Dearest Dave and Joy,

First of all, a very happy New Year to you all, and every possible good wish for successful and prosperous work during 1949. Then, thank you a thousand times for sending the photo of Joy's drawing to my Mother and Pu. I had letters from them both this morning, and they are so delighted with it. It was angelic of you to do it. You must let me know what the damage was on my return.

The journey out was fascinating and fantastic. I left Heathrow at 8 a.m. on a Thursday morning, and was met by Nols and Mrs Baron at Johannesburg Airport at 7 p.m. the following evening (Friday). It was quite unbelievable; but not nearly so tiring as I had expected. Nols is looking incredibly well: I've never seen him better. He is really almost black now (with sunburn) and though he doesn't quite enter the H.F. class, he is plumper than one would ever have thought possible. We celebrated with a wonderful meal in Johannesburg - melon, gigantic STEAKS, and strawberries and cream! - then drove the 40 odd miles to Pretoria, where I was most warmly welcomed by the rest of the family. Since then I have been lazing, eating, reading, sleeping and basking in the wonderful sunshine, with only an occasional thought for my luckless friends shivering in frost-bound England.

In about three weeks time I shall be going to Durban for ten days; then down to join Nols again at the Cape for the rest of my stay. During the whole of my time I shall be doing at least ten broadcasts; but as this only involves four separate programmes, I don't think it will be unduly exhausting.

Back, I think, by the Warwick Castle, which leaves Cape Town on 8 April and arrives at Southampton about the 22nd. Nols, alas, will not be coming with me, for he has accepted the post of Senior Lecturer at Cape Town University.