7th May 1944

Sunday
Sharp frost last night, and great damage done to fruit and vegetable crops.  Fine morning, but cold.  Hundreds of ‘planes going out, with deafening noise.  Reading and writing all morning.

This afternoon went to Lt. Rivers, but Jack Penton was there, and somehow I did not feel very welcome.  They have now got a lovely little Siamese kitten, and the Sissons have one from the same litter.  Beautiful little things.

Went to Colchester after 6, and had a meal at Culver St. Café.  Then to Bourne Pond, and heard that a sister of Cr. Fisher had yesterday thrown herself into the water, on the far side, but had been rescued alive.  A length of the fence had been broken to get her out, so had to move the donkey.  Everybody very mysterious about the whole affair, as a councillor’s sister is the victim.  Feel sure that there will be no mention in the press, nor any criminal charge.

Went home and then called at Seymour’s where I have not been for some time.  Dear old Pepper there, as spry as ever.  He has been at Colchester Royal Grammar School for more than 30 years, and has just been make First Master, in place of Saunders, who has retired.  He was as pleased as a boy.  Heard that a man named Marvin, appointed to the staff as a “temporary”, arrived last Monday and went mad on Tuesday, when he was found by the police wandering about the town.

Lovely moon tonight, and ‘planes about practising night flying.  Flares burning all round the town, and coloured lights on the wings of the ‘planes.  When I got to Boxted saw the two horses in the yard next the house, hanging their heads over the gate in the moonlight, apparently listening to the ‘planes and the nightingales.  Interesting to speculate on how much notice animals take of aeroplanes and raids.  Never known horses or cattle to take much heed, but dogs and cats are sometimes terrified of bombs and guns.  The Roses' dog is quite pathetic, hiding his head under the lavatory.  For one thing they can though be thankful they are unable (as far as we know) to anticipate danger hours ahead.