Reference
AU10/102/1/32
Title
Handwritten letter
Date free text
18 December 1948
Production date
From: 1948 To: 1948
Scope and Content
"I think the last letter I wrote to you was from Menton sometime in the summer, and now, as you see, I am in Richmond again, and write to wish you a Happy Christmas. The Eagles are, as usual, in excellent health, and seem to be enjoying life to the full. We are expecting my father from Yorkshire next week. He is coming to spend Christmas with us. I expect to go to Switzerland for some ski-ing early in the New Year, then I return here for some time. I am hoping to pay my long-expected visit to America next year. That sums up my immediate plans, I think. I received, by the way, a long letter from the Levers (late of Houghton Park) in Canada. I am hoping very much to be able to see them when I go over the Atlantic. Everyone tells me I shall never want to come back after having a tast of life in USA!
I have heard odd bits of news from Ampthill through the Miss E's. I was very sorry to hear the Watsons lost their little boy. It must have been a severe blow to them. They went to Ampthill simply to get him out of London, and they just worshipped him. I understand they have returned to London. Who is living in THE RED HOUSE now? I gather the Martenez family are still in Ampthill, having been unable to dispose of their house. Does the late Lord Cunningham appear in church? I think the Hannays found it a bit too High! I hear from Sir Anthony occasionally, and he says Mrs Waddy seems to have settled down happily. I am glad the Church Hall is opened up again, and a certain amount of social life happening. I always felt there was a great need of the church in Ampthill. How quickly the time flies! It seems amazing to think that this is the second Christmas since I resigned the living.
i expect you have settled down in your new home by now. I imagine you will find it more homely and restful than you did when you were so mixed up with the motor trade! I have sold my little Standard, by the way, and got someone in Yorkshire to give me £420 for it, which is £70 more than I gave for it. I now have a beautiful little FIAT over in France - they are the tiniest cars imaginable, but as strong as several horses. Miss Di's Lanchester is doing well, and she drives daily about Richmond - but what a wretched little allowance of petrol in England nowadays! Things are much better in France, except for milk, which is very short.
England strikes me as being thoroughly overcrowded everywhere. In France there seems to be plenty of room on trains, in restaurants, cafes, theatres etc. They keep having their usual political and industrial troubles: but generally, life is much pleasanter and easier over there, and though some of the things in the shops (especially clothes) are very dear, rents are very cheap: and you can eaily find accomodation: such a contrast to England!
I assume Mrs Davies. is still running the School. Does Mrs. Capps still function on Sunday afternoons, or has the Rector taken it over? My very kind remembrances to your family, and the Miss E's send their kind regards to you all.
Yours sincerely,"
Level of description
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