Letters From New York
“Our place”
28th Nov. 1966 (Margaret’s Birthday)
Dear Mum,
Don’t know whether my letters have more than the Sunday newspapers as you say, but at least all of it is pretty good stuff, no sensationalism, sex or advertising - just plain fact and a little fancy. Was good, as always to hear from you and you’ll be pleased to know that the Xmas parcel duly arrived this afternoon. Seems, as always, we’re well and truly on the receiving end and feel a little conscious all round that our gifts are somewhat less than we would have liked to have been able to send out. Please accept the thought behind them as much as the physical make-up. Remembering that it’s Margaret’s birthday, hope the card got to her in time. If it doesn’t (and the mails are tending to become fouled up now) remind her that the day did not go unnoted.
Bill, Jennifer, Cathy. Bear Mountain? 27 November 1966.
As you say, we’re certainly socialising over here – it seems to be the done thing – and we feel quite honoured to have been so readily accepted all round. Really, we’ve found ourselves in a wonderful group of people and the “togetherness” attitude is very marked. Besides, what with my having no studies now, I find myself with plenty of time for the social graces. Joan, of course, is lapping it up – we’re probably spent more time together in these past 7 months than we had in the preceding seven years. The kids don’t seem to think it’s too bad either, having us all home together almost every night.
Seems there must be a firebug about in Newtown though, so far as King Street is concerned anything like that would be a blessing for the town planners. We seem to get our share of fires about here too – we’re not too far from the local fire station – and the engines seem to be forever screaming up and down the road. We’ve recently had Xmas letter cards from Nell and Tot with the local Melb. doings and of their “big” wins. We believe they’ve been trying to get you to go down, and hope the message is getting through – feel sure you’d enjoy the break! It seems Australia is really getting the warm weather now – Noreen said they had one day on the 100° mark in Melbourne – whilst we’re getting ready to go into cold storage. Latest forecasts suggest that we’ll see snow before Xmas and we’re all hoping.
The newspaper was very welcome as usual and I would be very pleased if you could send over the details of the elections at the weekend i.e. the pages which list the voting for the various electorates and, as far as possible, the follow up on the doubtful seats. We got the bare news of Holts’ improved situation all round, but would appreciate the finer points. The Liberal win was well received here as a go ahead on the Vietnam policy and the elections did receive fair press. Biggest news here during the week has been the very serious smog & haze that descended on the city and lasted for about three days. It posed all sorts of health problems – people were asked to stay out of the city and not bring their cars in; the weight of air was quite heavy and the use of incinerators was banned. The problem is very bad and seems for the present, to be beyond solution.
Activity over the weekend was, as usual, quite hectic as, once again, we were the dinner guests of the Bartels who entertained a chap from Australia (though himself German) and his wife whom I knew at the University. We had a most enjoyable evening and nagged on till quite early in the morning. Then up on Sunday for the long-awaited trip to Westpoint Military Academy. With six adults and twelve children we took the Academy by storm, having a most pleasant afternoon in very mild conditions looking over what is a very impressive establishment. We had a very good and interesting time browsing though their very comprehensive Museum with relics through from the Indian wars to the last World War.
On the religion front, the country’s taking great strides as of Friday, all requirements against eating meat on Fridays is being lifted and the onus is being left to the individual’s own. In actual fact we haven’t had to eat fish for the past two Fridays either since two weeks ago the equivalent of their Anzac Day was on and last Friday was the day after Thanksgiving when a dispensation is normally given to permit the eating of all the leftover turkey.
The kids have had it pretty good, being off from school from last Wednesday – they went back today – and, thanks to the mobility and resourcefulness of the women they’ve been out every day in what has been very good, and most unseasonable, weather. As reported last week, they’re all blooming and seem to be enjoying life to the full. The little one – nine-months old yesterday – is giving all the cheek in the world and is a real mischief. She knows what she wants and how to get it and has all of us bluffed.
Well, I’m exhausted, and I expect you will be reading this. Think of you so often and hope all is as well as your letters seem to suggest.
Fond love,
Your son Bill xxxxxxxx
Dear Mum, Thank your for the box of gifts. There was great excitement when I gave the children the “Smarties”. I have been a bit greedy with the “Minties”, it is very nice to have a decent lolly. I see you have been knitting again. I did not have a good look at the jumpers because Michael was around, but what I did see of them looks terrific. As Bill has said, we just put in a busy 4 days but very enjoyable. Thursday we spent Thanksgiving at the Kellys. Friday, Jill, Robyn and myself took 13 children on a picnic. Saturday was a little quieter. Then yesterday we had a lovely bar-b-cue picnic before we went to West Point.
God bless you Mum, Love Joan & Co xxxxxxx