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it is still cold, and this evening we had a
shower of hail - What a delight it is to see the
aconites and snow drops in full flower, and
here and there an early crocus. To help
the scanty supply of eggs procurable in Davidson's
Mains, I am getting a couple of doz. [dozen] on alternate
weeks at 2/9d a doz [dozen] plus 6d on postages. I also
get a couple of rabbits weekly from Dalbeattie.
I don't mind the meagre meat ration as
I eat little and am more dependent on eggs.
I consume a large dish of porridge every
morning, and that, with coffee & milk, & two pieces
of toast, constitutes my breakfast, I ask for
nothing better.

6th. March 1941
For the fifth time this winter the ground has been
covered with snow. Last night I lectured
to the Royal Philosophical Society of Glasgow
on some Homes of the Prehistoric People in Scotland.
It was a very wet night but I had a large
and interested audience. Prof. [Professor] & Mrs Mackie
put me up and after the lecture Col. [Colonel] (Prof) [Professor]
Edington entertained me to dinner at the
Automobile Club. The party consisted of, beside
the host, Mackie, Prof. [Professor] Hindle (Prof [Professor] of Zoology)
and one Alison a C.A. [Chartered Accountant] who collected glass etc.
in a mild way. We had an excellent 5 course
dinner and contrary to my habit, drank wine.

It is the first time I have attended a dinner
party of any sort for a year or two and I
greatly enjoyed it. nor did I feel any the worse
for it this morning. On the high ground
between this and Glasgow the snow was
lying to a depth of from 3-4 inches. Here
it is rapidly disappearing.

Friday 14th. March 1941
What a night we have had! Last night Mary was
at home on a 24 hour leave. The moon was full and
the weather calm with clear sky. We were just listening
to the news at 9.10 when off went the sirens, (as I
write 8.45 AM - they have just started again!) We sat on listen:
:ing to the wireless expected that the “all clear” would
sound after the usual half hour with nothing having
happened. Nothing happened till about 10.30 when
we heard the sound of distant firing, seemingly
in the direction of the Mouth of the Forth. This
continued at varying intensity with intervals
till 1.30 when it seemed to have come to an end.
So, Mary having previously gone to bed, I did the
same. I slept till about 3.15 when the guns at
Pilton opened out and their roar shook the
windows & even seemed to shake the house. This
was alarming so I rose & dressed lying down,
on my bed. By 5.30 all firing had stopped
for some time so I undressed & got into bed.
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