Chapter 2: Happy Valley

Fu I loved the high cloud and the hill,
Alas, he died of alcohol.
-- Ezra Pound

1923
Josslyn Hay: 22 years old; arrives in Kenya

The introduction of Josslyn Hay by Daphne Fielding, Mercury Presides, c. 1954.

1923: Josslyn had just been sacked from Eton.

The chapter begins with a small biography of Josslyn Hay.

Took/passed the Foreign Office exam, 1922.

1923: falls in love with Idina Gordon, the married woman with whom he eloped to Kenya.''The story of Idina Gordon, p. 30.

Idina had already lived a year in Kenya, but was now with her second husband back in London.

In 1924, Josslyn and Idina elope to Kenya.

Set up home in Slaines, a modest home on the slopes of the Aberdares, names for the castle sold by Joss's grandfather. p. 30.

1925: they moved from Slains to a house in the valley called Clouds.

It was another ten years before she reached the height of her powers.

There, at the Clouds, the Happy Valley legend began, p. 31.

The Idina scandal -- Josslyn Hay -- begins on page 30. Must - read.

She was twice divorced, soon to marry a mere boy (Josslyn) -- eight years difference --

Married in September 1923.

Idina had lived for one year in Kenya with her second husband, now ready to go back to Kenya.

Departed for Kenya, April, 1924.

This date launched the Colony's reputation as a place beyond the reach of society's official censure, and so beyond the pale, although this was tame compared to the scandals that followed.

They set up house on the slopes of the Aberdares. Set up house at Slains, named after the castle sold by Joss's grandfather.

1925: they moved from Slains to a house in the valley called Clouds, -- p. 31.

Some suggest in retrospect Idina's behavior in front of the Somalis contributed to Mau Mau.

Lord Francis Scott frowned on young officers visiting the Wanjohi, or frequent Clouds.

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Erroll later moves to Djinn Palace when he divorces Idina and marries his third wife.