Saturday, 16 September 2017
From Merrivale 11.10.92
From Merrivale
11.10.92
Dear Alan, Lorna & Girls,
Its ages since I last wrote but I have been busy looking
after the grandchildren. They are all very good, but eat like horses & I
spend my whole day cooking for them. while I was in Durban I cooked for both
Sheila & Neal & did we eat well as one day Sheila would provide the
where with all & the next day Neal, so we landed up having 2 roasts a week
& eating rump steak. Sheila & her family except for Ronald are mostly
vegetarian.
Jenny’s kids have just gone home – also Neal, Vanessa &
boys. Sheila’s kids didn’t come as Angela came up from Cape Town & they stayed
with her to help her look after her little girl also Melanie’s. I really
enjoyed having everyone here as we went to Midmar twice & I made a potjie
each day – Thursday it rained all day so the kids watched videos all day &
I made popcorn & toffee apples – now the kids say I must open a shop &
they will sell all the cakes & sweets I make.
Dad (TV addict) is busy watching “Beyond 2000” he won’t miss
it for anything & moans like a stuck pig if there is sport on & they
don’t show it. My wrist is playing up & I am having a job writing this
letter. I have just made 4 pairs of baggies & a skirt.
I have just come back from making supper & it has given
my wrist a chance. It doesn’t affect my knitting at all. We had lovely soaking rain & my vegetable
seeds have all come through – I thought I had lost them all. I have painted the
pool, will only fill it when I come home from Southbroom.
We are going to Jenny on Tuesday to look after the kids for
her while she is writing her final examinations. On the 30th we are
going to Vereeniging for Gary’s wedding, then from there we are going with the
Hayes to Southbroom for a much needed holiday. Richard Page is getting married
in December but I don’t think we will be able to make that wedding. The kids
all caught fish at Midmar so were very excited. Don’t mind my jumping around.
Must close now as my back is now playing up, I’m a real old crock.
Tons of love to you all from,
Dad, Mum & family XXXXXXXXXXX
From Sunshine 6.10.92
From Sunshine
6.10.92
Dear Alan,
Yesterday
I went through all the Choice magazines for the last five years and couldn’t
find any article on mulchers. Lois has burrowed two but I looked in the index
and nothing. I have read about them somewhere. It must have been the paper. I
do know, from hearing people talk about them the mulcher is very good for
keeping moisture in but you need a heavy duty one and that is too dear for one
person. The Williamston council comes
around at least once a year and mulches all the branches you leave on your
nature strip and leaves you with the mulch. That seems the best way to go.
The small branches and large leaves you can leave on your
lawn and just mow over them several times.
We are now at Trentham. This afternoon we went to Aunty Phyllis’s
funeral at Castlemaine. Everyone and then you need a funeral to meet some
relatives. Uncle Arthur was a little upset when the coffin was taken away but
then we all went into a room at the back of the church and had afternoon tea. We
all talked for about 1 ½ hours and by the end of the discussion Uncle Arthur was
much better. He had a good talk to a lot of people. He does look frail in his
wheelchair but his mind isn’t bad. Not as good as Aunty Grace. Keith and Margaret got back from their
holiday to Canada & Alaska last week so were able to come to the funeral. They
have already been to see Aunty Grace. She wanted to know all about their
travels. We still hasn’t taken her out since she got burnt but the nurse said
we can go now we are just waiting for good weather. It must come soon.
Didn’t mention earlier when talking about the funeral that I
was talking to Judy. She doesn’t look like anyone else in the family. The day Aunty Phyll died was the day Ted
finally handed over his practice. Judy is still going to work one day a week
there and ½ a day a week at the prison. She said she would rather spend her
time at home with the children several are quite young.
We did have a pleasant night last Saturday. The old
Vietnamese lady I am teaching English to had her 69th birthday and asked
us to come. We were the only non- Vietnamese but we had a good time. Some spoke
English very well and Anh the old lady was very happy we came. They put on the TV to get the election result.
It was strange here we were with all these people mostly speaking a foreign language
and all stopping to hear the results. They were all interested in what was
happening. Not many labor voters they
were anti-communist. It was an interesting night we were glad we went. Now I am
going to write to Beverley. We have just got a letter from her. She has started
working. She sounds happy with her new job.
Love
from Mum.
Give my
love to Lorna and all the girls.
