October 4th, 1965
Dearest Mom and Dad,
We set out on yet another lovely, warm and sunny Sunday, this time due east to
Peterborough. We arrived at the end of the sung Eucharist, just in time to hear the organist let go with everything he had on "A Mighty Fortress is Our God." I have NEVER heard so much organ in my life! - and not unpleasant at all. Some organs sound like mere rumblings when the 32' or 64' pipes are used, but this was magnificent and simply MUST have been 108' by the amount of noise it made! Finally, at long last, I found a more up-to-date schedule of cathedral services, so we shouldn't be missing the times any longer.
Matins was very nice - the choir the best we've heard. In fact, it was impeccable. There were two choirs, actually, but no more than 6 or 8 boys in each to hold the soprano part, plus 6 or so men for the rest. The choirmaster conducted everything. Such competence and musicianship! Not many really bothered to watch, yet it was great!
And we struck another first: not one but two people came up and spoke to us afterward! They had us spotted as Americans and were just being friendly, explaining some of the more colorful details of the cathedral's history which the guide book and literature didn't include. There was a lovely stained glass window of King Edgar with a fabulous shock of pitch-black beard, looking extremely regal with his lovely Queen on a pane opposite. Catharine of Aragon is buried there, as was Mary Queen of Scots until her son, James, had her moved to
Westminster. It's a lovely cathedral. Once again, we want to return.
We had a strange experience on leaving. We went around the corner to a Chinese restaurant recommended by one of the nice gentlemen in the Cathedral, and were treated as rudely as one could civily be treated rudely. We ate one course and left, feeling very strange indeed. Whether they happened to be extremely anti-American or what, we don't know; but there is a great deal of anti-Americanism around, even among the British. It's not hard to understand, really. They are quickly being surrounded by the American way of life, whether they like it or not, and many of them don't. The rest are just plain suspicious of change. Our first smack of this was with the school-bit, and even still our situation is completely misunderstood by closed minds in high places like the Vice Chancellor of the University and even Miss Briggs, who is, of course, on the School Board in addition to her Guiding activities. Roger told me yesterday that the jokes told at the Wilk's lovely dinner party last week (when the men were left alone with their brandy and cigars) were all "American" - like the one about the "nigger" (a term used so freely around here as to astound us) comparing population of his community to that of an Indian. "Oh, well," said the Indian, "Just wait until they start playing Cowboys and Niggers." Ha, ha, ha. Strange, very strange, particularly as these were the most sincerely cordial and understanding people we'd met, barring the Gundry-Whites.
An article in the London Times this morning concerning efforts in desalination reads: "Rather to everybody's surprise, if only because American business men have a knack of ignoring the achievement of others,
Britain has much, if not the most, to offer."
To get back to our lovely Sunday outing: we then went to Burghley House. Lord Burghley was the Lord High Treasurer to Queen Elizabeth. I think he pocketed a few pounds to put this place together; its' rather fabulous and very elaborate. Unfortunately, it's not strictly 16th Century throughout but enough so that we could really "feel" Elizabethan for a while! Several state bedrooms, more appealing than any others we've seen, and gorgeous grounds with a neat "Ha-Ha wall"!!
Further down the road we stopped at the remains of
Oakham
Castle to see the room of horseshoes presented by the monarch to every peer of the realm on entering the lordship for the first time. We had thought this might be a highlight for the girls, but it was downright disappointing. As Julia said, "They aren't real horse-shoes at all" - some were over two feet across!!
The Guiding continues to be great! I would like to know what we can do about badge work. Shall Julia and Ann work for Guide Badges or can Miss Whatton okay completed requirements for American badges? Miss Briggs felt they should remain Girl Scouts, but we don't want to lose a year's star by not being enrolled in an American troop. All very complicated, but I'm sure the International Commissioner has met this problem before and will have all the answers! Julia (and I, perhaps) is/are scheduled for an overnight at the end of the month (girls over 13, as they are to walk over 6 miles!) We cooked supper outdoors Friday night at the meeting - a fire for each patrol and many sausages and even "chips." Ann's group did banana splits: tuck pieces of chocolate bar into a lengthwise cut of a banana, roast over the fire, peel and eat. They all said, "Mmmmmmm. Good!"
Love,
Mary
* * * * *
October 6, 1965
Dearest Gay.
