Monday 12th
… Awful near the end of the holidays. Margaret goes on the 16th too, poor Mommy being here all alone. And [talk of] invasion in the air (and by it too—ha ha) which makes it WUSS. I personally don’t think it’ll come off, but if it does, I’d far rather be here, where I could scout and guide, than at school—which makes it WUSSER going back. Still, we’re all alive now. zfl zwg zdg zem
Tuesday 13th
… It began to snow at breakfast time, and it snowed hard, with a south wind, all day. … Margaret and I took Tinker and the toboggans to Sodgers Bottom [our term for ‘Scotchers bottom’] to see if it was a good run. On the way back along the crest of the downs, there was a biting gale, and the flying snow cut into your face. It felt just like an arctic expedition. On the exposed parts there was only a thin covering of hard icy snow, and in the hollows there were drifts up to 3½ feet deep. We got Tinker to pull a toboggan a short way. We had a glorious slide back, tobogganing from the top of the downs down through the woods and down the green slope. zwr zpt zwk zds zol
News: Libya—Far East more withdrawals, except in Philippines where [Japanese] attack repulsed, Russia very good indeed. zwg zru
Wednesday 14th
… At 3.45 several of the boys arrived, and we went tobogganing—first on the green slope and then in Shiners field. They got very cold hands and knees, as none had long trousers and few had gloves. zct zcb zol zfr
They came back, had tea, and went home, having decided to continue the meetings while Margaret and I were away—Morse, 1st Aid, knitting even, tracking games, exploration etc., and, of course, shooting. zct zcb zol zfr
Last evening but one—misery. zem