From Hobart : 5.10.1992
ALAN CARLTON
PO BOXX 1078
GPO HOBART
7001
5/10/92
Dear Bev
In the middle of a song the clock radio comes on. The clock radio has no respect for singer or
announcers. It starts abruptly catching
the announcer mid-sentence or the singer in the middle of a song. I lie in bed listening and I know I have ten
minutes before I get up. My sleep has
been disturbed and I can't reclaim it. I
could lie here and listen to the radio for ages. It would be easy. But not today. It's time to get out of bed. Once I take that big step out of bed occurs
everything else flows automatically.
We drive through the darkness in silence. The Derwent River appears calm, dark, quiet
and very deep. On either side the street
lights snake up the valley. The bridge always
seems to have traffic on it. Cars are
converging on the giant cocoon from all directions. Some of the cars circle, disgorge teenagers
carrying large sports bags, and then disappear into the darkness. How crowded are the lanes going to be
today? There are a lot of cars in the
carpark. We park and perfunctorily enter
the pool.
I buy a ticket, walk round the corner and place the ticket
in a slot. Down the corridor and then I
push my way through the swinging doors into the heat, humidity and bright
lights. Some of the regulars are already
swimming. It's reassuring to see the
regulars. I know I'm in the right place. Some I know by name. Some I greet.
Most of them only exist at the pool.
If they have a life away from this place it's unknown to me. Occasionally you see a vaguely familiar face
uptown but...
Everybody is quietly and efficiently peeling off tracksuits
putting on caps and adjusting goggles.
No time is wasted as everybody prepares to enter the pool. It's six o'clock in the morning and there are
laps to be swum. Which lane will I swim
in? This lane has the least swimmers in
it but there is a very slow breaststroker in it. He should be in the far lane. Well I'm not going to tell him. The next lane is a bit fast for me. I'll take my chances with the
breaststroker.
Now to enter. I stand
and wait for a break in the chain of swimmers so that I can enter some clear
water. I give my goggles a final
unnecessary adjustment and then slowly slide into the water. The coldness of the water envelopes me like a
second skin. I duck my head under the
water and then I'm away swimming slowly and it feels great. A couple of hundred of free nice and easy and
then something else. What else? I'll worry about that in a few minutes. At the moment my arms, legs and back are
starting to loosen up, the blood is starting to flow and I'm a million miles
from care.
Regards
Alan
From Merrivale 17.9.92
From Merrivale
17.9.92
Dear Alan, Lorna & Girls,
This is just going to be a quick letter – we are off to Durban
tomorrow for 2 weeks to look after Neal’s kids, while Vanessa & Melanie fly
to Cape Town for 2 weeks to visit Angela. I bet she finds it hard with no one
to palm her kids off on all the time, I can’t believe Melanie as she is not
taking Chase as it would cost another R250 to take him so he is staying with
Gordon’s mum. The Lumgiar girls spend their lives visiting each other & do
nothing else. Vanessa is still having therapy.
I’ve got Nicky here for the 2nd time this week as
Debbie first of all had to go & have a scan now she is at the dentist. He
is a real darling & I love having him except that I am so busy getting
ready to go to Durbs tomorrow. I take him to the dam everytime he comes &
he loves it – today it is too miserable so I sat him on my chair & gave him
a bowl of popcorn, marmite toast & tea & only now has he come through
to talk to me.
Lesley has just rushed over Ronald has cut his head open at
work & she has got to rush him into the Dr for stitches. Sherry has to keep
her plaster on her foot for another week – it is still sore.
Poor old Tam-lyn phoned last night in tears as she tries so
hard at school & hasn’t done too well, but she is having trouble with her
hearing aid & needs another one for her other ear as well.
Sheila is still having trouble with Ronald & they are
both going to counselling – I think she should kick him out. Donovan behaved so
badly about going back to school weekend before last that Debbie & I
wouldn’t have him here last weekend so Lesley took him for the weekend. He
always plays poor old Sheila up & of course Bum wasn’t around to help her.
My wrist is giving up the ghost so I will have to stop
writing. I have made a dress a day for the last 9 days all with embroidered
aprons so have made a very little money. R10 per dress.
Beselina & Elliot have had a fight & he hit her so
now she does not work & he says he will divorce her.
Tons of
love to each of you from
Dad,
Mum & family XXXXXXXX
From Turkey 11.9.92
From Turkey
11.9.92
Dear Alan,
Sending this early – haven’t yet sussed out the Turkish
post. No doubt you know I am here… well I am!!! Here in Denizli to teach
English to the children of wealthy Denizli parents, businessmen. It is an elite
school so I am perpetuating the imbalances of privileges and rights. But what
the heck – the food is great, the people (well the ones connected with the
school- we are special to them) hospitable, the sun shines all the time and I
am here with two girls from England.
