14th August 1969.
Darling Mom and Dad,
Well, the kids got home eventually - as dirty as we expected (the soaps were virtually untouched) they didn't have one shower or bath during the whole 13 days, but were supposed to wash in the sea.
They obviously had a wonderful time and very good weather. the camp leaders were old enough to be responsible, but young enough not to care about dirt or fuss the way we would, they learned lots of new songs (some rather shady) never once wore their pyjamas and slept in their clothes.
They went to Cap Frehel, Mont St Michel, Rouen, went to five different beaches, learnt how to peel potatoes, and didn't lose too many things - a towel, a plate and a couple of gym shoes...They got your money and made very good use of it. They brought us back some gorgeous presents, I was really impressed. They brought us 2 Camemberts, a Brie and a Pont l'eveque ... very sophisticated tastes my kids have. One of the Camemberts had a big hole in the middle, where the kids had dipped their fingers in 'to taste it'. They also brought a lighter and some after shave lotion, and me a Roger Gallet soap and a pin cushion. Most kids would have spent their money on sweets.
They obviously had a wonderful time and couldn't stop talking about it the first day as you can imagine. The day after they arrived we got a letter from Phil and a postcard from each of the twins, they took six days to reach us. They complained about the high cost of living in France and 'ice creams cost so much, and they were tiny!'
They were divided into three groups and they were lucky because Jane cooked for their group and apparently she was the best cook in the camp, and all the other kids wanted to taste jane's cooking and all the time. Jane cooked spaghetti bolognaise, and gave them peaches and yoghurt; Phil's cook gave them ravioli, which sounds OK too.
The only complaint they had was that they couldn't pooh because the lavs were so awful - just holes in the ground, with places for your feet on either side. Phil explained that the problem was that you had to open your legs wide - but you couldn't do that after you pulled your pants down. I shrieked with laughter.
I took the day off yesterday - and fetched Debby Levy from the station. She's staying for a week, much to Philip's delight. She's really a sweet girl and she and Phil get on beautifully. Norman decided not to send Simon, which suited me, as he is rather small and would have needed quite a bit of attention.
This weekend is going to be very crowded, as we've got the Turoks and two of their boys coming - the boys, including Phil, will have to sleep on the floor in sleeping bags.
John and Nola came last Friday after 18 days in Russia, and full of it all. They were impressed with some things, critical of many, including the food, which they said was lousy most of the time, except on the boat coming back - a 'baltic Line' ship, with good food and interesting films and talks during the 6b days it took to come back to England. they brought us lots of literature, some Georgian brandy, and rather nice Polish sweets.
We spent the weekend together; stayed at home on Saturday as Nola had a mountain of washing to do and John wanted to fix up the house business with To. It rained that evening, so we stayed at home and watched television. I think they were happy to have a quiet evening after so much travelling.
On Sunday we took them to the 'Trout Inn' I told you about in my last letter, for lunch - smoked salmon sandwiches and beer, and it tasted delicious sitting next to the river in the sun. Lots of people, of course, but one gets used to that, I find. I no longer want a square mile to myself.
In the afternoon we drove around the Cotswold villages, really pretty, untouched and all the houses made from that mellow yellow stone. We tried to find Norman and Cillah's cottage, but gave up the search and instead went to Stratford-upon-Avon - it was disappointing, teeming with tourists, every other shop a souvenir gifte Shoppe, and I thought the theatre really ugly. perhaps I expected too much.
Then they took us for a meal at a rather posh hotel - To and I had been dieting like mad for the last ten days, with no meat, so we really tucked in. I had a schnitzel Holstein, To had his usual trout, it's always his favourite.
The Halls left again for Ireland on Monday and are due back on the 22nd. Then they go to Portugal, to join some friends io a boat in Faro, and then, I think they come back and go to the Isle of Wight, again to join other friends on a boat.
Sometime in October Auntie Connie and Uncle Jack are arriving, and after they have spent a week or so together the Halls are off to USA. They want to see New England in autumn, and then they go to California to see David and Felicity, and go with them and the kids to Mexico.
All these people going to far and exotic places, it makes my mouth water. We got a postcard from Heini in Guatemala, I think, it looked fantastic. Still the world seems to come to Oxford, even if we don't go to the world. The city is teeming with people of all different shapes and sizes, colours and nationalities, and it's great fun to watch them. Even Abingdon is ringing with french, german and italian at the moment.
We had a wonderful time while the kids were away, it was really a holiday for us. But it's lovely to have them back, to feel that the house is full again, full of movement and noise and screams ad laughter and arguments over what TV programme to have (Phil likes Superman, Andy likes wildlife films, I want news, To wants BBC2 high brow stuff, Chris doesn't care so long as the TV is on. )
One thing I have battled for and won - NO TV while we eat, which makes me very unpopular with all the mean including TO, but I threatened to stop cooking if the results of all my labours were wolfed down uncaringly i front of the goggle box. I'm determined to keep up the semblance of gracious living.
. . .
Darlings, it's early closing today, so I must catch the butcher before he closes. I think I'll make liver for supper, nobody's favourite, but I can't hink of anything exciting and cheap. My ingenuity seems to have deserted me. I hope the weather continues to be good; have a lovely time. All my love, hugs and kisses, your loving,
Evechen.
