Tuesday 17th January 2017 – I went to Bideford – ‘The Little White Town’ – to officially close my Father’s ‘Black Horse’ bank account.

After that I enjoyed a quick look around a couple of charity shops – and then I went to the Burton Art Gallery – to see Madeline, Gabriel and the rest of the crew… I can’t tell you how happy I felt to finally meet Bagpuss face to face – and gaze into his bright blue eyes and remember the magic of Oliver Postgate and Peter Firmin. I only wish I could have picked up that saggy old cloth cat behind the glass – and given him a great big hug like Emily – the little girl who loved him.  Bagpuss didn’t look a day older!

My Father was a bit like Bagpuss come the end – he slept a lot and was rather loose at the seams but we all loved him.

Dad putting on one of my many hats and making us all laugh.

He was a wizard at pulling silly faces!

As another kinda pussycat – ‘The Tiger Who Came to Tea’!