Monday
During the night, dreamt of trees
covered with snow, and that I was standing on a leaded roof, looking at the
scene. Amazed to wake up and find that
there was snow, falling thick and
heavy, driven by a strong N.W. wind, a most extraordinary sight. What could be the meaning of the dream? Could I in some way have been “projected”
onto the roof during the night?
Had a hurried breakfast arranged
to send cycle off by train, and caught bus to Colchester . Snow was still falling fast, and people in Dedham Street
battled against the blizzard. Got to Colchester
at 9, still snowing. Went straight home
– Father, taking a look at the weather, refused to get up, but Miss Payne lit the
fire and he did.
Left at 10.30, and went up the
road to the War Agricultural Committee office. Maidstone very pleased to see me, and soon had me hard at
it settling queries of one sort or another.
The old place is quite changed now that Captain Folkard is no longer there. Strange to think that A G Wright lived in
this house.
Had lunch with Diana then to the
Library to see “Essex Review” back volumes and to the Holly Trees. Poulter still on the theme: “It’s a pity you ever
left – what a fool you were!”
Sun came out at lunch time, and
the snow vanished as mysteriously as it came.
Looked in at the theatre to see Di again, had tea with her and caught
5.25. A huge ambulance train was in the
bay at the back of the up platform, the upside approach blocked by police, with
buses, ambulances and lorries standing about.
This is the only ambulance train I have seen during this war, but I can
remember them arriving at St. Botolph’s Station more than 25 years ago, and the
wounded men, often caked in Flanders mud, going up to the hospitals in open
private cars, amidst the cheers of the large crowds which always used to
gather.
Snowball was on the train as far
as Ipswich .
A good many Americans got on at Bury. March at 8.30, and at last Wisbech at quarter to
10.
