The H & SBC Jesselton
Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,
Your letter has not arrived yet but thought I would get this off whilst the weekend was fresh in my memory. The Duke arrived on time and we were all down at the bank before the roads closed, Margo, myself, the two children and the two amahs. We were joined by five other people and had chairs out in the portico of the bank and relaxed - it was quite hot and the only other people around were a group of boy scouts about fifty yards away and photographers on a wall on the other side of the road. So when the party came by, they had passed through the town with the majority of people there, the Duke was still standing and gave us a wave before he sat down. Being occupied with cameras we vaguely waved back, but being so close waving seemed a little too personal a thing to do! He circled shortly after he passed us and came back on a parallel road, so we strolled across and he passed us once again, sitting down this time, and I got a photo- I think - the first one had jammed. A couple of beers from the fridge in the bank concluded that episode and we made our way back to the house to prepare for the races. The bank have their own box to hold about a dozen. It is not so luxurious as it sounds but nevertheless is exclusive. There are only half a dozen at the top of the stands with sides three feet in height. The Duke arrived with native horsemen in front and behind and swung himself over the side of his car just below us - I hope I have a picture there - then came to sit two boxes away. When he strolled to the rear to see the horses in the ring he was very close. Too close to use a camera without embarrassment - so Margo had a lot of compensation for not attending the reception in the evening. The events at the races were quite amusing, a bullock race seeming a little out of place on a race track. The native horsemen, who did a charge past the front of the stands were very colourfully dressed carrying lances and wearing Kris and parangs, Their horses had necklets of bells and gaily coloured saddles and cavorted skittishly - about a hundred or so - to make an unusual show for the spectators.
It was indeed fortunated that Margo did not attend in the evening because the queue was about twenty deep and very hot for an hour or more. This was the only thing that was not organised well, but as everything else was so very good one must not grumble. HRH was shaking hands for two hours - what an effort! He said "good evening" to me, we shook hands and I made my bow, then was swiftly off. In words it does not seem to be much and yet I was impressed by it. He is an amazing person - Haymes, our manager here, had had a chat with him when he first landed in the morning and was questioned about the local sailing in which Haymes is a leading light. He gives the impression of being intensly interested in everything with a useful air of informality.
The colony display is indeed a showpiece and according to report the visiting high powered press who needs must be a little blase about these things, thought it the best thing of the tour. Within a comparatively small area is exhibited in a most natural way the whole of the native colony life. All the different types of dwelling houses, agricultural and fishing exhibits, orchids [gathered from Kinabalu mountain by Mary Curren (wife of our accountant) and one other lady, they were away two weeks to get them] nets, boats, dance floors, dragon dances, rubber processing. We spent Monday morning there watching the dances and taking on or two photos when the subject was in sunlight. The horsemen made their horses dance - everyone was dancing in one corner or another - and then a simulated pirate raid was put on with native craft beflagged and popping off cannon like a Hollywood film sequence. The beer we consumed after this at the mess opposite the display just evaporated! The afternoon called for a gently sleep, but at seven we were on the bank roof with Caroline and a dozen other people with attendant bottles and glasses to watch a firework display over the sea front. Caroline took sometime to get used to the bangs but eventually she plucked up courage to look - then was very excited and was very well behaved till nine oclock when we finally put her to bed. She has been full of it all day to-day although occupied with a Siamese cat which has attached itself to us. It is about to have kittens and Mary Curren brought it back from her trip because it was not being looked after at the Rest House. However, it won't stay with the Curren's because they have a large slobbering Boxer - also a friend of Caroline's. The dog also visits us and Adrienne really gets going when she sees either the dog or the cat - I hate to think what is going to happen when the kittens arrive. I think I have omitted to mention that Caroline can handle her tricycle very well now and peddles with great vigour, but is stumped on the uphill bits - it is without doubt her favorite toy. Adrienne is all but walking and can play Ring a ring a Roses with Caroline and myselft - especially the falling down part.