Darling Mom and Dad,
Well, the kids got home eventually - as dirty as we expected (the soaps were virtually untouched) they didn't have one shower or bath during the whole 13 days, but were supposed to wash in the sea.
They obviously had a wonderful time and very good weather. the camp leaders were old enough to be responsible, but young enough not to care about dirt or fuss the way we would, they learned lots of new songs (some rather shady) never once wore their pyjamas and slept in their clothes.
They went to Cap Frehel, Mont St Michel, Rouen, went to five different beaches, learnt how to peel potatoes, and didn't lose too many things - a towel, a plate and a couple of gym shoes...They got your money and made very good use of it. They brought us back some gorgeous presents, I was really impressed. They brought us 2 Camemberts, a Brie and a Pont l'eveque ... very sophisticated tastes my kids have. One of the Camemberts had a big hole in the middle, where the kids had dipped their fingers in 'to taste it'. They also brought a lighter and some after shave lotion, and me a Roger Gallet soap and a pin cushion. Most kids would have spent their money on sweets.
They obviously had a wonderful time and couldn't stop talking about it the first day as you can imagine. The day after they arrived we got a letter from Phil and a postcard from each of the twins, they took six days to reach us. They complained about the high cost of living in France and 'ice creams cost so much, and they were tiny!'
They were divided into three groups and they were lucky because Jane cooked for their group and apparently she was the best cook in the camp, and all the other kids wanted to taste jane's cooking and all the time. Jane cooked spaghetti bolognaise, and gave them peaches and yoghurt; Phil's cook gave them ravioli, which sounds OK too.
The only complaint they had was that they couldn't pooh because the lavs were so awful - just holes in the ground, with places for your feet on either side. Phil explained that the problem was that you had to open your legs wide - but you couldn't do that after you pulled your pants down. I shrieked with laughter.
I took the day off yesterday - and fetched Debby Levy from the station. She's staying for a week, much to Philip's delight. She's really a sweet girl and she and Phil get on beautifully. Norman decided not to send Simon, which suited me, as he is rather small and would have needed quite a bit of attention.
This weekend is going to be very crowded, as we've got the Turoks and two of their boys coming - the boys, including Phil, will have to sleep on the floor in sleeping bags.
John and Nola came last Friday after 18 days in Russia, and full of it all. They were impressed with some things, critical of many, including the food, which they said was lousy most of the time, except on the boat coming back - a 'baltic Line' ship, with good food and interesting films and talks during the 6b days it took to come back to England. they brought us lots of literature, some Georgian brandy, and rather nice Polish sweets.
We spent the weekend together; stayed at home on Saturday as Nola had a mountain of washing to do and John wanted to fix up the house business with To. It rained that evening, so we stayed at home and watched television. I think they were happy to have a quiet evening after so much travelling.
On Sunday we took them to the 'Trout Inn' I told you about in my last letter, for lunch - smoked salmon sandwiches and beer, and it tasted delicious sitting next to the river in the sun. Lots of people, of course, but one gets used to that, I find. I no longer want a square mile to myself.
In the afternoon we drove around the Cotswold villages, really pretty, untouched and all the houses made from that mellow yellow stone. We tried to find Norman and Cillah's cottage, but gave up the search and instead went to Stratford-upon-Avon - it was disappointing, teeming with tourists, every other shop a souvenir gifte Shoppe, and I thought the theatre really ugly. perhaps I expected too much.
Then they took us for a meal at a rather posh hotel - To and I had been dieting like mad for the last ten days, with no meat, so we really tucked in. I had a schnitzel Holstein, To had his usual trout, it's always his favourite.
The Halls left again for Ireland on Monday and are due back on the 22nd. Then they go to Portugal, to join some friends io a boat in Faro, and then, I think they come back and go to the Isle of Wight, again to join other friends on a boat.
Sometime in October Auntie Connie and Uncle Jack are arriving, and after they have spent a week or so together the Halls are off to USA. They want to see New England in autumn, and then they go to California to see David and Felicity, and go with them and the kids to Mexico.
All these people going to far and exotic places, it makes my mouth water. We got a postcard from Heini in Guatemala, I think, it looked fantastic. Still the world seems to come to Oxford, even if we don't go to the world. The city is teeming with people of all different shapes and sizes, colours and nationalities, and it's great fun to watch them. Even Abingdon is ringing with french, german and italian at the moment.
We had a wonderful time while the kids were away, it was really a holiday for us. But it's lovely to have them back, to feel that the house is full again, full of movement and noise and screams ad laughter and arguments over what TV programme to have (Phil likes Superman, Andy likes wildlife films, I want news, To wants BBC2 high brow stuff, Chris doesn't care so long as the TV is on. )
One thing I have battled for and won - NO TV while we eat, which makes me very unpopular with all the mean including TO, but I threatened to stop cooking if the results of all my labours were wolfed down uncaringly i front of the goggle box. I'm determined to keep up the semblance of gracious living.
. . .
Darlings, it's early closing today, so I must catch the butcher before he closes. I think I'll make liver for supper, nobody's favourite, but I can't hink of anything exciting and cheap. My ingenuity seems to have deserted me. I hope the weather continues to be good; have a lovely time. All my love, hugs and kisses, your loving,
Evechen.
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