Letters from Len
The CBB -> Cookies & Drabbles

#1: Letters from Len Author: jenniferLocation: Sunny California PostPosted: Wed Jun 23, 2004 8:09 pm


So that's what a small sparkling purple leaf looks like! It's got teeth like this (picture appropriate Monty Python-esque gesture).

--------------------
Letter to Freudsheim from Oxford
Sept. 15, 1957


Hello everyone,

Here I am at Oxford, getting settled into my room. I'll make this a
group letter, as we're really busy right now and I don't have much
time.

My dorm room is quite nice - a little larger than our cubeys at
school, and no flower themed decoration. It's a bit bare right now as
they don't decorate them at all, so I need to put up some photos, and
unpack my books. Con and I are in different buildings, but her room
is very similar to mine. We're going to meet for coffee later today
and compare notes. The coffee's much cheaper, but no beds of whipped
cream.

You wouldn't believe the noise here! There's no Matey here to keep
them in line, and no schedule for unpacking, so everyone is running
around every which way, talking and laughing. It does make things
more complicated. This morning I had to wait for my bath as there is
no schedule, and the other girls got there first, and they do
dawdle. The girl before me was in for fifteen minutes, and took her
bath hot!

We don't start classes until the day after tomorrow, but I've got my
books already. The classes look interesting, but I'm glad I've had all
that practice with French and German.

How are Felicity and Cecily doing at school? It seems strange not to
be there with them. I haven't heard from Margot yet, but if she's as
busy as I am it could take a while. She's never been much of a letter
writer. I told Jack she could write with questions; I'm expecting a
deluge!

Say hello to Auntie Hilda and Auntie Nell and Auntie Biddy, and my
love to everyone at the school. I miss you all.

Len

 


#2:  Author: BethLocation: Durham, apparently... PostPosted: Wed Jun 23, 2004 8:17 pm


Hmmm....interesting...ver-ree interesting.

I think some more is called for! Smile

*realises that's a really bad rhyme, and hastens off before anybody notices*

 


#3:  Author: AllyLocation: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Wed Jun 23, 2004 9:03 pm


Ooh this looks very interesting Jennifer, please keep going I want to read more Very Happy

 


#4:  Author: Carolyn PLocation: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Wed Jun 23, 2004 9:19 pm


That's a good start jennifer, a believable letter. Do continue please. Razz

 


#5:  Author: LesleyLocation: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Wed Jun 23, 2004 9:37 pm


Love the hot bath comment - did Len take cold baths even when on holiday? Laughing

Looking forward to further bits!

 


#6:  Author: jenniferLocation: Sunny California PostPosted: Wed Jun 23, 2004 11:22 pm


Letter to Margot, from Oxford
Sept. 20, 1957

How are your classes going, Margot? They do keep us busy here. I'm
finding French and German literature fairly easy, particularly given
our special studies last year. My class in conversational Russian is
a different matter altogether. It's nothing like any language I've
studied. I think of all the times I told new girls that they would
pick up the languages just by hearing them, unless they were mental,
and I wonder if this is how they felt.

It does feel strange being in England again after all these years.
Between the year in Canada, and moving to Switzerland when we were
ten, it doesn't really feel like home. And I do miss Anna and Karen's
cooking. Yesterday's dinner was over-cooked roast beef and mushy
vegetables, and none of Anna's lemonade.

It is odd not seeing you. Even this last year at school, when we
were taking such different subjects, I would still see you daily.
It reminds me of when you were in Canada for that year without
us. That reminds me, have you heard from Emmie at all recently?

I've met some nice girls in my classes. Melanie had spent a number of
years in Geneva with her father (he works for the government), so we
can talk about the way things are there. Another nice girl is Louise.
She wants to go into translation work, and we've been practicing
German conversation together. Her father is a barrister, and knows
Verity Carey's husband. Neither of them are engaged yet, and were
suprised that I already am. I miss Reg, but I do want to finish my
degree before we get married, even if I won't be using it to teach.

Bye for now,

Love Len

ps. Write back please! I haven't heard from you at all.

 


#7:  Author: LesleyLocation: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Thu Jun 24, 2004 4:31 am


Hmmmm! Is there something sinister in the fact that Margot has not written? Len does come across as somewhat naive. Understandably so, considering!

 


#8:  Author: Rachael PostPosted: Thu Jun 24, 2004 8:17 am


Liking this, Jennifer

Hope we get to hear about all 3 triplets and their uni experiences ...

 


#9:  Author: JennieLocation: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Thu Jun 24, 2004 8:58 am


Great start, lots more, please.

 


#10:  Author: Carolyn PLocation: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Thu Jun 24, 2004 9:10 am


There is a wistful tone to that letter, but I can't quite pin down what it is...look forward to hearing about what happens to Len and the others.

 


#11:  Author: JennieLocation: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Thu Jun 24, 2004 9:12 am


I think that Len is feeling lonely, and is having some difficulty in adjusting to a life where she is not Head Girl any longer, and life doesn't run to a strict timetable.

 


#12:  Author: Elisabeth PostPosted: Thu Jun 24, 2004 9:20 am


This is really great. Please can we have lots lots more.

 


#13:  Author: MarianneLocation: Lancaster PostPosted: Thu Jun 24, 2004 11:08 am


This is great, poor Len

 


#14:  Author: Sarah_KLocation: St Albans/Leicester PostPosted: Thu Jun 24, 2004 3:49 pm


This looks brilliant. Adapting to University life is strange/difficult enough without having to be comparing it with the CS (loved the comment about the hot bath).

Looking forward to some more letters.

 


#15:  Author: jenniferLocation: Sunny California PostPosted: Thu Jun 24, 2004 5:47 pm


Letter to Rosamund Lilley, from Oxford
Sept 30, 1957

Rosamund,

I'm glad to hear that you're enjoying your new job so much. It sounds
like a really good nursery. Will you get to work in different
sections of the greenhouses?

It's been almost a month now, and classes have settled down. It is
different than the Chalet school, particularly these last few years.
The classes are, oh, more impersonal. There are more of us in them
then the senior classes, and the professors pay less attention to each
of us. It took a while to get used to being in a class where I didn't
know everyone. It is much easier to get my prep finished when I don't
have to supervise fractious Middles. Translations and essays
are so much easier when you can concentrate. I can work late without
Matey coming around if I need to, as well.

The social life is different, too. We have so much more unstructured
time, and fewer organised events. I often go for coffee with my
friends Melanie and Louise, and occasionally a group of us goes to the
cinema. I'm a bit worried that Mother would disapprove, but I make
sure only to go to respectable pictures, and not those trashy
thrillers or romances.

I hope you can make it here for a visit some weekend. I'd love to
show you the campus. Some of the buildings are beautiful.

What kind of plants would you recommend for my room? My window faces north, and I don't get much sun. Unlike Con, though, I do remember to water them!

Len

 


#16:  Author: LesleyLocation: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Thu Jun 24, 2004 5:52 pm


Hmm, nice that Len's got some friends, but poor kid, worrying about parental disapproval if she goes to the wrong movie!

 


#17:  Author: MarianneLocation: Lancaster PostPosted: Thu Jun 24, 2004 6:54 pm


nice to see Len has some friends, always fear that she doesn't in these drabbles!

 


#18:  Author: pimLocation: St Andrews (right next to the beach) PostPosted: Thu Jun 24, 2004 7:57 pm


This is looking good. Glad Len has found friends, but feeling a bit sorry for her, it must have been such a culture shock!

 


#19:  Author: AngelLocation: London, England PostPosted: Thu Jun 24, 2004 9:17 pm


this is wonderful, a very natural Len.

 


#20:  Author: jenniferLocation: Sunny California PostPosted: Thu Jun 24, 2004 10:07 pm


Letter to Freudsheim, from Oxford
Oct 13, 1957

Thanks for all your letters. It sounds like the Middles are up to
their old tricks! At least you'll get another story from it, Mamma.

It seems hard to believe that Jack is settling down to be a
responsible senior. She may be a prefect yet.

I've been keeping an eye on Con like you asked, but she seems to be
managing well, and hasn't had any real periods of dreaminess yet. She
has one creative writing class, so she has to think of stories
sometimes. She really has gotten better over the last few years. We
only have one class in common, but we do meet regularly outside
classes. She's made some friends, and they spend a lot of time
discussing literature and poetry and theatre, and critiquing each
other's work.

I'm glad Phil is doing so well. It sounds like I won't recognise her
when I come back at Christmas break.

I'm going on a trip to London with some of my classmates next weekend.
We'll stay with Louise's parents. I'll send you all a postcard!

My love to everyone at school,

Len

 


#21:  Author: AngelLocation: London, England PostPosted: Thu Jun 24, 2004 10:08 pm


Sounds like Len is starting to grow away from her family...

 


#22:  Author: katiealexLocation: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 3:20 am


Hi Jennifer!
This is a great idea, seeing Len's adjustment to Oxford through her own eyes. I like the discordant elements emerging here...what's happened to Margot? What about Con's new friends...they sound very un-Chalet, whereas Len is still a schoolgirl..staying with her friends' parents in London! Doesn't she sound dull, though! Confused

 


#23:  Author: Carolyn PLocation: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 10:36 am


Feel sorry for Len being asked to keep an eye on Con, and for Con for that matter.

Wonder how much Len is really telling her parents!

 


#24:  Author: JennieLocation: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 11:47 am


Poor Len, fancy having to keep an eye on her sister and report back. It sounds to me as if Len is having problems realising just what university is for.

 


#25:  Author: jenniferLocation: Sunny California PostPosted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 6:26 pm


Letter to Mary-Lou, from Oxford
Nov 2, 1957

Thanks for your letter, Mary-Lou. I know how hard it is to find time
to write when you're on a dig. I appreciate the advice though. I'm
having a good time, and learning a lot, and making friends, but it's
so different here than what I'm used to. I know you went through the
same experience when you came to Oxford.

I was shocked by some of the girls when I got here. Do you remember
Joan Baker that first term? Some of them are as bad as her! Make-up
plastered on, permed hair, short dresses and jewlery! I was
embarrassed to look at them at first. Most of them aren't as rude as
Joan was at first, and some of the others are quite nice, however.
Louise and Melanie and I work together a lot, and another girl named
Andrea comes along sometimes.

I do sometimes get uncomfortable in larger gatherings. Most of the
girls smoke; well, I do occassionally too, but not in public. Some of
them drink too, and the way they talk about men... I'm so glad things
are settled between Reg and me, it saves so much trouble. When
someone asks if I like this boy, or that tutor, I can tell them I'm
engaged, and not have to worry about it.

But I'll remember your advice, and do my best to be a true Chalet
Girl, no matter what the people around me do, and set a good example
for the others.

Len

 


#26:  Author: LesleyLocation: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 8:05 pm


Oh dear, if Len does that she may find that everyone else ostracises her - especially if she makes it clear that she disapproves of the others' behaviour!

Last edited by Lesley on Sat Jun 26, 2004 7:40 am; edited 1 time in total

 


#27:  Author: jenniferLocation: Sunny California PostPosted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 11:54 pm


Letter to Margot, from Oxford
Nov 23, 1957

Thanks for the letter, Margot. It sounds like you've been just as busy
as ever. But you always were the smartest of us, I'm not surprised
you are doing well now that you've learned to work properly.

But I don't understand why you don't want to go home for Christmas!
I'm longing to see Mamma and Papa, and the rest of the kids, and Reg,
of course, and to go over to the school, and talk to everyone there.
Don't you miss them?

Can you come down for the weekend to talk with me and Con? I want to
make sure you're okay.

Len



And as an OOC aside to speculators, I'm not aiming for a high drama, life in ruins sort of plot here. Twisted Evil I'm looking at Len as a responsible, intelligent, levelheaded young woman who's been raised in a very sheltered environment, and is heading out on her own for the first time. That first couple years away from home is largely the process of figuring out what parts of you are really you, and what parts are your environment.

 


#28:  Author: LesleyLocation: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sat Jun 26, 2004 7:41 am


Interesting! Thank you Jennifer.

 


#29:  Author: MarianneLocation: Lancaster PostPosted: Sat Jun 26, 2004 9:49 am


I'm really enjoying this.
thanks

 


#30:  Author: JennieLocation: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sat Jun 26, 2004 12:36 pm


Thi sis very real, Jennifer. Thank you.

 


#31:  Author: Kathy_SLocation: midwestern US PostPosted: Sat Jun 26, 2004 4:14 pm


These letters seem quite realistic so far, and very much in keeping with your goal. Please keep them coming!

