Mo 26.09.1932, Brief von Anneliese an Walter: “I am surprised that there are people as nice as these in England”

“Burleigh”, Hursley Road, Chandler’s Ford near Winchester, Hants.

26th Sept. 1932.

My dear Walter,

I must say I am rather tired because Mrs. Cox and I turned out the kitchen to-day and now there are some workmen in it making a horrible noise. I am afraid that the next days will not be very nice, but never mind! I am very happy here. Mr. and Mrs. Cox are very charming people and I am really a member of the family here.

The last days in London together with the two German Students were very nice. We saw quite a lot of the town as well as the Tower outside and inside, it was very interesting to see a place of such an historical importance. One evening we visited a “Non-Stop-Variety” but we were not so very delighted with the performances. Some of the numbers were rather silly.

When I left London on Wednesday I felt very sorry because I loved the family Arthur and the nice house in Dulwich very much and I felt not at all sure that I would be happy there in the country. I have had an extraordinary good time in London. The two boys had to carry my very heavy trunks – poor things – and they wished me “good luck” when the bus left. But nevertheless I had very bad luck as the bus-driver did not stop at Chandler’s Ford where Mr. Cox was waiting for me with the car. Instead he went on to Eastleigh and I had to pay 5 sh. for a taxi to bring me back to “Burleigh”. –

We have a very pretty little house and a large garden. The main-road from Southampton to Winchester is just passing our house and at the other side of the road is a nice and rather a big wood. It is 6 miles from here to Winchester and 7 miles to Southampton where Mr. Cox has a big shop. Last Saturday we have been having tea in Southampton, it is a wonderful road from here to that town. Yesterday we had some people in for tea and to-morrow afternoon we shall have tea at a farmhouse about ½ hour from here where a friend of Mrs. Cox’s is living. Mrs. Cox and I are getting on splendidly, we are very happy together and always very merry although we have quite a lot to do to keep the house clean, to do the cooking and to look after our little boy Christopher. And again and again I am surprised that there are people as nice as these in England. Mr. Cox is very good in teaching me – I have to read every evening something from the paper and he correctes and explaines [sic] things to me. Besides he is always pulling my leg but never mind I am rather good at repartee.

And how are you, my dear boy? And how is your mother and your sister and brother? And what about the “Silentium”? Have things improved? And how is your work getting on? Many thanks for the nice snap I like it very much. Do you like these pictures? Well, I hop to hear very soon from you.

Much love and many kisses

Yours Anneliese.