Hello. New to this forum, though not to Switzerland, as I arrived here in June 1968.

I taught English in a local lycée-collège until my early retirement in 1997, after which I was free to pursue my passion of breeding Scottish Folds and British Shorthairs. I travel regularly for cat shows in France, Italy, Germany, Austria and Belgium.

When not looking after and playing with my cats, I spend a great deal of time on line; and the rest mostly reading, writing and listening to music - though I do bestir myself to take my 89-year old mother out for drives.

The cat in my avatar is my wonderful boy Toranaga, who became a double European Grand Champion last Saturday in Mannheim.

My nicname is Panda, so my ID here is a combination of that and the name of my best boy, whose house name is just Tora.

Welcome Toraspanda !

So you've been here 39 years - you must enjoy it! Look forward to your input.

breeding cats in sunny Valais. Sounds like quite a life

It certainly has it moments! Thank you both for the welcome.

Welcome!

What a wonderful cat you have

If you don't mind me asking, which area of Valais do you have the luck to live in?

I love it there - do you know Leukerbad?

Hi, tonyfinn - yes, my Tora is pretty special.
I live near Suin, half way up the south-facing slopes of the Rhône Valley, and it is indeed a fabulous region.
Certainly I know Leukerbad, or Loèche-les-Bains, as it's known in this predominantly French-speaking area. I confess to preferring Saillon, even though it is in the valley.
There's just been a mediaeval festival there, the sixth in a row, Unfortunately, I've never been able to go, because my mother can't walk very far, especially on steep, narrow medoiaeval roads with cobblestones - and I can't léeave her at home alone. The Bains de Saillon, however, provide a fantastic experience. (Perhaps I should apply for a PR job at the local Tourist Office? )

Sorry, I missed a typo, an important one, and there doesn't seem to be an edit button - or not for newbies anyway.
I mean to say I live near SION.

Ah, actually I haven't heard of the baths there...

Actually we have an apartment in Loèche-les-bains - we try and visit at least once a month if we can. I really love Valais, well the whole family does of course! It's so nice to go there and breath some fresh air!!!

oh of course, I know Sion - we pass at least once a month

Perhaps our two families will meet sometime, in Sion - or in Saillon!

Yes how nice...

Actually my mother-in-law intends to retire in Leukerbad in 4 years. I suppose we'll visit much more often then.

Can I ask how you ended up here in La suisse?

Hpow I came to be in Switzerland.... well, I was teaching at a Eurocentre in Bournemouth, and the climate didn't suit me at all-at all! I kept being ill, with the most dreadful camembert-lined throats, and my GP, who wouldn't refer me for a tonsillectomy, told me my best bet would be to go and live in a dry climate. One of the students, almost exactly my age, with whom I had beocme friendly, was from Sierre, and she said, "Why not come to Valais? It's drier than the Sahara!" So I did, and the rest, as they say, is history!
The following year, my Swiss doctor decided those tonsils had to come out, and since then, no more problems.