I stuffed up the link in the last one. Try TheOneAbout
Bear with me. I am trying to figure out what to do with these handwritten things which most of us have forgotten how to read. A bit laborious. Voice to text with lots of errors then edit. Then read the text and record the audio. I am not game to pass the recording past the sub editor! She will no doubt have an opinion and I suspect not a good one….. Still, I might improve, or perhaps not?
This is a letter I found folded up in a small rectangle loose amongst lots of Mother’s stuff. Must have been meant for me to pick it up. It must have been one of the many exchanged in Noni and Bill’s long-distance romance conducted for more than 3 years while Dad was avoiding the war, working for his bother Kim on Carlton Reach on the Ord River where ultimately Lake Argile was formed behind the Ord River Dam and Mother who remained working in Sydney.
Who knows. These words may have had something to do with our lot coming into the world.
These letters come through in Mothers book (Beyond the Legend - A Kimberly story), but she wrote it as a fiction, so the context is all confused. But this is the real thing.
What do you recon? Was there something going on? The legend has it that the question was not put until Dad had returned to Perth and sent a telegram suggesting that Mother come over. Then a huge fight and it was all off, but they married a few weeks later.
Bakkana (I think a house or unit name, but I can’t place it)
Saturday 7th of May. (Must be the early 1940s)
Dear Bill.
I do so hope that my last letter landed along safely. I have a horrible feeling that I may not have addressed it properly. How are things with you up in Carlton Reach. Not too lonely & desolate I hope.
It's been the most glorious weekend here Bill. So much so that I've felt so full of the joy of living that I could burst. At the moment I'm lying flat on my tummy in the sun so if this letter is a little queer you will understand why. I'm looking at the gum trees on the harbour and it’s a lovely sparkling blue. Yesterday evening was a dream and afterwards when the moon came up it was even more lovely. I really get fonder of this old Harbour every year. It's been such a nice weekend that I haven't bothered doing anything more than loaf and lounge in the sun and I feel very content and happy.
Lately I've been having a very gay time - going to (I can't make this out might be the name of a venue Princess & Ramands? somewhere that Dad evidently knew.) and even shown about the place. I'm quite glad to relax and be peaceful for a while. I'm afraid I couldn't be a "Flutterbye" for any length of time. It's nice in small doses but I would get very bored if it continued for long.
However I saw an excellent satire- "Holy Matrimony" it's an awfully good picture and I enjoyed it very much.
I'm getting more and more keen on my job Bill. I'm quite enthusiastic about it now. It sounds a bit silly if I try to put on paper what I feel about it or even what I believe will evolve from it, but one of these days when I have a clear brain and plenty of time I will do so.
How are you and Kim getting on these times Bill. I hope Kim is quite recovered. Have you heard anything of David and Margaret. I haven't heard a word of them for ages. I had a letter from Elizabeth about a fortnight ago. She still had not found a cottage. I do hope she has done so by now.
Vivienne (I can’t quite make this out and not a name I remember. There is a Vivien Goven who comes up in my memories.) is being married next Saturday. She is terribly excited & happy about the whole business. It seems funny to think of her settling down to be a married woman. Think she will make it a rather joyous affair.
Well Bill there’s not a great deal of news to tell you. I'll be terribly anxious to hear how the business in connection with your job is going and also the proposed trip to Perth via Sydney and Melbourne. I have 3 weeks holiday up my sleeve so could easily pop up to Bathurst. I believe at the moment it's terribly cold up there - snowing all around. Mother said it's very gloomy.
I suppose the weather at Carlton Reach is lovely at the moment. I hope I get a letter very soon to hear how you are faring. Goodbye for the present Bill look after yourself
Best goodwishes from
Noni
