My Cat now reads the newspaper and a new cat in the neighbourhood

My cat Fluffy (that is his English name, actually we call him Grögu meaning funny little thing) got on my husband's nerves this morning to say the least. He wanted to read the Solothurner Zeitung (daily newspaper) in peace and quiet whilst I was endulging in one of my Saturday hobbies (was it cleaning the windows or hoovering - can't really remember). In any case Fluffy decided to see what was going on in the world, at least it looks like it. Actually Fluffy is blind, but he still knows what we 2-legged cats are up to and always wants to be part of the fun. It seemed that everytime Mr. Swiss turned the page Fluffy hopped over it and remained sitting on the newspaper.

Eventually we got ready and went hunting in the shops, although I had killed almost everything the day before, so we didn't have to get such a lot. After dinner, the cats were all sleeping, poor things they have such a hard day sometimes, but they now have enough food. We visited the pet shop this morning to buy another 10 Kg of their food. Cost: ninety Swiss Francs, but what we do for our cats. The 10 Kg usually lasts six weeks, so it isn't as bad as it seems.

Mr. Swiss told me that there was a new cat in the neighbourhood, although I hadn't seen it up to now and suddenly there he (or she) was in our garden. All the cats come to our garden up to the kitchen window sooner or later. Probably because they notice that our cat's dining table is just behind the window next to the cat flap. I naturally grabbed the camera, which is always ready (you never know, Brad Pitt might walk past one day) and I took a few photos through the window. The new cat in town gave a little performance of rolling around on the paving outside and hopping in between the plants in the garden. Our big fat long-haired black cat Nera was also in the garden, but she never really picks a fight (she leaves that up to the other two), she was just observing the situation to make sure it didn't get out of hand. We don't know who the new cat belongs to, but susupect a new family that have moved in in one of the new flats they have built. One cat more doesn't really matter, we have about 12 now in the area. Anyhow here she(he) is. And what are our cats doing now? What every good cat does during the rainy days, sleeping.

Back to Work /In Memory of Kimberley

It was back to work today after 11 days holiday. Friday might seem a funny day to start work again, but I didn’t have any holiday left, didn’t want to book a day on overtime and I had the thought that only work a day and another two days off. Everything seemed to be under control at work, although due to the new computer software there were a few problems to say the least. It was just as well I started today as one colleague was on a course and another was ill. I wasn’t bored and I had enough to do.

Actually one thing made me a bit sad. As you may know now and again I tend to write stories about my cats and other cats. I like to use cats I know as I can describe their temprement much better. In one of my recent stories, Reservoir Cats 13 I introduced Kimberley as the mother of one of the cats in the story. Kimberley is one of the cats that lives at the farm belonging to a friend of mine. My friend breeds Persian cats and I have got to know them all with time. She loves her cats and been through many births and illnesses that they have had. Kimberley has been at the farm as a lady cat for at least 6 years. About 6 weeks ago she again gave birth to 6 kittens, the father being Diego, the farm stud cat. After 3 weeks one of the kittens died with a heart problem. At the same time my friend and her family (she has 7 children) noticed that Kimberley had balance problems and kept falling over. She was also loosing weight and so she was examined by the vet who diagnosed a brain tumour. This was so sad, and eventually Kimberley had to be put to sleep. My friend was then left with 5 motherless kittens who, in the meanwhile, had all contracted a virus. The vet diagnosed their illness and gave them the necessary medicine, although they were still not eating. My friend then started feeding them herself with a syringe regularly once every 1-2 hours as she was worried that she would loose all of them.. The little babies were all cuddled up together near the heating system and did not have the strength to eat on their own. Eventually they started recovering and now there are 5 motherless kittens at the farm. Two have already been sold, but are not allowed to leave the farm until middle of December, when they are old enough, and three are still available.

