Grimalkin.

[Bamy]

When did Anne first write about Grimalkin? I was watching this really cool programme about the storm of the century and in specifically, the fastnet disaster in 1979. Is it entirely possible that she might have gotten the name Grimalkin from one of the boats in that race?

[Kath]

Errr.... No. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grimalkin)

[Bamy]

Oh well, just a random thought that came to me while watching the programme...

[Brenda]

I was pretty sure reading the series that "Grimalkin" was a reference to some supernatural creature like that - a witch's familiar, etc...

I don't find it inconceivable that he knew of the legend... or started it in the first place! Remember, the shapeshifters rescued the Ki-Lin from Earth...