Gubby Under Pressure

the best XI which we have never done yet it may be better than anyone expects. I have not yet been to see the great Aunts or Aunt Bee but I have dates arranged with them for tomorrow and I won’t fail to see them before I catch the train at 7.40 to Brisbane. I have seen Uncle Arthur a few times and went to the Warwick Farm Races with Uncle Reg on Saturday. Colin Stephens, as pompous as ever, won the big race with a nice little filly and was very pleased about it. A horse Uncle Reg bred was 2nd in one of the races but I did not back it, I know better than that now. I spent all last Wednesday cruising about the harbour in a lovely motor yacht which the whole team was lent by a kind but common old thing, called Mrs Palmer. I must say it is a wonderful way of seeing the place but I don’t believe you would recognise Darling Point or Point Piper they are so built over now. Denis is as charming as ever but I just hate going inside his house as it makes me feel so depressed. His little son Pat is sweet and adores Denis which is the great thing. Denis and Dick are going to fly up to Brisbane to see the first few days of the Test match. People say Denis still gets a bit down in the dumps at time but I have not noticed it: in fact I think he is very gay and invariably has someone in tow but it may be all ‘bluff’. Dick’s small son, Timothy, is full of character and not bad looking I thought but I must be wrong as Dick tells me he is just like he was at that age. Must stop now and go and take some exercise. I may add a few lines before posting time tomorrow. Later Have been out and seen all three Aunts and really enjoyed my afternoon. They were all very anxious to hear about you and to know how the change was working. Aunt Bee looked exactly the same as she did 4 years ago and still looks very young and is ludicrously like you. Once or twice when I first arrived there I had to shake myself to make quite sure that I was in Sydney and not Sussex Place, London. The great Aunts were in great form and have quite forgiven me, I think, for telling them 4 years ago that Australia was very much to blame for the trouble re ‘body-line’. I feel much better for my rest and it looks as though I shall have to be 100% if we are going to do any good at Brisbane. Very best love to you and Dad Obbie P.S. A car of one’s own out here does make a difference. Many thanks for letter which arrived by ordinary mail today. Good to hear Pat is so well. Letter Twelve Queensland Club Brisbane Nov 29 1936 Darling Dad, It must be my turn to write to you as I don’t seem to have done so for ages and though the air mail doesn’t go for another 2 days, I think I will start now. There is no real news but there never is when one is in Brisbane except about his Excellency the Governor. He came to the reception which was given for us on the first evening and made a nice speech in which he mentioned the Thaxted days. Bob, Robbie and I dined at Government House the following evening and went to a soiree with Sir Les and Lady Wilson who sent you both their love. Today (Sunday) Robbie, Ken Farnes, Verity, Barnett and I motored down to Sir Les’s bathing hut at Southport where we spent a lovely day in the sun and the sea and came back in time for dinner. Only Sir Les and one of his A.D.C.’s and our party were there and I must say it was peaceful. I have had no late nights since I left Sydney and am feeling fully recovered as the result. I am now in full training and haven’t had a drink for 12 days or smoked for 10 days. I decided not to play up here in the State match as there were so many others who were trying to play into form (in vain, I fear, at present) and I have had a good share of it to date. They put up another really bad display of batting in the first innings but though it may sound ridiculous on the face of it, I really believe the tide is turning. What is so good is that the whole side simply refuse to be down-hearted about their failures and are really beginning to think things out for themselves. We shall certainly be a scratch The letters 80