 


#32:  Author: jenniferLocation: Sunny California PostPosted: Sat Jun 26, 2004 7:07 pm


Letter to Margot, from Oxford
Dec 3, 1957

Dear Margot,

I've thought a lot about what you said last weekend. I'm sorry I got
so angry, but I never realised how you felt about everything, and it
surprised me. I *am* sure that Mamma and Papa never meant to make you feel like the bad triplet, and were trying their best to help you deal
with your 'devil', and to learn to be a good Chalet girl. And you did do
well in the end! You're doing very well at your classes, and you
don't go pop over things nearly as often as you used to, and I know
Mamma is so proud that you felt a call to serve God.

I guess I never realised how lonely Con felt either, being the middle
one between me and you. She really is so much more outgoing here, and rarely goes off into a dreamworld. It's as if university has really
woken her up.

I don't know how I feel about what you said, but I will think about it.
Do come home for Christmas though, everyone will be so hurt if you
aren't there.

Your sister,

Len

 


#33:  Author: LesleyLocation: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sat Jun 26, 2004 7:10 pm


Excellent - very realistic reactions from both Margot and Con - can see Len struggling with the ways both her sisters are changing from what she considers to be the norm.

Thank you.

 


#34:  Author: MarianneLocation: Lancaster PostPosted: Sat Jun 26, 2004 8:18 pm


oh fab thanks

 


#35:  Author: Carolyn PLocation: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Sat Jun 26, 2004 8:23 pm


I like the way we are seeing this, from Len's eyes only and her reactions to the way her sisters are growing up.

 


#36:  Author: patmacLocation: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Sat Jun 26, 2004 9:03 pm


I've just read this from the start. Very realistic! Although I wasn't in Len's situation as eldest of the family (I was an 'only'), coming out of a sheltered all girl environment was really hard and I must have seen such a prig Embarassed. I love how you are getting the story of the triplet's adjustment through Len's letters.

 


#37:  Author: Sarah_KLocation: St Albans/Leicester PostPosted: Sat Jun 26, 2004 10:32 pm


I'm really enjoying this. You've got a really balanced view of the triplets, Len is able to grow and discover new things without having to go off the rails. I'm enjoying seeing her become more adult.

 


#38:  Author: pimLocation: St Andrews (right next to the beach) PostPosted: Sun Jun 27, 2004 11:44 am


Wow, this is so good. Really nice to see Len growing up in this way.

 


#39:  Author: JennieLocation: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sun Jun 27, 2004 1:33 pm


The problem may be that the other two are growing up faster, and adapting to RL better than she is.

 


#40:  Author: EllieLocation: Lincolnshire PostPosted: Sun Jun 27, 2004 10:41 pm


Really interesting seeing this through Len's eyes - wondering if the tone of the letters will begin to change slightly after she has been at Oxford longer.

 


#41:  Author: JennieLocation: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Mon Jun 28, 2004 8:38 am


We can only hope so!

 


#42:  Author: AnnLocation: Newcastle upon Tyne, England PostPosted: Mon Jun 28, 2004 5:11 pm


This is great, Jennifer, thank you!

 


#43:  Author: Helen PLocation: Cheshire PostPosted: Mon Jun 28, 2004 6:39 pm


I'm really enjoying this Jennifer - it reads very well and realistically.

It's a fair while since I left home to go to University (well it was a Polytechnic when I started!) but reading Len's letters is bringing back a lot of the way I felt at the time - I was pretty sheltered and naive before I got there too!

I am particularly looking forward to seeing if she meets any boys who change the way she feels about Reg! (Speaking from personal experience here...)

 


#44:  Author: jenniferLocation: Sunny California PostPosted: Mon Jun 28, 2004 8:23 pm


Letter to Margot, from Oxford
Jan 10, 1958

Margot,

Well, here I am, back at school after Christmas break.

You know, I don't think I saw before just how set we were in our roles at
home; you the naughty one, Con the dreamy one, and me the responsible
one. When we were all there at home, it was just like old times. Con
went back to her dreamworld again, after being so lively here at
Oxford. Mamma and Papa were checking to make sure that you were
keeping up with your work, and not losing your temper, and I went back
to running around after everyone, except when I got a chance to see
Reg. It's too bad he was so busy at the San, but that measles
epidemic had everyone hopping.

It was strange to realise that this past term was the first time I've
never been responsible for anyone else. When we were little, I tried
to look after you and Con, because I was the eldest. Then the other
kids came along, and Mamma depended more and more on me to help. When
we went to school, I was always dormy prefect, or head of the form, or
Prefect or Headgirl, plus I had Jack to look after, which was a job in
itself! And we'd all get pulled back home if Mamma needed us. I'm
finding I like being on my own.

I'm glad to be back at classes. I missed my friends here, and the
quietness of my own room, and now that Russian's going more smoothly,
I feel much more confident. Tonight I'm going to the cinema with
Louise, and Con, and Con's friends Erica and Lisa. Con really has
taken a shine to the cinema. She says it makes a nice break from
bending over her books, and gives her new ideas for stories.

Love,

Len

 


#45:  Author: MarianneLocation: Lancaster PostPosted: Mon Jun 28, 2004 8:42 pm


nice to hear more from len

hope things continue to go well

 


#46:  Author: LesleyLocation: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Mon Jun 28, 2004 9:18 pm


How sad that they all immediately reverted to their old ways as soon as they went home. Hope that can be fixed - perhaps the fact that Len noticed it is the first step.

 


#47:  Author: Rachael PostPosted: Tue Jun 29, 2004 8:51 am


Sad but realistic!

We all do the same, despite being in our 30s and 40s!! I suspect it will never change Rolling Eyes
Maybe it's just a sibling thing but I find I always seem to revert to type when with my brothers ... Embarassed

Enjoying this, Jennifer, and glad that the Trips had a bit of a heart-to-heart. Especially good that Margot is at a separate uni so at last she's got the space to be herself. Shame really that Len & Con are still together but at least they're making different friends ...

 


#48:  Author: JennieLocation: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Tue Jun 29, 2004 1:37 pm


And they're at different colleges, aren't they?

Rachael, I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I've now abdicated all my family responsibilities. I just refuse to do things for people unless I want to. After fifty years of being the responsible one, I decided to stop. If people can't cope now, they just don't cope, I'm not doing it for them.

 


#49:  Author: jenniferLocation: Sunny California PostPosted: Wed Jun 30, 2004 12:31 am


Letter to Ted Grantley, from Oxford
Feb 23, 1958

Dear Ted,

It's another busy semester here at Oxford. I've gotten more used to
how the classes are taught here, but it certainly was a shock at first.

You'll be surprised when you see me next. I had my hair cut! It's
not too short, just to my shoulders so that I can tie it back when I'm
studying, but those long braids wound around my head were so hot during
the summer, and they take forever to dry in these damp English winters. I
don't know what they'll think about it at home, but I'm so glad I did it.

I've got to go now, so this will be a short letter. I have a study
group with some friends from my Russian class.

Len

 


#50:  Author: LesleyLocation: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Wed Jun 30, 2004 11:06 am


Some signs of Len thinking for herself - that's good!

 


#51:  Author: JennieLocation: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Wed Jun 30, 2004 11:08 am


About time, too.

 


#52:  Author: cazLocation: Cambridge PostPosted: Wed Jun 30, 2004 7:59 pm


This feels very realistic, Jennifer, please keep going.

 


#53:  Author: jenniferLocation: Sunny California PostPosted: Thu Jul 01, 2004 4:53 am


Letter to Freudsheim, from Oxford
April 11, 1958

Hello everyone,

I'm becoming more and more excited about this summer study trip. It
was certainly a surprise when I won the scholarship. We fly to
Montreal on May 10, and then take the train to Quebec City. It's been
so long since were were all in Canada that I've forgotten most of my
Canadian French. I still remember the mistresses' shock when we got
back to school and started in with fluent, ideomatic Quebecois. The
looks on their faces! Since then, we managed to develop a decent
Parisian accent, naturally. This course is a wonderful way to study
regional dialects, as we will get some time later to study Acadian
variants as well, and will travel to some of the more rural areas
where they don't speak English at all. There may also be a side trip
where we will meet some Metis. I'll be sure to bring back some
maple syrup.

I should be able to visit Auntie Rob in Toronto as well, as it's less
than a day's train journey from Montreal. I'm not looking forward to
the heat. Remember how humid it gets in the summer?

I'm taking my Kodak, and will take lots of pictures to bring home.

I'm glad Cecily and Felicity are enjoying their term, and that the
Pantomime went so well. You wrote such a detailed description of the
event that I felt like I was there with you. I do wish I had been
there to see Flixy's ballet solo.

I will get time for a three week visit to the Platz, and I look forward
to seeing everyone then.

Love from Len

 


#54:  Author: AngelLocation: London, England PostPosted: Thu Jul 01, 2004 6:40 am


oohh

Wonderful

 


#55:  Author: JennieLocation: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Thu Jul 01, 2004 8:22 am


Great, Jennifer. But I can't help feeling that Jo won't like one of her darlings going off for so long.

 


#56:  Author: MarianneLocation: Lancaster PostPosted: Thu Jul 01, 2004 10:22 am


hurrah! Thanks for those bits

 


#57:  Author: MoraLocation: Lancaster PostPosted: Thu Jul 01, 2004 11:55 am


This is so realistic. I like high drama sotries of course but it's nice to see Len changing quietly and growing into her new life. Interesting seeing her wirting differently to different people too.

 


#58:  Author: ChelseaLocation: Your Imagination PostPosted: Thu Jul 01, 2004 12:34 pm


Cool Len in Canada.

A pedentic point, but visiting the Metis will be a rather long side trip. They aren't in Quebec, but rather Manitoba westwards- two provinces over.

 


#59:  Author: LesleyLocation: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Thu Jul 01, 2004 6:45 pm


That was great - thanks! Smile

 


#60:  Author: jenniferLocation: Sunny California PostPosted: Thu Jul 01, 2004 6:58 pm


Chelsea wrote:
Cool Len in Canada.

A pedentic point, but visiting the Metis will be a rather long side trip. They aren't in Quebec, but rather Manitoba westwards- two provinces over.


I was using the North American definition of reasonable travelling distances Razz - I'm guessing a day or two by sleeper train from Toronto, based on the time it takes to drive, so it'd be a week or so trip. Of course, the biggest problem at this point would be not getting eaten alive by the swarms of giant mosquitoes.

Of course, my family used to drive from the west coast to Ontario/Quebec for summer vacation, so my view may be a bit skewed.

I couldn't resist the reference to French. I love the way Joey always airily asserts her daughters' fluency in French, the result of a year in Quebec. Quebecois sounds very different from Parisian French, and much of the vocabulary is different.

 


#61:  Author: ChelseaLocation: Your Imagination PostPosted: Thu Jul 01, 2004 7:52 pm


Jennifer wrote:
Chelsea wrote:
Cool Len in Canada.

A pedentic point, but visiting the Metis will be a rather long side trip. They aren't in Quebec, but rather Manitoba westwards- two provinces over.


I was using the North American definition of reasonable travelling distances Razz - I'm guessing a day or two by sleeper train from Toronto, based on the time it takes to drive, so it'd be a week or so trip. Of course, the biggest problem at this point would be not getting eaten alive by the swarms of giant mosquitoes.

Of course, my family used to drive from the west coast to Ontario/Quebec for summer vacation, so my view may be a bit skewed.

I couldn't resist the reference to French. I love the way Joey always airily asserts her daughters' fluency in French, the result of a year in Quebec. Quebecois sounds very different from Parisian French, and much of the vocabulary is different.


I live in Toronto and was born in Montreal. To me it isn't far. I should have looked at your details, I just assumed you were in the UK. It was just that many people assume that the Metis are in Quebec, rather than out West.

Yes, the Quebecois accent/vocab is rather...umm...interesting!

 


#62:  Author: jenniferLocation: Sunny California PostPosted: Thu Jul 01, 2004 8:54 pm


Chelsea wrote:

I live in Toronto and was born in Montreal. To me it isn't far. I should have looked at your details, I just assumed you were in the UK. It was just that many people assume that the Metis are in Quebec, rather than out West.



Ah, then a very happy Canada Day! Have an Upper Canada Dark and big bowl of poutine for me, I can't get either down here.

I've lived in BC, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and Manitoba, so my knowledge of Canadian geography is extremely hands on.

 


#63:  Author: SusanLocation: Carlisle PostPosted: Fri Jul 02, 2004 12:41 am


Have just found this and read it straight through. Love it, you have cptured Len so well. Love the little changes. Notice in her last letter she didn't send her love to the school - is she beginning to forget?

