Letters From New York
Our Place
15 January, 1968
Dear Mum,
A very late start tonight – and it rather seems like ages since I last wrote – but I’m not very long home from rescuing, at Kennedy International airport, our Queensland friends who have just returned from an 8 weeks holiday in Australia via Mexico. With office hours at the UN from 9.30AM to 6.PM daily (and one getting home around 7PM) the nights just seem to get away before one has time to realise it. Our cold snap has really snapped, being broken after nine days with a glorious day on Saturday followed by a ferocious storm which broke early in the evening and sent down tons of rain overnight and all through Sunday. It cleared away most of the snow and ice though, with temperatures falling again during the night and the highest reading today being 31° it too froze up quite quickly making conditions on the roads & sidewalks very treacherous.
Pleased to get your letter and to note that Vince has come good with some necessary. Which many times that I could be the carefree philanthropist to you but – as you would well imagine – my six hungry little mouths effect great inroads into the chancellery and don’t leave too much on the plate. Perhaps when we come home we might be able to do something about taking you under our protective wing as a professional “nanny”. Sure, No. 9 will be bulging but it’s a pretty good sort of bulge and, except when we’re all squabbling and shouting at each other, it’s pretty quiet & happy. Joan’s had her fill of the cold weather and the kids much more indoors than out – conditions have been just too bad for the children to stay out in the snow for too long. Indications are however, that the spell is going to last all of January without too much relief. So far, we’ve been very fortunate in staving off the colds and illnesses (the flu epidemic hasn’t hit us, thank God) though we’re pretty sure Catherine weathered a mild dose of the German Measles during the school holidays and Michael was sporting quite a rash this morning and so was kept home from school. Fingers crossed.
Interested in the news of the Aitkens and hope their house hunt soon proves successful. Hope too that Lindsay’s deferred goes his way. Remind that I owe Glenn a letter – more so now in view of his wonderful results – but my letter list is quite formidable and will require super-human New Year’s resolution if not the adding of an eighth day to the week. Was not greatly cheered by the news of Gorton’s success but then there was really very little to choose from in the field that faced the poll. Here I see the greatest opportunity Labor has had in a decade to get back into its stride – though, in this modern day and age it cannot afford to be the Labor Party you knew – and bring a breath of fresh air into the place. I believe a change must be good and I cannot see them being too radical – nowadays there seems to be a very thin (almost undiscernible) line between Liberal & Labor in the era of the white collar man & the educated technologist.
So much for political philosophy. First arrow shot in the homeward bound stakes as I yesterday, wrote to the Brothers & Convent schools at home to reserve places for the school-going Dwyers from mid year. Also sent copies off to Fr Landers should his support be necessary. Have written to no one regarding work but have a friend (from Melbourne) visiting us within 3 weeks who’s quite astute and may be able to put me onto the right track. Imagine my alley’s pretty good at the University but not particularly enamoured of the thought of retracing old ground. Is it pride, independence or what?? Am still avidly investigating one interesting business proposition though I don’t expect it to be an overnight winner and could, at best, be thought of as a good part-time, supplemental prospect.
Everyone in the household is generally well. A few sniffles and Michael’s rash of course, but nothing that has us biting the fingernails with anxiety. Little Helen is becoming more beautiful every day (note the doting father bit!) and is certainly a wonderful advertisement for Carnation Milk. Everyone settled back at school and Michael’s teacher afforded him – the baby of the class – the distinction of being the best in the class. She’s most happy to have made the correct decision in letting him join the group so early and says he’s best at maths and up with the others (some all of 12 months older) in his reading. His artwork is very clever and his memory really would astound you.
Not too active socially last week though Joan is continuing the shopping splurges in time for our trip homeward bound & is really buying astutely. Did have a night of cards on Sat. evening & cleaned up all the Aussies in the only two rounds played. Out of space, news & views so will leave the back for Joan.
Lots of love & best wishes, Bill xxxxxx
Dear Mum,
I thought I had told you about Robyn & Peter’s baby, with the Christmas rush I must have forgotten. They had another little girl 8 lb 3 ozs on November 30th I think it was. Anyway, both Mother & baby are marvellous and they called her Michelle. Have been very busy today making a tape to send home. You will have to get out to Five Dock and hear it. Little Jenny said Hello Nanna Wire & it’s worth the trip to hear her. The weather is very dull and miserable right now, but thank Heaven it has warmed up a bit, could do with some Aussie sunshine right now.
God bless. All my love Joan xxxxxxxx