There are so many, many people involved in the making of history, yet only a few personalities strike a chord of sympathy. Lady Jane Grey is one. Another that attracts my attention is St. Margaret, Queen of Scotland. Her life is incredible when one realizes the rough-and-tumble times in which she lived, even the very temperament of her husband! Yet to enter her chapel at
Edinburgh
Castle is to literally feel her serenity and at once understand how her piety could have moved men to acts of charity and goodness. An oasis in the desert!
Another one that catches my attention is Bonnie Prince Charlie, traipsing all over
Scotland, covering vast distances over rugged country. At
Edinburgh
Castle we saw the clothes he was wearing that he gave to Flora MacDonald in exchange for a maiden's attire! Great!
I, too, wish you were here. We'd have a jolly time of it, we would!
Much love,
Mary
* * * * *
October 7, 1965
Dearest Mom and Dad,
I heard the World Series on an Armed Forces Overseas Radio broadcast from
Frankfurt!
The November fog has rolled in. It seems that this is daily routine for several weeks - and it is early this year. Some days it clears to a blue, blue sky; other days it just stays foggy. The temperature continues in the 70's - very comfortable!
I said to Julia the other day, "Isn't it amazing to be sitting here in our living-room in
England watching the Pope as he prays in
New York City!" The reply: a shrug and "I don't know." The next generation ....
Everyone I spoke with reacted pretty much as I did: the lack of dignity in having such a spiritual leader zooming through New York city behind cops on motorcycles in a shiny, black limousine (not that it doesn't have to be done that way - it just isn't very simple or humble or terribly dignified); plus applause in the cathedral after a lusty stride down the aisle with people chatting with him all the way! Well, a standing ovation is great, but not in the chancel! I couldn't help but think of all the lovely cathedrals we've been in and the dignity of the services and people's behavior in them - and then that Italiano tenor crooning a good Protestant hymn "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" - too much!
Last night was the Annual Meeting of the Girl Guides of Leicester. Fortunately, the Captain, Dorothy Whatton, and her Lieutenant, Lesley Harvey, picked me up. They had a feeling that Miss Briggs was going to do something with me but knew not what - and were MOST kind in sticking by while Miss Briggs introduced me to all the important people there, saying to each one,"This is the daughter of the International Commissioner of the U.S.A.," etc., to which they all smile and mumble something about Leicester living up to something or other, we chat briefly, and then Miss Briggs finds another person to introduce me to. When she finally ran out of people, Dorothy and Lesley rescued me, and we retreated to some obscure seats in the back. I was so grateful that Miss Briggs didn't want me on the platform or some such. I enjoyed meeting these people, of course, but was glad to get back to my friends. They (and I) had a good laugh over my bumbling. The first person I was introduced to smiled and extended a hand; I extended my right - oops, she withdrew her left and extended the right just as I withdrew my right and extended my left! I mumbled "Gracious!", gave both hands a little shake-shake-shake, and we finally shook left-to-left, as B-P would have it!
The meeting was most interesting. It was never called to order or opened or anything - just the Scout signal for silence and someone started to speak! Quite a contrast to the meetings of Company #8, South Knighton, as well as to most Girl Scout
U.S.A. meetings!
Two girls modelled the new uniforms, which are perfectly ridiculous, for my money. The overblouse has a 3/4 length sleeve, V-neck (in this climate!), and is unbecoming, to boot! The hat is the only good part about it. ALL present agreed. Too bad. Give a credit to the committee at home who came up with our uniforms; EVERYone agrees that the Cadette and Senior uniforms are sharp!
There was an impassioned plea for new Guiders. "We're terribly short since we SHOULD have three per company," said the speaker - with all this conversation in the states that the Patrol System will enable one leader with a co-leader to handle 36 girls easily! Of course they all but laughed at the thought of ever having three and agreed that it wasn't necessary, yet it was on the agenda.
Much ado about the opening of THE campsite in Leicestershire last year by Miss Gibbs. Evidently it was miserably cold and wet, yet the occasion of the decade.
Miss Briggs showed some slides of some international events of '64, '65. Then the Rangers showed slides of their many and varied activities. They have a cracker jack Guider for that group so that those girls really have a ball. Much Ranger-Rover activity, too.
The meeting ended as it had begun: there were no more slides, so everyone just sort of started talking and some coffee was served. I met several other Guiders, younger ones, who are great. There definitely is a difference between the Briggs' set and my age group. It will be interesting to see what, if any, changes Guiding takes when these younger ones come to the top. This is true in every facet of life. You don't see young people in high office here any where, as you do in
America.