My friend's daughter works in the same office where I work and told me about this this morning. I felt so sad that Kimberley is not longer there, but my friend said that because her mother had been feeding the kittens and looking after them they now seem to think that the family is their mother. They have often had kittens, but never so devoted as they are. When she comes into the kitchen in the morning they are already waiting for my friend's mother and of course the food they get. They are now gradually getting off the milk and starting to eat something a bit more solid. When I looked on her web site this morning and saw the kittens I think I would have liked to have taken them in myself, but my 3 cats at home would probably not be very happy about that. If you visit the web site, you will have to click on "KATZENBABYS" to go to the page with the kittens. The text is in German, but I have more or less said everything here that my friend said. She also mentioned that their father Diego is often together with the babies. He usually doesn't bother so much with his offspring, but probably he realises that the kittens have no mother any more. So now I will go and dry my eyes - I am just a big softie when it comes to cats and kittens.

Reservoir Cats 16

Well I'm not really running out of cats,but I like to base my characters on the real thing. The first photo is of a shop window I saw in town where they sell cat figures and paintings from an artist. The second and third photos show Rubina, a Persian lady belonging to my friend who really is a farmer's wife and breeds Persian cats as a side line on her farm. I love making visits as there are always new kittens to see and I make the most of taking photos. Many thanks to Rubina who is now Gladys - and her kittens of course which were born about a year ago.

One Eyed Fred: How’s my Gladys doing ladies? Anyfing ‘appened yet.
Bobinette: Patience Fred, one thing at a time. At the moment you are the proud father of 3 but she isn’t finished yet.
Kimberley: Fred, be patient. It’s not the first time Gladys has had kittens and we ladies know how to handle things..
One Eyed Fred: Well, after all that excitement, what wiv Grey acting the way ‘e was and Tabby being rescued, it might have been a bit much for ‘er.
Kimberley: Don’t forget Gladys was one of the top combat cats at the Kitty Cat Club and has a tough fur.
One Eyed Fred: You can say that again, that woman was always a bit of a mystery to me, but I don’t know where I would be without ‘er. If it wasn’t for ‘er I probably wouldn’t be ‘ere today.
Nera: What do you mean Fred.
One Eyed Fred: Well, ‘aving only one eye was because I was pushed onto the road in a cat fight and a car ‘it me. If Gladys ‘adn’t dragged me off the road, gawd knows what would ‘ave ‘appened. I owe that little lady a lot.
Kimberley: Glad you appreciate it Fred, not all cats have such good upbringing, do they Grey. GREY I AM SPEAKING TO YOU – EARS IN MY DIRECTION PLEASE – I AM NOT FINISHED WITH YOU YET.
Mr. Grey: Yes mum, I am listening.
Kimberley: First of all, you can spend the next two weeks up on my farm cleaning away the dead mice that the other cats don’t want.
Mr. Grey: But mum ….
Kimberley: No but mum. You will do what I say. After the two weeks are up you may return to your father, if he still wants you.
Big Tom: Well, he is my son, so it looks like I am landed with him. It seems that Gladys will be staying here now after she has had her kittens and One Eyed Fred is also welcome. They will need some help with the new arrivals, so you, Grey, can remain at their disposal. Look that their housing remains clean, clear out their litter places, make sure they have enough food and give the kittens a lick now and again when their mother doesn’t have the time. You will be at Gladys disposal for any help she may need. When you arrive back from your mother’s farm the kittens will have their eyes open and be ready to slowly start eating normal food so you can organise that as well. If I notice that you do not fulfil your duties, you can go down to Long Tail Al in town, I am sure he would have a job for you.
Long Tail Al: No problem, Big Tom. The sewers have to be guarded now and again to make sure no kittens stray down there, and we need a look out on the church tower from time to time to make sure we are not being attacked from any foreign cats.
Mr. Grey: But the sewers smell and I havn’t got a head for heights.
Big Tom: If you look after Gladys kittens well enough you won’t have to go to town, will you Grey?. And just to add this Mr. will be taken away from your name, that has caused enough damage. You are now just Grey, although you should address Gladys as Madame Gladys.
Mr. Grey: Yes dad, can I go now.
Kimberley: We will wait until we are sure that Gladys has come through the birth ok and we will then depart together for the farm Grey.
Nera: Well Gladys has now had 5 kittens and it seems that everything is ok. 3 black ones like their dad, a grey one that has a bit from their dad and mum and a mixed one like their mum. You can now go to her One Eyed Fred.
One Eyed Fred: Are you sure, I think there’s anovver one coming.
Bobinette: ‘e is right, Gladys ‘ow are you.
Gladys: I am ok, but please wait Fred, we are going to have 6 kittens.
One Eyed Fred: Well I’ll be ‘ad. No. 6 ‘as just arrived. Well ‘e’s a big one ain’t ‘e and took ‘is time. Blimy, ‘es red ain’t he, I’ve never ‘ad a red kitten before. Where does ‘e come from. Looks a bit like someone I know. Long Tail Al, can you come ‘ere a minute?

