In this photo which, again, dates from our early days in Mombasa, Richard and I are with Susan Gadd. I don't recognise the location so this may have been in the grounds of the bungalow.
The cat was Susan's but the dog, Susie, was Richard's. We had acquired Susie shortly before we left Dar-es-Salaam, a rough-haired dachshund who had a lovely nature. While Tinker flew from Dar to join us, Susie travelled by ship.
An old inner car tyre tube was an essential when we went swimming, as we would sit in it and paddle around. This picture is also at the Swimming Club, which was reached either by car, crossing Nyali Bridge, or by boat. In the latter case, one went to the Old Town, seen here across the harbour, and hired a 'water taxi', a rowboat powered by one man, which crossed to the Swimming Club pier. To summon the 'taxi' for our return journey, a flag was raised at the end of the Swimming Club pier.
Christmas 1950 was spent in the bungalow. Captain and Mrs Solly with their sons Mark and John came to lunch but before the meal could be served the 'house boy', Ouma, came through to say that the cook was drunk and was threatening the staff with a carving knife. My father and Captain Solly managed to get rid of the cook and Ouma served the meal. Ouma remained with us until we left Mombasa in 1961.
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