17May1996

My dear folks,

Wednesday evening. Cathy reads the paper. Anita is upstairs with her new Walkman cassette player & very pleased with it. She made the most careful selection of a model, as you would expect, since it was taking a large chunk of her long accumulated pocket money. The pair of them went off to town this morning while I took a surveyor around a house that needs attention. I met them on Tottenham Court Road after lunch & we immediately proceeded to the nearest stores to make an inspection of Walkmans & prices - of which there were dozens.

The fifth store visited had exactly the thing & offered us an irresistible discount to boot. So we bought it. Anita had earlier acquired a smart black cap, to be worn back to front - as is all the fashion. A black leather satchel dangled low on her back & she strolled along with the carefree poise of a catwalk model. London is her thing, as she has confided to her father in a fax, much more exciting than simply going for walks around Hambach. Father is attending a paper conference in the US, where, she hoped he was having as good a time as she was in London. Some hope!

As I had cycled in to meet the girls, I put them on a No 18 bus, instructed them where to alight, & waved them farewell. Since the bus route was new to them, I thought it prudent to meet them at the stop. After some minutes the bus came along with the unmistakable profiles of mother & daughter seated upstairs. Cathy caught me eye & we exchanged “should I get off here?” and “yes you should” gestures. They had to wait for the next stop where Cath explained that it was a clever bus that flashed up the names of the all roads it was approaching but had failed to flash up the road she was looking for. No harm done, we slung the two bags of groceries over the handlebars & walked home.

Thursday morning. At that point Trish and Iris arrived after spending an equally satisfactory day themselves. They started out with Cath & Anita for a boat ride down the canal & then went their own way. We ordered a sumptuous Chinese meal, laid the table with the fancy crockery & cutlery for the second time in a week & sat down to a feast. Our first action, Mother, was to toast your good health.

We all poured over your long fax Jones & reflected on your continuing campaign in the garden. The wars of the weeds rather than the wars of the roses. And we ached for your visitors arriving in the wind and the rain. Thank you for setting a fire for them! I fear that light rain is the forecast for the next couple of days. The only consolation I can offer you is that much of Europe is in the same boat! It turned cloudy here yesterday after starting off glorious for the fourth day in a row but we also face showers for the next few days.

This evening, the girls go to Starlight Express, Anita’s special selection. Cath has spoken briefly to Erica who seems to be having a good time in France - where she is staying with the girl who earlier stayed with her as part of a school exchange. Trish & Iris have been to An Inspector Calls - and loved it. Today they return to Leamington Spa. I must jump in the shower and take myself to work. Blessings all..................T