Since last writing we have had a change of camp and a two day trip. The country through page 43which we passed was mainly vast plains in which wheat was being grown or prepared. The methods of cultivation must be the same as used in ancient days. I must get a snap of the plough and team together with baggy trousers ploughman.

One day we stopped for lunch at a monument marking the scene of the last engagement in the last war between British and Turkish forces. It was on a plain at the outskirts of Aleppo. The V sign has certainly taken well over here for as we travelled through little villages children hardly more than walking age waved to us and made the sign with their two fingers.

Snow fight in the Syrian mountains.

This camp is at the base of a range of mountains which still retains a partial covering of snow. Yesterday our company took lunch and made the ascent to the snow line. It was pretty tough going and it took me all my time to make it but as I need not have gone because of a sore arm I did not carry a rifle and that of course made things easier. The climb once made was well worthwhile. The snow was abundant enough for us to have a snow fight in which the officers participated and received more than their share of snow balls.