Dear Fran, Love Dulcie
Page 7
Len took Terry to work with him and did some of the washing while I was away. It was hard for Len though as Terry soon gets bored watching him work and he usually sleeps for 2 and ½ hours each day. Len said when he was tired he curled up in the grass with the collie dog. Poor kid!
We do such long hours - up in the morning at 4:30 and we don’t finish work until 6:30. By the time I get tea and we are bathed it’s quite late when we get to bed. So Terry certainly needs his sleep in the daytime.
How are you doing since Dick started his own business? I wish he could come and landscape all my garden! I did some of it at home but it’s quite heavy work carting earth and stones and cement. We have about 3 acres [1.2 hectares] of lawn with flowering trees, shrubs and roses. Since we’ve been away it looks rather neglected but it won’t take much cleaning up again.
My mother has a birthday on the 29th this month. I can’t think what to buy her. I’ll go to town next week and have a look in the shops. Our little girl, Karen, would have been seven years old on the same day. Brendan would have been 1 year old in a month’s time - same day as my brother’s birthday.
What are you getting the children for Christmas, Fran? I don’t know what to get Terry - he has asked Santa to bring him a balloon! He just blows them up and sticks a pin in them to hear the big bang! He has a trike, a pedal car and a two-wheeled bike as well as numerous trucks, cars, bulldozer and things, so I just don’t know what to get. He got a train set last year.
Maybe a new pet might be okay. He wants a pair of guinea pigs so I’ll have to find out where to buy them.
Well, Fran, I must get some sandwiches cut for tomorrow and then go to bed.
Love from,
Dulcie
PS I think I can remember singing “Tie me Kangaroo Down” when I was a kid.
It ends with the words:
“We tanned his hide when he died, Clyde,
and that’s it hanging on the shed.”
Is that the same song?
10th October 1963
Dear Fran,
We seem to have had a sudden change back to winter. It is bitterly cold, with a fine rain and gusty winds. Has been like this for a week now. Len is still working because he wants to be finished in 6 weeks time. The sugar mills close the first week in December so we will be home for Christmas.
We have at last paid up all our medical and hospital accounts, £356 in all. Terry’s last blood test showed an improvement and my ears are better. So looks as if we’ll give the doctors a miss for a while!
We are buying another block of land, 1500 acres [607 hectares]. It joins our place and will be very handy.
How lovely it must be to see TV. So far there are only two TV stations in Queensland. Both in Brisbane and too far away to pick up any programmes. But there is some talk of one being built at Rockhampton so we might see it yet!
In 1965 Australia’s currency is to be changed from pounds, shillings and pence to dollars. It’s going to take me quite a while to get used to spending dollars and cents, etc.
Len and a few of his mates want to know if you could tell us what happened to the US Air Force pilot named Powers who was shot down over Russia some years ago and later returned to USA. Most people have the idea that he was tried and executed in the States for giving away secrets to Russia. [Francis Powers died in a helicopter crash, aged 47, in 1977.]
By the way, I’ve meant to ask you many times, do you pronounce your name as we do, that is omitting the ’e’ in Globke? Ours is spoken just as Clark. Both my grandparents and Len’s came from England to settle in Australia in the 1880s. Have your ancestors been long in America?
Well, I guess I’d better get Terry something to eat now he is awake.
Lots of Love,
Dulcie
24th January 1964
Dear Fran,
I’ve just received your letter - I do hope you’ll forgive me for not writing before Christmas. I sent you a Christmas card and a photo booklet of Mackay before the end of November. You didn’t say if you received it. I didn’t get your Christmas card either.
After we left Mackay on December 2nd we came home for a few days and then went south to Griffith to have a stone erected on Brendan’s grave. We stayed there 3 weeks and then towed the caravan home along the New England Highway. We took 6 days travelling all day and half the nights. We couldn’t take our time to enjoy the journey as the drought has affected our property rather badly. Surface water is all gone and the grass is dry.
Our main concern is to keep fires from burning us out. We’ve lost a few cows and some calves. I have five motherless calves here at the house and I’m milking 3 cows that have lost their calves and feed the five little ones with a bottle and teat. I had seven but dingos killed two a few days ago. We poisoned their remains and the following night the dingos came back and ate it. We found 4 dead dingos so that got rid of some of the cruel things.
One of my ducks hatched out 20 ducklings last week and two more ducks should be through sitting in two days. So I’ll have more “babies” to look after. Collie (the dog) had 8 pups on Christmas day too.
Our car has been out of action for a week. I did the gear box in when I went for a day to town. We had it towed home and Len has almost got it fixed again. Should be going in an hour or so. We were told that Zephyr’s have a weak gear box. So next time we will buy Australia’s own car - Holden - it is supposed to stand up to our bad roads better than any overseas make.
I do hope Rick improves after his operation. I know how you must worry, Fran, but I’m sure he will be okay. Will Mark be going to school this year? Terry won’t be going until he is 6 next year.
He had a little party on Monday. Just a few little cousins and his grandmother and grandpap. He blew all his candles out in one puff. I made his cake and iced it. Was the shape of a well with green jelly for water and a chocolate frog coming out of the water. I used plastic flowers to trim the side of the well. The kids loved it.
