I rose about one o’clock yesterday and as the little boy entered in his diary “set at 7”. I had a nice dinner. Eff had brought me a young chicken which Rene roasted. I had it with bread sauce and marrow, it was quite a treat. Then I had rice (my favourite) pudding. The others had neck of mutton. Expect I shall have some today as Rene said she would skim all the fat off before I had it. Had a nasty attack of asthma after dinner and again after supper but slept well until one o’ clock then another bout and very restless until 4 am.
When I came to bed a week last Wed night I said I would have a day in bed, now 10 days after I am still here. Was up for dinner last Sat., the only day until yesterday. Jean is very good, she has two weeks holiday but says she is tired of housekeeping. Her idea of nursing is pretty good, she brings nourishment about every two hours and keeps me a hot water bottle going as my feet get so cold. Rene has a bad cold, I hope I don’t get it. I want to get out as soon as I can.
We were much amused at the old black and white cat with the kittens yesterday. (It rained all day, pleased Ron took his wellingtons and that Jean has new ones.) The cat has been in the habit of going to “Corbie” to the soldiers and has brought her kittens into the garden. We saw her come out yesterday and have a chat with them, then she bolted back into the house and the whole family followed after disappearing like the children in the side of the hill at the heels of the Pied Piper.
Anderby Road Houses facing the Sandhills near Chapel Point. May's home 'Lenton Lodge' is marked with a cross. © JS&S (Sands)
The sand hills between the Point and C.G. box right past our house are mined. They have chopped down a lot of the bushes, there will be no “golden glory” of sea-thorn this winter but with all this weather the grasses have grown and covered up the bare patches so it looks quite natural again.
Ron has got his a/c 1 and is very “chuff” about it. We are so pleased. He is very conscientious about his work. We have got the house new painted and the new gates up so look quite respectable. Jean just come up to make her bed, can hear Father raking up the cinders. It is fair weather again now but windy and dull. Will see if I can knit a bit. Have finished one sock and started the other. ‘Tis time I got up again, my elbows, shoulders and back begin to feel tender. I do not feel as brisk as yesterday yet.
Mrs Maud Clay (née Smith), Fred’s sister had an operation last week and died. So they will be in great trouble. It is only a few months (May I believe) since his younger brother Alf died. He was 42, Maud 51. We had seen in Friday’s Standard that she had had a serious operation at “The Red House” Louth, so afraid people should think she was at the “County Hospital” when she could afford “The Red House”. However death makes no distinction of that kind. We are very sorry. Will took Mr. Lamb (she lived with him at his shop 4 years) and two of the Kirks who are relatives. Lamb hired the car but Father was much amused to find he let the other two, Mrs. K[irk] and Joe, pay their share. Mean old stodger.
Later, 8.30 pm. I did not get up until after dinner to-day as I had such a bad night and felt very seedy until tea time. Father went to C.G. box at 8 and I am quite ready for bed. He has fixed up the rabbit hutch we have from Mr. Paul and put “Sara” in it and Mrs. Grey in the hutch Sara was in. Mr. A brought my medicine to-night, also some brown tablets, I think they are for asthma, the medicine looks and tastes the same.
Have written to Fred and Amy. Rene has baked for the weekend. Peter Taylor has skinned the rabbit Mr. Paul shot for us, it is a young one. I must get it cooked for tomorrow’s dinner as we are giving Pauls part of it. Mrs. P has to stay in bed a month so I ought not to grumble. She has no one but Mr. P to see her until her mother can leave another sister and come to her. Think Hallgarths are related to Mrs. P so they may do a bit for her, but it is dreary being in bed alone. Jean has had a bit of toothache and is very tired to-night. Flora Hall had her tonsils out on Tuesday so expect Dr. M. She was visiting her on Thurs morning when he came so early.
Fred Smith (previously mentioned 18 May 1941), farmer, was the husband of May’s cousin Amy.
Mr Lamb had latterly been married to Joe Kirk’s sister, Alice, whose death was recorded in the diary entry of 6 Dec. 1940.
Have you read an introduction to May Hill & family (includes photographs) and explored ‘The Casualties Were Small’?
