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P.S. Give my love to the Holmans - I can't imagine dear little Trevor, grown up.
Dear Aunt,
Your letter was a grand surprise, thanks a lot for it, Aunty - all the more so, because I realise how little time you get working like a black & I just know how things are with you, but you are tackling things grandly - just keep up the good work & all will be well - its long & strenuous going, but eventually everything works out to one's own design.
I've seen Mr & Mrs Griffen - had morning coffee with them at their hotel - they are pets & 'twas grand to meet some Australians straight from home - I'm having a grand time so many folk seem to be over this summer, bless their enterprise - with Europe on the edge of a volcanic eruption - or so it seems.
The Griffens are thrilled to bits with everything & are hopping round like two-year-olds. Mrs Griffen has had a beastly cold, but is forgetting it - too much else to cope with in London - I love to see people's reactions when they come over first - the way everyone tears about, as tho' there wasn't a second to lose - I did the same thing & loved it, so I just know how they feel - now I'm beginning to wonder how Aunt Eily & Uncle Sydney will react to everything - it is so utterly different here, one can't be blasé, even if wanted to. To get back to the Griffen family - they leave for Devon, Cornwall & the South of England tomorrow - they are going for a grand Continental tour - so I do hope they will be able to carry out all their plans - I won't hear from them until they get back in town for the June festivities - Trooping the Colour, the Tattoo & etc. but I told Mrs Griffen to come out to the flat & do anything - washing etc. or any chores she wanted doing & just to ring me anytime - they are very nice & its grand to see them enjoying themselves.
Alison Mills, who also came over on the 'Orion' - Mrs Griffen knew them out at Vaucluse, has joined us in the flat. WE are a full house now but they are awfully nice girls & we manage to enjoy ourselves - we have a lass from Hobart just arrived also, so she & Alison are careering around all over the place together - doing exactly the same as Nellie & I did when we first landed - getting up at the crack of dawn - rushing around as if they hadn't a minute to see everything, looking about 100 years of age from sheer exhaustion at the end of each day - its funny to see someone else doing it, after having been thro' it oneself.
I'm enjoying life with great gusto, now the winter has departed - it has been ghastly this last 4 months but when England turns on her spring and summer she just knocks everywhere else cold - the trees are all out in their new green outfits & the parks are a mass of glorious tulips - the daffodils & crocus' are over, but there is always something exciting to replace the ones that are departing - I adore the summer here, but I just get the jitters when I think of another winter, so I guess I'll be home for Xmas - I've not done anything about booking yet, I'd better get busy methinks, because, as usual there are masses of Australians over here for the summer & they will all be getting back in time for Xmas - 'tis amazing - the situation in Europe doesn't deter people from the good old south seas.
We went down to Buckingham Palace (outside, of course) to see the King and Queen sail for Canada last Saturday. Went down after night duty & sat on the edge of the pavement from 10am until 12.30pm but 'twas well worth it. I got some very good snaps of the Life Guards & etc. so I feel my morning was not wasted - London is most exciting when anything like that happens - the soldiers are magnificent - the Life Guardsmen all look like ancient Roman Soldiers & the sun came out to glint on their breastplates at the right moment.
I guess Peter Graham Smith must be very sweet - I'm anxious to see him - the 4 generations picture was delightful - I was very thrilled to get it.
Now my dear I must get this off - give my love to the family - I sent Bob a few stamps a week or so ago - thank him very much for his letter - it was like home, hearing about their visit to the Show. Best love to Lyn & Gloria & to Gran. I hope she is well & lots for yourself - don't overdo things - heavens, I know just how grim sore feet can be - & teeth - really life always has something to nag with - my best love & lots of luck to you,
Doris