Friday, August 6th, 1943

Darling Joan,

We didn’t have a very good holiday last week-end, because John’s chicken-pox stopped us from going into any trains or buses. But we went up to Copse Farm in the afternoon, and watched them reaping a field of wheat. John enjoyed that very much. He likes watching machinery.

Now, yesterday we found that, just as John was almost finished with the chicken-pox, Anne showed a spot or two, and so now we must keep them isolated for another two weeks. Isn’t that a nuisance? It means that by the time they are both free of infection, it will be almost time to go back to school again.

They have both done very well at school, so much so that Miss Bedford says they are going up after the holiday and are going to skip a class. This will bring them into the top class of the infants. Next year they become juniors.

I have asked then both to write you a letter and they are busy on them as I write this letter. Mummy is busy in the kitchen making a cake and as soon as she has finished we are going for a walk up to and around Copse Farm again. We go there because we can get to the farm by means of foot-paths and not have to meet many children.

We did hope that we could go to the Zoo next week, but now that Anne has it, that pleasure must be put off for a time.

We have had a wonderful crop of apples from the garden this year, and yesterday picked the first two tomatoes. That is the earliest I have ever had tomatoes from the garden, and is really curious seeing that we haven’t had a lot of sun-shine this year.

I have managed to get a film for my camera and have taken some. I still have some more to use up the film, and then I will be sending you some more snaps. I shall not be able to take any this afternoon, because although it isn’t raining, it is rather dull, too dull, I am afraid, for photos.

Grandma hasn’t been at all well lately, but is getting better now, and as soon as she is really well again will be coming over to stay with us for a little while. Nanny is over with Auntie Rosie.

Well good-bye for now, Joan dear, and write again soon. Everyone sends their love to you and hopes that you are well and happy, and we tell them all that you are.

Cheerio⁽¹⁾, Joan, from your loving
Daddy
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