It'll take a little time to decide that. All I get is $9.00 a week. I'll only be working 5 weeks (maybe less) and that will only give me $45.00. My plane fair is $46.00. Which means I have to skimp. I'll only have $17.00 left after you, and about $15.00 to last me till September. I have to pay for everything I need. (toothpaste, kleenex, things like that) I guess I'll have to stop spending.

Well, there's really not much more to tell you except that the weather has been HOT and its so dry here it's awful.

I have to go to Assiniboine park to meet a friend now, so I'll sign off now.

Write me now! okay?

 

my address is: Lesley Astle

c/o Phil Dalgleish

38 Bonita

Winnipeg, Manitoba

I phoned Don and he's |

back in prison for longer.| Take care eh?

Phil let me call him long | miss ya, Lesley, xx (on the cheek)

distance. I wrote Don at jail| oo

and I'm awaiting an answer.|

To Alan: Hi, How are ya-- How's your lungs? How's the Lincoln? Write me if you get the chance. Bye now. xx oo (on the cheek)

 

To Dave: Hi Dave-- How are ya? How's Blackie? Did you have a good time at your cottage? xxxx oooo Bye.

 

P.S. There are lots and lots of Macdonald's here! (8 to be exact) yummy yummy.

 

[I have no memory of a Mary...]

 

July 26 Thursday

Saw 'Chick Corea' and 'Focus (94)' at the Capitol Theatre, Donna treated Ralph and I. We sat in the balcony (center section, row F, seat 105). The amps of both bands were picking up opera from CKVL-FM. Ralph took photos.

 

From the Gazette review by Bill Mann:

 

"...The steamy theatre was full of people whose level of musical and social awareness was higher than at most shows: people sat down, applauded after good solo breaks, and didn't rush the stage or throw Roman candles, a la Forum...

Focus is headed up by two good-natured Amsterdamers, Jan Akkerman and Thijs Van Leer. The latter is an amazing vocalist, an interest keyboard man, and a true virtuoso on the flute. In short, he makes you forget about Jethro Tull: this band has little excess to continually get rid of...

...Focus will likely be around for a long time, and justifiably so..."

 

Letter from Gillian to Ralph, postmarked Leicester, 4 PM, 26 July, 1973

 

Dear Ralph;

Don't tell Harvey that I am not making use of her generous gift [Cathy Harvey had apparently given Gillian writing paper; this letter was an aerogram] but it costs 2 1/2 P (6 1/4 cents) more to send her letters. By the way I do have another adress [sic]. (See return adress, dummy!) Thanx for the letter. You know how nice it is to recieve [sic] them when you're far away. As I expected, the only two of the six people I've written to have answered-- you and Cathy Harvey. Also now I have written to everybody twice. I love writing letters (in case you hadn't noticed [)]. How is Alan? I think I will write to him when I am in the Orkneys. We have our huge differences but he's still OK I guess. I have finally met some seventeen-year old guys (two of them in fact). The lady I am staying with introduced me to one of them. Last night, they took me drinking. By the way, I had to practically kill Abby to get to read the letter. She said it was not to us but just to her. She is mad because I got a letter yesterday and she didn't. So please next time you write, write to us seperately or just to me or just to her so that we don't have this hassle. I hope your summer is going well. It sounds like there are more boring times than good. I hope things start looking up. Soon we start youth hostelling. Speaking of youth hostelling, I just found out that I have relatives and places to stay in France, Germany and Austria. Next year I hope to be able to go to Europe. I think it would be great if you and maybe one other person could do this too. I'm sorry if you think I'm crazy but I guess I am. Your letter reached me in plenty of time. Keep well, smoke well, drink well and (anything else naughty) well

Love + kisses

 

Gillian

 

 

 

94. I first remember Focus from the summer of 1972, with their song 'Hocus Pocus'. Ralph also had the album with that song on it, 'Moving Waves'. This album was apparently released in 1971, but the US release was not until December 1972.