Weekend Letter from Ada at Bude Haven

Date: 1940-07-03 to 1940-07-04
Sender: Ada
Recipient: unknown
Location: Rosemary Cottage, Granville Terrace, Bude Haven, Cornwall
Original scan: 1940-ada-weekend-letter-bude-haven.pdf




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Summary

Ada writes a weekend family letter from Bude Haven updating on children's activities, photographs sent, weather, and local errands. She describes scenes from films with Penna and Gillian, talks about Gillian's school experience and a successful nap, and mentions buying a coal scuttle for dolls' house. Ada reflects on the sunset and expresses love and hope to see the recipient again soon.

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Transcription

Keats hill in - only £4 odd included the lovely blind.

Rosemary Cottage,
Granville Terrace,
Bude Haven,
Cornwall,

July 3rd - 1940.

My own Darling One.
Just a little line to give you my usual weekend letter. It was good to hear your voice from Hildas and to know you had got that far on your journey safely. Here are Penna’s snaps you asked for. You gave me a lot of these so have more if you want them. As I have told you the colour film was beautiful. Little Penna in the tea party is splendid - even Mr Knight exclaimed at her - she is so full of life - first looking up at Gillian then at me then at the camera - all her quick little actions there. The bathing pool one is splendid. Miss Weir comes out beautifully - and little Gillian sorts such a shrimp among them. Climbing over the rocks she is quite good - and the huge ball in the bathing pool is very good. The swans are very graceful feeding from my hand & Gillian charming with the ducks. This film slightly under exposed. In the plain film the Barade waves are very good indeed - also Barrel rock. You will want to have that bit again & again! This film is very under exposed - but it doesn’t matter so much with the waves as it makes you think it is evening - and reminds me of our evenings.

Gillian did not cry at school. She was thrilled with the 6d and bought the largest coal scuttle for her dolls house - filling the same the minute she got in. She went to sleep in about 5 minutes with every window unblocked. During that very hot weather she had been trying to sleep in daylight so as to have the fresh air and had been quite successful when she wished, and I had promised her that we'd gradually learn to do it. So as she was determined to do it she did. I’m sure when she has the will to sleep it isn’t much difficulty to her. She slept till nearly 4 p.m. - and then we went and had tea on the canal bank opposite the Traly - then paid the Blacksmith the 6d - then went to Knights - and so have I bed - both children very good.

While I was undressing Gillian she said quite off her own bat - "I wonder where Daddy is now." I think this is the first time she has said anything that shows her picturing your journey. Her next question "Will he ring up?" That was why she came flying down at your ring - or rather I went flying upstairs as I heard her starting & come down! She had been so quiet as I had my supper that I thought her asleep. She went off like a shot after your ring. Penna also was quite good both afternoon & evening. Does my sparking? I wonder.

Lovely sunset again tonight - but instead of watching with you on the cliffs - I've written to you here on the Nanaudah & watched the sunset.
Oh my Darling One it has been good to have you. God keep you and bring us together again soon - (W is striking 10 p.m. now -) All your care and thoughts and instructions to me have helped tremendously - I feel I know what to do now.
All my love beloved One -
Your Ada.


July 4.
11:50 a.m. - In the field by St Catherines school waiting for Gillian.
Have done such a lot today -

1. Went to the little man Barnett (carpenter) whose house is "between the Bunks" Pettick man. Am going to get him to do the nursery windows in his own time - using, if nothing else obtainable the bath-top wood.

2. Paid & Carol & found they did not send the whole order till they had seen if we had room to store it. The man noted we had so they’ll send the rest. They promise to take care of me in this matter.

3. Golf wool & bandages from Boots.

I think I told you the Caddler has come - a beauty -
Keats hill (including the blind) of the quarter is only a little over £4 -
Now for Gillian - will post this on my home - All my love Ada


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People mentioned

- Ada
- Gillian
- Penna
- Mr Knight
- Miss Weir
- Bainett (carpenter)

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Topics

- family
- weekend update
- children
- photographs
- film
- weather
- shopping
- sunset
- local events
- house repairs

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Uncertain words / phrases

- Barade waves
- Traly
- Carol
- Nanaudah
- sparking

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Archivist notes

- Letter clearly dated July 3 and 4, 1940 at a Cornwall address.
- Sender signs as Ada; recipient unnamed.
- Mentions children Gillian and Penna frequently.
- References to photographs and films sent.
- Mentions local people: Mr Knight, Miss Weir, Barnett (carpenter), and 'the Caddler'.
- Letter includes details of daily activities, weather, shopping, and local repair work.
- Some words difficult to decipher, noted in uncertain_words.

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