1952

[29th page – November/December 1952, in ink]

November 18th 1952
Braeside New Rd Lovedean Hants
SOLD Green Lane & came here on May 5th this year.  Just a wee wood & Asbestos Bungalow have had all conveniences put in & it’s just as comfortable as nay bigger place.  a very nice bit of ground which we are doing our best to make very beautiful and I trust that who ever has the place after us will really be a garden lover as much as me.  it may interest anyone in the future that we got £2000 for Green Lane & paid £900 for this plus additions Bathroom & Lav: with cesspit.  Gas Laid & Geyser £321.15.  Total £1221.15.  A lovely summer this year but seems we are going to have a hard winter  snow has already fallen in London. & freezing here.  have got another Bull Bitch  very sweet tempered.  we are still using Ration Book.  Butter 2oz 2/6 Marg 6 oz 1/2 Lard 2 oz 1/0 Sugar 10 oz 6½ Per week per person  Tea 5/4 lb has just come off ration  sweets still on  Players Weights 2.8 for 20 Players 3/6 for 20 cheapest Tobacco 3/6 per oz.  this year we have grown our own  Eggs 5d & 6d each & still on ration at present one each a week.  meat more plentiful but that is because some cannot afford to buy a leg of Lamb 18/-  will try & make sure price per pound  Russia still being awkward & our boys are still fighting in Korea.

Dec 2nd .  The Last month November. has been the coldest for 30 years Snow Frost & Floods.  still very cold  Margaret had an accident on her Byke  had stitches above right eye although  her arm was hurt no bones broken  the birds here are very interesting  Tits & sparrows come right into the house for feed  I saw a sparrow killing a Robin  went to save it but poor Robin was too far gone  but I notice the Robins here have been in fights for they possess either one leg or a foot has gone  now I realise from Where the song originates “Who Killed Cock Robin”

[30th page – December 1952, in ink]

Dec.23.1952
Two days & it’s Xmas.  this month has not been too good.  Joan been very sick & Peter very ill measles & complications  fortunately out of Hosp: now but very thin  will have him here for a week after Xmas before he starts school again  David came down to see us Sunday & brought presents for everyone  had to come by train  some horror smacked his motor Byke & burnt out the SideCar. in the fog which has been the worst in London & surrounding districts within living memory  snow has fallen very heavy in some part & the road have been Treacherous  this morning it is thick fog here so what London is like I can’t imagine  very bad as it’s so near Xmas  all traffic has had to stop  David said when the fog cleared it was a sight to see cars buses & all sorts of vehicles in all directions where they had had to stay because they couldn’t see a hand in front & he said he meant it was like a wall in front of one  Dick & I are spending this Xmas alone here if the weather is not too bad  Ianthe Judith Richard & Roger are coming up for the day tomorrow & I shall send them back early to get home before dark.  had the day in Portsmouth yesterday was glad to get back. 

A very quiet Xmas.  Dick & I spent it here alone doing odd jobs  Weather very bad Fog Winds & Rain & cold the [illegible] oct  for 20 yrs nov 15 Dec 25 years.  however it’s given this shack a good testing & it’s not failed  weather-proof & cosy  we never went out from Xmas years eve till New year’s eve & then went to Village Pub. till 12.15 & see the New Year in. with Mr & Mrs Neal next door & more drink & eats till 2.30 Am.