1954 (i)

[34th page – January 1954, in pencil]

wondering if there are any  Margaret has been sick  I took the girls Ianthe & Judith to tea at ‘The Manor House’ they enjoyed Themselves  had “Panda” here for Xmas  she is beginning to Show her age  10 year in April & suffers from Rheumatism otherwise alright  had plenty to eat at Xmas  Mrs B,Carter brought us a huge Chicken 8lbs Joan brought one with her & a lump of Beef.  I’ve got a leg of Pork & a piece of Gammon.  the price of meat etc is terrific  Butter marg Bacon is still on Ration but if it was off people could not afford to buy more.  Tea Coffee is going up again & the workers are striking for more wages.  Engineers in particular  we are loosing overseas contract because of unreliability to deliver on time

Jan 19th 54
nothing exciting to report only the weather  the little snow we had disappeared very quickly & we’ve had the warmest January so far since the weather temp: etc has been registered 58 degrees its still good a little more cloudy but still warm  had a bad gale up north & avalanches in Switzerland with a loss of life & Villages  must try & do some gardening today  cant do much on the ground its still very damp & heavy but will try & get the top hedge. cut back & burnt up  the bulbs are showing through fast now & anemone in bud

Jan26th A real change in weather  snow cover everything. but what a really beautiful sight  I’ve cleared the concrete to feed the Birds  they all come except the woodpeckers   I wonder how they feed  the snow is nearly a foot deep on ordinary soil & 3 where its drifted  this shack is very cosy & I think theres something very very nice about the whole spot here but I’m still doubtful about Dick  I know it’s a bother with the buses to get home  they are always so full & very often he has to wait the

[35th page – January/February 1954, in pencil]

next one or get off at Lovedean Corner & walk.  well that walk should do him good after sitting in the office all day. but I’ve come to the conclusion that he is Lazy & hates being put out in any way.  he had two days leave which meant he had Sat. Sun: Monday & Tues free  the weather was not outdoor weather & believe it or not he did nothing but eat & sleep.  with a little help & interest we could have done quite a lot inside but he doesn’t seem to care if its good or bad  I wonder why?  that should be a very big question mark  I have ideas but daren’t look at them on paper  I’ll just say I’m not too happy about them at times. but am getting harder more or Less.  the dogs have had a wonderful romp in the snow  little Loo is covered when leaping about  4-45 now & its quite light  the evenings are drawing out  I wonder how Joan is faring in this weather crossing the water & trust the boys will be alright  Richard & Ianthe sat for their Grammar School exams this month  wont know the result till much later.

Feb 1st W’hew – its real winter  snow & frost continually  8 degrees of frost  midday its started to snow again & the road are one sheet of ice  the grit will not penetrate  its like putting it on glass  I’ve had the first one come for help this morning  burst pipe & couldn’t turn off water well I’ve done it  Capt Shakespeare got his Car stuck on Saturday & we helped dig him out but had to get a Tow rope & help from another Lorry.  I’m glad we dont get too much weather like this  we cannot even keep warm in bed without artificial heat . 

2nd Feb.  a bit better today but still Freezing  it was 9 degrees below Freezing point yesterday.  the warmest spots being Wick North of Scotland  Hebrides & the Scilly Ilses  All the Spring flowers in the Ilses are laying flaty & Black  Ice flow in the River

[36th page – February 1954, in pencil]

and sea & some part quite frozen  how badly I’ve written this  I’ve put on my specs & can see what I’ve done  my eyes are not as good as they should be  must go & see the optician when the weather gives.  I’ll guarantee Col & Mrs BonhamCarter are sorry they didn’t make it Jan instead of Feb to go to Africa  I suppose they go next week  lucky date being able to go to Africa for a couple of months Holiday
Yesterday was the 1st day the temperature rose above Freezing point but night fall it froze hard & underfoot its THick ice  went into see Der & Margaret but didn’t stay long in case the Buses stopped running  no Petersfield bus are coming this way.  The children have not been to school till today as they are frozen out no water only in a few schools  Im wondering if I shall have any Gold fish left  I cannot break the ice  it seems about 9 inches thick  there is still water beneath if they’ve had the sense to keep Low then the air will be limited  however I dont seem able to do anything about it today  its still freezing except where the sun is shining & only at the south side

Feb 10th  All the snow has gone  but ice still remain thick in Fish Pool but is thawing  a really lovely day yesterday so warm that one didnt need a Fire even in the evening  it was still warm  now it is looking very overcast like rain coming  marvellous how the Snowdrop anemones & polyanthus is in flower after being covered with snow for a fortnight  I was surprised to see them  had a letter from Mrs Sydenham this morning  very neatly written & a long letter for an old lady of 84.  she is still hoping o spend some time with us a little later when the weather is more settled  such a long journey for her from Oxon.  M. Duckleby came in & had lunch with me yesterday  she is a funny old thing & Im sure starves herself. but smokes a lot.  havent heard from Joan or seen the boys.  Im wondering if she got the 2 pullover.

[37th page – February 1954, in pencil]

I sent her which Id made from old cardigan’ of mine.  now Dick is making himself a lumber jacket out of knitted skirt he has unravelled  it will be good for the garden.  now I’ll have to get some double knitting wool & make him one for outdoor wear  it must be a birthday Present I think  got a cheque also this morning £4-19 income tax overpaid  quite a nice surprise. 

Tuesday 16th a good weekend  managed some Gardening Sunday.  Valentines day  Dick got me  a box of Black Magic Chocs: for a Valentine  quite a surprise.  went out yesterday & cashed the 4.19 Cheque & went in to North End.  bought Dick a tobacco Pouch which he needed very badly.  he was pleased  went to see Margaret  she is much better but not going to work for a couple of week  she is coming up here tomorrow to have lunch with me  the girls will have theirs at school  Ianthe & Richard sit for their Grammar School exam Thursday.  I do hope they both pass.  I saw ‘Dan Buggins” owner yesterday  they have had  to have him put to sleep.  “Hodgskins” disease for which there is no cure.  maybe he was in the early stages of it when mated to “Nan” so I feel relieved she had no puppies  they may have be infected  fortunately Nan is in good condition but I wish she wasn’t so highly strung  she gets so excited with new of fresh things & she hates the Coal man but otherwise is a most docile beast & affectionate  she simply gurgles with delight  if she can get in bed with me after Dick has got out in the morning  she doesn’t attempt to get in with him if I’m out first  Dick is making himself a “Jerkin” out of an old green knitted skirt of mine which he has unravelled