JUNE 1935

The beginning of summer brings a flurry of activity to Canelluñ. Decorating the Posada consumes a great deal of time, and Graves and Riding employ a number of labourers. Much of the stonework is being done with rocks that Graves has found on the beach. These need to be brought up from the sea by hand, and the work is tedious. But exercise and hot weather contribute to Graves' good mood and health - he comments that he is drinking little alcohol but lots of water, and feels better than he has done in ages. Not so positive is the dispute that erupts over water rights for the Graves property. In this matter Gelat gets into a feud with the local doctor; bad feeling and the legal ramifications of the dispute will shape the next several months. Writes Graves, Gelat is in a murderous state about the medico: seriously talked of killing him.

But there is also room for celebration. The visit from Honor Wyatt and Gordon Glover is the excuse for many get-togethers and shopping trips to Palma, where Graves buys gifts for friends, staff and Riding. The group also attends the first bullfight of the season.

But Honor and Gordon's visit also puts a strain on their friendship with Graves and Riding. The couple are having marriage problems (Gordon is having an affair). Riding and Graves suggest that Honor and the baby stay in the Posada as their guests for a year if Gordon leaves. But after Riding reads aloud to him a severe letter she wrote about his conduct, Gordon decides to wire his mistress and break off the relationship. By this point, Honor is so angry that she sends him to a beach resort near Palma, but he returns after a few days. The two decide to separate.

During their stay, Graves reads autobiographical accounts written by Glover, Wyatt and Glover's mistress. Collectively entitled A Mistake Somewhere, the book chronicles their ménage à trois. Graves can hardly contain his scorn of Gordon's version, but enjoys Honor's perspective.

Graves drafts several poems this month: Never Such Love, Moments in Never, Lines to Myself (later Address to Myself) and Address to Customers (Receipt for Moneys). He also goes over What Then? and re-titles it Historical Particulars. Graves continues with the Claudius Film Version book. Mary Phillips takes on some of the typing duties, and Graves has Karl begin a translation of Schwarz's memoirs (later published as Almost Forgotten Germany). Also this month, Graves and Riding go over the proofs of the new issue of Focus.

Another difficulty arises in June: Arnie Lawrence (representing the Lawrence estate) argues about copyright issues with Graves. Arnie Lawrence demands that Graves return The Evening Standard fee and send him the letters that T. E. Lawrence had written him. Graves replies that he had planned to return the money, that he wouldn't reprint anything without permission, but that he would keep the letters as they were private and addressed to him. After much back and forth, Graves and Lawrence agree to a truce, but the matter is disturbing enough that when Korda suggests that he send his brother to Deyá to help with the Lawrence film script, Graves explains the copyright issues and tells Korda he would prefer to not be involved in any T. E. Lawrence project if Arnie Lawrence disapproves.