Cheerio for now and love from us all,
Peter
Saturday, September 5, 2009
16th Feb 1959
Written on HSBC Jesselton airmail letter
Dear Mum Dad and Alan,
Your cold weather and the reports of it, with fog that we read about in The Telegraph, make us quite content not to be there. It has been a little hotter during the past few days but managed nine holes of golf on Sunday and then went in the sea for some water skiing. One of the people from Borneo Company has a boat and set of skis and a crowd of us have a go on Sundays. I could not get up - the start is a bit tricky at firs, but expect to do it another time. One gets half upright, then whoosh - over backwards and start again. I did not know John was going back to Hongkong - is he with a civilian firm? Neither did I know Alan had partly purchased a car - what type? My finances are OK and we will save a bit here at present estimates. It is only on leave that we get short and of course there was a lot to get last time - I estimate we need 700 pounds for the next one as a minimum but guess we can manage it in time. The maternity ? should be covered provided the insurance can remit from India. I did receive Dad's 6 pounds - thought I had mentioned it - thanks very much. Shall get around to describing Jesselton one day, though there is not a lot of it. Two main streets with new buildings parallel to the water front, ten minutes from the office and up hill finds our house. There is a lot of hill and relatively little flat ground fro Jesselton to exist on. Ten minutes along the coast road brings one to the Golf Club and halfway along is the hospital and Secretariat where the Duke's reception is to be held. Two main roads go inland for twenty plus miles and these we have yet to investigate. We hope to take some photos in due course but many of the shots I want depend greatly on the position of the sun and the time of day and I shall have to plan accordingly - have no need to rush it. The family continues to be well. We have visited the local cinemas twice and had Chinese food afterwards. I went to a Chinese dinner - a business occasion and ate a huge amount - I thought we had finished twice before we actually did. Going to dinner with a Donald Jones & family of Cable & Wireless tonight. He is very busy planning transmissions of pictures for the Dukes visit.
Cheerio for now & Love Peter
Dear Mum Dad and Alan,
Your cold weather and the reports of it, with fog that we read about in The Telegraph, make us quite content not to be there. It has been a little hotter during the past few days but managed nine holes of golf on Sunday and then went in the sea for some water skiing. One of the people from Borneo Company has a boat and set of skis and a crowd of us have a go on Sundays. I could not get up - the start is a bit tricky at firs, but expect to do it another time. One gets half upright, then whoosh - over backwards and start again. I did not know John was going back to Hongkong - is he with a civilian firm? Neither did I know Alan had partly purchased a car - what type? My finances are OK and we will save a bit here at present estimates. It is only on leave that we get short and of course there was a lot to get last time - I estimate we need 700 pounds for the next one as a minimum but guess we can manage it in time. The maternity ? should be covered provided the insurance can remit from India. I did receive Dad's 6 pounds - thought I had mentioned it - thanks very much. Shall get around to describing Jesselton one day, though there is not a lot of it. Two main streets with new buildings parallel to the water front, ten minutes from the office and up hill finds our house. There is a lot of hill and relatively little flat ground fro Jesselton to exist on. Ten minutes along the coast road brings one to the Golf Club and halfway along is the hospital and Secretariat where the Duke's reception is to be held. Two main roads go inland for twenty plus miles and these we have yet to investigate. We hope to take some photos in due course but many of the shots I want depend greatly on the position of the sun and the time of day and I shall have to plan accordingly - have no need to rush it. The family continues to be well. We have visited the local cinemas twice and had Chinese food afterwards. I went to a Chinese dinner - a business occasion and ate a huge amount - I thought we had finished twice before we actually did. Going to dinner with a Donald Jones & family of Cable & Wireless tonight. He is very busy planning transmissions of pictures for the Dukes visit.
Cheerio for now & Love Peter
Friday, August 21, 2009
31.1.59
Written on a HSBC Jesselton Airmail letter.
