Letter from Harry Massey to Barbara Massey

11/ England in Oct 40, with 3 pips up, he now only has two + he tried to tell me some long + complicated story about how he really should have three now. These bogus people! I then saw David Wilson, who I have not seen for about 8 years + I dont think you ever knew him, though you have probably heard me as Patty + Joe talk of him. He + his brother + family owned the 4 ways (with somebody else's money) + made answful mess of it. For the last few years David has been pretty down + out in London; driving taxis + bookmaking etc. The war would seem to have saved his + his family's bacon. He is now an Artillery Captain + has quite a responsible job here; I asked him was he efficient + he said he was but I cannot believe it, he has been [?] for years + is still going strong. His even more useless brother is a Staff Capt in England- + his ma + pa are running a canteen for Canadian soldiers. What a family- tell Patty if you write to her. Sunday was a wonderful day + full of interest + it had several big moments as far as scenery is concerned + when I simply asked + yearned for you to be with me + promised myself that after the war, we will come here together for a holiday. Our road from Haifa was to Tiberias, on the Sea of Galilee , by way of Nazareth. And it was when we came over the top of the hill that the first + biggest moment came. Below was the

12/ Sea of Galilee, deep blue + still + simply shimmering in misty loveliness - beyond the [?] hills of Trans Jordon with their weird + rugges outlines + exaggeration of light + shade - + much further beyond - to the left, or work, + in Syria , Mount Herman rising from the mists + capped with snow. It was really a quite incredibly + unreally lovely view + it was possible to enjoy it at our leisure as we drive down the mountain side. In Tiberias itself we went to a cafe on the lakeside, which was quite perfect with the exception of the fact that the imagination of the owners had not been able to go beyond calling it "The Lido" from Tiberias we went down to the southern end of the lake, to a place called Degania. This was the first communal settlement in Palestine + was founded 32 years by a man called Baraj wjp is still there + was ther to meet us on Sunday Firstly we went straight into the dining hall for lunch - that is one thing which is so pleasant about these people- if you arrive arounf a meal time there is no question about it, you just go in, + some body pushed up at a table, + your driver comes in with you + they carry on + serve you with food in this case; we hand an excellent + satisfying but rather extraordinary lucnh- at least so far as the order of courses was concerned . The moment I sat down I had placed before me a large plateful of fishcake (local pattern) carrots + spuds

13/ which I ate up with a large doorstep of wholemeal bread. Then I had some porridge- also local pattern but very good-then vegetable soup- + then a huge grapefruit; I then lit a cigarette + began to drink what I thought was a cup of coffee, but which turned out to be just juice. We were then shown round- the most interesting part being the school + museum. This was wonderfully arranged + contained a complete collection of the birdsfishes + snakes + animals + flowers + stones etc of Palestine + an amazing collection of butterflies + bugs + insects, a number of which I hope I never meet. This is the central school for the surrounding setttlements from where the children are brought in + taken home by bus each day. From Degania, we went a little way wouth to Ajikim- this is a larger settlement than most of the others + more industrial. They run local passes per bus services- + run all the motor transport up to Jerusalem + Tel Aviv + Haifa - + they have quite a big factory making boxes + packing cases + three + five ply wood + mainly for the army. This factory is a great achievment because of its war effort + because much of the machinery is improvised. In the making of plywood they are making use of cypress wood, which was always considered impossible before. And with the shavings + waste from this factory, they [?] entirely the boiler which produced enough steam for the kitchens + laundry of the whole settlement of 600 people + bathhouse too. Here again I saw the children- sweet

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& happy children & very pretty & healthy. The system does seem a great success & you would be very interested to see them. There was one bunch of little girls, all about Lisa's age - I mean 5 1/2 - all busy talking & changing their clothes themselves & popping off to their little [lovabos?] - they were all so natural & busy & friendly, & it was so easy to picture Lisa among them.

The [Muktar?] here was a grand man too & was very anxious for us all to stay the night - but we wanted to get on to the Dead Sea - but Ben & I have promised to go & stay sometime for a day or two. If we do come to Palestine for a holiday sometime, darling, we shall certainly be able to have a very interesting & very cheap time, once the journey is paid for. It is certain that you would be interested in the settlements & all about them & it is equally certain that the Muktars I have met will be delighted to have us for a few days. Oh for the chance.

I must go to bed now. I have done my work in my room today - & lain, on my bed a little - & done some reading - & written so far to you - I am still puffing & blowing & sneezing. Goodnight, my darling one. xxx H.

Friday - Ap. 17th. Blast & damn my cold - I stayed in bed until 11-30 this morning - & the doctor has been & sounded every thing & given me some different medicine - but I feel very stuffed up & in no sort of a mood for writing. But I will finish off my week end

15/ journey in order to avoid spreading into the next letter. I hope you have a decent map of Palestine, in order that you can find these places on the map From Alikein we set off at about 6.0 in the evening to drive to Jericho + then down to the Dead Sea- the road lies through Beisan + then along the Jordon valley. on the west bank of the river It was quite a long way 50-60 miles + a really dreadful road bumpiness + twists + turns - but Ben + I wanted to do it because apparently it is a journey seldom undertaken by ear We arrived pretty tired at 9-30 but it was worth while + it was such a lovely, eerie drive. And Ben was anxious that Helen should see the thousands of acres of good uncultivated land+ which is not being used for grazing or any purpose at all : it certainly is an answer to the Arabs who complain that the Jews take all the land + say no more Jewish immigration can be tolerated because there is no land for them. When we came to the Dead Sea, we went to the Kallia Hotel, which is a very lovely modern hotel but pretty pricey. However , we claim travelling allowance from the army, which will pretty well cover things The next morning was the loveliest part when we had breakfast on a large verandah on the ground floor + with a thatched roof- + the view looks across the Dead Sea + into Trans Jordan Its a lovely spot , darling , + I can imagine you + I having a very romantice time in that hotel. We then drove 1400 ft up the hill to sea