July 29th Wednesday

The 5 o'clock plane dropped no bombs. A bit is said to have been knocked off the cathedral and 6 killed & 20 injured in the morning. Others say 12 killed.[RG]
Overcast day. Schools.
The smith1 brought the missing knob for the balustrade. He reports that the cabo2 of the Guardia Civil3 put up 'Gran Victoria'4 on the public notice-board after the bombardment. Says that Valldemossa is predominantly Fascist. Carabineros5 posted at the Casa Consistorial6.[RG]
Bartolome correcting the line of the drive and making a path under the main vine arbour.
Went with Alan to the ×××× [indecipherable] ruined watch tower above Ca l'Abat.
Two aeroplanes dropped 12 bombs in Palma, which is now practically evacuated.
Fascist captain came to Deyá to insist on Fascist volunteers, and to post a anti-aircraft[RG] machine-gun on the Teix. 3 planes promised for tomorrow.
28 people in 4 rooms at the Fonda. Costa D'Or refugees returned to Palma at military request.[RG]
Vines grafted this year in the cuevas7 have already grown 3 metres and are over the arbour. Grapes beginning to ripen.
Radio news was in favour of Govt [Government]; but slow.
Bill for 600 pesetas for balustrade.

Editorial Notes

1blacksmith eds.
2N.C.O. KG; Non-Commission Officer eds.
3Civil Guards KG
4Great Victory eds.
5Coast Guards KG
6town hall KG
7caves or cellars eds.

Hands Referenced

    • Annotation: ink correction
    • Character: regular
    • Ink: black

Places Mentioned

  • Palma

    Palma, Majorca, Sp
    Capital and largest centre of Majorca.

  • Ca l'Abat

    Deyá, Majorca, Sp
    Beautiful farm with watch-tower on the way to Llucalcari. WG

  • Deyá

    Deyá, Majorca, Sp
    Town located on the northwest coast of Majorca, on the hillside between the Teix Mountains and the sea: this was RG's home with Laura Riding from 1929 to 1936. He returned there with his family after WW II. Eds.

  • Hotel Costa d'Or

    Llucalcari, Majorca, Sp
    In Llucalcari. Went there for drinks and occasionally meals. It was the best hotel, the Fonda being rather basic. The Turismo was closed. WG

  • Valldemossa

    Valldemossa, Majorca, Sp
    Village on the way to Palma. WG

  • Teix

    Majorca, Sp
    Mountain range above Deyá. WG

  • Fonda

    Deyá, Majorca, Sp
    Inn next to Margarita's Café. Occasionally ate there. WG

People Mentioned

  • Bartolomé

    Bartolomé
    The mason. WG

  • Alan

    Hodge, Alan
    Oxford history graduate. Became close friends with LR & RG. First husband of Beryl Graves. CP & WG

Bibliography

    • Title: Schools [an international survey of education]
    • Author: Graves, Robert; Riding, Laura
    • Editor: Riding, Laura