Dear Mum Dad and Alan,
The last day of the month and a Saturday afternoon in the office - still it is very pleasant in comparison with many other places I have been in . The sun is setting now and the light is streaming in over my shoulder as I write with a soft cool breeze making the day a comfortable one. It can be hot and sticky here, but not for many days at a time and though my work is of a very routine nature I cannot complain of overwork. We are just a little busy at the end of quarters and on occasion when bills pile up and have to be processed in a short space of time. This is offset by not having air conditioning and not having a staff which is overbright so that one works at a much slower pace than is usual - but they are a cheery lot and very friendly - a much more enjoyable office than Calcutta. your calender arrived for which, many thanks and also your letter - I have left this at home so cannot remember if you had any queries. Hin E Calling (???) the Governor has invited us to meet the Duke of Edinburgh on March 1st at a Reception at 9.30 pm. About 500 people are going so suppose it to cover all the Europeans in Jesselton. Margo is doubtful about attending as it will involve a lot of standing about and it would be unfortunate to say the least if she felt ill in such a crush and not be able to get away. I expect I shall go if nothing prevents me. Everything is being decorated and there is great excitement. We shall see displays of native life which we would not do otherwise and various things will be sold in a special market, so perhasp we may make some interesting purchases. Caroline is well but A. is having teething pain at times though now rockets across the floor and climbs onto chairs at great speed. She is very broad across the back and is a hefty lump to carry - hope she walks soon.
Cheerio for now and Love from as all Peter.
Dear Mum Dad and Alan,
The last day of the month and a Saturday afternoon in the office - still it is very pleasant in comparison with many other places I have been in . The sun is setting now and the light is streaming in over my shoulder as I write with a soft cool breeze making the day a comfortable one. It can be hot and sticky here, but not for many days at a time and though my work is of a very routine nature I cannot complain of overwork. We are just a little busy at the end of quarters and on occasion when bills pile up and have to be processed in a short space of time. This is offset by not having air conditioning and not having a staff which is overbright so that one works at a much slower pace than is usual - but they are a cheery lot and very friendly - a much more enjoyable office than Calcutta. your calender arrived for which, many thanks and also your letter - I have left this at home so cannot remember if you had any queries. Hin E Calling (???) the Governor has invited us to meet the Duke of Edinburgh on March 1st at a Reception at 9.30 pm. About 500 people are going so suppose it to cover all the Europeans in Jesselton. Margo is doubtful about attending as it will involve a lot of standing about and it would be unfortunate to say the least if she felt ill in such a crush and not be able to get away. I expect I shall go if nothing prevents me. Everything is being decorated and there is great excitement. We shall see displays of native life which we would not do otherwise and various things will be sold in a special market, so perhasp we may make some interesting purchases. Caroline is well but A. is having teething pain at times though now rockets across the floor and climbs onto chairs at great speed. She is very broad across the back and is a hefty lump to carry - hope she walks soon.
Cheerio for now and Love from as all Peter.
January 14th 1958
Hongkong & Shanghai Bank
P.O. B 98
British North Borneo
(Editor's note. The date on this letter should be 1959)
My dear Mum & Dad,
Peter has been going to answer your letter all week but so far I haven't seen him start doing so! - so I've decided to write myself & send you a few photos which Peter has also been going to send for ages. He has been very busy over the end of the year & is now doing returns which keep him rather occupied. Adrienne sleeps in the study (so-called) as I found that she & Caroline are better apart. While they shared the same room, Caroline would wake about 4.30 am & then woke Adrienne who wasn't very happy about it. Now Caroline goes back to sleep until about 6 am which is a rather more respectable hour. They will have to go back together eventually but Adrienne will be older and I hope (?) will go back to sleep if woken.
Adrienne is progressing and has just pulled herself up by my chair - she doesn't stand for very long but at least it's a start. She is cutting another tooth & is very snuffly - rather like an asthmatical old man! Caroline has vanished at the moment & I rather suspect that I shall find her in the kitchen where the servants are having their meal. They seem to eat about 10.30 am & 6.30 pm and to do so they sit on little stools around a minute round table. I think that Caroline enjoys sitting on the stool altho' she likes the rice etc as well. I've no doubt that she will master the art of chop sticks very quickly! As for Adrienne I'm sure that she will be speaking Chinese before English as the Baby Amah chats to her all day in her version of Chinese/Malay which she speaks.
We have an excellent hospital here with a European Matron & two sisters and three European doctors. I believe the hospital has been recently built & has about 14 ist class rooms which have their own bathroom & toilet attached as well as being air-conditioned. Rather a change from the Elgin Nursing Home where about 60 or more people shared 4 bathrooms. I feel very fit but shall be glad when March 16th comes along. I have to go to the hospital clinic every fortnight now - apart from myself there are only two other European women attending. Also a change from Clta - I heard from Biddy Sawtell yesterday that 40 European babies were born in the Elgin during Dec & 40 are due in January! Biddy was the friend who lost her second baby - she has just had another boy without any bother.
