09 May 1943, John Charter's wartime journal

Many happy returns of the day, Betty. How lovely England will be looking at this time of the year. May and June are usually wet and humid months in Hong Kong; in fact the weather generally breaks up halfway through February and really heavy rain falls during May and June, and from thence gradually slackens off, very little falling between September or October and February – this,  from my memory of things. July and August and September are the chief typhoon months.

This year the weather has been exceptional, hardly any rain since last August. We had a couple of wet spells in early and late March, lasting about a week each, but in between and since we have had cloudless blue skies. The weather at present is delightful, hot and dry with a bright sun but a cool breeze from the North East. The day temperature rises to about 80’ and the nights are pleasant, a sheet or light blanket being necessary. The Japanese allowed bathing again at the beginning of this month. Y and I have not yet been down to the beach. I wonder if there is likely to be a water shortage in Hong Kong.