Letter to Ruth Mallory written from Pen y Pass on Wednesday
He had been for a delicious bathe in the little lake. On the previous day Owen had cut his hand and couldn’t climb so he had conducted Ursula and Bertie Graham on an easy climb. They met Cottie and Owen at the top and he and Cottie climbed on Clogwyn y Ddysgl and then walked along the ridge towards Snowdon. Then down the zig zag path and along the Pip Track which didn’t get them back until past dinner time.
Was urging people to get ready and hoped to go to the Buttress of Lliwedd. They hadn’t got their pass yet but he thought they could avoid the sentries again. He was due to leave on Friday [6 August] and sleep the night at Birkenhead and he thought Trafford would have arrived before him [he was to collect his father and then spend a week travelling with him in Yorkshire]. Asks her to send her letters to Birkenhead as he didn’t know where they would be in Yorkshire.
Letter to Ruth Mallory, written from Pen y Pass on Friday
He was leaving Pen y Pass that day to travel to meet his father and Trafford, although he still hadn’t heard where they would be. He describes the previous days climbing which included walking over Mynedd Mawr which had a wonderful view of all the Snowdon group, stopping for a cup of tea in Snowdon village before walking over the flank of Snowdon and the top of Lliwedd getting back at 8.30pm. Ursula was a good walker and showed no signs of having been unduly exhausted. Was sorry Cottie had not been able to go with them. The group had a great deal of fun and good talk. Bertie Graham was a solid good natured Scot with a real sense of humour. He liked Owen but thought he was a professional pessimist and it was a pity he was so unfit. He hadn’t been reading the papers carefully but it was a comfort that the German losses must have been very big.
Letter to Ruth Mallory written from Castlestead, Pateley Bridge on Monday
They had left Ripon and were in Nidderdale staying in a railway carriage in the gardens of a country house which were used as an overflow for guests from the main house. He and his father had been cycling in the countryside around Ripon. His father often amused him and often shocked him by saying outrageous things but he never talked about family matters. He was a terrible snob.
He regrets not having seen Fountains Abbey again and but hoped to stay a couple of extra days after his father had left so that he could visit it along with Bolton Abbey and Skipton Castle. Trafford would probably get married on 19th and he would tell her the full story later. He was sitting near lots of wild raspberries which reminded him of Exmoor and says lots of little things remind him of Devonshire.
Describes her morning activities; writing to his mother, walking to town. Asks him if he wants the Alpine Club Journal. Discusses the book she is reading - The Round Table. Tells him Harry has left to join his regiment. Informs him that Violet has gone to Prior's Field for the day. Discusses how busy his parents are with the mission. Tells him she misses him and gives details of how she keeps busy.
She is having a nice time with his parents. Tells him that she is teaching a Sunday school class. Describes a walk to Bidstone Hill with Clare and Violet. Hops that he will receive her letters soon. Tells him of his father being called away to a dying man. Informs him that her Sunday school lesson went well. Expresses her feelings over her recent depression. Discusses her opinions on the life of a clergyman.
Recounts to him his father’s story of how he cured his warts with a charm. Discusses her opinions on the search for truth. Intends to take a drive with his mother and her friends. She updates him on Clare’s progress. Asks him if he has horses with him and asks for more information so she can find the location on Ralph’s map. Speculates on his location. Describes how she has sent him letters to different locations. She hopes that he will stay in his current location. She intends to go back to Westbrook on 1 June.
Asks him what his living conditions are like with Mr Bell. Expresses her concerns over his safety. Informs him she has sent him letters from Mr Benson and Mr Earl. Describes her day and intention to see Nancy Warr in Liverpool. She is glad Violet will not leave to join a munitions factory. Describes how busy his father is. Asks him for more information about climbing the chimney. Tells him she will send him cake when she gets home.
Tells him she has been warmly welcomed and describes her feelings after he left. Describes in detail her visit to tour York Minister. Reassures him she is being looked after and sends him news of his parents. Updates him on Avie's health. Expresses her opinions on Mary and Ralph's friendship with Lord and Lady Nunburnholme. Hopes that peace will come soon.
Informs him her box is still missing and Violet has arrived back from her trip. Tells him of the cakes she has made for his mother’s bazaar stall. Describes her activities with Clare in Birkenhead. Discusses her opinions on the sermon his father gave in Church and the National Mission of Repentance and Hope. Wonders how his boots are holding up with all the walking. Asks him what Captain Matheson is like and how his work is going. Tells him she misses him and informs him she intends to see Marjorie that day.
She is busy helping his mother with the bazaar. Tells him she will be careful not to hint at his location in her letters and will not let his mother know, but will inform his father, Mildred and Marjorie. Lets him know she has sent him some tea and chocolate. Describes life at the vicarage with his mother. Hopes the war will end soon.
Describes helping with the housework and discusses his mother's health. Reminds him they forgot to collect some photographs. Discusses the progress of the war and when it might end.
Acknowledges his letters from Dover. Reflects on their time spent in Newcastle. Discusses the progress of the war. Describes going shopping in Birkenhead including what she purchased and where. Tells him to throw away her letters as she feels they are not worth keeping. Hopes that the weather is not gloomy for him and he has companions that he likes. Tells him she plans to go home soon.
Describes in detail shopping with his mother and buying herself a new coat. Discusses when she should leave for home and whether she should visit Avie first. Describes in detail the Mothers Meeting his mother had set up. Tells him about reading Natural Law in the Religious World and expresses her opinions about it.
Expresses her opinions about her stay with his parents and on his mother's personality. Acknowledges his letter. Discusses the progress of the war. Tells him that his father has returned home and about visiting a Russian family in need. Describes her morning activities. Apologises for a letter full of trifles.
Describes her conversations with Avie about his mother coming to visit her. Discusses the progress of the war and the moves made for peace. Describes Avie's children and hopes they can all holiday together after the war. Sends him his parents' and Avie's love.
She hopes he has had a good time in Wales. Is sorry to hear of Mr Pye's recent appendix operation. Tells him of the work she has been doing making up patterns. Major Morgan is expected and is being met by Marjorie and Mildred at the station. Asks him if they could ask David Pye to visit. Hopes that he will have a good time in Yorkshire with his father and Trafford and tells him not to feel blue when at Birkenhead.
Praises the quick postal service and hopes he is having a nice time with his father, despite the bad weather. Expresses her wish to be there. Encourages him to stay longer and look for a present for Marjorie’s birthday. Tells him of her morning activities; having her hair washed and china painting. Asks about the date for Trafford’s wedding. Discusses how they intend to educate their children. Tells him her father, Mildred and Major Morgan have gone fishing at Eut
Describes her visit to Nancy Warr with Clare and how she got on the wrong boat on the way back to the vicarage. Expresses her feelings about Clare and how much she misses him. Tells him of her activities with his father. Informs him that she is due to see submarine work at the cinema and describes life at the vicarage. Asks him questions about his location and what his tasks are in the war.
Complains that his father has not provided an address. Asks him about his trip and is glad he likes Mr O'Malley. Tells him of visiting their house to collect parcels and organise items for her confinement. Informs him that Ralph [Brooke, husband of George's sister Mary] has 10 days leave and intends to go to Scotland to stay with cousins. Describes her new painting pattern and closes with a description of the weather.
