I debated whether or not to post this but in the end l thought l would let you all know that the reason l have been quieter than usual on the forum is that my dear old dad passed away on Boxing Day.It was unexpected and therefore ,a shock.
He was 85 years old and died within a week of being a admitted to hospital.
We were incredibly blessed that the hospital he was in allowed compassionate visits for the terminally ill so we were able to be with him right up until the end unlike so many people this year who have died without seeing their loved ones.l can’t imagine what that must be like.
My heart really does go out to all those who have lost people in the last year.

We had a very small funeral just 8 people and no wake.It was very odd not to do the usual process of mourning but again we were blessed in that we ,as a family,could be present to send him on his last journey unlike so many others this year and last.

My dad was an adventurous man and a traveller at heart.He spent a lot of his life abroad in Africa ,Malaysia,Australia and New Zealand as well as Europe.He would be chuffed to know that now his death is announced across the globe.
Thank you for letting me honour him in this way.