Friday, 24 March 2017

Photos from Hanging Rock 1987







From Howick 24.8.87


From Howick 15.8.87


From Howick 25.7.87

From Howick
25.7.87


Dear Allan, Lorna & Girls

                Thanks a million for your phone call it is always so nice to hear you on the phone – thanks also Allan for your letter & photos Beechworth looks a lovely place & we hope to come & visit one of these years. Lorna did you ever receive the elephants I sent, you are very bad about saying whether you receive my parcels or books etc.

                Well I took the boys home on Thursday I have had them for over 2 ½ weeks in fact nearly 3 weeks  & they were so good you wouldn’t believe it………………………………………………………Jenny, Jim & kids arrived out of the blue on Monday & stayed until Wednesday, it was nice to see them & the children.

Debbie & kids came with when we took the boys home & we spent the day with Sheila, who has been missing us all, but I think after we left she won’t be missing us for quite awhile –it was like bedlams & during all this in walked Neal……………………………………………

Did I tell you he had an accident in the Renault & about wrote it off – the Indian fellow isn’t insured & is trying to blame Neal – anyway he is going to take him to the Small Claims Court.
Les, Ron & kids are all well – Ronald still working too hard……

Well I can’t believe Dad & I are on our own again after such a long time – I have really cleaned the house out today & I have started sewing again. I haven’t touched the machine since May.

I am sending in my last 7 entries today to win the Kombi. Dad seems to have sorted our Kombi out & he is fitting it out so nicely – I want to go to the coast for a few days before we go into hibernation for 2 months. When I win our new Kombi I am going to sell our one as a camper & then get a high roof hut on the new one & then Dad can build it up into a camper for us.

Tell them lazy grandchildren of mine that I don’t want excuses I want letters from them please – I miss them all so much

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX tons of love from XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX   Dad, Mum & family XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX




Photos from Beechworth 1987 (F)





From Howick 14.7.87

From Howick
14.7.87

Dear Allan, Lorna & Girls,
                                                Well we are back home again for awhile I hope – we bought Byron & Wesley back with us……………………………………………………..We had a lovely week in Durban – Neal got  a 48 hour pass so we were able to spend the 2 days with him – then the weather was lovely so I took all the kids (+ Sherry & Clinton & Jenna) to the beach & it was spring now – it was a lovely change from the freesing cold weather here.       

Dad has been busy making the Kombi into a camper & so far has made us a full size double bed & a wardrobe & I have managed to buy us a 2 plate gas stove from the Pawn Shop for R50.00.

We took the 6 kids caravanning  with Ronald & Les to Illovo beach to the Fun Seekers Caravan Club – the kids really enjoyed themselves & were very good especially Donavan & Taryn, who were so helpful. They had a clown party so guess who made 6 clown outfits – I made 2  like the cover of the magazine then made the other 4 from bits & pieces – I will try & send you a photograph of them – the 2 clown costumes I made really turned out  terrifically.

Jonathon & Fay have been quite sick vomiting all the time – but they are back OK now & I  looked after them tonight while Debbie & Lionel went to “Mikes Kitchen” for a lovely meal. Jenna, Donovan & Clinton have all also been sick with vomiting & runny tummies & Dad & I both have flu.
All the family are well & send their love also Aunty Fay Morrison.

I am still entering every competition I can lay my hands on & now have 35 chances of winning a brand new Kombi – as our one still plays up all the time, but always gets us safely home. It is a full time job – I spent 2 hours last night just entering competitions & it is costing me  a small fortune in stamps, envelopes, postcards & packets & wrappers from the different packages.

Peggy’s wedding went off very well – it looked really lovely. It was a small wedding at home – they hired a marquee & had a hotel caterer in for a full hot lunch. Her husband has 1 degree & is studying to be a doctor & still has 3 1/2 years to go & so the Pages weren’t very happy about the marriage. The Hayes are hoping they have sold their business.

Did I tell you Dad & I are going  to look after a small holding in Kamberg for 2 months in September /October & we will be paid R10 a day – we are really looking forward to it. 

I made marmalade & hot atchar today. Well must close now.

XXXXXXX Tons of love to you all XXXXXXXXXX

XXXXXXXXXXXX Dad, Mum & family XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX





               



From Bergville July 1987

From Bergville
July 1987
To Melissa

Why did you right back. I have been waiting.

