My blog is mostly about wildlife, particularly birds, walking, days out, all growing things and anything else that comes to mind.
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Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts

Sunday, 11 November 2018

100 Hundred years on - 11 November 2018 - My gratitude.

And today we mark the occasion of the 100th anniversary of when the guns fell silent marking the end of the 1st World War.  It was traumatic for all involved and tragic that so many lives were lost...the sacrifice made by brave men and women who fought to preserve peace for those who remained.

And then, a few years later, the advent of the 2nd World War; started on 1 September 1939 and ended on 2 September 1945.

Today... both these events, and other wars, in which men and women gave their lives and their families counted the cost, we thank each and every one of you for the sacrifice you made for us.

My Mum and Dad


My mother - was in the Women's Voluntary Service during WW2 - working from dawn to dusk with primitive accommodation...She died only recently aged 96; this year she would have been 99!



My Canadian father - Frank, - came over here from Canada in 1939 during WW2 with the Queens Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada to serve in the war. He met and married my mother -  then he had a daughter, me, and a son.


He was killed in action, aged 24, in Italy, and is buried at the Moro River Canadian War Cemetery which is in the locality of San Donato in the Commune of Ortona, Province of Chieti... The Cemetery is on high ground near the sea.  Sadly I never knew him ... but would loved to have known him - my mother used to say that, at times, I reminded her of him... a great compliment to me!

My Maternal Grandfather - John.  He was a member of the Home Guard during WW2.  The rifle he was demonstrating blew up... he was taken into hospital with severe injuries - had both legs amputated.. and shortly after that, he died, leaving my grandmother a widow for many years until she died aged 93 about 40 years later - she loved him very much and never remarried.  He died about a month before my mother and father were married.


My story is, sadly, not untypical and there are many families who suffered much more than ours...

Life is so precious and I treat it with gratitude - it should be cherished always
I am so lucky to have my younger family and I love you Carl, Sharon and Josh

So to all and everyone who gave up so much, and to their families,
I say the most heartfelt

"THANK YOU"


Monday, 18 December 2017

Beach Walking


Went down to see my grandson today and we walked the dog along the beach; great to be out in some fresh air.. we all enjoyed it... Thanks Josh... for your company














Friday, 24 November 2017

Walking the dog on the beach

Met my daughter today and we had a wander along the beach with her dog.  The light was really weird .. not the best for picture...




Interesting clouds today






"Come on in"  "It's loveley...!!



Saturday, 11 November 2017

Remembering.....

Another year has been and gone... and I can never let the 11 November pass without thinking of all those who gave so much that we could enjoy the freedom we have today.

I dedicate this post to everyone, regardless of race, creed, nationality or colour, who has been affected by any action of war, or of war itself.

My maternal Grandfather... killed when he was in the Home Guard... I never knew him.


My father... a member of the Canadian forces who come over to the UK in WW2 and gave his life in Italy.. I was 9 months old.. I never knew him

And my mother.. who worked in the Land Army during WW2 - I was so lucky to have had her in my life until just a couple of years ago.


There is no more I can say .....

Friday, 11 November 2016

Remembering ........



My father, a Canadian, was killed in action in Italy, 9 months after I was born, I would dearly loved to have known him ..



My cousin sent me a picture of my maternal Grandfather recently - it's only the second picture I've seen of him.
He was in the Home Guard during WW2, and was killed before I was born
I would really have liked to have known him too.




Whichever nationality, race, creed or colour or whichever war was fought - today we remember all those who gave their lives and livelihoods fighting for their countries.... and for us




Tuesday, 16 August 2016

Mum - a year on and a first anniversary

It seems like only yesterday but in fact it was a year ago today, that Mum passed away..

I miss her so much... she was such a lovely person - had a great sense of humour and just very good company

After Dad died, she and I shared a few holidays together.. one of which was a week in Kinloch Rannoch in Scotland - our hotel being at the side of the loch.  We had an 'interesting' journey.  The train from London stopped at Crewe (engineering works!) and we had to get a coach from there to Scotland.  Mum couldn't walk very far in those days.. but the train cabin crew were so very kind in helping us take our luggage to the coach - quite a walk - whilst I helped Mum walking.

We got to the station in Scotland about 3 hours late where there was a mini bus from the hotel to meet us (it was a SAGA holiday) .. !! BUT that aside is was a wonderful holiday and one in which I saw an Osprey diving for fish in the Loch... first time I'd witnessed an Osprey diving!

So now, when I see an Osprey I think ......

A rediscovered picture of Mum - don't know how old she was but I think in her early twenties..


and my favourite most recent picture of her.....the smile is still the same



Miss you Mum xx

Sunday, 19 June 2016

A birthday and quick visit to Warnham LNR

Took my grandson out for a birthday lunch today, with a friend of his.   Lovely time very well spent.

Pressie T-shirt from his Mum


Just a light snack!!

And later on, on my way home I popped into Warnham.. The sky was black... difficult to see the birds let alone take pics.

The family of 4 cygnets are still all there


and the Common Terns are... difficult to tell how many out of the raft re lack of light, but one posed having a preen.




Highlight was when a Red Kite flew over - being mobbed by one of the Terns.

Lovely day ... thank you Josh.

Saturday, 21 November 2015

Wintery Worthing - when the sun finally shone......

I woke to darkness, cold and wintry showers of sleet which turned, albeit briefly, to snow!!! Considering we had temps of about 55f yesterday, this came as a shock to the system.

I met my daughter and her partner and my grandson today.... for a quick bit of shopping then brekkie at the end of Worth Pier.  The wind was still very strong from the north and very very cold... however the clouds parted, the sky turned blue and the sun shone!!  Great...

There were (very early) Christmas things going on in the town....

The glass and gleaming white carriage wasn't the easiest subject to photograph in the low sunlight....




Paul saying hello to one of the greys..


and best buddies...


Shopping done we headed out along the pier... couldn't believe the bright sunlight and the subsequent glare of the beach and sea..


The wind was coming off shore which made for some interesting wave-lets in the shallow sea..




On the way back... my daughter (forever a kid a heart) climbed into a kiddy's car outside a shop!!


Hot roasted chestnuts anyone?..

And now in harness and giving rides in the carriage to children..



Thanks to Sharon, Josh and Paul for an unexpected morning out ..
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