The Hongkong and Shanghai Bank,
Kowloon,
Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,
Many thanks for your letter. Caroline seems to have recovered from her illness and is very bright once more. She will have an X ray check soon to make sure. The new manager is Macleod, also Ian and I have known him before in Calcutta and Jesselton.
The last two weeks have been taken up with Chinese dinners and cocktail parties. Buchan's farewells have coincided with the cooler weather when people try to catch up on their entertaining. The official party given by the office in the Peninsular Hotel was impressive with 230 people. The top men came over from Hong Kong side to give things a boost and it all resulted, I am sure, in the customers thinking we have a lot of money to spare. It is difficult to know if these things do any good or not. We had ten to dinner in our flat and that went off very well and the cook produced an above average meal. Then a Chinese dinner with a share broker and another one with an Indian tailor and a drinks party on Hong Kong side to meet a few more of the London office staff who are paying us a visit. We are wondering if Ian will come out on one of these visits.
On Friday Margo spent a busy day decorating one of the children's classrooms for Halloween and Caroline went in fancy dress to a party in the afternoon. I cannot remember celebrating this particular event but I suppose it is the American influence. Elisabeth has just come in which is not going to aid my concentration, constant chatter. Took the girls into the countryside this morning and they rides on horseback. There is a riding school here but a little far out so wee have not started them there as it would mean another set of deadlines for Margo with the car. When I remember all the places I used to go to by myself at their age on foot and by bicycle, they lead a restricted life in many ways. There are more cars per road mile in Hong Kong then anywhere else and transport in the form of buses is not extensive enough to get one everywhere. Elisabeth has got the spelling bug now in 3 letter words. She was getting a little lazy at school and now it has caught on. She is trying hard at her reading. Adrienne appears to be on the upgrade as well, much neater and betters marks in arithmetic. Margo has got the brass rubbing Alan mentioned a long time ago that he wanted for the flat. However, it may not be suitable in which case he can keep it for us and we will send another. So please, mention that he should let us know.
Cheerio for now and love from us all
Peter
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
2nd Oct 66
The Hongkong and Shanghai Bank,
Kowloon
Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,
Thank you for your letter, we are into October now and it is much cooler, although the weather is fine and dry. The present manager is going on leave in a few weeks time and a new one, an old friend of mine will be taking over soon so will continue to be busy with new ideas that are bound to pop up, as they usually do when there is a change of staff.
Caroline has had a week in hospital with a virus pneumonia and is home now. She has been quite cheerful about it but has lost weight. her chest must be checked on during the next few months and she is on a course of vitamins to build her up. With the hot and humid weather over she should recover steadily.
Fiona has done well with the 'o'levels, has she any idea what she wants to do as a career?
We had a day's holiday last week and took the bank launch with some friends to an island near here for a swim and a walk. Everything was just right, the sea not too cool and the sun not too hot. We have been lucky with most of our launch picnics this year and it certainly is the best way to spend the day with the children. They are all behind me at the moment, having tea and watching television. The programmes, mostly American, are pretty pointless and seem to make up for their lack of substance by a surplus of noise.
The shares are a bit sad at the moment and it is world wide. New York has gone into a big slide and it is obvious that no one can see where it will bottom out. I think things will find a steady level soon and stay fairly dull during next year. It will take another year to see what the effect of SET and the corporation tax have on ordinary shares and whether they can recover to former levels under the present system. The Hongkong market is pretty dull as well, but could brighten a lot if some settlement were found in Vietnam, but no doubt some other problem would present itself. We have not had any trouble with 1st Oct, the communist day of celebration and now have the 10th Oct for the nationalist's annual "do" to see if any riot or disturbance presents itself. If this passes off quietly, money might start to flow again. It is all a matter of confidence and the slightest thing makes the big people nervous.
Cheerio for now and love from us all
Peter.
Kowloon
Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,
Thank you for your letter, we are into October now and it is much cooler, although the weather is fine and dry. The present manager is going on leave in a few weeks time and a new one, an old friend of mine will be taking over soon so will continue to be busy with new ideas that are bound to pop up, as they usually do when there is a change of staff.
Caroline has had a week in hospital with a virus pneumonia and is home now. She has been quite cheerful about it but has lost weight. her chest must be checked on during the next few months and she is on a course of vitamins to build her up. With the hot and humid weather over she should recover steadily.
Fiona has done well with the 'o'levels, has she any idea what she wants to do as a career?
