Received 12 September 1903
52 Royal Parade
Eastbourne
Friday 11 September 1903
My dear Chris
I have just been up to Oatdens, the man was very nice and says of course if the grating was broken when we came in of course they repair it, so they are sending a man.
Oh! Whet a gale we had last night, all the bathing boxes are up in the road. The wooden place where you go down to the family bathing and the one the other side are quite washed away even to the bars of wood the planks were nailed to. Along by the bandstand the big stones in the …….side of the pavement are torn clean away for about 20 feet. The men have been clearing the road along the Parade all the morning, the stones are thick on it just like the beach.
I put on my macintosh and tamoshanter and went over the other side of the road last night to watch the Hastings steamer try and get into the pier. They tried five times then gave it up and went away in Hastings direction. The whole steamer kept disappearing from view even to the mast head light. I was out until after 10, there was a big crowd, I ran in when a heavy squall came on.
This house did shake all night. I felt it in bed quite plainly. We are well sheltered here, we only felt the wind at the back. I do hope we won’t have any more gales, I am tired of them.
At low tide last night the waves were nearly up to the Parade. It is nice today. I did not go up to the baths, although I intended to. I don’t feel quite right. I think I have another cold in my tummy and that pain is hanging around.
We had our photos taken yesterday. I don’t think the children will be very good. Baby looked so awfully solemn. He fell down half the last flight of stairs yesterday morning, I thought he was going to faint he turned so white. He bumped his temple. We kept a wet bandage of arnica on it all the morning and there is no bruise or swelling, but he looked pale and not quite himself. She will take them again if they are not good. She took Ken by himself and was just going to take Bubba when he got hold of a toy and pinched his finger and yelled.
They like your postcards very much. Ken sends this boat which he drew all by himself. I never touched it or told him how to do it.
Am sorry to hear Mater is not well again. Mr Billington and his cousin Mr Dewey came down on Wednesday evening.
I had a postcard from Alec, they only came to London yesterday. It is cold here today.
Love from us all.
Your affectionate Wife
Katie