Letter from Edward Thomas to his wife, Helen Thomas. Archival reference: 424/1/1/1/1/200
Crantock, Newquay,

I write in bed at 9 p.m. + cannot long keep awake. We begin our days at 5. This morning we were up at 5 + afoot lets a little milk before 6 + bathed before 8. Sometimes we walk on the edge of the cliffs which were about the whole length of the court, fine high rough cliffs with nests of young gulls visible just under the edge - peregrine falcons sailing about - large [illegible] on the highest points of the headland. Sometimes we have to go inland a mile or two but seldom lose sight of the sea (which is the colour of the little dark seabirds). We go steadily but not fast for 5 or 6 miles and then lie down or go to
a farm and have cream with my biscuits or we buy the auberries at a little town and eat them as we go. Today we did 25 miles or more and I am not at all tired; Lupton is very little. It is often hard walking as the coast is broken up by little river valleys which we have to dip down to and climb out of. There is little variety except that now and then the valleys have some trees which you really cant see elsewhere. I am taking many noted and have written to many things even when I can't write a letter.
I found your letter and the others awaiting me at Newquay at 7 this evening as we passed [illegible].
I hope you have good news of Bronwen and are glad you are going to take Merfyn for a drive.
Wow he would like to see the young gulls with cliff edges and ice rockery islets almost white with gulls. Everybody is s small farmer in Cornwall, often very small, and it is at a farm we are staying tonight. Clifton and I get on well enough, but don't talk a lot. I shall talk about the house soon. By the way, I haven't given provisional notice and you might not have to have allowed the man to draw you at all. Still it will perhaps not matter.
Now I need put out the candle. I hope we shall be able to bathe twice tomorrow as we did today! Good night. We expect to be at St Agnes by dinner time. Ever yours and Merfyn's with there
kisses
[pencil drawing of a rock in water and birds]