Letters From New York
Los Angeles
9th June 1968
Dear Mum,
A hurried few lines to report on progress, particularly since our next stop (Bora Bora) will be seven days away. Got a “bonus” here in Los Angeles when, with today having been declared by L.B.J. a day of national mourning for Senator Kennedy, the ship couldn't be serviced, so we sail at 5.00PM Monday 10th in lieu of 10.00PM tonight. We therefore had something of a restful day today in port (though we did do a trip in the afternoon to the famed Marineland with all its variegated fish & sea inhabitants as well as performing seals, whales and porpoises). Tomorrow, we take Disneyland by storm & everyone’s looking very forward to it.
Aboard the Mariposa, 8 June 1968
Everyone, so far, has travelled well though little Helen and, to a lesser extent Jenny, have been thrown out of routine. Helen has the added problem of teeth and a slight cold (probably both associated, though no teeth actually through as yet) and has been a terror to get to sleep. We’re all as fat as lard – eating like kings – and the staterooms are marvellously roomy and appointed. Hope you like the personalised letterhead (you may like to keep it as a memento). The large family and the handsome, well behaved children have attracted interested gazes from everyone & some delightful comments. The real test of our seaworthiness comes tomorrow as this little jaunt between ‘Frisco & L.A. has been something a little better than a ferry ride (so to speak).
In the El Cortez Hotel, San Francisco
Our late sailing from Los Angeles puts us yet another day behind (there’s a rumour we will get home sometime!) and means we now won’t hit Sydney until Monday 1st July. Terrible life ain’t it! The weather’s been marvellous to us so far and we really did ‘Frisco over. Hope it continues to hold good for us.
Little more to report. Trust this finds you well. Looking forward to seeing you soon.
Love & best wishes,
Bill