We had a day's holiday last week and took the bank launch with some friends to an island near here for a swim and a walk. Everything was just right, the sea not too cool and the sun not too hot. We have been lucky with most of our launch picnics this year and it certainly is the best way to spend the day with the children. They are all behind me at the moment, having tea and watching television. The programmes, mostly American, are pretty pointless and seem to make up for their lack of substance by a surplus of noise.
The shares are a bit sad at the moment and it is world wide. New York has gone into a big slide and it is obvious that no one can see where it will bottom out. I think things will find a steady level soon and stay fairly dull during next year. It will take another year to see what the effect of SET and the corporation tax have on ordinary shares and whether they can recover to former levels under the present system. The Hongkong market is pretty dull as well, but could brighten a lot if some settlement were found in Vietnam, but no doubt some other problem would present itself. We have not had any trouble with 1st Oct, the communist day of celebration and now have the 10th Oct for the nationalist's annual "do" to see if any riot or disturbance presents itself. If this passes off quietly, money might start to flow again. It is all a matter of confidence and the slightest thing makes the big people nervous.
Cheerio for now and love from us all
Peter.
Monday, September 26, 2016
31st August 66
The Hongkong and Shanghai Bank,
Kowloon
Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,
Thank you very much for your letter, the weather has become a lot dryer and although still as hot it is much more bearable and writing not such a damp business. Frost must be a very capable person to obtain the position he has in Wiggens Teape. As far as I know they do not do business with us out here, thought I could be wrong. Caroline has been in the club races and got into the finals and was last, though we told her she was one but from the end. She swims fast for me but then has not had the continuous swimming that many of the youngsters get here who do not move about all the time. Also she does seem small against the others of her age, whereas Adrienne is larger. That will be an advantage later on. I suppose as girls that grow too quickly seem out of place. Yes, I know just how Dad and Alan are about presents as I am the same way, but it is still enjoyable if I have something on my birthday and the children to open the packets for me. But difficult to buy for, so if you can ever guess what may fit the bill just let me know. I cannot imagine you moving from Mitcham now as you would be leaving so much behind so don't feel you have to do so. It may just be that once the children are in Folkestone and you do pay a visit that you will want to move and it would be best left until then. In this fast changing world they may not get there although once the new year is here arrangement will be in train.
It seems wasteful for you to have to make up a parcel for Christmas when everything is availablehere and we will buy for the children. I would like another plain BIAS tie if you see one as they do look right and go with anything one wears.
Elisabeth can swim four strokes now without a ring, provided she stays flat. With her head out of water she bends so much she cannot swim, so for the moment distance depends on how long she can hold her breath. This is all done in the baby pool where she can put her hands on the bottom if necessary and crawl, so she is quite safe.
This is the end of another month in which it has been the usual mad rush with nothing of much value accomplished. I wish you could see this office at about 11 o'clock at this time of the month, three ? on two floors and one mass of hubbub, it is amazing how anything gets sorted out,. but it does eventually.
Cheerio for now and all our love
Peter
xxxxxx
Kowloon
Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,
Thank you very much for your letter, the weather has become a lot dryer and although still as hot it is much more bearable and writing not such a damp business. Frost must be a very capable person to obtain the position he has in Wiggens Teape. As far as I know they do not do business with us out here, thought I could be wrong. Caroline has been in the club races and got into the finals and was last, though we told her she was one but from the end. She swims fast for me but then has not had the continuous swimming that many of the youngsters get here who do not move about all the time. Also she does seem small against the others of her age, whereas Adrienne is larger. That will be an advantage later on. I suppose as girls that grow too quickly seem out of place. Yes, I know just how Dad and Alan are about presents as I am the same way, but it is still enjoyable if I have something on my birthday and the children to open the packets for me. But difficult to buy for, so if you can ever guess what may fit the bill just let me know. I cannot imagine you moving from Mitcham now as you would be leaving so much behind so don't feel you have to do so. It may just be that once the children are in Folkestone and you do pay a visit that you will want to move and it would be best left until then. In this fast changing world they may not get there although once the new year is here arrangement will be in train.
It seems wasteful for you to have to make up a parcel for Christmas when everything is availablehere and we will buy for the children. I would like another plain BIAS tie if you see one as they do look right and go with anything one wears.
Elisabeth can swim four strokes now without a ring, provided she stays flat. With her head out of water she bends so much she cannot swim, so for the moment distance depends on how long she can hold her breath. This is all done in the baby pool where she can put her hands on the bottom if necessary and crawl, so she is quite safe.
