Letter from Ada at Rosemary Cottage, Bude

Date: 1943-01-13
Sender: Ada
Recipient: Rene
Location: Rosemary Cottage, Granville Tee, Bude
Original scan: 1943-ada-to-rene-family-news-bude.pdf




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Summary

Ada writes to Rene updating her about family letters and parcels, describing visits from Mrs. Tafe and Mrs. Russell, activities with the children, dealing with bad weather, home repairs, and hopes for the children's schooling and daily life routines. She expresses care and affection throughout.

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Transcription

Rosemary Cottage
Granville Tee
Bude
Jan 13th - 1943.

My own Darling Rene -
Two letters, p.p.c's to the children and this afternoon the parcel of books was our post today. Mrs Tafe did not turn up so I had little time & read my own letters & did not read the children’s p.p.c’s Gillian rushed & answered hers - the red pencil letter, and as she refers to the new Bible I presume you mentioned it. When the parcel came she was delighted with the History - but furrins with the Bible - would not even look at it. I think she thought it was to be instead of her lovely one - but I couldn't persuade her to have anything to do with it - tho' I assured her she should keep her own. Penna then pleaded to have it as she had always wanted one she said. So I gave it to her & said she must ask Gillian & read it to her. She marched off in triumph saying "Well I think it is a very good book." Gillian was already deep in her history book.
I don't reduce Mrs Tafe's visits - I always have her all I can - she promised to come today - I don't know why she hasn't. She came yesterday and did as much in the one day as Joan would have done in a week! and when she left smilingly said "I'll see you tomorrow."

If I could only count on her coming 3 or 4 times a week I'd gladly dispense with any other help as she is so satisfactory. I shan't let her go in a hurry. But as she is so uncertain the only thing is to try and get an "under call up" aged person - and Mabel is as good as any - better than most. So I hope she will come back full of beans. She sent the children p.p.c’s today. Perhaps Mrs Tafe will come tomorrow instead of today - she was coming Tuesday anyway.
Well, I got through my work & left the dinner in the oven while I went to a little shop by Flexbury Church & try & get Gillian a mac hood & cloak. I sew new her new blue coat in the great storms we often have during the spring term - I could not get a cloak but got a blue american cloth mac & "sow" weskit - that is big enough to cover her well and go over any of her coats - I got Penna a cloak. So now they are set up for weather.
Mrs Russell gave Penna a nice pixie bonnet of Jeannie's & a pair of gloves - I've knitted Gillian a blue pixie bonnet - so in outdoor things they are set up. I've plenty to do to their indoor clothes but as soon as Mabel comes back we can tackle these.
After going to the Flexbury shop we went on to Mrs Hogg and Margaret home & dinner with us. Mrs Hogg called & them all at 3pm & took them for a walk - so I had a quiet afternoon and got the washing up etc done. Then as we finished tea the Russells came in - so the children were a little late getting to bed.
The Russells came to dinner on Monday and were delighted with the Chinese food. After dinner & rest time - 3pm they took Gillian off & tea with them and Penna & I slept till 4:30 p.m. I'm nearly well now. I'm glad to say my cold did not run to ears, eyes, cheeks & front of sinuses as it did all last year.
The children have been very good & happy - they have done all my shopping for me - Gillian advanced a lot in this line! I let her send Winnie's telegram which we signed "Morgilada Here is Winnie's reply."
When Gillian can light a gas fire - and make me a cup of tea (she can do this now if she boils the kettle by the fire) but when she can light the gas for it - I shall feel tremendously independent of living in or daily servants. If she can make me a cup of tea - I can get up & do the work - and I can keep well if I do not need to go out in all weathers - that is when they can go to school without me - or do my most urgent shopping. But all in good time.
Meanwhile she is not very interested in domestic work but has been enjoying the school broadcasts and has kept herself busy with her own occupations, while Penna has helped me. Both children can make toast now.

Now for your letter - I was afraid you couldn't get a trell in Bath - but glad Daisy took care of you. I posted you a parcel but forgot to put you some sugar in it. I'll send you some next week so please use some of your reserve. I'll try & send a little now and then - you seem to have had some rotten weather - so have we - Hail battered the windows so hard in the night I feared it would break them. But the bad weather has kept to the night & early morning clearing up as the day went on & even giving us a little sunshine - there are a few crocuses open in some gardens.
The fir helmet will be lovely for me on those bitter days if I have to go out. Good job you did not defend an going & Winnie. Her p.c. tells further news of the invalid. I'll not send the green rug just yet - I've not even found time to get my speedos done up & sent off.
Glad you had a good time at Bristol. Sorry Uncle E is such a ... what shall I say. I expect he was a great worry to your father.
It was good to hear your voice last night. Did the new secretary call Tuesday? Hope you'll enjoy the pants - mine on Saturday.
I know something of how you feel about Beechen Cliff having had a rather similar experience. On returning to China in 1904 - there were all our child haunts only heaps of burnt out ruins. There was not one house or part of a house standing that any of the missionaries had lived in. One courtyard was partly recognizable. But a new church replaced the old and new classrooms replaced the rooms that were part of our old home - and a new two story house replaced one old dining room.
Only the two old acacia trees betwixt between which our swing used to hang still stood unharmed - I almost wished I'd never returned to that city. But with Daisy at Linley Stoke & Winnie at Chalfont you can avoid Beechen Cliff a bit till the place is rebuilt. I'm glad Daisy is out of it - and Hilda.
Thank you for your letter re N.P. Bank. I understand and am glad we've done so well - as we have. I'm sorry the balance is not so big as you thought - but glad the year is better than you anticipated. Congrats on your own Credit balance at the end!!!
Darling I know that Bude is remarkably easy to run compared with anywhere else - that is why I shrink from any change.
We are half through the winter now & the children a year older & therefore easier than last year - I've got far more resistance to disease - so have the children - so don't worry - It is you my Darling we miss so but we've had a lovely holiday together so that will set me up for a while. Bless you you are so precious - All my love - Ada.

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People mentioned

- Ada
- Rene
- Gillian
- Penna
- Mrs. Tafe
- Mrs. Russell
- Winnie
- Mabel
- Mrs. Hogg
- Daisy
- Uncle E
- Hilda

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Topics

- family news
- children
- visits
- weather
- clothing
- school
- home repairs
- daily life
- war time

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Uncertain words / phrases

- p.p.c's
- mrs tafe
- mrs russell
- under call up
- Flexbury
- mrs hogg
- speedos
- [unclear: Morgilada]
- trell
- beechen cliff
- n.p. bank

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Archivist notes

- Letter is handwritten and dated Jan 13th 1943.
- Location mentioned is Rosemary Cottage, Granville Tee, Bude.
- The letter references wartime conditions including health concerns and local disruptions.
- Mentions several family members and visitors by first names and some titles (Mrs).
- Describes daily family life, children's activities, visits, weather, and household management.
- Includes a rough diagram of a house layout on page 5.
- The style and content indicate a personal family correspondence during wartime.

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- Output tokens: 1977
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