1 Frongoch Bala 23/8/16. My Dear Jim I got your card today and the
letter some weeks ago. Was very pleased
indeed to hear from you & so were all the
gang. Possibly you have heard from one
or other of the 'returns' that we were all trans
ferred from the huts to the lower station where
they used to make whiskey. Most of us do
not appreciate the change as much as we
ought to. But there are many consolations
all the same. The officers down here take
themselves very seriously & insist on trying to
do things on a strict military basis. Honestly
its most amusing at times but I cannot
mention the incidents. They wouldn't be good
for the censor and then I couldn't do them
justice by reason of the restriction writing
places on ones language. Now that there
seems to be some certainty as to the definiteness
of our stay, things are falling into more
organized channels. It has become possible
to do a little reading & study. Cards have
lost their glamour since your departure
(you can take this how you like) but there is a
chess tournament for those who play, that
seems to be worse. They make the hell of
a row over it. You can hear Dick saying 2 magnificent play on my part: a few weeks
ago also we had a sports meeting. a great day
high tea for the prize winners afterwards
It consisted of such things as tinned pears jam
& pudding. We gorged ourselves & ended up
with a concert, going home late. I hear that
most of the men who have gone home are still
unemployed — is that so? If it is, some of them
would be as well off here — that is in a way.
What do you thing of things yourself? I mustn't
say anything as so many of my letters have
been returned lately! Old Dan is here
still — he doesn't seem to be in such good
form as was when he used to. I think he
is rather disappointed at his continued
detention, so too are others, although generally
that feeling appears to be wearing off, and
some of them are no longer gloomy when
they are told that the first couple of winters will
be the worst. It is good of you to think
about that cake. We are eagerly looking forward
to its arrival, and Mort says that he'll eat any
—thing you send. Of course he may not
have an opportunity as we are no longer at
the next table to them. Doras damned in a
most whole—hearted manner when I showed him
your card. The early rising has sent him
be damned entirely. When you see May
do not fail to give her my regards or any
addition you think suitable. Of course you
can explain to any of your friends about the
two letters weekly. Have you recovered from
the weddings yet? There were numerous speculations as
to how must have been enjoying yourself on the occasions. Best wishes from self & all the C. Mick Collins