Saturday
In England, Verne writes in his diary . . . .
02-10-45
Pass1 came through okay and made good connections all the way to town. Arrived about noon [yesterday, February 9]. Had my clothes pressed and it helped the looks a little bit. Was invited to stay at an English home through Red Cross. Sure had a nice time. They heated the bed at night with hot water bag. Woke me up in the morning by bringing up a cup of hot tea. Spent quite a bit of time playing darts.2 Arm is pretty sore from it. No rooms were heated except the front and dining room. All meals were light ones except breakfast. It was comprised of beans, sausages, fried bread and tea. Drank about 20 cups of tea per day.
Notes & Commentary
1 This was a 48-hour pass to London. He appears to have gone alone.
Note: I wonder how many families took in soldiers as this one did?
2 Verne may have spent the day at darts because of the weather which was described as: “Very cold, bitter wind; bright sunny morning, dull later. Then followed hail, snow, sleet, rain, thunder and lightning.”
“10th Feb 1945: what a day!.” War and peace and the price of cat-fish. (http://myunclefred.blogspot.com/ : accessed 10 February 2015)
Wayne's Journal 