There are a few clouds in the sky today. How I wish it would rain. The temp stands at 105 [41ºC] each day but we haven’t even had a thunder storm.
Mother just arrived from town. She brought the mail. Thank you very much for the papers, ash tray and money. I’ve often wished I could send you some of our money, specially as it will no longer be in use next year. I have applied for a permit to send a few pennies and shillings to you but so far I haven’t been given permission to do so.
Well, Fran, I must close now and I do wish you all the best.
Love,
Dulcie
9th March 1964
Dear Fran,
I do know just how you feel about the “Beatles” records. I hate the sight and sound of them. Of course I haven’t seen them on TV (I never see TV at all) but the pictures of them in magazines make me mad. I could get hold of them and give them a good hair cut.
Yes, Fran, I have received your Christmas card. They both seemed to have got lost.
We have had a very worrying time over my brother Brian. My eldest brother Tom and Brian were loading logs with the end loader on their tractor. As Tom put the lift up to get the log onto the truck it slipped out of the hooks and crushed Brian onto the ground. One leg from the thigh down is badly crushed and the doctors want to amputate the foot. Brian won’t let them. He said he wants it set no matter how broken it is. I don’t blame him as I would hate to lose a foot. He was to get married on March 28th.
I’ve enclosed some stamps for Ricky and Mark (when he starts his book). I’ve started one for Terry but he’s only got 980 stamps so far. I’d be grateful for any used ones for him, Fran. Also enclosed, a snap of Terry and his horse.
We have had a couple of inches [5 cm] of rain during the last week. The cattle will start to pick up soon now. We want to sell some at the end of April.
Well, Fran, I must away now as I’ve got ducks, fowls, birds, dogs, cats and calves to feed.
Lots of love,
Dulcie
24th April 1964
Dear Fran,
Many thanks for the birthday card. It was lovely to get it as no-one else thought of my birthday. Mum did the next day but Len still hasn’t so I haven’t bothered to remind him.
I’ve been rather sick lately - had a bad cold with a touch of pneumonia. I still feel like crawling into bed and staying there. Usually I take no notice of a cold but I’ve had this one for 3 weeks and feel sore all over and have a terrific headache. I’ve neglected the house and it’s in an awful mess. I’m also two weeks behind with Terry’s lessons. I think I told you before that he does school from the Radio School Service and Correspondence Primary School. He was enrolled late in February. I wasn’t going to start him till next year but he wanted to, so now I’m flat out all day teaching him as well as doing all my other work.
Thank you for the stamps, Fran. I haven’t got around to looking for any for Ricky and Mark. However I managed to get some rare Malaysian ones - only a few were issued (the purple and yellow Malaysia one is rare). Terry is coming along fine with his collection.
Had 20 ducklings hatch out last Friday but they seem to have something wrong with them as each day a couple of them dies. I’ve only 14 of them left now.
Tomorrow is Anzac Day in Australia. It is a public holiday to honour the dead from both world wars. School children join members of the Armed Forces to march through the streets to the Cenotaph where wreaths are placed.
Well, Fran, I seem to be making a lot of mistakes with this letter so I think I’ll close and lie down for a while.
Lots of love from,
Dulcie
20th May 1964
Dear Fran,
Thank you for the cards - the album is filling up now.
I do hope you and the boys enjoy the day at the farm and of course the horse ride! Terry is not really a fan of horses as they just mean work for him. He has no choice but to ride when I go out. His horse is a lovely little pony too and most of the city children enjoy a ride on her when they visit. We had a two-day round up for tick dipping last week and Terry was heartily sick of riding by the time we had finished. He can ride really well too but tries to keep up with me or Len but our horses out-gallop his and he gets mad! When we slow down for him he comes galloping in a cloud of dust yelling his head off because we left him behind. I’ve got rather a sore spot since my horse took a short cut around a tree and my boot caught the full force of it. So do be careful if you get the chance to ride on the farm.
I’m awaiting the arrival of the veterinary surgeon today. Quite a few of our young heifers have came down with a spreading disease and we have to try for something to control it before we lose any more.
Please excuse Terry’s scribbling on the paper, Fran. He never lets me write in peace. Yes, he is in First Grade and can print letters very good. He has to do quite long sentences and count to 50 and do sums. He likes it so that’s a help. But goodness, I never seem to have any spare time.
I envy you the lovely flowers you have. My garden looks sadly neglected. Leaves have fallen all over the lawn and weeds are everywhere. I did enjoy the five-acre [2 hectares] lawn and garden I built years ago. But now it is neglected it looks terribly untidy. I wish I could employ someone to do the housework, cooking, washing, etc. and all the cattle work, and teach Terry, and then I’d have all day for the garden. What a lovely thought!
It’s been raining for two days and it is still coming down. We should be right for winter feed now. We hope to sell bullocks after winter if they are in good condition.
Well, Fran, I must away now and clean up the house before the vet gets here.
So all the best to you and the family.
