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[Page] 125
[continued from page 124]

the people to ‘arms’ and give a lead. Mean:
:while we are going through one of the worst
winters in my memory. I have not seen a
green blade of grass from my windows for
5 or 6 weeks and today after the worst
blizzard I ever remember in Edinburgh
there is a foot of snow on the ground.
Last night we had 22° of frost and last
week on three consecutive nights we had
20°, 20°, and 24°! Scores of villages are snow
bound, some are being supplied by air.
In the South the worst weather occurred in
the earlier part of the winter when we had
comparatively mild conditions, now
that is all changed! Rabbits are doing
immense damage in the country eating
the bark off trees: hares are destroying
young plantations and farmers are at
their wits end to find hay for their flocks.
Meanwhile we exist uncomfortably. Our
electric supply is cut off at 8.0 every
morning, though nominally at 8.30
just when I am getting up so my dressing
has to performed uncomfortably in
the bathroom. It is off again from
1.30 to 3.30 p.m. and not infrequently we

have sat in the dining room wearing great
coats and with rugs round our knees. How
welcome are the parcels that come from
friends in lands of plenty. An old friend
Mildred Parker, whom I used to meet at the
Balfours in London, has been most mindful.
Marmalade, tins of cheese, cooking fat,
beef stew, soap (toilet and flakes) all come out
of such parcels. Our meat ration is very
meagre and frequently to relieve the
household, Mary and I lunch at our
clubs in town, where we are excellently
fed. But for the deep snow this has been a
lovely day with bright sunshine.

13th. March 1947
What a day! After heavy snow last night
all was white again this morning. The few patches
of green that had appeared at the edge of the lawn
were once more hidden and a heavy cresting of snow
bedecked the trees and hedge-rows. It has snowed
almost continuously with light dry flakes all
day, driven forward into drifts in places by a
strong east wind. It is with difficulty that I have
been able to keep warm indoors: It was arranged
that I should accompany my friend Blackwood,
to a geographical lecture on travels in western China
in the Usher Hall. dining at his house beforehand
[continued on page 126]

  Transcribers who have contributed to this page.

Jane F Jamieson