From Merrivale 17.4.93

From Merrivale

17.4.93

Dear Alan, Lorna & Girls,

Just a hurried note to let you know we are all well. Winter is gradually starting with cold nights & early mornings, but the day temperatures are still high 31 C is expected today in P.M.Burg.  I have stopped swimming in the pool, but yesterday Jimmy’s mother & 4 sisters came & we went swimming in the dam – it was warm on top but cold deep down.

We have had terrible riots here over the death of Chris Hain leader of the Communist Party, & head of the army, he lived by the sword & died by the sword, but what chaos his assassin caused.  In P.M.Burg alone they broke all the windows in 70 shops & took all the goods from in the shops like Woolworths, O.K. Bazaars etc. they are hard pressed to find glass in the country to replace the broken windows as they broke windows in just about every town in South Africa, also slashed car tires & broke car windows & set cars alight. Now we are waiting to see what is going to happen on Monday when they bury him. We haven’t sent our kids to school this week & they won’t go back until after the funeral when we hope everything will return to normal.

Debbie & Lionel bought the caravan it is lovely & is parked permanently at Hlatanithi overlooking the Drakensberg. It has two double beds 7 two doors leading out of the bedrooms into a hugh side tent.  There is a large swimming pool tennis courts bowls games room etc. at the caravan park also lovely A frame thatched cottages to hire.

Most of the family are going to Jenny’s for the weekend for a family gathering at the Smiths/Collighams. Nana Colligham is 80 years old & wonderful for her age. Jenny’s sisters are lovely. The hotel seems to be doing well it was fully booked for Easter & can take 39 people. The rooms are done out beautifully most with their own TV & toilet & bathroom & facilities for making tea & coffee.

How did Melissa do in Perth? Tell her to write to us. Tell Jolene I am trying to make a card to send to her soon, but as always I seem to have visitors all the time & no time to do what I want to do. We had a house full over Easter.

                Tons of love to you all, XXXXXXXX

                Dad, Mum & family   XXXXXXXXXXXX