Letters From New York
Monday 26th February 1968
Dear Mum,
The eve of Jennifer’s second birthday and time for the weekly epistle though don’t know how I’m going to fill it this week. Jenny is quite taken with the prospect of her very own birthday after experiencing mine last weekend and turns almost any conversation to “happy birthday”. I’ve been left babysitting again tonight and have the four youngsters down – at least they’re in the bedroom though I fear Jenny may be running a floor show up there – with the two boys watching one of the feature weekly shows on T.V. Phillip in particular is a real T.V. bug and virtually has to be torn away from it.
Have started the ball rolling for our return home. Wrote to Revesby (Brothers) & Panania (Sisters) before their school year commenced & had an affirmative reply from the former re Anthony & Phillip. Don’t expect any trouble at Panania. Have informed the U.N. School Director all four will be leaving and none too soon as the fees are to go up 10% or more from September (would mean $400 extra for us) whilst both Anthony & Phillip would have to go into Manhattan for classes with a bus fee of $200-250 each – making an extra charge totalling $900 or so. Can’t believe that education anywhere can be dearer than here. Approached the Village management here yesterday to see if he could extend our lease (which expires end of April) ‘til we leave in May. He was pleased to do so – as they’ve a long waiting list I wouldn’t have been surprised if he’d argued – and said he’d be sorry to see us go, implying that our tenant rating was high.
Can imagine the state of mind Lindsay is in at the moment – having experienced it myself though not with the stakes so high – and will certainly drop him a line later in the week. Laughed over your sending the stamped, addressed envelope & paper to Vince – hope it comes off. He sure is the giddy limit and seems really to get worse rather than improve. Hope Marg and Vic’s stay in Tasmania isn’t being too affected by the bushfires. The news of Melbourne paints a very bad picture and it’s hard to believe they’ve been without rain so long. Your reference to Glenn reminds me I also owe him a letter and must get one off to him before his next exams come off.
Have been writing enquiry letters and applications for jobs to everywhere in Sydney and hope something comes of it all. Seem to have all the travelling arrangements in order and it appears that the whole 4 weeks trip will cost us only $300 plus some hotel accommodation in Vancouver and San Francisco. Have already had someone – one of our near neighbours – enquiring about purchasing our car when we leave so will have to nurse that one and have quite a few other assets – mostly electricals – to dispose of in the next few weeks. Hard to believe its just three months before we pull out.
A not so busy week this one after we sent Athol on his way to Melbourne via Los Angeles on Wednesday morning. Really spent the rest of the week recuperating from a series of quite late nights. Did have a wonderful night out on Tuesday night when Athol shouted us to the very best seats (about eight rows from the stage) to see “Mame” a wonderful Broadway musical starring Angela Lansbury which must be put in the same high category as Ginger Rogers’ “Hello Dolly”. For three hours we were held spellbound and left wanting more, more, more. Came to my birthday on Friday and who turns up for a drink after dinner but Arthur Travis with a gift – the soundtrack record of “Mame” – under his arm. Joan gave the kids a treat with a little private party for me for dinner and we had a ball.
L-R: Cathy, Michael, Phillip, Anthony at tennis court ice skating - February 1968
The weekend found us engulfed in beautiful sunshine even if the weather was a little cold and the whole Dwyer family spent most of it on the ice – literally. With everyone, even Joan and Michael, equipped with skates we spent 2 ½ hours on Saturday and 2 hours on Sunday on a nearby ice skating rink which is in fact recessed tennis courts iced over. The kids have found a new lease of life and find it an exhilarating experience. Went shopping with Joan in the afternoon and blew over $50.00 very quickly in equipping ourselves with bed linen & blankets for home.
Well, I’ve managed to fill the pages so will close & leave the back for Joan.
Love and best wishes,
Bill
Dear Mum,
Back again after doing over Macy’s. Didn’t buy much just a couple of little things for Cathy & Michael to give Jenny tomorrow. I’m back to my second childhood and having great fun ice skating with the kiddies. We are trying to talk Bill into buying some skates too. The two boys are very good. Cathy is not too bad & Michael is learning slowly. Please don’t bother sending over any more presents Mum. Postage is too expensive without having to buy something too. Is there anything in particular you would like us to bring home for you? How is your linen supply?
God bless, all my love,
Joan