10th December 1961

Written on HSBC Jesselton headed airmail paper Dear Mum Dad and Alan, The good news has arrived. We are to go on leave sometime in April and will know the date later. The Manager fixed it whilst in Hongkong on conference and now they are reshuffling to fit us in. We hope to go home by sea as this will give us a chance to relax a bit before commencing the hectic settling in again. This will depend largely on the availability of passages so it may be by air. If so we shall arrive in April otherwise in May. I have written off about houses and cars and as you can guess we are very happy about things and full of plans. Ian Macleod has arrived and we enjoyed a game of golf yesterday. A bit weary today as we have had three late nights running - the silly season having started. All good parties but getting up in the morning is not easy. Your parcel arrived safely and whilst we have only opened the outside cover so far it is obviously full of good things, thank you very much indeed. Hilda and Henrys have also arrived (two) and I shall write after they have been opened. Am going to Beaufort on Tuesday to introduce Ian Mac to the office - shall return the same day. There have bee 3 unexpected resignations above me recently so am moving up the staff list. It will be interesting to find out where the next posting is. Banawan estate manager was in town the other night and he seemed quite cheerful about making a profit even if rubber goes down to the expected 60c a pound. There could always be the chance of a take-over bid so guess the best thing is to forget them until something turns up. Rubber generally is very quiet anyway. The children have a very full month of social engagements - one week they are doing something every day! This includes school plays, Govt.House. Golf club fancy dress and a few odd parties around and about. cheerio for now and love from us all Peter and Margo