Episode 22 - SVW Tapes - 02 July, 1980

"Hello. There. You. Just the...? American conviction? Fiction?"

"Sharon creeping in there, not too bad though. Get you trying hard, eh?"

"God's on 18th night."

Well, here I am at long last, July the 2nd. I feel terribly dull that I haven't written pages, nor made a tape. I meant to make the tape back to you, but I seem to have been putting it off. I was going again seeing the postcard one day and say, "Tape coming." However, although you're gone, you're not forgotten, be sure of that. I'm super to hear your voice on the tape from Eleanor. Sounds like, well, we just cannot compete with what's happening over... over on the other side, like. It seems their life's full. I'm afraid it's very dull back in God's Own and getting duller, thanks to the bloody Arabs and oil, etcetera, etcetera. And I got to make sure this is recording. I hate to waffle for half an hour and find I have recorded the 2YA program or something. Yes, we're in business. Well, I'll just have to talk on, Sharon, and no doubt I'll be able to waffle along for half an hour, no sweat, although there is not a hell of a lot to tell you, really news-wise.

It today's... Both...? Bill's? Birthday today too. We're getting into the geriatric class now. Wet day too, it's been raining, in fact, it's been raining for the past three days, really miserable. Graham today is Monday. Graham came in on Saturday. He and Bill were going to go to the rugby, Vive la France, this is Wellington. Would you believe Graham watched? Went back home again? Beside, it was so miserable. So I think I did making the tape to you, and was there anything he particularly wanted to tell you? But apparently there wasn't. He said Betty had dropped him a line enclosing the licences or something, and he said he is writing. So... no doubt he would do just that. Nicola's away this week. She's got a week's midterm break, so she left this morning, went out to Paraparaumu and her things out there for the week. So that's... Campbell's on their own, which will... we feel quiet. Incidentally, had birthday... Sharon to you... into John... and to Rachel during the 12th and Maitland May the 1st. I did remember them; I did even intend to send cards. Like everything else, didn't get around to it.

Well, it sounds like you're organized to stay in the States for quite a bit longer. I was talking to Jocelyn just recently, and she said that she had heard... it's amazing how these stories get around... I think she'd been talking to Brian Hazlett, that you were going to be away three years. So, you know, what is the story? Do you intend to stay on in the States for perhaps another year and then go to Europe for...? Or what?I somehow think you probably will... will not come back to New Zealand. What if I need to sell that? I think you might find it just a little quiet. It sounds like Ruthy and Jimmy are a fantastic couple. I just love to meet them; they sound absolutely, as I say, fabulous. This day on over, the Air P pets will all start saving, come on over, come on half anyway. Anyway, as I see, you'd be interested to hear just what you're doing here today.

Jocelyn has just... mentioned Jo before. They... we went up to Lake Rotoiti, you know the other... weekend? To put the fertiliser over the grass. Oh, excuse me, had the flu, I see. We hadn't been up there since January. We noticed quite a bit of building up the beach. Charles and Warick came up for a couple of hours; they were picking up more stuff. They'd moved into their house about two weeks before, I think they said. I was out at Tower the other day, so I thought, "I'll call in and see Jocelyn." So she said, "You must call in, of course, and see the house." And so no car, na go... I rolled up and opened the door when you... and no... well, there was sound, actually voices. So I sort of followed the voices and kept going, you hear? But there was no one home, but the TV was going full bore. I didn't actually have a look what I had... sort of a quick look in the rooms as I passed, and it looks absolutely fabulous, as you can well imagine, just super. As Jocelyn said, there's no way she's moving again, ever. Hardly, that she might change her mind, not yet. Sa stay well. Dean and Susan... Joan? Isn't it...? You? Suzanne, that's right. Had been to Singapore on holiday years again. That'd be boring for them reading. And they were coming back, girl, the Friday after we saw Jocelyn & Warwick at the beach. And she was determined to get her lunch cooked and served because she was having them for dinner. And Jo... her husband, can't think of his name life at this moment. I sort of briefly mentioned that the business about Don owing the money, you know. They sort of see it, apparently the teeth were for someone else where they are... I'm not quite sure really. Don had sort of said they would be something like $150 and not $400 and something. So I don't know, you know, I'm just going by hearsay. It wasn't... so don't... don't quote me. Anyway, I should think Dean is making a mint with the solar heating business; it seems to have really taken off.

