Friday 25th
… After lunch I lit a fire in my house, and read the ‘Dark Invader’ there all the afternoon. Daddy read theoretically, actually sleeping most of the time. zbn zfl
We are (as a country) just completing another ‘brilliant rearguard action’ in Greece; to come, is our evacuation of Iraq when Germany enters via Turkey, our evacuation of Africa (perhaps) and finally a brilliant action in which we will leave Iceland to the Germans. Then we will proceed to win the war. zwe zlb zwg
Europe now will consist of 4 countries, soon perhaps 2 or only 1. At present they are Germany, Italy, Turkey in Europe and part of Greece, and part of Russia. I’ve forgotten England; that makes five. zwg zpn
Saturday 26th
… Up Bignor Hill, just onto West Burton Hill, and then down the loveliest wildest valley I’ve ever seen—chalk screes with yews, beeches, wild cherries, hawthorn, blackthorn, ash + growing on them. A marvellous place for birds. We went round, and up a more wooded but very lovely valley, to come out about 300 yds from Bignor chalk pit … zwk zds zwl
Sunday 27th
… Churchill spoke at 9 o’clock. A very good, cheering speech, telling nothing at all. zpl
Monday 28th
… The evacuation of Greece has begun. Athens is in German hands, so is the isthmus of Corinth. zwe zlb
Tuesday 29th
… A lovely sunset. A 5lb tin of butter arrived from S. Africa [from relatives]. We dissected a shrew in the morning. zwr zfd zsa zwl
