From Melbourne (Mum) : 5th January 1982

From Melbourne

5.1.82

Dear Alan,

                                We haven’t been home much since Christmas and were too busy to write. Your boots have been sent but there was trouble on the wharves again so I don’t know how long it will take. I have sent a few journals. I will not send any more till I hear from you that you want them. Also tell me if they arrived alright. I will just send 2 or 3 at a time because you can’t read many at a time. We had a quite Christmas day. Ray came for dinner, Laurel and Robert were here for morning tea on the way to Jennifer’s.

                Lois would like to know how the cake she made carried all that way. She is in Sydney having a holiday with a friend from the course she has just finished. If the education department offers her a job anywhere we have to say she will take it. Most likely she want hear anything till February. Everybody ie Norm, Beverley, Ray, Lois @ Ken Harbottle all went to the first day of the test on Boxing Day. They all said it was a wonderful day. They were there before it started and never felt like going until it finished. 14 wickets fell in one day. All the time something was happening. When Lillee was bowling all the crowd called his name as he ran. Dad said the noise was louder and the atmosphere more exciting than at a grand final. Although there was less there Beverley said everybody was calling out @not just like as at football the fans for one side. We have spent all the rest of time at Trentham. Just came home one day to get food and clean clothes. Didn’t do much work except water the new trees but spent most of the time walking in the forest.

                We took Humphrey. He walked with us on a lead, now and then we let go but he was too frightened to go far away. Every time we saw a kangaroo he didn’t even see it. I have just finished a book on South Africa by a Sri Lankan –Weeraman- currently he is Professor of Law at Monash. The book was published in Australia. In 1979 he was guest lecturer at Stellenbosch University. He also spoke at other universities @visited many places in South Africa including Robben Island, Soweto etc. This book is his thoughts @his final lecture to the students.  See if you can get it. Apartheid-the closing phases. I think it is an optimistic book. If you can’t get it I might be able to send you a copy.

                                                                                                Love from Mum