This is the end of another month in which it has been the usual mad rush with nothing of much value accomplished. I wish you could see this office at about 11 o'clock at this time of the month, three ? on two floors and one mass of hubbub, it is amazing how anything gets sorted out,. but it does eventually.
Cheerio for now and all our love
Peter
xxxxxx
2nd Aug 66
Hongkong Bank
Kowloon
Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,
Thank you for your letter of 14th. I am sure we will cross in the post again but never mind. Elisabeth's foot was straightened and she does a little walking. It is too hot to do much and swimming is relied on for exercise. It is a pity because she was so mobile at one stage but on the other hand we are lucky to have the club with a suitable pool so easily available. Bet you worked hard on the redecorating and trust you did not overdo things. I look forward to seeing it all. Caroline has at last written a letter. She came ninth out of 36 in her class with not over high marks but in the short time here "has achieved creditable results". Adrienne 13 out of 15 "takes a very active part in the daily news period". Apparently does not stop talking. Susan is "a very helpful and reliable member of the class" but otherwise a bit behind though reading is good. Elisabeth "contributes readily to oral discussions" and is making steady progress. They all go up one class.
We bought Caroline a watch as she had tried hard and she wanted something special. We hope it will be an incentive for Adrienne next year.
I am still busy and working longish hours. There seems no end to the new problems that arise each day and today's was a case of typhoid in the office. On Saturday, the end of the month balance, a machine was found throwing our incorrect balances. They worked to 1 am Sunday. Lots of fun.
Is there anything Dad and Alan would like for their birthdays as this month will pass before I have done anything about it.
Cheerio for now and lots of love from us all
Peter
Kowloon
Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,
Thank you for your letter of 14th. I am sure we will cross in the post again but never mind. Elisabeth's foot was straightened and she does a little walking. It is too hot to do much and swimming is relied on for exercise. It is a pity because she was so mobile at one stage but on the other hand we are lucky to have the club with a suitable pool so easily available. Bet you worked hard on the redecorating and trust you did not overdo things. I look forward to seeing it all. Caroline has at last written a letter. She came ninth out of 36 in her class with not over high marks but in the short time here "has achieved creditable results". Adrienne 13 out of 15 "takes a very active part in the daily news period". Apparently does not stop talking. Susan is "a very helpful and reliable member of the class" but otherwise a bit behind though reading is good. Elisabeth "contributes readily to oral discussions" and is making steady progress. They all go up one class.
We bought Caroline a watch as she had tried hard and she wanted something special. We hope it will be an incentive for Adrienne next year.
I am still busy and working longish hours. There seems no end to the new problems that arise each day and today's was a case of typhoid in the office. On Saturday, the end of the month balance, a machine was found throwing our incorrect balances. They worked to 1 am Sunday. Lots of fun.
Is there anything Dad and Alan would like for their birthdays as this month will pass before I have done anything about it.
Cheerio for now and lots of love from us all
Peter
17th July 66
The Hongkong and Shanghai Bank
Kowloon,
Hongkong
Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,
The last few weeks have been busy ones with the usual rush over the half year and the time has passed without my writing. I hope all is well with your weather as we have started to collect typhoons. We had one approaching all day with a number 8 signal up, but at the last moment it moved off and so we have been indoors most of the time, which has been a bit of a waste.
The girls have all finished their end of term exams and will soon be on summer holidays. Caroline has done quite well considering the short time in a new school - Adrienne not so hot bless her and the other two are OK.
We now have the flat furnished to our liking and will be starting to repay some of the entertaining which we are a little behind on. It is not easy in hot weather but we cannot wait any longer before catching up.
How is Alan doing these days, I cannot remember you mentioning his holiday plans. Did he trade in his car?
Not much happening outside the office to write about so this will be short.
Love from us all
Peter
Kowloon,
Hongkong
Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,
The last few weeks have been busy ones with the usual rush over the half year and the time has passed without my writing. I hope all is well with your weather as we have started to collect typhoons. We had one approaching all day with a number 8 signal up, but at the last moment it moved off and so we have been indoors most of the time, which has been a bit of a waste.
The girls have all finished their end of term exams and will soon be on summer holidays. Caroline has done quite well considering the short time in a new school - Adrienne not so hot bless her and the other two are OK.
We now have the flat furnished to our liking and will be starting to repay some of the entertaining which we are a little behind on. It is not easy in hot weather but we cannot wait any longer before catching up.
How is Alan doing these days, I cannot remember you mentioning his holiday plans. Did he trade in his car?
Not much happening outside the office to write about so this will be short.
