A fishy tale and cold comfort

Thursday was bright and sunny, so we went to Borehamwood for shopping, and also had fish and chips in our usual cafe. We asked if they had a box, so that our cat could have our left over fish skins, and they said that if some fish had been cooked that was not served for half an hour they do not give it to a customer, but we could have it for the cat, and not pay anything for it! I expect we will go there more often for lunch.

Later I went for a walk and when I got back Florence phoned and chatted for a while. In the evening it was unusually peaceful as the cat was in the garden, eventually we went out to call him and hearing his plaintive reply we found he was shut in our shed. He was overjoyed when he was released.

Mas had to go off to the dentist's this morning, so I spent time teaching the cat how to go through the cat door with the flap down as the weather forecast says it will get very cold. With some trickery using his laser light toy I got him used to the cat door being closed.

When Mas came back we went to Stanmore for a few essentials, and the weather became really cold. I spoke to Diane, and discovered that she has had the 'flu', but was on the mend.

Decorative paw prints and day out

On Tuesday Mas had to go for physiotherapy for his arm again, so I took the opportunity to try and vacuum off the muddy and also sooty paw prints that are tastefully decorating our oatmeal coloured carpet, cushions and white windowsills. Salty has ventured up the chimney a few times, luckily not while the fire is alight!


I talked to Pete who saw Carl off on the train; fortunately he is feeling a little better. Pete on the other hand is not feeling very well, and decided not to come up to London tomorrow.


Today we went up to St. Albans and met Tania and Robert in the Waterend Barn, and had lunch with them and caught up on their news before finishing our shopping and going home. Tania had knitted one of her hats for Mas, and one for Pete as well.


Later I spoke to Toby who has been having health check ups, and will have to have some dental treatment. Mas and I watched Pie in the Sky and The Bill which had an interesting story this time.

Blood tests and electric cat

Monday morning and Mas had to be at hospital by 9.00am for a blood test, then had to wait there for another one after two hours. I managed to get Salty to use the cat door by throwing his toys through it.

Mas came back very hungry after his fasting blood tests, so we went out to The Man in the Moon for lunch which was a nice break. Later I took a long walk, and got back as it began to get dark.

Playing with Salty in the gloom I touched his nose which gave out a sizable flash of static electricity, but it did not seem to bother him.

He is now going in and out of the house every few minutes, and came back one time completely soaked, but dried off quickly. Shame about all the muddy paw prints though.

Fussy cats and grumpy detectives

This week was mostly spent cleaning house with Mas trimming back overhanging trees. We went to The Man in the Moon a couple of times, and I have discovered that they serve organic tomato and basil soup with a hot baguette which is really delicious and quite inexpensive.

Interspersed with all the chores Mas has been watching Battlestar Gallactica and Wanted Dead or Alive. I have been trying to go for a reasonably long walk each day, and have noticed that the Mahonia is in blossom, and a small almond tree near home is also covered in delicate pink flowers....intimations of spring!

Having finished the cat door we taped the flap open until Salty became familiar with his new way in and out. I tried various ways of making him come through the hole, and even resorted to trying to push him through, but he held onto the doorway with all his fingers and toes, and became a struggling mass of claws and teeth. I reported this back to Mas, who said that Salty did not like the cat door because:

• The tunnel is too long
• It is too small
• The wind blows in his face

• It is the wrong colour!

Mas said he felt like going for a long walk on a short pier, or in heavy traffic!

One evening we watched an old 'Ironside' tape with Raymond Burr. I thought that David Jason in 'A Touch of Frost Frost' was grumpy enough, but Ironside could grump for the Olympics.

Spoke to Pete and found out how ill Carl was while staying with him and was sorry to hear it.

Cat dust

We let Salty out into the garden, and he spent a long time outside climbing trees, and calling plaintively from time to time. Mas fixed a new washing line for me, and I cleared out the largest planter in the conservatory as Salty had been using it as litter tray as the soil is nice and soft.

I spoke to Diane and later we watched The Bill again, and Mas is watching Battlestar Gallactica when he is having rest breaks.

Today was very dreary dull weather. My computer began the horribly familiar clicking problem, turning itself off to protect itself frequently. We have already taken it to be fixed for this, but evidently the problem just retreated for a while, only to pounce out again when least expected. I heard from Joan and Chris, and spoke to Pete.

Mas began drilling and cutting a hole in the cavity wall of the conservatory to put in a cat door. We could not put it in the kitchen door as it is made of hardened glass. I am going for walks every day to keep fit, and have a break from the cat, and hopefully next week I will have the time to do longer ones.

