27th Jan 63

The Hongkong and Shanghai BC
Hongkong
written on an airletter

Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,

We have had a three day weekend for Chinese New Year and with fine weather which has not been too cold.  Spent a day on the beach yesterday with a lunch picnic and out of the breeze we were warm enough for shirt and shorts.  Probably the best time of the year for the beach here as no one else was about.  They become very crowded in summer.  Your weather has been awful but the news tonight indicates a let up and I trust the severe conditions are over.

We have bought our tape-recorder!  Having received the bonus we decided part of it should be spent on a t least one of Hong Kongs bargains and a tape-recorder will be invaluable elsewhere in the east.  For Alan's information it is a SONY 362-B-two track, 3 speed.  I have recorded by microphone from by radio (perfect reception on the Peak) and by attachment to my record play at 4.5 and have excellent results.  A seven inch tape has 6x12" long plays on it now and I haven't started with all I want to do.  The children have their tapes and I do not now have to keep getting up and down to put records on whilst having my tea.  Incidently I got a £10 discount (20%) which was not to be sneezed at.

Am halfway through a colour film and as there will be only one set of prints which I will send you I hope Alan will be able to do the necessary for distribution - that is provided they come out.  I have only taken half as I wish each one to count and be of interest.  They are quite expensive even in this place.  The Peak presents a fine sight of a British Naval Unit - the aircraft carrier "Hermes" and escorts in place of the usual USA ships in the anchorage and these ought to have come out.  Please get Alan to confirm the playback speed of 4 1/2, 9 1/2 or 19 and I will send back a tape of the children sometime.

Love from us all
Peter

PS Caroline answers the phone by herself now without any trace of hesitation - friends call her up at all times and she speaks quite naturally. P.

Written on the outside of the airletter.  "July (too hot) August thunderstorm whirlwinds End April & May wet."