We thoroughly enjoyed Xmas although we should have liked to have been with you all at home. Both children had loads of toys so it was rather an exciting morning opening all the parcels. We had very nice gifts from Hilda & Henry - I still haven't written to thank them but I seem to have written dozens of letters this month - Peter will be complaining about the postage bill!
We have been plagued by these wretched Kampong dogs who persisted in rushing around the house all night. panting & then howling & barking under the bedroom windows. It was impossible to aim anything at them because of the screens & Peter & I began to think that we should have to put down poison for them, after having had several sleepless nights. However I sent Ho Choy to speak to the Kampong inhabitants about them & to ask them to chain the dogs up at night & luckily they seem to have done so far out nights are now undisturbed - we are used to the occasional barking & cock crowing.
The car arrived on Saturday & hasn't a scratch on it although a peculiar 'knocking' has appeared! I shall have to pass my test otherwise I shall be isolated up here. Has Alan sat for his test yet? I expect he will pass first time. Barbara is hoping for a girl, so hope she is lucky - when in June is Emma expecting her baby - do you know? Peter & I are still undecided over a girls name and just cannot agree over any! The photos enclosed are 1) a group taken at the Managers staff tea party just before Xmas. Caroline is sitting on the Manager's wife's knee. We left Adrienne at home as the afternoon was rather showery. The three bachelors here disgraced themselves by arriving after the photo had been taken!
2) Caroline in her fancy dress - looking rather dishevelled and not quite sure what was going on. I've put in a few snaps (these are the throw-outs!) as well - our last batch weren't very successful but we are having copies taken which we will be sending. (of the better ones.)
Must close now so that Peter can send this letter this afternoon - I shall probably find that he has written to you this morning 1 - but at least I'm sending the photos!
We hear that you are having a freeze-up - hope it isnt too bad & that you are all well.
Love from us all & big kisses from
Caroline & Adrienne, Margo & Peter.
P.O. B 98
British North Borneo
(Editor's note. The date on this letter should be 1959)
My dear Mum & Dad,
Peter has been going to answer your letter all week but so far I haven't seen him start doing so! - so I've decided to write myself & send you a few photos which Peter has also been going to send for ages. He has been very busy over the end of the year & is now doing returns which keep him rather occupied. Adrienne sleeps in the study (so-called) as I found that she & Caroline are better apart. While they shared the same room, Caroline would wake about 4.30 am & then woke Adrienne who wasn't very happy about it. Now Caroline goes back to sleep until about 6 am which is a rather more respectable hour. They will have to go back together eventually but Adrienne will be older and I hope (?) will go back to sleep if woken.
Adrienne is progressing and has just pulled herself up by my chair - she doesn't stand for very long but at least it's a start. She is cutting another tooth & is very snuffly - rather like an asthmatical old man! Caroline has vanished at the moment & I rather suspect that I shall find her in the kitchen where the servants are having their meal. They seem to eat about 10.30 am & 6.30 pm and to do so they sit on little stools around a minute round table. I think that Caroline enjoys sitting on the stool altho' she likes the rice etc as well. I've no doubt that she will master the art of chop sticks very quickly! As for Adrienne I'm sure that she will be speaking Chinese before English as the Baby Amah chats to her all day in her version of Chinese/Malay which she speaks.
We have an excellent hospital here with a European Matron & two sisters and three European doctors. I believe the hospital has been recently built & has about 14 ist class rooms which have their own bathroom & toilet attached as well as being air-conditioned. Rather a change from the Elgin Nursing Home where about 60 or more people shared 4 bathrooms. I feel very fit but shall be glad when March 16th comes along. I have to go to the hospital clinic every fortnight now - apart from myself there are only two other European women attending. Also a change from Clta - I heard from Biddy Sawtell yesterday that 40 European babies were born in the Elgin during Dec & 40 are due in January! Biddy was the friend who lost her second baby - she has just had another boy without any bother.
