Had 2 hours on the bed, dressed. Woke to find clouds and drizzle, but the barometer going up.
At the office found a letter from
Poulter – armistice! Read it through, to be quite staggered when he calmly ignored our
differences to tell me that a “Roman ship” had been found in Woolpack Yard at
St Botolph’s Corner, and did I think that the Chiswell Brook had once been big
enough to be navigable? Where on earth
does he get these ideas? I’m also so
afraid he will get them into the papers.
At any rate, the old boy wants
peace, and he shall have it. Went round
to see the ‘boat’ at lunchtime. Saw Joan
Ralling passing by, so took her in to hear me deliver an archaeological
lecture. All that could be seen was a
few shapeless bits of wood, about 2’ long, sticking out of the bottom of the
trench at a depth 6’. It is known that a
lot of timber, apparently piling and riveting was found when the Electricity
Station was built. Possible that the
Chiswell Brook was confined between wooden wharfs to prevent flooding – perhaps
the Osbourne Street area was used for intensive marked gardening. The map of 1825 shows gardens all the way
between Stanwell Street and St. Botolph Street.
Went home to tea, had a talk with
Father for an hour. He seemed very
well. Left, and cycled through Ardleigh,
Dedham, and Stratford to Higham. Went to
call on the Rushburys’. Found Mrs. Rushbury
there with the two daughters. Chatted
for 10 minutes, then went across the river and up the steep lane to Higham, but
alas Jacquie was out. Cycled slowly back
to Boxted through the windy dark night, and was in bed or rather on it by
11.30. Too tired to undress.
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