Brian's 80th

Brian is a member of our photographic class. We've all been learning together for a few years. After today's class, we went to Brian's house for a lovely birthday lunch, prepared by his wife, Jean.

Brian was an architect by profession but also a painter of some ability. He produces very artistic photographic images but is very modest about his work. We are always amazed by his imagination.

This afternoon, Mum opened the door to a young woman who was trying to sell paintings. She indicated that she was deaf, showed no ID and did not speak. When Mum explained that we don't buy at the door she was angry, then indicated she needed the toilet. I'm glad that Mum did not let her into the house, but there was an angrier response and she rubbed her finger on the door as if marking it. Very unsettling. I have said not to answer the door unless we know who is there. There have been a lot of burglaries in Hexham recently. The police have had similar reports of both men and women without ID trying to sell paintings.

PS The police rang during the evening to say they had picked up the caller. She is Polish and is deaf and mute. She has no licence to sell at the doors so has been given a warning and sent home (no where near to here). You can't help feeling that there is a sad story behind the little we know.