Summer Sunset

Thai's Walk

Summer afternoon - Summer afternoon... the two most beautiful words in the English language.
Henry James(1843 - 1916)

The Climb

It took me a long to to get up here, and now I'm frightened of the other side. I know it'll be worth it and I'll feel free, but I can't seem to make the next step. I need courage but don't know where to find it. I've dug so deep already, can I really do it?

Millsy

Today was the funeral of a much admired and respected man, Chris Mills. He was a cantankerous old git to many who knew him(all part of his charm!) and also a dear loyal friend to many more.

I didn't attend the funeral ceremony with the hundreds of other people who went, choosing instead to stay behind at the pub and prepare the food-An Indian Feast! Which he would have loved. He always enjoyed whatever meal I put in front of him, well...He said he did anyway. In fact, his last proper meal before he died was one I prepared( It was Cancer which killed him, not my cooking!) So I thought that by doing the food today, I could honour him in my own small way.

I have fond memories of sitting at the bar in the pub with him, drinking the night and our troubles away. Telling him off for not looking after himself and him tutting at myself and my sister for whatever drunken antics he'd witnessed of us the night before.

"Good Lord... What were you two girls up to last night?" He would invariably say.

He hated Christmas more than anything. With no children of his own, he lost the magic of it in his youth. Which is such a shame, as he would have been a wonderful father to have around at Christmas, at any time in fact.

I will miss him grumbling and muttering away, and I will always miss his sarcastic sense of humour and his laugh. I'm sure he would be proud that so very many of his friends were there today. Every one with a little story of him to tell.

He would be horrified but secretly amused to know we are planning a summer Christmas party to raise money for the hospice where he spent so much time in his final days. Though he will be watching us wherever he is and tapping his foot slyly thinking no one can see, as he did in life.

I will raise a glass to him, but I shall not cry, for he needs no more tears.

Just a smile and a Bah Humbug.

To Chris, our real life Scrooge, Rest In Peace forever

X X X X X

OMG! Loving your work!

OMG! I love this website/blog/whatever! I must now read it all the time and speak of nothing else for days. Just the name is enough to make me giggle and purr. Please see for yourself....

Today we went to Grantchester Fair, where we saw lots of people in wellies, lots of craft stalls, lots of dogs and horses and some swordfighting. It was great fun and the hog roast finished off the day very nicely!

Swingers

Now I'm the king of the swingers

Oh, the jungle VIP

I've reached the top and had to stop

And that's what botherin' me

I wanna be a man, mancub

And stroll right into town

And be just like the other men

I'm tired of monkeyin' around!

Up The Gogs

Last week, The Little Emperor and I took Oscar the Lurcher up to the Gog Magog Hills in Stapleford. We had a great walk, apart from the swarms of flying ants up there. The view from the top is spectacular, you can see all of Cambridge. We saw a helicoptor fly over really close, which Roman adored, and because it was so windy, leaned into the wind arms spread to try and take off ourselves. Wonderful.

England, My England.

I took Pippa for a walk yesterday and captured the exact spirit of what I call home. Simply because, She lives in the road where I grew up. Even though I don't live there anymore, in fact, haven't for many years, when I walk her here I feel safe.

It's a very pretty place with a park just next to it, the haunt of many a happy summer afternoon called out to me and all at once I remembered it all. I am so lucky that I grew up in such a lovely place where it was safe to roam as a child untill twilight, when the call of "DINNER!" was shouted by several parents at once. Calling us back home. I am now fortunate enoough that my son will be able to experience this same place also, wandering the coppice and swimming in the river, watching the horses and deer and playing on the park. Languishing in the sun as a teen and hopefully bringing his own children back here one day.

Some will say, "it's just a park, just a space, something ordinary", it's not. It's home, It is England to me.