#45

4
Dec 16. 1944.

Dear Mother:

I hope you get these letters in chronological order or better still on the same day. Here is the Cooks Tour.

First to Moreton. Dorothy took me into an inn or hotel and introduced me to Miss Olive Tanner who gave us some excellent port and a mince pie. She runs the hotel and I believe you know her quite well. Next we went on to Stow and deposited the harness. Through Stow to Quarwood. D and I left the car at the gates and walked in. The grounds were beautifully kept and the place was in excellent repair. We took several photographs but didn’t call in and no one seemed to notice us although we could see various people through the windows. Perhaps they thought I was some official come to requisition the place and now daily fear the postman’s arrival. I was greatly impressed by the situation of the house and the view would have been perfect had it not been rather a hazy day. I would like to go back some day and go through the house itself.

From here we drove by some devious but pretty route toward Kitebrook. On the way we saw Oddington Lodge but couldn’t see a great deal due to a very solid wall. Dorothy kept pointing out places of interest but I forget who they belonged to though you must know them all. Kitebrook itself was deserted and it looks like it would cost a fortune to make it once more habitable. All the doors were locked but we could peer through the windows. The conservatory is still there but the other end has been built onto since you knew it. I took some more photos but they will be spoilt by an ugly structure the army has put up right in front of the house. From here we drove down passed Castleton Church. The huge house beside it is one of the show places of England but D says it still has only one bathroom and no electric light. This about completes the leave for I had to catch the next morning train to London and then the evening train northward from there.

With love from Tony.

[Editor’s note: Transcription provided by collection donor.]