April 21, 1944 (Friday)

Dear Dad,

        Sorry for the slight delay in writing but have been extremely busy.  We had a smooth trip all the way and the train ride down here was simply gorgeous.  Never in my life have I seen such a beautiful country.  Words just can't describe it.  I used to think that Fred Cass (?) and Phil were exagerrating a bit on the grandness of the English countryside but I take it all back.
        The weather has been simply marvelous since we landed and everything is in bloom.  Even the grass is the prettiest colour of green I have seen.  No fooling, Pop, you must set aside a few hundred smackers and take a trip to England with Mom after the war.
        I have decided to go to Scotland on my leave just to see the country.  Then I'm coming back down to London and looking up as many as I can from home.  We get a free traveling warrant to go any place in England or Scotland while on leave so I might just as well use it.  I hope to see George E. on the way up.
        We have wonderful quarters here and the meals are better than they were at (?Lachone?).  Most of the boys I know are in the same hotel with me so we have a lot of fun.  It reminds me a lot of where you and Mom, Les and hattie (?) spent the week with me last year; only our rooms are a bit nicer.
        So far the only one I have caught up with is Archie and he's been plastered every night so I don't bother with him.  Sonny and Lionel left some time ago.  The beer here is wonderful stuff. I even passed thru' the town where Bass Ale is made - that's something, isn't it?
        I have tried of the the brands and am sold on Worthington myself ahem!  The pubs are open mostly all the time which makes it very handy.  I don't know of anything else I need besides what I mentioned in my first letter unless it is soap. Don't send a bottle in a loaf of bread as I hear they weigh the loaves now - nor soap until I run out as we can buy soap here.
        Last night one of the guys came back with some fresh eggs from the country so we had a feast at midnight.  It was as much a novelty as anything else.
        The tiny cargo trains (IND) over here amaze me.  No fooling the freight cars are no bigger than wheel barrows.  It's hard to get used to this right hand drive business - especially while riding on a bicycle.  And some of the army vehicles drive at 30 - 40 MPH right through town.
        Well I think I have told you about everything I can. Truthfully, I have seen and experienced more in the last 4 days than I have in the last 4 years in Canada.  I must get this mailed now so Adeo for a day or so.

Much Love, Son.