After a long, tedious train journey the small Askwith party arrived at their destination, settled down in their hotel, probably in Nice, and began to enjoy the warm climate of the Riviera. At Christmas they were joined by Archie and Miles, who had travelled out by car with Codman. The car allowed them more freedom to explore the country around and to visit Ellen's cousins, George and Agnes Peel, who were also enjoying a Christmas break in Cannes.

All too soon their peaceful holiday was interrupted. Miles went down with a chill, and when he came out in a rash the local doctor diagnosed measles. With no drugs to combat it, measles was a dreaded disease in those days. Ellen arranged for the whole party to return home at once, apart from herself and Miles, in hope of avoiding the infection spreading to the rest of the family – Blanche and Betty were dispatched by train, and arrangements were made for them to stay at 119 St George's Square with their grandmother and Aunt Alice. Archie went home by car, but in spite of Ellen's pleadings George was determined to stay with her and Miles. The departure was slightly chaotic: ‘Rather a muddle about tickets – had to go … to the station to see them off as G's French is very shaky. Betty was sweet & strutted up & down the station’.