Long Tail Al: What’s up Fred?
One Eyed Fred: ‘ow comes me missus ‘as a big red kitten wiv a long tail and looks the spitting image of you?
Long Tail Al: Well Fred, you know ‘ow it is wiv us cats, especially the ladies. They can never ‘ave enough when they feel like it, and you were sleeping so nice and peaceful after yer paternal efforts, so I thought I would ‘elp Gladys out a bit. She didn’t seem to mind. Looks like one of yr kittens is Long Tail Al junior. Hope yer don’t mind Fred.
One Eyed Fred: Well let’s just say it’s a bit of a surprise, but as you say Al, these fings do ‘appen with the lady cats, so I suppose there ain’t much we can do about it.
Nera: Don’t worry Fred. I am sure Gladys loves you all the same, that little side step with Long Tail Al is probably normal, after all Tabby is my half sister and we grew up together with no problems.
One Eyed Fred: Spose yr right Nera, but it is a bit of a surprise. Now let’s see ‘ow Gladys is getting on. Just ‘ope none of the kittens looks like Slimy or Charlie, nah that wouldn’t be so good.
Long Tail Al: Don’t worry Fred, they wouldn’t dare touch one of our ladies without my permission, would you boys?
Charlie and Slimy together: No sir, never.
Long Tail Al: There you ‘ave it Fred, now it’s time for us to go and ave a lick of milk togevver if we find some, just to wet the kitten’s ‘eads as they say.
One Eyed Fred: ‘ow yr feeling Gladys. Fings ok now that the big red one ‘as arrived.
Gladys: I’m feeling fine Fred, kittens just settling down now for some milk.
One Eyed Fred: Well you better tell little Al, the red one – that’s wot we will call ‘im – that ‘e better make room for the rest. ‘e’s scoffing it all.
Gladys: Don’t worry, there is plenty of milk to go round, little Al just takes after his father I suppose.

A rainy Day, cold and a bit miserable

The town didn't exactly show itself from the bright side this morning. It was raining. The only reason I went was because Mr. Swiss (the gentleman on the right hand side standing on the pavement with the Andy Capp) and I had already bought our stuff in the near bye Supermarket and decided to have a coffee somewhere. I saw an interesting shop window where they sell designer stuff for the kitchen. Sort of a Christmas Biscuit show, although they were probably made out of plastic and not real - looked quite good.

When we got back home I started on the dinner. We had already had Rice and Pasta this week, so I decided to do something with potato, although I chose frozen croquettes as it would go a bit quicker. We had them with fried chicken and fennel. For those who don't know or have never eaten fennel, it's a vegetable that tastes a bit like aniseed. We quite like it, but it is not everyone's taste. See photo of fennel:

How do you cook it? Well first of all I cut it into smaller pieces and put it in a micro wave suitable dish (I cook some veg in the micros wave as I don't need any liquid which would contain the vitamines which would be washed out of the veg and I think the veg keeps its taste better).

I usually sprinkle it with salt and pepper and put the lid on and in the microwave for about 10 minutes. Afterwards I drain the small amount of liquid contained in the veg and put butter on it which melts. It is then ready to be served.

Now to the frozen croquettes. They come in a packet. I use the whole packet for all 3 of us. I put them frozen into the oven and bake them about 10 minutes on each side. No problem - they are then ready to eat.

