maths

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With love from Giza, Egypt (1983)

with-love-from-cairo

Hi Hilary (Coochi coo) Beast on the front gave us a sore arse change of writing – my (Rob’s) from lying on the floor of the Sultan Assmet mosque in Cairo, discussing Christ’s relationship to Allah (love I suppose). Were at the pyramids yesterday – impressive! Climbed one of them – what a fantastic view. Cairo is horrible & smelly – but good in the dingy bars. Made it thro. customs ok & black market rife. I’m back seeing as Rob can’t spell. Cairo is too fucking expensive, hopefully Luxor and Aswan will be better. hope everything is okay. c u soon love Andrew  Yeh! c u when I get back, lots of love Rob xx

Written by two people this card requires careful reading in order to comprehend the stream of thoughts that are pouring forth from both! In the early 80’s Cairo was still quite an exotic place to visit, popular with travellers – Rob and Andrew seem to be immersing themselves in the culture.

Sadly, recent events have impacted on tourism in Egypt.

The post mark date 8.8.83 is clearly visible.

I met Rob and Andrew at 6th form college – we were all in the same A’ level maths group for two years and in all my memories of those lessons there is laughter.  Somehow, the teacher, Mrs Horner, demonstrating calculus from first principles, combined with the personalities in the group resulted in endless fun filled afternoons! I have lost touch with Rob…

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with love from France (1981)

With love from Paris

16/9/81  Dear Hilary, just a quick card to explain the lack of correspondance in reply to your last letter. As you can see Vanessa and I are in France and we are now working on a vineyard near Orange in the Rhône Valley. The last few weeks in England and the first week here have been hectic with no time to write letters. However, I hope Norway is proving a Hunky Dory place to live, and the kids are settling down, with a bit of luck we can meet at xmas. I shall write a letter soon, love Andrew

Post marked ’84 Bollene Vaucluse 17H30 16-9-1981′ which is in southern France some distance from the Sacré-Coeur featured on the front – it is unclear whether the card was bought in Paris or locally in Bollène.

A mini update, where more news is promised, from a friend who was working and travelling his way round Europe.

 

Andrew was also in my maths class at sixth form; an articulate contributor to any group discussion, maths related or otherwise, he was smart and held firm political opinions. Andrew wrote many letters and cards to me with details of his travels which I relished and appreciated during my time in Norway. We subsequently lost touch, but did reconnect, via the wonder of social media, a few years ago; didn’t quite get to the point of a face to face meeting though!

 

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with love from Buckfast Abbey (1983)

With love from Buckfast Abbey

26/4/83 Dear Hilary, It was really good to hear from you and to know that everything is going okay. Your card was very lucky to get to me as it seems I didn’t leave my address with my parents and only went home on the spur of the moment! I thought I’d send you a card although I don’t live in Buckfast – well just around the corner and I can see the Abbey when I go running! Life is just about okay but the college is a drag! Will write a letter soon Lots of love, Duncan x

This is post marked ‘South Devon 27th Apr 1983’ and obviously had enough postage on to reach me in Cyprus, where I was living at the time.  In 1983 the Post Office are still requesting us, via the other postmark, to ‘Be properly addressed POSTCODE IT’; this is 9 years after the final introduction of the postcode!

There has been an Abbey on the site at Buckfast, on the edge of the River Dart since 1018 The market town of Buckfastleigh is nearby.

In the late 70’s we finished school at 16 and either started work, went to Technical College for vocational qualifications or, as I did, went to 6th Form College to study A’ levels. Duncan was in my maths group; there were several lads from his school in the class and I remember them all as being taller and more mature than the boys from my school; they were also brighter with wicked senses of humour. I therefore relished maths lessons because they were such good fun, the teacher was excellent and we all learnt a lot. Duncan and I snogged on at least one occasion; we stayed in touch via letters and cards for some years, but sadly I have now lost touch with him…