Michael D.Heath-Caldwell M.Arch.

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Letter - 22nd October 1998

Julian & Marianne, The Green Cottage, 23 Langstone High Street, Havant, Hants, P09-1RY

My dear Woggles,

I'm afraid I don't know any other name for you, perhaps I may call you James?

I was thrilled to hear from you after so many years. The first time we visited your home near Maiden Newton we went on a long cross-country walk with Jimmy Green and I think, Don Smith. You phoned your sister, aged about 28, to come and collect us and I instantly fell in love with her! (You'll have heard by now that Jimmy has died of lung cancer).

After some idyllic visits to your home, honey for tea and some earnest conversations with your sister, we next met, New Zealand. You were share milking. You had a powerful motorcycle and I recall that you and your wife had come out about a year back (1957)

I duly included that in the "Naval Anthology," but it was edited out.

Marianne was diagnosed with cancer of the colon in 1992 and was successfully operated on. In 1993 she was operated on for secondary cancer of the liver and again in 1994 and 1995. She was operated on by the country's leading specialist at Basingstoke and is mercifully stilll free of cancer.In January 1997,

Having thought since 1994 that I had Parkinson's disease, I was diagnosed with Corticobasal degeneration. There are only 80 cases world wide. It is a rather worse form of Parkinson's for which there is no treatment and therefore no pills. It attacks the motor system. I have this speech-driven computer to help me.I don't sit at home,

I walk the dog twice a day and he's very gentle with me until he sees another dog which he knows when he nearly pulls me over!

I also have two female colleagues who take turns to walk me once a week. I've sold my tricycle as I capsized it twice.

I paint with oils with my left hand. And we holiday at least twice a year, in Greece in June and the Gambia in November.

We are going to Paris for a long weekend next week, courtesy of the Euro Star, to say goodbye to old friends.I'm glad that your second marriage has given you so much interest. I'm sad to hear that you have the shakes. Is that hereditary or is it the not so dreaded Parkinson's?

I think you may be right in your philosophy of life.I hope you find time to write me again before the end of the year. Cheer's mate!

Julian & Marianne. (Lt.Cmdr Julian Howard?)

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