Dear Granny and Grandpa
Thank you very much for the stamps you gave me. It is a very pretty set of stamps and I am very thrilled.
I am running in our school marathon next week. I have been practising hard every day. Our school marathon is 10 km, 5 km's in the morning and 5 in the afternoon. I can run 5 and a half km with very little trouble. Mummy is a different story. She ran to the end of the road and she couldn't walk for a week but at least she tried.
I am very pleased because I came second this term. I don't know how well I did in the exams because we do not know our marks yet.
Thank you again for the stamps.
Dear Granny and Grandpa
Thank you very much for the Easter card and the stamps. The stamps look very nice in my album and I am very pleased with them.
We have bought a little boy and girl guinea pig. Mommy made the most beautiful cage for them and we hope to get babies soon.
Our Afrikaans Master has left and in his place is a lady. She is very strict! But I am learning a lot of Afrikaans from her.
Last Sunday we went to Kirstenbosch for breakfast and a walk. We had a very big breakfast of bacon and egg, sausage, friend tomato, toast and marmalade and tea. Afterwards, we went to see the fish and crabs.
We have started rugby again and I am in the team. I expect to make at least one try this term.
Thanks again for the card and stamps.
Love from Graeme
31 December 1981
Dearest Granny and Grandpa,
Thank you very much for the first day covers on butterflies and fire service, racket shorts, Charles Dickens, Year of the Child and trains. I am very thrilled.
I must tell you about the camp to Arniston! I went with a school mater and 5 other boys, 3 of which were in my class. We travelled in the Kombi and it took a good 3 hours to get there. The camp is a 1 minute walk from the beach and a café cum shop is very near. The tent was not as big as I thought it would be and I was sure we would not all fit into it, but I was very wrong. We all slept very well every night. The names of the boys with me were Nicky, Sean, Patrick, Ross and Graeme Allan.
The water in the sea was warm and the waves were huge, ideal for body-surfing. This was wonderful except for a reef which we did not know about. Three of us cut our knees when we realized that we were on rocks and huge breakers would hurl themselves at you and knock you down onto the sharp shells. The reef was just below the water and we would swim right onto it.
What a time poor Patrick had! There was a small grave yard not very far away and we would carry him there. He loves horror films such as “Grave of the Vampire” and “Dracula” but when it comes to the real thing he is petrified! We also had fun tying him up to a pole so that there was no way for him to get away. Nicky then stripped him for everyone to see. Girls giggled and pointed at his rear end! Boys were disgusted and adults came out of their tents to see. Poor old Patrick! The camp did him a lot of good I think. I was rather pleased to go home actually. All us boys had had enough of each other.
When I arrived home I found that my room had been beautifully decorated by Jo-Jo and a friend. I was very pleased. Before Christmas I had a very exciting time going to the beach in the hot sun munching lovely iced ices. How I shudder when I think of you in the snow but maybe you will be here next Christmas. Don’t you give up yet!
I hope you had a happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year!
Christmas Day was a very happy day for the Myburgh family. We opened presents early. I was given a tent and a watch from Mummy and Daddy. Later on Granny and Grandpa Station came up for morning tea. We had a simple lunch.
In the evening we went to the Culley’s for a huge Christmas turkey feast! The food and the pudding which Mummy made of course was superb. Jane, Wendy and Jo-Jo and I also did some carol singing in the streets for fun.
Soon we were called into a man’s house to sing to his 20 guests. He then gave us 5 rand and 80c and a huge box of bars of chocolate to share between the 4 of us. I was so excited that I did not think but soon realized that it was a lot of money to give someone to just sing carols and it was best to take it back, but I soon found out that there was no need as he had lots and lots of money and could afford it.
On Boxing Day I went to Paarl with Granny and Grandpa to see some relations. They live on a farm and breed pigs and chickens.
Thanks again for the present.
Love from Graeme.
Dear Granny and Grandpa,
Thank you very much for the money. I bought a station and a tunnel for my electric train that Mommy and Daddy gave me. Grandpa gave me the most beautiful brass clock and Granny gave me a lovely silver watch.
I had a good time at Hermanus and had two icy swims in the sea. The lady at the hotel took a great fancy to us and gave us a large bag of sweets and chips which I am going to keep for my party. Our pool should be finished soon. IT is very big and we will have fun swimming.
