24th October, 1943: Joe from Port Ellen

After a cup of tea at the canteen on the camp, Loftie and I walked as far as the General Post Office. On our way we passed a large church and heard a familiar hymn being sung. Next Sunday, if we are still here, we are going there. Arriving at the post office to find it closed was rather annoying, so we tried to forget our wasted efforts over a dish of ice cream. We returned and spent the afternoon writing letters. Before spending all my money, I intended writing and posting all the mail I was owing. 

At the canteen I met Joe whom I knew slightly at Port Ellen. We joined them at teat and spent the rest of the evening talking. Joe moved his kit over to our hut. This was to be the beginning of another friendship. He told us of his adventures in Biskra, and I knew then that he was the type of fellow who loved adventure. He is the type to know in a place like India where someone new us continually peeping round the corner at me. After supper, which we had in the canteen, there was nothing to sit up for. We all went to bed early. I was asleep before the lights went out at 10:30.