We continued in this way all weekend until the whole house was filled with first grey and then red brick dust, and Mas having many changes of cloths and showers. I swept up, and vacuumed dust up, but the curtains, walls and every surface was dusty including the air. Once the dust finally settles I will have to do an intense early spring cleaning session. Who would have thought that having a kitten would make so much work!

We watched some 'Dead or Alives' and an old funny film that we like with John Candy in it called The Great Outdoors, we also began watching a new series called Hunter

A foggy day and a fluffy sweater

Today we woke up to a foggy morning, and after breakfast let Salty out into the garden by himself for a short time.

We then drove carefully through the mysterious foggy landscape to St. Albans where we met Tania and Robert. For a change we went to the Waterend Barn; we had not been there for a long time, and Tania was hoping they would have a nice open fire going. This barn was originally built in 1610, but is now a restaurant and bar. We had a nice meal, but the fire was not lit!

Below is a corner of the ladies lounge where they can repair their makeup and share secrets.

Tania and Robert gave me a lovely angora sweater and card as a late birthday present , and Tania had knitted a hat for me too!

We got our groceries and drove home safely. We watched a 'Pie in the Sky' episode, and later a gruesome 'The Bill'.

The East in Elstree and heroic train driver.

Yesterday morning I decided to go into hospital for the blood test that they would need tomorrow, so saving time. This was done, giving me a chance to get in more walking, and I got home around lunchtime. To break the monotony Mas and I went to Elstree, to an oriental restaurant called The East. The restaurant was very pleasant, and we resolved to visit again, when the weather is nice, as there was a lovely view overlooking rolling field, and a terrace to eat out on in the summer.

I was evacuated to Elstree during the war as a young child, and when there I always wonder which house I stayed in at the time, but cannot remember.

In the evening we watched a Sherlock Holmes with Jeremy Brett; he was such an interesting actor to watch.

Today we got up early, and I went off to hospital as planned, but did have to have a further blood test. I will not have to visit hospital again until the end of April, when I will have another scan. I walked up to Hampstead, and caught the tube home. Just outside Edgware the train stopped, and we were told that there had been a signal failure. The train driver kept us informed, and was talking to us the whole time. After half an hour we were told the train would be reversed, and we would go back to Burnt Oak station. We were all moved up to the carriage nearest to the driver, and we set off with him driving extremely slowly and tooting the whistle every three seconds. When we arrived and got out we thanked the driver for his care, and we all got a bus back to Edgware.

Mas in the meantime had gone to have physiotherapy on his arm and shoulder. I spoke to Florence, and she told me one of her friends went to change a light bulb before Christmas, and had used a ladder. The light bulb she put in popped, and she fell off the ladder breaking an arm and a leg! She is still in hospital. Ladders always seem so dangerous.

Mas found the physio very helpful, and will go back in two weeks, but has exercises to do until then.

Garden work and Legal Eagles

Today Mas and I went into the garden with Salty. It was cold and bright, Mas was sawing cut off branches and I swept leaves and cleared away all kinds of debris for about an hour. In the meantime Salty climbed five trees several times; he still finds it difficult to climb down the trees, and once I saw him peering down from a tree with his mouth in a comical '0' shape, and he had, at one point, to be rescued from a shed roof.

Later I walked down to Edgware, as fast as I could, for exercise, bought Mas a fleece sweater in a sale and a TV guide, and walked home again. Mas, meanwhile, was putting up a new washing line for me. I need not have bothered with the TV guide as there was nothing on that interested us, so we watched an old video with Robert Redford in it called Legal Eagles which was entertaining.

Exciting and chilling times

We woke up to another cold and frosty morning, and after breakfast let the cat out into the garden. We both went out with Salty, just in case! He went all round the garden sniffing everything, and then went up a little fir tree very quickly, but had trouble climbing down and after letting us know how difficult it was, he fell down from it, but it was not far. Next he shot up a Hawthorne tree, going up to the thinnest twigs, and then began meowing desperately as he could not get down. By now I noticed that it had begun snowing; just little needles of snow.

Mas went off and got the ladder, extending it fully. I tried to stop him as he has a history of falling off ladders, but he would not listen, and with me holding the the bottom he went as high as he could, giving instructions to the cat about how to get down, as you do. Eventually Salty got closer to Mas, and with encouragement jumped onto Mason's shoulders. It was at this point that, with the cat still balancing on his shoulders, Mas began to lose his trousers which were descending faster than he was, and I had a chance to admire the goosebumps on his buns as the snow brushed past them.

