Down our way the term 'the old man' is used to refer to your father. It denotes admiration and not disrespect.
Sinc ethe early 1950s the old man has been working as a furnace bricklayer for a Dutch company with an HQ in Rotterdam called Derro Enamels. His trowel has been taken all over the Continent ("Harwich for the Continent, Frinton for the Incontinent"), and sweat from his brow has fertilised the soil of France, Germany, Belgium, Holland, Finland, Yugoslavia, Portugal, Rumania, and Italy. According to his Derro manager Turkey will be the lucky next recipient of dollops of his salt-scented perspiration.
The postcards sent back to the prefab are lined up on the mantelpiece. Most are black and white, but now and again there is one which is in full colour and with curled edges as well. Typical postcard views show villages nestling under mountains or people strolling around splendid city squares. It is clear that the old man has a special liking for ones which show grand buildings such as opera houses and concert halls. When you look at them it is hard to believe that - just a few years ago - this was a continent which was being soaked in the blood of mass slaughter!
The writing on the back of the postcards is always in blue biro and in neat capital letters. On the right-hand side is our address:

24 Newtin Road
Twiverton
Somerset
England/Inghilterra


On the left-hand side will be one of the following phrases. Either "LOVE FROM ME" or "ALL GOES WELL."