It took a week for us to spend a night in. Diner at one, lunch
at another.
So how goes life in Hobart? The job offering any new challenges
or excitement!!
More Turkish, we suspect that the guy doesn’t what he is
doing. flips through a folder, swaggers in and out of the room (gun in holster)
says something, picks up another folder… oh no he doesn’t sound happy. We are
doomed to live in Denizli forever.
Hello to Lorna, Melissa, Jolene and Stacey. He smiles.
Something has changed. Lights a cigarette (national pastime).
Time for a coffee, or tea or stroll all Turkish style.
Love
Bev
From Merrivale 31.8.92
From Merrivale
31.8.92
Dear Alan, Lorna & Girls,
It was so lovely talking to you all on the phone today. The Montagues were here & sent their
love. thanks a million for the money I
am going to put it towards my airfare to come
& see you all – I am sure I will be coming on my own as Dad is
getting old & just wants to sit in his chair & watch TV & do puzzles. I was very
worried about him as he was passing blood in his urine, but the Dr said it was
just an infection so I hope so. He has just finished his antibiotic.
Debbie tried to phone yesterday to tell you she was
pregnant, so when she phones please tell her how pleased you are for her , as
she seems very uncertain about this pregnancy – I don’t know why as she was the
one who wanted another baby.
Hilda called you wouldn’t recognize her – she was 30 today –
very slim & very attractive & has a very good job.
I think Jenny & Jimmy are coming tomorrow to bring Regan
for an interview at Linpark School.
We went to visit Robin, Val & Aunty Kay yesterday. They
made us so welcome, you know what Robin is like.
We have had ½ inch of rain so I am sure everything will turn
green now and the fruit trees are all in blossom.
The sun has come out now & I walked to the dam &
there are a pair of Egyptian Geese there. Must go and make supper. I think Neal
will also be here tomorrow.
Tons of
love Dad, Mum & family XXXXXXXXXX
From Merrivale 28.8.92
From Merrivale
28.8.92
Dear Alan, Lorna & Girls,
This is just a very hurried note to say thank you for your letters
& for the photos. My but the girls are growing so fast. Everyone remarked
how much like you Melissa looks.
I have just said to Dad I think there must be something
wrong with me as I spend all day every day in the kitchen. I seem to be baking everyday or making jam or
pickles now I am trying out a new recipe for pineapple jube-jubes. I have just done a packet of haricot beans for
the deepfreeze, so decided to make a pot of soup with the water – as Donovan is
coming for the week and is always hungry & I think we are in for a cold
spell. last week the temperature were over 30 C. Sheila has gone with Ronald to
St Lucia for 5 days, she is desperately in need of a break, as she has a very
demanding job, she is a debt collector & they give her a very large target
to reach & if she reaches it she gets a double salary cheque & she has
just reached her target. She really is a darling, gives Daddy & I R100 a
month to help us then burrows it all back, but her heart is in the right place.
Vanessa is looking after Taryn & Jenna. Taryn is beautiful like her mother.
– Jenna a dove when her mother is not around.
Debbie has just dropped Nicky off. He is a real darling, but
all Debbie’s kids are. Fay got an A+ in her ballet exam. Did I tell you she was
pregnant again & has gone to the Dr. I went last night with Les &
Ronald to Linpark School where Sherry & Donovan go & we went to speak
to the teachers & they all spoke so highly of Sherry & Donovan &
how polite & helpful Donovan was, so Sheila will be pleased to hear that. Tony
Kennard teaches there. We are just rushing off to sports day there now. Nicky
& Daddy have gone fishing – I asked him if he was going to eat the fish
& I wish you could have seen the expression on his face when he turned to
me & said “don’t you know I don’t eat meat I am a vegetarian,” but I
promise you he eats meat whenever nobody is watching, he always pesters Sheila
and I for meat.
We went out to Hazel Hill’s 80th birthday last
Saturday & had a lovely day with them, they asked me to send you their
love. They still stay there without 1 burglar guard. I think Molly’s daughter
Barbie & her husband Mike lived in Newtown where Mike attended Hobart
University where he specialized.
Run out of time & space. I am just waiting for Hilda du
Preey to come & visit me, then I will take her over to Debbie’s.
