My daughter Robyn, my son Mark, and I, live in Kidsgrove which is on the outskirts of Stoke-on-Trent. This is a city famous for its (once large) ceramics industry, oatcakes and a strange dialect that is instantly recognisable (to other Stokies that is) the world over! I've always lived around here; I grew up not far away in a lovely village on the Staffordshire/Cheshire border called Betley, where my mum continued to live until she moved to Alsager in 2010 and then to Madeley in 2011.
Now a word or two about the more important members of the household...
Mark is 23 and is working through the final stages of his advanced apprenticeship with Network Rail so I'm expecting my 1hr 25 min. London commute to be improved upon significantly once he gets his hands on that signalling equipment.
Taz, our beautiful cat, died on her 15th birthday towards the end of 2011; that's her on the front page sitting bestride Roland the rhino! I'll quote a short extract that was included in a Christmas letter that we sent out shortly afterwards - I don't feel that I can improve on the text:
I cannot begin to describe
the myriad of ways in which I miss her and, for me, she will for ever remain
simply the finest, most beautiful cat I’ll ever know. For over 15 years she
tolerated my strange lifestyle and gave more love and affection that I ever had
the right to expect - provided she was fed regularly and allowed to sit on my
knee, of course. I know that I speak for Rob and Mark, and all those others
who’s life she touched, in saying that her loss is irreplaceable and her memory
is so very safe with every one of us.
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