From Merrivale 26.5.1996

From Merrivale

26.5.1996

Dear Alan, Lorna & Girls,

Decided I had better sit down & write tonight as I think we are off to Durban next week to get aay from the cold. The Drakensburg is covered in snow today & its freezing. We had over 1000 mm of rain last week – the passage was flooded & the dam overflowed.

Nicky had a party yesterday & it was wet & cold & about 20 wet kids running in & out of Debbie’s house & today Jonathon had a party & I went over & helped Debbie to feed all the hungry mouths at lunch time. Regan was there for the weekend then Tam-lyn & a crowd of friends arrived for a quick visit.

I have quite a few orders for track suits, tops & blanket coats & I want to get them done before I go to Durbs, but tomorrow we are going to Neal & Vanessa’s for Byron’s birthday & will spend a few days there then back on Wednesday as friends of mine want to go to Debbie’s to see the garden, the atrium is really lovely & the garden is very colorful still & the azaleas are all out in bloom again. Fay is doing a project on a famous person tomorrow & has chosen to do Melissa.  Congratulations Melissa on making the Olympics team hope you get at least 1 gold.

Ronald’s not been well so has taken a week’s leave & they are going away for a few days. Ronald too hard & is very conscientious & has a very responsible job & is called out all hours of the night to keep the factory running. I think their factory is the biggest carpet manufacturer in South Africa. Jimmy was having big troubles in the hotel & thought he would have to sell, but everything has been sorted out & he is very busy with a lot of tourists booked in for later in the year.

We are giving Dad a surprise birthday party at Sheila’s its quite a bind having to take everything to Durban & to try & keep everything from Dad, there is going to be a big crowd it will be an all day affair with a family lunch, with all the Thomes , Kennards & Smiths.

Must close now I’ve got a thumping headache & can’t wait to climb into a nice warm bed. Tons of love to everyone from,

Dad, Mum & family

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