Letter from Ursula Valentine to her husband John Valentine

Letter from Ursula Valentine to her husband John Valentine

Writes of rain, gardening and finances. Concludes with family chat and fact that daughter Frances is not taking to new gas mask.

1942-05-11

Two page handwritten letter

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No.? - Oh hell, I don't know!

Lido
May 11th Tuesday.

Johnny my dearest,
That rain we had on Sunday evening continued all night and has done an awful lot of good. I have put in some dwarf French beans, & radishes, and another row of perpetual spinach because the first lot you sowed under the roses is mostly gaps. The potatoes are now through, at least those on the further side of the onions are, I suppose those were the Epicures, & the heavier ones the Sharps Express, because I believe Epicure are the earlier of the two. Some of the artichokes are through too. I have staked the first two lots of peas - one third now is just coming through - and the whole thing is beginning to look more like something. I told you over the phone that I'd put in 2 rows of main crop carrots. I'm wondering now if that's going to be enough. We have actually eaten our way through last year's crop which were stored - They'd kept alright but were a rather worm-eaten lot to start with. However they're gone now.

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I'm probably only going to put 10/- of the money you sent into our joint P.O. book because I've had some extra expenses, viz having the kitchen sink mended (it was leaking) which cost 6/6, shoes repaired etc. The gas bill, which I've paid, is £1. 1. 9. & as far as I can make out from the wee bookie, there's precious little left in House a/c, something over £1., so I hope no more bills come this month. The telephone has been paid too, the toll charges which I queried were left over from December & were in order. Of course I'm only embezzling 10/- of what you sent, the £1 goes toward your tennis racquet which I hope to collect on Thursday, as there's a rather nice concert on that day.
What do you suggest for Ann's birthday? The 21st is getting very close. I suppose a book is best but have no idea what she'd like.
Frances is not taking kindly to her new gas mask, so I'm going very cautiously & not forcing matters, because as far as I can see, if she won't wear it willingly, nothing but brute force will keep it on in an emergency & that would be very trying for all concerned. Let's hope it will never happen tho' I think it quite possible.
All my love to you darling
Ursula.