I have been practicing my cricket and I shall hit the ball over the roof every time when you come to stay. There will be a big problem deciding who goes after the ball. Hope you are well.
Lots of love, Graeme
xxxx
Dear Granny & Grandpa,
I am glad you did not come later for your holiday for the weather has not been as nice. Three weeks ago we went to Kirsttenbossh for breakfast and a walk. Joanne, my father and I climbed up to the top of Skeleton Gorge. Teener is growing very fast. We have gone to the beach three times since you have gone. I am learning how to do cursive writing. I am playing rugby. The lady who teaches me my rugby said that I play nice rugby.
I hope grandpa has a happy birthday. Thank you for my postcards. I hope you have a nice Easter.
Love from Graeme
Xxx xxx
Dear Granny and Grandpa,
Thank you very much for the level crossing. They fit perfectly and I am very pleased with it.
We had our Christmas dinner at the Culley’s and we thought the meal was delicious. Tina and Scamp still play silly devils and Mummy is always shouting at them.
The weather is lovely in Cape Town and we are all so enjoying swimming in the pool and only wish that you could be here too.
We have been hard at work making paper mache hills lately but the first one was a disaster. I hope to see you one day soon.
Love from Graeme
Xxxxx
Dear Granny and Grandpa,
Thank you very much for the money you sent me for my birthday. With it I bought a squash racquet. I have started playing squash for the first time this term and every Friday the school bus takes us to the squash courts at Goodwood.
On the 9th and 10th of October, the boys in the choir were filmed from 3 o’clock til 5 o’clock for a programme on (?) on Christmas (?) or Christmas Night. We have to sing on Sunday evenings at the Cathedral. I am enjoying the choir very much.
I am also going to a cricket coach at John Graham School. The man coaching us is supposed to be the best coach in South Africa. He is very strict if you do anything wrong but is very nice if you do what he shows you. This means when Grandpa comes to stay I will be able to beat him in cricket and when I hit the ball hard HE will have to go after it.
Looking forward to seeing you after Christmas.
Love from Graeme.
8 March 1981
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Dear Granny and Grandpa,
I was only able to swim breast-stroke in the relay at the gala but I didn’t mind. The gala started off well and my house Shaw stayed in the lead for a long time. Tugman overtook us and things did not go so well after that. Shaw House eventually managed to come second and our House Master was very pleased with us.
Last Sunday we went to the Birkenhead again for Mummy’s birthday and I had a lovely main course with a peach melba after to finish with.
Yesterday I cut my writing finger on a tin and so if my writing is untidy, that is why.
The other day I went to the stamp shop to get a few stamps and I bought a lovely set of trains.
Test results:
60/60 A hard English test. Top mark.
20/20 History test. Tie with Tony.
20/20 Science test. Top mark.
18½/20 Afrik comprehension. Top mark.
20/20 Afrik test. Tie with Tony and Sean.
I hope you had a good journey home and your house was nice and warm.
Love from Graeme.
Xxxx
15 April 1982.
Dear Granny and Grandpa,
Thank you very much for the money which you sent me for Easter.
I have spent most of these holidays with my Afrikaans teacher on a farm near Graaf-Reneit. It was here that I fed a tame baby kudu with a milk bottle. There was also a lovely sheep dog, cocks, hens, 4 cows and lots of goats. Twice we had to get up at 4am to herd them. When they were all safely in their goat pens, we would give them medicine and then dip them. My Afrikaans has now improved terrifically.
Yesterday we went to Seay-Point to play put-put. Daddy won without even raising a hairbrow. Mom came second. Daddy won by 20 points! I was 1 point behind Mom. You must come to South Africa soon to give Dad some competition.
Today we took the dogs up the mountain and tomorrow I go back to school.
Thanks again for the money.
Love from Graeme,
Xxxx
Dear Granny and Grandpa,
Thank you very much for the Easter eggs. I am afraid to say that they did not last long with two ravenous grown ups to feed. We were extremely lucky at Easter and we were given many Easter eggs.
Soon I am going to have to pluck up my courage and sing a solo at the City Hall. I have been practicing in the bath a terrific amount and hope to do well.
