5th December 1939

In the morning we went by taxi to Lloyds Bank, stopping on the way at Selfridges, where Marion went through Toyland and was given a present of Ludo by Father xmas himself. At 2 o'clock we left for Exeter, on 6th, arriving at 5.30 again in the black-out.
Arrived in Exeter, we went to Westem Hotel for 3 days, then we moved nearer town to Hotel Osborne, which was very nice. We stayed here till 21st December, moving to Mrs Mitchell, in Topsham, as paying guests, so as to be near the bungalow we bought.
We spent a very jolly Xmas, with Dickie (Hazel) and Peter Mitchell. Long table, in garlanded dining room, stockings hanging from mantelpiece. On christmas morning, turkey and plum pudding.