What else is news? As I said, Bill's birthday today. He has not been very well. Apart from having the flu, spent a couple of days in bed with the flu, he got shingles, which is very painful. He had shingles apparently years ago and spent a couple of weeks in hospital. This dose wasn't quite so bad, but he was off work for 10 days. And Joan had a really painful heel when she had an X-ray, and there's a little spur on her heel, can actually... sticking out. Had a cortisone injection on it, but I think he's going to need another one. It's just old age; it's basic. I... not admitting to getting into the roaring 40s and still roaring.

Oh, I had little week having... friends of...? For three weeks while I was off... PJ? He was... he was very good. Son's a little kid's side. He goes to some Montessori school, so it was quite handy. I just dropped them off on the way to work and picked them up when I finished. City... he was really sad to see... through a couple of Hollywood stuff. You see, he wanted to go home and want him them, and they leave fitted of in well and didn't notice the difference by having a five-year-old around. You know, Nicola and Campbell are self-sufficient ones. I have just had to get up there, but earlier in the morning, you know, things like... we had to be given breakfast where they get their own, we had to be given lunch, and they get their own sort of thing. Nicola, of course, she's had a birthday too; she was 14 back on the 8th of May. Campbell also had a birthday on the 8th of June, and he was 10. He got a skateboard, so he was very happy. Nicola got a very good school report, although her maths... she doesn't seem to be very confident in maths. And it was a bit of a hoot. I was telling this to a friend, and she said, "Well, I'm sure Uncle John would help her." And I said, "Oh well, it's getting nice, you know, Uncle John would help her." So she organised it with Uncle John, and away we went to see Uncle John one Saturday. And John turned out to be a retired professor of mathematics and introduced new maths into New Zealand. Nicola says he's an absolute darling, Mum, absolute darling. So two sessions with Uncle John put her well on the right track. Amazing man, really. He's 75, and his wife is 80, the most amazing couple. His wife truly looks... she looks about 55. She hasn't got a line in her forehead, and she retired from this correspondence school seven years ago, and they kept asking her back. She also taught for 20 years at Twickenham Girls in England, and oh, they're just the most delightful couple, really. He plays the piano beautifully. He's writing a book about stamps at the moment. Just goes to show, keep the mind active, it really helps. Aquiline...? They're feeling fit, apart from mentallyle.

You'll no doubt be au fait with what was in the budget. Wasn't a hell of a lot, apart from the family benefit being doubled and... but Sharon, we were talking about buying a car on this tape to Graham. And you no doubt know that there's now going to be sales tax and customs duties on cars. So unless you can get it backdated to before the budget, you're going to miss the boat somewhat there. Which incidentally, that shouldn't be hard to do, getting it backdated purchase date, I shouldn't think. Did you know Norman Townsend, Graham's friend? I think he bought a couple of Mercedes, and what he...? I don't think he did buy a couple of Mercedes when he was in England. They had just arrived there in New Zealand, apparently.

What else? What else? Just going... Does see...? I've had the flu too. And a few coughs, that's private. I was thinking I hadn't had a cold for a couple of years, but I spoke too soon. Really, this one hasn't been too weird. We haven't been lighting our central heating though; that oil has gone up, of course. God, I wish we had a fireplace. I really do. Still, I suppose we had 11 years with the central heating, which is not too bad. We have been lighting it weekends if it's got very cold. It's Wednesday today. During the week, when we are all out of the house and get home for about four, it's just so much having the TV in this little room where I'm sitting at present with the little one-bar heater warms up really well. This has got some more space on here face. Petrol, of course, is about to go up to two dollars a gallon any day now. I'm surprised it's not been enough. And probably by the end of the year, it will be three or four, and I don't doubt that at all. It's rather bad news. Of course, we've got our carless day got to come into operation the end of July. How are they going to police that? Well, they won't be able to effectively face it. We've got Saturday and Sunday as our carless day, but of course, if you go out on Saturday, you should be really home before midnight if you've got a carless day Sunday. I don't think you'd need to worry about that.

We have been thinking about selling the Fiat. It's getting terribly rusty, very rusty. We had a quote to fix it, fix the rust and sort of... three to five hundred or more. And then, of course, it's like the dread of cancer; it'll come back. Apparently Fiats are notorious for it; I didn't know it. But anyway, we just... we'll try and tidy it up maybe, like you... may not... See what happens. We're thinking to get rid of the Mini as well, maybe get a Honda, which is just a bit more comfortable and still economical, and stick to the one car again. Our travel rather embarrassed John because I must confess it... Marsha is having an independent...? Since is new... know? My car rang the other day, Sharon. He said he had a text form of yours, which was obviously sent in a box number, I guess. He was going to drop it into...? Hurts? But hasn't done so. He sort of briefly said he was Mr. Ferr... I said, "You're not Mr. John Walker!" You don't be driving me... and going have John Walker as it did on TV for...? Pretty sure. But whether he's working for the N P board or what exactly he's doing, I'm not quite sure. So, I can't tell you anymore about it.

