. Fire in cosy stove. Baden took beagle in car to Garth’s, Hutton Field.

Our troops across River Volturno.

Thursday 14^th October 1943

Lovely day. Frosty night.
Cheque for Clark. Prepared my room for Mrs Peacock to clean. Mended Zeus’ bed on steps. Baden cleaned gutters. To garden. Cold Australian meat and salad, pears and cream. Wrote Alys (at Northwood) with cheques to be signed. Lay in sun 3. 40 – 4.10 (sunbath). After Peacock went, to pick up firewood. Miss Peacock for laundry and tomatoes. Soup and sardines. Had own bread at lunch. War Commentary on Food as munition of War. Sir? —-.

Friday 15^th October 1943

Dull. Misty.
Finished cleaning bee things for sideboard. Did laundry. Wrote Clark. Slept 2.30 – 3.45. In garden. (not in kitchen garden as rat poison in houses). Stephenson didn’t come. Alan Cliff for tomatoes. Butcher while upstairs. Grilled steak and onions and French beans and kohlrabi stalks, boiled. Baden in with letter from his brother about garden. Mended clothes.

Saturday 16^th October 1943

Dull.
To Richmond at 9 in car with flowers and grapes. Got petrol, sausages, flour and yeast. Back at 10.50. Set yeast with brown flour*. Made 1 brown loaf, 12 rolls. Fadge. In oven a.m. Beef, potatoes. (for dogs) pears in casserole. Sprouts and beef dinner. Rested on sofa 55 minutes (after baking bread) instead of upstairs. Rang up Clark (away) about gardens. Sardines. Australian meat, salad, mayonnaise, my bread for supper. Knitted coat. To bed 10.15.

Memo:
16^th End of Ration Period No 3.
* “Clevita” flour
11^th Syrup to bees 9^th time 6lb sugar 3 pints water
16^th Alys leaves Eva and to Ashridge
11^th Weight 7st 12½ lb.

Sunday 17^th October 1943

Dull and showery. Dine after 5.
Made 2 loaves bread with very old flour (for dogs). Wrote Clark. Made cakes (Genoese). Rested on sofa and listened-in “Weir of Hermiston”, then slept. In garden and up to Nissen huts with dogs. Sausages and boiled lettuce for dinner (1). Hard boiled eggs and salad supper. Stewed pears.

Monday 18^th October 1943

Misty then very dull, fine day.
(D’Ell away till evening). Picked elderberries (and with dogs out). Stewed them and apples. Minced beef. Sprouts. Hot dinner. Mrs Peacock did halls. I sunbath in garden for 30 minutes. Stayed out there 50 minutes. Wrote Alys at Oxford. Knitted. In garden. Joan digging. Got wax off very old combs. Rang up Clark at Belliston Castle. Cold sausage and salad. The Dynasts. Pye. “Monday night at 8”.

Tuesday 19^th October 1943

Dull. Fairish. Mild.
Letter from Alys from 11 L.G. with cheques signed. To garden. Wrote cheque Hedley. Searched for belt outdoors. Cold mince shape and lettuce. Very good. Rest upstairs; short sleep. To Holt’s, Barnes’, Dobinson, O’Brien, Blain’s. To garden and all round. No belt. Mrs O’Brien and Eric and Frank for fruit and cauliflowers. Finished sleeve of coat and sewed in. Brains Trust. Smuts’ speech after News.

Wednesday 20^th October 1943

Fine day, duller. Mildish in p.m.
To Holt, Barnes and Dobinson and O’Brien in search of savings stamps. Did up parcel and 1lb coffee, 3lb tea and sent Doris Freer. Melted beeswax in rain water. Fish-cakes (tinned) and boiled lettuce. Apples and elderberries and cream. Rested 30 minutes. Wrote Ella. In garden and apple store. In and made custard, salad and hard boiled egg and potted mince. The Dynasts Part 2 “Albuera”

Eden and Cordell Hull to Moscow for Conference.

Thursday 21^st October 1943

Fine. Windy.
Baden in to say his brother is “coming through”. Cleaned up beeswax – basin and saucepan.   Long job. Wrote Alys (at Oxford). Fishcakes and sprouts, apples and elderberry and custard. Mrs Peacock did sitting room. I rested, slept. In garden. Girls taking out old tomato plants and planting lettuces. Took spots out of 2 shirts with “restates”. Spaghetti and stewed apples. Miss Peacock 6.30 till 7. Admiral Stark on Nelson for Trafalgar Day.

Friday 22^nd October 1943

Fineish. Mild.
Did up sugar and chocolate and wrote Dennis. To garden for flowers. Cold sausages and salad. Out when laundry came. Rested on sofa. Butcher 3 (paid book). Hunter not till 5.15. Posted parcel to Dennis. Picked heather. Grilled mutton and dried peas and tomatoes. Picked elderberries and cooked with apples. Made up mixed bunches till 9 p.m. “Dynasts” after News till 10.50.

Saturday 23^rd October 1943

Mild. Dull.
Fruit and dandelion coffee. Up 7.30. To Richmond with grapes, flowers, watercress, green tomatoes. Set bread when home. Washed feeders (bee). Only stewed fruit and cream lunch. Dried feeders on oven top. Kneaded and baked bread (brown flour). Rested on sofa. Baked apples without honey or sugar. To garden. Ate baked apple at 5 and prunes and grapes later, cream off milk. “The Crime at Blossoms”. Still wear socks and no stockings mostly.

Memo:
20^th Write Ella
20^th or 19^th Alys to Oxford
20^th Sent Red Cross 13/5
23^rd Blain’s wages
19^th Weight 7st 11lb

Russians take Dnepropetrovsk.

