9March1996

My dear folks,

There are good departures & bad ones. This was one of the best. I'd made a list of the things that needed doing & reckoned I could get through it by 10 if I rose at 8. And so it was. The sun was shining to mark the occasion, although it didn't last. I fed Mavis, who was restless; he knew I was going away again & didn't like it. I cleaned his poo-box, not a difficult job but always one that I have to drive myself to. I left the flat presentable for (neighbour) Stef who'll be feeding Fats in my absence. I watered the flowers, dumped the garbage & fired off some last minute faxes.

Shortly after 10, I hauled the knapsack on to my back, slung the computer over one shoulder & the briefcase over the other, put my mind in netral & set off down the stairs. One can plague oneself on such occasions with thoughts of "did I do that" & "what have I forgotten?". Better just to give cash, passport & ticket pockets the once over & switch the world into sleep mode until you return. I set off under a grey sky to walk the 2 kms to the Airbus stop as I felt in need of exercise & it was all I was likely to get. The day was cold & I was pleased, for a while at least, to be wearing the knee-length coat I knew I'd been needing in Canada. But the pleasure soon wore off. First I unbuttoned the coat, then I unzipped the parka beneath it, then I unbuttoned my waistcoat. By the time I reached the bus-stop I was getting down to my undies.

The Airbus to Heathrow arrived 5 mins after I did. The ride was swift & smooth. At the airport, Air Canada had my ticket waiting at the desk. Checking in took 2 mins & the other controls hardly more. There is a luxury about having the time to ease yourself through these procedures instead of hopping up & down at the back of a queue, wondering if you're going to make the flight. I've had lots of those & I don't want any more. It was the first time I'd been through Terminal 3 in some years & (like the other terminals) it's been totally revamped into an up-market mall. Some of the tax-free items on offer are excellent value for money & I resisted the temptation to upgrade my laptop to one of the more elegant models on offer at seductive prices.

I didn't mind the hour-long delay in taking off. I'd mixed a little soda with the last of the malt whisky & I passed the time in pleasant conversation with my neighbour over a shared glass. He's a Yorkshireman who emigrated from English coalmines to their Canadian equivalents some 20 years ago had just come back to bury his father. He said he'd tried to entice other members of the family over, but without success. They're all miners too, or were, until the mines were closed down, & are now on the dole instead. He found his home-coming thoroughly depressing - little wonder.

Calgary: Sunday morning:

I'ts plus 5* & bidding to stay that way. I'm seated in Kevin's study while he, Mum & Penny are at mass. I've taken Tomba for his morning walk which we both enjoyed. Ann is upstairs making breakfast. She met me with Kev & Mum at Calgary airport which loomed up out of snow-clad fields. Mum was looking in great shape. I hardly recognise the person I left 3 months ago. Penny was at home & we were joined by her guy, Mike, for supper.

Our attention was focussed on the Australian Grand Prix where Canadian rookie, Jacques Villeneuve, was bidding to win his first race in the league & would have done if his car had not forced him to slow down towards the end. Mark came in after a day & night of stage-managing his show - a children's production. And Alan is due back toight. I am very pleased to be here & I sense that the family to pleased to have me. What more could one ask. Blessings for now. T