Love from us all
Peter
24th June 1966
The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation
Kowloon Branch
Peninsula Court
P.O. Box 5986, Kowloon,
Hong Kong
Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,
Am afraid I am behind in writing but with the humid weather it is so easy to put it off in the evening and so the time passes. The floods did not effect us at all except for all the schools closing and the children having a week off. Today is the first without any rain for about 3 weeks. It was pretty heavy at times and the damage on Hong Kong side was very bad. Whole sections of the road washed down the hillside and the Peak Tram out of action. People clambering up and down did so without knowing when or where the next ship would be. For many days the cloud was down low and this did not help the helicopters working. Telephones were out of action on both sides of the harbour. Trams and buses stopped and water everywhere. We were lucky to be on this side and dry.
Caroline had an enjoyable party and many presents. She has now got her twenty lengths badge for swimming so is doing well. Her width crawl is very impressive except that she is unable to breath at all on the way across. Diving comes next and is proving to be difficult.
I bought myself a sports shirt for my birthday just under £2 as I found my stock was wearing out. Life beyond the office has been a little vague because of the weather. The days are very full with quantities of new requirements in preparation for the various stages necessary for the introduction of the computer in 1967 and 1968. With 160 on the staff there are many problems. Today I had one man off having been in a fight with a supervisor, one man to sack and one taken ill. A time consuming and bringing extra problems in their wake, so the end of the day often comes as a surprise - but it is not dull.
Cheerio and love
Peter
Kowloon Branch
Peninsula Court
P.O. Box 5986, Kowloon,
Hong Kong
Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,
Am afraid I am behind in writing but with the humid weather it is so easy to put it off in the evening and so the time passes. The floods did not effect us at all except for all the schools closing and the children having a week off. Today is the first without any rain for about 3 weeks. It was pretty heavy at times and the damage on Hong Kong side was very bad. Whole sections of the road washed down the hillside and the Peak Tram out of action. People clambering up and down did so without knowing when or where the next ship would be. For many days the cloud was down low and this did not help the helicopters working. Telephones were out of action on both sides of the harbour. Trams and buses stopped and water everywhere. We were lucky to be on this side and dry.
Caroline had an enjoyable party and many presents. She has now got her twenty lengths badge for swimming so is doing well. Her width crawl is very impressive except that she is unable to breath at all on the way across. Diving comes next and is proving to be difficult.
I bought myself a sports shirt for my birthday just under £2 as I found my stock was wearing out. Life beyond the office has been a little vague because of the weather. The days are very full with quantities of new requirements in preparation for the various stages necessary for the introduction of the computer in 1967 and 1968. With 160 on the staff there are many problems. Today I had one man off having been in a fight with a supervisor, one man to sack and one taken ill. A time consuming and bringing extra problems in their wake, so the end of the day often comes as a surprise - but it is not dull.
Cheerio and love
Peter
Tuesday, September 6, 2016
January 25th 1966
10-1, Rokorohuso-cho
Ashiya City
Nr Kobe, Japan
My dear Mum and Dad,
The days are still flashing by - I can't imagine where the weeks go to . Caroline is writing to you but keeps saying "I'm too busy today". The girls do get quite a lot of homework and rarely have time to watch television, which is probably a good thing!
We were all very pleased with our Xmas gifts - I thought that I was managing well with stockings but once Elisabeth came home with her brace I realised that my stock was quickly dwindling. However careful I am I still manage to catch my stockings on that brace so I try to wear trousers as often as possible but I can't really go shopping in Kobe with them. The Japanese stare enough as it is but to see a foreigner in slacks gives them the giggles! - my friend Diana who is nearly 6ft tall is the object of great interest, as the locals just stand in the streets and stare. You would imagine they would see enough foreigners in Kobe which is a large port, to be used to them but this just isn't so. It doesn't do to be self conscious in a place like Japan. Of course, the Japanese women often wear trousers - you rarely see the kimono as it is too expensive and the younger girls prefer Western clothes. These are expensive enough - it would give you the horrors to see the prices. The shoddiest winter coat will be Yen 18,000 (£18) and suits the same. For anything to compare with an average British made coat you would pay £40 or £50. Fortunately nothing would fit me anyway so I make my own! Even this isn't cheap as you seldom see wool sold for less than £2 a yard - it is common to see wool in the shops marked at £36 a yard (or even more!). I can't imagine who buys it but of course there are many wealth Japanese.
