Letters From New York
28th August 1967
Dear Mum,
Vince’s birthday (as you, if anyone, would well be aware) and I’m on a new tack tonight. As you will have already noticed I’ve enclosed two not very good snaps of me with Bro. Norbert during his visit to New York and the U.N. and you may care to keep them (after showing them to Glenn) as a memento. As already related, he enjoyed himself, I’m sure, as would a kid and news from his friends here suggests that he found Ireland quite to his liking. Imagine he’d soon be on his way back home!!
Your letter didn’t arrive until Saturday this week (no doubt a result of the work to regulation strike at the GPO) and the pleasure of reading it had to be deferred until about 1.00AM on Sunday morning as it was awaiting our late return home from a most enjoyable day out at Westport in Connecticut (some 54 miles from here). A group of women and local functionaries has banded together to provide a hospitality service to the staff at the U.N. and associated bodies and once each month residents of the area “adopt” a family for a day, taking the members into their home (and literally their hearts) as a means of fostering international good will and facilitating the new arrivals integration into the community atmosphere with American families. It was one such day which, you’ll remember, fell through just before our Cape Cod venture when our hostess fell ill the night before. Saturday’s venture was, however, in the grand manner as some two hundred U.N.ers (and their families) “took over” the town to play golf and tennis and participate in all sorts of activities as guests of individual local residents.
Starting out at 10.30AM when we were welcomed at the local Country Club (the Dwyers – so many as we are – were made a fuss of; photographed on the steps and oh so admired!) and split up to go our merry ways. I to my golf and Joan & the kiddies to other activities. Indeed, I was not to see Joan again until 8.00PM that night. Unfortunately the weather played up and rain persisted throughout to drive the golfers off the course by 3.00PM soaking wet and with a maximum of nine holes played; the tennis players indoors; and put a damper on the kiddies’ activities of beaching; swimming; sailing etc. A wet weather programme, however, was well in hand and Anthony & Phillip (so I’m told) spent some enjoyable hours at the YMCA in a heated indoor pool and trying out the gymnasium facilities. The younger ones stuck with Mum – Jenny (sleepless) was magnificent but had the advantage of a luxurious private home with private swimming pool, coloured TV and ample diversionments provided by specially hired teenage baby sitters.
I linked up with Joan at the special dinner organised in the evening followed by speeches, prize presentations (I was three shots off a prize for golf) and community singing. We packed up about 11.00PM for the 1 ½ hours drive back to town after a marvellous day. My host was an American who, as a boy, had lived 14 years at Frankston (his father working in Australia with Vacuum Oil) and Joan hit the jackpot gaining as her host the Vice-President (Foreign Relations) of United Artists T.V. Films. He visits Australia on business at least every 5 months and, with his wife (a Frenchwoman) took Joan & the kids (they have five of their own) to their hearts.
So much for that – sorry you were concerned for our safety on the venture to Cape Cod...guess we’re becoming very venturesome in your eyes...you always were a mother hen type, bless you. The girlfriend travelled marvellously but anxiously awaiting her turn now as the first Village baby arrived (in our Court) during our absence. In fact its served as a bonanza for us as the woman had a boy and you wouldn’t believe the swag of girls’ clothes she’s sent down to Joan over the weekend. Hope she hasn’t Jonahed us as I’m looking forward to Helen Marie’s arrival (that’s the girl) though the boys want a Christopher James – of course its all subject to the boss’s exercise of her prerogative when the big event comes. Her visit to the doctor on Thursday was perfectly satisfactory (she says she’s very well in herself) and she’s now on weekly visits – about 4 weeks to go (some candles and Hail Marys will go well now!!!).
The weathers not improved since our return as we had much overnight rain during the week and the weekend was a write off with very heavy downpours most of Saturday & Sunday. Again up to date with the local racing and football news with the papers back in publication again – see the Dragons (just) won; Galilee’s out of the Cup and a sensational N.Z. mare’s been unearthed. The Aust. papers are reading much like the American with everyone on strike at the drop of a hat. Not much news here on the Americas Cup yacht races though it seems Intrepid will be the USA entry. Word has it the Aussies are demoralised and in all sorts of bother but we still have high hope for Dame Pattie when the pressure’s on.
Surprised at you attending a Folk Mass. Next you’ll be setting yourself up as queen of the hippies. Phillip was delighted that you liked his card – may prompt him to write again. Really, they ask to do so often but it’s an expensive operation when one can put so little (in a kid’s hand) on the cards. Bartels came home at the same time as us but by a different route and are now preparing for their big week up at Newport for the Americas Cup races. Sorry you missed on the Budget but pleased to note the big family man (me) gets something in the way of Child Endowment and increased dependancy deductions. May need those as my traffic misdemeanour cost me $5.00 and have had the kids to the dentist lately at great expense. Had the four of them examined ($32.00) and found to have a total of 29 cavities (possibly more) @ $5.00 ea. Whew! Michael’s were imperative and the filling of two teeth – one with four and the other with two pin holes in them – has cost me $30. ‘Fraid the other kids will have to wait till we get home!
Speaking of that, am in the process of arranging our return trip and have been successful in securing berths on the Mariposa (First Class) leaving San Francisco on 6th June or Los Angeles on 7th (may go from there & take in Disneyland again) via Tahiti & Auckland to Sydney – arriving 28th June. Since it seems that $4,500 jaunt won’t cost us a nickel we’re also toying with the idea of going from here over to the West Coast via Canada – a four/five day run in the Canadian Pacific Railway via the Rockies. I’m sold on Canada & want to take as much of that in as we can. That seems to be the range of possibilities – Europe, via planes, is a little impractical with six small children – and no matter how I look at it it doesn’t seem to be a bad “second best”. Saw one of my Aust. (U.N.) friends off to Vienna on a Dutch ship on Wednesday & very taken by the idea of sailing – it would be many years, I venture to say, before Joan & I could afford the time or the cash to do it off our own bat.
Everyone’s well here and back into the old groove. Jenny is much improved with her teething problems and now being confronted with the traumatic experiences (all at ones) of potty training; no daytime nappies and no night-time bottle of milk. Joan is determined to make or break her. She’s due for her checkup with the Specialist on 9th September! I’m about exhausted – I guess you are too, reading this – so will leave the rest to Joan.
My fondest love and best wishes. Look after yourself,
Bill
Dear Mum,
In all the confusion with going away I forgot to thank you for the lovely birthday card you sent me. I received it before we went away thank you very much. Also I thought I had mentioned & thanked Margaret for the tea. It came about February or March with some books et. for the kiddies. It was in a fancy red tin & most enjoyable too. If she has sent any since then it must have gone astray. I think Bill has given you all the news, I do feel & everyone tells me I look well. The holiday did me a lot of good I think, but I have been very busy since. Today I ironed for 6 hours & have not finished yet, better get stuck into it before Bill has to taker over all the chores. It’s pretty late Mum so will say cheerio.
God bless, look after yourself. Lots of love,
Joan