Papa is keen for us all to go on a lovely day trip to the seaside, now the weather is warmer and more pleasant. I want to try sea bathing so Aunt Cora decided I had to have the proper clothes so as not to scandalise everyone. As if I would!

I don’t mind our shopping trips as much these days, although she does seem to find them tiring. The noise and the bustle still gets to me, all that simpering over ribbons still seems very silly! But a bathing dress does mean I can go in the sea!

Well, I have it now. It is all black, with flannel bloomers and a flannel, long sleeved dress with matching black bathing boots. The boots have straw soles and laces all the way up to my knees. The cap is quite ok though, a bit jaunty perched on my head and the black stockings are quite soft. It does not, however, look very practical for swimming in the sea I must say. It will get all heavy and itchy when it gets wet! But Aunt Cora has promised to help me embroider colourful coils round the tops of my boots and the cuffs of my dress so it will be less boring to look at, at least.