Letters From New York
“Our Place”
Australia Day – 30th January, 1967
Dear Mum,
Your letter arrived on Thursday – one day earlier again – and, whilst we’re quite happy to hear from you “in advance” it’s a disappointment when the usual Friday epistle isn’t left by the postie. Seriously, we’re delighted to hear from you and your last effort was quite newsy. There don’t seem to be the delays over this side that you so often seem to experience and I can’t recall the last time one of yours arrived late. This leaves all of us still in very good health and spirits (we’ve just passed Jenny’s 11th month birthday) and we’re negotiating the New York winter perfectly well. Quite a strange week weatherwise – this past one, with all sorts of temperatures and strange days culminating, however, in quite a cold weekend with recordings down in the twenties and even some snow on Saturday evening.
Delighted by your response to the slides and the tape (indeed with everyone’s) and pleased to hear that they’re getting around OK. Bern wrote (letter received today) saying that Vic had dropped the slides back to Fivedock and she was off to show them off (with the tape) to Sybil, Helen and her fiancée. You say you have fill lines of washing well – as you can imaging – this is Joan’s constant state (though we don’t have lines here) and she has loads & loads of ironing to attack at present – she’s working on the mountain as I write this. It’s our eleventh wedding anniversary next Saturday, so as to alleviate the load on Joan, I’ve decided to invest in a mobile portable washer. She’ll be able to use it at home – despite that it may inconvenience us in terms of space – and save the constant trips to the Laundromat over the road. She also assures me it will save her almost $5 a week which means we’ll have it paid off well within 6 months. Like most electricals, washers are quite cheap here but, unlike ours, are not meant to last a lifetime – only till the newer, more super model appears.
Rogers’ write telling us of the searing heat you’re having “down under” and we think of you often as we’re going through the reverse process. Whilst, generally, the days are cold, but not unbearably so, the central heading of the houses and offices is very good. We’re disappointed that the blouse isn’t the perfect fit we’d hoped it would be but Joan has often told me it’s difficult to match the size measurements here with what she’s been used to at home and it proves to be very hard when she buys “on spec” for the children. Wish you’d look after yourself properly and avoid those falls. At your age they can’t be doing you anything but harm.
Most startling news of the week here was Friday’s disaster at Cape Kennedy with the deaths of the three astronauts and loss of the first Apollo spacecraft. Besides the very unfortunate and sincerely mourned loss of life it is not possible to gauge the extent of the set back it will give to the country’s space program. Further disaster in New York, too, as five men were killed (buried alive) earlier in the week when a building which they and a number of others were demolishing collapsed on them. The City is still torn by industrial strife with one strike following another leading to all sorts of inconvenience. Johnson has presented his “State of the Union” address, with higher taxes etc. to finance the war and a spate of social services benefits but it may not come about as planned since it meets with a great deal of opposition both within and without his own party. By the way, I have recently discovered that it is a unique feature of the American system that the President, elected quite independently, need not command the support of the majority party in the Congress.
Australia Day weekend here and all the Australians at the U.N. had the day off. Thursday (26th) was of course THE day but we preferred the long weekend as is traditional. A group of us got together for a drink and mag on Thursday but today Greg, Jim Tolhurst and I played golf. It was a perfectly clear and sunny day but, with a low temperature and high wind, conditions were somewhat difficult. The party at Francis Wong’s on Saturday night was most enjoyable and we met some very talented and interesting people. I took the bold step of driving into and home from the U.N. in town and came through O.K. The car is still going wonderfully well and the kids are loving it. Had them out for a run on Sunday afternoon & we had a great time. They’re in very fine health and spirits though not participating in any particular unusual activity worth reporting. Jenny seems to be changing daily; is now sporting six teeth but still not walking – the brat! Will leave the back for Joan.
Loads of love, Your fond son Bill xxxxxxxx
Dear Mum, As Bill told you, the ironing stacked up & up. If I stayed at it all night I still would not finish so decided to give it away and tackle it again tomorrow. I am very pleased about the washing machine not only because I will save money but it will save me going out to was in the cold or when it snows. We have had a couple of short trips in our car & Bill is driving very well. The kiddies just love it (so do I). These mad men nearly froze to death today playing golf I think but they seemed to enjoy it just the same. My love to Marg, Vic & boys – love to you too Mum.
Joan xxxxxxx