Blog Archives

Kate's 50th Birthday

31/1/2022

For the first time since Christmas 2018 (or so Paul and I think) we managed to get-together as a whole family yesterday (30th January). Well, whole in so far as Kate was not with us, but we were gathered together to celebrate what would have been her 50th birthday (on 26th January). I cannot believe she is no longer here, and I am often on the brink of picking up the phone to have a chat, or to send a text message or email and then recall that it is not possible.

Alison has compiled a Photo Book for Violet and Clementine and many of the photos had not been seen for a while - if at all. Over the past few months Alison and I had met up with or made contact with, some of Kate's friends who also provided photographs and these are a good testament to the vagaries of 1980's fashion!!

Kate would have enjoyed the Afternoon Tea that Violet produced, the exotic lemon and raspberry sponge-cake that Alison baked and the champagne that was quaffed by everyone! Kate would have particularly approved of the latter as - poignantly – it was a bottle of Moet and Chandon champagne that she had given to me for my 50th birthday!

Happy Birthday Kate! We all love and miss you so much. xxx

A selection of old family, family and school photographs:

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Isolation - and Beyond!

27/1/2022

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I been in isolation for the past ten days following a positive PCR test. A couple of days proved to be somewhat aggravating but I think that was because I was extremely tired and the weather was grey, cold and far too January-like (funny that.

However, on the whole I quite enjoy the freedom - contrary maybe - that enforced isolation offers! There is no obligation to drive anywhere, do anything or meet anyone. I am not saying this is a state of affairs that would appeal permanently, but it has been a relief in some regard.

Anyway, with all the various NHS notifications and directives I managed to sign myself up for "antibody testing" which was quite a thing - just in case you haven't come across it. To be honest, I wasn't sure what was happening - but hey. A testing kit was sent in the post and basically, by wielding a pretty sever lancet on my ring finger, I had to produce a small phial of blood and send it off in a pre-organised, pre-paid box for analysis. Just 24 hours later I received the following information (below)- which was surprising:

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