Diary extracts for October 1937 to February 1938
October 1937:
Richard's father, Dr Eurich, retired and with his wife Guendolen started to plan moving south.
A desire to spend the remainder of his days in a more congenial climate than that of the West Riding and the knowledge that more warmth and sunshine would benefit his wife's health led to the decision to build a house to their own tastes in the south of England.
. . . building land was available in Dibden Purlieu in the New Forest, not far from where their son Richard and his wife had settled.
He and his wife planned the garden at the new Lanshawe Cottage, Dibden Purlieu, [completed in 1938].
A tennis court was was laid down . . . and a cricket net was put up . . .
He took pleasure in the fruit and vegetable garden and worked away, wearing round his head a large handkerchief soaked in some fly-repellent.
4th Jan 1938:
I wish we could hear of some picture sales, things are getting pretty desperate. I suppose all will be well.
20th Jan 1938:
Rehearsing puppets in the morning. Took the puppet theatre along to the W.I. Hall in the afternoon. Took Crispin to the Tophams to be looked after while we gave our performance. The car conked out just as we started, so we had to push it back and run along with the props tucked under our arms. Got to the hall and found it packed with Guides. There must have been 2 or 3 hundred. We soon got our props sorted out and everything went very well, the audience being most appreciative. What a difference it makes!
22nd Jan 1938:
Fraulein Reise in to tea, She brought her accordion and we had some fun. Crispin began dancing to it.
13th Feb 1938:
Self Portrait with Pipe (13x10) Finished on 14th March [bought by J.B. Priestley who later presented it to Bradford Art Gallery]
18th Feb 1938:
My paintings all seem bloody awful, I don’t know what to do about them, I seem to have nothing decent for my show.