Last day of leave. Up late, fed animals, helped Parrington put up a wire fence so as to keep part of the home meadow for hay. Went up to the buildings for chaff, and accidentally let one of the cart horses loose.
Went up to the buildings again with Roger and the cart, and brought down a load of straw and chaff for the cows. A lovely sight to see so many “young things” about. As I came back I saw little Rosemary Parrington from Humberlands, coming down the hilly path with the nursemaid, whose immense mane of long golden hair shone in the sun. Rosemary always talks of how soon her father, Brigadier Parrington, will be home from Germany, as her mother is quite convinced the war will end this year. [Brigadier Parrington was a P.O.W. in Germany]
Penelope rang up just after tea to say the goat had kidded. I left at 7, and called at Birchett’s Wood to see the new babe. Mother goat seemed very satisfied, and was licking the infant all over.
Cycled home in a lovely cool evening, with a glorious yellow sunset ahead of me. Went up to the flat at Holly Trees with Poulter to drink tea, and about 10 o’clock heard loud reports south of the town. I rushed up onto the roof, and saw shells bursting high in the air, towards Mersea. Almost at once a green flare fell, so I can only suppose some battery was firing on a British plane by mistake. The guns seemed to be somewhere near Bradwell.
At 11 turned into sleep in the Oven [at the Castle], so different after my nice clean bedroom last night.
28th March 1942
No harrowing as Roger has a sore shoulder. Bright and sunny, but cold wind.
In the “East Anglian” today that poor old Revd. Worsfold is dead and buried, age 86. He was an incredibly dirty old fellow, the most decrepit parson I ever saw. [Revd. Worsfold died after a fall down the stairs, which EJR mentioned on 24th March 1942]
In the “East Anglian” today that poor old Revd. Worsfold is dead and buried, age 86. He was an incredibly dirty old fellow, the most decrepit parson I ever saw. [Revd. Worsfold died after a fall down the stairs, which EJR mentioned on 24th March 1942]
27th March 1942
Bright, cold wind. Carting from Lawford Hall this afternoon – meal taken there to be ground. While I was waiting for Mrs. Parrington I noticed the following inscription on a tombstone in the churchyard, right against the wall:-
“And I heard a voice saying unto me, write blessed are they,” etc. It is to William Spooner, dated 1878, and stands just inside the churchyard gate, facing the Park.
Dull at night, the crescent moon to be seen faintly behind thin clouds. Went down to Dedham tonight at half past eight. Mrs. Sisson told me that when [the film writer] R. J. Minney was in London last week, he saw the Earl and Countess Baldwin lunching in a cheap little café in St. James’s, looking incredibly poor and shabby.
Baldwin resigned as Prime Minister in 1937 but during the war his reputation suffered owing to his support for the pre-war policy of appeasement. CP
“And I heard a voice saying unto me, write blessed are they,” etc. It is to William Spooner, dated 1878, and stands just inside the churchyard gate, facing the Park.
Dull at night, the crescent moon to be seen faintly behind thin clouds. Went down to Dedham tonight at half past eight. Mrs. Sisson told me that when [the film writer] R. J. Minney was in London last week, he saw the Earl and Countess Baldwin lunching in a cheap little café in St. James’s, looking incredibly poor and shabby.
Baldwin resigned as Prime Minister in 1937 but during the war his reputation suffered owing to his support for the pre-war policy of appeasement. CP
26th March 1942
Beautiful warm day, real spring. Roger to harrow again. Penelope came over from Harwich today, but she was so tired she could hardly talk.
25th March 1942
Put Roger [the Parrington's horse] onto harrows. He went well, but I soon became exhausted.
Tonight I cycled over to Stratford St. Mary and saw Ida Hughes-Stanton, who told me most amazing stories, as she always does.
Tonight I cycled over to Stratford St. Mary and saw Ida Hughes-Stanton, who told me most amazing stories, as she always does.
24th March 1942
Drove the little grey back to Colchester today. Saw my carts at St. Botolph’s Station, just arrived from London. Called at the office, and took Joanna out to tea. She told me that Spencer had had a notice for an army medical exam on Thursday. I dont know what this means. Perhaps notices have come through from the Ministry about our deferments.
It is in the “Gazette” that the Revd. Worsfold, for many years Rector of Greenstead, has fallen down stairs and is seriously hurt. Cycled back by Dedham, and stayed talking to the Sissons for some time.
It is in the “Gazette” that the Revd. Worsfold, for many years Rector of Greenstead, has fallen down stairs and is seriously hurt. Cycled back by Dedham, and stayed talking to the Sissons for some time.
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