Tara and Regan have had there birthdays.

I have had my exams.

I think I have paist my exams.

I have a friend called Wendy.

I hope your family is well.

                                Lots of love

                                                Tam-lyn Coligham





Photos from Beechworth 1987 (E)






From Howick 29.6.87

From Howick
29.6.87

Dear Allan, Lorna & Girls

Well we have just arrived back from Durban, where we had a super time meeting all our old friends & relatives – we saw Aunty Norah & Uncle Stan , aunty Betty, Uncle Freed  & Aunty Violet & all sent their love & very best wishes.

We are hoping to go to Jenny’s tomorrow for Regan’s birthday – but I can’t see us being able to make it as we are both so busy & Beselina is off sick & the car is still playing up. Thanks for all the phots I get quite heartsore when I see the girls but I know I will write something soon & be able to come & see you – tonight. I have sat & entered about 22 competitions so here’s hoping. Don’t you remember seeing mushrooms just like those in the pine forests near the Gibran’s old farm. Did I tell you that they had sold & now live here in Howick so we see them now & again. They have just got a job for Daddy & I – we are going to house sit for friends of theirs, who are going to England for 2 months – they have a lovely farm in Kamberg – it sounds lovely with a trout stream as well – so we are looking forward to it 3rd September – 25th October.

Lesley is now 100% & her old self again. We now have a proper table tennis & she & the children come over all the time to play. Sherry is quite good. Ronald is still working too hard 12 hour shifts now stop.

We looked after Neal’s boys for a week……………………………...................... We are going down again next week to spend another week with them & Neal will also get a 48 hour pass – then we will bring the boys here for a while.

The Besters are all well. Jonathon said today when I told him not to do something, he said I have just phoned Uncle Neal & he told me that I could do it. He also told Lesley to do something for him & if she wouldn’t he wouldn’t stay & play with her – Fay is ever so cute.

My machine is bad & I hope fixed but I haven’t had a chance to even try it yet. The Lumgiar maybe moving out of their town house………………………………................................................................

The Hayes are hoping to have sold their business & will know for definite this week so hold thumbs for them.

It has been freezing cold again & the snow is think in the Berg it looked so lovely on my way to church yesterday.

I should say Dad has just prepared the fruit for me to make my first batch of marmalade tomorrow. We had a wonderful crop of guavas – we took a lot to Sheila. We have had lots of vegetables out the garden but everything is just about finished now from the frost although we still have carrots & turnips & the cabbages are just starting to form heads.

Well must go it’s very late & cold. Tons of love to each & everyone of you

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Dad , Mum & family 

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX






From Howick 21.6.87

From Howick
21.6.87

Dear Allan, Lorna & Girls,
                                                Well you can’t believe how happy I am today the shortest day of the year & Tara’s 5th birthday. Well what a change in the weather on Tuesday & Wednesday it was 28-29 C then Thursday & there was snow everywhere & frost like I have never seen before – last night we baby sat for Debbie & left at 9pm to come home & our windscreen was just ice & we couldn’t get the windscreen wipers to work & I couldn’t get the ice off – so we crawled home.

Today being Father’s Day I thought you might phone – all the children phoned, but not one remembered to wish Daddy except Debbie, who made him a lemon meringue pie & came over this afternoon. I made a lovely kaffir pot – pot roast for lunch it was really lovely.

Tomorrow we are off to Vanessa’s. I am really looking forward to going – as I want to go & visit a lot of my old friends – did I tell you Aunty Violet is now living in Umkomaas & I want to go down & see her too – we always seem to be in a hurry when we are going down the coast or coming back – so we have decided to make a special trip.

I am busy knitting for Aunty Maureen – I have started 2 for your girls – but just don’t seem to be able to come right with them & I have unpicked them so many times, that I have now put them to one side.

Next week we are going to Jenny’s for a few days then onto Peggy Page’s wedding – then home. 
We are still having hassles with the car – there is just something small wrong with it & as it has an electronic start. Dad just doesn’t seem able to sort it out.

Neal phoned & is well he is leased we are going down to stay with Vanessa , as she is  a little bit scared – I can’t understand the Lumgiars…………………………………………………………..

I want to get a lot of material while I am in Durban especially winter material for shorts for the boys as I have a super pattern that I am using. My machine is back & seems to be working 100 %. I am still entering every competition that I can I have one in 100 chances of winning a car – so I am sure I must win something soon.