Love,
Dulcie
8th July 1964
Dear Fran,
Sorry I’ve taken so long to answer your last letter. Thank you very much for the Kennedy Stamp. I had read that it was to be issued but didn’t like to ask you for one. The snaps of the boys are very good. I think Ricky must be like Terry - always puts on a silly face when I want to photograph him and in most snaps he looks like a clown.
Both Len and I have been laid up for the last month. We bought some very wild zebu cattle and had to muster them to dip for ticks. I’ve never seen anything so wild. We couldn’t handle them and when they broke away at the yards, my horse fell while galloping and left me on the ground after she got up. I had a very sore back and a few internal injuries. Len’s horse fell soon after and he has 2 broken ribs. We will have another go at them in a few weeks time.
If we manage to yard them, we are going to put them straight into the semi-trailer and take them to the sale yards. They are the first and last zebus we’ll buy. The Hereford and shorthorn are so quiet we can yard them on foot.
Winter is nearly half over and we’ve had 3 frosty mornings. We thought it would be a rather severe winter as it was so dry. However last week rain came and we’ve had 6 inches [15 cm] and its still lightly showering. So feed and water are plentiful once again.
We bought Terry a pair of guinea pigs last week. What with dogs, cats, birds, goldfish and a dozen other pets he has quite a zoo now. At least the goldfish and guinea pigs don’t cost much to feed. His turtle laid 4 eggs under the tank but we haven’t a father turtle so I guess they won’t hatch.
I’m busy knitting in my spare time. Done one long-sleeved polo-necked jumper [sweater] for Len and a cardigan for myself and have almost finished a cable-stitched pullover for my brother. He is to be married on August 15th. I do hope nothing happens to postpone it again. Just remembered Len and I have been married 10 years today. We both forgot it. Gee, makes me feel old. Guess I look as old as I feel anyway. After all in three years time I’ll be 30.
Oh well, I’d better get dinner started so all the best, Fran.
Love from,
Dulcie
5th August 1964
Dear Fran,
I hope you are getting cooler weather by now. I do wish some of your nice hot days would come over here. We’ve had two weeks of frosty nights now and I’ve hardly slept. Our houses are built to be cool for summer and when we get frost we almost freeze. Two of Terry’s goldfish died with the cold and I’ve kept hot water bottles around the tank with the others in.
Len has been gone a week today. I miss him so much. I guess that sounds silly after ten years of marriage but I’m so lonely I just don’t feel like doing any work, although there’s heaps to do. Terry and I mustered the cattle yesterday and dipped them and branded a few new calves, but today I haven’t moved out of the house.
Your new car must be lovely Fran. We never see cars like it out here. They are mainly Holdens and British makes. There are a few American ones, Ford, Dodge and Chrysler but nothing very big and expensive.
I did ask a few children from joining properties if they would like to write to your niece, Fran, but most kids seem to have too much to do or are too shy to write or otherwise just plain lazy.
One of my ducks started to sit on eggs yesterday. I didn’t want any more ducks so I put 16 hen eggs under her and took her own eggs away. She will be in for quite a surprise when her “babies” hatch.
Well, I think I’ll close Fran, I can’t think of anything to write about and I’ve got a blinding headache - had it for two days. I guess I’ve been smoking too much this last week.
Lots of Love,
Dulcie
23rd September 1964
Dear Fran,
Thank you very much for your letter and the lovely card. I’ve been feeling dreadful as I completely forgot to post your birthday card. I think I told you before that a mail transport delivers and collects our mail once each week as we live too far from a post office to post and collect ourselves. I forgot to hand the card to the driver two weeks running and then I hadn’t heard from you for quite a while and I thought you must have been offended and it would be insulting to mail it so late. Please forgive me, Fran, and I do hope you had a happy day and I really did think of you. I’m mailing you a Christmas parcel next week and I won’
t forget this time!
It’s good to know Dick’s business is turning out well. You ask how the cattle business is going. Well, I guess it’s okay. There’s plenty of money in it but hard work and with Len not here I’m almost worn out looking after everything. The ticks are bad now with summer coming on and a blight in the eyes is also a problem. I’ve been branding and giving the young calves blackleg injections this past week. I’ve almost got that finished, only about 100 more to do. I haven’t dehorned any - that will have to wait until summer is over as flies are too much of a problem now.
The cave you visited in Kentucky must have been lovely. I would love to see it. I have a hope we may be able to in 3 or 4 years time. One of our friends is going to the USA in November and wants us to go with her for the 2 months. However just now we need the money and I think Terry would enjoy it better when he’s older. Do you think you’ll ever make it out to Australia? I would love to meet you.
Terry’s budgies hatched out - three new ones - and he’s very proud of them. Also the goldfish laid eggs and seven young fish came out.
I do hope Mark likes going to school. Terry loves doing his. Of course he doesn’t have to leave home but he will next year. I’m not able to find the time to teach him properly so we will have to put him in a boarding school next year. I hate to think of him going as I will miss him dreadfully.
Well, Fran, I must close now and do some ironing before I go to bed as it is 10:30 now.
Lots of Love from,
Dulcie
1st November 1964