March 4, 1996

Dear Mr Plant,

I was very surprised by your letter dated 11-2-1996 and I am glad to know you are in good health. I am sorry to read that your eyesight is not so well.

We had a severe cold winter, which is not ended now. At night it is freezing. This gives me more work in the chickenhouse, and if I tell you that in April my age will be 76, you can understand I don’t like extra work. I had always a boy, helping me 2 hours a week cleaning the chickenhouse, but these days boys don’t like to work so I do it self. I still do some judge jobs each season, but no so far from home. I send you a photo made past year.

I don’t know if I wrote you that my husband died August 1989. This changed my life. I have reduced the number of the chickens by not breeding them, I reduced the number of judge jobs and I have a bit help in the house and the garden. I sold the car; my late husband always drove the car and I could not find the spirit to drive the car myself; it is very busy here with cars and trucks. So I go by bus and train. My daughter visits me each Sunday and my 3 granddaughters are doing well, the first is married and is a Dr psychology, the second is studying for nurse and the youngest (18) is finishing the high school and want to visit Australia before the University.

You are welcome here with your Italian friend. If you come in the Netherlands by plane, you can take the train to Utrecht and from there a stop train to Geldermalsen. The rest you should go by car. If you go by car you take the A-2 and take the exit Waardenburg. This is the easier way. I had earlier visitors from USA and then we picked them up the airport. I have a guestroom with 2 beds. My phone number: 0418-651452.

From the exit of Waardenburg you go left to the roundabout and there you take the way to the right. This is the Steenweg. My house is the second left side, a brick house, between 2 white houses. I like it to meet you.

My youngest granddaughter planned a long trip to Australia after she finished school. We have family in South Australia and in Campbellfield. But I believe she takes a job on several places to see the country.

I do not much on writing, I answer letters but take not initiatives for articles or booklets. I have no time for it. I am slower and need some rest after I did my work.

I do hope you’ll have a good time on your trip to Europe and may be see you later.

Kind regards,