Omar's Diary to 14 September, 2019

The normal Saturday rhythms here at Omar Towers were interrupted when the post was forced through the letter box and clunked on to the floor of the baronial hall.

One envelope was addressed to all the residents here, including Mitsi. It contained a most striking image of the ‘Harbour Walls’ at Charlestown in Cornwall taken by Mick Blakey. Black and white is my favourite pallet for any photography.

Receiving this very wonderful picture has reminded me.

While Mitsi and I were staying at Hotel Cat we did not receive any correspondence from the Servants from wherever they were. It would have been nice to have had a short note confirming they were in good health or even a postcard showing where they were but no, we received nothing. I do hope they remember us next time they go away.

As you may be aware there are many elderly servants who are now living in seniors or care homes. Many of them do not have any relatives or any friends beyond those homes. And so may never receive any post. Two care homes set up an appeal on social media. It asked if when servants went on holiday if they could send a picture postcard to the homes and they would be shared amongst the residents. What an amazing idea as everybody, despite the digital age we live in, still loves to receive post. I know I do.

I understand this scheme was such a success that correspondence was arriving at the respective care homes by the sack full, which must have pleased many.

The other letter that clunked on to the floor was a rather plain white envelope with no clues as to where it may have come from. It was addressed to me, Omar Russell, here at Omar Towers. Due to its plainness I thought it must have been correspondence from the private medical centre reminding me about something, or even worse, about an unpaid invoice.

Man Servant opened the envelope on my behalf, and we saw that it had come from Downing Street.

It was a response to a letter I sent on 10th August addressed to Larry’s new servant, the Prime Minister. In my letter I asked this new servant if he was fully aware of the duties and responsibilities he had to fulfill on being appointed as the new servant. The answer received was as bland as the paper it was written on and failed to provide any comfort whatsoever. The reply was:

‘The Prime Minister appreciates the time you have taken to get in touch and share your thoughts.’

I feel my question has not been answered satisfactorily.

Since the new servant moved into Downing Street I do feel the quality of the stationery has deteriorated. Previous correspondence has been sent on high quality buff coloured paper with a green embossed letterhead. The envelopes were of the same distinguished quality as well.

Between receiving my letter and the response received this morning there was news that Larry’s new servant had adopted a canine named ‘Dylin’ who has taken up residence in Downing Street. I wish Dylin no harm and every happiness as he too like me was rescued, but I do feel he has been rather imposed on Larry’s good nature in difficult times.

Man Servant and I have been watching and reading about all of the shenanigans in Parliament, including it being prorogued or suspended for a rather long time. Now, I have a theory about why this may have happened. I think it was all due to the arrival of Dylin.The new servant in Downing Street wanted to be able to be away from Parliament and public scrutiny so he could bond with Dylin, help him settle into his new rather turbulent surroundings and become friends with Larry.

If you write to:

The Prime Minster , 10 Downing Street , London , SW1A 2AA .

And ask about this. After all, everyone enjoys receiving post.

The publication that has been taking up coffee table space this week has been Country Life. A quality magazine to read short articles from or just enjoy the pictures at the end of the day with a glass of dry vermouth. One of the main features this week is about the healing powers of equines. This is not a 21st-century phenomenon as the Greek physician Hippocrates wrote about these powers in 400 BC. Presumably ‘BC’ means ‘before cat.’

I am not so sure about these healing powers as quite often I have seen my Servants return from being with the equines limping from where they have been stood on or squeezed against a stable wall. Or, even the morning after being with the equines almost crippled from stiffness. No, I am not so sure about Hippocrates’ theory.

Felines have much greater healing powers without the risk of injury.