On [21] March 1914 Ruth Darwin travelled with her father, Horace, and a friend, Katherine Hare, to Vernet-les-Bains. They were later joined by Ida Darwin on 1 April. Ruth and Katherine explored the area through a series of lengthy walks which often lasted 3-4 days, returning to England on 25 April. Vernet-les-Bains has a hot water spring and Horace 'took the waters' for an unspecified ailment during his stay, returning to England with Ida on 29 April.
Contains 29 letters and picture postcards from Ruth to Nora Barlow and Ida, and from Ida to Erasmus Darwin and Nora. The letters describe the journey to Vernet-les-Bains, walks undertaken by Ruth and Katherine, and descriptions of flowers seen. A sample of pressed flowers is enclosed with a letter dated 9 April 1914.