Now for the chicken. We were 3 people, so I bought 3 chicken legs and 3 wings. I couldn't be bothered to prepared a complete chicken. I melted some butter in a frying pan (yes, I am a butter cook) and put the chicken in the pan.

I have not spiced the chicken yet, the reason being that as the chicken gets fried the spices do tend to also get fried and turn into a burnt layer on the chicken instead of developing their taste. I spice the chicken when it is just finishing off. I then put a lid on the pan to let is cook in its own juice.

I then spice the chicken - you are left to your own tast. Today I used a ready mixed special chicken spice, but if I wanted to compose something I would probably have used paprika with it. After about 20-30 minutes the chicken should be ready.

And then dinner is served. As we are all still alive and kicking, everything seemed to have been ok. We managed to clear our plates, althugh my son is always a thankful customer for anything that the others cannot manage to eat. As we say in Switzerland before a meal "En guete", or in French "Bon appetit".

Reservoir Cats 15

One Eyed Fred: Thank gawd, Gladys is coming, but who’s that wiv ‘er. Blimy, that’s an ugly looking cat if I ever saw one.
Kimberly: I heard that, Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I happen to be one of the most powerful cats in Diego’s harem at the farm. I am No. 1 and what I say goes. Gladys is that your partner who thinks he is the tom cat’s gift to the cat race?
Gladys: Sorry Kimberly, but he often miaows before he thinks, He is one of the most loving father’s that a kitten could wish for.
Kimberly: Well if he is yours, then I will excuse him. A lady from the Kitty Cat Club is always welcome to my farm, you never know when we might need help, although it seems that you all need help at the moment with my renegade son. We certainly done something wrong there, didn’t we Big Tom. Big Tom I am talking to you, turn your ears in my direction at once.
Big Tom: Nice to see you again Kimberly. How are you keeping?
Kimberly: It’s a bit late to ask now, isn’t it. A fine father you turned out to be, just spoiling Grey right and left until almost the whole cat kingdom around here starts getting mixed up. Town cats that want to move out to the country and a country cat that feels more at home in the town.
Long Tail Al: Of course ‘e does, ‘es me son ain’t ‘e. Shame that ‘e didn’t grow up at my place. Then this wouldn’t ‘ave ‘appened would it.
Kimberley: I am sure it wouldn’t have happened, no, he would probably have drown in a sewer or got bitten by a giant rat if he had grown up with such a super father as you probably were. Who is that smelly cat hovering around next to you, another one of your wonderful sons.
Slimy: Do you mind. I ain’t smelling, ‘ad a shower in a fountain fanks to Charlie ‘ere, and I ain’t ‘is son. Me muvver ran off wiv a Siamese and Al adopted me. A real gent is our Al.
Long Tail Al: Don’t overdo it Slimy, she might start crying.
Kimberley: The only tears in my eyes are from the onion smell that your tribe has. But now down to work. My friend Gladys called for my help and now I am here.