The girls were very pleased with their mittens and the dolls clothes. It has turned very cold and the snow is coming down outside and it looks as though we are in for some heavy falls of it, as the sky is that horrid leaden colour and it seems very still outside. Our swimming pool was frozen solid yesterday.
I don't know what to suggest for Susan and Elisabeth unless I get the "Ted" doll that they both want to go with the "Barbie" doll or perhaps a little umbrella. Anyway I will look around but toys are not very good here at all. Mostly inflatable animal or battery cars which the girls are not interested in. The "Barbie" dolls (like Cindy) are really the only things worth buying and there is a limit to how many they can have! Most of Japan's products are exported - sold cheaply and the home market pays as everything is so expensive. I often have food parcels sent in from Hongkong and even with packaging and posting it is still cheaper than buying in Japan. Also the Japanese have the American idea of making nothing to last - i.e. I paid a £1 for a very small milk saucepan which looked cheap but was the best of a poor lot and within two weeks the handle fell off! Fortunately the Bank were paying. The other thing which infuriates Peter is that none of the handles are heat resistant! I had to buy a new kettle so I sought the latest model - but the handle stills gets red hot so Peter has wrapped it up in string because he refuses to use a pot holder!
Our new maid started yesterday - she seems very pleasant but you never know what they are thinking and she might leave for the oddest reasons. Anyway I shall make the most of her while she is with us. There seem to be so many things to do outside of house etc. Yesterday I went to the U.S. Consuls house to a fare-well tea party for the wife of the National City Bk manager. Today Mrs Tada, our Japanese advisor's wife, is coming to lunch and then we are going to the Kobe Womens Club which meets every Tuesday afternoon during the winter months. I think we are having a demonstration of wigs today which should be interesting. Maybe I shall come home as a blonde!
We had a nice long letter from Dorothy last week, giving us all the news.
We drove up to Kyoto last Sunday and took the girls to one of the Silk shops where they have men weaving. Adrienne is learning about this at school so she was very interested to see the silk worn, models, etc. Apart form all the silk for sale in the shop they have a lovely little garden with pond which has the most enormous and colourful carp. The girls though they were wonderful - especially as you can stroke the tops of their heads.
Afterwards we drove to Otsu, at Lake Biwa, through the mountain pass. Quite a bit of snow about and the small village house looked very attractive with long icicles hanging from their roofs. On the way down to Otsu we came across a troupe of monkeys by the roadside. They were very tame and took peanuts out of the girls' hands. One or two carried babies fo of course the girls were very thrilled. Adrienne is now a Brownie (American style) and Caroline a Junior Girl Scout - both packs being run at the school.
I wonder if you would like to get "Swallows and Amazons" by Arthur Ransome for Caroline's birthday. I intended writing for it but you might like to get it instead. Caroline is very fond of adventure stories and I think she would "Swallows and Amazons". I know I loved reading all that series. She enjoyed the book you sent - she has read a lot of the Classics as the school library has them - also I can sometimes buy the cheap editions by the Oxford Press which the Japanese schools use for their English classes. Caroline is very fond of Enid Blyton's "Secret Seven" series - she is in great demand at school because she has one or two of them. They are adventure stories and about her age level, fairly light when she reads them for relaxation, as they have a fairly advanced reading programme at school.
The girls enjoyed "Mary Poppins" it made a nice outing for them during the school holidays. Caroline has only read the "Mary Poppins" from which the film was made but there are several others although there are several out now in a shorter or easier to read version. The originals are quite good reading.
Well it is nearly time to collect Mrs Tada, our driver is sick (again) so I must go out into the snow.
My mother and father sound very thrilled with the house - what a good thing my father's foot has healed up. He must have felt very miserable over Xmas.
The girls all send their love and many thanks for the presents.
Love from us all
Margo and Peter.
Ashiya City
Nr Kobe, Japan
My dear Mum and Dad,
The days are still flashing by - I can't imagine where the weeks go to . Caroline is writing to you but keeps saying "I'm too busy today". The girls do get quite a lot of homework and rarely have time to watch television, which is probably a good thing!
