1937 July
From LJT to Annette
“Mandelieu”
Cooden Beach
July 3rd 1937
My darling Annette
Our week-end here seems as if it is going to be very successful. It was a good idea bringing Richard with us for he makes things more amusing for Rosemary. The weather has been kind – We had a lovely day yesterday for St. M’s Speech Day with a good deal of cloud about during the early part of the day, so that it was not too hot in the marquees and clearing to a perfect late afternoon, so that the play could be in front of the wood and we had a delightful drive down here – We’ve had one bathe this morning and we are going to have another this afternoon.
Many nice things were said about you at St Monica’s. You were more mentioned in Miss Capstick’s speech than anyone, and Mademoiselle Pinault poured out much praise of you to us, saying she has such great affection for you that she looks upon you as her little sister and she hopes you will not lose touch with one another. We had a talk with her at lunch time and later we had tea to-gether.
Miss Street had packed your prizes in a box and handed them to us. The box contains –
1). Your School Certificate
2) Bronze French medal
3) “ Life Saving medal
4) “Visions de Rome” – Camille Mauclair
5) “L’Homme contre la Forêt de Gabon” Francois Valdi
6) “Le Japon Illustré” F. Challaye
I think we may consider, my dear, that your career at St. Monica’s was very successful – I hope the future may yield you results as good.
Once more our letters have crossed – Thank you for the information about the hotels – I rather fancy the “Splendid” – It is the most expensive and will therefore probably be the best – but if you think any of the others nicer, we are quite willing to leave the choice to you – I don’t think it matters very much about there being no lounge – we should not be very likely to sit in it much – We have worked out our programme and we shall arrive in Paris on 23rd and stay three nights (23rd 24th and 25th) and leave on the morning of the 26th. I expect I shall get some advice from you about the best way of getting to the Splendid or wherever you book rooms – Failing that, with the map which you so thoughtfully sent, I can probably get advice from the AA.
We are just off to the beach again to bathe and have tea with our old friends, Mr. and Mrs Craig, whom we knew well in India –
I had a wonderful day at Wimbledon with Uncle Bernard on Thursday and enjoyed it enormously
I have never been before –
Best love, darling
from
Mum
From LJT to Annette
The Royal Empire Society,
Northumberland Avenue,
London, W.C.2.
July 9th 1937
My darling Annette
You are a splendid and most practical girl! The possession of the map with the route marked on it, makes me feel that we really know where we are. I expect Dad will drive right in – but if he does’nt like the look of the traffic, we will push the car into a garage in the “environs” and come the last bit by taxi – During our two days in Paris we should like to have a look at the Exhibition – and I think Richard should have a general look round to get some idea what Paris is like. I should very much like to go to the Sainte Chapelle once more. I have only seen it once and adored it. Will things be shut on Sat and Sun? You and Richard and I might go out on the evening of the 23rd even if Dad is too tired. I doubt whether we will be in Paris till the afternoon, if we come through from Rheims. I expect we shall send you a telegram the previous day to say what time we are likely to arrive – It depends so much on how much time we want to spend looking at Rheims (2) and Soissons (1). (Why do I always write those in the reverse order from that in which we are visiting them?) As you know, Dad finds it very hard to make up his mind far ahead as you know and there are several ways we could arrange our journey. Its only 35 miles or so from Soissons to Rheims. I think we might arrive at Rheims quite early – see the Cathedral – have lunch and push on to Chateau Thierry that night, in which case we should be able to get into Paris in the early afternoon (62 miles). We should spend a little time looking at the Cathedral at Meaux. I’m getting very excited about it all! This afternoon I have been to Foyles – the big second-hand book shop in Charing Cross Rd and have got a book on the Cathedrals of Northern France for 2/- and a book I have had on loan before about the stained glass of France for 5/- so I feel we do not set out unprepared.
I must change now as Dad and I are treating ourselves to the Ballet at Covent Garden to-night. We went on Wed. and it was wonderful –
We have had a full week with seeing friends and shopping and we go home on Monday, 11 August 2014 Best love, my darling
from Mum
P.S.1. By all means have the bits of hair “permed”.
2. I forgot to say that I have not got the Paquet’s address with me, but I am pretty sure I have it at Highways – so will put it on a card and send it as soon as possible.
From LJT to Annette
Highways
July 13th 1937
My darling Annette
This is strictly a business letter and refers to your luggage. I have been wondering whether it would be better a) for you to send your trunk direct to London, consigned to Messrs Grindlay and Co. 54 Parliament St. S.W1, and to send them the key and instructions to clear it and send it to Highways – or b) for you to send it to St. Jacut by train – from where Auntie could take it home when she goes on Aug. 25th. I have an idea that there is a fairly cheap method (at least not as expensive as “express”) by which luggage can be sent by train, but is not guaranteed to arrive inside a week or ten days or some such period of time.
Would you consult your French friends and arrange to do whatever they think best. I rather favour the idea of sending it to St. Jacut, as Grindlays charge a good bit for clearing and forwarding luggage, and I rather think it will come cheaper to send it to St. Jacut –
Dad got rather tired in town and was glad to get back here yesterday. The garden is looking very pretty. Uncle and Uncle HD. are doing lots of work in the garden –
We leave here on Monday and stay that night at Dover, hoping to reach Amiens on Tuesday evening –
No time to write more –
Best love –
Mum
From LJT to Annette
Highways
July 14th 1937
My darling Annette
So sorry I have been such an age sending the Paquet’s address –
It is
Villa Stella
Rue J. J. Monaix
Pau
Basses. Pyrénées.
There’s not really a great deal to write about – and I have a lost of things to do. As usual we are all finding odd things that have to be done – mendings washings; etc. at the last and Richard shares Dad’s habit of going off to paint boats and such for Charlotte, when I specially want their clothes to pack. I have packed all the things that are to go direct to St. Jacut this afternoon – including the things you left in the drawer. I’m getting very excited about it all – and about seeing you again – Dad has recovered from his exhaustion in the week here, during which he has spent much of his time in the garden, cutting off deads, picking raspberries and such –
We took Aunts May and Mona out for a drive and picnic yesterday, which they both seemed to enjoy – and they were sweet as sugar to each other.
Auntie and Auntie Winsome are up in town shopping to-day and Uncle HD. is in charge of Charlotte.
We shall be at The Grand Hotel –
Wellesley St. Dover on Monday night – and as I said I will send you a wire on evening of 22nd or early on the 23rd saying what time we expect to arrive in Paris –
Forgive more – There are a pile of letters in front of me which have to be answered – Best love
Mum