Had a great day today. LadyGG and her team hosted a buffet lunch for their local old and 'needy' folk (I think it's part of their Saturday Grub Club) at Murton Green, Bishopston immediately next to the community centre. There were a couple of marquee tents erected with extra seating and tables outside on the Green. The area was bedecked with bunting and the whole affair had, of course, a coronation theme.
But I was there for another reason because LadyGG had arranged for Esme, wife of the late great Ivor, to be there to meet me. I was very good friends with Esme as well as Ivor and we spent an hour happily chatting about old times. We had a lot to talk about as we hadn't met in many, many years. Unfortunately, she had sad news for @Yankee_Jack as well as myself because she told me that good friend and old team mate, Colin Rees, had passed on some years ago. And, equally as bad, she said that big Mal Crombie had also passed from cancer; and he was only in his early sixties.
Although, as with Esme, I hadn't seen either for many years as I was living abroad for much of the time, it was so sad to hear of their demise. Colin and I were good mates and Mal and his wife, Yvonne, often made up a foursome with my wife and myself to go out for dinner, the theatre or clubbing. Mal was a naturally genuine character with a huge smile and a warm personality. I will greatly miss them both. RIP, lads.
But life goes on and, with a heavy heart, I went for dinner at LadyGG's. Because she'd been busy all day, she'd made a slow cooker beef stew with creamy mash and yorkies, for convenience and a tasty Shiraz to go with it.. As ever it was absolutely delicious. Final note: Esme and I agreed to meet for coffee and I hope it will become a regular thing because we have years of catchup to chat about.
But I was there for another reason because LadyGG had arranged for Esme, wife of the late great Ivor, to be there to meet me. I was very good friends with Esme as well as Ivor and we spent an hour happily chatting about old times. We had a lot to talk about as we hadn't met in many, many years. Unfortunately, she had sad news for @Yankee_Jack as well as myself because she told me that good friend and old team mate, Colin Rees, had passed on some years ago. And, equally as bad, she said that big Mal Crombie had also passed from cancer; and he was only in his early sixties.
Although, as with Esme, I hadn't seen either for many years as I was living abroad for much of the time, it was so sad to hear of their demise. Colin and I were good mates and Mal and his wife, Yvonne, often made up a foursome with my wife and myself to go out for dinner, the theatre or clubbing. Mal was a naturally genuine character with a huge smile and a warm personality. I will greatly miss them both. RIP, lads.
But life goes on and, with a heavy heart, I went for dinner at LadyGG's. Because she'd been busy all day, she'd made a slow cooker beef stew with creamy mash and yorkies, for convenience and a tasty Shiraz to go with it.. As ever it was absolutely delicious. Final note: Esme and I agreed to meet for coffee and I hope it will become a regular thing because we have years of catchup to chat about.