 


#64:  Author: Rachael PostPosted: Fri Jul 02, 2004 8:18 am


Love the idea of Len going to Canada - wonder whether she'll meet any nice Canadian men?!

Re meeting Rob - was she still in Canada then? I thought she moved back to Europe (France?) towards the end of the series, hence bumping into Adrienne?
Although it could just have been a secondment - I can't remember ...

 


#65:  Author: PatLocation: Doncaster PostPosted: Fri Jul 02, 2004 8:39 am


She was only in France for a time. Just enough to meet Adrienne!!!

 


#66:  Author: Rachael PostPosted: Fri Jul 02, 2004 11:46 am


Thanks - that had me confused!

Typical EBD plot device!!

 


#67:  Author: JennieLocation: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Fri Jul 02, 2004 12:24 pm


Absolutely! I really would love to read some more of this.

 


#68:  Author: jenniferLocation: Sunny California PostPosted: Fri Jul 02, 2004 5:50 pm


To Sister Marie-Cecile, from Freudsheim
Aug 15, 1958

It was so good to see you again, Auntie Rob. Everyone was pleased to
hear how you were doing. I had such a wonderful time travelling
around this summer. I know I've seen a lot of Swizerland and Austria,
and parts of France, but most of my trips have been with school, with
all the Middles to keep an eye on, and the rest have been with the
whole family. It's more relaxing when everyone on the trip is an
adult, and you can concentrate on your own work. I've almost finished
writing my paper on Regional Dialects of North American French.

It has been strange to come back to the Platz. It seems smaller,
somehow. It is nice to see Mamma and Papa, and all the kids, and the
school, and Reg, but most of my friends from school have left now.
There certainly are a lot of little kids running around.

Did you hear about Emmie's engagement? That surprised everyone when
Margot told us. I guess she is a few years older than us, and has
been out of school for years. Her fiance works with international
banking, which involves a lot of travelling. It sounds like Emmie
really likes the idea of trotting around the world with him.

It will soon be time to start packing for my next year at university.
I'm looking forward to my classes. It will be easier this year, now
that I know what to expect. I did decide to keep the Russian, even if
I still have difficulties with it, and have dropped German literature
in exchange for Italian.

The kids are calling for me to take them for a walk, so I must run.

Love,
Len

-----
END OF YEAR ONE

 


#69:  Author: LesleyLocation: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Fri Jul 02, 2004 7:10 pm


Thanks Jennifer.

 


#70:  Author: AngelLocation: London, England PostPosted: Fri Jul 02, 2004 10:06 pm


thank you

very enjoyable

 


#71:  Author: JennieLocation: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sat Jul 03, 2004 11:57 am


Thanks, Jennifer, it will be good to see her second year.

 


#72:  Author: pimLocation: St Andrews (right next to the beach) PostPosted: Sat Jul 03, 2004 5:31 pm


Thanks Jennifer, nice to see the way Len has grown up and changed over this year. I know exactly what she means about the Platz seeming 'small', I mean St Andrews is hardly a metropolis but comapred to where my parents live it is!

 


#73:  Author: MarianneLocation: Lancaster PostPosted: Sat Jul 03, 2004 8:17 pm


looking good
more please

 


#74:  Author: SusanLocation: Carlisle PostPosted: Sat Jul 03, 2004 10:46 pm


this is so good. looking forward to haring about the second year.

 


#75:  Author: Helen PLocation: Cheshire PostPosted: Mon Jul 05, 2004 9:25 pm


Please can we have some more Jennifer?

 


#76:  Author: jenniferLocation: Sunny California PostPosted: Mon Jul 05, 2004 11:04 pm


Letter to Margot, from Oxford
Sept 9, 1958

Hi Margot,

I can't believe you survived a whole summer break at home. I was
exhausted after just three weeks. Geoff and Felix are a job in
themselves, and Cecily isn't far behind. Marie-Claire is a lot more
active, too, but Erica runs around after her. I think Erica would
feel a bit lost in this big family if it weren't for her 'little
sister'.

I'm back in the same dorm again this year, and came prepared with more
decorations and personal items. I've got a nice picture of Reg, and
one of the three of us, and one of the whole family together, and some
of my snaps from this summer. I hope you can make it for a visit some
weekend soon, it would be nice to get the three of us together and
have a good chat.

Con is pretty busy too, but she said she was writing you as well, so
I'll let her update you on what she's doing. I'm meeting friends this
evening,s o we can catch up on our summers before we leap into
classes.

Len

 


#77:  Author: EllieLocation: Lincolnshire PostPosted: Mon Jul 05, 2004 11:23 pm


Len's definitely growing up isn't she? I woneder if she'll be writing to Reg.......

 


#78:  Author: LesleyLocation: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Tue Jul 06, 2004 4:16 am


Thanks Jennifer - nice to see a rather more mature Len.

 


#79:  Author: Cumbrian RachelLocation: near High Wycombe PostPosted: Tue Jul 06, 2004 8:56 am


I've been really enjoying this - nice to see some more.



One small point - at Oxford it is very unusual to even share a room with one other person - the normal thing is to have your own room, occasionally you get people with 3 rooms between two (a bedroom each and a shared study area) - a bit different from most american universities! Dorms are just unheard of!

 


#80:  Author: LadyGuinevereLocation: Leicester PostPosted: Tue Jul 06, 2004 11:19 am


Quote:
at Oxford it is very unusual to even share a room with one other person - the normal thing is to have your own room, occasionally you get people with 3 rooms between two (a bedroom each and a shared study area)


I knew someone in one of these.... it was quite different from how I'd live, though I've met people from other universities that had it too. The ones I saw at Oxford were REALLY old (I mean several hundred years) and looked it. That was at Trinity though.

I'm very much enjoying this! Looking forward to reading more Very Happy

~LadyG

 


#81:  Author: JennieLocation: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Tue Jul 06, 2004 2:59 pm


Glad to see that Len is losing some of her priggishness!

 


#82:  Author: SusanLocation: Carlisle PostPosted: Wed Jul 07, 2004 1:54 pm


So nice to see the way Len is changing - just how I would have imagined her from the books.

 


#83:  Author: MarianneLocation: Lancaster PostPosted: Wed Jul 07, 2004 3:35 pm


Very nice
More please!

 


#84:  Author: jenniferLocation: Sunny California PostPosted: Wed Jul 07, 2004 6:18 pm


Letter to Josette in Australia, from Oxford
Oct 23, 1958

Congratulations, Josette! How does motherhood suit you? Mother was
disappointed that the twins were boys, and therefore won't be coming to the
Chalet school, but I know you're happy with them. It's nice that
Auntie Madge was able to go out and stay with you. How does it feel
to produce the first grandchildren in your branch of the family?
Sibyl won't be far behind by the sounds of it. At least, Mamma said
that she would be too 'busy' to make it to Emmie's wedding.

You know, I'm only really realising now how sheltered our upbringing
was. When I came to university, I truly didn't know how babies were
made! Melanie nearly fell off her chair when she found that out, but
she was nice enough not to spread it around. She then proceeded to,
um, educate me on the details. I was so embarrassed. It would have
been much worse to find out after I was married, though. That would
be a shock! Did you know that it's possible *not* to have babies too,
even when you're married?!? There are other things I've learned since
coming to school that I had never even believed possible!

There are so many different types of people here. I was really
surprised when I got here, meeting girls who didn't go to church, and
girls who date. It took time to get used to. I guess at school they
attracted parents who wanted their children fairly sheltered, and they
could keep up pretty naive in an isolated all-girls school. It is nice
to get to know men as friends, I mean men who aren't brothers or
cousins. They do have a different perspective on life, one we didn't
see much of when we were growing up. Reg and I write regularly, and
see each other on holidays, but our relationship is different than
just being friends.

Send more pictures of the babies when you get them,

Love
Len

 


#85:  Author: LesleyLocation: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Wed Jul 07, 2004 6:22 pm


Thanks Jennifer - this feels so realistic - can almost see Len growing into a woman rather than a child. It's nice that she can look back on her upbringing as sheltered, yet not resent it.

 


#86:  Author: MarianneLocation: Lancaster PostPosted: Wed Jul 07, 2004 6:37 pm


really liking this

 


#87:  Author: JennieLocation: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Thu Jul 08, 2004 9:01 am


Yes, I think that this is an interesting way of looking at Len.

 


#88:  Author: LulieLocation: Middlesbrough PostPosted: Thu Jul 08, 2004 10:16 am


I like being able to see the changes in the various letters. Is she still the same Len as she was at school when she writes to Joey and Jack?

*awaits the next letter with impatience*

 


#89:  Author: AngelLocation: London, England PostPosted: Thu Jul 08, 2004 11:37 am


I had a single set for a year, and loved it - small bedroom, massive study/sitting room...

*wishes she had it again*

 


#90:  Author: KatLocation: Swansea PostPosted: Thu Jul 08, 2004 12:49 pm


This is great Jennifer, really enjoying it. Do we get to see any letters from Len to Reg though? Would be interesting to see what she would write to him Smile

More as soon as you're ready please!!

 


#91:  Author: jenniferLocation: Sunny California PostPosted: Fri Jul 09, 2004 2:52 am


Letter to Margot from Oxford
Nov 3, 1958

Margot,

I'm glad to hear classes are going so well for you. Steve sounds
pretty harassed at his medical program. I think he'd appreciate it if
you reassured him that it does get more manageable. Charles seems to
be set on history, so that will make five of us in university next
year. Of course, Con and I will graduate after that, so it will
relieve the pressure on Mamma and Papa.

It's really nice of Emmie to fly you down for her wedding, even though
we will all miss you at Christmas. I hope you have a really good
time, and send her my love. Will you get to see Josette, or will she
still be so busy with the babies?

Len

 


#92:  Author: LesleyLocation: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Fri Jul 09, 2004 6:49 am


Still worrying about the rest of the family - nice.

 


#93:  Author: BookwormsarahLocation: Cambridge, UK PostPosted: Fri Jul 09, 2004 9:38 am


These remind me so much of my first year at University - finding home so small after living in college (Durham, not Oxford!), family on top of me, school friends having moved away, and feeling as if my horizons had suddenly expanded infinitly.

Am very much looking forward to reading more, particularly a letter to Jo and Jack..?

BookwormSarah,
Who is currently living in a three bedroomed terraced house with father, step-mother and three stepsisters (sisters-by-marriage?) who moved to England last week. After years of wanting a big family I've got one, but now I'm despirate for a bit of peace and quiet! Confused

 


#94:  Author: JennieLocation: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Fri Jul 09, 2004 12:55 pm


I'm hoping for lots more of this, it's good to see Len realising that there's more to life than home and school.

 


#95:  Author: Sarah_KLocation: St Albans/Leicester PostPosted: Fri Jul 09, 2004 1:03 pm


I'm really enjoying this. Len's learning about the outside world without either rebelling or finding it shoved down her throat. My first year at uni was a fairly sharp learning curve in someways too.

*would like to see a letter to Jo and Jack too*
please

 


#96:  Author: jenniferLocation: Sunny California PostPosted: Fri Jul 09, 2004 9:29 pm


A couple of installments, as I'll be out of town for the next week and a half.

Letter to Freudsheim from Oxford
Dec 5, 1958

Hello to everyone,

I'm looking forward to coming home for Christmas. I do miss proper
snow. It's so mushy and damp here, and there's no chance to go skiing
or skating. I hope the weather stays nice, and we can get time
outside. It's been a busy term, so I'm looking forward to a good
break, and a chance to relax. Can you do me a favour and dig my skis
out, and check to make sure they're in good condition?

It's too bad that I will only see Reg for a few days, but that medical
conference in France is a really excellent opportunity for him. He
wrote me all about it in his last letter. I'm looking forward to
seeing Mary-Lou. It's been a long time since we've both been in
Switzerland at the same time, and I want to hear about her digs.

I'm stopping in London with some friends for a few days before coming
over. We're going to see a concert, and do some Christmas shopping.
Is there anything English you'd like me to bring back with me?

Margot sounds so excited about Emmie's wedding. It really was nice of
Emmie to offer to fly her down for it. Maybe in all of Emmie's
travelling she'll come by England more often, so they can see each
other. Once Margot joins an Order, she will have to go where they
send her, so the chance to visit now is a lovely opportunity, even
though we'll miss her.