We were all very pleased with our Xmas gifts - I thought that I was managing well with stockings but once Elisabeth came home with her brace I realised that my stock was quickly dwindling. However careful I am I still manage to catch my stockings on that brace so I try to wear trousers as often as possible but I can't really go shopping in Kobe with them. The Japanese stare enough as it is but to see a foreigner in slacks gives them the giggles! - my friend Diana who is nearly 6ft tall is the object of great interest, as the locals just stand in the streets and stare. You would imagine they would see enough foreigners in Kobe which is a large port, to be used to them but this just isn't so. It doesn't do to be self conscious in a place like Japan. Of course, the Japanese women often wear trousers - you rarely see the kimono as it is too expensive and the younger girls prefer Western clothes. These are expensive enough - it would give you the horrors to see the prices. The shoddiest winter coat will be Yen 18,000 (£18) and suits the same. For anything to compare with an average British made coat you would pay £40 or £50. Fortunately nothing would fit me anyway so I make my own! Even this isn't cheap as you seldom see wool sold for less than £2 a yard - it is common to see wool in the shops marked at £36 a yard (or even more!). I can't imagine who buys it but of course there are many wealth Japanese.
The girls were very pleased with their mittens and the dolls clothes. It has turned very cold and the snow is coming down outside and it looks as though we are in for some heavy falls of it, as the sky is that horrid leaden colour and it seems very still outside. Our swimming pool was frozen solid yesterday.
I don't know what to suggest for Susan and Elisabeth unless I get the "Ted" doll that they both want to go with the "Barbie" doll or perhaps a little umbrella. Anyway I will look around but toys are not very good here at all. Mostly inflatable animal or battery cars which the girls are not interested in. The "Barbie" dolls (like Cindy) are really the only things worth buying and there is a limit to how many they can have! Most of Japan's products are exported - sold cheaply and the home market pays as everything is so expensive. I often have food parcels sent in from Hongkong and even with packaging and posting it is still cheaper than buying in Japan. Also the Japanese have the American idea of making nothing to last - i.e. I paid a £1 for a very small milk saucepan which looked cheap but was the best of a poor lot and within two weeks the handle fell off! Fortunately the Bank were paying. The other thing which infuriates Peter is that none of the handles are heat resistant! I had to buy a new kettle so I sought the latest model - but the handle stills gets red hot so Peter has wrapped it up in string because he refuses to use a pot holder!
Our new maid started yesterday - she seems very pleasant but you never know what they are thinking and she might leave for the oddest reasons. Anyway I shall make the most of her while she is with us. There seem to be so many things to do outside of house etc. Yesterday I went to the U.S. Consuls house to a fare-well tea party for the wife of the National City Bk manager. Today Mrs Tada, our Japanese advisor's wife, is coming to lunch and then we are going to the Kobe Womens Club which meets every Tuesday afternoon during the winter months. I think we are having a demonstration of wigs today which should be interesting. Maybe I shall come home as a blonde!
We had a nice long letter from Dorothy last week, giving us all the news.
We drove up to Kyoto last Sunday and took the girls to one of the Silk shops where they have men weaving. Adrienne is learning about this at school so she was very interested to see the silk worn, models, etc. Apart form all the silk for sale in the shop they have a lovely little garden with pond which has the most enormous and colourful carp. The girls though they were wonderful - especially as you can stroke the tops of their heads.
Afterwards we drove to Otsu, at Lake Biwa, through the mountain pass. Quite a bit of snow about and the small village house looked very attractive with long icicles hanging from their roofs. On the way down to Otsu we came across a troupe of monkeys by the roadside. They were very tame and took peanuts out of the girls' hands. One or two carried babies fo of course the girls were very thrilled. Adrienne is now a Brownie (American style) and Caroline a Junior Girl Scout - both packs being run at the school.
I wonder if you would like to get "Swallows and Amazons" by Arthur Ransome for Caroline's birthday. I intended writing for it but you might like to get it instead. Caroline is very fond of adventure stories and I think she would "Swallows and Amazons". I know I loved reading all that series. She enjoyed the book you sent - she has read a lot of the Classics as the school library has them - also I can sometimes buy the cheap editions by the Oxford Press which the Japanese schools use for their English classes. Caroline is very fond of Enid Blyton's "Secret Seven" series - she is in great demand at school because she has one or two of them. They are adventure stories and about her age level, fairly light when she reads them for relaxation, as they have a fairly advanced reading programme at school.
The girls enjoyed "Mary Poppins" it made a nice outing for them during the school holidays. Caroline has only read the "Mary Poppins" from which the film was made but there are several others although there are several out now in a shorter or easier to read version. The originals are quite good reading.
Well it is nearly time to collect Mrs Tada, our driver is sick (again) so I must go out into the snow.
My mother and father sound very thrilled with the house - what a good thing my father's foot has healed up. He must have felt very miserable over Xmas.
The girls all send their love and many thanks for the presents.
Love from us all
Margo and Peter.
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