France January 22, 1918 My Dear Mother: Now that I have settled down again I think I can give you a better account of my leave as I guess you are about as interested as I. December 27 I started and after a long and tedious journey and a stay over night at a rest camp in Calais we saw the water and the leave boats ready. It is interesting to study the changes in a crowd. Two years ago that same crowd of a thousand or so would have cheered their heads off at the sight of "blightie", but not even a murmur from this crow. Arrived in London, boy scout guides and old gents to guide you to pay office. The women at the station have tea and sandwiches ready. They do think a lot of the men coming on leave. The following night I went to Glasgow and arrived just about the same time my cousin Joe arrived. It seemed a very pleasant surprise to Uncle John and aunt Agnes. I know it sure delighted me to find I'd have Joe to go around with than trapseing around with the older people. The people in Glasgow are all very well. Joe enlisting had of course made a difference to the business, although the past year was the best in history although it is counter-acted somewhat by the increased cost. Aunt Agnes if helping herself in the collection of the funds of the different [?]. Nan is now fourteen years old and is real clever in her painting and piano playing. Jean is still a little kid, rather delicate, six years. Well I had a nice time there. Shows, breakfast in bed, and oh how I enjoyed the fare after this bully and stew, and [?] horse. On New Years eve we sat up until midnight. Uncle blew [?] to a bottle of champagne which Joe and I did not disgrace. Nan and Jean had been sent to bed. On New Years Joe and I went to Ardrossan and called at Grandpas also the Mother of one of the boys in the battery. We stayed at Grandpa's for about two hours. Grandpa is now pretty old as you know. He knew me alright but that's about all. He wanted to know how many times I had been back to Canada since I saw him last (That rather took me back). Aunt Maggie showed me his Christmas present (a pair of braces). He has been in bed quite a while now and is still there when Aunt Agnes last wrote although he is feeling better. I wore my spurs which took his fancy and he thought it wonderful for me to have a horse. Aunt Maggie took me to call on the Goodwins. You remember them don't you? I remembered them to when I saw them. From there I went to Hamilton to Uncle Robert and the wonderful VON nurses, but Aunt Annies Logan Logan Logan until I was sick of it. Uncle Robt and I went out for a walk. I don't know whether or not he was as anxious to go as I was. Perhaps I shouldn't say these things after their kindness but you know me and I make no excuses. I stayed there the night and came back to Glasgow the following evening. I left a few days later with Joe for London who had to be back sooner than I. I couldn't very well go to Manchester to call on Aunt Susan although I would have liked to. My ticket from France was right through to Ardrossan and not like my other leave in which I paid my own travelling expenses. I don't like London nor the people in it although I don't flatter myself that I met the best by any means. Canada badges on the tunic up goes the price. In Scotland the idea is more like your helping in the common cause and I want to help you in what way I can. The difference between the English and Scotch is to me very marked and I know the difference between the two classes of troops out here and anybody says the Scotch are "tite" lies. Well Mother there is not much more to say. Your parcels are fine, one just came tonight posted from home on the 13 Dec. and one from Mr. And Mrs. Perney. Camphor is no good for vermin, and I guess it will be just as well if you eliminate the underwear in future parcels. Im pretty well looked after and no grounds for complaint in that respect at all. Did I tell you about the change in address. It is beginning to tell now if the letter is addressed in the old way, as they are held up. Just the name, the No of the battery CFA France, leave out Division and Brigade also Army P.O. London. So you will see my address is now normal again and will not take up half the evening addressing the envelope. Bye Bye, with lots of love. John