Ap 12th Friday

Gelat came and talked: with Francisquito. Told of arrangement made with Soller Railway who have monopoly of bus services to Deyá: will work in with him.
Settled plan of kitchen, Gelat suggested terrace above.
Pepe had interview with Cura. Cura said Gelat would rather quarrel with him than us. Pepe said, ""Of course."" Pepe offered 75 pesetas for the Cura's molestias1. Cura said, not enough. Pepe said ""You only pay 30 pts. a year rent."" Gelat says he will make cura pay dear for that 100 pesetas. Pepe was to have gone again last night.
Discussed transformers of alternate current into direct light; also ice-machines; tuberia2; etc. from 9.30-12. Wrote to A.G., A.B. [Arthur Barker], the Australian, and Guy Thomson3.
Laura wrote her will: talked this over at length.
Cool wind from sea in afternoon.
Cura demands 250 pts. Gelat angry and says that it will cost him dearer than ever.
Pasted roses on my letter box.
Colony4 replied that strange as it might seem he appreciated the nasty things I said about his book: they were sincere.
Sirocco has burned young leaves of pear trees.

Editorial Notes

1"having taken trouble" KG
2plumbing. KG
3a cousin. see 1935-04-11 entry. eds
4writer who sent his book, Brook of Leaves to RG for criticism. See Mar.1 & 2 entries. eds.

Hands Referenced

Places Mentioned

  • 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.

  • Soller

    Soller, Majorca, Sp
    Town of some 10,000 inhabitants ten kilometers from Deyá. WG

People Mentioned

  • Laura

    Riding, Laura
    (1901-91) American poet. Laura Riding (née Reichenthal; then Laura Gottschalk).

  • Franciscito

    Vives, Franciscito
    Gelat's grandson W.G. Son of Anita, Gelat's daughter in Rennes. KG

  • Gelat

    Más, Juan Marroig
    Juan Marroig Mas, called Gelat: Landowner on Deyá and friend of Robert Graves and Laura Riding (L.R. & R.G.'s factotum. W.G.)

  • A.G. (A.E.S.G)

    Graves, Amy
    Amy Graves, RG's Mother. WG

  • Cura

    Jordi, Don
    Don Jordi, the Priest. WG

  • Pepe

    Salas, José
    Master builder. Built Canellun. Pepe is a diminutive of José. WG

  • A.B.

    Arthurby

    Barker, Arthur
    Owner and director of Arthur Barker Ltd., the English publisher of I, Claudius and Claudius the God. Arthurby was L.R.'s nickname for him.

  • Guy Thomson

    Thomson, Guy
    Graves' cousin. R.G. received a letter from him on Apr. 11, 1935. (Diary)

Elements Mentioned

  • Sirocco

    South easterly wind. Used generically for all southerly winds which eddy on the leeward side of the Teix mountains above Deya. WG