It's wonderful news about Sybil, although I know you really wanted her
to have a girl, Mamma. I hope Margot gets to see him, and Josette's
two. You may eventually have to push for an Australian branch of the
school. You could have Aunt Mollie's grandchildren, and Annis Lovell
and Gay Lambert are down there too, aren't they?

I'll see you soon,

Love Len

 


#97:  Author: jenniferLocation: Sunny California PostPosted: Fri Jul 09, 2004 9:31 pm


Letter to Rosamund, from Oxford
Jan 20, 1959

Hi Rosamund,

Well, Christmas was interesting. I enjoyed seeing everyone again.
The younger twins have grown again, and even Felicity is shooting up.
Mother keeps talking about those quads, but I *think* she's joking. I
can't imagine what vacations would be like then. It's chaotic enough
with eleven of us kids (ten this year), plus Ruey, Roger and Roddy and
Marie-Claire, and Erica, and Mary-Lou back from her dig, On top of
that, we had those three kids from school whose family couldn't get
back from Egypt due to illness, as well as Anna and Rosli and Mother
and Dad and Bruno.

It was strange not having Margot there, but she still isn't completely
happy about being home when she visits. I don't think Mamma and Papa
have realised just how much she's changed since leaving. She's really
found what she wants to do, and is going at it 'whole hog', so to
speak. None of her classmates know her as 'the bad triplet', so she
got to start fresh, with no expectations. I've met some of her
classmates, and they all seem to like and respect her. She stays away
from leadership roles; she really doesn't have a lot of patience with other
people's shortcomings, and that's when her temper can flare up. She
is amazingly good in an emergency though, level headed, and she knows
exactly what to tell people to do, and can get then hopping!

I tried to talk to Mary-Lou about it, but she didn't seem to
understand either. She spent most of the vacation bouncing from place
to place, trying to solve problems that didn't exist, and butting in to
everything, I'm not sure she realises we aren't naughty middles any
more.

You know, I realised after I left that neither Con nor I have ever
told anyone at uni that our Mother is "Miss Josephine Bettany". I
think it was all those years of our schoolmates swooning over the
fact. It's nice being known as Len Manyard, rather than "Len Manyard,
Josphine Bettany's daughter".

I'm looking forward to your visit next week. It'll be great to see
you and Ted together again.

Len

 


#98:  Author: LadyGuinevereLocation: Leicester PostPosted: Fri Jul 09, 2004 9:33 pm


Lovely!! Especially the bit about an Australian brance *g*

Don't know how I'll manage without for a week and a half though!

 


#99:  Author: Helen PLocation: Cheshire PostPosted: Fri Jul 09, 2004 9:34 pm


This is wonderful Jennifer!

I love the bit about Mary-Lou - so glad to see that Len is seeing her in a different light now!

(As I actually LIKE Mary-Lou, I can't believe I just said that...!!)

 


#100:  Author: jenniferLocation: Sunny California PostPosted: Fri Jul 09, 2004 9:38 pm


Letter to Joey Manyard, from Oxford
Mar 3, 1959

Yes Mamma, Con told me what she was planning to do, but at about the
same time she told you. It certainly surprised me, but looking back
it does make sense. It certainly explains her fondness for the
cinema, anyhow.

I think Con will be an excellent script writer. The screenwriting
business is much more collaborative and interactive than novel
writing, and it will keep her firmly rooted in the real world, rather
than in her own imaginary universes. She has an excellent imagination,
and a real knack for writing vivid dialogue. Maybe she can make one
of your books into a movie some day.

Some of the cinema shows are very good; they're not all 'lowbrow
trash', as you put it. Remember that Shakespearian film that Jane
Carew's parents made? I'm sure Con won't write trash. Her degree
will be very useful, particularly as she's been concentrating more on
drama now. There's plenty of scope in adapting classic tales to film
as well. And haven't you always wanted to visit California? It might
give you some ideas for new stories.

Con is really excited over this, and looking forward to it immensely,
and will be really disappointed if you don't support her, so try to
think it over for a while before you respond too vigorously.

I've got to get back to my reading if I want to be prepared for the
lecture tomorrow.

Love,

Len

 


#101:  Author: patmacLocation: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Fri Jul 09, 2004 9:40 pm


I love the way you are bringing out the changes in such an understated way, Jennifer. Len is realising the differences in the wider world and seeing the benefits for Margot as well as herself without it being a drama. Very realistic.

I liked the way she described Mary Lou Very Happy

Have a good time 'out of town' and I hope you get time to write some more ready for when you come back. Wink

 


#102:  Author: MarianneLocation: Lancaster PostPosted: Fri Jul 09, 2004 10:28 pm


i love this
very realistic

 


#103:  Author: AngelLocation: London, England PostPosted: Sat Jul 10, 2004 12:23 am


wonderful and well observed

 


#104:  Author: LesleyLocation: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sat Jul 10, 2004 5:48 am


Really love those last three letters - Len realising that she likes being known for herself rather than her mother, understanding Margot, seeing Mary Lou in a different, more annoying light, and being able to actually disagree with her mother and advise her to change her attitude! Thought Joey's snobbery came over extremely well - can just see her saying that!

Looking forward to more when you get back Jennifer! Laughing

 


#105:  Author: JennieLocation: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sat Jul 10, 2004 12:19 pm


Excellent letters, I loved the bit about OOAO. They show how Len is maturing and growing away from her family to develop a far wider perspective on life away from the cocoon. Jo's snobbery was touched on very well.

 


#106:  Author: Kathy_SLocation: midwestern US PostPosted: Sat Jul 10, 2004 1:30 pm


Thank you, Jennifer. Especially liked Len's eloquent defense of Con's career choice!

 


#107:  Author: JennieLocation: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sat Jul 10, 2004 3:47 pm


When Jo keeps on about the beauty of a long family, I do find myself wondering whether she will ever let go of them, especially the girls.

 


#108:  Author: SusanLocation: Carlisle PostPosted: Wed Jul 14, 2004 9:35 am


Really love the way Len's character is coming alive in these letters and how her character is changing.

I agree that Jo would have had great difficulty in letting her family especially the girls go.

 


#109:  Author: Helen PLocation: Cheshire PostPosted: Wed Jul 14, 2004 10:03 pm


Ooh I just caught up with this! I love the way Len stands up to Joey about Con, and advises her on how to handle it! I wonder if Joey will take any notice??!

Thankyou, I'm so enjoying this Smile

 


#110:  Author: JennieLocation: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Fri Jul 16, 2004 12:18 pm


I doubt it! When do we get some more of this?

 


#111:  Author: SueLocation: Tunbridge Wells PostPosted: Fri Jul 16, 2004 6:55 pm


Just read this from the start. Loving it. Len is becoming herself away from the oppressive home, and so it seems are Con and Margot. Re 'The Dorm'. I'd always presumed this was a different use of the word. That in America the word is used as we would use 'Hall' or in my day at a teacher training college 'hostel'. I'm not sure it is used in the U.S. to mean a long room divided by curtains. Does anyone know?
Sue

 


#112:  Author: Kathy_SLocation: midwestern US PostPosted: Sat Jul 17, 2004 3:02 am


Sue wrote:
I'm not sure it is used in the U.S. to mean a long room divided by curtains. Does anyone know?

It's certainly not the normal usage of "dorm," which refers to a building containing students' rooms, whether of the single, double, or suite variety. On the rare occasions when I've seen an American author use "dormitory" in the way cited, it's been when recounting experiences in European boarding schools, or occasionally a state institution such as a school for the blind. More often that kind of arrangement (probably minus the curtains) would be described as a barracks, and you wouldn't find it at a university!

 


#113:  Author: JennieLocation: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sat Jul 17, 2004 7:39 pm


I think that Len made a slip-up there, and didn't realise it.

 


#114:  Author: DotLocation: Ireland PostPosted: Thu Jul 22, 2004 10:36 pm


Bumping this back up top!

 


#115:  Author: MarianneLocation: Lancaster PostPosted: Fri Jul 23, 2004 10:16 am


yeah, come on! We're all waiting! Very Happy

 


#116:  Author: JennieLocation: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Fri Jul 23, 2004 12:04 pm


We want further installments of this!

 


#117:  Author: Helen PLocation: Cheshire PostPosted: Fri Jul 23, 2004 10:06 pm


*Adding my calls to the others*

MORE please!!

 


#118:  Author: GemLocation: Saltash, Cornwall (holidays), Aberystwyth (termtime from September) PostPosted: Sat Jul 24, 2004 10:09 am


*joins in chanting*

 


#119:  Author: JennieLocation: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sat Jul 24, 2004 10:53 am


So am I!

 


#120:  Author: jenniferLocation: Sunny California PostPosted: Sat Jul 24, 2004 7:31 pm


Okay, I'm back in town now...


Letter to Margot, from Oxford
Apr 2, 1959

Margot,

Well, Mamma seems to have calmed down where Con is concerned. I think
part of the problem is that there are so few opportunities for her to
see films. She really doesn't know what it's all about. I think I
reassured her on that score, and suggested that Con could do a
screenplay for one of her books.

You know, it's strange, but I feel closer to you and Con now than I
did when we were at school together. We were triplets, but we didn't
talk about the really important things the way we do now. I think it
helps that we've had enough space to see who we are when we're not
together, if that makes any sense.

You told me once that you used to be jealous of me, and thought that
Mamma and Papa loved me best because I was the 'good one'. Do you
know, I realise now that I envied you when we were kids. You always
seemed so much more independent than Con and I, and you always managed
to do such interesting things! Looking back, I think that dust-up
with Prunella was the only time I really got into a row, and I was
coming down with the 'flu at the time. I was so busy watching out for
you two at school, and the younger ones at home, that I never really
got to be naughty. I guess it's the natural result of being the
eldest of eleven. Oh well, I suppose it's too late to be a Middle
now. There was enough of a fuss when I came home with my hair chopped
off! You'd think I had shaved my head. They got used to it
eventually.

How are the plans for your summer trip going? Working at a clinic in
Honduras certainly sounds interesting, and it will keep you busy. I
sometimes feel like I'm the only one who doesn't have grandiose plans
for the future. You and Steve are going to work in medicine, Con's
off to Hollywood, Charles has his history studies, Mike is dead set on
the Navy. Even Flixy wants to be a ballerina. Moving back to the
Platz seems rather small in comparison.


Good luck on exams,

Love Len

 


#121:  Author: patmacLocation: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Sat Jul 24, 2004 8:54 pm


thank you Jennifer. I wonder if Len is going to have second thoughts about her return to the Platz? She's seen how narrow her mother's life is and could only think her's would be similar.

 


#122:  Author: Helen PLocation: Cheshire PostPosted: Sat Jul 24, 2004 10:32 pm


I was thinking the same thing, Pat. Reading the last letter I wondered if Len is having second thoughts about being committed to Reg so early in life.

And thankyou Jennifer!

 


#123:  Author: Lisa_TLocation: Belfast PostPosted: Sat Jul 24, 2004 11:48 pm


I love these letters, but I'd reaaally like to see a letter/letters from Len to Hilda and Nell. Both of them were at uni after all, and it would be interesting to see whether this grown up Len can communicate with them as a fellow adult, or whether the headmistress/brevet aunt label would make her selective and self conscious.

 


#124:  Author: Kathy_SLocation: midwestern US PostPosted: Sun Jul 25, 2004 1:13 am


Thanks for the update from Len. I like the balance of current news and introspection. Very curious to see whether this Len will find satisfaction without the "grandiose," or will change course entirely!

 


#125:  Author: GemLocation: Saltash, Cornwall (holidays), Aberystwyth (termtime from September) PostPosted: Sun Jul 25, 2004 10:10 am


Thanks so much for the update Jennifer - it's so wonderful to see Len questioning herself and her choices as so many of us do when in her position.

*echoes Lisa_T's suggestion* - I was always sad that EBD never really emphasised a friendship between Len and Nell, more so Len and Hilda. Of course, I'm a little biased in that I'm very close to my godmother - I always thought that since Nell had such a big part in Len's upbringing, that Len would confide in her more.

 


#126:  Author: Lisa_TLocation: Belfast PostPosted: Sun Jul 25, 2004 11:43 am


On the other hand, she sees more of Hilda so I suppose the closeness was inevitable. But I agree with you- one of my favourite series moments is when Len nearly knocks Nell over in Kenya! *g*

 


#127:  Author: GemLocation: Saltash, Cornwall (holidays), Aberystwyth (termtime from September) PostPosted: Sun Jul 25, 2004 12:23 pm


She certainly takes after her mother!!!! I've never read Kenya - what on earth happened?

