SS Normania
11/04/1917
My Dearest Mother
Here I am stuck again: it is a rotten business. We didn’t go last night and I shall be very astonished if we go tonight: it is simply too sickening. It spoils everything to be kept hanging about like this. The weather is very rough and the rumours fly thick and fast. I have the other VAD from No. 2 as a stable companion. We got ourselves put together as it is more cheerful to be with a person one knows. I simply hate being stuck like this: now my leave is over I want to get back to my work and simply can’t bear loafing around here. This morning we walked out to Netley and gazed on the hospital from a respectful distance: we also inspected the ruins of Netley Abbey which are extensive and very fine.
This afternoon we went to the pictures, I am deadly bored.
I enjoyed my leave so much and it was so ripping seeing you all again. You were so good to me and so generous, it isn’t just the money you spent for me it is the way it was done and I do thank you awfully now though for the life of me I couldn’t have done it yesterday when I said goodbye to you.
The weather is foul rain and hail and snow and wind all the time.
The Red Cross people at 83 Pall Mall are indeed failing. They have lost my receipt for my carnet. I ought to have noticed that it was not there but had such a sheaf that I didn’t miss it till I was looking over my papers in the train. It was jolly careless of them all the same as the papers were all clipped together.
My Belgian leave paper will be overdue with this rotten hold up. I think I shall be able to get my carnet out of the Havre people all right as I know its number.
I must dry up now: I am too gloomy to write anymore: my travellings are indeed ill fated.
Best love to you all
Your loving Dorothy
About Alford 