I didn't have an opportunity to talk with Miss Briggs about badge work. I hope Ann will be able to do the Sign of the Star U.S.A.-style AND a tenderfoot and 2nd Class in Guides. Is this possible? Both girls are going to work on the Traveller Badge, either U.K. or U.S.A. Julia, too, ought to be able to do Tenderfoot and 2nd Class, also Gardener, Homemaker, Local History, Music Lover, Cook - I don't know what all - certainly not all, but some.
We have plotted out a Juliette Low evening for the end of this month, if the Captain can fit us in. Both girls are enjoying the planning of this opportunity to teach the Guides about us, and they're learning a lot about their own organization, too!
Must run get some meat before early-closing-on-Thursday! I got left out last week, so we had sausage.
Much love,
Mary
* * * * *
October 9, 1965
Dear Granny,
Last night Mommy and I went to Girl Guides. Julia didn't go because she went to a party with some of her friends. At Girl Guides, or Guides as some of the girls call it, we stood in patrol lines and the patrol leader at the front. We all had to empty our pockets, and I only had a six-pence in my pocket!
The lefttenant counted points for some of the things and it added up to fifteen. Then we got in a circle and she gave each patrol the same kind of stick from a tree and we had to go and find the tree. We got two things wrong so we had eleven points. Then we played a most fun game. Then our patrol had to make up a stunt for 3 minutes. Well, that's all the room I have, so good-bye!
Love,
Ann
* * * * *
October 9, 1965
Dear Mom and Dad,
They're still kidding me about that hand-shaking bumble! They don't miss a trick, those two (the Captain and Lieutenant).
Okay on the nightwear. I'm sure we'll manage with our electric blankets - if Roger could just manage to keep the fire going!!! I keep telling him that it might be beneficial for us ALL if he would join the Boy Scouts, but he doesn't think it's all that funny! This little coke stove is good for about 8 hours when it's windy outside - crazy - in 1965!
Went to an "At Home 8-10" at the Vice Chancellor's last night. It's over and done with. I assume I told you that he couldn't understand our feelings with regard to the education bit, so we put him in what I call "the Brigg's Class" (and don't you ever let on that I've coined the phrase after her!) and just stay away.
This afternoon we're going to take a look at some antiquated canal locks with Bob Pritchard and the boys - tonight another dinner party with members of that great gang including the Wilks. We'll see whether or not there are any more "jokes."
I didn't see the Pope's UN speech - too bad. It must have been the best of the trip.
'Miss you both,
Much love,
Mary
* * * * *
October 12, 1965
Dearest Mom and Dad,
Now Scott and I can say we've been to a truly British Birthday party, yet I'm sure this was atypical for even the British! Mark being an only child, Barbara really goes all out for his birthday - as I, myself, have on several occasions. But one can hardly call such occasions "run of the mill."
The theme for this party was a football game. Each lad was encouraged to bring his football shoes and shorts so that they might play a real game. The chosen site was announced to be Victoria Park, and all the fellows believed it to be so; Barbara and Peter, however, knew that might cause havoc should it rain, so they used their racing stadium instead! It was great! Because they work there, they could set everything up and have it ready. Peter and I each took a carload of boys out after school, et voila! - they changed into their football togs. Then Peter and Shakib (a University student from
Iran who lives next door, a delightful chap) organized the game, explained the rules, picked teams - and they played hard and happily for over an hour while Barbara and I watched from the enclosed deck above!
Barbara had spent hours making things for the table. She had sewn blue and white hats and scarves (
Leicester colors), painted cardboard in the shape of pants and bony-knee'd legs and feet, and made sandwiches that could pass for striped socks.
The cake was in the shape of their football, which rested on a solid chocolate sole of a football shoe with strips of licorice wrapped in a roll for cleats! The goal was three pieces of Balsa wood for the frame, a wire for the shape, and a hair net stretched over it for the net!! Fabulous!!
Mark really appreciated it, too. Peter had made a tape of a brass voluntary, enough silence in which to ask the boys to rise, followed by a magnificent drum roll and FULL band playing "Happy Birthday." Well, that broke Mark up! He literally laughed himself under the table. The boys then (still standing) demanded a speech, which Mark mugged hilariously. Quite a show!
They played a few more games, and then we drove them home - tired but happy.
Unfortunately, our camera is still in the shop and Peter's camera was acting up, so we shan't have any permanent record of this gala affair.
