Milan Decembre 30 1918
Dear Mother
I feel as though I ought to write one more letter from Italy. You will forgive me I am sure for the neglect I have given to letter writing the last few weeks. I have been very busy & the prospect starting for home soon completely stopped letters.
The last two weeks have been very interesting. I was at Trieste when I last wrote you & when there I had a most pleasant sea voyage to a picturesque little town called Capo d’Istria on an island about ten miles from Trieste. The morning was perfect with just a faint breeze which made the camouflaged ships in the harbour look all the more fantastic. The sea was as smooth as a table & you can imagine if I didn’t wish it were a bigger boat and bound for across the seas. One gets a wonderful view of the harbour & Trieste itself from the boat. The city is built on the bay & behind rise the snow-capped mountains. In all I think Trieste would be a delightful place to live in, much more pleasant than any other city in northern Italy.
I came down from Trieste on Dec 19th & almost at once went to Florence with my ambulance. I had the most interesting run across the Apennines only the view was hindered by fog and mist. I spent a most pleasant day and a half there in seeing again the art gallery and inveating in souvenirs I think I have caught the souvenir fever but then I couldn’t come home without anything at all and I must have some little things to give to my various relations.
I am so glad my family is not as clever as the Somerville family. Norman sent him a telegram before the armistice of the third which gave him the impression that is mother was very ill. So he got away at once and I suppose reached home long ago. Evidently since you make no mention of it in your letters written up to the 17th there is nothing wrong with Mrs Somerville. The unit has the same impression and their estimate of Bill has lowered accordingly.
This is a most vile day to be spending in Milan and I am glad there won’t be another. Tomorrow I am going with Ashton one of our unit to Florence. I meet Wilf there and within a week we hope to be headed for home. This is a poor attempt at a letter but then I’ll soon be home now so good-bye and love to all.
Allan.