 


#128:  Author: LesleyLocation: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sun Jul 25, 2004 1:11 pm


I think Len would be close to both of them, Nell because she is her Godmother, and Hilda because of being Head Girl to Hilda's Headmistress for two years.

Would love to see letters to them both - perhaps she would ask their advice about her future plans.

Oh and thanks Jennifer!

 


#129:  Author: MarianneLocation: Lancaster PostPosted: Sun Jul 25, 2004 6:53 pm


Ahhh, very very interesting
thanks for that

 


#130:  Author: EllieLocation: Lincolnshire PostPosted: Sun Jul 25, 2004 7:44 pm


Loveley way to see Len maturing and developing. Eagerly awaiting the next letter.

 


#131:  Author: SusanLocation: Carlisle PostPosted: Mon Jul 26, 2004 10:39 am


Glad to see more of this. Poor Len, I think I would have been dreading going back to the Platz if I was in her position, especially wityh her triplet sister off seeing the world.

 


#132:  Author: Lisa_TLocation: Belfast PostPosted: Mon Jul 26, 2004 11:18 am


In Kenya, the school and St Mildred's go down to Lake Thun for swimming cos it's been so hot. Hilda and Nell are talking together and Len comes flying up to throw herself on Nell, who she hasn't seen for some time. In the process, Nell 'straddled slightly' (whatever that means) and thus prevented herself from going flat. It's a lovely scene. Laughing

 


#133:  Author: jenniferLocation: Sunny California PostPosted: Mon Jul 26, 2004 7:23 pm


Lisa_T wrote:
I love these letters, but I'd reaaally like to see a letter/letters from Len to Hilda and Nell.


Have you been hacking into my hard-drive? Shocked (I keep several letters ahead, so I have time to read over and check things).

Next one..


Letter to Freudsheim, from Oxford
Apr 30, 1959

Greetings from Oxford,

My summer plans are now fully settled. I'll be back for three weeks
starting in June, after which I'll be engaged in teacher training in
the North of England. It's a summer school for senior students who
want to practice their language skills.

I know I won't be teaching when I finished my degree, but this will be
good practice for my languages, as you really have to know something
to explain it. It will be very useful for the students we will be
teaching. They tend to come from smaller schools where at most one
language is offered, and have very little chance to practice
conversation. And with five of us in school next year, the extra
money will pay for my clothes and extras.

It's a weekly boarding school, as many of the the students come from a
distance, so it will almost be like being back at the Chalet School.

I'm looking forward to seeing you all. My friend Melanie is able to
visit for a week. I'll be able to show her around the Platz, and take
her to the echoes. She speaks German and French fluently, so she
should get on well. She's also looking forward to going back to some
Swiss cooking.

Love,
Len

 


#134:  Author: JennieLocation: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Mon Jul 26, 2004 7:24 pm


Do I detect a little distancing of Len from her parents?

 


#135:  Author: GemLocation: Saltash, Cornwall (holidays), Aberystwyth (termtime from September) PostPosted: Mon Jul 26, 2004 7:27 pm


Certainly seems like it. It seems sad in a way, I suppose, but at the same time no girl Len's age would tell her parents absolutely everything, and hopefully it means that she's doing things at uni for herself and not worrying about how her parents might take it.

 


#136:  Author: LesleyLocation: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Mon Jul 26, 2004 7:48 pm


Interesting - so when did she decide that she wasn't going to teach?

 


#137:  Author: VikkiLocation: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Mon Jul 26, 2004 7:53 pm


I' d guess that maybe she means she won't teach cos she's going to be marrying Reg straight out of uni.

 


#138:  Author: Lisa_TLocation: Belfast PostPosted: Mon Jul 26, 2004 7:58 pm


Oh I do hope not!!!!!

 


#139:  Author: Sarah_LLocation: Leeds PostPosted: Mon Jul 26, 2004 8:03 pm


Well, you can't have a career AND a husband! Wink

 


#140:  Author: Helen PLocation: Cheshire PostPosted: Mon Jul 26, 2004 8:47 pm


I also assumed she said it because of getting married.

However as soon as I read it I started wondering if she will do the teaching practice, realise how much she loves teaching, and decide to delay the wedding a while longer! I realise this is looking rather far ahead - not sure how far you are going to take us with this Jennifer?

Years and years I hope!

 


#141:  Author: MarianneLocation: Lancaster PostPosted: Mon Jul 26, 2004 9:16 pm


ah, sounds good

 


#142:  Author: SusanLocation: Carlisle PostPosted: Tue Jul 27, 2004 1:46 pm


Len definitley comes across here as being distanced from her parents.

I too thought she meant she wouldn't be teaching as she was getting married but have a feeling Len will enjoy teaching practise and decide to put the wedding off.

 


#143:  Author: LisaLocation: South Coast of England PostPosted: Tue Jul 27, 2004 2:10 pm


Very Happy Thanks Jennifer, I have just found these letters and I have really warmed to Len. I think you have a real sensitive idea of her character and I love the way you subtly show her growing up and changing. A great idea!

 


#144:  Author: Sarah_KLocation: St Albans/Leicester PostPosted: Tue Jul 27, 2004 3:22 pm


This is such a brilliant drabble, I love seeing Len gradually develop into an adult. Looking forward to hearing about her teaching practice too!

 


#145:  Author: jenniferLocation: Sunny California PostPosted: Wed Jul 28, 2004 12:31 am


Letter to Melanie
from Freudsheim, June 2, 1959

Melanie,

Well, Mel, here I am, back in my old room. It seems decades since I
was at home. The kids have all grown again. I'm keeping pretty busy
looking after all the little when they're home, as Anna is recuperating
from that appendix operation. I am looking forward to your visit. No
one here is really interested in what I'm doing, they mainly want to
fill me in on all the new gossip, and what the Middles have been up
to. It's entertaining for a while, but it gets old fast.

I see Reg a few times a week. He's working long hours at the San, and
I'm busy with the kids. When he does come over, we take Bruno and the
little ones for a walk, to get them out from under Rosli's feet.
Mother's in the midst of revising a new book, and needs to get it to
the publisher by the deadline. They really need to hire some more
staff at the San. It's the only major hospital nearby, so they tend
to get any nearby emergency cases dumped on them. Papa's been even
busier. I can remember all the times he got called out
suddenly when we were children, so I guess it hasn't changed much,
although I really didn't think of it much then.

Con is here as well. She's working on a script for a summer project, and
is helping to keep the kids busy by getting them to act out the parts.
It's a real scream watching them. Mother was saying that she'll be too
busy to write a script for the school play this year, so I think I'll
mention to Auntie Hilda that Con might be a good person to do it.

Oh yes, the reason Mother won't have time to write a play this year.
They're having *another* baby! I just hope it isn't the quads she's
been threatening all these years, but you'd think eleven children and
five wards would be enough! Well, Geoff and Phil will be in
kindergarten this year, so I guess she doesn't want to be lonely. So
be prepared for veiled comments about being 'busy', and assertations
that when you have a large family the older ones help take care of the
little ones, so it's really not that hard.

You said you wanted a list of who's who, to keep track of what's going
on. Con and Margot and Steven you've met. Charles is a year younger
than Steve, and is heading to Cambridge in the fall.
He's a quiet sort. Mike is 14, and isn't the quiet sort. He's been
building a boat this summer, so that's keeping him busy. Felix and
Felicity are 11. Felix is a live wire, and Flixy does her level best
to keep up. She's the one studying ballet. Cecily's eight, and as
dark as the twins are fair. She's a cheerful little thing, and is
constantly trying to keep up with the older twins. Geoff and Phillipa
are six. Phil is still quite shy, and will take a while to get used
to you, but Geoff is more outgoing. Those are my siblings, now the
wards.

Ruey is the next oldest: she's a year younger than us, and just
finished up at St. Mildred's (the finishing branch of our
school). She's starting university in the fall, and will be with us.
Her older brother Roger is finished school and on his own. Roddy, the
youngest of the three, has one more year of school left. Erica is 16,
and still in school, and Marie-Claire is only four. Those two are
inseperable when Erica is out of school.

Anna and Rosli will be here too. Anna's been with the family since
before we were born (she's from Austria), and Rosli since we moved to
Switzerland. Anna's the housekeeper/cook/general household organiser,
and Rosli helps her and looks out for the little ones. They're part
of the family too, and things would certainly collapse into chaos if
they weren't here. Plus, there's Bruno, our dog, and some assorted
cats and birds.

I'll meet you at the train station as promised. Remember to bring a
rain jacket, and some good, sturdy hiking shoes. We'll need to do a
lot of hiking to wear off that whipped cream!

Len

 


#146:  Author: LesleyLocation: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Wed Jul 28, 2004 5:36 am


Absolutely love that excerpt Jennifer! Len's none too pleased at the thought of another sibling is she? Like that she's still seeing Reg, thinks of Con and recognises just how much she and the others helped raise the rest of the family!!

(Pedantic point - autumn not fall!)

Thanks! Wink

 


#147:  Author: JennieLocation: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Wed Jul 28, 2004 10:33 am


Glad to see that Len is maturing and putting things into perspective!

 


#148:  Author: Helen PLocation: Cheshire PostPosted: Wed Jul 28, 2004 11:48 am


I like seeing the family described from Len's point of view!

 


#149:  Author: SusanLocation: Carlisle PostPosted: Wed Jul 28, 2004 2:45 pm


Len's eye view on the family. Still looking after the younger ones!!! Jo is even more selfish than before.

 


#150:  Author: patmacLocation: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Wed Jul 28, 2004 4:48 pm


It doesn't sound as if Reg and Len are exactly close if they just go for walks with the little ones! I wonder if they get any time on their own? Doesn't sound like it.

I like Len's perspective now she's seen other ways of life. Looking forward to more.

 


#151:  Author: MarianneLocation: Lancaster PostPosted: Wed Jul 28, 2004 5:50 pm


Ah, excellent, loving this drabble!






*adds to autumn not fall comment!!* Wink

 


#152:  Author: FrancesLocation: Milton Keynes PostPosted: Wed Jul 28, 2004 8:20 pm


Love the way this is developing Jennifer. Am I reading too much between the lines in seeing a change in Len's feelings for Reg? She doesn't sound too enthusiastic about seeing him frequently, and only seeing him when the kids are there may be her way of putting off spending time alone with him.

More would be very nice please! Smile

 


#153:  Author: JennieLocation: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Thu Jul 29, 2004 2:12 pm


Well, we've all been commenting about how ell Len is growing up. She's entitled to mature out of that relationship too.

 


#154:  Author: jenniferLocation: Sunny California PostPosted: Thu Jul 29, 2004 6:09 pm


Letter to Misses Annersley and Wilson, From Northern England
July 22, 1959

Aunties Hilda and Nell,

Well, here I am, getting used to the students
calling me Miss Manyard. There are about 30 students here, between
the ages of 15 and 18, and it does seem strange to be teaching people who
aren't much younger than I am.

I never realised just how exhausting teaching is. I don't know how
you two have managed it all these years, particularly once you became
heads. I'm really enjoying the experience, even if I am tired. The
other teachers assure me that I'll get used to the pace. We have
formal lectures in the morning; I'm teaching French grammar and
literature. Then the students have lunch. Fortunately they're old
enough not to need much supervision. In the afternoon we have
practical exercises using conversation in the language. Today we'll
be pretending that we're at the market, and doing all the shopping in
French. After a walk, the students will take turns reading to each
other, while the teachers get a break. I spend most of my time
preparing for the next lecture. In the evening, we have more informal
activities, still in French, and the kids get some prep time.

I must admit, even if we did complain about the language policy at the
Chalet School, it certainly did help us learn to be trilingual. Most
of the students have good basics in book learning, but have difficulty
carrying on a conversation.

The other teachers are very nice, there are six of us altogether.
Four of the others are experienced teachers, and there's a student here
from Cambridge, on the same scholarship I am, plus the cook, and
housekeeper.

It's only nine pm now, and I'm ready to fall asleep, so I'll finish
this letter.

Len

END OF YEAR TWO

 


#155:  Author: patmacLocation: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Thu Jul 29, 2004 6:30 pm


Very true to life, Jennifer!

Now will Len be hooked by teaching or not?

 


#156:  Author: Sarah_KLocation: St Albans/Leicester PostPosted: Thu Jul 29, 2004 8:21 pm


It is interesting to read Len's changing opinions of the Platz, and the things she notices more like Jack's absences.

Looking forward to year 3.

 


#157:  Author: LesleyLocation: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Thu Jul 29, 2004 8:33 pm


Thanks Jennifer!

