Wednesday 14 May 2008

Clarification

Midas the cat is actually not the house cat of the place where I was on May 12th for the family party. He is a scrounger (an interloper I called him more politely on Flickr), but a very old and thin cat who is easily shooed off. The true family cat I could not show you, as he was forever in somebody's arms. That is a dark tabby by the name of Sirius (as in Sirius Black of Harry Potter fame). To my mind a bit of a misnomer, as that's associated with a dog - and Sirius is a star in the winter sky, also known as the Dog Star.

The Scoundrels' Road (not walk) is a 7 mile road linking the towns of Velp (east of Arnhem) and Oosterbeek (to the west), circling the city that separates the two. Oosterbeek was the scene of fierce battles in September 1944 during the failed airborne landings west of the town. Incidentally, Arnhem is a funny place. As I said Oosterbeek [Eastern Beck] lies to the west, Westervoort [Western Ford] to the east, the province of North Brabant is in the south and until the 1930s, anyone ascending from Arnhem in a hot air balloon to a great height would see the Zuiderzee [Southern Sea] to the north.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

That's a great name for a cat (Sirius).  I love Harry Potter, and I was gutted when Sirius Black was killed. I'm a sad person what can I say.  I think I need to get out more.!!!:)
I'm gonna enjoy reading all your interesting facts and your photos about the place where you are now.
I miss Stornoway though.
Take care
Hugs
Carolxx

Anonymous said...

Midas is still cute even though he's a scrounger! Sirius sounds a fiendly cat, always in somebody's arms! I had to re-read the directions and town names twice to understand them! I'm completely confused now! Jeannette xx  

Anonymous said...

Sorry, that was meant to say 'a friendly cat' not 'a fiendly cat'! Jeannette xx  

Anonymous said...

I once went to Arnhem ,the war graves there and museum ,very moving ,I have also been to Oosterbeeck,lovely to hear those names again..would like to see pictures of both ..love Jan xx

Anonymous said...

I am a history buff and an animal lover, so I have enjoyed hearing about Midas and about your beautiful country.

Have a blessed week!~

Susan

Anonymous said...

That area has so much WWII history. Hope you can get some pictures.  Linda in Washington where they say it will be in the high 70's by Friday (we'll see)

Anonymous said...

I have a cat that demands affection, too.  You want her?!  LOL  freakin' cat...
(ehhhh...you know I love her even if she does get fur up my nose at 2 AM)

a view of the sea from a hot air balloon......sounds beautiful...

~Amy

Anonymous said...

I did note you said interloper in the photos...never the less I enjoyed meeting Midas.  He looks like a wise old man.
Lisa