2110-7-11-18

GOVERNOR-GENERAL'S TRAIN CANADA

29th August, 1936. Vancouver Station.

My own sweet Mother

The birthday present from Nan and Walter arrived safely. I am deeply grateful. It has set me up in handkerchiefs and socks for a long time. I am afraid my great age has been a little too much advertised here, as you will see from the cuttings.

We are approaching the end of our stay in Vancouver. It has been extraordinarily pleasant, and I have not found it too heavy although I have done a lot of work. I have had the usual reminiscences of ancient days! - A women who was once Margaret Page tells me she was baptised by my father at Pathhead. Also the head gardener of Stanley Park here is one Dickson, son of the gardener at Glenormiston! Yesterday two duchesses descended upon Susie magnificently dressed, who turned out to be our old Carnwath maids, Annie and Mary! They are coming to see me tomorrow. I have finished all my speechifying, and as usual my audiences have been far too kind to me. I had a most delightful dinner at the Vancouver Club last night, where I addressed all the magnates. They are extraordinarily kind people here with something which Eastern Canada has not got - a kind of mirthfulness and sense of adventure. No wonder; for this is the most incredibly beautiful city.

I am opening the new headquarters of the Seaforth Highlanders this afternoon, and then we are going up to dine with the

Lieutenant-Governor on the top of Grouse Mountain to see the sunset. Tomorrow I am reading the lessons in the church of St. James, which is newly opened. Stella Lady Reading is coming to breakfast with me, and then I am seeing the Elibanks for half an hour before church.

The boys have been out staying at the Lieutenant-Governor's ranch, playing polo and enjoying themselves enormously. This is much better for John than staying in the train in the city. They both turned up yesterday morning and we went over the huge lumber mills on the Fraser river.

Tomorrow evening we start for the Rockies. Monday we spend at Kamloops, where I get an afternoon's fishing, and then we go by way of Banff and Lake Louise to Calgary, where I shall spend four or five days. I want to see the King's ranch, and also to take a long ride. After that Susie and Alastair depart for Ottawa, and I begin my long motor-tour in the worst parts of the Prairies. I believe this will not be so bad as I feared, for they have had some good recent rains, and the prospects for stock are better.

My returns of discomfort now come at longer intervals and I am feeling very much more vigorous. As you will see from the caricature which I enclose, people think here that I am looking very well. Tell Walter the number of Hutchie ^Hutchinson school^ boys I have come across here is extraordinary.

This is a scrappy letter just to catch whatever boat may be going. I am steadily moving nearer to you now, and my letters should be more frequent. I do hope you are sleeping well and having a quiet time at Broughton. We are always thinking about you.

Much love. John