 


#158:  Author: GemLocation: Saltash, Cornwall (holidays), Aberystwyth (termtime from September) PostPosted: Thu Jul 29, 2004 9:21 pm


Thanks Jennifer! Glad to see Len acknowledging how exhausting teaching can be, and especially in a different language. I only taught in France for ten days, but that was exhausting! It's lovely to see how she's growing and maturing.

Looking forward to year three - wait, her course is a sandwich (language) course right? We do get four years of letters?

 


#159:  Author: MarianneLocation: Lancaster PostPosted: Thu Jul 29, 2004 9:47 pm


Thanks a lot Jennifer!

 


#160:  Author: Cumbrian RachelLocation: near High Wycombe PostPosted: Thu Jul 29, 2004 9:50 pm


Gem wrote:
Looking forward to year three - wait, her course is a sandwich (language) course right? We do get four years of letters?


Why should it stop after 4years?!

And yes, the Oxford languages course does have a year abroad for the third year - or it does nowadays - I've no idea if it was the same when Len would have been there!

 


#161:  Author: GemLocation: Saltash, Cornwall (holidays), Aberystwyth (termtime from September) PostPosted: Thu Jul 29, 2004 9:53 pm


Good point, Cumbrian Rachel - ignore that last post, Jennifer! We need many more years of letters. Decades - no, centuries of letters!! *g*

 


#162:  Author: jenniferLocation: Sunny California PostPosted: Fri Jul 30, 2004 5:37 pm


Letter to Felicity Manyard, from Oxford
Sept 18, 1959

Hi Flixy,

I'm glad to here you're ready for a new term at school. Mamma told me
that Jack is second Hobbies Prefect, and that you're in her dormy. I
think she'll make a good hobbies prefect, but it seems just yesterday
that she was your age, and getting into mischief. Try to keep out of
trouble this term, won't you? You don't have to outdo Felix.

Have fun with your ballet classes, even if Lucy has decided to stop
doing it. You need to decide what *you* want to do, and go for it.
Try to be patient with that new girl, Carol. It's her first time away
to school, and she sounds like she's probably very homesick. Take
her to visit Mamma, that will probably help.

I've sent you some pictures, please pass them around to the family the
next time you're home.

Love,
Len

 


#163:  Author: LauraLocation: London (ish) PostPosted: Fri Jul 30, 2004 5:49 pm


I think the CBB may have gone a little psychotic there... is it only me or were there three of those?!

Anyway, I love the "Take her to see Mamma, that will probably help. Again, it shows how she's growing away from her family and maturing (says the 15 year old). Oh dear...

 


#164:  Author: ChelseaLocation: Your Imagination PostPosted: Fri Jul 30, 2004 6:08 pm


It's just you Laura Twisted Evil

I've deleted the extra copies of the post Rolling Eyes

 


#165:  Author: LesleyLocation: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Fri Jul 30, 2004 7:05 pm


Nice little bit from Len to Felicity - she's not lost her responsibility for rest of family has she?

 


#166:  Author: jenniferLocation: Sunny California PostPosted: Sun Aug 01, 2004 9:34 pm


Letter to Rosamund Lilley from Oxford
Oct 22, 1959

Hi Rosamund,

It sounds like you're keeping busy at the greenhouse. I'm looking
forward to visiting you next week. It's been a very busy term so far,
and a break will be nice. Classes are going well, but are
challenging. In addition, I've been tutoring two of the first year
students in basic French: they're having a hard time picking up the
vocabulary, but are eager to learn, and I'm enjoying teaching them.

Ruey is settling in well, although she's finding it a bit overwhelming
at first. She's across campus from me, but I still see her fairly often.
I'm trying not to be too protective: she deserves the chance to settle in
on her own, and make her own way.

I realised this summer that I really do love teaching. The other
student teacher was the opposite: he realised that he likes studying,
but doesn't really enjoy dealing with the students one on one. He's
decided to do translation work instead. It was incredibly tiring,
teaching and preparing lessons. Even being head girl was nothing like
it. However, it was satisfying to see that you had made a difference,
and that the student understood something they hadn't before.

I'd like to be able to do some teaching after I move back to the
Platz. I'm not sure I would teach at the school yet: there are too
many students who remember me as prefect and head girl, and too many
of my younger sisters still to work their way through the school.
Maybe I can do some teaching with the village children. If Mother can
find time to write books with eleven of us, I should be able to manage
some tutoring.

See you next week,

Len

 


#167:  Author: LesleyLocation: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sun Aug 01, 2004 9:36 pm


Interesting - like that Len's thinking for herself! Thanks Jennifer!

 


#168:  Author: MarianneLocation: Lancaster PostPosted: Sun Aug 01, 2004 9:41 pm


Great, thanks
good to hear more from Len. I'm not surprised she loved teaching; i hope that she makes even more leaps and decides to move away from the platz!

 


#169:  Author: ellendLocation: Bow, London PostPosted: Sun Aug 01, 2004 10:37 pm


I love these letters and the way Len is questioning things. Rachel this is great.

How am I going to find time to read all the drabbles and work and genealogy, etc.

E

 


#170:  Author: JennieLocation: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Mon Aug 02, 2004 8:16 am


I'm glad to see that Len is growing up, and deciding things for herself.

 


#171:  Author: SusanLocation: Carlisle PostPosted: Mon Aug 02, 2004 3:20 pm


Len's character just gets better and better. Poor thing she seemsti be worried about her mother objecting to her teaching after her marriage.



(Hope she gives Len the boot!)

 


#172:  Author: jenniferLocation: Sunny California PostPosted: Mon Aug 02, 2004 9:46 pm


Letter to Ted Grantley, from Oxford
Nov 24, 1959

Hi Ted,

First, the good news! Mother had a baby boy: James Andrew Manyard, to
be called Jim. Mother had a hard time of it, and they were worried
for a while, but the baby is healthy, and she's doing well now.
Mother and Father are ecstatic, of course. I'm dying to see him.
When the others were born, we were at school at the very least and
could see them regularly, but this time we won't see him until he's
almost a month old.

My friends at school think it's funny that I have a brother who's
young enough to be my son. Mel pointed out that if Reg and I have
children right away, they'll have an uncle only a few years older than
they are. Mother was younger than I am now when she had the three of
us, and Father was serving in the war. Frankly, the though of being a
mother terrifies me. It seems so dreadfully grown up and permanent.
I know that I've a lot of experience looking after the younger ones in
the family, but that's not the same as having your own.

I think this last term and a bit will be a bit of a slog, but I want
to have a good showing at the end of it. Con and Margot are equally
busy, but enjoying themselves too. Con's still set on writing for the
cinema, which spills over into her free time. The kids back home
think this is wonderful, and keep pestering her with ideas. Miss
Annersley did ask Con if she's like to write a Christmas pageant, and
Con was glad to do so. I've read the rough draft, and it's quite
good. Margot's busy with her medical studies, and is singing in the
choir at her college as well. Ruey's doing well to, and is having
a great time.

Have a good week,

Len

 


#173:  Author: ellendLocation: Bow, London PostPosted: Mon Aug 02, 2004 9:50 pm


Goody a new letter. I like the fact Len is now wondering about motherhood.

Apologies for getting you name wrong earlier Jennifer. I'm easily confused.

E

 


#174:  Author: LesleyLocation: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Mon Aug 02, 2004 10:16 pm


Thanks for that, Jennifer - so no quads for Joey then? Wink

 


#175:  Author: MarianneLocation: Lancaster PostPosted: Mon Aug 02, 2004 10:22 pm


thanks v.much
no quads Shocked





Wink

 


#176:  Author: EllieLocation: Lincolnshire PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2004 1:26 am


Glad to see that Len isn't planning on having babies straight away when (if?) she marries Reg.

 


#177:  Author: LauraLocation: London (ish) PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2004 8:44 am


I'm hoping for if - it's seriously odd that before I came to this board I quite liked Reg.. and now I hate him! Look what you've done to my mind...the same applies to Mary-Lou, Joey...

 


#178:  Author: SusanLocation: Carlisle PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2004 2:46 pm


Len is very definitley wavering about Reg in this. Good!

Thank you Jennifer.

 


#179:  Author: JennieLocation: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2004 3:05 pm


Thank goodness Len is seeing sense about Reg.

 


#180:  Author: jenniferLocation: Sunny California PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2004 9:03 pm


Letter to Margot, from Oxford
Dec 8, 1959


Hi Margot,

Are you ready for the trip back at Christmas? I'm really looking
forward to seeing little Jim. This will be the last Christmas term
I'll be at school. Next year I'll be at the Platz, and it will be you
two who are coming home to visit. Maybe you and Con can stay with Reg
and me, to take some of the pressure off of Mother and Father. Last
year really was too much, particularly during bad weather when we
couldn't get out, and everybody was tripping over everyone else. I
found I missed having my own room.

Mother's been asking when we're having the wedding, but I don't want
to deal with that until my studies are over: I'm much to busy to plan
a wedding at the same time. I don't want a big affair, and I don't
want it to be a school spectacle, so we should have it out of term.
Reg doesn't seem too worried about it, so I'll let it go for now.

It feels stranger every time I go home. The first time or two, it was
just like being home again, but now it feels a bit like I'm trying to fit
into clothing that's too small, even if it is really good to see
everyone and catch up on the news.

I'd better finish this letter, and get to my work. We're planning to
go to the cinema later, and I need to finish this essay first. It's
great fun to listen to Con critique and discuss the film over coffee
afterwards, and explain what she would have done instead. After she gets
settled in Hollywood the two of us should try to go and visit her, before
you take your orders, and need to go where you're sent.

See you soon,

Love,
Len

 


#181:  Author: patmacLocation: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2004 9:09 pm


I think that is called good timing! I didn't plan another visit to the board tonight but .....

I love the realistic way new ideas are encroaching slowly on Len's view of her future. I do think it is realistic.

Most enjoyable and looking forward to more Wink

 


#182:  Author: LadyGuinevereLocation: Leicester PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2004 9:20 pm


Wooo! Yay another post Smile

Nice to see Len concentrating on her studies. My mother was married straight out of university (literally) and I don't know how she managed to plan it! (no, really, I don't) Glad Len is thinking things through.

~LadyG

 


#183:  Author: Ellen PostPosted: Tue Aug 03, 2004 10:17 pm


I was married straight out of uni. However I handed the organising over to my mother (it's more her sort of thing anyway). I just had to turn up for the dress fittings and agree to venues and the like. Oh and speak to the priest. She's about to arrange Tweeny's christening (mainly so my husband's grandmother can attend, if I did it she'd have to travel halfway acoss the country which at 90odd might be a bit much).

I'm enjoying this story. Hope there is more soon.

 


#184:  Author: MarianneLocation: Lancaster PostPosted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 8:41 am


yay!
another post!

 


#185:  Author: LulieLocation: Middlesbrough PostPosted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 8:59 am


My mother married straight out of uni too. She met Dad there, but hers was a 4 year course, and his was 3, so he graduated a year before. I don't know how she organised it, but I think her mother did a lot of stuff. From things she said she wanted things a lot simpler than they were, but Grandma insisted on certain things, so Mum let her get on with it!!!

 


#186:  Author: SusanLocation: Carlisle PostPosted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 2:00 pm


Mmm Len is really not sure is she? Hope she sees sense before it is too late!

 


#187:  Author: AliceLocation: London, England PostPosted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 5:03 pm


I'm doing something similar to your parents Lulie, I finished university a year ago but Richard was on a four year course so he's just finished. We're getting married in September. I'm just glad I'm finishing work a week before the wedding (in order to go and be a student again), it'll give me a bit of time for organisation.

I have the week off work this week and it's making me dream of having lots of time next year when I'm not working full time - not what it will be like in reality I'm afraid!

 


#188:  Author: jenniferLocation: Sunny California PostPosted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 11:57 pm


Letter to Josette in Australia, from Freudsheim
Dec 28, 1959

Merry Christmas to everyone in Australia!

We're snowed in today, so I'm catching up on letters after the general
chaos of Christmas. Do you miss Swiss winters in Australia? It was a
good visit, but pretty cramped. All eleven (well, twelve now)
of us are here this year, plus the Richardsons, Marie-Claire and
Erica, but no one from the school this time, thank goodness. I don't
know where we'd have put them. Jim is adorable, and doesn't seem to mind
being passed from pillar to post. Mother did say that she thinks she'll
stop at an even dozen, and isn't threatening quads for now.

Thanks for the photos of the little ones. They're growing fast, aren't
they. Sybil's son is sweet too, he has just her colouring. Did
you all have a good Christmas?

