Letter from Wilfred Bion to Francesca, July 24, 1955 [1]. The Other Side of Genius: Family Letters2

My darling,

I had a very good and easy journey and now of course I am more than ever sorry you are not here – Nicola and all. The children would love it, and if Julian had been able to keep his eyes open he would have been thrilled to bits by the airport at London. It is a vast place and the bus ran in by a long underground tunnel that reminded me of the Mersey tunnel. The lighting in the reception halls was wonderfully effective and I think owes something to the Festival of Britain artists.

The plane was a turbo-jet and the take-off and the whole flight was extremely smooth even if it did not live up to being ‘without vibration’ quite as they advertised. But it was so steady that it gave me a feeling of confidence that I have not had before in flying. We rose very fast to 17,000 feet and 300 miles an hour. In 20 minutes we were over Brighton and in another 20 minutes over France; Paris–Dijon – a snooze, and we were circling Geneva airport. I felt a bit tatty by the time I was thrown out of the bus, but all went smoothly and I soon became aware that my misgivings arose from my expecting English service. By four o'clock I had my luggage and was clear. Of course I wondered how on earth I was to get to the hotel and if there would be a room. And of course nothing could be simpler. A row of taxis – unlike Croydon – a swift ride for 1fr.50 (about 3/–) and there I was wondering if the hotel was open at such an hour. A room? Certainly m'sieur: number 309…

… at 8.15 I rang down for my ‘cafe complet’ which is included. I had hardly settled back on my pillows before the waiter was there. Two fresh rolls and a croissant, very good butter, apricot jam and lots of coffee and milk. And all most fresh and appetising. There is a writing desk and, as you can see, notepaper etc. It seemed to me my only chance of writing was to do it now while Melanie presumably thinks I am asleep – once I showed myself, I felt sure, she wou