Roger woke up with a headache Sunday morning, so we went nowhere. I spent the afternoon watching Barbara finish her party preparations.
Yesterday we bought a piano for 10 pounds! It comes tomorrow - can't wait! It's not bad!
Much love,
Mary
* * * * *
October 15, 1965
Dearest Mom and Dad,
We're off tomorrow (Saturday) on a four-day trip of Devon,
Somerset, Wiltshire, etc., planning to worship at
Salisbury on Sunday and return home by Tuesday at 5 o'clock for a birthday party of Scott's.
The Faculty Wives had a coffee hour on Wednesday. I was introduced to a couple of gals who had been to the States. Mrs. Hayes, who'd been in
Boston for 2 years and
Indiana for 3 years, said it was a real comeuppance to return. Her husband is one who didn't fall into the lure of the brain-drain (though he was sorely tempted); they did decide to return and have had a pretty rough time of it since their return in June. She said that two things stand out sharply: the unbelievably poor services here (repairs, etc., housing included) and the shocking misconceptions generally held about
America. She got downright emotional about the latter. It seems that they loved it over there and are deeply hurt when they get smacked with some of these things. She admitted that people are undoubtedly much more open about their anti-American feelings with her than they would be with me because they don't expect her to be sympathetic to the American cause. It made me feel better only in that it verified lots of feelings Rog and I had held without open proof.
There were several other nice gals there. I hope to meet them again somehow.
The piano arrived. It's lovely! At least it plays and doesn't sound TOO horrible. All of us gravitate to it periodically. It's fortunate that
Leicester doesn't have a really tempting music store because I'd buy them out! I see what you mean about prices. Any of the little recorder books are only 2 bob, 2/6, or 3 bob - amazing when nothing is less than $1 at home.
That last game of the world series was the strangest I've ever heard - all that great baseball in a crowded stadium with no cheering! I wish I could have seen it!
The Nobel Prize Committee rang Bob up and asked him to write a eulogy for Jacob and Co. in
Paris, but Bob declined - feels he's no good at expressing himself! Silly boy. He's perfectly charming and interesting and colorful, and every thing you could want; however, he turned them down. I maintain it's an honor to have been asked and should not to be tossed away. These men have such different concepts of prestige and importance these days!
Speaking of services, our camera won't be fixed for another three weeks or so. Fortunately the camera shop is lending us another to use in the meantime. We've taken precious few pictures.
Must get to bed and rest up for the journey.
Much love,
Mary
* * * * *
October 19, 1965
Dearest Mom and Dad,
How absolutely lovely to return from a four-day, head-spinning trip to be pulled back to reality by a letter from home announcing the arrival of color TV at 97 Essex! "Congratulations" and "Cheers" and "Jolly Good"!
I just want you to know that we had four of the loveliest, warmest, autumnal days one could ask for on our journey. The only spot with the slightest drawback was along the coast in Devon because there was a chilly wind and fog or mist or low clouds, whatever it's called, which hindered a long-range view. Too bad. But, like
Scotland, there remained enough to see that we didn't feel any of it a waste. It was glorious. I haven't learned so much in such a short time, or seen the children enjoy learning so much, ever before. "Bracing," as they say around here.
It would take forever to describe each aspect of the trip. Let it suffice to outline the itinerary and you imagine our excitement and wonder at each place - also how much we thought of you, especially at Upper and Lower Slaughter, Old Sarum, and Wells. I can't remember whether or not you ever climbed
Maiden
Castle, but that was a hugely dramatic experience after Old Sarum - like
Stonehenge after
Avebury Circle in reverse. It was HUGE, the day a sheer dream, the view breathtaking, the import of the massive mounds almost too much to comprehend.
Well, we left at 9 Saturday morning,
drove straight through to the Cotswolds,
meandered delightedly about,
stopped at
Avebury Circle for
lunch, on to
Stonehenge,
Old Sarum, and
Salisbury
for the night, where we shot
our wad and stayed at the
old coaching inn of
"The Red Lion" and
had dinner at
"Haunch of Venison."
Both of them were
fabulous!
Another high,
high spot was
Selworthy in
Somerset. Roger
liked the little
church there
absolutely best
of all. Really
great!
On to the Cathedral for church - excellent music when a capella, but the choir was seated in the retrochoir, so we couldn't see. The congregation does not participate much AT ALL. The verger kicked us out before the next service, so we didn't see all of the cathedral by a long shot. Damn!