We thoroughly enjoyed Xmas although we should have liked to have been with you all at home. Both children had loads of toys so it was rather an exciting morning opening all the parcels. We had very nice gifts from Hilda & Henry - I still haven't written to thank them but I seem to have written dozens of letters this month - Peter will be complaining about the postage bill!
We have been plagued by these wretched Kampong dogs who persisted in rushing around the house all night. panting & then howling & barking under the bedroom windows. It was impossible to aim anything at them because of the screens & Peter & I began to think that we should have to put down poison for them, after having had several sleepless nights. However I sent Ho Choy to speak to the Kampong inhabitants about them & to ask them to chain the dogs up at night & luckily they seem to have done so far out nights are now undisturbed - we are used to the occasional barking & cock crowing.
The car arrived on Saturday & hasn't a scratch on it although a peculiar 'knocking' has appeared! I shall have to pass my test otherwise I shall be isolated up here. Has Alan sat for his test yet? I expect he will pass first time. Barbara is hoping for a girl, so hope she is lucky - when in June is Emma expecting her baby - do you know? Peter & I are still undecided over a girls name and just cannot agree over any! The photos enclosed are 1) a group taken at the Managers staff tea party just before Xmas. Caroline is sitting on the Manager's wife's knee. We left Adrienne at home as the afternoon was rather showery. The three bachelors here disgraced themselves by arriving after the photo had been taken!
2) Caroline in her fancy dress - looking rather dishevelled and not quite sure what was going on. I've put in a few snaps (these are the throw-outs!) as well - our last batch weren't very successful but we are having copies taken which we will be sending. (of the better ones.)
Must close now so that Peter can send this letter this afternoon - I shall probably find that he has written to you this morning 1 - but at least I'm sending the photos!
We hear that you are having a freeze-up - hope it isnt too bad & that you are all well.
Love from us all & big kisses from
Caroline & Adrienne, Margo & Peter.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Sat 6th December 1958
Written on Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Jesselton airmail letter
Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,
Thank you for your letter - have been here a week now and with the baggage safely arrived and being unpacked the house is taking on a familiar look. Not many breakages, a cup, a bowl and a pyrex dish - I suppose that something must be expected. We were intending to see S. Pacific but did not manage to do so - glad you enjoyed it. As for the Chinese Chow, well those long menus are a bit tricky and we seldom look at them, except for the headings. I imagine you would be content with 41/2 portions plus a soup plus a bowl of "MIXED FRIED RICE". We always have the rice as a base and it includes veg & chopped meat & prawns. You then have a choice of FISH LOBSTER CRAB FRIED PRAWNS - you can ask for a dish of anyone of these to include vegetables which should include bamboo shoots - bean sprouts - ginger. They will then suggest something which covers this.
CHICKEN PORK & OTHER MEAT (ask for Sweet and Sour Pork) - You can have three items from here so that your choice of vegetables will turn up somewhere.
The egg "omelette" is your fourth dish and you ask for a "FOO YONG". They will have several varieties - my favourite being Crab Foo Yong. Afterwards Lichees and Chinese Tea.
The house is even better than the pictures:overlooking hills and greenery and a part of the bay in one direction. Temperature is much less than in Ctta with a breeze blowing most of the time. The Governor's House is going up on the hill next to us and so far only the road is cut and they are carving the top off before starting to build. It is quite an effort to carry out a building project here as facilities are limited and the rains wash the drives away. Margo and the children have been on the sands with the manager's wife - Betty Haymes and Caroline enjoyed the swim. She also lit up when her bicycle was unpacked. I have not seen much of the place as yet. The office is keepin me busy and although procedure will quicken up in time there is enough routine to keep ones head down on the slackest days. Everyone appears to be very cheery including the local staff, who number 36 against Calcutta's hoards. Before I forget can you once again buy presents for Elaine - Fiona & Mary and let me know the cost? Christmas is nearly on us and it is difficult even to think about it at the moment. Without a car one is stuck on the hill and the few shops there are only supply necessities. Cheerio for now - must get on with the unpacking - all our love Margo Peter Caroline and Adrienne (this one is going to be a minx!)
