22 January 1961 the last letter ...

22 January 1961

My dear Len and Margaret

Sunday 11.45 am. This is a most beautiful morning, I think it’s too fine to last long. The sun is shining, though there’s a crispy air, it’s a healthy kind of weather.

I’ve just had a little bit of bother, yesterday I put in a couple of bits of washing which were not very dry, but too dry to wet again if it rained in the night. After breakfast I went to put this bit of washing outside. As I pulled up the line, bang goes the line from the other end. Well you know I have been after Father for some time to put a new cord one end, the one that was there was rotten. After breakfast today I’ve asked him to put a new cord. I’ll do it soon he said, he did a few things first that could have waited after the cord had been fixed, but I must say that Father always does the things that could be done last he does them first and no it was this AM. 

Well, I’m afraid the cord he’s put won’t last long, he’s put in another old bit. I’ve told him he was putting a rotten one again, although he has a new one, but the time is not ready yet for him to put it, so I can see a picnic again one of these days coming.

All the same I’m pleased I put that bit of washing out when I did, because Roselle was doing her washing doing her washing at that time, and when she would have put it out all her line of washing would have come on the yard. I don’t ask how pleased Roselle would have been.

I think I’ve done a big long unnecessary story. I think I’m a bit clever in making long stories, I guess you get fed up at times.

Now here I am again, now 4.35. I’ve had a good sleep this afternoon, now I feel refreshed. After making such a long story about the clothes line, I can now add a bit more. Roselle put her washing out before dinner and few minutes before she was ready to dish up she told me her line was really too low, it should be risen. She was raising the rope that Dad had done up and before she had time to have it up it gave way and her washing down on the yard. Yes, I will say she was angry, the rope had slipped out through plastic noose of the line. Father could not have secured it properly.

Rose said for us to have our dinner, that she wasn’t going to have any. She had to wash most of her clothes again. Anyway when she was hanging out I started to serve the dinner for Dad and I. by that time she was about finished. I’m pleased to say she had her meal, she deserved it after all that hard work. We are wondering if it will miss again, we don’t feel very happy with it. I think this is all about the clothes line this time.

I will now stop, it’s getting on the dark side and a bit too light to light up. I will watch the passers-by. I enjoy doing so.

Monday 7.30pm. Here I am again with nothing to say. The weather has been very dull all day, a kind of mist hanging on all day. This has turned to rain this evening, it’s been on the cold side too.

Something new to say is that Tony Armstrong-Jones has today started work, and to work for no salary at that, he must want work to do that. I know very well that would not suit me. They made quite a fuss when he arrived at his place of work this morning, arriving in a chauffeur driven car and crowds of people to see him arrive. He must want to get away from home to go out to work for no money, sounds strange to me, but it may be excusable because I’m not clever enough to understand these things. Probably Phillip has had something to say to this and it might well be that he did not like to see him so idle all day long.

At long last we were happy to receive a postcard from Len this AM. Of course this was no letter, but then it was a move, which will probably mean a letter to follow. We notice he’s had another trip to Brighton. I guess Len is back by now.

Eddie Syvret is in hospital. He had an operation on his leg on Friday. The flow of blood was stopped, he had had pains in this leg for some time. At times he could hardly walk. This minor operation have to be performed. Gladys has just called in to ask us if we would like to go and see him tomorrow evening. She would call us and bring us back. I don’t think Eddie will be long in hospital.

Roselle is on the phone to the Le Feuvres. They have been complaining that they hardly come now. They can’t understand the reason why. We have decided to ask them to come, but they seem to say the evening that doesn’t suit us. I’m waiting to know what will have been decided , but Roselle doesn’t seem to be able to get away from Emma. Ah well, she’s through with the phone now and they will be pleased to come on Monday 6^th Feb. I guess they will have something to say about having been so long without coming.

Well I will stop here in case there is something to say tomorrow eve after having gone to Les Augerez and to the hospital. Also Doreen and Nick will be coming. On Wednesday we will be going to Kay for our evening meal. Arthur will pick us up on his way home and bring us back.

Tuesday. We are just back from the hospital. Eddie is looking very well, he thinks he will be there for a fortnight. We have also been to Les Augerez. Aunty looks cheerful enough, but I think her nerves are active. Kay has helped her to get all her things ready to take to take to Millbrook (nursing home) on Monday. She has to be there at 5 o’clock. She’s not looking forward to leaving home.

The weather has been real cold today and misty and dull.

I hope everybody is well at home and no more colds. This must be all for this evening, Doreen will be here any minute now.

Lots of love from us all including ‘Joey’

Lovingly, Mother xxx

Thursday. Dad has a very heavy cold, the doctor is coming to see me today. He will see Dad at the same time, he coughs very much. I guess the doctor will give him a cough mixture. I’m going to mail this letter.

Love

Mother

postscript: there are no more letters - Granny died February 2 1961 aged 80, and Papa died on November 18th in the same year, aged 81.