Joanne has been very brave and she has just had her ears pierced. It was worse than she expected but now she thinks it was worth it.
I have been sick recently and have had to stay away from school. This meant that I missed going on an outing which was rather a pity.
Hope the weather is not too cold in England.
Love from Graeme,
Xxxx
26 June 1981
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Dear Granny and Grandpa,
Thank you very much for the letter and for sending the stamps. I am very thrilled with them.
I am feeling very pleased with myself as I was awarded a prize for getting 12 credits. There was only one boy in Std 8 who achieved more.
Yesterday I arrived back from a rugby tour in Port Elizabeth. There I had the time of my life. We won both of our matches much to our delight. On the Tuesday we went to a snake farm, the oceanarium, the tropical house and to the Ford Motor Co where all the cars in South Africa are made. On the Wednesday before the match we went to the game park. On the way back we stopped off at Oudtshoom where we explored the Bango Caves which was very interesting.
I am very excited to hear that you could have sold your house and I hope it does not fall through.
Love from Graeme,
Xxxxx
Dear Granny and Grandpa,
Sports Day was held last Saturday and I was very thrilled because I was in 5 events. High jump, long jump, 100 meters, 200 meters and the relay. I did very well in the high jump and I came first. I then went for the U11 high jump record. I became a little bit frightened when I realized that the height of the pole was 1,25 and I had to jump 1,26 to break it!!! I was able to jump 1,25 but could not break it. I just hit the pole with my feet. At the moment I am training hard and hope to get a high jump set.
I am afraid to say that my feet were very sore and Dad and Mom did not want me to run but I was determined to long jump, but I didn’t have a chance to win I was sure. I was told to jump 6th. There were 2 boys who could jump very well and both were not in Shaw House. My 1st 2 jumps were not good and I lost hope! I went for my 3rd jump and was very thrilled when I made 4 meters. This was the best jump and I came 1st again! This meant I had won 2 cups. I could not run in the 100 and 200 meters because of my feet but I had to run in the relay. In the end Tugman came first, Binchin came 2nd and Shaw came 3rd. I won 2 cups.
Thank you very much for the letter and I was very pleased with the stamps. I am still as keen as I was when I started collecting stamps.
We have not had any more tests but I am very thrilled because I came 1st this term.
Thanks again for the stamps.
Love from Graeme,
Xxxx
Dear Granny and Grandpa,
Thank you very much for the lovely wedding stamps. I am very thrilled with them and they look beautiful in my album. The other day my friend gave me a penny red from 1856.
I am doing well in Afrikaans this term. Last term I came 8th and in exams I came 5th. I have 100.00 in all my Afrikaans tests so far.
I am pleased to say that Joanne’s neck is much better and she is out of the neck brace.
Thanks again for the stamps.
Love Graeme,
Xxxx
Dear Granny and Grandpa,
Thank you very much for the money. Mummy bought me a huge chocolate egg. I am playing rugby this term and I hope to be in the team. Grandpa, we can play cricket in the field and then you will have to run even further for the ball.
Love from Graeme,
Dear Granny and Grandpa,
Thank you very much for the 10 pounds that you gave me for my birthday. With the money I bought some lovely English first day covers. The man in the shop was very kind and he showed me many things. In the end I chose covers on the concorde, PO Wales, the Royal Wedding, trains, Rowland Hill and Christmas.
On the 29th September was my birthday as you well know. My present from Daddy was a lovely kind of steam engine which works by steam. Wendy and Jane came to play and then we went to see a film. We went out to supper in the evening. I had a free supper of course and I took the most expensive steak on the menu.
On Wednesday the 30th, Daddy, Joanne and I went to the Museum in town. Mum could not come as she was working. At the Museum I found all the things we had learnt in history at school. In the afternoon I went to the Cathedral to sing at the Enthronement of the New Arch-Bishop. There were over 1000 people watching and we were being filmed by the TV.
Then on Saturday the 17th was Joanne’s school’s 75th Anniversary. This was a very big celebration and I really did enjoy it.
Now all we are having at the moment is school tests but I look forward to the long holidays ahead of us.
Thanks again for the money.
Love from Graeme,
Xxxx
PS: Send my love to Aunty Lottie! xxxx
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