Sunday 24^th October 1943

Rainy. Fire in p.m. Mildish.
1^st day of fast. Apple, pear and sultanas. Rona brought letter from Alys. Read paper. Set bread 10.15. Kneaded it 10.45 (old flour from larder (1½lb). It stood by fire till 2.15. Wrote Alys at Lita Daniels’. Baked apple and apple and elderberries at 12. Kneaded bread and put into 2 tins 2.25. “Proved” by fire till 2.50 then in hot oven till 3.25. Baked apples also there. In garden, and sorted apples and tomatoes in store house. Mr Savery in to ask for D’Ell. Rest on sofa 5 – 6. Apples and prunes 7 p.m. P.S. by Noel Coward.

Monday 25^th October 1943

Perfect day. D’Ell threshing at Savery.
Pear and apple breakfast. Sat on step of garden in porch over an hour in sun; semi sunbathing (darning). Both dogs too. Meanwhile prunes burnt on stove. Long work cleaning saucepan. Stewed apples and elderberries lunch. Mrs Peacock cleaned floor of lathe room. I slept on bed. Made Mrs Peacock’s tea and had Vecon at 4.30. In garden with dogs. Knitted on coat (grey cotton and Fair Isle). Stewed fruit at 7. “Woman in White” and Monday News at 7. Grapes at 9.20 p.m.

Tuesday 26^th October 1943

Fair. Cold. Misty.
3^rd day of Fast. Apples at 8.45. To garden and talk in houses about selling tomatoes. Fetches apples. Stewed prunes and apple and had them at 12.30. Sat on step and pealed apples but no very sunny. Rest and sleep 2 – 3.15. To Holt. Dimmock, Barnes, Gell, Dobinson. Sent receipt to Mrs Bigge. Wrote butcher. To garden. Nora came with cake and stayed talking till 7.40 (Vecon at 4). Prunes and apples at 7.45. D’Ell brought apple-cheese tart in! Miss Holt gave girdle caks. Brains Trust.

Wednesday 27^th October 1943

Misty. Sun. Mild.
Clearing sugar sack in pork larder. Put bacon to soak, set bread at 12. Kneaded 12.30 in garden with Rona. Wrote lettercard to Alys (about Champney’s). Cooked apples in oven. Cooked peaches (Camden). Rested 2.30 – 3.30. Made tomato puree. Made pocket for tweed skirt to cover darn. Made iron-holder “Four proposals” play 6.45. Marching On with Polish underground song. 4^th day Fast.

Thursday 28^th October 1943

Fine, mild.
5^th Day of Fast. Letter from Alys saying not coming and had wired (not received). Put bacon on to boil for 2½ hours. Cooked prunes. Joan in bed till p.m. D’Ell said “something important to tell Alys”. In garden. Mrs Peacock did sitting room. I slept. Down at 3.45. Miss Bigge here to see D’Ell. Afterwards D’Ell brought her in and she told me Dorothy was going to have a baby; discussed what should be done. I out to talk to Dorothy later. Wrote Alys about it and posted at 7. Sent lettercard to Alys at 4. Sir Philip Joubert.

Friday 29^th October 1943

Dullish. Cool.
6^th day of Fast. Pear and apple. Joan up at 12 but back to bed. I did laundry, talked to Dorothy. Crocheted edge on new coat. Prunes and stewed apples. Rested on sofa. Butcher. Out in houses at 4 and picked mixed bunch. Tobacco plant, hydrangea, fern. Did up ping-pong balls for Phil. Vecon at 5. Feeling rather “piano”. Made up flowers in to bunch.

Saturday 30^th October 1943

Fog. Fair.
7^th day of Fast. Up 7.30. At 9 to Richmond. With tomatoes, flowers. Shopped and Bank. Back at 11. Busy with finishing off knitted coat, crocheted edge and ironed it in evening. To garden with dogs. “Anna Christie” by Eugene O’Neill. Susie Mannheim.

Memo:
25^th Alys to Lita Daniels
29^th Alys to Ashridge
29^th Alys to Layton 3.45 Richmond.
Rents 30^th and paid.
25^th Weight 7st 8½lb.
30^th 7st 6lb End of Fast.

Perekop taken 1^st.

Sunday 31^st October 1943

Foggy and dull, damp.
Dandelion coffee and apple and pear. Set bread (for dogs) at 12. Kneaded at 12.45. Had baked apples and sour cream at 1. Wrote Doz. Rested, slept. Lined coat with mauve blouse. Hot bottles in Alys’ bed. P.S. after News by French actress Françoise Rosay.

---

Monday 1^st November 1943

Misty, damp. Mild. Showers.
Cleaned up and food for hens. Letters from Kitty and Ella. Lettuce and cold ham and baked apples lunch. Mrs Peacock dusted Alys’ and Phil’s room and we made Alys’ bed and took mine to Phil’s room. Out to Hodgen’s for rent and Gell’s. Rested on sofa 6 – 7. Sausage and bacon and prunes and cake. “Woman in White”. Twelfth Night. Hudd. I slept in Phil’s room.

Tuesday 2^nd November 1943

Misty. Mild.
At 10.30, Baden brought his borther in, and we discussed his coming here. Tidied up a bit. Mutton and sprouts dinner. At 2 to Holt, Dimmock, Barnes, O’Brien. Then car (with Blain’s to Elliot’s) to Richmond. Hair-cut. To meet Alys 3.45. Home. Coffee. Blains in to talk to Alys at 7 till 7.45. Ham and lettuce. Brains Trust. Talk by Alys and me (about D’Ell).

Wednesday 3^rd November 1943

Foggy. Mild.
Phoned Mrs Bigge. Alys talked to D’Ell about going to Eva’s. Mince and sprouts, prunes. Alys and I both doing some of the cooking. To the Dobinson’s (groups) at 2. Had to cover Zeus’ basket (big needle lost). Kim frightful mess and smell at Dobinson’s. Had to wash him in big kitchen sink. Alys had to wash him again (also as still smelt). Slept on bed 4.45 – 5.30. To garden for lettuce. Bacon and sausage. Stewed apple.