Salty was so happy to be rescued that he was vibrating with joy, and we all went in to get warm again, and Mas and I to have a cup of tea. After this adventure Salty slept most of the day, and I had a chance to do some cooking. Amongst other things I made some rock cakes, only to find out that Salty likes them so much he would steal them if he had the opportunity.

Chores, hospital mix-ups and music

On Thursday I received a letter and calendar from my friend Heidi, who lives in Basle, which was a nice surprise. Apart from that, Mas and I had a busy but rather uninteresting day doing housework and fixing up the garden fence still, and I went for another walk. In the evening we watched The Bill which seems increasingly depressing each week.

On Friday Mas was supposed to go for a blood test, but there had been a mix up, and as he had not been fasting it had to be rearranged. He did manage to finish the fence repairs though. We went to bed late, and I could not sleep so listened to music on the radio, Through the Night with Jonathan Swain, and luckily he played Janacek's String Quartet, number one, which I really like.

Talking to friends and family(not the monkeys)

On Tuesday Glen called in and had a sherry and biscuits, and told us what a nice time she had during the holidays with her daughter and family who had been visiting her. Afterwards I went for a walk, the longest I had done for a while which pleased me. Mas was making repairs to our fence in preparation for Salty being let out into the garden. I was having a rest later, when Manu phoned, he is looking forward to getting together one evening soon.

Today we had lunch in Stanmore, after doing a few chores and shopping, and sinfully watched an afternoon film on TV. Pat phoned, and later so did Toby. He and Romy really enjoyed their holiday in Guatemala, going into the jungle and looking at Mayan ruins. It must be interesting to hear Howler monkeys in the morning rather than birds.

Frightening games and unexpected meet up

Yesterday we both sorted things out, tidied up, and generally updated things for this year, and relaxed. I was making the bed, and throwing a light cover over Salty as he likes rolling around and fighting under the blanket. During these games I panted at the cat like a dog, and all his fur stood on end. I calmed him down, but his tail stayed puffed up for about twenty minutes.

After a late breakfast, Diane called and asked if I could collect her from the hospital today; the hospital would not carry out the procedure if she was alone. I had also been trying to phone the hospital on my own account, so I went to my department and sorted that out before meeting Diane. We went to the 'Ask' restaurant in Belsize Park, and had some soup and caught up on each others news, which was nice, before making our separate ways home on the tube. The weather is still very cold. Later I took down the few decorations that I had put up.

Communications, cat business and enjoying presents

Yesterday, Mas and I received our Christmas present from Pete, and a card from Diane. I spoke to both of them too. Generally we relaxed, but we did go out to buy a better kitten collar from Boreham Wood, as the previous one we had bought was not very good, and had 'Salty', and his phone number engraved on it. We began watching one of the episodes of 'Dead or Alive' that Steve McQueen made, which Mas enjoyed out of nostalgia, followed by a Battlestar Gallactica.

Today, Mas without a struggle, the cat got his collar put on which he made no fuss about. I also gave him a worm pill which he ate as if it was a special treat. Mas spent time clearing the garden, and I had a long talk with Florence, and caught up with some e-mails. Strangely Salty began sitting like a white Meerkat today, on his hind legs with his paws dangling in front of him.


The weather is cold, and we have mostly been hibernating indoors watching the fire and television in the evenings.

New Year's Day in Hertfordshire, in spite of misdirection

Today, we set off for Monika and Oktay's house, just before lunchtime. I was feeling apprehensive as we always get lost, but Mas was feeling very confident as we had a google map print out. After driving for what seemed hours, and asking for directions at two different pubs, by accident we came upon the right road, and arrived at our destination, shaken but not stirred.

Everything was bright and cheerful, and little Radovan was dressed in a Father Christmas suit.

Milan was explaining things in his biology book!

Monika made a really nice meal and for the main course had roasted, cooked, barley together with mushrooms, chicken and onions and served with yogurt and pickled gherkins. (I got the recipe from her later). We had a lovely day with them all. Little Milan, at one time, was playing cards with Oktay, and talking his own made up language, and saying "pampoosh" expressively from time to time. This seems a very useful word to me, and I think I will adopt it too!

Later than intended, Mas and I tore ourselves away, taking lots of tasty pastries, sandwiches and yogurt with us. Oktay, unconvinced that we would find our way home, drove ahead of us, crossing many roundabouts on the way, until we reached the M25 roundabout. We waved

Oktay goodbye, and immediately shot off, taking the wrong exit, which Oktay saw.