Tons
of love to you all XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Dad,
Mum & family
From Merrivale : 24.7.92
From Merrivale
24.7.92
Dear Alan, Lorna & Girls,
I am just about to get back into the car & go back to
Durban. We came home on Tuesday with Vanessa & boys plus Angelina’s baby
Jade who nearly drove Vanessa mad as she is so spoilt never sleeps & won’t
be put down & at 10 months old is still fed 3 hurly. Angela & Andrew
leave for Cape Town next week & is Angela in for a rude awakening & she
won’t have anyone to palm her kids off on. I really enjoyed my stay in Durban –
went to the beach every day & it was really hot 27 C everyday &
yesterday it was 30 C in P.M.Burg.
Tomorrow we are going to spend the day with the Hayes at
Southbroom then going to Margate where we have 3 cottages at Vila del Sol. One
for the Smiths one for the Besters & one for friends of Neal & Sheila
& family are also coming down for a few days.
Daddy has been very busy helping Neal, but he never seems to
get paid nor Neal & Neal is talking about giving up his good job &
starting his own business & I am dead against it as Neal is too soft &
also the economy of the country is very bad. Next week the kaffirs are going on
strike again for 3 days & then going to converge on all major cities &
bring everything to a standstill – I am really glad you are out of this country
at the moment. In P.M.Burg the ANC drive around with a coffin on the roof of
their car & a banner saying “Death to FW De Klerk & the Nationalist Government”
I came home to prune all the fruit trees & fertilize
& water them & I have done that. I bought Taryn & Jema home with
me, they are really good kids & Taryn a real darling. I took Sherry to
Durban for 10 days & she was a real joy. Clinton is in Bergville with Jenny
& having a ball. The rest of the family are all well. Must close now.
Tons
of love XXXXX
Dad,
Mum & family XXXXXXX
From Hobart : 28.6.92
ALAN CARLTON
PO BOX 1078
GPO HOBART
7001
28/6/92
Dear
Bev
It's
another beautiful Sunday in Hobart.
Sunday is the only day I seem to write letters. I think they should also be read on
Sunday. They deserve to read on a
meandering languorous Sunday for that is the spirit in which this is
written. If you receive this letter
during the week don't open it until the week-end.
Melissa
and Jolene are at swimming and Stacey has just gone to a Birthday party at
McDonalds. She wasn't looking forward to
it. Last time she went to a party there, she did not enjoy it. She said that there were other people playing
on the slides apart from those at the party.
Stacey is learning to read at school.
In the last month she has begun to try and read everything she can
see. At breakfast she tries to read the
cereal packets. When the girls do
homework then she also sits down and does her homework.
Footscray
is still playing very well. They were on
top of the ladder for a number of weeks.
I do not feel comfortable when they are on top. I would prefer them to be just below the
top. Life is tough at the top but much
easier just below but quite near the top.
At the top expectations are high and you can never pull off an
upset. When we used to go and watch
Footscray play the highlight of the year was always an upset. When unpredictable Footscray used the wind to
beat a team near the top.
Regards
ALAN
CARLTON
PS
Stacey
has returned from her party and she enjoyed the party. She very carefully shared out the smarties
that she returned with. She said that
she spent her time talking to Danelle's dad.
The children seem to be invited to a lot more parties than me. Nearly every week-end we need to buy a
present. We were invited to a BBQ the
other week-end. Parents of a friend of
Stacey. I didn't know anybody there and
when we arrived, and the host failed to introduce us around, I smelt a rat. When I saw a group of men gathered around the
BBQ talking about cars I knew I was in the wrong place. Children don't seem to have the same
problems. They never talk about
cars. I have never heard anybody ever
say anything interesting about cars.
Our
car had a flat tyre the other week. I
managed to change it but I have not yet put the spare back where it
belongs. It is still lying in the boot
which means it will be very easy to get at next time we have a flat tyre. Apart from that our car has behaved in a
reliable, predictable way. It thrives on
neglect. I have an abundance of that to
give it. And plenty left over.
From Merrivale 3.6.92
From Merrivale
3.6.92
Dear Alan, Lorna & Girls,
it was so lovely talking
to you today so this is going to be a very short note as I am aching all
over from working too hard, but tomorrow we are off to join the Besters at Margate
for a week.
Daddy was spoilt as everyone phoned to find out how he was
first one being Jenny, which surprised me as I phoned her from hospital after
my operation & she says “why are you phoning from a call box!!!”
