I have been for two walks to-day, first with one of the doctors, and
then with one of the sisters, the first walk since I was ill. This
morning we went through maize fields, and on our way met several women
spinning; they are always at their knitting or spinning working on the
fields. Their knitting is wonderful as they make such lovely patterns
with different coloured wools. We saw a man making baskets. He first
gathered the willow sticks, which he put into boiling water, removed
the skin, then he started his basket work. This morning I went up to
the cemetery. Fancy, over 11,000 graves since November, 1914, all
soldiers, and there are just plain little wooden crosses to each, and
four in a grave. Dr. and Lady Finlay came over to see our camp; she
came out with us on the _Saidieh_.
I got the accounts finished up to date, and in the afternoon about
fifteen of us went off on two bullock wagons to get blackberries, as
we have scarcely any jam left. Mrs. Stobart had asked us at lunch who
would volunteer. We took tea with us. We went about two miles but did
not get any, only one of our unit who lost us, and she found a hedge
covered and so managed to get a bowl full. The fields are full of
maize, and amongst the maize they grow pumpkins and marrows, and large
sunflowers, and up the maize stalks they grow beans. The soil is
wonderfully rich. Some of our party brought a large pumpkin back with
them. The peasant women are much to be admired; they do all the field
work, and one will meet them driving the oxen and nursing a baby. The
oxen are lovely beasts and so well cared for, but they are very slow
in their movements. The hills round are lovely; the most wonderful
colourings.