Angie - Mum's friend at work
Nanny Annie - Mum's Mum
Ella - my Step-Nan (she married my Grandad Doug - on my Dad's side) - there had been family rift a few years ago before Grandad Doug passed away
Viv - Ellas's daughter
Elizabeth and Rosemary - Viv's daughters
Colin, Pat, Darren, Debra (Colin is my Dad's brother, married to Pat. Darren & Debra my cousins and Debra was one of my bridesmaids)
Don - Mum's brother
Cyn - Vince's Mum
Cynnie - Vince's eldest sister
George - Cyn's companion at the time
Blue and B.J. - Persian cats bred by Cynnie - related to Smokey Cat
MUM:
Thursday 5th April 1990
To Dearest Joanne and Vince,
Hello again, still missing you like mad, but then that will never change. By now you should both be settling well into our new jobs and enjoying them. All you want now is your house and you have made it. So many people ask about you both and when we tell them what you have done and what you have got, they are really surprised and very pleased for you. That makes us very proud.
Back to normal at work now, if you can call it normal! Angie is back, the car does look a bit of a mess so it must have been a bad smash. For once, she was not exaggerating!!
Went up to see Nanny this afternoon and she was out. Mr. Mack across the road said she has gone out with a man? He is from her club, he has lost his wife, and lives in a bungalow on his own. He has asked Nanny if she would like to live with him just for company. I don't know what to think really. What do you think? I have just rung her and said "where have you been? Mr. Mack said you went out with a strange man - she said "No I have not!" - perhaps she is scared to tell me.
Watched Treasure Hunt tonight, it was in Yorkshire and made me long to be there. Don't feel so bad about losing Briar Dene now, I have come to terms with it. I remember what you said to me 'Mum if you can't have Briar Dene, it means something better is waiting for you' and that makes me feel better.
We still have not had anybody else to look at the house, and are thinking of taking it off the market for a couple of months and then try again. You never know, it might do some good. How are you getting on with house hunting? It must be quite nice knowing you have not got the problem of having to try and sell something first. I really wish we were in that position.
Friday 6th April 1990
End of the week again, god they do go fast. After I had finished shopping, I went and had something quite exciting done. I had new nails put on (Images in Bexley Village) where you went for your wedding nails. Because my nails were so short, I had to have Californian Jelloid Sculptured Nails and they were expensive £21.50. Still if it stops me from biting them, it is worth it. It took 1 1/2 hours. They look nice and I have kept them quite short, so they look more natural. They check them once a week free of charge for a month.
James had his hair cut today, he wanted to go where Vince went as he wanted it to look like Vince's did on your wedding day. I don't know where he went in the end, but it looks OK. I'm having trouble writing with my new nails haha.
The weather has turned very cold again with hard frosts in the mornings, not very good for Tommy Tortoise or the bees.
Saturday 7th April 1990
Got up and went shopping early today. Sunny, but very cold. Had to do some shopping for Nanny because she did not feel well enough to go to Dartford. Took it up to her and she said 'how much do I owe you?' I told her, but she still didn't pay me! I can't ask her for it can I? Went to Viv and John's wedding this afternoon. She looked very nice, but not as lovely as you looked, it was a pretty little church, all white and dated back to 12th Century. Colin, Pat, Darren and Debra were there. James was upset because Elizabeth and Rosie both had boyfriends. We were thinking of you in the church as one of the hymns was "Morning Has Broken" that you had at your wedding. I sang it with a lump in my throat. Stood and shivered while the photos were taken. Saw Ella, she didn't look any different from when we last saw her. She gave us a little smile, but would not come over and speak. Later at the reception, I spoke to her in the ladies loo and she said she would come and speak to us when Colin and Pat had gone, which she did. Apparently, Colin and Pat still don't want anything to do with her, even though they are friends with Viv. I think it is a bit silly to keep it up for so long, she is an old lady and what happened was so long ago, it should be forgotten. There's enough trouble in the world without adding to it with silly grudges. Ella was very interested in you and Vince and I have promised to take the wedding photos over to show her one afternoon. Gave your address to Debra and she is going to write to you. There was no disco at the wedding, they had a band. Can you believe they played The Birdie Song!! And no, I did not get up and do it!
MUM:
Thursday 5th April 1990
To Dearest Joanne and Vince,
Hello again, still missing you like mad, but then that will never change. By now you should both be settling well into our new jobs and enjoying them. All you want now is your house and you have made it. So many people ask about you both and when we tell them what you have done and what you have got, they are really surprised and very pleased for you. That makes us very proud.
