Torr Giffard LSWR 1951-71

Aft'noon all, Best regards to any that ail Pleased to report that Is has now been scattered at each of her favourite viewpoints....I've carried out the last of her wishes. A trip to the St. Davids area with our best man & his wife this last weekend was concluded with evensong in the cathedral. My new life in retirement is progressing. The narrowboat has had a full survey ashore and will have some minor remedial work done before we set sail. The house is sold and the last legal details are being sorted now..... Many of Is's friends are stopping by to collect a keepsake from her various ornaments etc....just to remember her by Meal out with church friends tonight Feathered ones provided for Enjoy what you do Dave

....ironically, it had been my idea first Andy and she had adopted it. Starting the first journeys I wondered whether it would put me off going to what were my favourite places too but it hasn't, rather it is easier to enjoy being in these places again now because part of her will always be there. The people staying at the different hotels and B&Bs around the various circuits invariably thought what a wonderful idea it was too. Dave

Evenin' all, Best regards to any that ail I've carried out Is's last wishes by scattering her ashes at her favourite ten places around the coastline of the UK with various friends & family....Southwold, Aldeburgh, Bembridge, Swanage, Sidmouth, Valley of Rocks nr Lynton, St Mawes....two left to do in early September in South West Wales nr St Davids with our best man & his wife. I've now retired and will be moving to a boat on The Norfolk Broads for the first 2 yrs before having it roaded to Cambridge to be floated on the main network of UK canals & rivers to start exploring some of same. I couldn't bring myself to use the camera for the first few scattering points but by the time I was visiting St Mawes, Lynton and Sidmouth I was viewing the whole process in a much more positive light..... Feathered ones provided for Enjoy what you do Dave

Mornin' all, Best regards to those that ail Overcast but bright & dry in The Moorlands at kick off.....enjoyable cycle around the weekend circuit. The funeral director now has Is's ashes....the trips to her favourite coastal viewpoints can now be arranged. The coffin top flowers were placed in front of the altar at our church for the Sunday service last week..... The water crane has been installed at Cheddleton and the platform resurfaced..... ....most of the signage for the new local towpath cycle routes is now in place.... Church duties beckon Feathered ones provided for Enjoy what you do Dave

Evenin' all, Just back from a cracking evening at Gawsworth Hall with friends being entertained in the outdoor grandstand by 'The Simon & Garfunkel story'.....just superb!! http://www.thesimonandgarfunkelstory.com/ Dave

Mornin' all, Bright, mild & dry in The Moorlands at kick off....new folding bike trialled around the short anticlockwise. Options of what to do with my life now currently being examined..... Now music by Hazel 'O' Connor.....Will you Feathered ones provided for Enjoy what you do Dave

Evenin' all, Best regards to any that ail Today was the day of Is's funeral and I'm pleased to say that it was a lovely occasion to be part of, was well attended and more importantly, I'm sure that she would have approved. The following three pictures were taken yesterday whilst her friends were decorating our church in readiness..... A few legal aspects still to sort but most of the work is done now. Feathered ones provided for Enjoy what you do Dave

Mornin' all, Blue sky sunny good to be alive start on what promises to be one of the hottest days of the year in The Moorlands. 05.30 seemed to be the only sensible time to head for a high level route.....but the vistas were worth it.... Back home for a real coffee breakfast in the garden....the mock orange scents are lovely just now Feathered ones provided for Enjoy what you do Dave

Mornin' all, Best regards to any that ail Overcast, mild and dry in The Moorlands at kick off.....head down calorie burn around the weekend circuit. The unenviable task of sifting through Is's life before I arrived....the contents of the loft....is well under way, with any items of sentimental importance to her family being handed over. This is the sort of job which could be left until a later date but somehow impedes my adjusting to life, post Is. Also, workmen will be arriving to start roof repairs during the next week or so and getting rid of the contents of the loft will make their job easier. I have a sneaking suspicion that my subconscious is urging me to keep busy/active in order to spread/reduce the impact of the dawning realisation that a new routine has to be fashioned now. Our flower festival service at church this morning with communal lunch in the village hall afterwards. Feathered ones provided for Enjoy what you do Dave

Mornin' all, Good to be alive blue sky (after a while) sunny start in The Moorlands. Out by 05.30 so a new constitutional circuit trialled..... Now music by Creedence Clearwater Revival....Bad Moon Rising Feathered ones provided for Enjoy what you do Dave

Evenin' all, Many thanks for your continued support. I gave in to the invites today......having had a superb steak & chips with a cousin at lunchtime then went out walking with our best man this afternoon before an Indian meal at his local restaurant tonight. Dave

