23rd Dec 1968

Written on HSBC airmail letter from Johore Bahru, Malaysia

Dear Mum and Dad,

Thank you for your letter.  I have been late in answering but with the pending arrival of the children my thoughts were on that event.  The plane was a little late and it took some time to unpack the hoards of children, but finally they were through.  They had had a good journey and had been well looked after and after the first day when they were a bit sleepy they are full of beans.  The had their exam reports too.  All have done well, particularly Caroline who has shown a lot of improvement at 4th.  Susan 4th and Adrienne 8th.  Elisabeth had an article in the school magazine about Guy Fawkes day and I thought it very good.  In answer to your queries on the house - there is an upstairs verander all along the front.  The coconut palms are (drawing of a palm) and only two, not together.  Anut fell on the children's first day so they could have it to eat.  The mangoes are coming on and I hope will be ready before they leave.  Caroline enjoys the papyas.  It is the Hari Raya holiday this weekend - the end of the Muslim fasting month.  I went along to the official Istana on the first morning to greet the Sultan & sat with him for half an hour whilst he was visited by his subjects.  Men and their sons dressed in many coloured sarongs trooping in after prayers at the Mosque next door.  We all went off swimming at Tanglin Club afterwards and had lunch there.  The Sultan sent around Ibot whisky and brandy and a turkey which is the usual and very welcome as we do not get anything else on the Hongkong style.  Chevron is doing well.  The conversion to Standard Oil Calif. is at 65 1/2 & they are 75 now but I prefer to hold on to the 51/2%.  De Beers touched 39 - I saw they had found diamonds in a new area.  Have made on a local speculation and have another one running.  It is all a bit of a gamble so I shall get out after a small profit.  Hope you have and enjoyable Christmas and the weather is mild - the papers seem to think you will have snow.  Cheerio for now and all our love

Peter.