Thursday 4^th November 1943

Misty. Mildish. Damp.
Stewed Camden plums and made salad. Alys doing letters and business papers. Cold ham lunch. Alys telling me of all her hospital ward friends’ terrible trials. Mrs Peacock – sitting room. I rested and slept. Alys also later. I down at 4 and made cake (sunk in raw middle). No tea meal. Supper 7. Bacon and eggs, plums and cake. War Commentary – General Holmes about Trains for army. Transport. Railways. Banked up Cosy.

Friday 5^th November 1943

Dull. Rain after 12.
Alys and I at 10.45 to Captain Bigge at Melsonby. Lovely Peter Lely portraits. Talk with Captain and Mrs Bigge about Dorothy Ellerton, diamonds, picture fakes, electric engine! To Smallways – petrol and oil. Ham and parsnip – rooted parsley, vegetables. Alys doing Warrants and phoned Eva. I stewed apples. Neither of us rested. Butcher and Hunter came. Soup and melted cheese. Alys only toast (and soup) and Vecon on it. Cake and coffee. Alys banked up Cosy stove (out this a.m.). Dennis phoned Alys. Joan away.

Saturday 6^th November 1943

Fine and cold.
Alys and I in car to Richmond. At 9 to Market and shops. Home 11.20. Prem and salad. I rested in p.m. Alys did up honey and wrote letters. Miss Peacock at 8 till 9 (we had sausages and tomatoes grilled for supper and cream cheese and toast). Dodie Smith’s “Service” play.

Memo:
6^th Blain’s wages – Ken 10/-
4^th Pickin paid to 1^st
Weight 7st 8lb.

Sunday 7^th November 1943

Fine. Sunny. Cold.
Up pretty late. Stove (for oven) – wouldn’t work, so no roast beef but Prem and veg. Prepared pears and apples for oven. To garden. Got big apples from store. In p.m. we opened secret cupboard and got stores out and put in pig-larder. Then all good china from cabinets (drawing room and stairs) and put in big cupboard. Alys cooked beef for 7.15. I got sprouts and cooked baked apples. P.S. after News by repatriated prisoner.

Monday 8^th November 1943

Dull. Milder.
Alys and I in car to Jackson’s to get new battery for Pye and took Philco there and left it. Cold beef and a lovely salad made with (very secret) medical paraffin oil. Mrs Peacock came. I rested an hour. Tin garden. Alys in garden (1^st time, since back). Then Alys rested 5 – 6. I patched Zeus’ basket. Tomato and soup by Alys. Eggs and bacon and delicious trifle by Alys of Mrs Ellerton’s cake and whipped cream (from Mrs Ellerton too). Mrs Bigge phoned about Dorothy.

Tuesday 9^th November 1943

Fine day. Sunny.
Talked D’Ell about overall and gave her wedding ring! Alys busy doing up jam and sent off later. I made hash and boiled parsley as veg and potatoes, whipped cream and white of egg with stewed pears. Rested 2.15 – 3.15. To Dimmock, Holt, Barnes’, Gell, Dobinson, O’Brien. O’Brien in after. Knitted skirt. Alys and I doing rents account I’d entered wrongly. Alys made lovely omelette. Cream cheese. I to pay Mrs Blain to date for bread. Churchill speech. Mansion House. Brains Trust.

Wednesday 10^th November 1943

Fine .Mild. Gale in p.m.
Alys got macaroni and mince shape and gravy ready for dinner; and sprouts. I wrote Elsa Beckman. Gathered firewood. Rested long time. Alys sent off honey to Eva. Stanwyx brought Nescafe. Alys to garden. Girls took net off raspberries. Sardines on toast and pumpkin pie (D’Ell) supper. Marching on. Began reading “Cripps the Carrier” – Blackmore earlier.

Thursday 11^th November 1943

Fine. Mild.
I set bread (for Zeus) 10.15. Kneaded it. Baked it at 2.15. Alys sent honey to Dennis. Alys made stuffed tomatoes for lunch and veg marrow. I rested 3.45 – 4.45. Alys rested earlier. To garden and Mrs Peacock. Miss Peacock came. Gave her pumpkin and raisins. Soup and sardines and prunes and cake for supper.

Friday 12^th November 1943

Lovely day. Mild.
D’Ell to Darlington; shopping. Alys doing needlework. I did laundry and then got a pancake with mince inside (or rather 2 pancakes and sprouts) ready for lunch. We both did some arranging furniture in big old sitting room in p.m. I rested 3 – 4. Alys downstairs and butcher came. Alys made spaghetti and I got elderberries and apples. Ministry of Labour rang up about land girls twice. Blain and boys in at 8 to move gun-cupboard. D’Ell in to show us her new coat.

Saturday 13^th November 1943

Lovely day.
To garden and got grapes, apples. Looked out books to give away (with Alys in sitting room). Eggs and bacon lunch. Rested 3 – 4. Did apples and stewed them. Alys crocheted bag. Wireless very bad. Soup, marrow on toast, apples. Wireless better afterwards and funny play “By Candlelight” Viennese. De Casalis. Valet.

Memo:
10^th Tit appeared but not quite brave enough to come on finger.
12^th Weight 7st 10lb
13^th end of Ration Period. (unsweetened milk).
Germans took Leros from us.

Sunday 14^th November 1943

Very cold. Snow showers at 9.30 – 10.
Laid and lit fire. With Alys on top floor looking out mattresses. Cut off bacon for Eva and Bath chap. Alys cooked mutton and sprouts, potatoes. Fruit and custard. Anne Bazeley rang up. Rested. Baden in and saw mattresses. I wrote Clark about coming. D’Ell and Joan Dobson in to sign Alys’ Will. P.S. by Barbara Ward (?) and young economist.