GREY CAN YOU HERE ME?
Tabby: What’s that noise out there Mr. Grey. I am getting a bit nervous. I want to go home.
Mr. Grey: Shutup Tabby and stop wining. Hello mother how are you. I havn’t seen you for such a long time.
Kimberly: What are you doing up their in Big Tom’s villa with that Tabby cat? I would like an explanation.
Mr. Grey: I decided it was time for me to take over. The other cats just don’t treat me with any respect any more.
Kimberly: AND YOU THINK BY KIDNAPPING A TABBY CAT HALF YOUR SIZE YOU ARE PROVING THAT YOU ARE ENTITLED TO TAKE OVER FROM BIG TOM. YOU ARE ONLY HALF THE CAT HE IS AND WILL NEVER TAKE HIS PLACE. YOU WILL NOW LEAVE BIG TOM’S VILLA IMMEDIATELY. UNDERSTAND, OTHERWISE YOU WILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH ME.Mr. Grey: But mum
Kimberley: Nothing, but mum, just what do you think you are doing. You make me ashamed to call you one of my sons. Come down at once.
Romeo: Tell me Big Tom, how did you get to know Kimberley? She knows what she wants doesn’t she.
Big Tom: Well, between you and me, she decided that her kittens should take over one day, so she sort of chose me.
Romeo: Well she certainly has the whiskers on around us toms.
Kimberly: What are you two catioso talking about there. You might be the gatto di tutti gatti and consigliere but you both need your whiskers straightened out now and again. It’s about time that Diego’s No. 1 son becomes consigliere around here, but we will talk about that later Romeo, when my renegade son has returned to the fold.
Gladys: It look likes Grey has given up.
Nera: Tabby I am glad to see you again, although you stink a bit from catnip.
Tabby: I promise I will not even look at catnip any more, at least for the next few days.
Long Tail Al: Son, glad to see you boy. Wot a relief that me son’s ok.
Kimberly: GREY, COME HERE
Mr. Grey: Mum I am not deaf
Kimberly: It seems that I have to shout around here to bring you to your senses again. I just don’t believe it. Leave you with your father and this is the result.
Mr. Grey: But the other cats were so nasty to me.
Kimberly: After what Gladys has told me, it seems that it’s debatable who was nasty to who.
Bobinette: Zank you Kimberly for coming, we are so glad that you ‘elped to rescue Tabby from your son’s claws.
Kimberly: I am always happy to help the cats around here. But it seems that someone else needs help at the moment.
One Eyed Fred: Well you’re right there Mrs. Kimberley, I fink me Gladys is ‘aving ‘her kittens. You all right Gladys.
Gladys: Just let me sit down a moment.
Big Tom: So don’t stand around cats. Someone help Gladys up to my villa, now that that my stupid son has left. She should have her kittens in a nice comfortable place and not out here on a deserted mousehole.
Nera: Gladys can you manage to walk between me and Bobinette. It’s not far and you will be much more comfortable up in the villa.
Gladys: I think I have a few minutes.
One Eyed Fred: Comeon luv, I’ll ‘elp as well, Everyfing’s gonna be fine.
Long Tail Al: Ok, Big Tom let’s get moving wiv ‘em up to the villa.
Big Tom: I’m with you Al, with so many cats, I am sure there will be no problems.

Reservoir Cats 14

It's been some time since I have looked at what our Reservoir cats are up to. The last I saw them they were getting ready for a summit conference. If you want to recapitulate - then you can have a look here.

Nera: Tabby will you walk a bit faster, we are on our way to an important meeting with the town cats and don’t want to arrive late.
Tabby: I’m coming, but there is so much to look at on the way, and there is such a lovely scent wafting around.
Nera: Yes, I can smell it too, seems to be a patch of catnip somewhere, but this is not the time to have a sniff.
Bobinette: Oh come on Nera, Tabby is not far behind and she will soon catch up.

Tabby: Always on at me they are, but there is really a strong smell of catnip around – must be A1 quality. Well, the others have just disappeared around an oak tree, so I think I will sneak a look. This is Big Tom’s estate, so there can’t be any harm. Wow, they stuff does smell strong.
Mr. Grey: Well fancy meeting you here Tabby, found something interesting.
Tabby: Mr. Grey, Are you coming to the conference as well?
Mr. Grey: I am on my way, but it’s a bit early. Try some of this catnip that I found growing in my fathers garden.
Tabby: I have to go on, although I must say it smells quite good, almost makes me feel a bit drowsy and tired. Think I will have to make a pause.
Mr. Grey: Come with me Tabby, I have a nice comfortable patch of grass over here to have a lay down - Tabby, can you hear me? Now that is just what I wanted, she has fallen asleep. Now is my chance, just a firm grip on her neck fur and carry her off to Bit Tom’s villa. She walked into my trap.

