Letter from Edward Renouf to Anny Schey von Koromla

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12 September

Dear Baroness Schey!

I’m lying here on the balcony in short sleeves again – in a tornado that’s threatening to carry me away along with the chair, the balcony and the house. The meadows down in the valley are greener than I’ve ever seen them. The mountains are close and massive. There’s something luscious and animated about the greens and greys with the ever-changing blacks and whites and the highlights in blue, red and yellow. The clouds are tossing and turning in the sky, sometimes dark and foreboding, sometimes clearing so quickly it’s as though they want to leave us with a perfectly blue sky. The poplars on the path below and the spruces on the mountainside before me are bowing and swaying in the wind. And the four corners of this sheet of paper are fluttering like the frenetic wings of a bird behind a window pane.

Eugenie had some really fantastic luck with the dogs. May Hans have similar luck with his family and his uncle!

I’m very curious to see what the ‘American’ parcel has in store for the ‘soldier’!

I’ve got everything I need, so you needn’t worry about my health. But your parcel will be enjoyed as more than just incense and wafers at the altar of the soul. The daily routine of walking into town, then exercising, taking a cold bath, going to bed early and getting up at seven o’clock is doing wonders for my wellbeing – not to mention the fact that my face hasn’t seen a razor since the day you left.

Here in the wind I feel like I’m sat at the wheel of an aeroplane, and it’s swashing and swirling my thoughts around. I don’t know how else to put it. I hope you won’t take [illegible] at the [illegible] of my words.

The reports from the League of Nations are better than ever – the great statesmen of the world seem intent on being international peacemakers and increasing understanding and collaboration for the greater good. And at the same time the Catholic Church is waging a wanton war against protestants in Hungary! I’m tempted to write to the pope about it. What on earth is he thinking?

Actually, I think – – – – – – Edl

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