When I got home after New Year, I had a card from the daughter of Veronica Tester Dane, telling me she had died some time over the Christmas period. Veronica was one of the two dancers who spent the summer of 1938 in Corfu with Nancy and Larry, and I went to visit her nearly two years ago. Well into her tenth decade, she was a remarkable woman, energetic, interested and interesting and it is good to know that she carried on at the same level of energy and ability until just a few days before she died. The most inspiring thing, I thought, was that she was still making new friendships at 90 +, and I am just sorry she has not seen the book – in which she features, naturally. There’s a picture of her at the White House in 1938

Thanks to Daria and Tassos at the White House for the use of this picture!

And Lee Durrell, who still plays such an important part in the wonderful zoo Gerald created in Jersey, was awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours – richly deserved. Very gratifying.