30 Cdn Air Svy Liaison Sec, RCE

Cdn Army England.

28 June 44

Dear Jean:

Your letter of the 11th caught up with me yesterday, and today the one of the 16th with the photos and Mary's contribution came along so things are pretty well under control again. A week when a letter from you doesn't come seems like a blank, I guess we are really spoiled for there must be chaps fighting this war in many queer places where mail doesn't reach them very often, and after a long time in transit.

I gather that the weather at home has averaged decidedly on the cool and cloudy side. It is so annoying when you've tried to keep cheerful all winter, in expectation of warm sunny days in the summer, and then to have it hold back, stingy with sunshine and warmth. Its very much the same here, although am convinced that cloudy cool summers are the normal thing in this country.

Don't try to economize on the treatments and consultations for your eyes. Be sure to keep going to Dr Graham even longer than seems necessary. I hope the trouble will clear up quickly, because it must worry you. Do you get enough vitamins in your diet? Living in this part of the world, due to the necessity to economize on food, I think we become vitamine conscious, and probably for that reason get quite a balanced diet, even tho it is monotonous, and plain at times. At home, where there is a bit wider choice, people are liable to take it for granted that they are getting the right things, and really may both be getting it at all. Let me know each week how things are with your eyes. You may require glasses too. If so get the best.

I probably told you that Mily went off a couple of weeks ago, and should turn up in due course. The parchment is quite imposing, and it is nice to know that I am a "trusty and beloved". It will not hang framed in the living room.

Am glad you had a nice party for Mrs Swannell's birthday. I haven't seen anything of Lorne or Arthur for a long time. My work keeps me very much off in a corner, as far as Canadian troops are concerned these days. Will tell Bill hall what you said about Mary Rodd. Think that Bill may come and help me out with my work soon, we can look after him properly, and give him a good chance to get into work gradually, and on the other hand, he could help out a lot. It seems funny that Bill and I should be in the same camp once more after just about 4 years separated. Hope he will be able to come this week. He's in fine shape, and all they are doing with him at the hosp it keeping an eye on him. I can arrange to send him up there periodically for a check over, and we are quite handy to the place where he has to go to be fitted with his foot.

The pictures are fine, Mary is certainly growing, the close up of her is interesting, think she has a bit of the old Nick in her all right. The one of you isn't too bad, however it doesn't do justice to the real thing. Is it Betty Ann with her on the bench, or Joan Collins?
I think a gift parcel addressed direct to the Morris's or the Haywards would be OK. The authorities seem to be pretty reasonable as I know parcels have come through to several people I know. The cake which was in the parcel arrived before my last letter is excellent, and we have a place with our afternoon tea. Don't send any more soda crackers, they get all broken up hopelessly, and are usually mostly crumbs when they arrive. Instead, put in an occasional package of Bran flakes, or other nice crisp cereal. We rarely get anything but porridge in rations, and in summer that gets a bit monotonous. Am afraid that Caroline's cake went astray, unless it was in one of your parcels.

Our people seem to be steadily consolidating their position in France. I doubt if I will have a chance to take a good look around for a while. The important thing is to do the work which your best fitted to do, as hard as you can, even tho it isn't the spectacular stuff that makes heros. Am getting some interesting results just now and am trying to get it in shape so that others may use the methods.

Had a nice ride on the bike last Sat afternoon, rode up to a place on the Thames where Lt Col Browne has his yaught. It is really a deep sea sailing sloop or something, but for the time being he is using it as a residence. He, his wife, their little boy 2½, and Mrs B's father all live comfortably on board. After the war they plan to sail it back to New Zealand, where they own an island, about 150 acres. It's a lovely craft however not for the working classes. Perhaps we can get a good strong rowboat sometime.

Mary's birthday is soon, and am afraid all her pop will be able to do for her is to send her a special letter all for herself. Will get it off this week, by air. We'll have to make up for these omissions when the war is over, I simply haven't time to do any shopping now.

Love to you both,

...GER