Monday 15^th November 1943

Very cold.
Busy in house and with Alys to Warehouse and brought back hold-all and materials. Sausages and salad, apples and custard. Mrs Peacock did mothy carpet. Rested at 4 – 5. Alys and I in mattress rooms, moving things. I sewing Zeus’ basket a long time. Alys cooked eggs and bacon and raspberries (Camden). Blain’s in for mattresses at 8. To bed 9.50.

Tuesday 16^th November 1943

Very cold and very fine.
Alys and I in car to Richmond, with crate of apples (and saucepan) for Eva and D’Ell’s suitcase; all sent to Northwood by rail. Shopped and at 1 to Mrs Pulleine’s to lunch. Got petrol after and home. Out to Holt, Dimmock, Barnes, Dobinson, O’Brien. No rest. Planning Alys’ bag and sewing in evening. Hash (Alys made in a.m. in haybox) in evening and sprouts. Raspberries. Brains Trust. Trans-Atlantic.

Wednesday 17th November 1943

Very cold. Snow flurries. Fine on whole.
Set bread (after lighting fire). Washed clothes. Kneaded bread (Zeus). Hash with tinned beans in. To garden for grapes. Bread baked 2.15 – 3.10. Rested 3.30 – 4.30. To Blain’s (Red Cross and pay). Ironed things. Alys made butter for kromeskies (sausage). Lovely and soup. Mrs O’Brien in for apples. Wrote electricity bill. Sewed Alys’ bag’s handle.

Thursday 18^th November 1943

Cold. Fine.
Searched long for slippers with fur (new) bought March: stolen by soldiers? Alys cooked curry. I sprouts. Mrs Peacock – sitting room (forgot her rent). Rested but couldn’t sleep. Alys out, got grapes. Talked girls. Wrote Handy with cheque £2.2.0 and Pickin. Miss Peacock and Noel in. Alys and I cooked tomato, egg, cheese-sauce dish (like Pulleine’s) and treacle tart. Squadron Leader Strachey commentary.

Friday 19^th November 1943

Fine. Cold.
Did laundry and to greenhouses for apples. Cooked cabbage and Alys made mince and warmed up apple pie and jam tarts. Rested in p.m. 45 minutes. Not sleep. Butcher and Hunter. D’Ell coldy and to bed early. Alys wrote Doz. I picked up firewood. Boiled eggs and salad and raspberry juice in cornflour, with whipped tinned milk. Finished Alys’ bag (crochet). Hot bath. Alys made chocolate cake. Alys wrote to Clark’s for cheques. Diesel and £50.

Saturday 20^th November 1943

Very fine. Milder.
D’Ell in bed all day (cold). We made mince (kidney and beef and beans) and put it into 2 pancakes and cabbage and treacle tart. I set buns with yeast at 2.30 or so. Rested and slept 4 – 5. Alys up later. She got grapes. Baked the buns. Alys fried sausages and we had them with salad and baked apples and tinned cream. Knitted and Aly did Phil’s trousers. “Barretts of Wimpole Street” Fay Compton till 10.40.

Memo:
(nothing)

Sunday 21^st November 1943

Mild. Dullish.
D’Ell in bed all day. Late breakfast. Alys cooked beef in blue dish instead of oven. I cleaned Florence stove – Alys telling me how. We made list of white elephant furniture. Beef and leeks (from Blain’s) with lovely gravy. Chocolate cake. Rested. Slept. Alys phoned Mrs Bigge about adoption of Dorothy’s baby. Counted Red Cross and put 8/- stamps to send off. Leek soup, beef steak grilled with tomatoes and fried onions, gooseberry fool. After News. P.S. by a Colonel from Congo about post war.

Monday 22^nd November 1943

Mild Fine.
Lighted nursery fire. With Alys and Baden in warehouse, arranging for packing cases for Lab. Stove out. Flues clean. I made salad (with cold beef) and mashed potato. Wrote Kitty. Mrs Peacock stairs, pantry, fires. Mrs Ellerton in car to get Dorothy’s things and saw Alys in nursery. I rested. Slept 3.45 – 5. Wrote for gas-oil. Lovely leek and tinned milk soup, sausages, pumpkin pie. News – Lowe on Gilray.

Tuesday 23^rd November 1943

Mild. Rain and wind later.
Alys and Baden to Richmond (to get Food emergency and to Bank and to post 6 parcels). Aden for pipe joints. I to gardens and all round with D’Ell for last time. Then cooked shepherd’s pie and sprouts and heated pumpkin pie. Rested till 3.15. To Holt (who had pyjamas ready, paid her 10/-). Butler (met Stanley Colman from 8^th Army campaign). Barnes (met Mrs Miller), Gell, Dobinson, O’Brien. Made cheese soufflé (Alys too) and baked apples. Brains Trust.

Wednesday 24^th November 1943

Mildish. Very windy. Clear but showers.
Up at 6. Breakfast and Alys. Dorothy Ellerton, Blain and to Darlington in car. Blain drove, as rather dark. Alys and Dorothy off by 9.50. Baden got his brother’s pullets (crated in car. I to Lears, Binns (bought rug wool) and both to Auction Rooms. Thos. Watson, about furniture sales. Home by 11. Tidied up. Fried sausages (Binns’) and sprouts and warmed up pumpkin pie at 12. Out to gardens; grapes and lettuce. Rested 3 – 4. Slept a little. Made soup of leek stock and stewed apples, picked and stewed elderberries. Had cheese on toast grilled and salad. Joan out till 12.40.