We had a super 5 days with the Hayes/Besters the weather
was cold at night but lovely during the
day & I swam every day , but there was a lot of oil on the beach washed
ashore from the “CATINA P” which sank off the Mozambique coast about a month ago. It is quite warm here at the
moment 27 in P.M.Burg today. We passed your house in Mayor’s Walk & see
it’s up for sale.
We have had a fantastic crop of oranges, grapefruit, lemons
& naartjies, but the whole country is in the grip of a most devastating
drought which has pushed the price of vegetables sky high. R27 for a 10 kg
pocket of potatoes, so once spring is here I must get my garden going properly,
at the moment we have Chinese cabbage, red cabbage,
lettuce, peas, broad beans & spinach growing.
Jenny is bringing Regan to the specialist next Friday as he
has rheumatoid arthritis very badly in the joints of his fingers but I don’t
think there is much they can do for it. The whole Colligham family from the UK is
supposed to be coming on a visit in April next year.
Must close now & bath & bed.
Tons of
love to you all & thanks again for the phone call.
XXXXXX Dad, Mum
& family
From Merrivale 23.5.92
From Merrivale
23.5.92
Dear Alan, Lorna & Girls,
On Thursday we will go to Margate until Monday morning when
I bring Daddy back to go into hospital to have his operation on Tuesday – I
think he will be home on Wednesday, then when he feels O.K. we will go back to
Margate for another week. I am really looking forward to going away as I have
been so busy & crippled with arthritis but I am O.K. now. Daddy also hasn’t
been well, but seems to have recovered – now we are both going down with the
flu.
I have been busy cooking for Jonathon’s & Nicky’s
birthdays & I have rushed home from Debbie’s & made Nicky 2 pairs of pants as when
I went to change him today he hasn’t any
decent clothes. I made them each a jersey for their birthdays now I am battling
to get one finished for Taryn.
We had a nice weekend in Durban & went to the beach –
the weather is still lovely, but on the news tonight it is going to get cold
overnight.
Someone set fire to the bottom field last night so we were
rushing around & managed to get it out before it did much damage.
The rest of the family are all well – I did tell you that
poor Tam-lyn has a hearing aid, she seems to be coping very well.
I went to Howick High School to see “Sound of Music” it was
fantastic.
Well must close & go to bed.
Tons of
love to each one of you,
Dad,
Mum & family XXXXXXXXXXX
From Merrivale 15.5.92
From Merrivale
15.5.92
Dear Lorna, Alan & Girls,
This is just a few lines as I always feel guilty if I don’t
write every week. We are off to Durban
again tomorrow for the weekend. We are going to fetch Neal & he & Dad
will get on with Lionel’s building alterations next week. We took Neal home
last Saturday & the Besters came too for the weekend & what a lovely
weekend the weather is still very hot
mid 30’s here at the moment & the seas is so warm. We have been
going to Addington Beach & it is super for the little kids as the waves are
so small & the big boys surf. We also sometimes walk to the North Pier
& see what’s going on there.
We have looked after the Bester kids 4 nights this week they
are very good but I find it very tiring as they all want my attention all the
time. Last night we watched “The King & I” on TV & we all enjoyed it.
I am busy baking cakes at the moment to take to Durban, I am
also very very busy knitting jerseys for everyone for their birthdays. I was
busy doing some sewing for Sherry today & my machine played up so much that
tomorrow morning first thing it’s going in for a service & is Dad moaning
but I don’t care as I sew every day & I must have a machine that sews
properly.
We seem to have been inundated with visitors we seem to have
people here all the time.
Dad was very sick last week & had me very worried but he
is fine again. He had an abscess on his tooth & it had to be taken out. Now
he has to go to hospital on the 1st June & have a Terigima taken
off his eye he will be in hospital for a few days & it comes right in the middle
of our 2 weeks holiday at Margate – so we will go down for 4 days come home
& then go back once Dad is feeling O.K. I will have to drive for the next 6
weeks, which is not a bad thing.
Donovan has just phoned & asked me to take him out for
the afternoon & it is 3 p.m. So I
asked him if he had lost his marbles. He is not happy at boarding school &
hasn’t any friends. I keep telling him he will only get out of life what he
puts into life.
Ronald has just traded his Kombi in for a 2nd
hand ford. Sheila hasn’t been well at all, they are doing extensive alterations
to their house.
Tons of love Dad & Mum XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
From Hobart to Beverley : 5.4.1992
ALAN CARLTON
PO BOX 1078
GPO HOBART
7001
5/4/92
Dear
Bev
The
infinite possibilities arising from a blank screen. Thank you for your postcard from London. You really selected a corny postcard. Was it left over from the last time you were
in London or did you scour the streets searching....On the front is a picture
of Westminster Abbey etc. This word pro
program has a thesaurus built into it.
