31st August 1941
Cycled over to Dedham and then brought Bob back as I may need him early next week. The old man came back in 1 hour from Lawford to Port Lane.
30th August 1941
This afternoon drove over to Lawford with Bob and the Tumbril, to take a load of straw to Mrs. Belfield. Penelope came with me. Took Bob down to Sherbourne Mill and left him there, and then cycled back to Colchester on Penelope’s cycle, on which I nearly broke my neck. Penelope will then bring Bob back next week.
A German plane came over at 10 o’clock, as I was cycling back, but there was no firing. I heard gunfire and distant bombs at midnight.
A German plane came over at 10 o’clock, as I was cycling back, but there was no firing. I heard gunfire and distant bombs at midnight.
29th August 1941
Telephoned to Baytree Cottage this morning, definitely declining their exorbitant hospitality.
28th August 1941
Decided to go over to Horkesley tonight to see about rooms. Called at Baytree Cottage, which was advertised in the [Essex County] “Standard”. Rather a nice little place, obviously another of these small hall-type houses, but rather over restored. Macer did it some years ago, adding two rooms at the W. end. At the E. end are the original “solar” and kitchen, and there is an original doorway in the W. wall.
Two very fierce, firm ladies own the place. I was shown all over, and told I could have a very nice little room upstairs. But the terms? Three guineas a week, or £2-10 if I was away for weekends. Thanked them and left these rapacious sharks as hurriedly as I could.
Went down by the fruit farms, across the deep valley, and passed the Roses' house. Went on to Hill Farm, looking very smart under a new coat of paint. Unfortunately, there was nobody at home.
Along Langham Lane saw a team of horses turning into the yard at Park Farm. The fields all around are thick with traves of oats, wheat and barley, and the lovely little thatched cottages had lights twinkling in their windows.
At Colchester fed Bob, and called at home. A rather disappointing evening.
Baytree Cottage (now known as Baytrees) at Great Horkesley can be viewed here as it is currently for sale.
Two very fierce, firm ladies own the place. I was shown all over, and told I could have a very nice little room upstairs. But the terms? Three guineas a week, or £2-10 if I was away for weekends. Thanked them and left these rapacious sharks as hurriedly as I could.
Went down by the fruit farms, across the deep valley, and passed the Roses' house. Went on to Hill Farm, looking very smart under a new coat of paint. Unfortunately, there was nobody at home.
Along Langham Lane saw a team of horses turning into the yard at Park Farm. The fields all around are thick with traves of oats, wheat and barley, and the lovely little thatched cottages had lights twinkling in their windows.
At Colchester fed Bob, and called at home. A rather disappointing evening.
Baytree Cottage (now known as Baytrees) at Great Horkesley can be viewed here as it is currently for sale.
26th August 1941
A later note added by EJR for this diary entry on 26th August 1941 states:
It was on the night of the 26th August 1941 that A.J.A. Symons, the writer, died in Colchester Hospital. He was only 40 years old. He promised much but achieved little, though his “Quest for Corvo” was an excellent piece of work.
See “A.J.A. Symons – His Life and Speculations”, by Julian Symons (1950), p266.
It was on the night of the 26th August 1941 that A.J.A. Symons, the writer, died in Colchester Hospital. He was only 40 years old. He promised much but achieved little, though his “Quest for Corvo” was an excellent piece of work.
See “A.J.A. Symons – His Life and Speculations”, by Julian Symons (1950), p266.
24th August 1941
An alarm at 9.30 this morning. I heard gunfire, and ran up onto the roof in time to see an attack on Bromley. The sky was full of shell-bursts, and I could hear the plane making off out to sea. All-clear came in a few minutes. Maura Benham came down to Bourne Mill this morning, and we cleaned out one of the ditches.
This afternoon rode over to Dedham and had tea at Sissons’. The day, cloudy.
This afternoon rode over to Dedham and had tea at Sissons’. The day, cloudy.
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