Thursday 25^th November 1943

Fine day. Cold.
Waked at 12.40 by motorbike and voice “Cheerio” Joan. Set bread at 10.30. 2 loaves old flour (Zeus), 1 loaf and rolls (good flour) for me. Joan not up till 11.15. Made stuffed tomatoes for lunch. Mrs Peacock cleaned Alys’ room and my room and we changed my bed into there. Baked bread till 2. Wrote Alys lettercard to 11 L.G. Men brought iron rods for drying room for troops. In garden. Got lettuce. Boiled egg for supper (Blackburn brought Nora’s cake). Ironed Dennis’ new pyjamas.

Friday 26^th November 1943

Very fine. Coldish (sun warm).
Joan away at 8.20 to take things to Redcar. I to gardens, got apples, lettuces. Laundry came 12. Cold sausage and salad and my bread and my Camden plums (42) and cream. Did up pyjamas and “Carrier Cripps” and to post them to Ashridge. Butcher came. Gave grapes for his Aunt (ill). Stephenson came. Out to get more grapes. Lay on sofa 30 minutes. Made pumpkin fritters for supper (and Welsh rarebit). Made buttons for knitted coat. Cochran on Max Reinhardt. To bed 10.15.

Saturday 27^th November 1943

Cold. Dull.
No Joan. Woke 8.50. Joan (in last night when?) only down at 10.50. Didn’t do anything for me but packed and only in at 1.55 or 2 to say goodbye. I to get sprouts, lettuce, apples. Bacon and egg lunch and salad. Rested 3 – 4. Made Ken’s bed (on D’Ell’s bed). To Pringle’s for rent and Blain’s with Red Cross. Grilled kidney and sausage and tomato and sprouts at 7. Camden plums, cake and cream. “Dinner at 8” – Edna Ferber. Ken in to sleep at 10.10. Wrote Alys at 5.

Memo:
24^th Tit took nut from hand – 1^st time and twice on 24^th.
26^th At window asking.
22^nd 8/- to Red Cross.
Alys and Dorothy Ellerton south – 24^th
Rents 27^th.39^th
25^th Blains in for baths – 1^st time.
22^nd Weight 7st 8lb.

Sunday 28^th November 1943

Mild. Dullish sun at 5.
Mrs Blain in to make Ken’s bed. I made pumpkin pie and roasted neck of mutton. Had Joan’s beef in casserole and sprouts for dinner and the pie. To garden. Lay on sofa and heard “Mad, bad and dangerous” about Byron and Caroline Lamb (Melbourne). Not good. In garden with dogs, got fire wood. Posted letters to Alys and Dorothy before 3. Cold sausage and salad and stewed apples and cream. Mended coal gloves. Story of Ahab and Jezebel. P.S. by Norman Angell.

Monday 29^th November 1943

Very fine. Cool.
Blain said troops were marching in, and some arriving at 11. We took kitchen cupboard things out and locked up rooms and took bulbs out and rolled up carpets. To garden, grapes and lettuce. Roast neck of mutton and marrow and dried peas; pumpkin pie. Mrs Peacock cleaned land girls’ bedroom. I to Hodgens’ and Gell’s for rents. Troops only coming Thursday – Friday. Sausage (soup first) and plums. Mended coal gloves.

Tuesday 30^th November 1943

Very fine.
Stove out, so Baden put hot water tap in gunroom porch. I in garden and houses getting chrysanthemums, camellias, rosebuds for Morrell. In and bunched them. Huntsmen and hounds through garden and fox in garden. “View Halloo!” or Tally ho. Steak and peas, and baked apple. Morrell came 6/6. I to all the Group Savings people 3.40 – 5.00 and got bread from Blain’s. Wrote lettercard to Alys before post. Soup, Sausage and salad. Prunes and cake. Brains Trust from Edinburgh. Stove went out again.

---

Wednesday 1^st December 1943

Mild. Fine on whole.
To garden, apple room. Hot neck mutton and boiled lettuce, baked apple and pumpkin pie. Mr Clark received rents at Foxhall and at 2.30 came here. To gardens with him and Blain and Mr Riddell about the letting of them to R.B. Blain got tea for Clark and Riddell and L.N.E.R. arrived with 13 packing cases for Wimpole Street. Put in “warehouse”. Gave rent money to Clark. They counted it. To gardens to close up. “Cheese dreams” (Poz) for supper and prunes. Made apple-pie too. Jugo-Slavia marching on.

Roosevelt Chiang Kai-shek and Churchill in Cairo with big staffs. Then Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin met in Tehran.

Thursday 2nd December 1943

Lovely day. Mild. Frosty night.
Signal Corps in 9 a.m. Out tomorrow. Very busy all day with getting gun-room ready for new Blains. Tidied paint-shelves. To gardens. Sorted tomatoes (in drawers). Hot mutton and sprouts (which I picked) and apple-pie. Mrs Peacock cleaned bedroom where she’d neglected it (I blew her up about it) and cleaned gun-room. Scrubbed floor, washed paint. Gave her a teapot of tea. To gardens to close up (working with Mrs Peacock part of p.m.). Cheese Dreams (warmed up), bacon and sausage and tomatoes and salad. Prunes. “Case of Lady Tarrent”.

Friday 3^rd December 1943

Very dark. Not cold.
Hoovered carpet (gun room) in big hall. Tidied up gun-room things. Later Baden and I laid carpet and put chairs back. To open houses and get lettuces. Laundry. Pease pudding (tinned) and sprouts. Apple pie. Butcher (his Aunt died). Sir John Blunt and Miss Peacock brought 3 men to see map of shooting. Stephenson for grapes. He came to vines while I picked bunch for Mrs Meynell (ill). Gave it. Hunter came. Welsh rarebit and salad. Gelozone of red currant juice. Blain for bath.