On to
Maiden
Castle, lunch in the car en route to
Exeter (didn't stop) and
Dartmoor, then on to Bideford to spend the night in an inn 500 years old. The next morning we drove north and along the coast, took cable railway from Lynmouth to Lynton, had a wonderful stop at Cleeve Abbey (great), then Glastonbury (so glad to have stopped at Cleeve) and Wells for the night. Spent the better part of the morning there and loved it; on to
Bath for a look-see (brief), then home with one small meandering swing through Bourton-on-Water.
Home in time for Scott's party, too. Roger's busy building a fire in the coke stove, Julia's out in what's left of the garden picking beans for dinner (they look dreadfully tough), and Ann's unpacking. The clouds are gathering in the sky, and we couldn't care less. We've had such good weather for our travels that it really does seem as though our Guardian Angel wants us to see
England at its best.
Much love,
Mary
* * * * *
October 20, 1965
October 20, 1965
Dear Granny and Grandaddy,
It was a nice trip to south and south east
England. I saw lots of sheep in the middle of the road with two sheep dogs winding them in to the left side of the road, so they wouldn't get hit. So they had a job as well as the man yelling to keep sheep the move on so they wouldn't stop.
At Wells we saw arteses painting of trees and the Bishop's castle and the little lake with swans and ducks. One painting was done by finger, one pencil, and another in charcoal.
Love,
Prescott Walmsley
* * * * * * *
October 21, 1965
Dear Granny,
It's been a long time since I've heard from you. So I'm writing
to find out if Grandaddy, you, and everybody are well.
We took a trip to
Glastonbury. It was not very interesting in
some places. We also went to Lower Swell, Upper Slaughter and Lower Slaughter. I was asleep when they went through Lower Swell and Upper Slaughter. I woke up just in time to see Lower Slaughter. It was the
most beautifulest little town! It had a little foot bridge that looked
very old. It had steps on one side where one could pretend to go fishing. I said pretend because the brook was about one and a half yards wide and two inches deep.
We went to the post office, which was a little store really, and
I wanted an apple, so Daddy gave me the keys to the trunk of the car.
I started going back when I saw a white pony and two brown horses! I screamed for Julia and she came running down. That was the best part of that day! Well, I'm running out of words, so good-bye!
Love,
Ann
P.S. Write soon!
* * * * *
October 22nd, 1965
Dearest Mom and Dad,
This beautiful weather continues on and on. Early morning fog lifts by late morning to a toasty warm, sunny 70 degrees or so with little, if any, breeze. I realize that it's quite atypical, yet everyone is enjoying it thoroughly. I even got into the garden yesterday for about the first time. Ron Cooper bought the end house with the biggest lot, turned it all over, and then never got back to it. Actually, about half the backyard has a lawn with a nominal garden, but all very uninspired. Small wonder that they encouraged us with much enthusiasm to do ANYTHING at all with it!! Needless to say, it's not the most appealing chore when it's not your own, especially when there are so many other things to do, so I've avoided it up until now. I did manage to persuade a half-dozen Guides to work on their Gardener badge, so they came over yesterday and really did a wonderful job of the worst part, which inspired me to get on with the section nearer the house that we look at all the time. Annie and I did this and that all afternoon until my very bones ached. I came in and climbed into a hot tub of water (their bathtubs are a great joy to soak in because they're HUGE!) and began thinking of how nice that garden MAY be come spring - and about the schedule of your visit - and of speaking candidly!!! So, here are our thoughts:
First and foremost, it is more important to have your visit the happiest ever than to aim for Christmas, if that would not provide same. Amen. Now, the house is small. In pleasant weather the children can be out-of-doors, in winter it wouldn't be so. It is dark at 4 in the afternoon, or so Barbara says. The children's vacation commences December 23rd and lasts until January 6th, so they would be around much of the time. I've pulled the "Kent-and-Dorset-are-supposed-to-be-lovely-in-mid-winter" bit on several people and get nothing but blank stares, so I assume that's not necessarily so. Sum total = your idea of Easter or spring may very well be the best for all. This is not to imply in any way whatsoever that we won't miss you dearly at Christmas, but then it will give us something to look forward to. Roger and I want to "do"
Hampshire,
Kent, and Dorset, too, and have purposely left it until springtime because
Kent is known as the
Garden of
England, and EVERYONE agrees to that! With two cars, we might even make a joint trip, which could be loads of fun!
