37 It is getting too cold to sleep out on the verandah

Elsinore

27 Spring Street

April 6^th 1918

R’cd 15/6/18  notation by ANS

Ansd 16/6/18

My dear darling Norman,

I see there is another mail going on Tuesday so must write my letter and post it in time. Well my dear boy, no letters since I wrote last so I must fill this up with something or other. 

Well Easter is gone for another 12 months. Mr Gooud was not here for Easter. He went to Newcastle, took his boat up there to sail on Easter Monday and I think they only came 3^rd. I missed him in the singing on Sunday. They are to have their concert next Saturday for the Picnic. I wanted one of their programmes to send to you but Clarry Orr says they are not having any. Not going to the expense of printing so I asked him to give me a ticket to send you to let you see them. He said if he does, I will enclose it. Not a complimentary ticket for I don’t think you would come so far for it! The Picnic will be on Wednesday week, to Clifton Gardens. I am giving him what lollies are here if he will have them. I hope they have nice fine weather for it.

Mr Manning’s brother came back on Good Friday. He was gassed and his heart is bad, so he won’t be going back again. Poor fellows, I suppose they are all in the thick of it now. It is terrible isn’t it Norman? Have you had any Air raids lately? I suppose they are too many over the other side now. I think of London. I see by Mr Gooud’s letters you are thinking of going to France. Don’t go Norman. Stay where you are my dear boy. If the war was all over and you would like to go and see it before you come home it would be different, but don’t go while the War is on my dear boy, for your mother’s sake. It would be nice to have a look at Charley’s grave and plant a few flowers on it. Mr Gooud says he and Mr and Mrs Cox might go over some day and have a look for it, but I think it will be a long time before they go

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Well Norman, What do you think, I went to the Show on Wednesday. Mrs Cowells, Ollie and I went. It was very nice but very tiring. So much walking if you want to see the things. you must walk about and there is so much to see. There were some lovely flowers there. We had a sit down for a while watching the jumping. If we had comfortable seats it would have been alright but we hadn’t! So we had to make the best of it. I could hardly get home, my legs and feet ached so much. But I felt better the next morning. Oh Norman, I am getting too old for going anywhere like that now, don’t you think so?

Bob Harvison promised to come down this afternoon and bring that music he borrowed from me but he never came. I think he is leaving the Post Office soon and going to the railway somewhere, then he said he would be going away up the country somewhere Wool Classing. His father is leaving tonight to go up the Richmond River to see Uncle Archie. I think Uncle Willie went last week. Poor boy, I wonder how he is. Of course Uncle Arthur was bad for 2 years, so Archie may linger on for some time yet. I don’t think he can get better. 

Mrs Elliott was coming home in the tram last evening and a soldier fellow got in and spoke to her and said he had seen her over in London. Mrs Elliott did not know him so she asked him his name and he said it was Watty. He said he used to deliver letters round here one time. I think it must be young Buckingham. You would know by the name Watty. I wish he would come and see me. He came back on Good Friday too. Do you hear anything of your old Post Office fellows? Do you write to any of them? I never hear a word about any of them now.

Have you got our photos yet? Surely you must and the parcels I sent too. I want to hear before I send any more. How they were, were the cakes any good and the sugar and lollies. Let me know, then I can send more.

You will be gone 8 months in a couple of days, 12 months will soon run around won’t it? I suppose you will be coming home then. I don’t suppose the war will be over by then. I hope it is.

Illma and all in her care are well and all other friends. I think Eileen was here on Tuesday. I suppose you have got Claud’s photo. Oh yes, you must have it my this. It is very good. Mr Gooud is coming to tea so I must have some pineapple and wish you were here too. Do you ever get any over there? I suppose you do. 

We are beginning to get the cold weather now. It was cold enough last night. I sleep out still, must soon get in. Pa sends his love and hopes you keep well. He has not received your letter yet. Good bye darling Norman with best love and kisses, from your every loving Mother.