2012 January 20th - February 5th UK - Alex post US motor biking accident 👍

Looking after Alex - post death wish

2012 January 29th - February 5th UK, 

Dateline: April 5th, 2012, Reigate, UK

I head to UK to nurse Peter after his motor bike crash in Nevada

Alex, sort of mending. I decided to come to UK to offer respite nursing to the family
I had no idea how much I, or far more likely, anyone with a pulse was needed
Graham met me at Gatwick, dropped me off at the house and everyone left me to it
My trek to look after Peter wasn't just welcome, it turned out to be desperately necessary

Ouch!

I was the life skills, and general care giver for a
few weeks here, although I did take advantage
of a few R&R days at Newts and visits I should
have organised years back
Here, taking a walk up on the heath close to home

Alex is still to some degree tied to his old company, so
the occasional call. Here at Marks & Sparks
in the local mall

There's nothing like Marks & Sparks for drawers, for me and
the missus. I send these (and many more) for selection

It's been 2, 4 months since he nearly
died. 

I can't believe that I could eat this stuff
Pub Grub, UK style on our way back home

Did I say R&R. Yep, up to the Newts for catch up, and
I believe, to borrow a vehicle

To head back to my ancient homestead
This is the site of my foster family residence.
Lower End, Chaddleworth

And this is what it used to look like, and
where we lived for 5 years
It was, I believe what was known as a tithe cottage
It came with the job of farm labourer, as in what
the old man did after the war
We lived in the far half, one room up, one down

This driveway across the road is what used to be our garden
Rationing was still a fact of life until 1954 and the garden
was literally a life or death investment

Little Jimmy at 3 with all the
mod cons that 50's rationing
will allow
Certainly well fed, if not well clothed
I'm standing exactly where the new driveway is

The local school. It was much smaller back in the 50's 
but needed to expand big time after the new housing
was built around 1953

Your correspondent, probably aged 9

It's not a regular thing, but 
whenever I'm back in UK,
I try to come and talk, mainly to mum

The local church and

My attempt at art when I was in
the photo club at school in 1964 

The Ibex. At one point I thought this was the epitome
of growing up, and actually went into the public bar

for a pint on my 16th birthday

These photos of all the local lads as they volunteered
for glory in 1939. Still there long after they have
all gone

This trip, I'm heading back to my old school
Compton where they have just celebrated
50 year anniversary

 

I return my vehicle back to Camberwell. Next day, Newt & I
explore the British Museum

I'm certain that I've seen this in situ at a tomb in the
valley of the Nobles. Grave Robbers are everywhere

 

Again, I'm back into London for another day.
Here, the Serpentine

I'm taking the Newts out for dinner,
Chinatown I believe. Also, a west end show of 
some sort

Part of rehab is a regular regime of various exercises
Alex tries to avoid them unless Shem is around

R&R is over and I'm back to my duties
Peter is suitably disgusted with my ski jacket
and washes it for me. Pretty good eh?

I've arranged to meet Two of my secondary school teachers
(from ages 11 to 16)
John Mordue (Maths) and Bill Evans (Workshop)
I am thanking them in person for their dedication to, well
specifically John for his total dedication to his craft and the spark
that helped ignite my love of mathematics that in turn gave me such a wonderful future
Strangely enough, I did not feel the same about the jerk teacher
(Jake) that taught me sciences. He was not invited

Me, Bill Evans (my woodwork and metalwork teacher), and John Mordue, (maths) one of a few saviours in my life, but probably the most important
Here, on a sunny cold January day, I said my final goodbyes and many thank you's to them both outside the Swan in East Isley

Bill died a few months later but his live in lady
friend sent me a photo of the blooms that my gift 
became a few months later
John carried on for another 8 years

And I depart Gatwick
The airport actually shut down for an hour due to snowfall
About 5 cms in all. Eventually, we were allowed to take off

Back to Toronto

Your correspondent