I know that it has
been a long time since I wrote the last Blog. So much has happened
since our great summer in the UK.
We arrived back in
Trinidad and were making final preparations to leave when my brother
phoned to say that mum had died suddenly! I could hardly believe it!
We had left her in fine fettle much improved since last year? So a
quick turn around leaving Piano on the hard at powerboats for the
interim. Arrival in the UK was pleasantly warm but more of the
weather later. On arriving at Sandwich we found that all the disabled
devices had been taken away, Daer had packed up all the clothes ready
to take to Thailand and Ali had almost finished clearing the kitchen.
We began by shopping
for essentials and then a visit to Ed to hear the latest. Long story
short he asked Malcolm to do the paperwork for probate and I took
care for the funeral arrangements.
Once the autopsy had
been done and the coroner told us that mum died of natural causes we
could go ahead with the funeral. We decided on a service at St
Clements so that everyone in town could say farewell without too much
travelling. Brian Scott gave the familys eulogy
“ * A first-rate
Mum, for whom her children always came first. They were always
provided with appetizing home cooking, good clothes and a good
education, even if it meant Pauleen and Jim going without
themselves. The results of her adoration can be found with her family
today.
* A first-rate wife,
always devoted to her husband Jim. The holidays, especially camping,
were particularly memorable: the car always loaded up with everything
possible, Pauleen making sure that everyone had fun, through to the
time when Jim died and she was pushed to her limit and often beyond,
looking after him. Then came old age where she kept going and still
behaved as a mum should.
* A first-rate
friend to many, throughout her years she made many friends and some
very close, who enjoyed great times with both Pauleen and Jim.
* Anybody who knew
her could to see she kept nothing back, she spoke her mind almost to
the point she would say exactly what was in her mind as it happened,
to some this was upsetting, but to most of us it was refreshing in a
day and age where you see wrong and say nothing or don't say your
real thoughts and give a white lie.
* We also cannot
forget that she was her own person too, ran her own hairdressing
business and became an elected councillor.
* She never liked
old age, she missed Jim her husband and she missed her youth where
she could rush about being busy. Her regular comment was " who'd
a though I would get like this". She had her fill of ill-health
on the way through life, but recently was happy, content (as she ever
could be) mobile and in a good place.
Pauleen had a good
life and put in more than she took out, but her reward was to see the
family grow up very independent, honest, happy and close. Well done
and Thank-you Pauleen.
Then everyone else
they took refreshments at Age Concern the family went to Barham for
the committal This was a short affair and Rev Mark Roberts did us
proud throughout. We made it back to Age Concern to have a few brief
words with all the friends who had attended and a really good tea
with all home-made cakes sandwiches scones and so on.
By the time the
paperwork was finished I had just about begun to feel the autumn
weather so we drove to Penryn for some winter clothes. This also
meant that we could take a few tools and stuff needed back to
Sandwich with us later.
While in Penryn we
did catch up with Hazel & Tony (S/Y Eileen of Down) and Peter &
Nicky (S/Y Chanto) We also spent an evening with John and Val
catching up on their latest news.
After driving back
to Sandwich we had time with Aunty Joy and Uncle Chump, Brian and
Beryl, Julian who has helped with the transition of the Coachworks
into my name and various other acquaintances around the town. Oh yes
and we did see Italian Maria with Anton & Denise. We signed the
house papers and the insurance to be finished when all the loose ends
were tied and fly back to Piano.
Our arrival back in
Trinidad this time should have been brief but you need to take into
account Caribbean time. The first Sunday I actually won the Mexican
Train Dominoes – unheard of for me!
The various jobs got done and
only the small quibbles like the generator which we have never found
the cause of meant minor holdups until she decided it was time to
depart. Of course we had a social life too! BBQs or potlucks as we
call them over here where we always meet new people and catch up with
old friends. We managed to get away on the 11th of
December with no major dramas Crews Inn were sorry that we weren’t
staying for Xmas with them but did squeeze in a Christmas party just
before we left.
The Sail to Bonaire
was bliss, everything went well. It was off the wind most of the way
and light winds sufficient to get the MPG out and leave overnight
(that’s a first!) We also had some fast sailing 7-8 knots which
meant that out 4 days was spot on.
Since we have been
here we have chilled out with a party aboard a Catamaran called Our-
Rageous. Plenty of room for 30 people to party in style. Of course we
have been snorkelling and are just bout to dig the dive gear out to
start some serious stuff next week.
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| This is one of the best anchorages of 2017 no houses and croissants delivered fresh every morning. |
All that leaves is
for us to wish all our friends and families a very Happy Christmas
and a healthy New Year 2018.
