11th August 1940: A Visit to Constable Country

Late breakfast. Went up to see the mare. After lunch went round by car to Late’s Farm, Raydon, which Sisson owns and is restoring, and then after tea to Flatford to see if we could get on the river, but it was quite impossible. Every boat was out, and there were great crowds waiting, dozens of cars on the parking places. It was just the same at Stratford Bridge, where there was another crowd of cars outside the road-house there. It is hard to believe that petrol is rationed. We went into Willy Lott’s house, where I had not been for several years, I thought it rather over restored and very bare, having no furnishings at all. How I could furnish the kitchen and dairy!

Also went into Flatford Manor House, recently rescued from complete decay. It is very fine, and gives an excellent idea of what a small hall-type house, [should be] and very well restored too. It is a pity that all the old farm buildings have been pulled down. They were not very picturesque, but without them the place looks rather naked and lonely.

And so back to “Sherman's”, to a delightful supper, and afterwards conversation in the drawing room.

Next week we really make a start on the harvest.

10th August 1940

Went into Colchester to do a little shopping. The mare went very badly. Put me in a ditch twice. My temper went completely, but I determined to stick to her for another week. She was just as bad coming back. I carefully kept away from the Museum, but I saw one or two people and learnt that there had only been one alarm since I left, and that was late last Sunday night. Had a sort of lunch-tea at Rose’s café, and then drove back. I was rather late, and they were anxious at “Sherman’s” on account of the mare.

5th August 1940

Began work at Sherbourne Mill today. There did not seem very much to do, but I amused myself successfully. The mare was alright, and seemed to have settled a bit. Unfortunately, being so green, and having been turned out for more than a year, she galled badly on both sides underneath, but I dressed the places with some Cooper’s lotion.

I had lunch and tea at the Mill, all the butter and cream you could eat, and home made bread, made from corn grown on the farm and ground in a little hand mill.

4th August 1940

I packed up today, and after a lot of bother got away at 4 o’clock. The mare went very badly, and I had a miserable drive, continually thrashing her past the most innocent objects, such as cycles or even piles of rubbish beside the road. However, at last we got there (Dedham) and Sisson kindly came on with me to Sherborne Mill to put the mare away. The Parringtons were very kind, although I was sorry they had no proper stable, but only an open shed, in which the mare was confined by means of hurdles. She seemed very reluctant to settle down, and my fears for her successful confinement were justified when we got back to Dedham, as there had already been a telephone call to say she had broken out. I rang back to the Mill, and found Mrs. Parrington had most kindly taken her up to the farm buildings, nearly half a mile away, in the dark, and had shut her up in a yard, with hay. I did not want to go all the way back again.

“Sherman's”, [the Sissons’ house at] Dedham, is really lovely, and I am going to enjoy this. There is no siren at Dedham at all.

3rd August 1940

Clearing up today, doing all books and seeing that the cash was right. Took away all books and papers belonging to me. Hard to think I am going perhaps for ever, yet in my heart perhaps I don't believe I am.

I went off early to Blake’s and walked the mare home. Got terribly hot and tired.

Alarm at 11.30pm, until 12.30am. My last for a time!

2nd August 1940

Spent a lot of time today clearing up papers and various personal matters. I want to get everything away if I can [before going to Sherbourne Mill, Lawford]. I can hardly believe that I may never come back here again. Went to the Rallings' tonight, had supper, and much talk about my leave.

While I was there an alarm went at half past 10, so I had to dash away leaving my tea unfinished. Eleven people came into the vaults and we got an All Clear at 12.30am Saturday. I made some more tea in the Castle.

1st August 1940

Alarms at 1am and 3.15, the second only a few minutes after the previous All Clear. Finally got to sleep about 5 o’clock, and did not get up until 9.30am.

Today the Doctor [Laver] brought in 10 very fine bronze fibulae, obviously from an important grave group. He admitted they had been found while digging an air-raid shelter in the West End, but refused any further information, as he so often does.

This afternoon I went over to see Blake at Magazine Farm, taking my trap over with Hampshire’s little grey, and tried out his cob Molly. She is a beauty, but uncertain, and very apt to shy and bolt, and I really feel she is too much for me as I now am. However, he pressed me to take her for a week or so, and I will. She looks fine in the ralli. Only 6 years old.