During the journey, I was thinking that I would use the opportunity to catch up on notes about my experiences which had been neglected of late. Consequently, with materials obtained from the nearby NAAFI, I spent much of the time doing just that, particularly as I really wanted to be on my own. A favourite spot for doing so was on the retaining walls of the jetty/canal through which the river Marano flowed into the Adriatic, easily reached aboard one of the many pedal operated boats available for hire.

A word about food. Although the Army had provided the rations, members of the hotel's staff (recently returned) were the ones to prepare it and an excellent job did they perform. The meal at dinner that evening was superb, made especially so by being served in a spacious dining-room at tables complete with napery and an adequate supply of cutlery. Although the tablecloths only appeared on one occasion as will be seen, it was the practice employing them to greet newcomers sitting down for their first meals the quality of the meals served remained consistently high. I am sure, even if they had been given the infamous M & V to prepare, we would probably be sitting down to a gastronomical delight. It was also rumoured we were enjoying meals better than those being served to officers staying at the nearby Albergo Corallo.

By Wednesday I was feeling much better, that is mentally, and, as Glyn Collard was with the incoming group, the healing soon became complete. Of course he had news of the Squadron to impart - he had left it still on Monte Farneto where it had been subject to almost continuous shelling since my departure. Fortunately, apart from suffering the discomfort of being battened down for long periods, no one was the worse for wear. He went on to tell me that Captain Sidebottom, having been promoted to the rank of Acting Major, was our new Squadron Leader. That evening, dinner was again served as it was the previous Sunday - I subsequently was told the table linen was hand washed, in cold water, by ladies in the town.

Enjoying the delightfully warm weather, only too soon did the day for our departure come around. The time had come to return to the war!