Thursday night 23.
Dear René,
Hallo René, thank you very much for your welcome letter of 13th arrived yesterday, I was very glad to hear from you, I’d just returned to billets feeling tired with study all day and listening to lectures, was very pleased to see your familiar hand, which I have come to know so well.
Oh dear! So much writing, listening to do that I haven’t had a chance to write even tho’ this isn’t a proper letter, it’s nearly ‘lights out’ and well past bed-time, I do feel tired so please forgive me if this is not up to standard, I promise to write over the weekend. It appears that you too have been working at all hours and I do thank you for writing just the same, afraid I’ve not been quite so faithful in writing.
I’m so glad you don’t object to writing often, if you knew how much I enjoy your letters it would be some consolation to you, I envy you sitting out in a deck chair despite the heat wave which no doubt is over by this time.
Please René, don’t take any notice of my unkind remarks about paragraphs, you write the most charming letters and wouldn’t have you alter them a bit. Perhaps, and I know I do, say some very idiotic things, very egotistically (phew!! English course!), so don’t pay attention to any funny things I try to say, or we shan’t be natural towards one another and spoil the charm of correspondence, it holds much charm to receive from you.
I’d love to come to Tuckton, that’s a date for you, I thought at the time, “What a beautiful spot to visit”, but didn’t like to say so much.
Sorry you are working so hard and long, you must get very tired, it’s wonderful, the way you manage to stick it for so long.
Ha ha! I’ll have a birthday if you send some snaps of B’th, I’m trying to be very patient, but you know which snap I’m really looking forward to, and I hope you find the knitting bag alright, I’m not alone in my untidiness, or forgetfulness!
I trust painting won’t stop you writing, suggest you “stagger” the time!
Friday midday.
Wasn’t able to complete this last night, am on guard tonight so must hasten and get this off as you will be thinking you are being forgotten which I assure you is incorrect. Another pleasant surprise today, your letter of 15th, was very glad to hear from you again. On Sunday morning I’ll start early and write a long letter and answer all your queries, if not too many! Thank you for all the compliments, glad you think I can write well, mustn’t get swell-headed, I’m only a ‘learner’ yet, perhaps the course will help. We are very busy ie, fully occupied the whole time, we work from 9-1, 3.30-7.0, which allows say 3 hours for ‘off’ periods, including any spare study and personal affairs. I have to prepare a talk for next Wed, a discussion for Tuesday (4 of us) at the Fellowship up the road, an essay I believe, so don’t have much time off, I’ve been to the pictures once here only. On Sunday I’ve been asked to play for 10.00 service, there’s a tour of churches at 2.00 so don’t know whether I’m on head or heels, but it’s very interesting and I’m benefiting greatly by the change, will tell you more later about the place, you’d love it I think. Thanks for personal description Renie, there! I knew you had brown eyes! Durley looks a lovely spot, I see we shall be out sight seeing quite a lot, you must come to Bristol some time and let me repay the ‘conducting’
I had some bad meat for dinner last night and had a bad stomach this morning but struggled thro’, feel OK now.
You may not be like a film star, but I think you are just as attractive, and your letters are delightfully expressive.
Must close now as duty calls,
With every fond wish
affectionately
Eric (or “Riccy” if you wish)
Best wishes to Auntie,
Keep smiling,
“Brown eyes!”
