Cocks letter diary, 1916-1919 / Verner Cocks - Page 43
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[Page 43]
& I have met many I know.
Had a look inside an old Inn the other day. There was the same old fireplace like the kitchen in Wentworth's house & all the old chaps sitting around drinking & telling yarns. Everything you read about "Old England' is true to the letter. We were listening to the thrush one evening & as one English poet has written he sings each song twice over
"Lest you think he could never recapture
That first time rapture."
and each song is different.
We all woud give anything for a bicycle, the roads are so beautiful but we don't mind the walking through such country. We have plenty of time to see things just now as we knock off at 4.30 & it is light up to 10.30 easily. The "Daylight Saving Bill" is in force here & the clock is at present an hour ahead of real time. One chap was wandering about in his pyjamas the other night wondering "how they expected a man to go to bed in the daylight", it was about 10 pm.
Talking about clothes I have plenty. I suppose I have not used more than two pairs of sox two undershirts & underpants, one tunic & one pair of pyjamas - which have been washed twice. During the first of the voyage things were so miserable & cold that we were obliged to live pretty dirty - & during the latter end we wore hardly anything & when we did wash waited for them to dry & put them on again. Heard you can buy anything in camp pretty cheaply, but I have enough clothes to last me easily two years.
The Y.M.C.A. have a place a place right opposite our camp where we get eggs & bacon & all kinds of things very cheaply. They treat the soldiers very well & necessarily do a wonderful amount of good. I am getting some good prints of my films done in London & will send the [them] on afterwards together with the films.
Later
Have posted about 40 pictures to you by this mail so look out for them. 40 more coming with films also letter to Bell so prepare her for it.
Your loving son
Verner
P.S. Fine meals now - eggs & bacon & porridge for breakfast this morning.
6.