Week of 14 February 1927

Monday, 14 February 1927

Winchester

Still fog - so we decided to leave motoring alone. After lunch we went out by bus to Itchen Stoke and walked across the river to Ovington. Looked at "Barley Down House" - a dismal place right away from everywhere. We walked back to Winchester along the Alton road - more than 5 miles. Foggy still.

Tuesday, 15 February

Winchester

Still fog - so we postponed pushing off as it no good going to see houses and country with such poor visibility. Walked about in the morning, and after lunch looked at the Winchester College Chapel Cloisters + Chantry and Collegians' big hall of study. Then went on to the Cathedral for Evensong which was very beautiful. We sat in the choir.

In the morning we looked at the Castle Hall. We received photos of Wickham Bishops and Capel St Mary rectories from H.A. Cobbe of Ipswich today.

Wednesday, 16 February

Winchester - Horsham

We left Wellington House Kingsgate St at 10.15 am and drove via Twyford, Bishops Waltham..... Hambledon, Waterlooville to a house called "Broadway" in Catherington near Thorndean and were shown over it by Mr and Mrs C.B. Gibbings. Then went on to Horsham via Petersfield, Midhurst...and Billinghurst. Put up at The Black Horse, a Trust House. After tea we went to the railway station and saw Reg Bruce and Horrie when they arrived from Elmhurst Farm in their new Fiat car. Saw them off in their train for London and then drove back to the hotel in the Fiat.

Our run today 79 minutes. Polly drove all the time.

Thursday, 17 February

Horsham - Bethersden

We left Horsham about 11 am and motored via Crawley, East Grinstead, Tunbridge Wells, where we lunched, to Bethersden. We had the hood of the car down. Found Cosh.... and "Trothy". The latter knew us both.

Distance 71 miles

Friday, 18 February

Bethersden - Colchester
Left Oakhurst about 11 am. Trothy ? very sorry to see us leave. Ran through Ashford to Maidstone. Rochester to Gravesend. Crossed the ferry to Tilbury. Then on to Brentwood (lunch). Then via Chelmsford etc. to Colchester and put up at the "Cups" hotel.

Distance 93 miles

Saturday, 19 February

Colchester - Dedham

We left the "Cups" hotel about 11 am and drove to East Bergholt, looking for "apartments". Found a house next to Post Office and arranged to move in their on Monday as they could not take us before. We went to Dedham and lunched at "The Old House" and arranged to stay there till Monday. After lunch we motored to Capel St Mary and looked at "The Old Vicarage" (Revd Robertson) and the garden, grounds and outbuildings. Had a puncture and changed wheels.

Sunday, 20 February

"The Old House", Dedham

Polly had her breakfast in bed. I wrote letters, etc. in morning. After lunch we drove to Hillside, Freston, and saw the Fryers. Each of us had a talk with Kitty who is still very weak and in bed, with two nurses. But the doctors are very hopeful about her. We stayed for tea with Leslie and Kenny and drove back to Dedham in time for evening service.