The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1944-12-28

Greetings from your wandering
daughter from Merry ole England
Our trip was very nice. 1t real
ly was almost a pleasure cruise. Our
ship accommodated us well. We
had lots Of fun and met and got
acquainted with everyone -. We
had movies and a ships dance band
played several times during the day
on deck | really couldn't believe
that | was crossing the ocean and
not going to set foot on the good
old u. S. A. when we reached our
destination.
Our first look at England was
from the ship so we didn't see too
much but later, on the train, we
passed through beautiful country
side. The pictures and descriptions
| have seen and reads.fii pe<4aetly
The matched roofs, and all the
chimneys, the hedges and gardens.
Very picturesque -.
Our days are much the same
routine. We take turns getting up
in the a. m. to start the fire. We
RlOFlcCA 1dkC Ouk VI q cAAdSli(0
tin can and were surprised to find
it works! We burn coke and occa-
sionally get piece of coal. It takes
much coaxing and | think we have
given it too much attention, but il
is better than freezing
when we are really on the ball
we wash. clothes or wash our hair
or wash ourselves or wash some
thing or other. BY now | suppose
you've gathered we spend half our
time scrubbing, which needless tc
say is true. It's really vicious
cycle. OF course, the problem of hot
water and something to wash in is
a mere detail. We keep a dekail
posted and when the report comes
back, hot water, we make wild
dash for it loaded with pals, pans
soap and scrub brushes. Our helmets
make good utensils too We use
them to take baths in, heat water in
wash clothes in and when we first
came here, were carrying coal ir
theml
Our dinner was very good today
We had swiss steak, mashed pota-
toes, and gravy, string beans, breac
and butter and chocolate pudding
We have all the butter and jam we
want. Powdered eggs and milk are
the hardest to get used to-. This
morning for breakfast we had han
and fried egg First fresh egg In {
long time. | surely miss fresh milk
The English do not have pasteur.
ization laws SO we cannot drink
their milk or eat their beef. The
t. B. rate is very high here.
Their cars here are very small
and their left hand drive is very
Confusing at first We went sigh
seeing and went through very
beautiful cathedral which was bull
in 1856 We went shopping bit. O.
course there is very little to buy
We could however get coffee (theil
tea is rationed), bread, tea cakes
crumpets and a few pastries.
tried to get some Christmas card
but there are very few and are very
expensive. We made reservation
for dinner at seven. Aside from tn,
fact we had table linen (no nap
kins) and silverware and china, tn,
dinner wasn't too good. We ha(
chicken and of course brusse
sprouts. | don't think the English
eat a meal without including then
on the menu.
Il don't imagine it christmas
will quite be the same over her
but somehow or other we Away
manage to joke and make the hes
of the situation. We are starting
choir with the enlisted men and vii
undoubtedly have a nice Christina
service. Our Thanksgiving Dime
was super considering the circum
stances. We had a very deliciou
turkey dinner Our desert was a
orange and maybe you don't thin
think that was goodl