Diaries: 1943 January 14-1943 May 26; 1943 May 27-1943 October 13; Loose material from diaries

59 Then I began to walk, across the old hill, Tabán, it lasted from 1130 a. m. till 130 p. m, afternoon Svábhegy again for one and a half hours. I am restless.

March 11. Thursday. Yesterday I had a big cleaning with Pravdáné (how can be something big in such a tiny flat?), she does it all for nothing, cleaning, washing, treats. So this morning, as there was a glorious sunshine, I made an early start to Eszterke. She was not at home though, so I headed bravely towards Jánoshegy (1/2 hours from Eszter), sat on the sunshine knitting for three quarters of an hour, after this rest I started for Svábhegy. Somehow I lost my way and arrived nearly to Máriamakk, it was at Budakeszi; I got conscious of my error and had to climb a lot again. Home at 4 30 p. m, 4 ½ hours walk, not even very tired. These walks have to be done, as nothing on earth seems to move, nothing happens which would point to the end of war. Big walks help to forget everything and one enjoys pure vegetative life.

60 March 12. Friday. Three and a half hours walk to Csillebérc. Coming home I met a girl in the staircase who lives two stories above me in the house, Mária Pató. She asked some questions, whether I have been alone on the walk, etc, then we both went our way. Some half hour later she rang on my door, she wants to explain, she didn’t mean to ask whether I was alone, it was very rude of her, etc-etc. (You see, how dangerous I may look) I told her I did not take offense and we talked on, she mentioned her office, MAORT!, she knows you both personally, now, is it not funny? I am quite happy, having been able to talk about you.

March 13. Saturday This morning I had been to see Székely, our solicitor then went in to Hullám to have a glimpse of present situation. There is a door open to the upper terrace where I went out, there was warm sunshine, sheltered from wind and already a boy taking sunbathe. No armchairs yet. If the weather lasts next week I am going to begin my swimming

61 in open air, the water today was 25 °C. For the afternoon I have asked Lacy and Klári (Mrs Forrai) not for tea but for hot lemonade. I got a parcel from Óvár, bread and liver paste, both homemade, so I could give them something nice, at least comparatively.

Time is creeping terribly slow, almost middle of March and we are nowhere yet. It seems Jerry forced our government to give more troups instead of calling them back altogether as it was generally believed this week. All medical had to report again at the Home Office, all chemists, architects, ingeneurs, etc. have to report too, this will be the last squeazing out of all [strikethrough] forces [/strikethrough] strength out of Europe. – There is much talk about Hitler’s state of health. Allegedly, Olivecrone , the Swedish brain-specialist was called to him, Prof. Sauerbruch would be present too and now he is under care in Berchtesgaden. Again allegedly, it would be a case of brain-lues. It is not improbable. But not probable, that we should know the least about such a thing.

62 March 14. Sunday I started at 845 a. m. to call for Ancy and go with her some far and for me unknown spot, near the sailing airport. It was more than four hours walk. I just arrived in time at 2 p.m. to Mamuci’s for lunch, then at 4 45 p. m. hurried home to receive Dédé, in town for two days from his Nagykőrös station. Instead of him a call (‘phone) came, he postponed his visit for tomorrow. Now I am sitting here, with nothing to do and am longing for you more then ever. 6 p. m, that is midday with you, Sunday lunch, Babu full awaike. Only a bit of distance.

I am all aching with fatigue, Thursday, Friday and Sunday big walks, even on Saturday some two hours, as it is hot water-service-day I shall take a hot bath to wash fatigue out of my limbs. Not yet quite dark, I am sitting without lamp yet.

Lacy got a letter from her sister in Milan, censored! – in which she tells about the last bombardment

63 of the city. The row of houses opposite their house was struck, very few people could be rescued from the débris, as big fires were started. An old lady, a friend of theirs was found only a week later and Böske writes, next day their railway fare for Como was dangerous because of the jammed traffic. On their former house’s street there is a cadaverous smell all over the place.

March 16. Tuesday My first sunbathe at Gellért-hullám, swim only inside because the outside pools were just scrubbed. On sheltered places it was lovely. Time to forget everything else outside spring and sunshine as legal price of one meter of whool cloth is 178Ps, blackmarket price of one pair of shoes with leather sole about the same. Yesterday I had a nice walk with Bö. – I just hear on the B.B.C. that armed French resistance broke out at the garrison of Annecy. I suppose the mountains there are apt for hide and longer duration. Would you have believed that, when you stayed there?