Jenna is well again as is all the family & they all send their love – hurry up you lazy girls & write to your Nana, who is missing you all so much. The Escom bus took the Escom school kids to Little Switzerland to see the snow.

                Tone of love to you all

                Mum, Dad & family XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX




From Hilton 17.6.87

From Hilton
17.6.87

Dear Lorna & family,

Thanks a lot for the letter & photos. We only got them on Friday so it probably seems like ages since you heard from me.

We were due back on Saturday but we received a message to say that our house had been burgled & could we please come home. Fortunately only money, a watch & our new camera had gone. They could have taken everything. You could not believe the tiny window which they smashed & climbed through.

Anyway we had a lovely holiday. We were so lovely & warm despite the frost that there was snow all over the country. We did a lot of walking & Ma swam every day. The closest Lionel came to swimming was one morning when he actually put his costume on & went down to the tidal pool. E decided it was too cold to swim. He went to feel what the water was like & as he stepped onto the first step it was so slippery that he fell in. Dad and I had a good laugh when we saw that he was not hurt. It was jolly dangerous. We met a man of 85 swimming there & he told us that he had also slipped down the stairs.

It is so cold here in the mornings & at night I bought R40 worth of tracksuit material & I was sewing whenever I have a free minute. Jonathon is at school this morning so I am hoping to get a bit of sewing done.  Monday night Lionel had to see a customer in Durban, so we went to Neal’s house. I suppose you know that Neal is in the army again for 2 months. Poor Vanessa has to try & cook for them when she comes home from work. It must be jolly tiring. Anyway I am sure Ma will take Byron & Wesley for the holidays. Vanessa wants to keep Garrett with her for company.

I forgot to tell you how Lionel got to Margate. The night before we were leaving Jock came around to our house. His friend has an aeroplane and this guy was going to Margate the next day & Jock was going too. Lionel jokingly asked if there was an extra seat in the plane & Jock said that another guy had cancelled. So it only cost Lionel R10, and it only took 50 minutes to get there. It was so exciting for him. The week before Lionel had taken us to the Royal show & had a five minute ride over Pietermaritzburg in the Port Natal Radio helicopter.

Anyhow, I do not have much more news to write. I am sending you a photo of my kids which I had done in Margate at the studio. Talking of kids, I am planning one soon, but I would like one in a few years time when my two are a bit bigger. I find it strange that the girls over there have bigger families, since they don’t have servants. I suppose having servants makes one lazy anyway. Vanessa told us that Angela is pregnant. By the way Vanessa & Jenny are wondering why you have not written back to them. Did you receive their letters? Anyhow I have to go now. Keep well & send my love to the kids. Write soon.

Love Debbie, Lionel & Johnathon

Ps I forgot to tell you while we were away we left Silky on the farm & she disappeared. She had walked all the way home. She is a lovely, faithful dog. We were so pleased to find her.




Photos from Beechworth 1987 (D)






Thursday, 23 March 2017

From Melbourne 16.6.87

From Melbourne
16.6.87

Dear Lorna,
                                I’ve been thinking about what to do in the holidays. There are several things that I could do but I think this would be best. What do you think? On Tuesday 30th June I will leave here early as possible getting to Beechworth about lunch. I could stay till late afternoon Friday. This gives me 2 full days and at least 2 half days that I can take the girls out or just stay and play at home. I could come in the second week but the first week suits me better. I was thinking of bringing them back here but the next term holidays in September includes all the show week so it would be better if they both came down here for those holidays.

                As it is getting colder I will bring a sleeping bag and a blanket so you won’t have to worry. There will be plenty of room in the car so if you would like me to bring something from our place or from Melbourne hat you haven’t taken I can bring it.

                If you have made other arrangements just let me know, as soon as you can tell me if the first would be alright.

                We leave the September holidays which are from 21st Sept till 3rd Oct for them to come down here. We can easily spend a couple of days at the show.

