Landed in Birmingham at 6.30 and, as usual, was met by Jackie and in her local less than an hour later.
Few ciders, fish and chips and bed before midnight.
Saturday we went shopping and had lunch out at a nice wee pub.
6.30 we met Gez, Sharon, all their brothers and sisters, their respective wives and husbands, Gez and Sharon's 5 grown up children and all their partners. Add Gez's choice of his closest friends and 46 of us climbed aboard the bonkers bus to the Black country. We stopped at 4 different pubs, had a drink and danced in each one; ending up with a fabulous curry in the last one. Back to the White Swan in Digbeth where we rocked the juke box and got the afters.
One of the best nights I've had in my life. It was absolutely perfect and the next day my throat was raspy from laughing and singing so much!
Sunday we set off at 11am to make the journey to see Bryan. Jackie very kindly offered to take me (I'd looked at trains but the times were just a no go - it would have taken me hours.)
It was a lovely drive and apart from the satnav having a meltdown and telling us to leave at exit 5 when there were only 3 exits
we made it in 3 hours. As we were nearing Pennington there were name places popping up that I remembered Di mentioning many times.
The New forest looked beautiful; I saw ponies and horses and somehow it felt 'right' to be there.
Bry came out to meet me (Jackie kindly held back a moment) and we had a good long hug and went inside.
I met Minnie dog - such a beautiful, placid and loving creature if ever there was.
Bry had left the door slightly ajar and when Jackie came in she was hugged and was made to feel wonderfully welcome.
Jumped in the car to a local pub where we had a drink and Bry very kindly bought us lunch.
We sat outside talking in the late afternoon sunshine in the lovely gardens.
We then went back to Bry's for a cuppa and a chat.
I read all the condolence cards (there are many as befitting to Di) and we had a good mooch through some wonderful photos.
I felt so at ease and very comforted to be in the house. I could 'feel' Di and (it's difficult to put into words) but I felt she was 'there' and was happy that I was.
After a while it was time to leave and make our way home.
i can't be at the funeral on Friday but feel in my heart so glad to have visited where Di and Bry lived and I had the privilege of saying a few words to Di as I stood looking out to their garden.
Thank you Bry for making it so easy for me to visit you at this sad time and for welcoming Jackie.
Much love xxxxx
