Posted by Robert Dilley on November 24, 1997 at 19:20:06:
In Reply to: Re: Yet another Wild Cat inquiry posted by Patrick Fox on November 20, 1997 at 19:32:32:
Having been in Ottawa for a few days, discussing the demise of university education in Canada, I had a good few TarBoard messages to catch up on following my return. On the topic of Wild Cat Island I agree wholeheartedly with Patrick Fox. On three visits to the island I have felt it to answer entirely satisfactorily to my impression of the original, while a couple of brief surveys of Blake Holme (and other possible candidates) have left me cold. Perhaps more significantly, my four daughters -- all well steeped in Ransome lore -- have adopted it without hesitation. As for the island's size -- when you are trying to keep an eye on four of them (on our first visit in 1988 they were 8, 6, 3 and 1) you realise that the island is really quite large enough for the adventures that took place there. Admittedly the landing and camping places are not quite right -- details, details! -- but the *spirit* of the place is there and, in our view, needs no dilution.
In view of the long-running "Minas Tirith" debate I may add that we are also all rabid Tolkein fans (I have just finished reading The Lord of the Rings for the 3rd -- 4th? -- time out loud). In fact daughter #3 is named for Elanor the Fair (the spelling causes constant confusion). Her Hobbit appetite is a legend in her older sisters' High School following a dinner there, though she has turned out dark and at 13 she is far too slim (despite the appetite) for a true hobbit. Further, she lacks hairy feet.
Tremendous news about Kit Pearson. They must be dancing in the streets of Vancouver.