13/7/1959
My Dear Len and Margaret
This is Monday eve. I will start by saying especially for Len’s benefit that his Mother is again at her writing desk and still using his unloved paper, [1]with it all he may be pleased to read the letter, though there is no news of importance. Now then what can I find to say? I’m sure I don’t know what to say. Oh yes, I’m sure I do. It’s that there hasn’t been a letter from him this last fortnight, maybe the heat has upset him. In that case I will forgive him because I also feel very miserable in the heat.
 
One thing I will say which is unusual for me is that I am wearing a nice red carnation while I am writing. Dad and Rose looked at me in astonishment when I came in, they were very surprised that I had picked one. The reason I picked it was because the petals were beginning to fall, so I thought it was of no use leaving it pull on the root, and also it was too nice to throw in the dustbin. I thought it wiser to wear it, those who pass the window will think I’m gay and might envy this carnation.
 
I have been watering the borders, it’s a big job too, I must have used 15 or 16 cans of water. I call this working for a 78 year old person, don’t you? I’m sure the answer is yes. I did not have to water the cat though, I’ve not seen him today, but Dad informed me at tea time that he saw him yesterday and that he was resting in his old place. I was having my rest at the time but Dad left the peaceful cat quiet. I’ve asked him why he didn’t take the watering can. He said he didn’t want to disturb him.
 
Now while I’m talking nonsense I had better keep on with all the nonsense I have to say. On Saturday night Dad had Billy Cotton and his band on TV which is one of his favourite programmes. At that time I happened to come in to start my writing. At that moment there was a nice young fellow playing the piano. I enjoyed his playing and I shall add, his good looks. I’m not sure of his name, I don’t know if it was Russ Conway or some name like that. Before I sat to my writing table I sat on the arm of an armchair looking at this fellow. He got up to sing as I got there. He looked at me and gave me a wonderful smile, a fellow near him asked him what he was laughing at, so I rose and got away for fear I would disturb him. I can just imagine you both bursting with laughter at my ignorant talk. All the same I was tickled at that affair on Saturday evening, the way it was done, it looked so real. Anyway I know you will pardon me for writing such comic letters. I don’t know if Len likes them but I’m sure that Margaret does.
 
I must see if I can find something more sensible. On Saturday AM after cleaning the windows and cleaned up the front of the house and after Dad had left I sat down for a few minutes to read the Express paper. I had a piece of jam roll and a small glass of fruit juice. I prepared myself to have a few minutes of leisure. I was just taking my first sips of fruit juice, I had not touched my piece of roll, neither read the paper when the doorbell rang. I quickly put my unfinished glass in the cupboard, the piece of roll was wrapped in paper so I left it on the table. I did not expect anyone to come in. Well, when I opened the door and saw who it was I knew I would be kept for some time. It was Mr Patch, so you can imagine he is never in a hurry to go back. Do you know it was going on 12:30 when he went back. My potatoes were not on to boil yet. They were not quite cooked when Rose came back. However I explained the reason to her, she said not to worry. I don’t know what possessed Mr P to come on a Saturday AM. Since the girls have been married he very seldom comes. ‘Yaralla Villas’ is not the same as it used to be. He says he likes to come when Dad and I are alone, he had not been for a long time. He is looking very well.
 
Roselle is going to have dinner out tomorrow evening. A traveller who has been at De Gruchy’s for a week is taking her. I think they are going to Gorey. She doesn’t know the name of the hotel, it’s somewhere near ‘La Chaire’. I think this fellow has a motor scooter. I hope it’s not on this that he takes Roselle to Gorey, she doesn’t want to go on the motor scooter. I hope they go by bus or taxi.
 
On Wednesday Dad and I go to tea at Margaret’s although we were there only two weeks ago, she insists on us going. They both like it when we go to them. Roselle will not come, she has other things on hand.
 
On Thursday it’s ‘Top Town’ on TV, Ealing v Jersey. I guess you will be watching, I guess we will have a little crowd here. Jim Falle arrives on Thursday so I suppose he will come with his mother and father, I am not sure that the Helleurs will come, they are spending the week at the Gibauts, St Brelades. I don’t think they would come all the way from there to watch TV. I will now stop for today and give Dad his cup of milk before he goes to bed. I’m not sure if I want a cup of coffee. I’ll see when I get in the kitchen, I may have one.
 
Here I am again, this is Tuesday AM. I thought I would not leave it until this evening in case I would be prevented from finishing it. The news today is that Mr Jack De Gruchy passed away last night. He had been in bad health for some time but I believe he was laid up for only two days. He had not worked for a long time, he sold his business .  It’s another man by the name of De Gruchy who runs it.
 
We will probably be going to Les Augerez this afternoon, we won’t know until Roselle comes to lunch if this is right. She will see Kay this AM and ask her about it. In a way we don’t like these afternoons disturbed, we would rather keep outside than indoors, but then we have to go and see how they are keeping sometimes. We will also have to call on aunt Marie one of these days.
 
Today 14th July is the big fete of the Republic in France, this means a big day for the French people, therefore the band will play. Tomorrow will be st Swithins day, regardless of the day we would like to see the rain.
 
We received a nice picture card this AM from Douglas[2]. He was camping with the RCAF reserve. His parents and David were on holiday at that time. They were at Ocean City (Maryland) for a week, then they were going to New Jersey for two or three days before returning home. They too sent me nice cards. (No Len, they didn’t keep these cards in their pocket, they mailed them). Douglas said on the card that they had 6 transport airplanes to look after. The picture on the card he sent is called Gateway of the North City of North Bay. It’s very nice and colourful.
 
Of course it goes without saying that Dad has gone to town earlier than usual. He is attending a big Parish meeting in the Town Hall. They are fixing the rate and many other things, etc. etc. etc. I told Dad to keep his tongue quiet the time he is there, because you know Dad, he speaks a little too much at times, if he doesn’t speak out he whispers to others. Of course my warning to him has no effect whatever.
 
Another brother of Syd Richmond died at the end of last week. His funeral was yesterday at St Andrews. No, Dad did not go. He didn’t know him, I believe this man had been laid up for some years.
 
Now my news is exhausted, I have to wind up. Oh, I can just add that we had a letter from Uncle Clarence in Canada [3]. His wife has had an operation, also his daughter Elsie in Victoria. They are both back to their homes again.
 
These long letters mean the disappearing of this paper quicker. Good for L.
 
Hope you are all well
Lots of love from we 3
Love, Ma xxx

 


[1] It is a cream coloured, very narrow paper instead of her usual blue Basildon Bond.
[2] Son of Snowdon, Granny’s second son who went to Canada with the eldest, Cyril
[3] one of Papa’s brothers, I think