Driving in unpredictable directions for a long time, we eventually surfaced in Radlett, and thankfully drove a familiar way home. When we pulled up, Mas said what hairy journeys we had made today! We received a warm welcome from Salty, and after some time Oktay phoned to see if we had made it home, or had gone to Bristol instead!

Birthday with Mas, Pete and Salty

Pete came up to see us yesterday, and we sat about chatting and catching up, and generally relaxing as Pete was feeling under the weather with a cold. Mas made a nice meal, and for the rest of the day we lurked about cheerfully, Pete playing with Salty from time to time too.

Today is my birthday and Pete gave me Olivier Messiaen's Quartet for the End of Time. Maheena called round with a present, and I gave her one for Varun as it is his birthday too.
Mas, Pete and I went to The Man in the Moon for lunch. It was so nice to have a glass of red wine that tasted of red wine, and things seeming normal again. After this we got a little shopping which included a cat collar.

When we were home Pete and I listened to my new CD, and when he and Mas went off to watch something on the TV, I made some banana bread. Later Mas made a nice meal, and we watched a Battlestar Gallactica, and put in some more earnest relaxing.

Funny festive feast

On Saturday Mas was feeling rather depressed and end of yearish, but we did our usual things and tried to have a reasonable day in spite of this, and watched something on TV in the evening.

Today, Sunday, we went to Tania and Robert's home at midday, as we had been invited for lunch together with some relatives and friends; in total there was nine of us. The weather was cold and bright, and when we arrived we joined the others and had some welcome mulled wine and mince pies. We all chatted while we waited for the Christmas dinner to be served; Tania's relatives were laughing a lot, and we soon found out why.

Apparently Tania had bought such a huge turkey that it would not fit into her oven, as she also wanted to roast some vegetables. Seeing the dilemma, Tania had secretly dug a huge hole in the garden the previous day, as you do, and put in some charcoal.

Today she slipped out of bed before Robert was awake, so avoiding inevitable criticism. She then set fire to the charcoal and placed the turkey into the hole and covering it carefully, and filled in the hole with earth again. The relatives kept asking Tania to open it up, to see how it was going, but as Tania pointed out it would let all the heat out. I was shown the site where the turkey was planted, and a thin trickle of smoke or steam was rising from the soil. There were many jokes about the turkey having the Last Rites, and people tapping their watches and laughing. The smoke alarm went off twice, adding to the hilarity. Eventually Tania dug up the turkey, only to find that it had not really cooked all through; one of the friends gave an imitation of how the turkey looked. As a precaution Tania had also cooked a small turkey without legs, and diner was soon served with all the festive fixings to go with it, and was delicious.

After this Tania bought in a traditional Christmas pudding, complaining that it would not catch fire as she had poured lots of rum on it (more laughter), and then a cheese cake with chopped fresh fruit in it; when asked what the fruit was, Tania replied that it was fresh piss, being unsure of the pronunciation, which caused another burst of laughter. Thinking about this later I suspect it was Persimmon, or Sharon fruit. Then to top this, a meringue was bought in with pomegranate and passion fruit sprinkled on top of it! At this point it would have been impossible to eat anything else, and we did not need the big turkey!

When sitting down later we had some champagne and Tania showed us the small winter hats that she had been knitting, most too small for a human head, and, by this time all restraint had
gone, and a new crop of jokes was produced with more laughter.

I think Tania is one of the most generous people I know, and she was joining in with the laughter too. I don't think I have ever been to a meal where everyone had so much to laugh about before, and I am sure none of us will forget it.

Christmas day and Boxing day

On Christmas day we were woken at 9.30 am, which is late for us, by a neighbour. We had a very relaxed day talking and watching TV. Pete called, and we chatted for a while. We saw Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, which we both thought was the best of these films that we had seen, and some of the Battlestar Gallacticas that Toby had sent. A cozy day with Salty in front of the fire; we tried out the new laser light cat toy, but he got so excited we had to stop after a short time.

On Boxing Day Monica phoned to postpone our visit as she was, sadly, feeling rather ill, but the boys were feeling better by now. We had a surprise call from Eileen saying that she and my brother Alex would be in our neighbourhood in the evening, and could they visit us, and so they arrived later bearing whisky based mince pies and a bottle of wine. We sat in front of the fire chatting about their holiday; visiting St. Petersburge, Estonia and Finland, while Alex played with Salty.
It was nice to see them both.

