High Cross

Stayed over with MrsB and J at mum's last night, and for the start of Remembrance Sunday this morning we all watched the moving coverage of the Cenotaph ceremony on BBC. During the laying of the wreaths towards the end we also spotted the Maldivian High Commissioner in the line up of various Commonwealth diplomats. Slightly odd admission, but me and MrsB quite like to look out for him every year.

Today was different from previous Poppy Days, only in respect of the fact that this was the first without dad. He died last year on November 13th. After the service, we all went to put some flowers on his small memorial at Silsden Cemetery. This past year has been hardest on my mum, but I sense this anniversary, and the coming Christmas, will be a real turning point for her.

After the cemetery, we made the short but very scenic drive over the top between Airedale and Wharfedale. This is a shot taken on that road looking over towards Beamsley Beacon as we dropped down towards Ilkley. Not sure where the 'High Cross' referred to on the rusty old gate, but I rather liked it's adapted use in this setting.

In Ilkley, we had a quick stroll around town and a frothy coffee, before seeing J off on the train back to Sheffield via Leeds. I stood on the platform taking a photo of her through the window of the carriage. I had threatened to use this shot as my blip today, and so she was trying desperately to duck from view. My dad would have thoroughly approved of this level of public teasing.

Writing all this back home in Knutsford now. The coal fire is already lit and roaring away (care of MrsB's 'recycled' coconut shell firelighters), and a glass of red wine is on the go.

Postscript: My dad was not an ex-serviceman who had been in any kind of action. Like a lot of men of his generation though, he did do his post-war National Service in the early 50s. Luckily, nothing much happened on his watch, and more importantly he also avoided deployment to that very bloody 'forgotten war' in Korea. Typical of my dad, he cited his scariest moment as being terrified by a small black cat, whilst on sentry duty one night in his Catterick Garrison.