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where I was pointed out the Queen Victoria's castle of Bal Moral or Bal something-or-other. Another older-appearing castle with walls all around the estate was more in form with me for what I looked to see ^[[of beauty in a country estate.]]
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 Ships and more ships. The old forts ^[[(rearing up out of the very ocean)]] with the sweeping search lights (the forts date to Napoleon's time I believe).

Then a dull all-night passage and lay over in the harbor of LeHavre, France's great cotton port. We'll be in in a couple of hours I hope. Then to find my 139th!
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Squibs:-

Met a lot of my old pals in Southampton:- Lts. Marshall, Grant, Guernsey, Wyly, Alderman, [[strikethrough]]Doldex[[/strikethrough]]  Doblek etc. These boys have been "resting" at Romsey, 9 or 10 miles up the line from Southampton, since they came over - from 3 to 6 weeks! They'll be posted to train with English squadrons in England or sent to France as I am. The mechanics and riggers ^[[of their squadron (the 22nd)]] are sent over to train with the experienced ones just so that when the pilots are ready the forces can join and be complete within themselves. Billy Braid has joined his outfit.

Transcription Notes:
Balmoral is the monarch's palace in Scotland. The palace on the Isle of Wight is called Osborne House, which is on the north coast of the island overlooking the mainland.