8th January 1945

Monday
Awake half the night with the noise of heavy bombers coming in, very low.  About 1 o’clock there were two very heavy explosions, like bombs, shaking the building.  Suppose them to be either ‘planes crashing or else rockets.

Up very late, and had to rush through breakfast to get to the office by 9.30.  Bitterly cold, with clouds driving before a strong northerly wind, looking like snow, and sure enough at 10 o’clock it began.  There was a horse drawn lorry in the Square, with a load of sand, which an elderly man was industriously spreading on the frozen ground.  Within a few minutes the driving flakes had quite covered up his work, but he still continued round the Crescent scattering the sand in spade-fulls.

Snow fell thicker and faster, a wild, glorious sight, the great white flakes driving into ever crevasse and corner.  Church, trees, grave stones all gradually vanished under the smooth white sheets.

Left the “White Lion” today and moved round to 3, The Crescent, only a few yards from the Museum, and most convenient.  Very nice to live in these charming Regency surroundings, and I think I shall be happy here.  The household consists of Mrs Shepherd, her daughter Mary, and two other lodgers, one a woman and the other an old gentleman of the name of Doble.  He is a Wisbech man, but lived many years in Beckenham.  His house there and his wool business in London have now been destroyed, so he has come back to Wisbech and lives here while his wife, who is an invalid, is in the nursing home next door but one.

Had letters today from the Sissons and from Penry Rowland.  

Had a cup of coffee and climbed up to my little attic.  Very cold, and had to put all my coats and mackintoshes on the bed.


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