Out of the blue

Helena had a meeting for her University course in Gloucester this morning. Knowing the travel conditions were likely to be bad, I offered to drive her there. The sunshine dazzled us with its reflections off the frozen tree limbs, particularly when we were high up, as we crossed over the escarpment into the Severn Vale. I knew the light would change before I had time to stop on our return, and I was right. I attempted a few snaps of details of the fantastic shapes of the icy rime clinging to all the branches.

When I got home at lunchtime there was a message for me, inviting me for lunch at the Woolpack pub in Slad, noted for being Laurie Lee's local in yesteryear.

So off I went to meet Rob, who I hadn't seen for several years. We met playing frisbee in Hyde Park in 1975, and became immediate friends. Soon afterwards, we started the Ally Pally Tossers, the first frisbee team in Europe, with Nick and Les. For many years we had a lot of fun. Oh yes we did! Subsequently, as we aged, we would meet to play more boules than frisbee. I really miss the camaraderie of those times, the people and places we shared.

Rob was here in Stroud today to pick up some lights he had bought for his house on the banks of the Wye in Herefordshire. He tolerated my taking his picture (two in fact), which I am glad to share with you (the better one). It is not often you can meet up with old mates, particularly old tossers!

It was very good to see you Rob, and many thanks for the meal!