Christmas Eve

This week we spent a lot of time watching TV, and contacting friends. On Christmas Eve we went up to St. Albans and met Robert and Tania at the Bua Thai restaurant where as usual we had a lovely meal and had lots to talk about. As we left the restaurant it was getting dark, and the market was lit up, and so were the decorations. It looked very cheerful, sadly I had forgotten to take my camera.

We drove home, and unpacked the fruit and vegetables. Maheena called round bringing Christmas presents, and we had some herb tea and cake, and as usual with Maheena we had a lot to laugh about.

A relaxed breakfast and chats with Monika

Today is worth celebrating as it is the shortest day, and the days will lengthen from now on.

Mas and I went off for an earlyish and slow breakfast at The Man in the Moon, after our usual waking up coffees. It was a nice bright day, and afterwards we got some shopping before returning home. Monika phoned to check her intended menu for Boxing Day, and to try and persuade us to accept a lift from Oktay on that day. Milan was not feeling well, so she said she would phone to confirm our arrangements on Boxing Day.

In the evening we finished watching Pete's Frasiers, and looked at another one of our sci-fi series.

Adventures with Salty

Today as usual, I took Salty into the garden, after a brief but dangerous struggle to put his halter on. He went happily round the garden and he sharpened his claws on several trees, trying desperately to sprint up them all, but being restrained by me. As we were coming back, Mas came into the garden, and before I noticed, Salty had got free from the halter and had rushed to the side gate that leads to the front garden and road, and I rushed after him. Salty turned to face me and hissed, which was a first for him, and surprised me too!

Later Mas was sitting in the kitchen chatting, with Salty on his knees, and they were both watching me while I took the lentil and vegetable soup I had made, and put it in the blender. Without thinking I turned on the blender which is very loud, and the cat sprang upwards and backwards and was plastered on Mason's face which had also caused Mas to do one of his startled jumps for which he is rightly famous. The cat shot away, and it was along time before Mas and I could stop laughing, and go to find him.

In the evening we began watching Battlestar Gallactica which Mas had been looking forward to.

Sherry with Glen and a small party with friends

On Friday Glen came round as planned during the morning and we had biscuits and sherry and generally put the world to rights.

At seven we walked round to John and Margaret's where eleven of the usual suspects were gathered. As usual they had prepared a wonderful spread of tasty party food which we all enjoyed. We all had a really nice time chatting, and we suddenly discovered it was almost midnight, and went our separate ways home.

When we arrived home, we found that Salty had taken off all the small decorative birds that Tania had stuck on the holly wreath that she had given us, and had carried about a dozen of them all over the house, and there were toys strewn about everywhere too.

Knee deep in the North Sea with Barra Brieth and presents

On Monday morning the postman delivered a beautiful book that Diane had sent. Mas spent time on the computer and eventually fixed the problem. The next day was raining and dreary, and Mas had a bad back ache all day, and rested it a lot. In the evening ,after washing up I listened to Late Junction which is a radio programme I really like as it features world music, ancient and modern; one of the tracks I liked was by the Portico Quartet called Knee Deep in the North Sea http://www.babellabel.co.uk/

On Wednesday Glen called in bringing a large Barra Brieth, Welsh spotted bread which is fruity and delicious; she was surprised at how large Salty is now. Mas received a present from Romy and Tobe which pleased and surprised him. I went for a short walk posting letters and delivering cards to neighbours.

Misbehaving computers,cats and unusual animal parade

The computers were misbehaving all day and it seems that AOl were having problems too, so this kept Mas busy and frustrated most of the day. For a break we watched Merlin and later the dreary Wallender again.

On Monday I received a lovely surprise Christmas present from Diane, so I phoned her later, and she seemed in very good spirits which was nice too.

Salty on the other hand, seemed to have disapproved of the economy litter we had bought for him to use, and had dug up a planter in the conservatory and used that, but he had obviously enjoyed using earth and had thrown it all over the floor and window sills with great enthusiasm. I put it all together again, covering the earth with black plastic and orange peel, and put the more expensive litter back in his tray!

Joan sent some pictures, one with this unusual horse, a Gaited Leopard Appaloosa who is 26 years old.

This is a Bernese Mountain Dog. Every year in a village not too far away from where they live there is an All Animal Christmas Parade, but it is possible to see the owners and talk to them.

