28 May 1937

Dear Mother:

Sorry not to have written you before but never got around to it. Got into London Saturday noon and had just walked down the strand when I ran into Bunty and Miss kerr of Camrose. They were looking around for the National Art Gallery, which they were supposed to see, so I took them over. Afterwards I took them to Lyons in Picadilly and a show, etc.

Had tea with Mrs. Culbertson and Bunty in West London Hotel and afterwards met Mrs. Culbertson at 7:00 p.m. in Trafalgar Square and we went to see "Seventh Heaven" I believe - it was very good.

Yesterday morning Mrs. Culbertson, Bunty and I went for a cruise down the Thames to the East India docks.

On the way down we passed a Cuban Gunboat that was up for the Coronation - what a boat compared with out crack navy. Dirty - half the crew snoozing on the deck and the sentry sloping around the deck with a rifle hanging half down his back - slack and how! Too funny. I wish I could draw him. You know everything is done on the double in our navy. If ann officer wants something done, the seaman carries out all orders at double *run).

Empire Air Day is on Saturday. That is the only day in the year that the R.A.F. is open to the public. The Hendon Air Display at Hendon opens on June 26. I have a couple of reserved seats - how about coming over?

The weather has been perfect since I arrived in London. Drizzle the first day but bright, clear sunshine since. I have seen nothing like it before. No mist, fog, chill winds, etc.

Flash! I saw the King and Queen last night. I was walking over Westminster Bridge near Big Benny when I saw a crowd gathering along the streets, and soon found out that the King and Queen were expected to pass down the street. Well, at 10:00 p.m. they drove along in their car and the people around me just roared, cheered, shouted, and pushed the policemen out of the way, crossed the road, and blocked off the car. I was pushed right against it and got a marvellous (overworked word of my vocabulary) view of them both - I never had any idea what a thrill I should really get, but they're great. They both look so young - the King looked like a very embarrassed young man, blushing with face wreathed in smiles - the Queen looking very beautiful - they looked like something out of a fairy story book.

The parks in London are beautiful this time of the year. Flowers in hundreds everywhere. Today the buses started back to work - about time I say.

When I had lunch with Mrs. Culbertson - it was 1:00 p.m., and when we asked for tea, they didn't think they could serve it. You know the English never have tea at lunch. They must be suffering from something. They eventually brought some. "Oh! These Americans." It's very inconvenient for Canadians or Americans, but I'm getting used to it. As I've told you before, the American custom of eating with a fork looks terrifically awkward over hear. It just took me one day flat to learn the English custom, I can assure you.

First (American wonder method) First knife in left hand, fork in right hand. Saw at food. Lay knife down on left of plate - fork on right, use fork. Got mixed up. First knife in right hand - fork in left hand - chop up food - lay down tools -transfer knife to left side of plate and fork to right side - then leave knife in left position and pick up fork - lift food to mouth.

Transfer knife to right side of plate and fork to left side - pick up and chop some more - repeat process.

English method - no awkward transferring of tools - no fuss, bother or ostentatious display - score one against awkward Americans - no, I'm not quite English yet, thank you.

Love Bill