Still cold, snow thick on the ground and fog owing to the thaw so at last they decide to let us have some leave. Flying crews were allowed seven days and the men two days, one officer had to remain in each flight. Funny story of S/Ldr Simmonds came to light today. Bomber command despatch driver had been stopped by a man in mufti out of a large black car and was asked by him to come and have a drink. The dispatch driver drove on again - was passed by the large black car which stopped at the next ale-house and waved him in. He managed to evade the drinking and taking the number of the car reported it to Bloggs who was S.D.O. On arrival at Benson Bloogs warned everyone and reported it, next morning they discover from the car number that it was S/Ldr Bill Simmonds!