Post from Camp

The girls have been away now for over two weeks. Their absence is really being felt particularly as we have no way of speaking with them as that is strictly forbidden! So we really have no idea how it is going. The only form of communication available to us is letter writing or the good old US postal service.

For Sven this period has been particularly long as Maya too has been away in the wilds of Canada and completely out of radio contact. This is the first time he has been unable to contact any of his three girls and it is an adjustment for him, as it would be for any father!

Sven and I hoped that the little girls might write. After the end of the second week, we were beginning to lose hope and had to wonder if we would hear anything at all! Then, Saturday morning, a very small envelope arrived. It was from camp.

Sven put the letter down on the table as we were finishing our lunch. He did not open it. After a little while, I finally said, 'Are you going to open that letter any time soon?' 'Oh!' He said, 'of course. Do you want to do the honours'? As if he had really forgotten about it!

I took the much-anticipated little letter and opened it. Imagine, the envelope was no bigger than 4" by 4". The letter inside had been folded down to be no more than the size of a quarter dollar.

I unfolded the small piece of paper and began to read:

'Dear Papa,

Do you know Zooey' address?

Please write back if you know her address.

Much love

Allegra'

That was it. We just had to laugh.

We have since received two more pieces of communication from Allegra. A slightly longer letter and another small envelop that was short .79cents postage with two seashells and another request for an address. This time for Savannah's.

We heard from Aurora yesterday. Maya is also back in the UK and has been in touch.

Papa is feeling much better now and by all accounts, Camp is going very well.