Optimistic hospital visit and general cheerfulness

We got up fairly early today as I had to go to the hospital again. Mas gave me a lift to the station and I took the tube to Belsize Park. Once in the hospital I went to the general surgery clinic and saw a surgeon and we discussed my progress. It was decided that I should have various tests next year, and a follow up appointment in June. I will be monitored by my usual department in the meantime, and have contacts should any problems arise. I left feeling optimistic.

As it was a nice day I walked up through Hampstead, calling in at the Post Office on the way, and being generally pleased that I was alive and a lot of things seem right with the world. I went home and had a catnap with the cat.

On Saturday we went shopping and had lunch at The Man in the Moon where it was surprisingly quiet for a Saturday,but it was pouring with rain. Later I spoke to Diane who seemed rather cheerful, and later to Toby who was also cheerful.

We watched a very good Italian film, which we are hoping will be a new series, called Inspector Montalbano. It showed lots of interesting scenery, and the characters were very nice and unusual. This caused us to stay up much later than usual, but we still had to play Salty's special mouse game before we could go up to bed!

Swiss surprise and a harnessed cat

This morning we received a package from Switzerland. Christian sent us a series of CDs he had made for us which we will enjoy looking at. Monika phoned with another kind invitation.

As Salty enjoys going out so much that he trembles with joy I made him a harness to wear so that he can walk about in the garden rather than me holding him. Just now we are frightened to give him full freedom until he is older and can find his way home again.




















In the evening we watched Quigley down under which starred Tom Sellick as a cowboy in Australia. This was an interesting film which showed the abuse of the Australian native people by the settlers, but in a fictional format.

Hot meal and cold shopping

On Wednesday we drove off to St. Albans, and got our shopping from the market early as it was very cold. We were happy to meet up with Tania and Robert and drink some nice hot jasmin tea in our usual Thai restaurant and have lunch. Tania had bought us a holly wreath that she had made for us, which will be the first decoration we put up.

When we left the restaurant it had got even colder, all the traders were blue, and on the fish stall the fresh fish were frozen rigid and I knew how they felt! It was 3° as we drove home. We had a beautiful drive home, the sky was translucent with the afterglow of the sunset, and there was an almost full moon in the sky.

We were glad to get indoors and have a hot cup of tea before we put our groceries away.

Vet visit

On Tuesday morning we put Salty into the cage we had borrowed from a neighbour and drove off to the vets in Boreham Wood. Salty went through his entire repertoire of meows, biting and scratching the plastic cage in between.

Once with the vet, Salty was the model of sweetness and good behaviour which lasted until we were back in the car again. The vet gave Salty an injection in his neck which he did not seem to notice at all, and we left with a worm pill to give him in two weeks time.

Irish hospitality and over eating.

On Monday, as arranged, we picked up Margaret and John and drove off to Hendon where we were meeting Christiane and Eddie at an Irish pub called The Claddach Ring. We had a lovely three course meal together, wearing paper hats.

Christiane and Eddie had bought Christmas gifts with them, and we had a very cheerful time. We were all so full, that we had to take home the mince pie that was served with the coffee to eat much later. We certainly did not need an evening meal either. That was a fun occasion.

TV fest and wild turkeys

Sunday 7th, we got some shopping.Later I began to do some of my Christmas cards; Mas has already done most of the family cards. We watched 'Allo 'Allo and Diagnosis Murder for an afternoon break.

In the evening we watched another episode of Wallender which, to me, is rather like watching paint dry, especially as everyone seems reluctant to answer a direct question or act spontaneously, and we have to go through every nuance of facial expression before any action is taken. Apart from that it is gorgeous.

Joan sent pictures of wild turkeys taken through her kitchen window!

The postman called while we were having breakfast. I received a parcel from Tobe and Romy containing some beautiful wool made by the Fleece Artist in dark bluey greens and some black wool to knit a beret with, and some bamboo knitting needles. I can hardly wait for my hands to be healed enough so that I can begin knitting! Also included in the parcel was enough of my favourite soap to last a year; what a luxury.

Monika, Oktay, Milan and baby Radovan arrived as planned, and we had a lot of talk to catch up with. Monika is frightened of cats, which I had not known, but she let the children play and touch him so that they would not be made to fear cats as well. Salty was on his best behaviour, and although he fights me with tooth and claw was really gentle with the children.



















Later we were invited to go for a Chinese meal in Edgware which we enjoyed. The restaurant was cheerful and busy, and the meal was self service where people were invited to eat as much as they could. I also enjoyed tickling Milan who has an infectious laugh. It was a nice day.