Letters From New York
3 October 1966
Dear Mum,
Well, Monday night again - its surprising how quickly they seem to come around - and here I am with the weekly bulletin of events. Whereas our letters seem to be taking their time to get to you, yours are excelling - the last having reached us on Thursday instead of Friday, as expected. Seems you must have willed the wet weather on us as, within the past week we've experienced the wettest day in 63 years (just another milestone we've experienced) and Saturday, after a glorious day on Friday, was shockingly wet and cold to boot. Sorry to hear of your wet spell but, if its falling in the right places, it must be doing some good. Rather disappointed with my literary effort last week - hope it didn't get through to you - and promise to do better this time.
Marvellous how its the visitors (and so the more impressionable) who meet people who are downright nasty and I guess the experience did nothing for Joan's evaluation of our fair city. Bad luck you missed the trip to the holiday cottage but, in the circumstances, you may have made the right choice as those places are often depressing in wet weather. As mentioned last week, got the scores in the football matches and, being spoilt, miss the gory, ball by ball story. Would very much appreciate your sending me over results of the Epsom/Metrop. double (run this weekend) and of the Derby in your next letter. Have followed the normal results (in the papers you've sent) with interest and am not quite up with the local beasts yet. They have two very good horses over here (one "Buckpasser" has won over a million $; & he's not long turned three) but the rest seem quite ordinary - if one can judge from T.V. and the critics.
Looking forward to the parcel arriving (there are also some on the way from Fivedock) if only to give us a closer association with you all. Tis a shame that the postage is so crippling and we're expending quite a slice of our budget each week, simply sending out letters and cards. Can't bring myself to sympathise over Scarf's loss though it has probably changed the face of that part of King St. somewhat. We had quite a fire locally on Friday afternoon (the brigades are generally quite active on legitimate & false alarms & practice runs) which burnt out six shops in one complex. We've also had in the last week the opening of the new Metropolitan Opera House covering acres of ground in the heart of Manhattan - as the centre of a magnificent cultural set up - and seating 3800 persons, many of whom (e.g. Rockefeller; Kennedy's etc.) paid $250 per head for the occasion.
News of the family is still good within the children falling into the way of school quite happily and now getting religious instruction twice a week (Wednesday & Sunday, after mass) for an hour a time. Jennifer, though still sporting a snuffly nose, has quite recovered from the mysterious rash and is absolutely blooming. She's crawling all over the place & getting filthy dirty; sitting up quite confidently and beginning to look about for objects to support her efforts to stand (already she's accomplished the feat a few times in the cot). Michael is becoming quite a little man - actually astounded a neighbour by saying a few words (whilst not with Joan) over the weekend and only tonight - at dinner - suddenly waxed all nostalgic and asked "When are we going home to Australia." Can imagine the flush that must have come over Joan! Catherine wasn't with us at dinner, being the guest of the Bartels (she's certainly come out of herself) and, during the daylight hours, we don't see much of the elder pair. Anthony went with some friends to witness a wedding yesterday afternoon (yes Sunday) and came home with a brand new missal and a dime (10c) after cleaning up the Church front - strewn with confetti - at the request of the priest.
Mum & Dad (if you're interested) seem to be going along OK. I've had a couple of depressing rubs with the N.Y. subway system lately (as my car pool broke down) spending 70 minutes underground (the normal run is 20 minutes) one morning last week. It's not a patch on the Sydney service. On Wednesday Joan came into the U.N. whilst Jill minded the two babies and witnessed one of the General Assembly meetings (with U Thant presiding) as well as looking the place over. We then went to lunch at the nearby apartment of the very young and attractive Queensland couple we've befriended. Saturday night (becoming almost a weekly event) we've visited the Bartels for drinks & to meet an American and a British couple they had to dinner - again a most enjoyable experience, flowing over into Sunday morning; their 12th wedding anniversary. On Saturday morning, by Greg's good offices we went out some miles on Long Island for our first experience of a Sears-Roebuck Store - quite a memorable event - where, in addition to being enthralled by the variety of goods available (a proper tour would easily fill in a complete day) we invested in some shoes for the kids. Another hole in the funds which are fast fading away. Out of news, so will leave the rest for the boss.
Love & fond wishes,
Bill
Dear Mum,
Must tell you that Jenny is wearing the jackets you made before she was born every day & they really look lovely on her especially the blue one. Her eyes are so blue it really suits her. In fact she is a bit like the rest of them & can wear any colour even red. Has Neil written to you yet? He asked me for your address but don't know if he has had time to write or not. Michael & Cathy are going to a party on Saturday. They have been to more parties over here in 6 mths than in 5 years at home I think. This will be Michael's first one without me.
God Bless. Look after yourself,
Joan