Many thanks...

...Bethany and Nic for you kind comments, always much appreciated by doting (cat) parents. We were originally going to get just Oscar but he was a little runty and Manon was very confident and pretty but thank goodness we took them both. He has really blossomed (if that's not too feminine) and everyone agrees he's a real beauty (ibid). They share near identical markings however Oscar's are more subtle and he has smaller eyes and a smaller, more compact face. They are both enormous fun.

Ruth has parted for Portugal for a small 10 day tour with her 'Musica Antiqua de Provence' group, they are staying in the Chateau where Mateus Rose is produced, apparently quite a palace. I had to take her to Aix-en-Provence this morning where the band had arranged a hire car large enough for five musicians a Cello and a Theorbo which is like a ten foot long banjo crossed with a Sitah, fortunately the Harpsichordist is borrowing an instrument in portugal!

Do you guys have to get innoculated to go to England? Is it that dangerous? is Typhoid ravaging through the east end of London? Should I worry? lots of love j