From Melbourne
21.7.86
Dear Alan and Lorna,
We
started to make room for you yesterday. There were some drawers that haven’t
been cleaned out since we have been in this house. Yesterday we emptied one
whole cupboard and parts of several others. By the time you arrive there will
be plenty of room for you. The rooms are already worked out. The largest
bedroom for the two of you and Stacy. Jolene and Melissa in another room,
Pamela with all her stuff in another room and the two of us in the last
bedroom.
At the
moment Pamela is not sure what she will be doing so she is staying until she
had a permanent job and know where she will be living. You will be able to stay
here until know where you are going to be living. The two girls will just have
to cross the road to school and the swimming pool round the corner. As Pamela
and myself are at work each day Lorna and Stacy will have the house to
themselves. There will be a few of us around the table at meal time but we have
enough beds, chairs etc in this house and we have what we have at Trentham. The
only thing we haven’t got is something for Stacy to sleep in. You might be
bringing one on the plane but if you aren’t bring one I could buy one so there
is something here when you arrive. If not you could get one after you arrive.
If you
bringing much with you send most of it by sea. The excess weight on the plane
is expensive and so is any air cargo that you can bring. We will be able to
help you out until the rest arrives.
Pamela
was mad that she didn’t recognize you on the phone. She thought it must be you
but she didn’t think it sounded like your voice. It has changed and has a South
African accent.
It will
be a big change for all except Alan but you will not be alone. There are lots
of South Africans coming here now. I was talking to Audrey last night she said
two new families have arrived from SA with children going to her school just
this year. Pamela is still feeling the cold. She has only been home 2 weeks and
starts work next week. She has spent the last two weeks talking and meeting all
the people who she wrote to while she was away. Tonight she is at Marilyn’s and
Eddie’s lace and you know how Marilyn talks she will be late home tonight. I
think she is out for the rest of the week. Just comes home to sleep.
Last
week I got made with the stove and got all the pamphlets on stoves and have
been trying to make up my mind which to get.
Now I will have to hurry. It
doesn’t work very well and will not do with a lot to feed. I went again
yesterday to get more information and will get one tomorrow night. I should
have got one before but with just two to cook for I didn’t use all of it.
It will
be good to have you here especially the children. They will find it strange and
colder for a while but children adjust very quickly. If you stay here until you
shift to somewhere permanent it will not worry the children very much. I know
you will be able to get anything you want almost as soon as you arrive here
there might be something you like me to get so it is here when you arrive. Let
me know and I will get it. Don’t forget we haven’t given you anything for Stacy
yet.
If you
are thinking about bringing some Zulu raft with you to remind yourselves of
your stay there everybody who comes into our house admires that beautiful grass
container that you sent for Christmas. These sort of craft work where the
workmanship is so good you never get tired of looking at them. My favorite
tapestry is the one you sent us at Lebowa.
It just looks right. I know you will not be able to bring a lot with you
but these sort of things will always remind you of Zululand and you cannot
easily buy them in Australia.
Pamela
bought back from Tonga a beautiful basket like the one you sent only hers is a
little bigger. It is beautifully made and she says it will always remind her of
her stay in Tonga. A few excellent pieces of craft work are better than many
pieces not as well made.
You
most likely will be busy in the next few weeks and before you know we will be
seeing you here.
Love
from Mum
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