Petone
Upper Deal
Kent
Nov 21 1909
Dear Julius
I am glad to be able to resume our fortnightly correspondences after so long an interval - but you must be satisfied with a short letter tonight as I do not yet feel very much up to writing.
I daresay Arthur has given you an account of our journey down here yesterday week which was accomplished very successfully and with very little fatigue to myself - however as soon as we had our 4 o’clock tea and Arthur had started on his return journey, I went to bed and stayed there all Sunday as I thought it wiser to do so. Since that I have had breakfast in bed and got up at 11 am and sat up until 7 or 8 pm and I am gradually gaining strength I am glad to say.
Yesterday week was the end of the mild weather and Sunday till Friday saw us with hard NE winds but dry and fine - we were fortunate not to have it so cold for our journey. Yesterday was warmer and I went out for an hour in a Bath-chair and enjoyed the air much. Now we have a falling glass and wind about NW so we may perhaps have a change for the worse in the weather.
I have had Brett to clear up the garden (which was a perfect wreck with the late storms) and have had the first fruit trees removed from the South Wall ready for the roses which you kindly say you can spare me. I have ordered the wires and staples for training them to and hope to have them put up this week. As you say, I shall have to give up any exertion of any kind and make up my mind to [?] time to do so if I wish to live.
No doubt it will be irksome but I must put up with it. I have sent my cycle to Deal to be sold so as not to be tempted to ride it again.
Glad you were able to see Cyril on your way home.
Now I must conclude this (the first letter I have written) with love to Eugénie and your circle from us both.
Your affectionate brother
Geo C Sladden
