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Darlings,
This is about to 10th attempt to write to you - but somehow I never seem to get any further ahead than thinking about you - here goes this time - Hope all the teeth are out & finished with Mill - I expect you are back in Coffs 'ere this, getting ready for the festive season - won't be long now - Joan and I can picture you all - the sun shining - all your linen frocks about, the surf in full swing AND cricket - I just get wee pangs of homesickness when I read the Sheffield Shield scores - Queensland are doing nicely - good men - I'm glad they are - I'm enclosing a cutting from the 'Evening Standard' with a tiny bit about Pepper in it, by C.B. Fry - as usual - thought you may be interested to see his angle, Ces - yes? Yum yum I like Australia with summer in full swing - 'tis like the Antarctic here and in the north snow has already fallen - London is quite a warm place in comparison so in one way we are extremely fortunate - but I really would like to see one good fall this winter.
I've had a week off and have started night duty - an old man at University College Hospital - he is doing well so guess I'll only be here a few nights then something else will crop up - I rather like this short case business - don't have time to get crusty with a patient or patients to get fed up with their night nurse - quite a good arrangement & it is amazing how the odd night here & there soon mount up. I love coming to UCH - doing real nursing again instead of trailing gouty old ladies - but still they were very helpful to me, bless them.
I've not been doing anything else much - went to see 'Morning Glory' the other day - one of those rather grim plays about dictators & etc. - rather I should think a play based on German methods of Government in this year of grace - grim & terrible & very true I should imagine - but I think I'll go & see something amusing next time - these dictator plays are too realistic to be comfortable these days.
London looks very gay and debonair all ready for Xmas & everywhere is crowded - one thing crowds don't matter here at Xmas time like they do at home, the cold climate can deal with them better than our summer - the shops are marvellous - they fascinate me almost beyond endurance - all the most glamorous things on earth are to be seen here - from the most awfully expensive to the super excellence of the 3d & 6d Woolworth Stores - I love Woolworths - you've no idea the amazing things one can get for 3d & 6d. Then you should see Harrods - heaven knows if anyone ever buys the lavish things that are on display but I suppose they must - but I do wish you could see all the wonders one can buy over here provided of course one has the very necessary wherewithall - but it is surely the most fascinating city on earth, somehow I can't really say just why.
Your letter came the other day Ned, thanks a lot - I've not had any from any other member of the family for an age - don't forget you all have to write Xmas letters to me - everyone of you & do send me Wal's address - tell him to write too - also would you please send Earle's letters on to me - I have written to him but have had no reply - tell me his address again in case I'm wrong - but I do wish you would send his letters to you on over here to me.
Later - as usual I didn't finish this dears & since then I have just heard from Earle - I was very thrilled - how, to my awful horror I went up to the Post Office this morn to find the last posting date home for Xmas only to find I'd missed it by one day - so much earlier this year - Ned's birthday alas - but never mind dears, you can enjoy this little Xmas treat - buy yourselves some liquor or something for 25th Dec - I'm sorry I can't send you all something individually - but you can buy something & all have a bit - but I'm sending this with all my very best love & big big hugs to you all - my feelings are really much more value than £2 but I know the cash will be useful and as I'm just a 'working girl' I'm sorry I can't make it more - now my pets write soon, tell me all you did & saw over Xmas - let me know if you received the cash & thanks a million for the Sydney mail, Mill dear. Give my best love to everyone in Coffs & I don't know Alma's address or I would send her a card - please tell her - Have a grand & glorious Xmas my pets & I'll be with you for next year's - I'll get home just before, so I can make sure of it - God willing.
We are going to have a peaceful quiet Xmas here - no one going anywhere only Ween & Phyl Sheehy - to Switzerland - but we're having a cocktail party - the NZ kids just along the street from us & our Aust. Section are combining - on a small scale & mostly lone Australians like ourselves - also mostly female - so it won't be very exciting - just something friendly.
My very best love dears,
DOE