19 October 1959
My dear Len and Margaret
Monday Evening. We are now having more winter weather. Saturday evening was dreadful, it blew to gale force, with heavy rain, trees were blown down in the country, and telephone lines were brought down. We have not had such an evening since last winter. It blew quite hard yet yesterday, but nothing to what it was on Sat. our chrysanthemums that were in full bud are all nipped off. There are no buds left, I can just cut down the stalks now. The geraniums have suffered quite a lot. I’m not the only one to which this has happened.
Although there was such a gale outside we had an enjoyable evening. Roselle treated the family to a little dinner at the Grand Hotel. The reason for this was that Roselle had received one of her insurances so on the strength of this she decided to give a little dinner. We had a very nice meal, but there was a disappointment, Charles was not there with us, he is not well at the moment. He is laid up for some days, his trouble is great tiredness, he’s had the doctor, he went on Friday and again today. The doctor has told him that he is very tired, he couldn’t understand the reason for it, he questioned Charles about it, but didn’t gather anything, though Charles should have told him he sawed a tree at his brother’s place about a week ago. He didn’t want to tell him, he hasn’t been well since that day. That was not work for Charles to do. When the doctor went today Margaret told him about the sawing of the tree. I think this hard work did more harm than good for Charles, we were sorry he was not with us on Saturday. He insisted that Margaret joined us, she was not very keen to come without Charles. Anyway she came but we could see she kept on thinking about him.
On the other hand she still enjoyed herself. She had a dance with Nick, so did Roselle and of course Doreen. Nick is quite a nice dancer, he tried hard to take me round for a dance, fancy me who has never danced, Arthur and Roselle had a dance together. Of course Kay could not dance, this was out of the question. We came back at 11 o’clock.
Kay is gradually improving, but she is far from well yet. Now that she gets up, she finds she can’t move about as she would like to do. She gets downhearted, she goes back to bed a few times during the day. I feel as though I’m not sure if she’s fit to go to Bradford on Wednesday. I think it’s going to be a tiring time for her, she will have to be very careful with herself. I believe it will be a very hectic day for the good old lady (Arthur’s mother) on the day of her birthday 31st. I believe she is to receive congratulations from the Queen, also I think the Mayor of the city will visit her. People will start visiting the dear old soul during the morning. I understand she is having a dinner party in the evening. I really think this will be too much excitement for her, she is so frail.
Kay and Arthur have tried hard for Dad and I to fly to Manchester and then go on to Bradford. They say this would give great pleasure to the old lady. Naturally we would love to see her on her 100thbirthday but we don’t feel like going out there especially at this time of year. Then Dad would not be very fit with his rheumatism. Now I will do the coffee and soon go to bed.
Tuesday evening
The weather has got colder, we have to expect it at this time of year. I don’t know how Kay feels about going away tomorrow AM. Her back is still painful. I think she will soon phone to say ‘au revoir’. I hope they have a good trip over and no bad effects on Kay.
Charles is beginning to improve, we had asked him and Margaret to come to tea on Thursday. I don’t know if he will be well enough. Margaret will ask the doctor tomorrow if it would be wise for him to come. Dad and I are going there tomorrow to tea. I’m hoping Charles will be downstairs, this remains to be seen.
On Friday we had two Canadian fellows to visit us. They came along with Kay and Arthur. These fellows are Lorne Chillas, this one works to the BOAC but not in the same department as Snowdon. They know each other. Snowdon asked him to find Arthur at De Gruchys and also to visit us. The other fellow is Ken De Jersey, we couldn’t find what this fellow does. He is very slight and I have never seen a man with such small hands, they are as white as milk. We quite enjoyed their visit. Lorne said he would be coming back in May. These fellows seem to travel. They were only a few days here, they left on Saturday, had they not booked to fly that day I think they would have been pleased to join us to our little dinner party. They thought we were going to have a nice time and wished us all the best. They hired a car the time they were here to go round. They like Jersey very much. Lorne said he wouldn’t mind living here. These fellows who are I should think over 40 years of age, are not married.
We were very pleased to receive Margaret’s letter a few days back, but very sorry to hear that nearly all the family had been sick. It seems as if it was something they had eaten which had not agreed with them. Oh Margaret, it must have been awful for you to cut your hand on a tin. I hope it is healing well and that it’s not bothering you. This would happen to you at a time when most of the family was sick. Oh my poor Margaret, you did have a time of it when Paul was sick in the night, fancy you having to change the bed, wash the floor, wash the carpet, did anyone help you? Did you have to do it all by yourself? All this in the middle of the night was no joke for you. I’m not surprised you say you were not feeling well. Is Len quite better again? In fact I hope all are quite well again.
Your Balsam plant must be pretty, do they stay on during the winter or are they just a summer plant?
Doreen’s face is about better and she is back at work.
All for today and hope the family is quite well again
Love from we 3
Mother xxx
