Funeral

Drove 350 miles yesterday with some mates to bury our rwoing friend, John. The service was in a tiny tranquil English country chucrh perched on a hillside over looking a lovely valley. There must have been over 150 people of all ages at the service, many from the village, church, school, rugby clubs, university, rowing club. People had flown from the USA, Africa, Japan and NZ. His final resting place is between a great tree and the old wall facing east to west. His was placed in the earth in a wicker coffin, and dozens of people took the opportunity to sprinkle a few grains of English earth over him in a final goodbye. Then we all went back to his family farm home, and sat on hay bails in the barn having a drink and cake, and tea and burgers and mingled with all the others. Some camped in a field by a river between apple orchards and great banks of trees.

Very sad but soaked with fond smiles and memories for a big young man who had squeezed much into his years and certainly touched many a heart.

Rest well fella.