Alec to his parents:

Dear Mum and Dad,

Thank you for your letter with, all the latest news. Glad there was another effort by Susan. I understand that there is a page or two for encloseure [sic] again this week. Susan was up with the lark on her Birthday as you may imagine. She and Carol came into our room and the presents and cards were examined when the tea was brought in. Birthdays tend to be joint affairs with these two. To start with we always contrive to have some little thing for the non-Birthday girl and in any case large articles have to be bought with an eye to joint ownership. There were rows of cards for Susan which covered the mantlepiece and the T.V. We bought Susan/Carol a scooter which is causing problems of synchronisation. Susan had a nice tennis raquet [sic] (toy-size) and they both had large plastic spades each for the sea-side. Lots of books mace their appearance and some nice things to wear. There was no party this time, but we shall have to see that they get their share. Susan has already had another Birthday Party invitation. She will attend on Tuesday of this week. Apparently Susan must have told all the boys and girls that it was her Birthday as a little boy who we had not previously heard about gave her a small plastic baby in a bath.

Have done no more to the cupboard so that will now have to wait until return from holiday. So far there has been no attempt to open the cupboard by the girls, but I expect I shall have to fit a lock of some kind. Some game with Cornish though.

We have noticed that the weather is much colder, and June is of the opinion that we shall get no change until the moon changes. (After the holiday of course). We shall have to send a spaceman up to change the moon occasionally.

Not an easy trip to Tiverton by the sound of it? I expect it can be made easier by going out round Exeter – no point in going to look for trouble. In any case I have no definite plans to go there.

Not much joy from one bucket of cockles then. Would have thought there would have been enough for an army.

I remember that Exmouth was supposed to be Mum’s first job away from home. Wiveliscombe was another I believe, also Bridgwater.

Note horse has been away for a change of diet and to gather his strength for visit from two small girls.

You ask about school. Susan turned up early from school one day last week (lunchtime) and when tackled about it, said that she had come home to play with Carol. When June took her she reported the matter only to find that they had not missed her. (Where have I heard all this before?) That resulted in Susan being marched up to the Headmistress. We do not know what was said.

Our freiends have just left, or rather I have just taken them back to Hillingdon. There [sic] children are among the least well behaved, but to-day they were much better than I have known them. Still bad.

Hope the visit from Headstone Lane goes well. Seems a long drag just for a few hours, but he has been doing that for years – must like travel.

I cannot be too sure about the rose cuttings. One is certainly taking root and shoots indicate progress, but the other two seem to make no movement although leaves are still on.

Why Labour In your ward? Is this the first time? Should have thought the West End was true blue, or slightly pink. Do not really know who got in here. We voted, and that was that. We do not take a local paper.

Rhubarb wine progressing. Brought in a large handful of lemon balm and put straight Into the ferment together with almost half pound of sultanas. After a week strained off the fermenting juice, put in the sugar (three pounds) and a tablet of wine nutrient, and bunged the lot under fermentation lock. It is kicking away merrily at the moment with plenty of white froth. Will look forward to your various brews.

I am afraid peas are a crop which seems to do badly these days. I never hnd much luck with them. The bean varieties do much better.

Have passed on the news about the nest. Hope it is still there when we arrive.

I suppose the reason that the Spencers have not sold their house is due to the price asked. Drewetts went all right and so did the one next to you. They will have to cut their price if no buyers come forward soon.

Nice try by Mum apparently but should not have liked the tannery.

I suppose we shall pass through Wincanton any time between 1–/0pm and 2-30 next Saturday if all goes well. Do I gather fron your enquiry that you may be there? If so perhaps you will let me know where to look out for you. *

We shall look up Aunt Lydia and Uncle Joe when we are at Exmouth.

Well will close now and look forward to seeing you again very soon.

Love from us all.

*To reiterate: Alec at this stage is nearly thirty-nine years old. This level of mollycoddling utterly defies description.