Friday 4th October 1935

At 5.30, feeling reckless, I got into the Bedford, drove out of the yard and into the road. Solo! Strictly against orders. Exultant, I dashed across the Medes, along the river to Old Windsor, then up that steep hill to Bishopsgate. Smoked, did just as I liked in fact. Got back soon after 6. Damn lucky; nobody saw me.

This incident made me feel gay for the rest of the evening!