These last three months have not been too full of 'writable' news and we, like you, were wondering for some time just where we would be going to. In my last letter I mentioned our hopes of going to Beirut for a while but it now appears that leave is still far distant and we are to go back towards Aleppo where we were before. I'm sick of moving around and getting only a glimpse of towns. Although where water is sufficient this country is marvellously fertile, the greatest extent is semi-arid and very stony desert. This of course makes the watered valleys seem like real Gardens of Eden.

Yesterday some of us had an evening leave in Baalbic [Baalbek] a town of ancient glory but now little more than a Wog village. However, fresh water running through the streets and luxurious orchards were a treat. The old temples of Baalbic and Venus are quite interesting. Supplies of decent beer are most inadequate now. I only had one bottle of local brew. Yes my dear, I am now an uncle. Fancy Lell calling the baby after me [Denise].