p.

5.

I think they are improving a bit, but it is an
exceptionally slow process. And it does not prevent
them from being foully dull & boring.

Salaman will always be the same - a nice lad &
plenty of guts & hard working - but not at all
interesting. Jim Headley is a dear, kind, gutless,
old graaay & again very dull. Ben, as you
know by now, I like very much, proably more than
I would most British officers - but it is a
bit awkward for him : for me, as he is just
one of the subalterns. It will be better when
he becomes second i/c & a captain.

It is now 11.- pm. I must begin the week well
& go to bed early. I. I have mapped out quite a strenous
weeks training - which will entail about 50 miles
marching for me & everybody else. I hope my
feet will be able to take it. I am also hoping
desperately - for a letter or something tomorrow -
it has been blank since last Monday.

I do long for you, my darling Barbara XXXXXH.

Monday, Oct. 27th - I have really enjoyed myself today. I had to
go & do a recce for a good place to take the Coy
for a long march & some good training & a night out
in the open. So Ben & I set off in the Austin at 10.30
this morning, with haversack - rations & water bottles full
of cold tea. We made off due east, into the hills
which you can see run as a backbone right down the
centre of Palestine. We left the main road, & went
along a field track as far as Ba Nahala , which I have
mentioned before from there we began to climb & from