… Thunder began at 9.30 [pm], we did not sleep. 2 carrier pigeons arrived from over the sea; having failed to entice them with cake, Wallop climbed up the wet roof and saw that there was no message. Almost sleep, then watched [the storm] again—grand—so grand that Wallop and I decided it was too good to miss. We donned gym shoes and bathing shorts, and in an extremely heavy downpour, we slipped down the porch pillar outside our window and nipped up the cads’ walk. zwr zmb zwk zsg zfr
Thence we ran down past the range to the Gannel; the track was a torrent, and everything was brightly lit by frequent vivid flashes, with occasional forked lightening. On the Gannel was a flock of curlew making disturbed noises. Back by the road (passing someone—we must have looked queer). zwr zmb zwk zds zwl zfr
We first entered through Kenyon, but finding the lights in our corridor on, we retreated to the front, went in through the dining room window, then up the pillar into our room. Dried there and watched the storm die away. Sleep (1.50). zmb zwr zfr
Wednesday 21st
… out to Mr. Taylor with Moll and Sparling and Roger, where we drank tea, ate sandwiches and indulged in civilised conversation—as I have said before, a very nice man. Back by eleven to tell fairy stories and then ghosts—amazing how one can frighten oneself by discussing that sort of thing. ztc zhy zfr zop zem zsy
Saturday 24th
… After a light tea, up for prize giving, speeching etc—I got a 5/- voucher for economics. … zsw zcp
House supper at eight—sitting next to Mr. Taylor—lots of speeches, the unfortunate singing of ‘For he’s a jolly good fellow’ three times, then charades. zcl zgn
And then, oh joy, an 11.30 bathe on Fistral beach. Grand, and when you moved your hands through the water, little sparkles of phosphorescence streamed from the finger tips. Glorious. … At 1.10, out of the window — oh but zds zol
