Ada's Letter from Bude Haven: Gillian's Illness and Christmas Preparations

Date: 1941-11-23
Sender: Ada
Recipient: Darling One
Location: Rosemary Cottage, Granville Terrace, Bude Haven, Cornwall
Original scan: 1941-11-23-ada-to-darling-one-gillian-illness-christmas.pdf




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Summary

Ada writes from Bude Haven, Cornwall, on November 23, 1941, to her 'Darling One,' detailing the children's health, particularly Gillian's fever, and the resulting disruption to household routines. She mentions preparations for Christmas, including a piano delivery and receiving red gloves for the children. Ada also describes a visit with Penna and the 'Quints,' and expresses her anticipation for the recipient's arrival in three weeks, alongside plans for clearing out items.

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Transcription

Rosemary Cottage,
Granville Terrace,
Bude Haven,
Cornwall.

Nov 23. 1941

My own Darling One

I'd ring you up this morning to hear your clear
Voice - but by the time both Children had had their
say I'd have to have a second Call - and - well -
with the piano for Xmas - we mustn't be extravagant
- the latter has already used a good many telephone
calls.

The piano. Keats Can't manage it - They
have only one man - Mr. Read himself and
I believe his old father - or no Van!!! ?
But Barretts will. I don't know the
initials - "Barrett & Son" is on the shop
I suppose Queen St is the address. Anyway
they will receive it, unpack it, store it
as long as necessary & deliver it to us
when you want it. That was what
you wanted wasn't it?

What an exciting parcel came of the Children
red gloves. They both need warm gloves - Penna
never had any & Gillian last year - but these bright
red ones will brighten things up a bit. Gillian
shall write a thank you letter. She was going
to write to Mr. [unclear: Lymmutt] - if [unclear: love] & [unclear: butt] - [unclear: energy]

The end of the letter is brighter
than the beginning - it was written
in sunshine!!

2.
Yesterday Thursday

Gillian had a temperature 101°. I did not see any
other symptoms but she was flushed & bleary -
so shortly [unclear: Connie] & see her & went over here.
[unclear: Chest] but could find nothing - ordered milk of magnesia
& 26 hours in bed, even if the next day she had
no temperature - Truly Gillian's temp was just
around 100°. So I kept her in bed Sat too
until the afternoon. I think now it is a
cold we checked - If she jumps about she coughs
& occasionally needs to blow her nose - When these
happen she sounds as tho there is a lot of phlegm.
I shan't send her back to school tomorrow - but
will let her up today at about 10 a.m. - if the
weather clears up - as my lovely barometer
says it will. I'll take her out a little -
Owing to Gillian being in bed this week has
been rather hectic. So I've rather spent -
time tidying up in hers & Penna's rooms. I've brought
all the Children's encyclopaedia up to Gillian's room
also the Geographics - These all look very well
on her big shelves - Then I've put her
baby books on the next shelf propped at the
end with a bookend as they don't go far - and I've

3.
let her have her Californian Crib already set
up in the middle of this shelf. This, of course has
thrilled her.

It is Joan's half day - I thought I'd get this
letter written while she was upstairs where she could
keep an eye on Gillian in bed - Penna running about
her room - Gillian got excited & hysterical & utterly
unmanageable - so I went up & dressed Gillian and let her
come down stairs with Penna in her nice warm
[unclear: dress/things] - she was just as madly hysterical - so
I've brought her down downstairs to my room and am
letting her write to Mrs Wilson - Of course she keeps
talking to me and I find it so difficult to write under
these conditions. I'll wait till Joan has broken the
back of her work and then let her come in my room
and read to or play some quiet game with Gillian while
I take Penna out a bit - I don't think Gillian is fit
quite.

3:40 p.m.

The barometer was right - I took Penna out
and we visited the [unclear: Quints] who send you their
kind regards. I had a glass of [unclear: Rupert] [unclear: rhubarb]
wine and Penna a [unclear: Bungaw] - when we left them

4.
the day got more & more lovely - so after taking your
envelope to the Church we decided to fetch Gillian
for a little outing - and we took an inland walk
- less wind. They both ate a huge [unclear: bunsen/buns] -
we have all slept till now. I've missed the
post but see I could catch it at the Station box
so will do so - (Frankie says he will post it for me.)

Only three clear weeks to your Coming - So
we are starting to prepare for you - All the time
I'm planning & thinking out some Christmas thing
and am doing some drastic Clearing up.
Think I'll Clear out the under stairs bed etc. for
a while. Will soon be getting rid of Penna's high
Chair. Cot, etc.

Children awake - no more fever - but
a perfectly magnificent afternoon - we are
in a blaze of sunshine and will be for
the next 2½ hrs.

This seems rather a self centred - but you do
know my absorption is in preparation of you -
All my love - your darling -
Ada.

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People mentioned

- Gillian
- Penna
- Mr. Read
- Joan
- Mrs Wilson
- Frankie
- Connie
- Mr. Lymmutt
- Quints
- Rupert

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Topics

- family health
- children
- Christmas preparations
- household chores
- telephone calls
- piano delivery
- gifts
- weather
- local visits

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Uncertain words / phrases

- Lymmutt
- love & butt - energy
- Connie
- Chest
- dress/things
- Quints
- Rupert
- rhubarb
- Bungaw
- bunsen/buns

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Archivist notes

- Letter written from a cottage in Bude Haven, Cornwall, during WWII.
- Mentions a 'second call' for telephone, indicating wartime communication restrictions.
- The sender, Ada, is preparing for the recipient's arrival in three weeks, suggesting a return from military service or a visit during wartime.
- References to clearing out items like a high chair and cot suggest children are growing up or preparing for a move/visitor.

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