(There is a drawing of the house plan in this letter which I am unable to reproduce here)
Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,
Thank you for your letter - have been here a week now and with the baggage safely arrived and being unpacked the house is taking on a familiar look. Not many breakages, a cup, a bowl and a pyrex dish - I suppose that something must be expected. We were intending to see S. Pacific but did not manage to do so - glad you enjoyed it. As for the Chinese Chow, well those long menus are a bit tricky and we seldom look at them, except for the headings. I imagine you would be content with 41/2 portions plus a soup plus a bowl of "MIXED FRIED RICE". We always have the rice as a base and it includes veg & chopped meat & prawns. You then have a choice of FISH LOBSTER CRAB FRIED PRAWNS - you can ask for a dish of anyone of these to include vegetables which should include bamboo shoots - bean sprouts - ginger. They will then suggest something which covers this.
CHICKEN PORK & OTHER MEAT (ask for Sweet and Sour Pork) - You can have three items from here so that your choice of vegetables will turn up somewhere.
The egg "omelette" is your fourth dish and you ask for a "FOO YONG". They will have several varieties - my favourite being Crab Foo Yong. Afterwards Lichees and Chinese Tea.
The house is even better than the pictures:overlooking hills and greenery and a part of the bay in one direction. Temperature is much less than in Ctta with a breeze blowing most of the time. The Governor's House is going up on the hill next to us and so far only the road is cut and they are carving the top off before starting to build. It is quite an effort to carry out a building project here as facilities are limited and the rains wash the drives away. Margo and the children have been on the sands with the manager's wife - Betty Haymes and Caroline enjoyed the swim. She also lit up when her bicycle was unpacked. I have not seen much of the place as yet. The office is keepin me busy and although procedure will quicken up in time there is enough routine to keep ones head down on the slackest days. Everyone appears to be very cheery including the local staff, who number 36 against Calcutta's hoards. Before I forget can you once again buy presents for Elaine - Fiona & Mary and let me know the cost? Christmas is nearly on us and it is difficult even to think about it at the moment. Without a car one is stuck on the hill and the few shops there are only supply necessities. Cheerio for now - must get on with the unpacking - all our love Margo Peter Caroline and Adrienne (this one is going to be a minx!)
(There is a drawing of the house plan in this letter which I am unable to reproduce here)
29.11.58
The Hongkong and Shanghai Bank
Jesselton. B. North Borneo
Dear Mum Dad and Alan,
Arrived safe and sound and in one piece yesterday afternoon and have a completed a days work to-day. My only letter from prior to Colombo seems a long way away. We had lunch there with some bank people leaving Adrienne on board but taking Caroline with us. It was a chance to stretch our legs and have a chat. Caroline played with a young girl there and thoroughly enjoyed herself. Three days access to Penang and the bulk of the packing? was completed then because it was pouring with rain and we were only there for a couple of hours. I went ashore by myself and said hello to all the clerks in the office. Also saw my old pal Doc Ballantyne for a short while. Singapore came up the next day and we were glad to leave the ship, although it had been very good to us. We were met and our baggage was taken care of by Philip Young and his wife, with whom we stayed for 3 days. They looked after us very well indeed and got us up at 5 am to catch the plane on Friday (yesterday). This proved to be a long trip calling at Kutching Sibu Laburn then Jesselton and we touched down finally at 3 pm. Must say the children took it very well although it was a little cramped, hot and at times bumpy - Margo lost half a cup of coffee at one point.
The house is a bungalow and to us is palatial, lots of polished flooring - view over the water to the mountain in the the background. The garden is not flat but terraced into the woody undergrowth and though not closely inspected yet appears to be maintained in apple pie order. Have had a full day's work it being the last day of the month so will finish this letter hurriedly written in case the next few days are too full to get it off. Will endeavour a description of Jesselton later when I have seen it myself.