It is a wonderful toy. If you
don't like the word corny you can try hackneyed, timeworn or cliched. There are 25 words under the heading
corny. They say the word in the English
language with the most analogues is drunk.
I'll be back in a minute. I'll
just check that.............. There goes one theory. Only 22 words under the heading drunk which
is less than the corny word.
Today
is a meandering Sunday. The weather is
unseasonably warm and affable. There is
nothing I couldn't do today because of the weather.
Laziness
might stop me but not the weather. A few
weeks ago we received a letter from Pam.
After reading it I have no idea what she is planning to do. This is either because she has no plans or
she is keeping them private. She has
probably sent you the same letter.
Stacey
is exhibiting all the prodromal symptoms of some-one about to have their
Birthday:-only two sleeps to go. Next
Saturday she is having a small party at the Pizza Hut. She has only been at her new school a few
weeks and does not have a wide range of friends or acquaintances. The good side of this is that she does not
have a wide range of enemies. The
highlight of her school day is playing on the bars. She loves it.
If you ask her what she did at school she will initially say that she
did "nothing much". After
repeated questioning she will finally admit that she played on the bars.
Melissa
is having about a six week break from swimming.
After one week she sheepishly admitted that she missed swimming. This was obvious to us a long time before it
was apparent to her. Jolene is much the
same but not as bad. She has her music
to occupy her. They have been spending a
lot of time playing on the computer and playing with the neighbour-hoods.
The
built-in thesaurus cannot disguise the fact that I don't know what else to
add. The football has started and the
cricket has finished. One commentator on
the radio called the time of year when both cricket and football are both being
played as "the twilight zone".
It is a bit confusing. Everybody
was happy that England didn't win the World Cup. Even in the Prison, the inmates were
barracking for Pakistan. I saw a patient
last week who said that the players were doing the full Ramadan fast
through-out part of the World Cup. I
find it hard to believe that the players were eating nothing when the sun was
up and still playing good cricket at the same time. I know if you are sick or pregnant you can be
excused but I don't know if playing cricket is an adequate reason. There is no such word as cricket in the
Thesaurus. Apparently there is no other
word to describe the game.
Regards
From Hobart : 30.3.1992
ALAN
CARLTON
PO BOX 1078
GPO HOBART
7001
30/3/92
Dear
Thank you for your letter.
Make that a form letter. I had to
look that up in the dictionary which says that a form letter is a letter
printed, duplicated, or typed, copies of
which are sent to a number of people. I
don't know the word to describe a family brag news-sheet which is enclosed with
the Christmas card. Perhaps you can
think of one. Australian's are all
embracing Ausmas now though I have yet to see any Ausmas cards.
The World Cup has been a very exciting and entertaining
sporting occasion. The competition was
very even. In the end the final was won
with several moments of absolute class and pure talent by Pakistan. The tournament seemed to go for weeks and
contained moments of drama, controversy and character. Zimbabwe played Australia in Hobart and I
abstained. The vast majority of people
watching the World Cup did their viewing via a TV. I was one of them.
There may be advantages with form letters but there are
obvious disadvantages. The main one is
that to please everybody and offend
nobody you have to say nothing. This
letter which I am now looking at doesn't say much. Are you coming back to Australia? What about G?
What does G stand for? I assume G
stands for gorgeous. Why did G sell his
house? Have you become a Born Again
Christian? Is it cold in Canada? Will good triumph over evil?
I can hear Macca talking on the radio in the background.
What a comforting and reassuring
sound. It's Sunday morning in
Australia and the weather is fine.
Yesterday I listened to the football on the ABC. I heard snatches of a match for the first
time this year. I think I have heard
every cliche previously but I like it and I don't care who knows it. If I can hear Tim Lane and Peter Booth on the
radio then I know that all is right in the world. Footscray opened the season with a big
win. They defeated Adelaide in Adelaide
but they have their feet on the ground, they are not getting carried away, they
are taking it one week at a time and there is a long way to go.
Regards
Alan Carlton
P.S.....Footscray had a big win in the second round over St
Kilda
From Hobart To Beverley Feb 1992
Dear Bev,
I'm on a backstroke trend at the moment. Backstroke is the stroke where there is most
room for improvement. Every spare minute
I do backstroke. Backstroke with
paddles, backstroke with pullbuoy, backstroke drills, backstroke kicking and
backstroke intervals. Half the time I'm
think I'm going backwards and that I'm not getting anywhere. The advantage of having such slow times is
that they are relatively easy to improve.
