This morning I was told by Chilly that I was to go to Torquay with the soldiers who were well enough for the outing. We started at 1.15, and by good chance I managed to get into one of the best cars, a 6 cylinder Woolsey belonging to the Prings*1. Luff a man from my Ward, who was put into my special charge was in it. It was a lovely day & the drive was most enjoyable although the dust from the other cars was rather thick. 150 cars went from Exeter with wounded from all 5 hospitals.

All the way along the inhabitants of the towns & villages through which we passed turned out to see us go by & cheered us. We felt as if we were royalty. I felt like the footman on the box of a royal carriage, hearing the cheers but yet not receiving them.

In the crowd at Torquay I glimpsed Miss Andrews and her sister. At the Pavilion we found entertainment awaiting us but we might just as well have been in the wards with the gramophone, the same old songs. The heat & atmosphere was appalling.

However at 4 we had tea & afterwards I escaped & sat outside looking at the sky & sea & revelling in the air. Came across Mrs Tremayne, & had a chat with her.

At 5.15 we started off again. I called on Miss Andrews & saw her for 10 minutes.

We came back by Teignmouth & Dawlish. Deafening cheers awaited us at Exeter at Exe Bridge, and the lower part of South St. all the little ragamuffins were there cheering, and it was interesting to note the difference in the character of the crowd when we passed the Guild Hall. No more children yelling, but all very proper & decorous to be outward eye. It was altogether quite an amusing experience. To think that I should ever have driven through the streets of the city, with cheering crowds either side. Got back to the hospital at 7 & found some fresh cases in my Ward, & plenty to do until 8.30.

Yest I heard again from Mary saying that she had written to Ms Buller to ask for an explanation. Father is coming up one day to see her.