Josette, I want to ask you something personal, so please don't talk
about this to the others. Do you regret getting married so young and
starting a family? When I was 18, and getting ready to leave the
Chalet school, it seemed so natural. I like Reg a lot, he's a really
nice man, and it is a good match. But after these years away
at school, I realise how much there is to do and see. Oh, I realise
that getting married doesn't mean that I can't do anything else, but
the Platz is such a small place, and everybody there already knows me
and my family. I don't think I'll be unhappy here, but I don't know if
I'd regret not trying other things first.

Sorry to ramble on, but I'm feeling a bit confused here.


Love,
Len

 


#189:  Author: Lisa_TLocation: Belfast PostPosted: Thu Aug 05, 2004 12:01 am


ooooooh!!! Len is starting to think!!!! good! More please, Jennifer!





(Just one minor niggle. British people do not normally say 'school' when they mean 'uni/ college'. That seems to be an American/Aussie thing) Laughing

 


#190:  Author: jenniferLocation: Sunny California PostPosted: Thu Aug 05, 2004 12:16 am


Lisa_T wrote:


(Just one minor niggle. British people do not normally say 'school' when they mean 'uni/ college'. That seems to be an American/Aussie thing) Laughing


Drat, and I'd finally gotten the college/university nomenclature figured out for the US. Embarassed

College in Canada means a community college (technical programs, plus
possibly some university courses, but not able to grant degrees)

College in the US generally means a degree granting university, but is usually referred to in the context of undergraduate degrees.

And, if I remember correctly, a college in the UK could also mean a college within a university. Is that right?

Out of curiousity, how would people refer to your year in the UK? Americans use the Freshman/Sophmore/Junior/Senior, while Canucks would say 1st year, or 4th year, as appropiate.

 


#191:  Author: patmacLocation: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Thu Aug 05, 2004 3:34 am


So many nations divided by a single language! We usually say 1st, 2nd and 3rd year.

I like the way Len is confiding in Josette who married young - though at least she's not stuck on the Platz. I'd love to know what Josette replies Wink

 


#192:  Author: LesleyLocation: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Thu Aug 05, 2004 4:31 am


Very interesting - and natural that she should ask Josette - they are fairly close in age.Thanks Jennifer.

 


#193:  Author: Kathy_SLocation: midwestern US PostPosted: Thu Aug 05, 2004 6:01 am


*finds the quibbles interesting but thinks Len’s slips could be attributed to polyglot English at the CS * (heresy!)

On the college/university question, if you ask an American student where she’s going to college, you normally mean where she plans to earn her B.A./B.S. Americans never say they are going “to university” (unless they’ve been reading too much CBB Smile ), although they may go “to the university” or “to the U,” if they live in a state with one major State U. When it comes to names of institutions, “college” and “university” have become almost synonymous, after a rash of colleges renaming themselves universities around the seventies. A college is more likely to grant predominately undergraduate degrees, though some prestigious Ph.D. granting institutions still call themselves colleges for historical reasons. A university normally grants higher degrees and/or is composed of colleges – though the colleges may be mere organizational units on a single campus. The U at which I just went on sabbatical claims 45,000 students, with a roughly 7:2 ratio of undergrad to grad students. On the other hand, the university in whose College of Liberal Arts and Sciences I teach is heavily undergraduate, with only about 4500 students -- but officially became a university after absorbing several other colleges during the Depression.

More please, Jennifer?

 


#194:  Author: LadyGuinevereLocation: Leicester PostPosted: Thu Aug 05, 2004 6:24 am


Quote:
And, if I remember correctly, a college in the UK could also mean a college within a university. Is that right?

Out of curiousity, how would people refer to your year in the UK? Americans use the Freshman/Sophmore/Junior/Senior, while Canucks would say 1st year, or 4th year, as appropiate.


There are several meanings of college

1. A college within an institution like Oxford, but as far as I know you'd never refer to it as 'going to college'

2. Some thing for age 16-18 (or in some areas 14-1Cool that replaces sixth form.

3. A University College, that cannot give it's own degrees and is connected to another univerity to do so (like Buckinghashire Chilterns University College is connected to Brunel university)

We all refer to university as university or uni. I know I corrected a lot of Americans when they asked how school was going after I was already done with what I consider school Smile It is quite different. my university had 20,000 students (I was amazed when I saw!) of which half were undergrads and hald were post grads.

Year names are definitely done as first year, second years etc, and first year and third year have definite connertations (sp?)!

I love the way Len turned to Josette!

~LadyG

 


#195:  Author: GemLocation: Saltash, Cornwall (holidays), Aberystwyth (termtime from September) PostPosted: Thu Aug 05, 2004 7:19 am


Ditto Lady Guinevere's post - college mainly refers to A-Levels, for ages 16-18, and university is just called uni, whether it's made up of different colleges or not.

Wonderful to see that Len is beginning to think for herself! Also relieved to know that Joey has stopped threatening for quads Smile

 


#196:  Author: patmacLocation: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Thu Aug 05, 2004 7:25 am


We had the same rash of 'new' universities in the 70s some of which, to confuse matters further, were originally called Polytechnics before that!

A further confusion is a subject school within a university. Alan teaches in the 'Lesley Silver School of International Business' or something similar, named after a generous local self made millionaire who donated a lot of money.

Oh, and some teachers at uni get uptight at being called 'teachers' and insist on being called 'lecturers'. Status hunters, I suppose!

 


#197:  Author: JackieJLocation: Kingston upon Hull PostPosted: Thu Aug 05, 2004 12:21 pm


Very good Jennifer, although both instances of school in that last letter I read to mean the CS, but it might just be me.

More please

JackieJ

 


#198:  Author: Sarah_LLocation: Leeds PostPosted: Thu Aug 05, 2004 12:58 pm


I went to Magdalen College, Oxford University. I'd always say I went to uni, but for everyday usage, I used to say college e.g. "I've been shopping in town and now I'm going back to college", or "My college has a bop (disco) on tonight". Oxford and Cambridge are collegiate universities, that is they are comprised of about thirty separate colleges. All the colleges are pretty independent. They have their own social scenes and libraries and you'd do most of your studying within the college, though the university runs lectures and the public exams. Your loyalty is first to your college, and then to the university. Generally, though, university to me means where I was between 18-21, and college is where I was between 16-18. That all sounds incredibly complicated, but I'm not very good at explaining clearly. Oh, and whilst first year at uni would be called first year, the first year students often get referred to as freshers and the final year students can be finalists.

 


#199:  Author: ChelseaLocation: Your Imagination PostPosted: Thu Aug 05, 2004 1:20 pm


Quote:
3. A University College, that cannot give it's own degrees and is connected to another univerity to do so (like Buckinghashire Chilterns University College is connected to Brunel university)

So does that mean that UCL and University College Dublin, for example, do not grant their own degrees? What Universities are they attached to?

 


#200:  Author: Guest PostPosted: Thu Aug 05, 2004 1:32 pm


UCL is attached to the University of London, along with places like King's College, the Royal Holloway and Imperial.

http://www.ucl.ac.uk/about-ucl/history/uol/

 


#201:  Author: Sarah_LLocation: Leeds PostPosted: Thu Aug 05, 2004 1:33 pm


Ooops, that was I. Very Happy

 


#202:  Author: Ellen PostPosted: Thu Aug 05, 2004 1:35 pm


Some university colleges can grant their own degrees. For example Bangor University was the University College of North Wales, Bangor. Now I think it is simplly University of Wales, Bangor. I think that Dublin grants its own degrees.

 


#203:  Author: AllyLocation: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Thu Aug 05, 2004 1:42 pm


Jennifer, I have just caught up on this, and I like the way you are expressing Len's doubts.

I did my undergraduate degree at Royal Holloway, and my postgraduate at UCL, both of which are part of the University of London, and they grant the degree. I think perhaps because London geography means the colleges are more spread out, and colleges have become affliated at different times, the colleges get refered to as individual institutions. I would say I attended UCL, not the University of London.

 


#204:  Author: AliceLocation: London, England PostPosted: Thu Aug 05, 2004 2:45 pm


I'd agree with what's been said above but also point out that as well as sixth form, colleges can be further education colleges for people to go back to study.

At my university (Kent) we had four colleges and everyone was attached to one of the colleges, most people living in one of them in the 1st year (not me...). You could get involved in college activities but for me Darwin College was just somewhere I collected my internal post from.

 


#205:  Author: SusanLocation: Carlisle PostPosted: Thu Aug 05, 2004 2:51 pm


Glad Len felt she cou;d turn to Josette. Looking forward to Len's thought on Josette's reply.

 


#206:  Author: RoseaLocation: Edinburgh PostPosted: Thu Aug 05, 2004 4:12 pm


Ally wrote:
I did my undergraduate degree at Royal Holloway, and my postgraduate at UCL, both of which are part of the University of London, and they grant the degree. I think perhaps because London geography means the colleges are more spread out, and colleges have become affliated at different times, the colleges get refered to as individual institutions. I would say I attended UCL, not the University of London.


I have an MSc from SOAS which is also part of the University of London and my degree certificate has both University of London and SOAS on it, so I think your degrees are kind of from both. I agree tho, I only say university of London to explain to people where SOAS (its the School of Oriental and African Studies) actually is. There is also strong inter-college rivalry.

But not the point really! Loved Len's letter to Josette, and the way she is reflecting on her choices. Looking forward to more.

 


#207:  Author: jenniferLocation: Sunny California PostPosted: Fri Aug 06, 2004 8:32 pm


Letter to Reg Entwistle, from Oxford
Feb 1, 1960

Dear Reg,

I think this is the hardest letter I've ever had to write.

When you asked me to marry you, I was still just a schoolgirl. You
were a nice man, who was kind, and a friend of my parents, and you
weren't my brother, or cousin, or a foster sibling. I've come to
realise over the past two years that this isn't enough to base a marriage
on. I don't really know who I am yet, and I need to know that before
I become someone's wife.

I've also re-learned that I love teaching, and I want to do that for a
while, and use this degree, before settling down somewhere. I think
I'd like to teach in a day school, where I don't have duties in
the evenings. You're settled in the Platz, and I'm sure now that I
don't want to move back there when I'm finished my degree, or teach at
a school where everybody knows me and my parents, and my aunts and
uncles and my siblings and my cousins.

I do regard you as a good friend, and I hope that we can still be friends,
and that this doesn't hurt you too badly. I've sent a letter to my
parents, as well, explaining this, so you don't have to break the news to
them.

Len

 


#208:  Author: AngelLocation: London, England PostPosted: Fri Aug 06, 2004 8:35 pm


*is glad she isn't at the gathering yet*

*bit sniffly from the post*

 


#209:  Author: GemLocation: Saltash, Cornwall (holidays), Aberystwyth (termtime from September) PostPosted: Fri Aug 06, 2004 10:37 pm


Aw! That's so sad for Reg, but I'm so glad. A couple of years knowing each other as brother and sister isn't nearly enough to base a marriage on.

*also glad am not at the Gathering yet - sure everyone else will be extremely mad when returning on Sun*

*off to write drabble for Gathering* Very Happy

 


#210:  Author: Sarah_KLocation: St Albans/Leicester PostPosted: Fri Aug 06, 2004 11:52 pm


I'll third being glad I'm not at the Gathering yet Smile Poor Reg, I imagine it would be a hard letter to read (pretty difficult to write to).

Thanks Jennifer

 


#211:  Author: patmacLocation: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Fri Aug 06, 2004 11:55 pm


I'm glad she's written that, though I wonder how her parents will react!

Lucky for us non-gatherers that some of our members are far flung!

Thank you, Jennifer. I'm really enjoying watching Len grow up.

 


#212:  Author: SusanLocation: Carlisle PostPosted: Sat Aug 07, 2004 12:40 am


Thank you Jennifer nice that we have new posts while the others are away.
So happy Len finally realised and wrote this letter. Though I do feel a bit sorry for Reg, it is just as well to find out now than later.

 


#213:  Author: ellendLocation: Bow, London PostPosted: Sat Aug 07, 2004 9:18 am


Great letter. I look forward to seeing what comes next.

Ellen

 


#214:  Author: LauraLocation: London (ish) PostPosted: Sat Aug 07, 2004 10:18 am


I'd like to see the letter in response to the presumably frantic letter she will receive from Freudesheim (does that make sense? I think so... Confused )

 


#215:  Author: EllieLocation: Lincolnshire PostPosted: Sat Aug 07, 2004 11:02 am


And that Laura, is exactly what I was thinking!

