Letters From New York
Monday 14th August 1967
Dear Mum,
Well, the weather’s broken at long last – but only just – and I’m sitting in the pleasant evening light, awaiting dinner, to pen this epistle (one which will be the last before we leave!). The weather during our first week was shocking – for swimming that is – but it didn’t daunt us any and we’ve undertaken quite a stint of sightseeing and motoring around. The very heavy (torrential) rain of our first Sunday quickly passed to leave us with pleasant, but gradually deteriorating weather up to mid afternoon on Wednesday last (really seems ages ago!) but then the rain really settled in and has only left us – we hope for the rest of the period of our stay – yesterday evening. We awoke this morning in a pleasant light and the weather about lunch time was quite glorious. All in all, an unnatural place this Cape Cod – the more pleasant days develop into terrible ones with damping, showery rain and heavy fog being blown up without notice.
Your letter arrived quite safe and sound and was, as always, eagerly received and read. Quite sober after the birthday “party” which didn’t materialise – we had a quiet celebration at a nearby eatery wallowing in hot dogs, hamburgers, chips (french fries they insist on calling them in this country!) and ice cream. The kids thought it was marvellous and the girls got off the cooking so I guess a good time was had by all. Imagine Joan will remember it for a long time as a birthday cheap & without fuss but our holiday is costing a packet and with Dwyer Junior due in 5 weeks we’re not actually bursting with funds. Mother is keeping fine – she’s had her trying moments in a small house with four adults and nine children – but I’m sure we’ll all look back on it as one of the highlights of our U.S.A. stay.
Thanks for the prayers – they never go astray despite that the road and driving conditions here are marvellous. Someone must have been protecting us as, soon after our arrival here, we detected a fault in one of the tyres and I’ve had to have it replaced. The car’s been marvellous, answering every demand we’ve made of it and has already chalked up over 700 miles. Good to learn your TV’s in action again but sorry to read of you wasting your time watching Souths play rugby when St. George are about. Speaking of rugby – do hope Vince’s been in touch to allay your fears & worries and that all is again as well as can expect it to be in this messed up life!
Stealing a few moments – in the middle of a nice barbecue dinner – to complete this before heading off to a Drive-in movie with Gregory this evening. Have already been once with Joan to see a Dick Van Dyke show (Divorce, American Style) and again with all the kids one night to see a surf film (they thought it was marvellous – but I think the appeal of staying up very, very late was the main feature) and will be taking Joan again on Wednesday to see “Guide for the Married Man”. Tonight Greg and I are seeing a war film “The Dirty Dozen”.. As I related above, we’ve been very active and have covered quite a bit of the state of Massachusetts in our travels. We have traversed the same country as the pilgrims who started it all here and the whole countryside has a very English atmosphere in name & nature. We’ve been up to Boston (an all day trip yesterday), Lexington and Concord – historical sites of the beginnings of the American War of Independence; to Provincetown, Plymouth, Wellfleet and other seafarers townships which have preserved very much of their old style and tradition. We’re in real Kennedy country here not too far from the famous family’s playground in Hyannis and there are monuments to JFK everywhere about the place.
We’ve seen some very quaint townships and stores – It’s obviously an ill wind that blows nobody any good (we’ve probably done far more sightseeing than we might have had time for under normal circumstances) and even the kids have enjoyed the tripping around immensely. We had our first spell on the beach today for quite a few days and the children have presented us with quite a problem as regards keeping them occupied. We’ve done a good deal of fishing in steams & ponds without too much luck though have bagged a total of 16 fair sized crabs and a number of small fish. In all, the kids have been pretty satisfied by the results.
Myself, wouldn’t have missed this experience for the world – feel sure its doing us all good – and it’s certainly whetted my appetite for seeing some more of the country. Though not at all sold on the great American way see some very quaint & good features, and would like to take in more. Ho hum – work next week.
Love to you from all of us,
Bill
Dear Mum,
Have not had a chance to write for a couple of weeks, anyway we are having a nice holiday. Had a letter from home today to say Maria lost her baby. She has been sick for a couple of weeks & was due to leave Malaya last Saturday with the two boys & Brian was to follow in October. Don’t know what will happen now. Hope she can still go home when she is back on her feet. The children are all well & having a nice time here. Their fishing rods have had a fair bit of use. They think it is great to catch even the smallest crab. They cooked some one day but Anthony was the only one who liked them. Thank you for lighting the candles for me.
Lots of love,
Joan