c/o Fleet Mail Office,
Box 512, Kilindini.
Dec. 3./42.

Dear Mother and Dad,

I hope these things are getting to you as frequently as they are getting to me. I have been writing one a week which is our ration of these things. There is not much to tell you but I know you are always glad to hear from me. It has become extremely hot and sticky here and it is most uncomfortable. We wear khaki shorts and shirts and after one day they are not fit to wear But I usually try and do three days in them because of the laundry charges and also because I have not enough of them to go around. The rainy season seems to be over for a while which is one blessing at any rate. I might as well tell you that after this letter there will probably be a big gap in my letters as I am going on a trip. It will not be any longer than I can help. I cannot tell you any more about it at this time. But do not worry about anything. There is nothing dangerous at all and I am always careful. – We are flying two seat aircraft at the moment and I have a chap called Appleton as my observer. He is a funny chap with a very broad Lancashire accent but is a good observer which is all that really counts. I had another week-end last week at the Mumford’s. We had the same kind of a time as last time, tennis and good food. Most of the time. The tennis did me a lot of good although it was very hot. But I am getting fat and any exercise is good which tends to get some of it off. Back home as you know I wasn’t very keen on exercise but here it is much worse. For most of the day it is just too hot to bother with anything except lying on the bed with your clothes off. It is the only way to stay at all comfortable. We are all tired of Tanga and will be glad to get out of it for a bit. When we first got here there were not many of us and it was rather pleasant but now it is hotter and there are too many people. The mosquitoes are worse, too. Tanga seems to be one of the places where you cannot even say that it might be better in peace-time. – Our food, too is getting bad. Tonight I could not take the meat so I had a spoonful of mashed potatoes and a piece of bread and gravy. I’m not starving but I do like decent food. It is just this place I am staying at. They have a black cook whom they are getting rid of so it should be better then. All other places in Tanga seem to give you good food so we can go out on occasion. Christmas will be over I expect by the time this gets there. I hope Phyllis and Ed and Jane were able to get down for it. It would be grand for you and I hope that you are not too worn out after the Christmas rush, Dad. If you had no watchmaker it would be tough all my love comes with this once more. My greetings to the Boomers and Kelmans,

Love,
Hampton.

[at top of page:] P.S. what did you mean about Jean and Gordon bringing up their children by modern methods.