                                                                Love from
                                                                                                Mum





From Margate 1.6.87

From Margate
1.6.87

Dear Allan, Lorna & Girls,
                                                Well here we are at Margate again & we have been very lucky as they have kindly let us have cottage No 8 right on the beach & the weather has been heavenly 30 today – I have been swimming in the sea pool & the sea everyday so far & also enjoying the jacuzzi – at the  moment Debbie, Lionel & Jonathon are busy enjoying it &  Fay is asleep – she loves the water more than Johnathon, who complains after a short while that it is stinging him, but Fay will  stay in for as long as you.  They were catching shad today & our neighbours caught 21 one day last week – but so far nether Dad nor Lionel have tried to fish.

It was the Comrades today so we thought of Allan last year.  Bruce Fordyce won again for the 7th consecutive time. I hope you can read this as I am sitting on the bed as square eyes is parked in front of the TV & it’s blazing out “Air Way.”

Neal & the boys spent Friday with us – Vanessa was working –we had a lovely day & in the afternoon they all went to the royal Show & Jock found a friend with a aeroplane, who took him for a trip, then Jock, Lionel & the friend flew down to Margate on Saturday 7 we picked Lionel up t the aerodrome – it cost Lionel R10. The traffic was so bad on Saturday that it took us an hour to get from Port Shepstone to Margate – Thursday was Ascension Day 7 today Republic Day, so most people took Friday off & so had 5 day long weekend. Neal is supposed to be going to the army, but hoping to get out of it. C…. has broken off her engagement to Jock.

Lesley…………………………………………………………………………..Sherry is in the netball team & goes all over playing netball & enjoying it.

Sheila & family are well – we have seen a lot of them lately & Sheila is doing well with her sewing.
Jenny, Jim & family well – Jenny is doing music exams – on the 13th so will be at our place went we get home & we will have Tara’s birthday party then.

Lesley paid me to make Stacey a dress & I bought a pair of water proofs. I bought the others the Easter bunnies are belated Easter gifts for the girls.

I am busy making Aunty Maureen a jersey then I’ll do the other one for the girls.

Hope the elephants arrived safely & that you could sell them at a good price. Well I will close now & tell those lazy grandchildren of  mine that it’s time they wrote to me I’ll get postcards off to them one day this week.

                                                Tons of love to all of you,

                                                                Dad, Mum & family

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX














From Melbourne 30.5.87

From Melbourne
30.5.87

Dear Lorna,
                I am enclosing a few odds and ends for children. I am not sure of the sizes but they can change them around if necessary.

I forgot to ask Norm before he went to work whether he will be able to come to Beechworth at the end of the holidays when I bring Jolene and Melissa back. He most likely will say that he doesn’t know yet. He will just have to make up his mind in a few weeks and I will let you know then.

                All the jumpers, hats & mittens are not knitted with pure wool so do not have to be so careful about washing them.

                We had a letter from your mother last week. Funny we had just been saying we must write to them when the letter arrived. She said she was waiting for Debbie’s baby then they were all going to Margate for a holiday. After that she says they are going to Kruger National Park. In Pamela’s’ last two letters she has been trying to get to Kruger NP. But she hasn’t got there yet.

                Did you see in the paper the other day there was an article about the weather getting warmer. IT said if the weather keeps going the way it is then in 40 years there will be no frosts at Beechworth or Benalla. These were the two towns mentioned. I am not sure whether that is a good thing or not but 40 years is a long way off.

                I certainly wouldn’t be building any new ski resorts which seems to be what the government is doing.

                I just thought if the mittens are too big thread a piece of elastic around the wrist to keep them on. I am not sure how Jolene & Melissa want to wear the hats but I think they would be warmer if you don’t turn up the bottoms.  Pamela’s letter will just have to wait because I started yours first. I am going into the National Parks office to help a lady there.  It’s a bit vague what I am going to do. I’m just a volunteer. I will let you know what I am doing in the holidays as soon as I know what I am doing.

                                                Love to Melissa, Jolene and Stacey.

                                                                                                Mum and Grandma







From Howick 25.5.87

From Howick
25.5.87

Dear Allan, Lorna & Girls,
                                                                We have just got back from Durban where we had a lovely week – and with all the family – Debbie, Lionel & kids didn’t come as Lionel was too busy – but on Saturday afternoon they went to the Royal show & Jonathon had R10 worth of rides & Lionel went for a ride in a helicopter.

It was Jonathon’s 3rd birthday on Thursday & he had a long party I made a boat cake with 3 decks with umbrellas swimming pool & people lying around the pool. Donovan , Byron & Taryn shared a party and I made Mickey & Minnie Mouse for the  …, the cakes  were really superb  & for Donavan a pirate , there were dozens of kids  & we had it at Neal’s & Neal made  a puffy slide & had the kids lined up all afternoon for rides.

