Rest periods in Combloux
65
Claude was apparently at least twice in Combloux, first 3 months in the spring of 1949, to rest there: fatigue, fever, weight loss
Then in 1952 (winter, spring, summer?). The photos available are not exactly dated.
Letter from Claude to his father, from Combloux, Spring 1949
Combloux
Dear All
At today's weighing I weigh 50 kg 00 that is to say I took 1 kg in a week. I don't know if it's the pleasure of seeing Mom or eating rancid butter that has earned me this wonder! Anyway, I'm very happy. I'm being re-established in 3 days my sedimentation speed and I think I'm on the right slope.
Here it is always rest; even if the gallantry has taken my door as Mom says, I show myself as little as possible in society to rest better.
Here's my schedule of yesterday to reassure the family and that she knows I'm not doing the folly (like the daughter Bertrand who, etc., if she had... it wouldn't have happened what happened and everything).
Lift at 9h1/2 breakfast at 10h - From 10h to 11h1/2 walk All alone in the meadow next door - 11h1/2 to 12h1/2 nap on my bed - Lunch - 1h1/2 to 3h1/2 nap on my bed - snack - 5 to 6 1/2 walk in group. nap, dinner, library, 5 minutes walk in the night and bed at 9 o'clock.
Dear All
At today's weighing I weigh 50 kg 00 that is to say I took 1 kg in a week. I don't know if it's the pleasure of seeing Mom or eating rancid butter that has earned me this wonder! Anyway, I'm very happy. I'm being re-established in 3 days my sedimentation speed and I think I'm on the right slope.
Here it is always rest; even if the gallantry has taken my door as Mom says, I show myself as little as possible in society to rest better.
Here's my schedule of yesterday to reassure the family and that she knows I'm not doing the folly (like the daughter Bertrand who, etc., if she had... it wouldn't have happened what happened and everything).
Lift at 9h1/2 breakfast at 10h - From 10h to 11h1/2 walk All alone in the meadow next door - 11h1/2 to 12h1/2 nap on my bed - Lunch - 1h1/2 to 3h1/2 nap on my bed - snack - 5 to 6 1/2 walk in group. nap, dinner, library, 5 minutes walk in the night and bed at 9 o'clock.
I'm happy, I'm fine and then that weighing has raised my spirits, I'm not yet close to the trepas.
I think Mom told the family all about it in broad and wide, since she left, everything is in flowers and leaves (of a green that is neither blue nor yellow) and it's beautiful.
Romanian always makes his violin co-workers; I hear him from the meadow where I am installed to write to you.
Nobody replaces Maurice and the house works very well on its own, except for nothing new, the bees are buzzing in the trees in bloom. I'm hot in my dress. These are the sensations of the moment. Fanny say that I went to winter sports three weeks because I felt tired. I was sick here (which is true) and the doctor told me to extend two months. I will have to decide to write to friends and acquaintances.
A big kiss to Dad I haven't seen and who shouldn't have fun every day with her.??.. (do not take them too seriously) and to Mom and my sister in sugar.
Claude
Mom can be Congratulations for purchasing a large format - I'm not.
Letter from Granie to Claude who left for Combloux to re-trace,
Winter 1952?
"My daughter,
We were very happy to hear from you on Saturday night, because there were 8 days since your last letter! But you have fallen into a good house where there are many and varied distractions and we are happy with the kg 1/2 won in 15 days, especially if the shoes are not for anything and if you continue to recover your substance? Remember, however, that Dr. Jacquelin had forbidden you great hikes and fatigues and did not burn yet by climbing peaks or descending the mountains priority reservations.
Dad's gonna send you 10,000f again, he's gonna charge me with your account and if you have to pay your full pension right now.
The sale looks over, I'll think about your pants if the opportunity comes - you should put Fanny's old panties on when you ski, and you'll find under your mattress when you get back in a spindle that doesn't look like a sinusoid.
It's a chance that there was this big snowfall, the bad weather is over?, you have the sun, here it is very gray, very wet and we had cold before yesterday on our way to the circus, where we stayed 4 hours in the air, the tarpaulins from the bottom removed. The shows were very varied, there were animals from all parts of the world: polar polar bears, lions with black manes of the Abyssinia, formidable tigers, beautiful horses. I didn't want to look at balancers who were 10 meters high and flirting on unstable bamboos, one of them suddenly threw his garment, I thought for a second that the unfortunate was in it and it took me 10 minutes to calm my heart's beat.
We went to the cinema to see the price of French cinema - the crumblings - It was very good, Thursday we go to Marigny to see Claudel. We also went to the housework salon and I brought a grill where we drained the dishes to avoid wiping it.
The curtains of the living room are hung, there are purples and large white curtains of Paule Marot, not very original, but that make... rich.
I've been looking for a last batch of the crusts of my youth and I think you'll be delighted to see that they adorn your walls.
Send a word to poor Aunt Note quite badly and leaner than ever. I'll send you Annie's exact address, I think she's at the "Solaneles" a well-known boarding house in the resort before Les Houches and Chamonix, but I asked that we not talk about your getaway to your uncles. Did you finally receive the skis sent before the package more than 10 days ago but by the station of Versailles.
The pencil is a shame, I hope you can read me. Write us often, send us good news to please us, we kiss you, my dear, very tenderly"
Letter from Claude to Fanny, Winter 52 ?
"Comblus on 18 February
My dear
My two room "cotures" are quite nice. One is the Louvre and the other is the gymnastics monitor. But I asked to be alone because I could lie on the carpet without any glaringness. I see from my window the Mont Blanc, and it is very curious because it does little effect. It feels like we can easily get up there. Combloux is a small hillside hole from which you can make lots of excursions. A number of hard ones were yesterday at Mount Arbois, others at the Brevent and the 3rd on Lake Geneva. It must be said that, on the eve of leaving, it is worth getting to know the region - all of which stops of course.
"Comblus on 18 February
My dear
My two room "cotures" are quite nice. One is the Louvre and the other is the gymnastics monitor. But I asked to be alone because I could lie on the carpet without any glaringness. I see from my window the Mont Blanc, and it is very curious because it does little effect. It feels like we can easily get up there. Combloux is a small hillside hole from which you can make lots of excursions. A number of hard ones were yesterday at Mount Arbois, others at the Brevent and the 3rd on Lake Geneva. It must be said that, on the eve of leaving, it is worth getting to know the region - all of which stops of course.
I'm a little knocked out and stunned by the climate. I'm doing aerophagy cutting my appetite and sleeping like a brute.
The atmosphere is very nice. The new ones look a little pickle. I found Geneviève X a great scientific goat from last year's ski camp. I don't know if she's tutu or anything but she was very tired and spent 2 days here to see friends - actually she's about 40 km away. Here's all the news.
What's more extraordinary here is a transmitter that you can hear in Versailles... we broadcast all the vigils that are most often cultural.
If you wanted to be suitable, you'd send me my skis, as soon as possible, Student Cottage, Combloux. - recommended - by replacing the strings with belts. It's boring to get them loaned and even more boring to rent them especially if you want to make 5 minutes a day since the rental rate is 150F for 1 day.