25 Staff FP
1 February 1917
My Dear Father
I had your postcard this morning and was sorry to learn you were ill, I hope you'll take great care in this treacherous weather, you ought to drive up in a closed cab or motor for a few days when you're fit for going to Evesham again.
I would have written before to let you know of my arrival, but expected to hear soon, so waited.
I had a fair journey on Saturday and Sunday, the night train as we went north from Marseilles got pretty cold. We got to Paris about nine in the morning, though very cold. Paris looked so bright and clean. I walked a fair distance altogether during the day, being Sunday the shops were closed so the boulevards were less crowded than usual. There were several of us in the party and some of us met for lunch at the Café de Paris. I looked Norton up, but found he had left, probably for the French Front.
Amongst our party was a fellow I had been abroad with a fair amount, he is a Worcestershire cricketer, Taylor, and lives at Birlingham – is a captain in the gunners. I found the change of climate rather sudden as the front was still intense here, but it tends now to be warmer and I'm getting used to it. There is not a big volume of work on hand just now, so I can slip into harness easily.
Since returning I've had more satisfactory news of Mary and Baby and I hope with warmer days they'll soon both be quite themselves again.
I suppose the Avon has been frozen this year. I can just remember going on the river in 1890, and remember skating there in '95 when I was at school in Evesham.
I feel great benefit from my stay down South. The convalescent home is very well appreciated by most of the people sent there. I think some find the contrast between “the line” and the Cap Martin place almost too acute, especially when the time comes to return.
I shall look forward to your letter in a few days, and hope you'll be able to report good progress. I'm glad you had Leslie in to see you.
With love to all at home.
Your affectionate son
Arthur
