John N Alder

Was in the British Army and lived in Cairo and India before settling in Cape Town. He loved a breakfast of slowly simmered, creamy, oatmeal ("porridge") each morning, lovingly cooked by the daughter with whom he lived (Gladys) and toyed incessantly (it seemed to me) building and listening to crystal radios, reaching BBC, many radio stations all over the world, and engaged in amateur ham radio...certainly fascinated me. He had penetrating pale blue eyes, and always wore a cap ("Andy Capp" cap/ British race car cap). He was always meticulously clean-shaven and, sharpened his razor blades on a leather strap each day with great aplomb and was always well dressed. Before retiring to bed he wore a navy blue woolen dressing gown with a large white plaid type pattern, the edges corded in a taffeta-like fabric that seemed elegant to me, and his trademark dark brown leather slippers with plain fronts. He was well into his 80's and did not tolerate children too well..(probably was "cured" of that!) and frequently called us (believe it or not) "little bastards!" I never took any offence at that and merrily went on my way bothering him... I really liked him and was completely unphased by his gruffness and lack of patience!! He just smiled wryly at me, when I would ask to come into his huge room and listen to that marvellous tiny, crackling radio with news and voices from very distant lands. (Avril Clifton)