Cheerio from us all and much love,
Peter
Jesselton. B. North Borneo
Dear Mum Dad and Alan,
Arrived safe and sound and in one piece yesterday afternoon and have a completed a days work to-day. My only letter from prior to Colombo seems a long way away. We had lunch there with some bank people leaving Adrienne on board but taking Caroline with us. It was a chance to stretch our legs and have a chat. Caroline played with a young girl there and thoroughly enjoyed herself. Three days access to Penang and the bulk of the packing? was completed then because it was pouring with rain and we were only there for a couple of hours. I went ashore by myself and said hello to all the clerks in the office. Also saw my old pal Doc Ballantyne for a short while. Singapore came up the next day and we were glad to leave the ship, although it had been very good to us. We were met and our baggage was taken care of by Philip Young and his wife, with whom we stayed for 3 days. They looked after us very well indeed and got us up at 5 am to catch the plane on Friday (yesterday). This proved to be a long trip calling at Kutching Sibu Laburn then Jesselton and we touched down finally at 3 pm. Must say the children took it very well although it was a little cramped, hot and at times bumpy - Margo lost half a cup of coffee at one point.
The house is a bungalow and to us is palatial, lots of polished flooring - view over the water to the mountain in the the background. The garden is not flat but terraced into the woody undergrowth and though not closely inspected yet appears to be maintained in apple pie order. Have had a full day's work it being the last day of the month so will finish this letter hurriedly written in case the next few days are too full to get it off. Will endeavour a description of Jesselton later when I have seen it myself.
Cheerio from us all and much love,
Peter
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Saturday 8th 1958
Written on m.s. "ORANJE' headed airmail paper. (Month is possibly Oct or Nov).
to be from Genoa,
Dear Mum Dad and Alan,
Thank you for seeing us off on Thursday, we had four seats and therefore plenty of room on the train and the children behaved beautifully. No customs formalities in S'hampton and but for a 15min queue for stamping passports we went straight on to the ship. Your flowers were in our cabin and look very attractive - thank you once again. Henry and Hilda sent a wire wishing us Bon Voyage so we felt that we were being thought of right up to the last moment. The ship sailed promptly at 3pm and is big and fast. We got well into the Bay in the night - not rough but with a big swell and lots of rolling. The children did not mind, but after we had given them breakfast we missed ours. The whole morning and feeding them at lunch was a strain for Margo. Luckily I remained fit enough to help and had a light lunch myself. We ran into fog in the late afternoon which stopped us for a while but nevertheless we had finished with the Bay by evening thanks to a fast ship, and we were both well enough to attend the Captain's cocktail party in the evening and have a light dinner. Bed early and all slept well to wake to the sun and warmth somewhere off southern Spain. The childrens' nursery is excellent and both can be left there all day, which does give a break. We collect them for sleep during the day and also at meal times but I think that all in all the voyage will give Margo a rest. The ship is just what was needed for that. We have met a Mr & Mrs Calvert, the father and mother of one of the foreign staff in Singapore who had mentioned we would be on board. They are a cheery couple.
All our love for the moment and best wishes, and thank you for all you have done for us - it will mean a lot for this tour.
Love from
Margo Peter Caroline and Adrienne xxxx.
to be from Genoa,
Dear Mum Dad and Alan,
Thank you for seeing us off on Thursday, we had four seats and therefore plenty of room on the train and the children behaved beautifully. No customs formalities in S'hampton and but for a 15min queue for stamping passports we went straight on to the ship. Your flowers were in our cabin and look very attractive - thank you once again. Henry and Hilda sent a wire wishing us Bon Voyage so we felt that we were being thought of right up to the last moment. The ship sailed promptly at 3pm and is big and fast. We got well into the Bay in the night - not rough but with a big swell and lots of rolling. The children did not mind, but after we had given them breakfast we missed ours. The whole morning and feeding them at lunch was a strain for Margo. Luckily I remained fit enough to help and had a light lunch myself. We ran into fog in the late afternoon which stopped us for a while but nevertheless we had finished with the Bay by evening thanks to a fast ship, and we were both well enough to attend the Captain's cocktail party in the evening and have a light dinner. Bed early and all slept well to wake to the sun and warmth somewhere off southern Spain. The childrens' nursery is excellent and both can be left there all day, which does give a break. We collect them for sleep during the day and also at meal times but I think that all in all the voyage will give Margo a rest. The ship is just what was needed for that. We have met a Mr & Mrs Calvert, the father and mother of one of the foreign staff in Singapore who had mentioned we would be on board. They are a cheery couple.
All our love for the moment and best wishes, and thank you for all you have done for us - it will mean a lot for this tour.
Love from
Margo Peter Caroline and Adrienne xxxx.
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