Evenin' all, This will be the image of Is used on her Order of Service....taken prior to our wedding in 2005.... Dave

Mornin' all, Best regards to any that ail Overcast, mild and dry once more in The Moorlands....normal outline re-emerging with more beer calories burnt The Churnet Valley Railway has finally gotten round to providing loco watering facilities on a section of track where trains can pass each other..... ....associated delays should soon be a thing of the past. Now music by The Houghton Weavers....Wild Mountain Thyme (one of Is's favourite tracks) Church duties beckon Feathered ones provided for Enjoy what you do Dave

Mornin' all, Best regards to any that ail Overcast, mild but dry in The Moorlands....more beer calories burnt around the weekend circuit Most of the arrangements for Is's funeral are now in place.....she had been badly affected by the controlling avarice of one of her siblings over time and her written funeral instructions/last requests appear to have deliberately ensured that same has no opportunity this time. I maintain the party line at every turn, much to the satisfaction of the other sibling....."I have given Is's written last requests to the funeral director and he is carrying them out." Now music by Neil Diamond.....Play me Feathered ones provided for.....a fox cub has started to help the pigeons hoover up any windfalls Enjoy what you do Dave

Mornin' all, Best regards to any that ail Rained off for the constitutional in The Moorlands today. Enjoyable afternoon yesterday having a beer with Richard before dining at a great Indian restaurant. Most of the funeral arrangements are now made, clearing the house of the various medical kit comes next. Feathered ones provided for Enjoy what you do Dave

Mornin' all, Best regards to any that ail Day two in The Moorlands is somewhat overcast.....but mild and dry. A few beer calories burnt around the short anticlockwise. A modelling colleague coming over for a few beers and a meal today. NIce arrival yesterday was a set of DVDs covering the 1970s series 'Secret Army'....a long time favourite that I didn't expect to see released on DVD...no it wasn't just to look at a young Jan Francis! Now music by The Cardigans.....Erase and rewind Feathered ones provided for...3 bullfinches in the garden together at times...a jay is out there just now, not a daily visitor Enjoy what you do Dave

....have they provided a safety line for the cyclists to attach themselves to as they ride along the sea wall LE.....I've seen some fearsome cyclist + sized waves breaking along that wall. Dave

Mornin' all, Best regards to those that ail Day one kick off had a lovely Summer feel to it in The Moorlands. Apparently, half of my weekday constitutional route has been designated route 559 of the National Cycle Network..... An appropriate picture at this point but any new direction will be carefully considered. Feathered ones provided for Enjoy what you do Dave

Evenin' all, Best regards to any that ail. Thank you all for your kind words and continual support. Definitely a day to keep busy....it started with two real ales at 9am (a first for sure) for Dutch courage to face all of the tasks throughout the day, however, it worked and most of Is's wishes have been addressed on day one. We have a provisional funeral date of July 21st at Meerbrook church. She has chosen rousing hymms capable of loosening the new roof slates, so anyone fancying doing justice to e.g. 'The battle hymm of the republic' as she is played out is welcome to come along and also to share in the refreshments afterwards but be sure to introduce yourselves. Rgds Dave

Mornin' all, Is passed very peacefully at 08.50 this morning. Dave

Mornin' all, Best regards to any that ail Is didn't open her eyes or eat anything yesterday but each time she became restless I dribbled a little iced lime juice into her mouth. Her breathing became laboured around 10pm so I rubbed her favourite lavender oil onto her chest..... the fragrance could sooth her. I played her favorite music and sat with her until midnight. This morning her breathing is easier and I've left Classic FM playing next to her and used more of the lavender oil. Dave

Mornin' all, Best regards to those that ail Good to be alive blue sky sunny kick off in The Moorlands.....cycle reassembled yesterday afternoon ready for a circuit of the weekend route.... Classic FM playing at Is's bedside....she has had some iced lime juice and melon this morning Feathered ones provided for Enjoy what you do Dave

Mornin' all, Is continues her decline....still comfortable & pain free but eating/drinking very little now and sleeping for most of the time. Dave

....thank you guys, will do. Rgds Dave

Mornin' all, Best regards to any that ail Hands up anyone who watched England's misery all the way to the final whistle Constitutional-less for a few days now whilst a buckled wheel is rectified in town Is is continuing with a reasonable breakfast followed by grazing through the day.....regular iced lime juice/cups of tea/fresh coffee. Yesterday she enjoyed watching a few of our holiday DVDs and is currently listening to Classic FM. Feathered ones provided for Enjoy what you do Dave