Alec to his father:

Dear Dad

Just a line from us this morning to wish you a happy birthday for tomorrow. First day of spring has arrived again, or almost, together with your anniversary, and mine for starting work viz 21/3/38.

As I type this the sun is shining quite brightly through the glass, and although cold enough out, there is a bit of promise in the air.

Glad to think that on the 22nd you will be able to collect your pension, this should mean a considerable difference in your balance of payments.

Although we are not yet certain, neither is Dorothy, it seems that Eric has settled for the bungalow in Weston. I saw her yesterday and she said the insurance people have been pestering her as to what is happening, but she does not know for certain, and has been waiting a call from Eric. She does not know where he is apart from being somewhere in the West Region.

Susan has developed a nasty cold, and we kept her home from school on Monday. She just qualified to go to Sunday school the day before, but by Monday morning she was quite ready to stop in bed. Breakfast in bed etc etc. I took them both for a very short walk down to the shops. The wind was coldish, but the sun was warm in sheltered places. Today after a fairly good night she is very lively, and as it seems a fine day today she has been taken to school*. Later on I shall go up to the hospital to see what they have to say. with a bit of luck I may be back to work tomorrow.

Overheard from the girls on Sunday. Bells were ringing on the wireless, so Carol said “That’s Grandfy”, but Susan said “Oh no they don’t have weddings on Sundays”.

Hope your visit from Don went off okay. Spoke to the office yesterday, and I gather they have a lot stacked up waiting for me. I had better stop for another month I think.

Our gas heater in the kitchen being put to good use already. I think we have only had one fire in the boiler since we had at. it means of course that there is no hot water upstairs, but you can always plan ahead for baths etc, and light the boiler accordingly.**

If you have been having the same sort of weather over the last couple of days as we have, I can imagine you will  have been busy in the garden. It has not been all that warm, but well wrapped-up it is not too bad.

I expect the seawall is safe enough now against any rough tides. I am surprised that it broke down this winter especially as they did so much work on it in the summer. Good job they did the work when they did, or the damage may have been worse I suppose.

Our man who was to decorate the kitchen (or part of it) failed to turn up last weekend, and again this weekend. Makes you wonder how they do business. I suppose I shall have to go chasing after him to find out when he is now coming to us. No doubt he will have a perfectly legitimate excuse. At least the gas people came on the day they promised.

Our asbestos fence*** at the bottom of the garden is gradually getting bits chipped off off at one end. I suspect it is being done from the other side. As a matter of fact it is getting past its best, and will have to be replaced by some thick growing bushes. I suppose I could put a wooden fence down there about 6ft high or so. All these things take time of course, and money, so I expect it will stay just as it is for the time being.

It will not be long to lawn mowing time again. The grass on the lawns looks very strong this year. Due to frequent showers we were able to keep them green for most of last summer. The rose fence is quite thick again, and I see the apple tree has thrown up a lot of new growth.

Well I am afraid I have very little fresh news for you this time. Hope you have an enjoyable birthday, and don’t go mad on the proceeds of the pension. Will see you as soon as I can. Love from us all. 

*Masterly use of the passive voice here: the parcel has been delivered, I need not think about it again.

**Once more, this is very much a ‘generational thing’. Bear in mind that people were getting out of bed in the morning and carrying kettles of hot water upstairs for washing purposes – or, of course, washing in the kitchen. There was no such thing as a morning bath or shower in those days (very few people had showers anyway) and the logistical challenge of lighting the boiler in time to have enough hot water for a bath usually meant that people had to share bath water – either two children in at the same time, or one getting in when the other got out. Add in the fact that the bathroom was heated by a lethal-looking paraffin stove and it’s hardly surprising that baths were maybe twice a week and hair-washing once a week at best.

***Asbestos fencing seems to have been made from the same material as asbestos roofing panels and from my online searches seems to have been pretty much eliminated in the UK now. The only references I can find relate to Australia, where presumably legislation and removal services were not as quick to get going. (See this link for example.) The fact that is was breaking up very possibly meant that fibres could have been inhaled or ingested by any children or pets who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and it’s very difficult to read about such an obvious (with hindsight) safety hazard without becoming seriously concerned about it.