Wonderful Wilf

SIR: We wanted to say we had the pleasure of meeting Wilfred De’ath while returning to England by ferry from Caen on 30th May (‘Four nights on the French streets’, page 46, this issue).

He was at the café by the ferry terminal, and told us he had lost all his credit cards, passport etc, and had no money. He said he had tried to phone home and his office, but to no avail.

We bought him a coffee and croissant and chatted as he said he knew Bournemouth, where we live. We left him with money for another coffee, but were worried that he was homeless, or suffering from dementia.

He told us he wrote for the Oldie, and we looked and saw his work. What a pleasure it was to meet such a gentleman, and we hope he will be OK on his travels.

Jesse and Jo Palmer, Bournemouth, Dorset.