When I first tried backstroke about a year ago the worst
problem was getting water up my nose.
When that happened I abruptly stopped swimming and treaded water until I
could regain my composure. A nose plug
helped give me confidence but it does affect your breathing and makes IM
difficult. Once I could barely survive
without it I discarded it. Flippers are
essential for the beginner backstroker.
They helped give me the feel for what I was meant to doing. They made it possible for me to lie on back
and actually swim.
My legs are the biggest problem. They tend to drop down towards the bottom of
the pool and the drag slows you down.
The slower you go the more they tend to drag so. I get the feeling that the main reason you
kick your legs is to get them up and reduce drag: not to propel you
forward. I think that the only way to
get your legs and body in the right position is to practice kicking. This kicking can be done in a variety of
ways. The other problem with my legs was
excessive bending of the knees. When
three people in a row all tell you that you are bending your knees excessively
then you know that they may have a valid point.
Another problem I had was I could not get my arms to move
continuously and for them to be opposite each other. I did more of a catch-up type of stroke. Once I had realised what was happening I just
tried to concentrate on a smooth flowing continuous stroke. It is also difficult to know how to move your
arms; when to bend them and where to push.
Up and down we swim.
The traffic is flowing smoothly.
So far no traffic jams, no overtaking and no collisions. It never lasts. I can see the breaststroker coming into view
ahead of me. I could do a quick U-turn
or overtake. He doesn't look the type to
increase his speed. I'll go for it. Overtake.
I sprint for the wall and just make it.
I quickly spin around and push off.
Made it. Clear water in front.
On the far side of the pool the squads are training
mechanically according to a program written on butcher's paper and stuck on the
starting blocks. Flippers, paddles and
kickboards are piled beside the pool.
Waiting, waiting to be used. The
coaches stand, watch and fondle their stopwatches.
Some of the swimmers have come to the pool for a swim and a
bit of a chat in the shallow end. Swim a
couple of laps then stop awhile. Some
people never stop. They automatically
swim up and down and up again. Others
sprint for the wall and expectantly look at the clock. Hoping to beat the unstoppable second
hand.
Time for some backstroke.
My arm collides with an arm in the next lane. The blow causes me to pause momentarily
before I swim on. The other swimmer
completely ignores me as he swims on. I
was swimming very close to the ropes.
The last 50 I sprint for the wall then slowly lever myself
out of the pool. Swimmers are
continuously coming and going. I towel
myself down as I survey the pool. The
blood is surging and all the sluggishness has gone. It's time a shower and breakfast.
HEALTH AND FITNESS
The World Health Organization defines health as: "a state of complete physical, mental
and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
W.H.O. defines fitness as: "being able to carry out
everyday activities (e.g. physical, mental, work, play) without excessive
fatigue and with enough energy in reserve for emergencies."
Accordingly health is much more than "not being
sick" and fitness is more than being able to swim 50m free in 30
seconds. Total health means feeling
great or on top of the world. Total
health depends upon Physical Health, Emotional Health, Mental Health, Social
Health, and Spiritual Health. All of
these various parts of the jigsaw depend on each other and need to be in
harmony with each other for a person to achieve total health or total fitness.
Physical health or fitness is not the only goal and is not
an end in itself. It is only part of the
whole. It is a part that swimmers are
not neglecting, but it is only a step on the way to something higher.
Regular swimming is a fantastic way of reaching or
maintaining physical health and fitness.
Only people who are emotionally and socially healthy will be capable of
the disciplines that regular exercise requires.
The converse is also true. An
improvement in your physical condition should make it easier to maintain or
improve your social and spiritual health.
ALAN CARLTON
From Merrivale 28.2.92
From Merrivale
28.2.92
Dear Alan, Lorna & Girls,
Fay’s birthday today – she had a party yesterday with about
20 kids & it went off very well – I did most of the baking.
I went to clinic on Tuesday & spent 4 hours at Grey’s
getting sorted out – anyway the operation appears to have been a success &
they took off the bandages & all the cuts have healed & they have taken
out all the stitches – the first thing I did when I got home from the hospital
was to jump into the pool then into the bath – I still have to wear an elastic
bandage for a week. I made the mistake of having the operation when we were in
the throes of a heat wave – anyway I survived & today it is overcast &
raining heavily.
