Letter 1983

34 Martin Rd
Fairfield
Dunedin
14 Sep 83

Dear Barbara, Trevor & Uncle Jim.

We were both delighted to receive your letter & cutting from the newspaper.  I in particular found it quite fascinating.

Not doing much this afternoon so decided to reply. I had been to the eye clinic at the hospital, eye checks and all that.  Have a cataract over my right eye, which leaves me with little sight, but the left one has some distorted blood vessels which point to a touch of sugar [?] in my blood.  Although sugar has not shown up in tests the doctor is keeping a close watch.  Usually visit clinic every 6 months.  So today, being the day, I was on last.  Not being

(2)

inclined to work, decided to reply to your welcome letter.

First of all to deal with the newspaper article.  You know, only a week ago, I had quite a vivid dream about that van.  I’m not sure where the incident took place, but it was parked on a rise.  On hearing a creak was horrified to see it starting to roll off down the hill.  My immediate thoughts were to jump aboard & jam on the hand brake.  Rushed along and attempted to jump on to the back step. Jumped all right flung on leg over Alanas back side in bed, she nearly had kittens, demanded to know what the hang I was up to.  She didn’t seem to appreciate me trying to stop a runaway, even though she was in a sound sleep.

(3)

Thats Hesley alright, used to quite often come in the school holidays.  Gee, I used to think she was a bit of alright & she used to use a perfume that fair intoxicated me.  Only ever smelt that scent once since then, & that at a function a few years ago.  Never was able to find the brand.

The dogs look like “Nigger” Uncle Bobs spaniel & “Storm” the farm dog.

Well remember coming home from school & seeing the newly painted brand new van sitting in Ross Dysarts shop.  I was so proud to think my uncles had the first motor milk van in Hastings.  A few years later at the ripe old age of 11 got a job on the van.  Used to trot from Warren St. where we

(4)

used to live out to Frimley to start work.  Us boys became very adept at jumping off & on the moving vehicle, it was the fastest machine out, for delivering milk.  I was on the milk run for 5 yrs, but the latter period on the bike.

Referring back to the horse & cart wonder if Uncle Jim still remembers the morning. when Anderson’s tame seagull walked out on to the road.  Gave “Tom” the horse a fright.  He took off, caught the cart wheel in the gutter & completely turned the cart up upside down.  I happened just along warren St, only a [?] from where we lived.  My Dad who was just going to work, rushed back to tell us.  Needless to say we were outside like

(5)

shots to view the calamity.  Not much damage done apart from spilt milk & Jimmy was able to collar the horse before he got away.

Another incident which Uncle Jim used to relate, one which I did not see but everyone enjoyed hearing.

He was quietly driving the horse home after the milk deliveries & Jack who was a white horse was ambling along at a steady pace.  Now Mrs McCormack who was a smart woman bout town & drove a very fast pony in a very flash gig, the sort that would pass anything on the road, came up from the rear.  If there was one thing that Jack could not stand, was another horse trying to get past.  As Mrs McCormack in her flash outfit drew alongside, Jack pricked

(6)

his ears & took off, needless to say at a racing trot.  The cans rattled & the stones flew but Mrs Mac & her pony did not get past, she had to fall behind & swallow Jacks dust.

Mind you knowing Uncle Jim he would not do much to try & restrain Jack.  I remember Ted English but did not have anything to do with him.

So much for reminiscents.  Alana and I are both fit and well & enjoying our retirement.  We find plenty to do, although not much in the garden at the moment.  The ground is very wet & has been so all winter. Apart from a few early potatoes, there has been nothing planted  Weather generally has been rather cold & even this morning there was a light cover of

(7)

snow on nearby hills. We have booked in to the Alexandra Camp for Christmas & then may tour around in Feb & March.

Lex, Alana’s elder son & his family are all pretty good.  Craig the oldest grandchild is a real man about town being a reporter on the Otago Daily Times.   Grant the second one is in the forestry learning to be a forester & Mark the youngest is still at school.

Robt. & his family are pretty good.

By the way, Sandford still lives over the road.  He is fit and well although very deaf & Mrs is OK. now. Was very ill 12 mths ago.

Often wish I was nearer to Hastings, but would not ask Alana to break her family ties here, missed my chance long ago.

Must away, best wishes to you all,

Reg & Alana