A farewell .... with a lifetime of happy memories

 

On 25 November 2024, I had a lovely sunlit wander at Claremont Gardens, with my very special friend Isa.  What we didn't know at that time was, and this is not easy to say, that it was to be our last walk together

As I write this on 2e July 2026, I had known my special and much loved friend since 1975, so for approximately 50 years...50 years of sharing so much of our lives.

We met when we were both working at a Polytechnic (which now has university status)
Isa lectured at an evening class one night a week when living a considerable drive from the Poly.
Long story short, I invited her to stay over as my guest on that night to save the long journey home .
and from that time onwards our friendship grew.. and over the years she was witness to the growing up of my two children and I to her daughter... who is now a Mum herself.

It's been my privilege to know Isa over the years - we used to live very close to each other, but as our lives grew and developed we were 2 counties apart but still managed to meet up about every month for a long walk and a natter .. where we put the world to rights and had long chats about just about everything and anything.

Brimstone Butterfly, Warnham Local Nature Reserve

 

A few days in Portugal Day 3 September 10- Sintra and Quinta da Regaleira

 After an hour long train ride and then a lovely 20 minute walk, we entered the amazing area of Quanta da Regalaira with the aim of seeing the Initiation Well - which we did 

(The Initiation Wells (also called initiatic wells or inverted towers) are two wells on the property that better resemble underground towers lined with stairs. These wells never served as water sources. Instead, they were purportedly used for ceremonial purposes.)

A few days in Portugal. day 2

 We left the UK and arrived in Lisbon around lunchtime on the Sunday. 
The first outing on our first full day, was a wander to the Botanical gardens, which were amazing!