Sunday we went to the beach, but it was very windy & the seas murky as the coast had quite a bit of rain. I went for a long swim in the tidal pool as I have put on quite of weight since I stopped swimming, but I intend to do lots of swimming when we leave.

Jenny & family are well, but Jenny is so busy doing music exams.

Well Lesley had her operation & is well on the way to recovery…………………..the kids stayed with me & were so good. I am still doing the cooking but Ronald is buying the food.   We are picking masses of peas, guavas, tree tomatoes grapefruit & oranges off our trees. I made guava jelly, but it didn’t set too well not enough pectin, now I must start on our marmalade. We had our first frost last night but it is still hot during the day.

I am still entering every competition , but I haven’t won anything as yet I bought a R10 ticket in the R1,000,000 Gold Rush so maybe we will get lucky (not maybe I know I am going to win enough money to come & see you all!!)

It was so lovely speaking to you al no the phone & I am much happier now that I realise how easy it is to phone you. Thanks for the lovely photos Stacey looks too beautiful & my heart gets so sore everytime I look at her photograph.

I airmailed the elephants if that South African Curio Shop is interested I can get hold of lots – they are hand made in Malawi  & cost R4.00 for 6 the only thing I can’t get any more while as they are made from hippo teeth & that is out – the black ones are made from ebony , so see what you can do.
Sheila took me material shopping & I got quite a few more pieces I have quite a lot.  Stick piled – but unfortunately not much for girls mainly shirts.  Have the girls been receiving my parcels, as I send hem each one each month. Much love will write from Margate.

                                                                                                                                Tons of love to all
                                                                                                                                Dad, Mum & family
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX











                 



From Howick 5.5.87

From Howick
5.5.87
Dear Lorna, Allan & Girls,
                                                    Well we are here at Uncle Brian’s & Aunty Maureen’s  , where we have been since last Thursday – we sold the golf bakkie & bought  a Kombi transporter with a high roof & Daddy is going to turn it into a camper for us & we will also sell the Campervans & the VW double cab & then only have 1 car to insure  & license. I am so thrilled & excited about it that I keep getting up in the night to see that it hasn’t been stolen, we bought it because we fell in love with it 7 didn’t even take it for  a test drive 7 it has no guarantee only a COL.

10.5.87. Well we are back home again & the Kombi is giving us a few headaches, but hope to sort it out. One problem is that the petrol tank is leaking but the garage have agreed to fix it & lend us a car while it is being fixed.

The wedding went off very well – it was a beautiful day & the setting was two beautiful at the Riviera hotel on the banks of the Vaal River & the wedding breakfast was super & May had made her own dress & it looked lovely – I think Patrick had cold feet after 11 years – so we will see how it goes.
We came home early because Lesley was supposed to go to hospital to have her tonsils permanently removed – but she chickened out……………………………………………………………………………..........................................
We stopped at Jenny’s both ways & all is well with them – the children were so pleased to see us. By the way Aunty Maureen especially asked to be remembered to you & sent her love. Also what times are you at the surgery. Debbie is dying to talk to you.

Sheila is very busy doing sewing orders & seems to be making some money – I don’t seem to be able to settle down at the moment and I am very restless – but I must get my ass into gear as from tomorrow .

Dad, Debbie, myself & kids went to PM Burg today to get fruit & vegetables & it cost us R60.00 then we went to Checkers Cascades & t was like a mad house – I will never go there again on a Sunday morning. Jonathon goes to school 1 day a week now – but for how long I don’t know. Neal & family are well he just phoned for Mother’s Day & I am pleased to say all the kids remembered & phoned.
Many thanks for the books which arrived on Friday – I thought they were lost. I am really enjoying them & pick them up to look at them all the time – I especially like the one on things to do for the kids.

I sent off a parcel with 3 jerseys 2 for Stacey & 1 other. I am afraid I won’t get much done with Dad being home every night now but I am ever so glad he is not working nights anymore.
It’s not long now before we go to Margate for our leave. I am really tired out – so hope to have a good rest.
……………………………………………………………………………...............................................
Well we just going to watch the news & then go back to bed – so I’ll say cheers for now & hugs & kisses to the girls.

