30 Cdn Air Survey Liaison Sec, RCE

Cdn Army England. 15 Aug 44

Dear Jean:

At last weve been getting some good weather. When things are quiet, ie when there are no visitors (had quite a few and assorted ones lately) and when I don't have to go out myself, I set a small table outside in the sun, take my shirt off, and combine some vitamin absorbtion with work. Our garden at the back is quite secluded so we can take a few liberties in this way. Have taken on quite a brown tinge the last couple of days. Am still busy writing up a report on our methods, and it is too colossal for my liking. Much prefer developing new ideas and technique than writing them up. Tonight was such a marvelous evening that I started out right after supper on the bike for Morris's, went a new route, which took a bit longer, but the back country lanes are very lovely now. The harvest is in full swing, and the close packed stooks in these small English fields are a lively element in the warm evening sun. Have been reorganizing Morris's wood pile, worked at that for a couple of hours had a cup of coffee with Ecila and Mrs M, and have just returned. Always feel much better if I can get in a couple of good hard bike rides during the week. Its 25 miles round trip to the Morris's. They are well, and always ask for news of you and Mary.

Your letter of the 6th came today. The news of the Andrews family at Abbotsford is welcome. I wish you could take Mary and go up there to see Uncle Ashton, while he is so close. They would love to have you for a night or two, and it would be easy to go up by train right from the CPR in Vancouver. Harold would meet you at Agassiz.

Whenever I see nice nasturtiums and marigolds here, I think of your garden at home. I'll bet you have the nicest garden on the street.
The tobacco situation was restored to health by the arrival of a large parcel from you, with all sorts of nice things, including 2 lbs of Dixie. Always take the lobster to Mrs M, and usually divide the Jello puddings between them and the others who entertain me with food, like the Haywards and the Bevans. Some perfectly super cookies arrived too, in a separate parcel, which are being enjoyed by Bill, Harry, Lieut Cox (the English chap who is with us), and yours truly. They are beautifully fresh and crisp, and not badly broken at all. I get a special kick out of them, realizing that my girl made them and in with all the good ingredients she mixed in a good measure of her love.

Bless you dear, another birthday for you in the next few weeks, I don't think you need worry about getting old. We'll just go along together, and wont notice. In some ways I feel younger than ever, perhaps because I realize that these immediate years are the ones we must get all we can out of, however, no doubt time has taken taken his due from me, a few more grey hairs seem to accumulate, at any rate, life has never been more fascinating than it is now, especially with the prospect of soon being back with my little family.

Have read so many serious and war books lately that I felt like a real change, and am enjoying "Bleak House" by Dickens, usually for ten minutes at a time before going to sleep. Dickens is a master of character alright, and the scene of Bleak House is laid in old London to a large extent, and I can really appreciate the local color as never before. Think I'll read one or two more of his while I'm at it.

Had a nice long letter from Gert, which was full of news. She was grateful for the money we sent to Olive, who is staying with her at Gimli, she also expects Emily up too this month. Gert's vitality is always an inspiration to me. I wonder if she and Rae anticipate having a family. Hope they wont delay it intentionally, a nice letter from Mary Garman too, she is full of praises for you, and sid how much you helped out when the new baby arrived. Anyway, we'll never forget their kindness to my wife and baby, when things were a bit tough. Thank her for writing.

Cant help feeling a bit remote from the war, being still in England, nevertheless, we are working hard, and the stuff is pretty important too, especially significant for the final stages It would be nice to get out there to see the stuff applied.

If you happen to see any jockey shorts, get me ½ doz pairs, size 32 or 34 are OK. They've gone right off the market here, and my supply is wearing out. If I had my way, I'd dress like Gahndi however, the army are not likely to take a very good view of that. New is pretty good these days, looks as tho this part of the war is approaching a climax. It would be rash to expect speedy demobilization after the Germans are forced out. It will be a definite step, tho in what we all are looking forward to.

Sent £40 to you this week.

LOVE to you BOTH

.....GER