29th October 1943

Friday
Still foggy.  This morning went to Fordham with Sisson and Poulter [to see Harvey's Farm].  On the way we dropped Sisson's father-in-law, Mr Mathews, at the station.  Poulter assumed that Mr Mathews was a professor at Bristol University, and asked what was his special subject?  Sisson replied well “as a matter of fact he’s a manufacturing chemist”.

Had quite a trouble to get onto the flying ground, owing to the deep mud, and finally had to go right round by Bures and up through the back lanes to Balls Farm.  On the way, stopped to examine Josselyns, now fast falling into decay.  Sisson agreed that it was another hall-house, later floored.  Poulter took a photo.

How desolate Harvey's Farm looked today – so recently prosperous farmlands.  The stables still have much in them, and the cow chains hang rusting, in the milking.

We got back to Colchester by lunch.  Tonight had to wait until 6.30, and see Daphne who was out paying wages.  Going past Langham, saw lights gleaming in the aerodrome huts.  Seemed to be a lot of activity about, working over time.  Preparing for something?  A few searchlights, luminous in the fog.

Saw half a dozen Colchester Royal Grammar School cadets outside the library, talking to girls from the County High School.  Memories of the last war.

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