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Date: August 16th 1917
Diary

Thurs. Aug. 16 -

Slept very well. It was very pleasant to sleep in an airy tent away from the sound of the guns, with the sound of the ocean waves lashing on the shore. The air has a wholesome invigorating effect and I felt much better. My appetite was returning. The two little villages near the camp are, I suppose, typical of all the seaside villages along this part of the coast. The houses are clustered fairly close together and are much alike. Walls of white brick and roofs of red tile gives the whole a picturesque effect. There were a great many in bathing but I did not go in this morning as it was rather cool and I did not want to run the risk of making my cold any worse. It seemed rather odd to see quite a few French women & girls down on the beach selling fruit where the fellows were naked bathing, but to them it would be quite proper. Quite a large Cinema show runs every day in the camp and there are YMCA recreation rooms and army canteens. There are quite a few General Hospitals between Wimereux & the 1st army Rest Camp and I was on the lookout for Queen's Hosp. as there is a chance that it may be somewhere around Boulogne and I might see some fellows I know.