22nd May 1943

Saturday

Brilliant dawn.  Up early this morning, and drove Robin in to Colchester to be shod and to collect some hay.  He went very well but during the morning got loose and bolted out of the blacksmith’s shop.  Fortunately Brooks dashed out and caught him.  As I came away, met Woods’, Moy’s man, in Chapel Street, and he told me that they lost two horses all the carts and harness and both drivers at Chelmsford last Friday – a direct hit on the coal-yard.  He had been to Ingatestone to get two fresh horses on Wednesday.

Had an early tea at home, loaded 3 trusses of hay on the trap, and got away by 6.  Robin went very well indeed, and we got to the buildings by 7.