Goodbyes and Hellos

The weekend before last (29th August) WE headed down to the beautiful town of Hungerford for my Uncle Wilfs funeral.

When I was growing up he'd already retired and he was a regular visitor to see his sister (my Gran) and the assorted great nieces and nephews they'd accumulated up here in wales.

I remember his relaxed attitude and friendliness and the video camera that he'd permanently have attached to his hand. I can't actually think of him without the enormous black machine resting on his shoulder. This was of course before mini DV cams and palmcorders this thing was about the size of a moderately well equipped ford fiesta. But, I have to say, we have a record of what we were all like at that point in our lives. Although I could have done without having to recite "Cecil is a caterpillar" every time the family now get together.

However we headed down on the Friday night and spent the weekend with Wilfreds daughter Judy and her husband Chris who are two of the most lovely welcoming friendly people I think I've ever met. The funeral itself was a full church service but the wake was great. Everyone talking and laughing, remembering Wilf and then meeting the next generation, my nephews and nieces. Or nephews once removed or something like that.

The picture about two or three entries below titled "You'll never see what I believe till its sunny in England" is of the fields at the back of Chris and Judys house which leads down the picturesque canal above which leads to the beautiful village centre. It really is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been and ALL the people I met on the walk looked me straight in the eye and said 'Good Morning' instead of the studied obliviousness that I'm used to in Rhyl. It was an eye opening change.