Back to normal at work now, if you can call it normal! Angie is back, the car does look a bit of a mess so it must have been a bad smash. For once, she was not exaggerating!!
Went up to see Nanny this afternoon and she was out. Mr. Mack across the road said she has gone out with a man? He is from her club, he has lost his wife, and lives in a bungalow on his own. He has asked Nanny if she would like to live with him just for company. I don't know what to think really. What do you think? I have just rung her and said "where have you been? Mr. Mack said you went out with a strange man - she said "No I have not!" - perhaps she is scared to tell me.
Watched Treasure Hunt tonight, it was in Yorkshire and made me long to be there. Don't feel so bad about losing Briar Dene now, I have come to terms with it. I remember what you said to me 'Mum if you can't have Briar Dene, it means something better is waiting for you' and that makes me feel better.
We still have not had anybody else to look at the house, and are thinking of taking it off the market for a couple of months and then try again. You never know, it might do some good. How are you getting on with house hunting? It must be quite nice knowing you have not got the problem of having to try and sell something first. I really wish we were in that position.
Friday 6th April 1990
End of the week again, god they do go fast. After I had finished shopping, I went and had something quite exciting done. I had new nails put on (Images in Bexley Village) where you went for your wedding nails. Because my nails were so short, I had to have Californian Jelloid Sculptured Nails and they were expensive £21.50. Still if it stops me from biting them, it is worth it. It took 1 1/2 hours. They look nice and I have kept them quite short, so they look more natural. They check them once a week free of charge for a month.
James had his hair cut today, he wanted to go where Vince went as he wanted it to look like Vince's did on your wedding day. I don't know where he went in the end, but it looks OK. I'm having trouble writing with my new nails haha.
The weather has turned very cold again with hard frosts in the mornings, not very good for Tommy Tortoise or the bees.
Saturday 7th April 1990
Got up and went shopping early today. Sunny, but very cold. Had to do some shopping for Nanny because she did not feel well enough to go to Dartford. Took it up to her and she said 'how much do I owe you?' I told her, but she still didn't pay me! I can't ask her for it can I? Went to Viv and John's wedding this afternoon. She looked very nice, but not as lovely as you looked, it was a pretty little church, all white and dated back to 12th Century. Colin, Pat, Darren and Debra were there. James was upset because Elizabeth and Rosie both had boyfriends. We were thinking of you in the church as one of the hymns was "Morning Has Broken" that you had at your wedding. I sang it with a lump in my throat. Stood and shivered while the photos were taken. Saw Ella, she didn't look any different from when we last saw her. She gave us a little smile, but would not come over and speak. Later at the reception, I spoke to her in the ladies loo and she said she would come and speak to us when Colin and Pat had gone, which she did. Apparently, Colin and Pat still don't want anything to do with her, even though they are friends with Viv. I think it is a bit silly to keep it up for so long, she is an old lady and what happened was so long ago, it should be forgotten. There's enough trouble in the world without adding to it with silly grudges. Ella was very interested in you and Vince and I have promised to take the wedding photos over to show her one afternoon. Gave your address to Debra and she is going to write to you. There was no disco at the wedding, they had a band. Can you believe they played The Birdie Song!! And no, I did not get up and do it!
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| Nana Ella with Viv, her daughter on her wedding day. Ella was a really elegant lady and was the person who got me into dancing as she was friends with my dance teacher. |
Sunday 8th April 1990
Poor Dad had to get up early and go to work. He has taken the car (cheek) - he can clean it when he comes home if it's dirty.
Nanny is at Don's today, so I am having a lazy Sunday. James is out, I don't know where, so it's nice and quiet. After dinner, sat in the living room and read my book, with James Last on in the background. It was heaven. Every now and then I look up and see your photo and a very strong longing for you comes over me. You have just rung though, so I feel happier now. I so look forward to speaking to you, I think I just live for Sundays. Dad gets a lump in his throat as well when he speaks to you. How is Vince when he speaks to Cyn on the phone? Forgot to tell you that Aunty Rhona rang this morning to see how you both are. I tell you, everybody wants to know so much and I love telling them.
Dad's just watched Black Adder - it makes me think of you and Vince when you watched it and I can hear your laugh. Watched a film tonight "Bad Company" with Jeff Bridges, quite good and funny.
Monday 9th April 1990
Dad's on nights this week, so it's please myself what I eat and when which is quite nice really.
Well we have taken the house off the market with Kings because we are not very pleased with them. They have never had it in the paper and we have their board up. We told them to stick their board up their arse or words to that effect!
It was quite nice when I came home from work, so Dad and I put the rest of the supers on the beehive, so now it's up to them to fill them up.
