[On letterhead marked: Savoy Hotel, London]

Sunday Night April 30th, 44

My Dearest,

We arrived here at about dark last night. After getting to Bermuda at noon (West time) we fuelled, had lunch at the Governor's & left at 4.30. Instead of going to Lisbon & then to Foynes we came direct to Foynes-a run of 19 hours & extending to 3140 miles. One of the longest hops in the world. I rather think the weather gods were kind as we had a very good run. Then we came by land plane-taking 3 hours to London. We left Washington at 5 AM Friday & arrived here at 9PM Saturday, & outside 1 1/2 hrs in a a car & 2 1/2 hours at Bermuda were in the air all the time. I went to bed after meeting Mr Bruce & other officials. Am feeling better than when I left, although I copped out in the back a few times when the plane lurched. Weather here is nice & the trees more advanced in foliage than in USA. No sirens screamed last night. This morning I had a look at the bombed areas & the effect is bad.

The buildings are just ruins & the scarred city has a queer impression. Had lunch with Mr Bruce & he talked. Mr Churchill telephoned to me a cordial welcome. This afternoon Shedden & I went for a drive to Maidenhead on the upper reaches of the Thames. Saw the winding hedge-bordered lanes, the grass, the blossoms & the people out in the sunshine. The use of bicycles by both sexes is amazing. Many tandems were seen. My bedroom overlooks the Thames & is on the second floor of a seven floor building. Tomorrow the Conference commences at noon.

I hope your cold has been scotched & that the arm sores are cleared up. I do think you would have found it awkward on the plane with eight men in the party & a crew of eight men. In Ireland the one town we saw was Limerick & going from the airport where the flying boat docked to the drome where the plane took off we passed a bookseller's shop & the sign said Curtin! But we were 60 miles from where my father & mother were born. I hope you find things pleasant at Washington. I am certain you will like the Dixons & that they like you. All my love, my dearest.

Your loving husband

John

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