Thursday, 4 May 1978

Fine, warm

(Arranged for car)

Frank came down [and] picked us up in his red Citroen – took us up to his house at Earls Colne about 1½ – 1¾ hours drive from here [London] in Essex. Out in the country. His house is right on the edge of a common and large wood.

Frank and Gwenneth’s home

Saw his father’s house that was 300 years old and had recently been used as two flats. Low ceilings, large beams, hand-hewn surrounded by 7 ft brick wall. Went into his small hairdresser’s room that he has done up.

Frank’s parent’s home – 300 years old

Elsie and her cousin, Frank, outside his hairdressing shop

Gwyneth, Frank and Elsie

Lunch with Gwyneth. Frank sprayed the wine.

In the afternoon went for a drive around, very good agricultural land. Went to an old auction sale room at Sudbury – loads of junk. Walked the town with its street stalls. Visited the Guildhall at Lavenham – back to 1500s/1600s. Floors and walls off level in some places. One room it would have had a fall of about 1” in 12. Frank said they used old ship timbers in some of the buildings.

Back to tea with Gwen. She would not come on the drive back to Bexley.

Called for 20 mins to see Aunt Lucy who has been very sick. Drove over to Felsted to see the pub where Pop Witney was born. It is called The Three Horseshoes. Took a couple of photos.

Elsie’s dad was born in this hotel

Back to Bexley by 9.15.