Nera: Only a few more steps and we will meet Romeo. Bobinette, where is Tabby, she seems to have lost touch with us.
Bobinette: The last I saw of her was before we walked round that oak tree. Do you think she has lost the way. Here comes Romeo – perhaps he knows where she is. Romeo have you seen Tabby, she seems to have disappeared.
Romeo: Ciaou bella Bobinette, I am waiting here with Big Tom and his guardia gatto, but havn’t seen Tabby. Gladys and One Eyed Fred are just around the corner. Gladys is taking a rest.
Big Tom: You have lost Tabby, I havn’t seen her either.
Nera: She said something about a strong smell of catnip in the air and I havn’t seen her since.
Big Tom: We are now approaching our meeting place and Long Tailed Al and his gang are already there. We just don’t have time to go back and search.
Long Tail Al: Long time, no see, Big Tom. Must say you certainly ‘ave fresh air out ‘ere in the country. Goes to me ‘ead a bit. Where’s me son, Tabby. Been looking forward to seeing ‘im again.
Big Tom: Perhaps we should meet more often Al to talk things over. See you have your black paw gang here as well.
Long Tail Al: Yer, well yer never know, but where’s Tabby?
Mr. Grey: Someone looking for Tabby?
Big Tom: What are you doing here, I don’t remember sending an invite.
Long Tail Al: Well, I didn’t invite ‘im either, so ‘e ain’t got no right being ‘ere.
Mr. Grey: I though someone said they were looking for Tabby?
Big Tom: And what do you know about it.

Mr. Grey: Tabby is sleeping soundly after a full dose of 1A catnip and won’t be going anywhere until I get what I deserve.
Long Tail Al: The only fing you deserve is a scratch on yr whiskers if you do anyfing to me son Tabby.
Big Tom: Am I hearing right. Grey what have you done with Tabby and where is she.
Nera: Grey has gone like the wind, but I think he was running up the hill to Big Tom’s villa.
Big Tom: Romeo send my guardia gatto up the hill and surround my villa.
Long Tail Al: Slimy, get the black paw gang going, we ‘ave a rescue operation to do.
Big Tom: Problem is that once Grey is in my villa, it’s going to be difficult to get him out. He has a good advantage over us all as he sees us cats coming from his look out post.
Gladys: I think I know how to rescue Tabby.
One Eyed Fred: Gladys, ‘ow comes you’re talking all posh like them upper class cats.

Gladys: Fred, you do ask some silly questions sometimes. Just let me deal with things my way. I will explain when things get back to normal.
Long Tail Al: Well I don’t fink anyfing is normal at the moment. Where’s me son, I’ll kill that Grey when I get me fangs in ‘im.
Big Tom: Al, don’t forget, Grey is my son and if anyone gets his fangs in Grey, it will be me. Up to now Gladys has been quite good in organising things, so I would listen to what she says.
Long Tail Al: Well she’s turned me best tom cats into a bunch of sissies, so she can’t do much more ‘arm I suppose.
Gladys: Just give me a few minutes, I will be back soon.

One Eyed Fred: Well I ain’t too ‘appy about this. Gladys is me wife and expecting kittens any day now, ‘ope nuffing ‘appens to ‘er.
Big Tom: I think I know where she has gone.

Tabby: Now that was a relaxing sleep, nice and comfortable on those silk cushions. Silk cushions? The only cat that sleeps on silk cushions is gatto di tutti gatti, Big Tom. Where am I? I was supposed to be at a conference and meet my dad, and here I am sleeping on Big Tom’s cushions in his villa.
Mr. Grey: Surprised Tabby?
Tabby: Where have you come from Grey?
Mr. Grey: I have just run up the hill away from your stupid sister and her cronies. Just think, my dad, Big Tom, is wondering where Tabby is and Long Tail Al wants to see his son. Isn’t that sweet, brings tears to my eyes. Looks like they are going to have to wait some time until they see Tabby again, doesn’t it?

The Last Two Days in London

I decided to take it easy on my day before last in England at my dad’s place. No stress and no shopping. I spent the morning mostly on the telephone. Mr. Swiss called me to see how I was doing. Everything seemed to be ok on the other side of the English Channel, so no worries. Dad went out on a short trip for food and to the newsagents to get the daily newspaper. I decided to take a trip around the near lying parts of Dagenham in the afternoon. Armed with my camera I set out for a walk down the Heathway to the local shopping centre. Since they got rid of Sainsburys in the Heathway, there are not really any good shops for food any more. My dad always takes a bus in the other direction where there used to be a pub called The Merry Fiddlers. This was not just a pub, but a landmark in the area, and I believe there were many sad faces when it was eventually demolished. My late aunt and her husband lived near by, as well as a couple of cousins.