Margaret Robinson, that's right, that's her name, who lives next door at Treetops. She rang the other day wondering where she heard anything up to date about you, and she was going to write, and she possibly has done by now. She was going to Australia, I think his son, on a school trip, which would have been quite fun. She was looking forward to it.

So what? I just tried to ring Joan Hanton before, but there's no reply. I wondered if she'd heard anything lately. A better... Run nose? I'll have to go in a moment... blown... back again. Should really be going out tonight. Heaven's above, it's signed off rather quickly. I sustain... we should have been going out tonight. But from Bill's birthday, it's a bit off, such a foul night. We had a couple of late nights on the weekend. On Saturday night, we went to see some grand... Willen? And watch the heads and slides and movies of Judith and Mary's trip overseas 20 years ago. And of course, the kids laugh at dreams because I wonder who has changed the most. I was much fitter in those days. Also, we put through our wedding movie, which I don't think we've seen since we got married, and not that we want to see really, it's faded. Well, I must think... really look too...? Or ju...? Brands? Graham's going up to Hong Kong and Japan. When he was in Hong Kong, he got me eight lovely silver placemats shown... doilies? Placemats? They were about $7 each in Hong Kong. In Kirk's, there's something like $27, just quite absurdly. That's super, so I was really delighted about that. And last night, the couple have bought Vivian and Peter's house. He's in the Army, he's a colonel in the Army, who's actually going down to Command and Staff College. He's been over at Canberra on a six-month course, and Allison, his wife, went over for the last month to spend with him. And we sort of had a welcome home party for them of Ron and John and us, and indeed... told him we've got a 19-year-old and 16-year-old daughter. Daughter was staying with Hugh and John for the month. And Robert, the son, was batching at home, and he was coming up for quite a few meals. So we had a fairly late night last night as well. And so... the air is a blur, I think. Everybody had to stay awake at work today. Still working every day, which keeps incredibly, really. It was really busy prior to the May school holidays. I worked every day till about four, which was a bit too much really. But it's quieting down a bit now. And... all... I had a tape from Janice before. It was mostly taken up with Michael Manning, an English psychic guy. He's written... he has written two books, I think. There's only 23 very interesting... Gordon Dryden... he stood up a private radio station in Auckland. He and someone else... the cat...? And food? And they brought him out to New Zealand with Michael Manning. He stayed with Dean and Derrick. Most of the tape was about his visit. One interesting bit was Janice had taken him to one of his meetings, and they were rather late. And she said to him on the way home, "Oh, Derek will, no doubt, be thinking we had an accident," because it was getting so late. So they got home. And she said to Derek, "I suppose you've been worried about us?" And he said, "No, I haven't really, but Buckingham Palace called twice." And she said, "Don't be daft!" you know. "Oh well, if you don't believe me," you know. So barely... the phone goes again at half past eleven at night. And he said, "Answer it and see." So Shirley, this very English voice said, "Is Prince Philip's officer? May we speak to Michael Manning?"So they decided to invite him to dinner when he got back to England. Charming Sarah! So much for myful meaning? He was actually on TV and did several interviews. I would have thought that'd seen...

