31 Dec 1959

Written on HSBC Jesselton airmail letter

Dear Mum Dad and Alan,

Many thanks for Susan's and Adrienne's present - the others must still be on route. They were delighted with them and the horse & cart was played with by me as much as Adrienne though now she has it firmly under her own control! On the Monday before Christmas the children went to the Sports Club where they met Father Christmas (the High Court Judge) appearing from the chimney. They eat a great deal especially A. who is a terror at parties and thinks nothing of taking a toy away from a child twice her age. On Tuesday we had a dinner for eight and all our decorations were up with a grand Christmas tree which we obtained from the Golf Course and lights etc. During the evening we were visited by Christmas carollers amongst whom were the manager and his wife so it was very festive. I took Margo out for lunch on the following day for Chinese food - thought a rest from the house would be good. We had two large boxes of chocs 1 1/2 & 1 3/4 lbs from our stores plus a bottle of brandy so did very well. On Christmas day we started opening presents before seven. Those from Henry Donald Ian Mc were specially good. Henry's "Turn a Tune" being most popular. At 7.30 am we had our best present when the phone rang to say the servants were back! I was two hours clearing them from the ship but it was well worth it. At 11 we visited John Stewart in hospital - he is nearly better and goes on leave soon. At 1 we went to Mary Curren's for lunch and hot home at 10.10pm. It was a very good Christmas indeed. Boxing Day we went to a wedding dinner - Chinese and though no ill results came of it I eat an awful lot 6.30 to 11.30 pm course after course and non stop liquid refreshment. There were 250 guests and two floors of an hotel were taken for it. We had lunch out with friends on the Sunday but we were a little tired at this stage. The Golf Club fancy dress for the children was great fun. Margo had made a very attractive dress for C as Bo Peep and for A as a "sheepy". My camera has arrived and will take photos in due course. C looked grand but A is a monkey and not a sheep so she undressed herself at the beginning. They both like parties and A refused to leave the table long after the others had left as she was determined to finish her tea. The tables were being cleared around her and it was very funny to see her podgy stern little face munching steadily on. Am now balancing and have spent the lunch hour working out Exchange Profits. Things are going well and hope to give myself a holiday tomorrow.

All our love and Best Wishes for a Happy New Year.
Peter