The Merry Fiddlers pub has now been replaced by a large supermarket called Morrisons. My dad often goes there for his shopping as it is only a five minute bus ride. Last year when I made my visit, I also went with him, but this year I decided to stay at home. Things do get a bit confusing when I go shopping for food with my dad. I never find what I am looking for and he knows what he wants. There is a roundabout near by called The Chequers (never did find out why this name – probably also named after a pub) but it is all part of the Dagenham landmarks.

As said, my walk went completely in the opposite direction towards the Ford car factory. It took at least an hour for me to get so far, but it was interesting all the same. I walked past rows of houses all almost looking alike. It is only thanks to the devious imagination of the inhabitants of the houses, that there were differences – different curtains and different front gardens. I noticed a few houses in between had “To be sold” signs on them, or “Just sold”. I found myself imagining how it would be if I bought a house in the area, but decided it would not be such a good idea. I would have to learn how to deal with English money, start dealing with English weights and measures and learn how to drive a car steering on the wrong side of the road.

On the way down the road I also passed a church, which looked more like a prefabricated house. My dad told me that it was not Church of England but a sort of non segregational church, more in the sense of belonging to our Caribbean immigrants, of which there were many in Dagenham. I found that London had sort of split itself up into various areas according to ethnic minorities. My old hunting grounds of Bethnal Green etc. seem to be mainly Bengali and Somali immigrants, with a large share of Bangla Desh. In the West of London there is a large Arab population. The Jewish population of Whitechapel, which moved in after the Huguenots left in the 19^th century, seem to have disappeared long ago from this part of London. These are the things which I think I miss most of all, but the world goes on. When I moved into Switzerland, Italians were the largest population of immigrants and today it is people coming from Turkey and the East European countries.

To continue with my walk down Dagenham Heathway I eventually reached the end turning into a road known as Ripple Road. Actually I was attracted by windmill-like machines that were turning in the distance. I think they drive some sort of electric power, but really look a bit out of place in the area. The Ford main plant is at the end of the road, but how much Ford motors is still there I don’t know. I did see a garage saying Dagenham motors, and many factory buildings, but I believe there is no longer a large production plant there, as in the days of my dad when he was younger, but more administration. A lot of the buildings had been turned into warehouses selling various house and building appliances.

I eventually turned back and walk back to my dad’s house. It was getting darker, but I was still able to take photos. One the way I noticed a bus stop on the other side of the street. There must have been at least 10 policemen standing there, controlling the waiting passengers, mostly schoolboys and girls in their teenage years. I tried to take a photo, but as I didn’t want any police trouble it was difficult to photograph inconspicuously. I had taken a two hour walk, but I suppose healthwise it did me good to get out in the air (as my dad said).

The next day was the day of departure. I packed my ten books and other items I had bought on the evening before. I didn’t have to leave until 11.30 when I was being picked up by my friend once again. My dad left 15 minutes earlier, as he had to accompany his girlfriend to the doctors. She wasn’t so good at walking on her own any more. After all she is a year older than my dad (93). Actually it was better that my dad went, then we didn’t have such prolonged farewells. My friend was soon there, and as it was not so much rush hour we reached London City Airport in about twenty minutes.

I checked in and went to the shopping area to use up the rest of my English money on the family (and myself of course). This time I managed to get a nice window seat behind the wing, which enabled me to make some nice photos. The young lady sitting next to me on the plane was a Yank and made it quite clear that she was there to read a book. I was quite happy about this as I too had a book to read. When I started taking photos she asked if I could stop as it was making her nervous. Although suddenly she decided it was ok, probably because I gave her one of my “if looks could kill” sort of glances. In any case the result of my photos can be seen. I arrived at Zürich on time and the train left for Solothurn five minutes after I reached the platform. I phoned Mr. Swiss from the train and he met me at the station. After I got home, I distributed the goodies, sorted out my case and did what all housewives do on such occasions – put the wash in the washing machine. So that was that for a year. Same time, same place next year perhaps.