#43

2
Dec 16. 1944.
RCAF Overseas

Dear Mother:

I just opened the parcel with the cake tonight which had been stored in my trunk while on leave. The cake was excellent but I am afraid the tins of fruit were mouldy on the top. I wonder if they would have been alright when first arrived. Perhaps they would because previous tins have leaked slightly but been alright. This mess is not as good as the last and not so suitably equipped as before for taking food into the mess. However there is a Canadian crew in this hut and they do a lot of cooking from toast to steak so I will contribute my tin of jam to the general pantry.

To continue with my leave. When I got back from Violets I stayed two nights in London. I didn’t do much but saw the odd show. There was nothing particularly good on but I took in a technicolour called “Western Approaches” thinking it might be something like a busmans holiday but it was rather disappointing that way. While away from my hotel for those two nights a V2 landed fairly nearby causing considerable damage. On Sunday I left for Moreton-in-the-Marsh and arrived in time for lunch. That afternoon there was a terrific downpour and we stayed in all afternoon. There has been an enormous amount of rain there making up for the previous drought and you wouldn’t believe it could be so muddy. Knee rubber boots are barely high enough in some places. Probably the tractor is partly the cause of their muddy roads. On Monday morning Uncle Geoff and I hauled some of the hay Dick had baled in the summer, also fed the horses and cattle and moved some cattle from one field to another. It was great fun—a lovely change. Valerie went fox hunting that day—for both she and Dorothy still follow the hounds.

With love
Tony

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