The Wednesday walk in the Colmworth Country Park yielded lots of natural delights

“One of the wonders of medieval engineering, this incredible structure completed in 1342 is considered the jewel in the Cathedral crown.”

I couldn’t climb up there because of the enclosed spiral staircases which exacerbates my claustrophobia. I relied on Jeremy to make the journey up and down and to enjoy the views and the talk given by the tour guide.

Today is the yahrzeit of Leslie Cohen, only child of Kate and Sam, husband to Sybil, father to my brother and to me, grandfather to two grandsons and two granddaughters and great grandpa to one great grandson and one baby great granddaughter (the others were born after his passing). Dad made the most of every day and was amazed that after a childhood in poverty, leaving school at 14 without any qualifications, he met mum, married and worked by day and studied by night, and qualified as an accountant. He often said that he and mum lived a life that neither could have dreamt about when they were growing up. From his youth until his 80’s he was an all round sportsman. A decent footballer and cricketer as a young man, later a regular tennis player (we often played doubles together on a Sunday morning) and, with mum, a three times a week golfer. He was a dab hand at snooker and a good bridge player. His was and example of a work life balance that ensured plenty of time for fun and yet enough paid work to provide for us, his family, to support his parents throughout their long lives and to always be generous and charitable. As a father he was “hands on” and loving, as a grandfather he was devoted and involved and as a great grandfather he was an enormously important figure in the life and now memory of his great grandson. How proud he would have been to see that little boy grow into a cricket mad teenager. How proud he was of all of us and how giving he was to all of us with time and money and above all with his love. He and mum had 65 amazing years together, seeing every play and film and show when they were young and in their prime. Dancing together and laughing together and facing life’s challenges together and never complaining. Dad could talk to anyone about anything. He, along with mum, were our greatest assets at our Friday night table where they made our guests feel welcome and valued. He alongside mum could “work a room” because he and she really were interested in people. Dad had a colourful life and his email exchanges with his oldest grandson are a treasure chest of exploits and characters and reminiscences. He left us without any fuss, suddenly and with dignity. But he left us all with so many happy memories and with the blueprint of how to live our lives. May his memory be for a blessing💕

I like a salty pickle and my beloved likes a vinegar cucumber.

closes during the summer holidays. Today there were 28 children and 25 adults. We might soon need a bigger library!

I came home to a group of year 6 girls and their teachers who are making a “farm visit”. Although we always call this a small holding, city folk consider it to be a farm! I’ll be taking them around after they eat their packed lunch.