10th August 1969

Written on The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation airmail letter from Johore Bahru

Dear Mum and Dad,

We have not had a letter from you for some time and perhaps one has gone astray.  The girls are continuing happily with their holiday.  Last night we had other children in and we all had quite a party.  Cooking their own food on the barbecue and playing table tennis and other games;  they did not finish until eleven.  today an Indian couple brought in a curry which C and A enjoyed and we are spending a quiet evening.  Next weekend we are all going to stay at the bank bungalow at Loyang - the family from Friday to Monday.  I have had some pineapple planted in the garden having got the plants from one of the biggest growers and canners here.  The garden is doing very well and have reconcreted an old paddling pool for Elisabeth to splash in.  It has had fish and a turtle in it up to now.  The concrete is a light green and it looks smart.  Hope it will be ready next week.  Rubber now over 83 cents and my rubber shares are up.  Still waiting to here that the land has been sold.  Someone recently purchased a very large amount at 3/- so I am pleased with my 2/9.

Margo and the girls and friends are going round the state Istana tomorrow to see the museum which it contains.  This has to be arranged through the Sultan's private sec and Sultan has asked them to go to his place first.  I do not know what he has in mind for them but there are lots of animals there and he may show them items in the house.  I have heard there is a gold service which is quite fabulous and wish I was going too.  Now that I have been given another officer I hope to take a week off in October and go to a hotel on the east coast.  Understand there are good beaches there and if it does not rain it should provide a restful holiday and I am already looking forward to it.  Will have been out a year next month which also completes nineteen years in the east.

Love from Peter Margo and the girls
xxx