From Melbourne
20.1.86
Dear Alan and Lorna,
Your
parcel arrived today. Everything arrived in good condition. That basketware
container is beautiful. We were sorry when we got home that we had not bought
more of the crafts we saw in Natal. They were the best in South Africa. The
wooden bowl is lovely too. I like round objects. Alan wouldn’t have known
because I have bought both of them since he left here but I have a beautiful
round glass container and a round pottery vase that looks just like a round
stone. The basketware, the wooden bowl, the glass and the pottery are very much
the same shape. I like things that feel good in your hands. Lois and Ken came
for tea tonight and they liked them too. Lois thought the workmanship of the
weaving was better than in Tonga but the best there is very good. I have just
rehung we bought back which was form
Lesotho because we painted the lounge room so I got a better rod to hang it on.
I should use the basket to keep something special in it but I can’t think what
but it is a beautiful decorative piece by itself.
I
ironed all the newspapers that you stuffed them with so that we could read the
paper. They are interesting to read.
As soon
as I had put down the phone after speaking to you all I realised I hadn’t asked
about your exam results. That’s what happens on the hone I think of all the
things I should have said afterwards. Mostly you both did well. Seeing Lorna
wasn’t feeling to well that wasn’t bad and you have another chance.
Beverley
has at last finished her degree. We are going out on Thursday night to sort of
celebrate. To and Italian restaurant because we all like Italian food and it is
near to where Beverley is living in Carlton.
Why do
you write such different letters to Beverley and Pamela from what they say they
are entirely different from the ones I get and you can read them because they
are typed. I think Lorna’s last letter was typed but her writing is legible
anyway. Pamela said your letter put hers in the kindergarten stage but the
letters she writes to me are her diary of her stay so she puts everything in
and I do mean everything. Everyday she has got down what she did. Sometimes her
letters are a bit hard to read and boring but she says if she doesn’t put it
all down as it happens she might forget. When she gets home I have got all her
letters and photos in order.
I am
writing this letter at Trentham. After tea tonight Lois and I came up here
because a plumber is coming out tomorrow to fix the gasheater. It is easier to
come at night so I don’t have to hurry up in the morning. There was hardly any
traffic and from the time we turned off the highway at Woodend we didn’t see
another car. It was about 10 o’clock. All the farmers must have gone to bed.
It was good to see the children’s reports.
They certainly much fuller reports that the children of the same age here. You
must be pleased with them both. They are both very good reports. I see Jolene has grown quite a bit from last
year but I can’t tell her from Melissa’s. I see her writing has improved but I
am not sure whether that is important. During the holidays Benjamin has been in
here a few times. He is learning to swim and the swimming pool is just around
the corner. I think Melissa and Jolene would be better swimmers. He is just
starting but he enjoys it so that helps.
You
mentioned about coming over to see you all and the baby. We would like too and
we are going too but it won’t be this year.
You wouldn’t have noticed but when we were in SA several times I didn’t
feel all that well and I was very uncomfortable. I have been to the doctor and
he says I just need a small operation. It’s a sort of prolapse but he said an
uncommon kind. So I am not going on any long holidays until it is fixed up. It
spoils your enjoyment. This will be my last year teaching I’ve decided there
are other things to do. I am not sure whether to have myself fixed up now and
use up all my sick leave or wait until I finish work. I will see how the year
goes because they are supposed to be building a new kindergarten of the grounds
of the one I work at. While it is being built would not be a good time to have
a relief teacher.
When
all our children were young I made most of their clothes myself. I used to enjoy sewing. It did save money but
I think I did it more because I liked seeing the things I could do. It is much
easier to make clothes for a hot climate than when it is cold. It is very easy
to run up pretty little dresses for girls and give them a different look from
their friends.
I am
enclosing an article about the cricketers. When they first went some people
said there should be not publicity so we didn’t know what was happening. But as
they have played we have been hearing more and more about them. There would be
many people here who are just as vigorously defending their right to go as
there are many people who say we should have nothing to do with them. SA always
makes good copy and every now and again there is an article like the other one
about people leaving. I am not sure that it proves anything one way or another
but people do like to read about SA.
Went I went to check up the address (I have a rotten memory)
I found I had forgotten Jolene. I hope she wasn’t disappointed. I will send
another letter to Jolene today.
Love
from mum.
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