Miss D. Henderson c/o Park Hospital Gala St Invercargill New Zealand

46421 Dvr E.A. Henderson 17th N.Z. Gen Tpt Coy 2nd N.Z.E.F. M.E.F

Dear Dorothy, I received an air letter card from you yesterday dated 28th march and was very pleased to hear from you again. I also had one from Maisie and these are the first I have had for just on two weeks, so this is the first of another mail and I will probably get some more this afternoon. How is life treating you these day old dear, O.K. I hope, I see you are still hard at the nursing. I hope you had a good time at Queenstown for Easter, and also that you had good weather for the holiday. I am having a bit of trouble to get 620 films at present as they are very scarce, however don’t worry I will get some soon and will also bring some home

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with me. Next time you go to a dance at Selwyn St remember me to Jeny Gilchrist. I suppose Lenore will be away to school by the time you get this, she must be a way now. Remember me to Mr and Mrs Stevens next time you see them, I hope that Pat has recovered for the scarlet fever. Last Sunday a dozen of us had a picnic we took a truck and went to Fayaum [sp.Faiyum] and Lake Karaun [sp.Qarun]. These places are about fifty miles south east of Cairo, and to get there we travelled across the desert, on a tar seal road for about thirty six miles, and the rest of the road was a mud road which wound along the banks of irrigation canals and through date palms and very fertile land, with all sorts of crops. We had a drive round Fayaum and then had a cup of tea and sandwiches which we took with us, at the gardens. Then we set off for Lake Karaum and went

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to the big hotel. It is a very modern and expensive building but as for the lake and surroundings it put me in mind of the Estuary at home. However all the big shots seem to go there, and just recently Anthony Eden and Churchill met the Arab King. We had a look at the room where they held a banquet. Next Sunday we are having a picnic at the Delta Barrage, and should have another good day. A couple of nights ago five of us went for a walk up to the Observatory which is just twenty minutes walk from the hospital. Next time we go up we hope to be able to have a look at the moon and stars, through the telescope. I am still going to quite a few pictures and the other night saw Wallace Beery in “Salute to the Marines”, which was a good show. Well old dear will have to say cheerio now. Lots of love and kisses. Your loving brother. Eric