4th July 1940

Went up to London this afternoon. Called at the Ministry of Supply, but they could do nothing for me. I thought as much. Called on Turner at the Royal Agricultural Society’s office in Bedford Square, but he too was quite pessimistic. I told him that Leslie could find nothing for me in Essex. He was not surprised, and said that as far as he knew conditions were all the same in every part of the country. I spoke of the fat cattle situation, and he told me that it was generally known that the Government wanted to have a big supply of meat ready for the army, when an invasion of the Continent is begun next spring. It still seems incredible to me that anyone can seriously contemplate such a proceeding. All very depressing. ...