Gubby Under Pressure

The letters 93 be pleased when today week comes and we set sail for New Zealand. I remember being miserable four years ago at that thought and perhaps I still will be but I doubt it. I have not yet cabled to the M.C.C. about staying 3 weeks in America as I am waiting to see if any trouble breaks out. Nothing goes wrong as a rule when one is winning but when there are sorrows to drown trouble might start. However I feel at present that I have simply got to have a longish holiday or I will never look up again and so will almost for certain send the cable soon after I reach New Zealand. I still don’t know what that date will mean I shall reach England but whatever happens I shall be back before May 26th as I must play at Lord’s that day. If all goes according to plan I shall stay in California about a fortnight and meet Jock Forbes in Vancouver on May 4. He has arranged a trip through the Rockies stopping off at Banff and somewhere else for a day each arriving in New York about the 10th. I should then either sail on the 15th in the Empress of Britain reaching Southampton on the 22nd or in the Queen Mary on the 19th arriving on the 24th. I came up here last night after 3 hectic last days and nights in Melbourne feeling a complete wreck but I don’t mind how rotten I feel for the next few days I shall sleep it off on the boat going to New Zealand. This is a pretty unattractive place all except the cricket ground which is really surprisingly pretty. Must stop now. I will finish this off up in Sydney. Sydney, March 8 It is raining as usual so I will try and finish this off now while I have time. I arrived early yesterday morning and after writing several letters went out to lunch at Rose Bay Golf Club with Dick. Had tea with Herbo and Jack who were both in good form. After that Herbo drove me down to Thaxted where I talked to Mrs Wasey and Mr Wasey who is very lame and remains in his room (Rather I should say your room). Thaxted is a very nice house and the view from the upstairs room is most attractive. I was again very surprised to find so few steps. I thought there were at least 30 to 40 but there are only about 10. When I was in Melbourne last week I met the man who owns the station adjoining Elton Hills. He tells me Elton Hills, that place you loved so much, is a good property and the present owners have built a charming stone house in place of our wooden shack. I forgot to say that during my wanderings yesterday I met Willie Jay, who looked very well, and he took me in to see Valerie and Robin and Valerie’s 2 daughters who are very nice children. Dick Allen was there so it was quite like White Lodge days. Robbie has gone home in the “Orion” and though he did worry me to death I shall miss him terribly as he always has something funny to say. The Victorian Cricket Association gave me the most lovely present. A set of onyx and pearl waistcoat buttons, cuff links and shirt stones mounted with white gold. I think they are the nicest set I have ever seen. Now some bad news for you though I am very pleased about it. The team have given me a lovely SILVER cigar box - more cleaning dear! dear! I have had hundreds of letters from all over Australia full of sympathy. I think I made a pretty good and slightly sad speech at the end of the match and it touched some of the old girls out here as most of the letters are from that type. Also had letters from Edith and Charles Lamb. Though perhaps I should not say so, I think I have developed into quite a good speaker. I am amazed as the idea used to simply terrify me. Now I never even make a note until I go into the room and don’t turn a hair. I think probably my impromptu ones have been the best such as the one at the close of the Tests. No more news. My best love to Dad and thank him for his cable too. It was sweet of you to send them: I was very touched as you will have to get at least 2 grand slams to pay for it. Very best love Obbie P.S. Please ask Dad to give the 2 enclosed letters to Plum to deal with. Letter Twenty-Six Huddart Parker Line M.V. Wanganella March 15 1937 Darling Dad,