Letter number 18.
Perth. S.S. Ormonde 1st Feb 1925
Dear Mother,
Sunday morning and two days out of Fremantle
so as I feel somewhere near the mood to write letters I think perhaps it is as
well to do it now as concentration of thought on board ship is hard work.
I do not think there is much news and anyway
what there is will easily wait a day or two and then I will be able to tell you
by word of mouth.
There is one thing though that cannot wait
and that is the making certain of you bringing
that fiver to the boat as I am running short having bought quite a few
things since leaving England and so have run up the bill that will have to be
paid to the Customs.
So far we have had a good trip with very
little bad weather but of course have hit into some very hot stuff through the
Red Sea and Colombo. the latter place is
great but too hot to live in for long.
We had about 18 hours there and did the Lavinia trip and danced at night
at the Galle Race hostel.
Fred Coward is on board with his wife and
they are both very nice indeed they sit at our table. We also have the wife of the one time owner
of Nightwatch the Cup winner so it is rather a distinguished gathering.
We have had a prince and a Duke on the ship
and even now have a few of England's blue bloods.
I am writing to the office today also asking
for a few days extra leave as I am supposed to start work again the day I land
but will ask for an extension till 23rd so as to get over the sea trip and also
settle down. Further I suppose they will
send me to the bush again so will tell all my tales before going.
That is the lot I think that will to keep so
will now finish this and start of the one to the office. I will wire of course from Fremantle and you
will receive it before this letter. I
got three from you at Colombo and sorry to hear of Jonie's and Harry's bad
luck.
Hope you are all well and looking forward to
seeing you on 12th.
Love from
Gordon
DO NOT forget the fiver.
