November 25

Dear Heidi,

Now I think that you have arrived at Agadir! Grandma and Grandpa loved Marrocco, they went there often after Christmas, to spend a few weeks in the sunshine. Today it is 8 years since Grandma died. It feels like forever and no time at all. You were just 10 years old. I wonder what all you remember of her? Aunty S has just started wearing one of the necklaces she inherited, that Grandma actually inherited herself, from her mother, my Grandma. S was thrilled to realise that she actually has a piece of “Suffragette jewellery” which is something that was used by women in the early 1900’s as a sort of code to show that they were supporters of Women’s suffrage. Fancy my grandma having such a thing!  (She is the one in the photo I sent you, with my mother as the baby.)

We have had a lovely visit from B and S from Wales. They were only here two half days and the full day in between, but in that time we had bright sunshine and frost, 18 cm snow and then a rain/wind storm of the sort that fells trees and blows away rooves...
We went around locally a bit, and in to Oslo to eat at an Indian restaurant then to the ballet at the opera. It was a very special performance and I loved it! All through the dancing there was a video loop of the day and night, seasons around, of the fields here and of Bestemor and Bestefars Farm house and barns. The dancers danced through the video, dressed in white so that it was reflected of them too! The general theme was of how connected, rooted, to the land the farmer is, and how he depends on it, but so it depends on him, and is a weight on his life, tending to the land day in day out around the year, throughout his life and his marriage

Otherwise, I am catching up with everyday life, laundry and shopping, cooking and getting ready for Christmas, which will happen, even though we are away for three weeks beforehand!

I have looked carefully at our flat details, and I must prepare you...there is no bathtub😔 I am sorry. But there will be plenty of hot water and a big shower! And a cosy bed 😊

Today we have sent D. off to England to visit his chum O in Southampton. The one who is getting married next year, and whose family grow blueberries on their farm. He is coming home again on Monday, and then he has several weeks work to keep him busy whilst we are away. This afternoon Pappa and I went to the Julmarked at the lenser museum. Tomorrow it is Stir up Sunday, so I shall go to church and in the afternoon make my Christmas cake and mincemeat. Then it is about time to get the suitcases down and start putting things ready to come away😁 At the moment I still have all my summer clothes in my closet, and I have made your father laugh by trying on my swimsuit, which I haven’t worn since Australia....!!!

So now is your last chance to think of all the things your truly want me to bring. Do you really want a warmer sleeping bag? Or could that wait until March now? Talk to the crew... they probably know how cold it will be crossing the Atlantic, but I simply can’t think it will be cold once you get to South America and the Caribbean.

Also, please let me know if your shoulder is still hurting and when/if you are going to get it seen at the hospital. Don’t forget you might be best with a French speaking teacher, as Marrocco was a French colony and English might be tricky to explain things in.

Well that’s about it for tonight. We are so looking forwards to seeing you very soon now.
Lots and lots of love, from your Mamma xxx