What else has been happening? Had May school holidays. Took the kids down to Blenheim for a week. And it rained every day. In fact, I think it rained 21 days in 26, so it was charming. Mum was got... actually very good mentally. Very frail, of course, but much better mentally. I've tried desperately into talking... trying to talk her into coming over here. But with nurses, see, she realises the advantages of it, but she just can't face another change. And I can appreciate that. They've now had a change of matron there, which is so much better. The other one must be getting to be the regimental sergeant major of old. They had a TV that wasn't working, and she said previously didn't get it fixed. I don't think wasn't... had been going for about six months. Though they're all going to be... that's so ridiculous. They'd like sit through because there's something else to do which was quite... so I rang up her friend when I was down in May. His father's on the board and explained the situation. You know what? Next day the TV was working. Two days later, the matron left. I don't think it was just through that little complaint. How...? This matron seems really nice. And the whole atmosphere is just... But of course, Dad had the holidays off; he didn't come... famosa? Excuse me. Had painted up the bathroom. We have to stop and have a good puff because he tidied up the bathroom downstairs. And got this nice sticky... so the shimmery type paper, a bare-breasted nymph that can turn their... eyes? Turning? Cold to cool? Looks very nice, unless but...? Spaced up with flowers in one? Him got really nice for a change. Campbell's wrapped in the church... take all his friends down to see it. P re with done nothing monster in eyes. Oh, just can't afford it really. It's just... I don't know. Since Bill gave up the business, let's face it, there's nothing like... nothing like your own business really, especially as successful one as we all know. Now that he's operating from a salary... while Bill does miss, I suppose, like the perks of the shop. And just have to be more careful. I certainly need to work to supplement the... into our income. I'm afraid we could start making going tomorrow and that let...? That house? Really, it was psycho for her, she...? And so I wouldn't... would it...? Would be a last resort measure, I would say. No. I the... book I saw. To me sure eight. Got rather nice. One of the guys that live him... Tom Pink? Bloody hell, told him you had no bloody taste wearing them anyway. And I made myself a skirt and an overshirt type thing, which was very nice. In fact, I made the jolly thing with suppliers. You know what I mean? So... I'm so fussy and can be done wrong... I do it wrong anyway. But so they turned out very nice. I bought myself a nice sort of dough...? Type sleeve...? Sweet...? Great thing? Big cable...? Cable...? Cable...? One size fits size 10 to 14. They've been very popular, but it seems every single person bought one. Not quite, that they sold out their equipment. And it's been really super. So apart from this, I haven't been buying anything or doing anything. Furniture, of course, out again. Really fabulous thing was well worth it, that very... We saw that getting back to Georgia and Atlanta. We saw the Rotorua place on TV down the river. Looked fabulous, and the weather looks even better than here, very... And also National Geographic over... and say had... One of the National Geographics had 20 pages on Atlanta... on Georgia, I should say, which I read with interest knowing that you were there, of course. Just stopped by coming... I'll finish it later, probably.

Any account sounds like...? Shock on yesterday must be an absolute joy. What you can get sharing? I just going mad. Incidentally, everyone admired the paua shell sunglasses. They're really good. Thank you very much for sending that; I do appreciate your thought. And I got a letter from the post office saying it had an inquiry from Mr Sharon Walters about the parcel gone missing. But heard no more about it. I guess, you know, we can write that one off. Thank you also for the thought of sending that possible toy. By the time you get this tape, you love who PSI is, which is a Public Service Investment Society. Well, hasn't gone under; it's been saved by Parliament. But Parliament rushed through a bill late one night last week, I think it was Thursday. It's virtually though, in liquidation sort of thing. They've frozen all the funds. So well, I'm sure that eventually people will get their money back, but of course, they won't have been getting interest at the moment. And a lot of people, you know, heavy wages, both husband and wife paid into. So it's rather grim really and surprising, although a lot of people have handled it all the coming way. But when something like this that's going under, it's a sign of times of the economy and what have you. And a bit worrying for people here. A lot of public servants, they got a huge back pay last... I think end of last year, put all their money into it. So, you know, if they want to use it, of course, they can't use it.

Well, what else is news being a bit listless in the driving? I told you I'd started jogging, and I was jogging about three times a week actually, she... it's interrupting. Anyway, he's got the message. So I just want to get this finished, try and get it away to you tomorrow. It's going to be marvelously exciting to listen to, Sharon, but ain't done. But I really, you know, I wanted to get away and know that we often talk about it and think about it all, and it's not related at all, but you haven't heard. I was saying about how you... talking too bloody cold it faced... I was able... had been going out about three times a week, and I'll been through... I was really quite surprised. I jog from here around to where... to some shops are on the top road and back around the hilly road. And when I first started, I used to get the stitch, and gosh, I couldn't even jog a few metres, like puffing. And fifteen stage, I could jog right round without stopping and right back. And... and I shouldn't really stop because it's hard to start again. But art a sorry...? Doing it... time to time. And of course, if you get home late or about 4 o'clock, and you have to get a meal, and Maitland on... night at night, my watch. It's a bit hard... There's a hell of a lot left on this. And I have to stop a minute and just think what... Be hang ground fine. B... something thing. Maybe. Can they have... and to be grand new nice go. You would like to share and Joe Pe... ho I... being demolished. How that... jig? I used to be in Hill Street. Oh. It's about all downtime it's been going on and I can think of. Oh. This hasn't been terribly exciting to listen to, Sharon. He said it hear...? Me...? The hell of a lot happening, G's dying. To really report. It's mostly, you know, what the... what we personally have been... has been doing. I should... I was trying to find something on our...? That hate God defeat New Zealand or God...? Nation death, you know? Just to make you think we'll still remember where you came from.