                                                                                Tons of love from

                                                                                Dad, Mum & family

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX




From Howick 21.5.87

From Howick
21.5.87

Dear Allan, Lorna & Girls,

Well I received your letter today – your new house sounds spooky – I wonder if Debbie will come to visit you after she reads your letter.

Daddy is 100% fit , he had the skin cancer removed at Dr Hampshire’s it took over an hour to remove it plus the 3  warts on his head. He is busy making a lovely black wood server – it really is a beautiful piece of furniture & Jenny has bought it for R300.00 – so if we canary on like that we will be OK. 

Daddy will get a War Veterans Pension of plus – minus R250.00 then we get R250   from Ronald   & Les & I hope to get a disability pension & if I do we will definitely be all right.

Lionel is going to pay the telephone account and Ronald & Leslie will have to take Elliot & Beselina & also pay the lights and water the others aren’t in a positon to help us – but it doesn’t matter as we will go to Jenny’s once a month for about a week & also go to Neal’s, so you must not worry about us as all is well. I am also doing quite a lot of sewing & have quite a few orders & I have sold quite         a lot of stuff already, we also have a few thousand rand in the bank, which we didn’t want to touch in case we need it later on.

I feel very sure that I am going to win enough money for Dad & I to come over for  a long holiday – I am entering a lot more competitions this week again, also out of the Your Family – hence the missing pages for your magazine.

Neal, Vanessa & boys  spent a week here & only left this morning so peace reigneth……………………………………………………………………..............................................

We had a lovely Easter the weather was too perfect – we went to Midmar on Sunday for the day & we really had a lovely day – the boys skied all day long & I swam with the children………………………………………………………………………………………………......

Sheila & Ronald & family are well……………………………….......................................……………

Daddy has just gone to work only & more days thank goodness. I can’t tell you how pleased I will be to have him home at nights in future. Just hope I can get as much sewing done when he is around.
We leave Wednesday night after work for Jenny’s then onto Maureen’s the next day for Patrick’s wedding – we will stay with the Hayes for about 10 days & hope to see Uncle John & Aunty Fay , also we will call on the Pages &  sleep the night there too so we will be gone for about 2 weeks altogether.

Well my bed is calling & I hear funny noises in the lounge thank goodness Ronald will be here soon

                                                                Tons of love all

                                                                Dad, Mum & family







From Hilton 15.5.587

From Hilton
15.5.587

Dear Lorna & family

Thanks for the letter which I have just received now. I am sorry to hear that you sound quite sad. I feel so far away & helpless. I have been missing you so much lately & have been wanting to phone you; but now that you have a phone at home it will be much easier.

 Ma , Dad & the kids & I went to Durban for the day yesterday. We had a lovely day. We fetched Garrett from Nursery school & took all the kids to the beach. (the weather is still hot here.) The tide was right out, so the kids could play in all the rock pools. It was lovely.

I also sewed Jonathon a beautiful track suit top while I was there. Sheila has been having sewing lessons and she can get the patterns for R1.50 each; so I am going to get them & send them to you. They are really super.

Ma cooked a roast at Neal’s house, & we all ate there.

Lionel has been working very hard too. It really becomes exhausting but it is fine for me, as I can go & sit with Ma & Dad. He sometimes works until 11 p.m. as he is trying to finish all his work before we go on holiday. Tomorrow we are going out for the day which is lovely. It is a little girls’ party at 11 am tomorrow. There is going to be lunch for the husbands & wives & then volley ball in the afternoon. It sounds great fun. It is also a type of house warming as they have bought a farm.

Fay is also going through a lovely stage now. She is saying so much now. Yesterday at Neal’s the phone rang. She picked it up & says hello & puts the phone down again. She can say everybody’s name 7 walks around the house calling everybody. She is so cute.

Jonathon is so lovely too. He has spent the morning with Daphne, next door. She is a pre-primary teacher.  Jonathon came home with a picture & a cat which they had made from play dough. He is getting so big. It is his birthday on Thursday so I am expecting a big crowd of kids in the afternoon. We have bought him a big flashy red train (battery operated) so I cannot wait to see his face when he wakes up on Thursday morning.

Anyway I do not have much more news. Love to everybody. Write soon.

                                Love Debbie, Lionel, Jonathon, Fay