Saturday 4^th December 1943

Darkish. Mild. No fire. Electric stove in evening.
To gardens. Made pumpkin and apple sponge. Had it after bacon and egg for lunch. In p.m. made tea-cakes with yeast. Mallock receipt and also Genoese pastry cake, square. Mrs Pringle for washing and Miss Hodgson with sausages, while cooking. Wrote Alys and sent it before post. Sausages and salad and plums and cake. Play “Ladies in Retirement” Murder and in old oven, bricked up. To bed 11.

Memo:
1^st Mr Clark for rents
Write for petrol ration
4^th Paid Ken 15/-. 2/6 for Arnold
Signal Corps in 2^nd to 3^rd in yard and huts.
29^th Weight 7st 11lb

Roosevelt and Churchill met İsmet İnönü of Turkey in Cairo

Sunday 5^th December 1943

Fine. Mild.
Arnold in. Baden a cold (but alright later and in). Set bread (for Zeus) at 10.30. To garden. Got lettuce and sprouts. Roast mutton and sprouts and pumpkin sponge (re-heated). Kneaded bread and at 2.15 put in oven. Coburg and cottage and 2 tin loaves. Alys phoned at 1.15. Not coming on Tuesday. Rested on sofa 3.15 – 4. To close greenhouses. Mended Zeus’ basket with hop-covers. Sausages and salad and teacake and Gelozone and plums. Posted note to Mrs Clark about vegetables free while no rent. P.S. by Mayor of Narvik.

Monday 6^th December 1943

Dull. Mild.
To garden. Got grapes. R.B. Blains can’t come till tomorrow. Baden put up curtain rod in their room. Made tomato soup (Bisque? Lobster?) but burnt it. Not bad, though. Cold mutton, celery from Hodgson’s. Mrs Peacock cleaned cupboard, larder and shelves in gun-room. Wrote form for petrol and posted it. Cleaned fry pan. Mrs Peacock turned pantry out. To Mrs Cliff’s for rent. She out; came with it later. Miss Hodgson in for apples. Curried scrambled eggs and salad.

Tuesday 7^th December 1943

Dark. Rain in p.m. No fire. Electric stove.
In garden and arranging apple names on shelves. Put sheets on for new Blain’s. Picked flowers for Morrell (but he didn’t stop for them). Made hash and vegetable marrow. Stayed about for Morell. Then rested 30 minutes and at 3.15 to Holt, Dimmock, Barnes, Dobinson, O’Brien. Home. Arranging lights and beds for Blain’s. made lazy apple pie and also treacle tart. Sardines and new bread. Brains Trust. Wrote Alys for post lettercard.

Wednesday 8^th December 1943

Dull. New. Drizzly. Fire at 4.
To garden; for sprouts. Pasted wallpaper, gun-room. Made mince and put it in pastry (Cornish pasties). Warmed up apple pie. In p.m. Rested on bed 2.20 – 3.20. Dozed. To gardens to close up. Got elderberry “currants” off stems; done tomato soup, Welsh rarebit; Camden plums and cake. Mended Zeus’ pillow of basket a long time.

Thursday 9^th December 1943

Finer. Some sun. Mild.
“Signals” in again today. Set bread (for Zeus). To gardens. Set teacake mixture with yeast (from Beeton and Miss Hodgson’s recipe). 2 letters from Alys. Mince and French beans (salted) and treacle tart. Dinner. Mrs Peacock cleaned sitting-room. Wrote letter to Alys and posted one of Mink’s parcels at 4. To gardens. Nora brought cake and bought tomatoes. Stewed tomatoes – soup. New teacakes (very good), cheese and salad. Plums and cream. Baden in, and we phoned his brother at Thropton. Wife has flue. “Skeleton Keys” play. 9 p.m. Cap Coastal C. talk.

Friday 10^th December 1943

Dull then finer in p.m. Mild. Muddy.
To garden. Lettuces. Made a pumpkin puree (dried eggs and put in pastry dish). Had mince and sprouts and the pie. On cycle to Collingwood’s, Ireland’s, Corner’s and Wardle’s for Savings Groups. Baden no very well still. Mrs Wardle gave me black pudding, pork and pig’s liver and 2 square scones. To garden when home. Butcher game bone for Zeus and my meat at Ireland’s. Had the liver and black pudding and onions, grilled and salad. Cooked potatoes on griller for Zeus.

Saturday 11^th December 1943

Fine. Cold.
To Richmond 10.45. Took Mrs Blain and Miss Hodgson. Changed cheques. To Cleaner’s for Kilim rug and Phil’s trousers. Back at 12.30. Roasted pork and di vegetable marrow. Warmed up pumpkin pie. Had 45 minutes rest in p.m. (slept on sofa). Wrote lettercard to Alys who phoned at 1 postponing till 18^th (probably). Made teacakes and bun with yeast and dried egg and lard. Also sausage rolls – yesterday’s pastry and a small pumpkin and apple pie – black pudding and sausage roll supper.

Memo:
The “Billy” Blain’s arrived from Thropton, Rothbury. Mrs Baden brought them in at 9.30; They slept here. Listened-in “Within the law” – good. Salesgirl and theft and revenge on head of store.
6^th Weight 7st 12lb
11^th End of Ration Period.

Sunday 12^th December 1943

Very fine. Cold.
Out at 9.35 to garden and got sprouts and lettuces (frost bitten). Stewed tomatoes and apples too. Tomatoes through sieve. Had roast neck of mutton and sprouts and pumpkin pies. In p.m. clearing things from sideboard in laundry and Billy Blain and Ken moved it to arcade and also kitchen tables read for Blain’s furniture. Took new Mrs Blain into drawing-room. Lay on sofa and listened to play 3.35 – 4.30. They went signing “about 4 boys”. In garden raking. Liver, bacon salad, apple tart.

