13.8.39
Dear Angela
Forgive me for not writing before now but I have just returned from a weeks stay at Barnard Castle. Barnard Castle is a small village on the moors and there are many pleasant walks nearby. I am sending two views, one of the ruined castle (it was built in 1379 A.D.) and the other of a beautiful old bridge across the Tees near an old abbey. I had a great time and there was only one day on which it rained.
We have had our school sports and I was Middle Champion (that is champion of the boys from 14-16 yrs old) winning three events, 100 yds, 220 yds and hurdles and having four seconds. I was presented with a cup and a cricket bat.
We finished school here on July 27th and do not go back until Sept 20th. I got a very good report from school so there were no complaints at home.
I think I know what you mean about that Australian animal, it is a koala bear, and I have a photo of one, which my cousin sent me. (Photo not bear!)
I am sending you an Australian stamp. I know this is very little but I will ask for some more in my next letter to Australia and Germany. You may have to wait for a fairly long time as it takes five weeks to reach Australia and my German correspondent is none too swift in answering. I hope you don’t think I have let you down about the stamps but I will send some sometime.
I only returned from Barnard Castle yesterday and am leaving for a fortnights camp on Tuesday 15th August. I am going with seven other boys from school and we are certain that we will have a good time if we are not “washed out”. We are going to a small village called Eastgate, this is also on the moors. It is beside Woolsingham, and both villages are on the river Wear, Barnard Castle is in the river Tees. You may not find these on the map as they are very small, but they will be marked on a large scale map.
I have been to the swimming baths fairly often in the last few weeks. I was going to go for a dip in the sea every morning about 8-o-clock, I went in once and it was raining the next morning and the scheme fell through, partly because it was too early to rise.
I will have to close now as I have many odd jobs to do and little things to get before packing for camp.
Your English friend
Harold
Dear Angela
Forgive me for not writing before now but I have just returned from a weeks stay at Barnard Castle. Barnard Castle is a small village on the moors and there are many pleasant walks nearby. I am sending two views, one of the ruined castle (it was built in 1379 A.D.) and the other of a beautiful old bridge across the Tees near an old abbey. I had a great time and there was only one day on which it rained.
We have had our school sports and I was Middle Champion (that is champion of the boys from 14-16 yrs old) winning three events, 100 yds, 220 yds and hurdles and having four seconds. I was presented with a cup and a cricket bat.
We finished school here on July 27th and do not go back until Sept 20th. I got a very good report from school so there were no complaints at home.
I think I know what you mean about that Australian animal, it is a koala bear, and I have a photo of one, which my cousin sent me. (Photo not bear!)
I am sending you an Australian stamp. I know this is very little but I will ask for some more in my next letter to Australia and Germany. You may have to wait for a fairly long time as it takes five weeks to reach Australia and my German correspondent is none too swift in answering. I hope you don’t think I have let you down about the stamps but I will send some sometime.
I only returned from Barnard Castle yesterday and am leaving for a fortnights camp on Tuesday 15th August. I am going with seven other boys from school and we are certain that we will have a good time if we are not “washed out”. We are going to a small village called Eastgate, this is also on the moors. It is beside Woolsingham, and both villages are on the river Wear, Barnard Castle is in the river Tees. You may not find these on the map as they are very small, but they will be marked on a large scale map.
I have been to the swimming baths fairly often in the last few weeks. I was going to go for a dip in the sea every morning about 8-o-clock, I went in once and it was raining the next morning and the scheme fell through, partly because it was too early to rise.
I will have to close now as I have many odd jobs to do and little things to get before packing for camp.
Your English friend
Harold
