19th October, 1943: A walk with Nessin

By this time, I had begun to get used to the fruit man calling. I had missed him for the first few days, not knowing of his visits. Perhaps it was one of the best ways of passing away the gruelling hot hours of mid-day - sucking oranges and eating bananas. Bananas at one anna each seemed cheap enough, but when I realised that there was no limit to the supply, they soon ran dead. Each one eaten chased after the last, and half a dozen would disappear like greased lightning. 

The effort of walking to "tiffin" and back again was enough for me, another hot afternoon which I spent lying on the bed. To stand around was tiring, to walk about the town was enough to tax any man's strength, so I thought. I lay on the bed, but the sheets soon became wet, and had to be turned continually to obtain some little degree of comfort. A good shower at five o'clock may make all the difference. 

Nessin, an Iraqian in the R.A.F. and I decided to walk to town when it became cool. At dark we walked slowly down the street towards the city. The distance is about half an hour's brisk walk, but we had no call for hurrying. Having no money to spend, we made the walk to town and back last all of the evening. This walk had been most enjoyable - the cobwebs that had gathered during the day were brushed aside. I was ready for bed once more.