We are off to Durbs this afternoon we will pick Donovan up
from school & take him home for the weekend – he seems to be settling down.
It is John Murdoch’s wedding tomorrow. I am not sure whether we are invited or
not but will have to wait & see until we get to Durbs. After 11 years he is
eventually marrying Pat. I am so glad Jock’s girlfriend or fiancée has given
him the push & he really messes the girls around this is the 3rd
girl that I know of that he has messed around.
Neal came up on Monday to bring the material for Dad to make
outside burglar guards & he was supposed to go back to Durbs that day, but
Lionel (a compulsive gambler) persuaded him to go to the casino with him &
they lost R400 & came home at 12:30 a.m.
& got shot down in flames as Debbie us to go & stay with her so
I wasn’t impressed as I was still bandaged up & very uncomfortable.
The Bester’s & Collighams (big pals) are going to White
Mountain for the weekend I think they are going to be rained out , but Jenny
needs a break – we are all thinking about going there as a family for my 60th
birthday. We are also having all the rest of the family here on the 4th
April for a big get together as well.
We are off to Howick to a Flea Market. Last time I got lots
of bargains. I am busy trying to get all your birthday parcels together so will
be late.
Tons
of love from Dad, Mum & family
From Merrivale 15.2.92
From Merrivale
15.2.92
Dear Alan & Lorna & Girls,
This is going to be short & not too sweet
unfortunately. Uncle Stan died on the 7th
February & the funeral was on Wednesday. I went into hospital on Sunday 9th
& was operated on on Monday – they did both legs & I am really laid up
as I am strapped up from the groin to my toes in 3-4 layers of bandages &
elastic stocking in this heat wave – you know what I’m like & I have to be
like this until the 25th February. Lesley is cooking for us & I
have to ask Daddy for everything else so I am not very happy & in a bit of
pain as well as I am very swollen from the cuts in the groin & I am only
allowed to lie down or walk around not sit – but I am sitting to write this
letter – so you won’t hear from me again until they remove the bandages.
Daddy, Neal & Sheila went to the funeral – Aunty Kay is
staying with Aunty Norah until she makes up her mind what she wants to do!
All the family seem to be well. I haven’t heard from dosey
Jenny I phoned her from hospital & she says “Why are you phoning from a
public call box???”
I had so many visitors yesterday – they all spoilt me
brought me cakes & flowers & I have had so many phone calls.
Today dosey Debbie sends her 3 over while she takes 3 hours
to cook lunch for us all at her house & brings it over, but her heart is in
the right place. Daddy took Nicky fishing in the dam & he caught his first
fish so was very excited. Fay needs to be entertained at all time &
Jonathon is so independent I never see him when he comes he disappears with
Clinton. Donovan continues to hassle Sheila over boarding school & Sherry
drives Lesley mad over boys but they are very strict with her. Must close &
go & lie down.
Tons
of love from
Dad,
Mum & family XXXXXXXXX
From Merrivale 24.1.92
From Merrivale
24.1.92
Dear Alan, Lorna & Girls,
Thank you so much Lorna for the lovely jackets they are
really super – also for the phone call yesterday I do so love talking to you on
the phone makes it seem as though you are not quite so far away. I see the air
fares are coming down they are less than R4,000 at the moment.
We haven’t got enough money for a new are so we are putting a 3 liter Chevy engine in the Kombi – a friend of Neal’s is doing it for us as it is a big job, but will be very nice when
finished, but will still be heavy on petrol & I believe petrol is going up
again.
We are going to Kelso tomorrow with the Besters, Neal
Smiths, Lumgairs, Angela, Andrew, Ashley, Alison, Reggie, Jolene & Brendon
we have taken 4 cottages, so should have a god weekend. Daddy will go back with
Neal to Durban to give him a hand & will come home with the Besters as Durban
is too hot for me at the moment & I also get very bored with Sheila
working & Vanessa is looking after
Jaydd full time.
Jenny phoned just after you & they have all been very
sick & Regan hasn’t gone to school yet this term. Tam-lyn goes to boarding
school in Escort & the other 2 go to Winterton as jenny there most days.
I have had visitors all day the Montagues & another
friend & I am just finishing this letter & going over to Debbie’s as
Lionel is lecturing tonight. Debbie has not been well at all & I am trying
to persuade her to see a Dr as she is getting sick too often now. I think I
told you most of the mews yesterday so I will sign off now - I will get
Lionel to take his video camera to Kelso & we should get some lovely shots
of the family.
Tons of
love from
Dad, Mum
& family
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