We also want to tour the continent sometime in the spring, but a date has not yet been decided. I'll give you the children' holiday schedule and let you plan around same to you convenience.
no school - April 7 to 20
no school - May 28,29,30,32
Roger is not certain that he wants to count on the summer months for travel. Not only might/will it be crowded, but he just might be percolating along on some experiment and be desperate to finish before his departure. I can easily understand this. Consequently, we had been toying with the idea of make that trip over the Easter holiday - but nothing has been decided. I would be willing to simply remove the children from school to make that trip any time.
I don't know how the May dates look to you, but that, too, would be a great time to make a trip. Four to seven days is a good length for a sortie into the southeast. Then the children return and go to school and the house is delightfully quiet again.
Mull all this over, and you be candid, too! As I've said, we want this to be an especially wonderful trip for you both, so, by "minimizing the maximum risk" (quote Unk), we can get a start by selecting the best time.
I surely do wish that it were feasible for Ann to move to
Philadelphia or
Vermont or some place where she would have an introduction into a community. This business of meeting people is hard enough wherever you are, but particularly so as a single person with children. My heart goes out to her in this situation. I don't think there is an obvious solution. She's been so patient and so strong for so long. Five years is a long time - a long time _____________ .
This afternoon is "The Sound of Music" time for all five Walmsleys. I LOVE Julie Andrews, and it will be most interesting, indeed, to see this interpretation of the family's story.
Your color TV sounds most exciting! I hope the color is good and not too green and pink.
Roger found the news that Feynman had gotten the Nobel Prize at last. Evidently, among physicists he is considered one of THE most outstanding contributors of the century - for MUCH work done for the past twenty plus years, not just the work cited by Nobel Inc. He's a queer duck, too, evidently - we've all laughed uproariously at "Feynman stories" told at parties, how his first wife divorced him because he insisted on playing bongo drums all night, etc.. At least those three Biologists look like right nice normal chaps!
Much love,
Mary
* * * * *
October 25, 1965
Dearest Mom and Dad,
"The Sound of Music" was marvelous. I could watch Julia Andrews for hours and hours. I thought that, as a whole, they had done a fair (honest) job of Americanizing the Trapps, which is just as well, if you can't really capture the Austrian feeling well. There were a few little details that made me laugh, like the Mother Superior singing in a somewhat operatic voice about looking over the rainbow! But other details, like the laendler (which was danced beautifully and really is to this day a very, very special dance in the family) and the yodeling background to the puppet show, were presented in very good taste. We all loved it. I want to see it again!
We went to an "At Home After 8" Saturday evening - in the fog. They say the fog's come early this year; usually it's mostly in November. Roger's a riot, driving along following the curb - then suddenly the curb isn't there because you're in the middle of an intersection, so he says, "Hallo" and pokes ahead! We got there slowly but surely, but we've been told, "That's nothing. Wait until the conductors have to lead the buses back home again!"
We met several other delightful people at the party - one in particular, Hans Kornberg. He is Leicester University's biggest claim to fame, a top-notch, first ranking biochemist of world renown who has spent the last couple of summers in Woods Hole sailing a Cape Cod Knock-About through the hole! Both he and Monica are wonderful people, and you will certainly meet them sooner or later. Everyone admits that he's the exception to the rule - a first class scientist who's completely human.
Sunday morning found Scott still trying to get rid of a cold, so we knew we'd have to forego either church or our date with the Gundry-Whites. Alas! It was the Lord who was slighted! We did say prayers here, fixed the house for dinner, and then all drove down to Peter's parents' house - toward Bedford but away from everywhere (in a literal sense). Their house is an old farmhouse, the farm part being farmed by someone else. 200 sheep (in the spring it nears 600) and cows. They are both perfectly delightful people. We had a marvelous visit with them. We walked down the lane and across some fields, took Christmas card pictures, then went in (it was ANOTHER beautiful Sunday) for high tea. Roger hasn't been treated to High Tea as much as I have, so his eyes bugged with the elaborate spread which always seems endless - sort of like a pastry smorgasbord! That was followed by highballs next to the fire in yet another room, by which time (7:30) we left for the hour's drive home so that I could get dinner on the table for us all. I had it planned so that it would be ready in 30 to 40 minutes, but even so, we ate well after nine! They finally left when it was going on eleven. Poor Scott! Anything one does with the Gundry-Whites will be great - and new - and different!
Much love,
Mary
* * * * *
