Sunday, August 29th, 1943

My darling Joan,

We have been going out so much this last week that I haven’t had a chance to write to you, but I am determined to write this afternoon before Uncle Dick and Grandma come. I told you the other week she was ill - she is much better now and is coming over to stay for a little while.

I think when I last wrote we had been to Rickmansworth on the Wednesday. On that Friday we went to Ruislip Lido, but we lost our way going and walked all through some woods. They were very pretty and we rested there and had some chocolate. It was very nice at the Lido as it is sandy and John and Anne were able to make a castle and paddle. There is only a small piece of water roped off for the children and it was very crowded. Just before we went home we had a boat out. John loves that and sat next to Daddy for a little while and used one oar. He got on very well too. Anne was a bit nervous when the boat rocked.

Last Tuesday afternoon we met Daddy at Harrow Station and went to London. I bought a raincoat which I needed and then we went on to Hyde Park. There were two Military Bands playing – one was the Irish Guards with bagpipes and drums and the other Grenadier Guards with fifes and drums. After they had finished, we thought it was time we started for home, but we came across some Americans playing baseball and of course we watched them. That was really good fun and we had many laughs. Do you know what I liked best? It was their rubber shoes! They were a light brown and looked so snug – not all the boys wore them.

This week has been cooler and showery. Wednesday the twins and I went to Auntie Olive’s – I thought we were having both dinner and tea out, but Auntie had prepared a dinner as her daddy was coming home.

You went to Chessington Zoo with the Gleadhalls and Dora once, but you’ve probably forgotten all about it. There aren’t a lot of animals – some monkeys and bears and a camel and a few others, but lots of shoots and various kinds of round-abouts and the children love them. We had a ride on the little train that you went on with Dora and we visited the Circus which was very good. There was also a military band and a concert party. The children were all very good and we arrived home very tired after a most enjoyable day.

They have a fair in the recreation ground this week, and I took the twins over on Friday afternoon. I don’t think they cared about it very much and I’m sure I didn’t. It has quite spoilt the ground. This morning John and Anne went for a walk with Dora and her baby brother Roger. It’s the first time in five weeks that they’ve been able to be with Dora on account of their chicken pox, but they are quite better now.

I hope you have been having a lovely time at camp – I should think your holidays are nearly over now. The twins start school again on Tuesday. Auntie Kemp gave them each a writing pad and envelopes, and they have written you a letter today. They insisted they should be in their own envelopes!

Hope you are all well. My love to Auntie Mary and everybody.

Love from Mummy
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx