The Henson Journals

[102]

Tuesday, August 5th, 1919.

We left Hereford in the motor at 10.45 a.m. and reached our destination about 6 p.m. We delayed a full hour through taking the wrong road at Newcastle–under–Lyme. Our route lay through Leominster, Ludlow, Church Stretton, Shrewsbury, Market Drayton, & Newcastle. Bateman went with us, and then after tea went off to stay with his sister in Crewe. We walked in the Park, and talked until dinner. Rode Hall is a pleasant house, the older part of which dates from the middle of the 18th century. It is set in the midst of a wide park well–varied with wood, and graced by a large lake. During the war it was used for a military hospital, for which it would appear to be excellently suited, being commodious and retired. I had some pleasant conversation with mine host, and was much pleased with his sterling good sense, and evident determination to play his part like a man.

We read the 'Times' in the car: it is not pleasant reading. The rioting at Liverpool continues, and the epidemic of causeless strikes shows no abatement. Neither does the fever of pleasure hunting and festivity. The pageant on the Thames fills many pages.

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