Two deaths

The Lib Dem politician Charles Kennedy died yesterday. He was a couple of years older than me and I remember him as a young, charismatic president of the GUU when I was at Glasgow University at the end of the 1970s. He went on to be an MP at only 23 years old. He struggled with alcohol addiction for most of his adult life. He was known as a down to earth, intelligent and friendly person even by opposing politicians and was leader of his party for some years. His Dad died in April and then in May he lost his seat as MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber after 32 years, and now he has died. It's sad.

This morning our elderly neighbour across the road was also found dead. She was a reserved, very dignified lady who has been our neighbour for 26 years and used to be a piano teacher and voice coach. It was she who found Tess cat's body when she was knocked down by a car. She was widowed for a long time, since before we moved in. She liked to potter in her garden and kept tortoises. Dougie from next door noticed that she hadn't raised her blinds this morning. When I got home from work the police van was still outside. It was strange looking across at her house and knowing that she has gone. And sad.