13 Mar 44 Dear Jean: Your letter did not arrive today, but that is not surprising since there is always a delay, if not a mix-up in the mail every time we move. However, there may be a mail in the next day or two. We are getting nicely settled, and beginning to get into the swing of our normal work again, after the interruption. It is nice too to be in the country once more. We are attached to a British unit for messing, there are only three of their officers, so Harry and I make five. The men are happy apparently, no complaints about the food. We eat five times a day. Breakfast at 8, coffee and toast at 1030, lunch at 1230, tea at 430, and supper at 8. Although it is only about 7 minutes walk (2 on the bike) we don't bother going over for toast & coffee at 1030. After all we have to get some work done during the day. Our house is just about the right size, plenty of room for work, sleep, a garage big enough for both my cars, and motor cycle. We also have a room set aside as a common room for the men, where they can relax and be comfortable when off duty. Haven't been around the neighbourhood much yet, but know its pretty well as we were only a few miles away last summer, There is a nice garden and a gardener to look after it too. Had a very pleasant week end. Saturday morning right after breakfast I drove up to Watford where Bill was waiting, then we drove down skirting the suburbs of London, and down into the country, just in time to have a pot luck lunch at the Morrises. We took poor Ecila by surprise, but I couldn't warn her, as I had no idea what time we would get there, my start in the morning being subject to when I could get away, had to make one call enroute to the hospital. Anyway, it was OK, we had nice poached eggs on toast some very good coffee, You can imagine how thrilled the Morris's were to see Bill, they had one visit from him last summer, and he made a great hit, and of course heard a lot about him from me. Bill enjoyed it too, it made a welcome break in the journey. Had to stop for a minute at Col Meusers but Bill stayed in the car, and then it was a nice drive down through Sussex to Haywards, getting there about 415, just in time for tea. Bill enjoyed the trip, and showed no signs at all of being tired. It reminded us of the time he and I drove down to your place in California. I stayed overnight at Haywards, and had some good exercise and fresh air. After a wonderful goose dinner, especially in Bill's honour, I finally tore myself away. They loaded me up with gifts, some nice russet apples, some of Haywards pickles, and a dozen eggs, all of which were most welcome at our little mess here. Stopped in for a minute at Lyle Trorey's and at Morrises enroute back. Drove myself, as Alf was busy on other errands on Saturday, was very tired and sleepy so had a bite of supper at the mess, and a hot bath, and wrote a short airgraph to Dad Hall, and to bed. Sunday afternoon was lovely, warm and sunny, a real spring day. We are busy, so I won't likely get another break like that for some time. Bill will be gaining in strength every day, and by the end of next week, he will be fit to make the trip up to Wales to see his relatives there. Believe he expects to be fitted with a "store" foot at home. Just before leaving London, got £30 away to you via the usual channel. Expect it will arrive in due course. Got the parcels of books away too, thanks to my friend Chris Bloomfield. Went over to Meuser's office after our move, and had quite an interesting talk with him. He took me to his mess for dinner. The inmates there are all Cols and Lieut-cols, no small fry like captains, majors etc. I was not particularly impressed, however. There are one or two interesting chaps there, but also a lot of very uninteresting ones. Well dear, there isn't much more news tonight. Will be looking forward to some pictures of you and Mary soon. Lots of love to you both. .................GER