Monday 13^th December 1943

Fine, very cold.
10.30. Set Zeus’ bread. In garden and walked round in houses with the Blain’s. Sea-kale room. Neck mutton in oven, sprouts, pumpkin pie. Mrs Peacock cleaned Phil’s bedroom (for me) and Alys’ room. Rested on sofa while bread was baking. Mrs Billy Blain swept laundry and lit fire in four-room. Wrote lettercard to Alys. Made tomato soup. Had it, and sausage rolls and bacon and apple stewed and cream. To bed 10. Read Dr Bradley Remembers.

Tuesday 14^th December 1943

Very fine. Very frosty.
To garden at 10.45 and did Inventory of Tools. With R. B. Blain and Baden. With dogs for ice on pond. Put cutlets in oven, with tomatoes and marrow. I made Madeira cake with dried eggs. At about 12.45. Blain’s furniture containers arrived. To get lettuce after dinner; and to Holt, Dobinson, O’Brien and Elgey (Red Cross). Grilled sausage-meat and bacon, plums and my new cake. Brains Trust. To bed 10.

Wednesday 15^th December 1943

Dark, damp. Milder.
Made sponge-cakes with 2 dried eggs. To garden with dogs and got sprout. Mutton cutlet, tomatoes, sprouts, stewed apples and sponge-cake (more like Langue du chat). Rested and slept on sofa 2.30 – 4.30. Wrote to Alys and returned Kit’’s and Doz’s letters to her. Wrote out Tool Inventory (for Clark). Made tomato pie with dried egg and cheese. In oven 30 minutes. Then grilled.

Churchill pneumonia in Cairo.

Thursday 16^th December 1943

Damp. Cold but not frosty.
“Signals” in yard again. Looking at bedroom and gun-room with Mrs W.B. Blain and putting away blankets to make room. Armchairs too. In garden and looked over tomatoes in drawer and cutlet and tinned haricots and sprouts; baked apples. Mrs Peacock cleaned sitting room and pantry. I rested on bed. Slept. Shook curtains (Sergeant’s Mess). Read Punch. Tomatoes and cheese grilled. 6.45 Plums and cake. War Commentary. S/Lt Strachey. Play “Fog” Mr Churchill ill in Cairo.

Friday 17^th December 1943

Cold. Damp. Very dark.
Did laundry. Stove out. Why? Blair relighted it. Ken back from Doncaster. Alys phoned at 12.45 (Eva in bed. James and Eve too, flu). Fried bacon and egg and bread; baked apples. Engine off in p.m. to cool; so no light. Lay on sofa. Butcher and Hunter (with Alys’ rations!) No laundry taken this week. Sent off 10/3 to Red Cross Fund. Made Scofa Scones for supper (and sardines). Gooseberries and custard. Mended vest and gloves.

Saturday 18^th December 1943

Fine a.m. then foggy and dark p.m.
Cooked “lights” for Zeus. To garden. Talked W.B.B. Picked 6 indoor lettuces and watercress. Cooked loin mutton and cauliflower; gooseberries and custard. Made yeast treacle and bread in p.m. Also sweet tomato pie with crust and treacle tart. Rested on sofa. Sausages, salad, tomato-pie. Supper. “Butterfly on Wheel” Peggy Ashcroft, Francis Lister.

Memo:
13^th Eve, James and Teddy all flu
James 104° on 11^th
Eve 101° on 12^th
Alys to Dr Warner’s 14^th, 15^th, 16^th and then to Northwood.
Alys back 18^th? (17^th) postponed as at Eva’s.
13^th Weight 7st 13lb

Sunday 19^th December 1943

Fine, sunny, light. Not very cold.
Wrote Minnie. Melted honey. Coffee for breakfast with apples. Made tomato (scalloped) Boston. To garden. Mrs W.B. not at all well. Wrote Sissie. Sent lettercards and postcards and wrote Teeds. Wrote Doris Freer with £1. Hot loin mutton and scalloped tomatoes and treacle tart. Rested on sofa 3 – 5. Sent Tool Inventory to J. Clark. Cut up baked beetroot; Welsh rarebit with dried egg, and beet salad; cold baked apple and gooseberries and sponge-cakes. Broke spectacles. Mended with duroglue (no use).

Monday 20^th December 1943

Fine.
Out in garden. Wrote Dennis, and sent army cheques (3). Cooked potatoes (dogs and hens) and kohlrabi (self). Loin mutton for lunch and sweet tomato pie. Mrs Peacock did halls. Ordered oil for Jackson (engine). Man from Agricultural Committee came. Took him to garden to see W.B. Blain. Barnes’ boys sang carols (and David Dobinson). Sausages, my bread, beetroot and celery salad.

Tuesday 21^st December 1943

Fineish, showers.
Talked Mrs R.W.B. Out to garden and got Swiss chard for lunch and indoor lettuces (8) and watercress. Brushed dogs. Mutton chop and scalloped tomatoes warmed up and treacle tart. Rested 2.30 to 3.15. To Barnes’ (took 2lb honey). Holt (Dimmock busy plucking geese), Gell, Dobinson. Celery and onion soup, sausages and salad. Baked apples. Electric grill broke. Sad. Good Brains Trust.

Wednesday 22^nd December 1943

Very fine. No fire. Electric stove in evening.
To garden. Got sprouts and cauliflower. Baden mended Stokes cooker. R.W.B. doing raspberries. Wrote to Kitty and Ella. Had mutton chop end and sausage and gravy and sprouts. Rested on sofa, slept. Made teacake (with spices) and some bread (½lb flour) rolls. Made cheese tartlets from pastry of 9^th or 10^th for supper and Swiss chard stalks. Baked apples. Ironed Phil’s new socks and handkerchiefs. Marching On about Xmas in occupied countries.

