W1B-002 Family letters 2-0.txt
24.10.95

Dear Joan Your mother is trying to get everyone to send you a card for your birthday so as I am sitting here alone on a wet windy Tuesday morning I thought I would send you a few lines Summer is well and truly gone now altough October has been the warmest on record. As you know Dad died on the 18th Sept aged 90. He just died of old age, knew he was going, any way I am sure he is now setting about to organise heaven to his needs We all miss him very much as he was our main reason for going to Ballymartin. Now Ciaran has the place locked up when he is not at home. Your Mum has just arrived back with Margaret, she takes her Tues/Thur to play school in the hall Margaret tells me she was playing with the boys (starting early) and she fell of a tractor, she enjoys it a lot. Did you hear from anyone that Seamus was reported to the cops for underage drinking. Megan and himself and 2 others bought cider, drank it and one of the girls in the party went home drunk. Her parents reported it to the police. They are taking statements from all concerned and that will probably be the end of the matter. Margaret has just come back to me and said that when she fell of the tractor she hurt her "bake" explain that to your Thai students. John is still working away and he and his mates have booked themselves a holiday in Rhodes in May next. We met Glen and Mrs Watson in Downpatrick yesterday and they told us they were just back from Benidorm and thoroughly enjoyed it Glen is now keeping very well They said Bob is still working away but is thinking of changing to be a bus driver. We have just been watching the eclipse of the sun on T.V. news. Did you catch any alligators. Are we all getting alligator purses for xmas. I hear a lot of dogs went missing when they were at large. Amanda seems to be enjoying her stint teaching in St Colmcilles she gets with Rita-Louise 'Wee Ciarans wife' and I pick her up in the evening. She tried to take the car the first morning but only succeeded in flooding the engine after starting it could not get it retstarted so I had to jump out of bed and take her, however she has taken the car to Belfast a few times and seems to be coping well with the driving. Bridget did not come home for dad's funeral but she was on the phone a few times with us She is now working part time again and seems to be recovering slowly, lets hope and pray she does not have a relapse. Would it be possible for you to buy a THAI present for me to give to your mum at Christmas something pretty good and sensible. I will reimburse you on your return. If you can't afford it don't leave yourself short. You could it to me c/o Adele. Your Mum has just told me to write on the back of each page to save on postage She never changes so I am doing it, anything for a quiet life. We are now well into our bowling season, are doing well and playing a lot of tournaments. I still go mushroom picking when they are available The money is not great but it gets me out of bed early when I am required. I see from your last letter that you are a bit homesick now and again. I am just sitting here wondering is it better to be working in a foreign country and be a bit homesick or sitting here on a miserable day like this with possibly no work, no money and sick of home. On the short term 1 year I would always opt for the first option. How is your friend coping, does Christmas mean anything out there are there any turkeys in Thailand Will you teach the Thais to sing "Auld Lang Syne" for the New Year Have you come across any R.C. Churches. This is probably the longest letter I have ever written so you can feel a bit privileged. So I hope you are keeping well. We are always thinking of you hope the time passes quickly Keep smiling, all my love Dad
