I didn’t want to take a photo at the funeral

So here is one of the programme. Martin and Judy were my first landlords in Stroud. I lodged with them for about four months when I moved here 31 years ago. They lived in an old Rectory near one of Stroud’s famous commons, where cattle graze freely . Martin was softly-spoken, kind and had a dry sense of humour. I appreciated his calm presence. The children were mostly grown up but I grew to know Tom, then 21, who was sometimes at home, Wil, who was older, and Andrew, roughly my age ( then 30) who lived at home. I kept in touch with Wil and Tom off and on after I moved out, and with their elder sister Lilli, and Martin’s wife Judy. I had not seen Martin for a couple of years, because he had dementia latterly. Youngest son Tom died two years ago, before he was fifty, of medicine prescribed to treat Crohn’s disease. Today’s funeral was held at the same venue as Tom’s send off, and brought back memories. https://www.blipfoto.com/entry/3100189813806990514

The Quicks were Quakers, and the service today followed the format of a Quaker meeting. Plenty of silence and reflection. Jazz music at the beginning and end, to reflect Martin’s love of jazz. If I have one regret, it’s that I did not accept Martin’s invitation to Quaker summer camp. He ran it for many years, and people spoke of it so fondly and with such humour

We walked from the Common down to Brimscombe cemetery (quite a way) and after the burial ceremony, I decided to walk home, because I could not imagine walking up the terrible hill again for refreshments, and then getting the bus all the way home. So I cut through Brimscombe, including scrambling down a muddy bank to a pathway, and walked home, with a stop off at the Stroud Brewery for a cappuccino in the garden. I also discovered two charity shops and a bathroom showroom ( a makeover is on the agenda) in unlikely locations, and phoned home ahead of time to ask if Steve could get me some gf bread for lunch.

The coffee stop provided a transition between funeral time and everyday time, and by the time I got home I was hot, but pleased to have had a good walk and to know that I could spend the rest of the day doing as I pleased, (and doing the laundry!)

I do not know anyone else who had the middle name of Vinicombe .

I did not blip yesterday because it was grey and foggy and I just worked all day. I’ve done enough EBs lately.