James is round Darren's stripping wallpaper and paint for the bedroom so that Darren's Dad can decorate. He's giving them £10 each - cor! I would have done it for that!
Tuesday 10th April 1990
Your lovely letter came this morning, such a lovely letter. They're always so interesting, makes ours sound so boring. We can't get over the amount of food you eat, you seem to be eating out nearly every day. But you certainly seem to be enjoying yourselves and that's all that matters. Thank you for your lovely words of comfort about Briar Dene and as you said there's always Vancouver. Who knows, after Christmas, we might have fallen in love with Vancouver?! Did I just hear Vince say "oh gawd"? Both your jobs sound so interesting and we are very proud of both of you. Might even see you reading the news one day Joanne!
Poor Dad had to get up early and go to work. He has taken the car (cheek) - he can clean it when he comes home if it's dirty.
Nanny is at Don's today, so I am having a lazy Sunday. James is out, I don't know where, so it's nice and quiet. After dinner, sat in the living room and read my book, with James Last on in the background. It was heaven. Every now and then I look up and see your photo and a very strong longing for you comes over me. You have just rung though, so I feel happier now. I so look forward to speaking to you, I think I just live for Sundays. Dad gets a lump in his throat as well when he speaks to you. How is Vince when he speaks to Cyn on the phone? Forgot to tell you that Aunty Rhona rang this morning to see how you both are. I tell you, everybody wants to know so much and I love telling them.
Dad's just watched Black Adder - it makes me think of you and Vince when you watched it and I can hear your laugh. Watched a film tonight "Bad Company" with Jeff Bridges, quite good and funny.
Monday 9th April 1990
Dad's on nights this week, so it's please myself what I eat and when which is quite nice really.
Well we have taken the house off the market with Kings because we are not very pleased with them. They have never had it in the paper and we have their board up. We told them to stick their board up their arse or words to that effect!
It was quite nice when I came home from work, so Dad and I put the rest of the supers on the beehive, so now it's up to them to fill them up.
James is round Darren's stripping wallpaper and paint for the bedroom so that Darren's Dad can decorate. He's giving them £10 each - cor! I would have done it for that!
Tuesday 10th April 1990
Your lovely letter came this morning, such a lovely letter. They're always so interesting, makes ours sound so boring. We can't get over the amount of food you eat, you seem to be eating out nearly every day. But you certainly seem to be enjoying yourselves and that's all that matters. Thank you for your lovely words of comfort about Briar Dene and as you said there's always Vancouver. Who knows, after Christmas, we might have fallen in love with Vancouver?! Did I just hear Vince say "oh gawd"? Both your jobs sound so interesting and we are very proud of both of you. Might even see you reading the news one day Joanne!
Glad you have started looking at houses - have you heard anything about your furniture yet? Would love to have a ride in your TR6 one day with the roof down, it sounds great. Yes, you are right about the perfumed letters. I remembered about you saying I always smelled like Mums should smell, so I spray each letter I send. Thought it would make you seem more close to me (Dad said would Vince like a special page of his smelly aftershave? haha - Dad can be a bit stupid sometimes!)
The weather here is still not very good. The long range weather forecast for Easter is very wintry, so don't suppose we will be doing much. Dad's probably working anyway. James has been to Margate today with Darren and some others. They went by train from Swanley early this morning and he came home worn out. Going to have a nice early night myself now, going to have a nice coffee and start the next book of yours "Blue Above the Chimneys" - really looking forward to it.
Wednesday 11th April 1990
DAD: It's my turn now, just the details on your Assurance Policy - I have got it all sorted for you. I didn't trust that silly new agent, Mr. Riley, I don't know what it is but I just can't get on with him. He gives me the impression that he's above me, still, enough about him. I'm sending all your documents back to you. Also got your no claims bonus from your car insurance and it's in the envelope - don't lose it as it will help to make your car insurance cheaper, hopefully. Well that about covers it - Mum's waiting to write her bit for today, speak to you soon.
MUM: Dad's got the sulks now, cause I made him go through his writing and correct his mistakes! Went to the pub today with Pat and Mick. Mick is still not really himself and he has been clearing out his Dad's house and coming across lots of memories of when they were a happy family. I can really understand what he is going through.
Watched the film "When The Wind Blows" on TV tonight - such a sweet film, but very sad.
Thursday 12th April 1990
Finished work today for Easter and don't go back until Wednesday when I get paid again. Lovely!
Went and got shopping today and it was packed with people. Got our hot cross buns for tomorrow. Do you have them there too? Went and had my nails checked today, the lady said they were okay. I have got used to them now and really forget they are there. But she did hurt me today, really pushed my cuticles back, ouch!