Thursday 23^rd December 1943

Very fine. Not very cold.
Letter from Alys dated 19^th. Made bread for Zeus. Wrote Phil Sime and Nell and Alys. Card to Lois and Xmas card W.B. Davis. To garden. Got apples. Mrs Peacock cleaned sitting-room. I wrote in kitchen. To garden. Mr and Mrs Willy B. digging. Mr Booth (Rev. Horace) came. Lit fire and got tea and bread and honey for him. Cheese and egg on cauliflower and tomatoes. Stewed apples. Priestley on Dickens. Began letter to Doz. Crocheted skirt gore.

Friday 24^th December 1943

Lovely day while frost and sun.
Kim made mess and I let milk boil over. Alys phoned about port – decanted it. Picked holly and evergreens. Baden too, for Rev. Booth, who came in car for them. Got sprouts and lettuces. Cleaned Florence stove. Tinned “corned beef and veg” fried and sprouts. Stewed peaches and spiced buns. Baden in cleaning stove 2 – 3.45. Got their Xmas boxes ready. Rested a little on sofa. Miss Hodgens with sausages. Wrote Elsa and Doz. “Christmas Carol” and bells from Loughborough and Canada. Toad-in-Hole and salad.

Saturday 25^th December 1943

Fine and mild.
In garden with dogs. Clipped lonicera and raked leaves. Wrote Eva and Phil and John Clark. Nancy Blain brought dinner at 1.30. Chicken and gravy, leeks, sprouts, bread sauce, pudding with sauce and 3 mince-pies. Ate it all. Washed up. Cloths. Lay on sofa listening-in to King’s Speech. At 4 out with dogs. Lovely sunset. U.S. corned beef and tomatoes and onions supper. Teddy “phoned me”. Eva talked too. Crocheted skirt. Robert Donat “In memoriam”.

Memo:
20^th Signals in again.
21^st Sent Hunter’s order
21^st Letter from Kitty. Jim Archer sent her wire – “Patty died in her sleep last night”.
23^rd Letter from Nell Sime – Adine died December 6^th
20^th Weight 8st 2lb.

Scharnhorst sunk.
Only lighted fire at dark each day and not at all on 29^th.
Excema increasing so decided to start a Fast on 31^st.

Sunday 26^th December 1943

Lovely day. Very mild.
In garden, got sprouts and kohlrabi. Wrote Jim Archer about Patty, and Mrs Savery about her £5.10.0 for Red Cross. Roast pork, and sprouts and scalloped tomatoes and mince pie from Wardle’s. Rested on bed 2.30 – 3.20. Down. Listened to play “3 wishes” – Betty Davies. In garden, got grapes. Peggy Blain came to thank for scarf. Cold sausages and salad, lettuce, beet, peas. Apple sauce and cake from Wardle’s.

Monday 27^th December 1943

Lovely day. Very mild.
In garden, cleared up leaves. Cooked up U.S. corned beef with gravy and ate scalloped tomatoes and kohlrabi greens. Mince pie. Mrs Peacock brought me a sponge cake and piece of fruit cake. We put crockery back in the yellow cupboard. Miss Hodgens came with rent (which I forgot). I made Scofa scones and Stanwix brown flour scones. Sausages, pork (cold) and salad and baked apple. Lady Precious Stream. Posted socks to Phil.

Tuesday 28^th December 1943

Lovely day. Very mild.
Out to apple store. Sorted Reine de Canada and went over tomato drawers too. In and made scalloped tomatoes. Cooked turnips and sprouts and had with casserole pork and vegetables. Mince pie. Wrote Alys. To Holt and Dimmock (no more stamps left). To collect rent at Pringle’s and Gell’s. Laid and lit Cozy’s. Bacon and sausage and scones and salad and baked apple and cake. Brains Trust (tidied drawer of side-board).

Wednesday 29^th December 1943

Fair. Mild (no fire).
In garden and clearing out tomato drawers. Did old kohlrabi in slices and had pork in casserole again, and tomatoes scalloped. Blackcurrant jelly. Very good (with Camden blackcurrants, sugar and gelatine). Rested on bed, slept 2 – 3. To Barnes. Eric accident in Elgey’s machine and at hospital in Twedell’s car. To Dobinson’s. Wrote Lois. In garden, showed Mrs W.B. where bulbs were. Got artichokes. Welsh rarebit.

Thursday 30^th December 1943

Very fine. Colder.
Mrs Bigge phoned. At 10.30 in car taking the two Mrs Blains to Richmond. To Bank, to Lady Serena James about Red Cross Whist Drive. To the clock shop. Back 12.20. Tomatoes (scalloped leftover) for lunch. Mrs Peacock cleaned sitting-room. Rested on bed 40 minutes; Down as forgot apples in oven. Peacock turned oven off. Hunter’s boy came. Dennis’ sock. Had old currant jelly and cream 7.30. Picked grapes at 12.30.

Friday 31^st December 1943

Cold frost a.m. Milder and shower later.
Apples at 9 a.m. 1^st day of fast. Set bread, with old flour for Zeus. Stewed tomatoes (from drawers “salvage”). Put them through sieve. Wrote Alys and enclosed 2 army cheques for Dennis. Took to post and gathered firewood. Vecon at 11, and 3 baked apples at 1. Kneaded bread, but stove went out and had to clean it before could heat oven. Put leaves in at 3.30. Lay on sofa 4.30 to 5.30. To meet sausages but none). Had tomato juice at 4, and prunes at 8. Bainbridge to see R.W.B. about Home Guard.

Memo:
30^th Write Lois
30^th Hunter comes
Pickin paid 30^th
Wages and Ken – 1^st
27^th Weight 8st 3lb