And while I wouldn't go as far as to say I'm glad I'm not at the Gather, there are at least some consolations.

I'm glad Len wrote that letter - judging by some of the earlier ones their relationship seemed to be a bit luke warm so hopefully Reg wn't be too upset.

 


#216:  Author: LesleyLocation: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sun Aug 08, 2004 5:14 pm


Thank you Jennifer-also very interested in seeing letter in which Jack and Joey's reaction is explored.

 


#217:  Author: Kathy_SLocation: midwestern US PostPosted: Tue Aug 10, 2004 3:30 am


*shows a lot of thought on Len's part!*
*likewise interested in the responses of all concerned -- or, more to the point for this drabble, Len's responses to the responses*

 


#218:  Author: MarianneLocation: Lancaster PostPosted: Tue Aug 10, 2004 9:18 am


Very very interesting
i wonder how Reg and parents will react?

 


#219:  Author: GemLocation: Saltash, Cornwall (holidays), Aberystwyth (termtime from September) PostPosted: Tue Aug 10, 2004 9:29 am


*thinks Joey's and Jack's reactions will be totally different so a complete "parent" reaction will be impossible*

 


#220:  Author: jenniferLocation: Sunny California PostPosted: Tue Aug 10, 2004 6:25 pm


Letter to Joey Manyard, from Oxford
Feb 8, 1960

Mother, please! I know that you're upset, and disappointed, but I'm
not going to change my mind, and this isn't a 'just a phase I'm going
through.'

Yes, Reg is a nice man, and responsible, and a good doctor, and I know
that we've known him for years. There's nothing wrong with him. I'm
not ready to marry *anyone* yet. Even you didn't get engaged until
you were 20 and had been out of school for a few years, and had that
trip to India. If it hadn't been for the war, you'd have had to wait
even longer to marry. Auntie Madge was 26 before she married Uncle
Jem, and had founded the Chalet School.

I'm just thankful I realised this before I went into a marriage I
wasn't ready for. It would have been much worse if I had married him
first. You always taught us that marriage was a sacred bond and
shouldn't be taken lightly. Someday I'd like to meet someone, and
have a marriage like you and Papa, but that man is not Reg, and the
time is not now.

You didn't need to tell Mary-Lou to come and talk some sense into me
either. I told her to mind her own business. I'm an adult now, not a
Middle who's gotten into a scrape and needs a good talking to.

With my mind firmly made up,

Len

 


#221:  Author: RoseaLocation: Edinburgh PostPosted: Tue Aug 10, 2004 6:28 pm


Fantastic!!

That was great Jennifer, thanks.

 


#222:  Author: LesleyLocation: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Tue Aug 10, 2004 7:00 pm


Good for Len - to tell both Joey and Mary Lou to butt out!!!

Thanks Jennifer. Laughing

 


#223:  Author: LadyGuinevereLocation: Leicester PostPosted: Tue Aug 10, 2004 7:55 pm


Ooh, what a fantastic letter! I love it! (I'd pick out one piece to mention, but I can't as it was all so good!)

Wonderful!

~LadyG

 


#224:  Author: EmilyLocation: Land of White Coats and Stethoscopes. PostPosted: Tue Aug 10, 2004 8:06 pm


Yay! Woohoo, go Len! Am having such conflicting thoughts over Jennifer's Len and LadyG's Len, it is so difficult! But loving both drabbles, of course.

 


#225:  Author: LadyGuinevereLocation: Leicester PostPosted: Tue Aug 10, 2004 8:10 pm


Emily wrote:
Yay! Woohoo, go Len! Am having such conflicting thoughts over Jennifer's Len and LadyG's Len, it is so difficult! But loving both drabbles, of course.


don't forget Ciorstidh's as well! (did I spell that right?) I keep worrying that I'll step on someone's toes. But all the Len's are quite different! Smile Which is very good Smile

~LadyG

 


#226:  Author: Ruth BLocation: Oxford, UK PostPosted: Tue Aug 10, 2004 10:36 pm


Go Len! Go Len!

*Does a happy drabble dance and promptly falls over on her face in excitement*

 


#227:  Author: Amanda MLocation: Wakefield PostPosted: Tue Aug 10, 2004 11:25 pm


I'm so pleased for Len - I'd love to see Joey's face when she gets THAT letter from Len Laughing

Star Wars

 


#228:  Author: SusanLocation: Carlisle PostPosted: Wed Aug 11, 2004 10:36 am


Thank you Jennifer that was lovely. Nice to see Len being so mature, trust Jo to try and rallly the troops like that. Yay that Len wasn't talked round.

 


#229:  Author: GemLocation: Saltash, Cornwall (holidays), Aberystwyth (termtime from September) PostPosted: Wed Aug 11, 2004 11:25 am


Ruth B wrote:
*Does a happy drabble dance and promptly falls over on her face in excitement*


*giggles at Ruth but helps her up*

Thank you, Jennifer! I love this Len Very Happy

How are Con, Margot, Nell and Hilda taking the broken engagement? I personally think they'd be quite relieved, but I'm not sure. I'm certain they'd be more understanding than Joey and Mary-Lou appear to be!

 


#230:  Author: MoraLocation: Lancaster PostPosted: Wed Aug 11, 2004 12:18 pm


It's great to see her growing up.

 


#231:  Author: ellendLocation: Bow, London PostPosted: Wed Aug 11, 2004 12:55 pm


I loved the letter to Joey. Brill!! Len has good reasons why not to marry; she isn't ready.

I giggled out loud at work (during lunch hour) and got funny looks from colleagues.

I look forward to the next letter. Will someone support her in her decision?

Ellen

 


#232:  Author: Sarah_LLocation: Leeds PostPosted: Wed Aug 11, 2004 1:00 pm


I actually think Reg will be supporting Len. He must have realised they didn't have much of a relationship.

 


#233:  Author: Claire BLocation: NZ PostPosted: Thu Aug 12, 2004 8:36 pm


Loving it - more please!

Going way, way back (I've only just joined), I'm in the middle of my first away from home experience now, on a gap year here in the UK. It's really strange not having someone telling you what to do. Like Len, I found myself thinking "What if Mum dosen't like it?" Then I realised she's not here and I can do what I like - and I've cut my hair!

More, please (have I already said that?)

 


#234:  Author: patmacLocation: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Thu Aug 12, 2004 9:05 pm


Trust Joey to send OOAO round! that was a very firm, very polite but absolutely definite rebuttal of parental interference. Good for Len!

And good for Jennifer for a superb drabble Very Happy

 


#235:  Author: jenniferLocation: Sunny California PostPosted: Fri Aug 13, 2004 3:44 am


Letter to Jack Manyard, from Oxford
Feb 10, 1960

Thanks for the phone-call Papa, I really appreciate it.

I do realise I sprang this on you both very suddenly, but it took me a
long time to figure out how I felt about everything, and I just
couldn't face telling you in person. Yes, I am sure.

Please, try to keep Mamma calm. I know she wants us to be happy, but
I'll only be happy if I'm following a life that I'm sure of. She had
to come to terms with it for Con too, and she's happy for her now.

Love,

Len

 


#236:  Author: LesleyLocation: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Fri Aug 13, 2004 6:02 am


I wonder if Joey initiated the phone call too! At least Jack sounds somewhat supportive - good for Len.

 


#237:  Author: Carolyn PLocation: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Fri Aug 13, 2004 11:15 am


Glad Jack is being supportive. I'm really enjoying this drabble.

 


#238:  Author: GemLocation: Saltash, Cornwall (holidays), Aberystwyth (termtime from September) PostPosted: Fri Aug 13, 2004 1:13 pm


Glad to see Jack being supportive - I was sure he would be!

BTW Carolyn, is that an actual avatar quote, or is it punishment for putting a photo of Liss in your avatar? I'm thinking it's the latter!!

 


#239:  Author: NellLocation: London, England PostPosted: Fri Aug 13, 2004 1:23 pm


Well as Vikki has the same one I'm guessing the Squeen is showing her displeasure...

 


#240:  Author: jenniferLocation: Sunny California PostPosted: Fri Aug 13, 2004 6:08 pm


Letter to Ted Grantley, from Oxford
Feb 25, 1960

Hi Ted,

Well, Mother seems to have calmed down, but I think she still
secretly hopes that I'll come to my senses. I figure by summer she'll
have become resigned to the situation. She really does mean well, but
she has a hard time seeing that I might want something other than
getting married, settling down at the San, having lots of babies right
away and keeping involved in school affairs. She did tell me that if
I liked teaching, I could keep up with the Chalet school the way she
has and have both. It was almost funny. Her life suits her, and she
really is happy, but it's not for me.

She did tell Mary-Lou to come over and talk to me. I never realised
just how bossy she can be, although she was pretty interfering in that
fracas between you and Margot and me all those years ago. She
told me that that ditching Reg was shameful, and that I was letting my
parents down, and that an engagement was a promise. She also told me
that I was betraying my training as a good Chalet girl, and that I
owed it to the school to make good.

I told her that it wasn't my parents or the school who were marrying
him, and that we were both adults, and she had no right to lay down
the law to me. She then became sweetly sympathetic, and told me that
she understood me completely, and when I had time to think, I'd come
to agree with her, and to come talk to her when I had calmed down.
Somehow I don't think I will. Con and Margot have been wonderful.
Margot skipped out of classes to come over. After I sent the letter
to Reg I pretty much fell apart for a few days, and they helped me
through it, and had me in a calmer state of mind to handle the
reactions.

Papa was pretty good about the whole thing overall. I think he was a
bit disappointed, but realised that marrying the wrong person would be
a big mistake. I think it helps that he was older than Mamma when
they married, and has seen more of the world than she has.

Reg was hurt, but took it better than I feared. He would have gone
though with the marriage if I had wanted it, but he said that when he
saw me this Christmas it really struck him how much I had matured and
changed since I left home. He was planning to come to England this
spring, to see me alone, away from all the family, to talk to me and
make sure we were doing the right thing. That's why he wasn't pushing
to set a definite wedding date. I think we'll stay friends,
eventually, and I hope he finds someone nice some day.

It's a strange feeling. All through university I knew exactly what I
was going to do when I finished, and now it's completely open. It's
frightening, but very liberating at the same time.

I'm looking at prospects for a job when I graduate. I really would
like a good visit home before I start in, but I'll also need time to find
flat and get organised before term starts.

Len

 


#241:  Author: LesleyLocation: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Fri Aug 13, 2004 7:34 pm


Wonderful letter! Think Len's reaction to Mary Lou was wonderful, and how good that she recognised how interfering ML had always been.

Glad Con and Margot were both so supportive, and Reg was accepting.

Thank you.

 


#242:  Author: AllyLocation: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Fri Aug 13, 2004 9:17 pm


Excellent thank you. I'm glad Len has good support, and she realises that she can ignore Mary-Lou.

 


#243:  Author: ellendLocation: Bow, London PostPosted: Fri Aug 13, 2004 9:58 pm


Another great installment. I'm glad Margot and Con were supportive and Len obviously has Ted on her side too.

Excellent!!

Ellen

 


#244:  Author: Carolyn PLocation: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Fri Aug 13, 2004 10:22 pm


That was wonderful!



And yes, the status is Liss' revenge! I quite like it, I needed some peace and quiet after all, school holidays are frantic.

 


#245:  Author: Helen PLocation: Cheshire PostPosted: Mon Aug 16, 2004 10:31 pm


This is great! (I'm on a mammoth catching up session after being away for 10 days).

Len is maturing really well and it's lovely to watch it happening.

 


#246:  Author: JennieLocation: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Tue Aug 17, 2004 2:50 pm


I would appreciate another letter.

 


#247:  Author: VikkiLocation: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Tue Aug 17, 2004 3:08 pm


Q


there you go Jennie! One letter!!!! Wink

 


#248:  Author: JennieLocation: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Tue Aug 17, 2004 3:31 pm


Thank you, Vikki, deaaaaahhhhhhhh!!!

 


#249:  Author: VikkiLocation: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Tue Aug 17, 2004 3:47 pm


You're very welcome, Jennie, my love! Wink

 


#250:  Author: SusanLocation: Carlisle PostPosted: Thu Sep 02, 2004 10:09 am


Thank you for that Jennifer. So nice Len had her sisters support and that Reg understood.

Looking forward to the next part now. Wonder if Jo has really accepted Len's wishes?

 


#251:  Author: BookwormsarahLocation: Cambridge, UK PostPosted: Fri Sep 10, 2004 4:58 pm


Just bringing this to the surface again in the hope that we can see some more!

<smiles hopefully>

 




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