Gubby Under Pressure

Nothing very exciting has been going on on board. I have played a bit of bridge with the Wallesons and an old boy called Carson who is an exceedingly good player and apparently one of the real Kings of English bridge. Those lousy competitions have now started and one can never get a court to play with anyone with whom one wants to play but I have kept my head. I have not entered for the competitions but have made friends with the captain who has the tennis court reserved for him every afternoon from 4.0 to 5.30 and I get 2 sets a day like that. I didn’t go ashore at Port Said on Wednesday, as I went to bed late the night before and didn’t wake up until very late and it was dreadfully hot. I am afraid this is a very dull letter but it is too hot to think and I really don’t believe there is any news anyhow. The blotting paper on which I have been writing is quite wet and I am sweating like a pig. Honestly it is incredible but I am enjoying it all the same. Love to Dad. Best love Obbie I believe you move out of the flat either today or tomorrow so will send this to Scotland House. Let me know your new address. Letter Four S.S.Orion October 2 1936 Darling Dad, I will try and write you a chatty letter today but what there is to say I don’t know as beyond the usual ship’s gossip there is no real news. We had the fancy dress dance last night and Robbie and I gave a cocktail party before it. Judging from the noise and laughter I think it must have been a huge success. The Hartingtons came and were both charming especially Lady H who enjoys everything but is rather shy. Leslie Ames dressed up as Hitler and was absolutely magnificent. I stayed up very late in order to see that nothing terrible happened: the party ended by Voce taking off his shoes and socks and joining the deck hands washing the decks. The team’s behaviour so far has been perfect and I am sure there will be no trouble. After Colombo we are going to start getting fit and I am still of the opinion that that is the right policy to adopt as we have 10 days in Perth and the 1st Test is not until Dec 3. It is very easy to train off. We go ashore at 8.0 tomorrow morning for an official breakfast, of all terrible things, tomorrow followed by lunch with the Governor so I suppose that means a couple of speeches from me. We had a very nice morning at Aden thanks to two of Dickie’s friends, Wing Commander Cocking, who was Dickie’s best man and Wilson. They came and fetched about 14 of us who went out and bathed at their club. I spend most of my time on the boat with the Wilsons, Dick and Pauline, a girl called Joan Ranking and Robbie. The latter has no regrets that he came on the trip so far, of that I am quite sure and he is most amusing. Howard is very nice indeed, most efficient and very popular with everyone. Maurice Leyland is much better and I hope will be fit to play about the end of October. This is a better ship than the Orantes but I don’t think it is quite as well run and my cabin steward is not as good. There could never be another Blight who incidentally wrote me a charming letter wishing us all luck and saying that he wished we were travelling in the Orantes. I am now off to play my hour’s daily tennis with the captain. Give my very best love to Mum. I suppose you are now in your new address. I wonder what you have decided to do. Best love Obbie Letter Five S.S.Orion Oct 11 1936 Darling Mumsie, We are still 2 days out from Fremantle but I am going to try and get all my letters finished off today as I am sure to have a lot to do at the last minute. On the whole we had a good trip and I think I have enjoyed it even more than last time despite the weather which has been cruel from the very start. The heat in the Red Sea The letters 72