It's just come over very dark and is quite funny looking out the window at the bees. They are flying back to the hive and pushing one another to get inside. It's because they sense rain coming. I will have to teach them some manners and make them go in two by two! Had my bee sample report back this morning and they are free if disease, so I am very pleased with myself and Dad for getting them through the winter months. And of course you and Vince had a hand in the care of them, you fed them when we were away on holiday and two weeks in the life of a bee is very important!
Went to Dean's tonight to take Easter pressies over. They got your letter and photos and promised me they would write.
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| Dad with all the honey made from their own bees |
Friday 13th April 1990
Easter Friday and it's raining hard. Also our wedding anniversary, 27 years, not bad eh? Dad gave me a new gold necklace cause my other one is done up with bits of cotton and I have ordered a bee suit for Dad, but it still hasn't come yet, so he will have to have it later.
Just woke Dad up and we're going to have hot cross buns, yummy yum! I have been waiting a long time for these.
Have just watched some more ice skating from Canada - Gala performance with Kurt Browning, he has got such a nice smile. Did not go anywhere today because it's a rotten day and Dad has taken the car to work (Cor! I am kind)! James and we watched Dumbo because it's been raining all day. I have not even been outside the back door. I have done nothing but watch TV and I feel really exhausted, it must be the thought of being married for 27 years!! Haha.
Saturday 14th April 1990
Quite a busy day today. Waited for Dad to get up to go shopping. James has just come home, did his paper-round, then went straight into the butchers to work for three hours! He said never again, it was disgusting (and then more information which I will not share here).
Went to my first bee club this afternoon and we were there at 3 o'clock on the dot. It was freezing cold and they only have 4 hives out of 11 that survived the winter. Such a shame. So they have to buy new colonies into the club and build them up again. Dad got stung on the thumb and it is now really swollen. Ah poor Dad!!
Went out for dinner for our Anniversary. Went to the Royal Victoria and Bull, where we took you and Vince, sat in the lower part next to the fire and had a lovely meal, came home bloated out. It brought back sad memories of when we were there with you. We spoke a lot about you and Vince during our meal, so if your ears were burning it was us!! We were saying nice things though!
Sunday 15th April 1990
Easter Sunday morning - boiled eggs and toasted soldiers. I had an Easter prezzie from Dad, a carpet bag. I can get such a lot into it and I gave Dad some Thornton's chocolates. We bought Nanny a butterfly broach instead of flowers, she didn't say much just stuffed it in her bag. Oh well! She will probably say next week 'see this broach Don bought me' and I will say *#@!?<^!!!! Didn't go anywhere today, too damn cold - typical Easter weekend.
Just phoned you, lovely to hear your voice, just wish we could talk longer. I don't think Dad's looking forward to the phone bill!! Glad you liked your Easter parcel, it was just a little something to say we love you both.
We had a nice lemon gateaux for tea and Vince, we thought of you the whole time we were eating it! Dad has just watched Black Adder again!! He laughs so much while watching it. Have just taken Nanny home, it's so hard-going having Nanny here, plus the dog! She said she has sent you another letter by the way.
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| My Nanny Annie and her lovely dog Judy |
Monday 16th April 1990
Dad working today and not much on TV so did all the housework this morning, plus the bathroom. God how I hate doing the bathroom, mind you it does look nice when finished, with clean towels all laid out. Until James gets in there! Then I wonder why I bothered!
Just cooking a turkey roast which we normally have on Easter Monday, so James and myself are just going to have a turkey sandwich, felt guilty about leaving Nanny on her own on Easter Monday, so I rang her her. I was going to take her down to see Aunt Rose, but there was no answer. She was probably out with her man friend!! Anyway, I stayed in and watched the TV film "The Ten Commandments" - was good.
In the evening, Dad and I went over to see Cyn and George and had a really nice evening. Vince's sister, Cynnie was there and we took some photos, so will send them to you next letter. I have to keep touching Blue and B.J. as they remind me of Smokey Cat. Cyn is getting around very well now with her new legs now that she's had her knee operation, and driving her car too. They are going to come over and see us soon. She showed me her photos that you have sent and I shared mine. George is so funny and was telling us some of his rude jokes. We left the same time as Cynnie and she showed us the quicker way to Bexleyheath.
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| Vince's Mum, Cynthia with Blue and B.J., Smokey Cat's brothers |
Well I suppose I had better get this letter finished so I can post it tomorrow. It seems to be going on and on.
More news to follow soon.
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| Mum and Dad's sign off x |
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