France 14th July 1917

My Dear Dad,
Just a line to let you know that I am still carrying on with the old company.
We are having fine weather of late and as we have been out of the line for the past three weeks we are in a position to enjoy it. At present we are in billets up in the higher country near the sea. Each day a thousand men go from the division in lorries down to the sea and put in a day there. Our only troubles these days are the inspections of which we have a good many. Today Sir Douglas Haig inspected the Division and this afternoon we have a half holiday.
The troops are helping the people here with their harvesting and every day a good many of them can be seen stooping and stacking. They are glad of the change from the eternal training that is always our lot when resting.
Much of the crops about here is cut with the scythe and sickle and threshed with the flail, although in this respect France is much ahead of Belgium.
We hear that our outward mail from 9th May to 9th June was sunk before it got clear of the submarine area. I posted some photos in different mails about that time. I wonder if any of them ever reached you.
Summer will be coming on when this reaches you and I trust you have not found winter too trying. The days are drawing in here but we should have fine weather for a good many weeks yet.
It is hard luck that the Russians have turned us down just as this time, but most likely Japan will come in and fix that front up.
The Main Body, 1st, 2nd and 3rd Reinforcement men who are still on active service are being sent back to N.Z. for two months spell at the rate of two fifty a month. Fourths next I suppose. If I can stick it another six months I may strike a trip as it will only take that time to go through the first lot.
I received a letter from Gwen yesterday and a few days ago one from Mother enclosing a photo of the old cat. He must be very old now. I seems ages since I used to sool Togo after him at Opoho.
Well I trust this finds you in good health.
Love to all
Your affectionate Son
Rawei