General Chat

WE HAVE BEAUTIFUL SUNSHINE
FRED IS SMILING XXX

I am on holiday at the moment but you have been in my thoughts today. I hope all went according to plan and Fred had a great send off.



Paula

Thinking of you all Sharron <3

Hope everything went smoothly Sharron.
Now get your feet up for a couple of hours if you can.

Marion

Thinking of you Sharron, and all the people involved in Fred's care.

Hope that you are ok and not too frazzled by the day.

Take it easy now, remember one day at a time.
It will be a big change for you, a whole new way of life.





<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

hope all went well Sharron - you are probably done in, but hopefully pleased that all your well laid plans came to fruition - you and Fred have been in my thoughts most of the day <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

Gwyn came. Better wait for her account.

You OK Sharron <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

Yes thanks. Got held up, missed seeing the tanker come in!

OH managed to video my arse waddling up the crem!

Over catered by yards!

I'm away in France at the moment. I thought of you today, Sharron, and of the wonderful send off you had planned for Fred.

I hope that the day went well, and you are now relaxing.

Love from Lynda <3 <3 xx

nice one Sharron - love the video!!!! :-D :-D :-D

I'm so pleased to see you posting Sharron after what must have been a long day and draining day,

get a few extra well deserved 40 winks.
x

OH has been really working hard at it for the last couple of days.

It doesn't take much for my back to go but I do my best. It was a matter of me making up the dough etc. because I am quite good at that and him cutting it out or making the pie, biscuit, cake or whatever because that is what he is trained to do. (He can't strike arc though!)

I have done all the organizing and worrying. He has done as he is told!

OH and I detoured via the south coast for our return from north Hampshire to Kent and it was a privilege to represent all the folks from this board, who felt they almost knew Fred.
As we arrived at the crem. car park, the heavens opened, lightning flashed and there was just one roll of thunder.- Fred wasn't going quietly.
The hail made the pavement like a ball-bearing-covered skid pan, but we negotiated that safely in time to see the arrival of a suitably cleaned tanker. There were a few surprised looks, even more so from people from the previous service, who wouldn't have realised Fred's history.
The tanker waited in attendance for the arrival of the hearse and Fred's Union Jack-draped coffin topped with his medals and a beautiful arrangement of flowering shrubs, fruit and vegetables to reflect his 'sharing' of such items around the village. The ladies had done him proud in making that. I particularly liked the white lilac, honeysuckle, carrots and apple surrounded by sprigs of rosemary.
He was carried in to the beautiful music chosen by Sharron,, -' Whence is that Goodly Fragrance Flowing'. It seemed so right.
The service was simple, but meaningful and Sharron delivered a beautiful eulogy, touching on many of the chapters in Fred's long life. Afterwards there was a time of reflection, as we listened to a recording of the dawn chorus.

Later we travelled back to their village and for much of the way we were following.... a tanker ! though this was a working one and not nearly so clean as the tribute one.
Refreshments started with sausage sandwiches, what else? and Sharron had catered for most of Sussex, I think. People really enjoyed her home-cooked fare and although we ate heartily, there was loads left, but no doubt Sharron will find a home for this or else concoct a delicious new dish from the left-overs.
We left ,as did many others with a pot of rosemary plants to nurture in Fred's memory,with donations to the carers group.

A unique amazing send-off for a character we didn't know, but took to our hearts through Sharron's tales of his adventures.

She did him proud.

Gwyn

Was thinking about you today Sharron and guess all went as well as it should.
Hope by now you are chilaxing with a glass of something you like as you sure deserve it.
Take care

Florence
in the hebrides. :-) <3

Well done Gwyn - you were GR's representative for all those who loved Fred <3

Gwyn that was lovely. <3

Sharron.........we knew you would do Fred proud!! <3 <3 <3

Because I had been held up and was travelling up from home all I saw of the hail storm and thunder clap was a bit of black sky over Will's mothers.

Sounds like one of his capers though doesn't it?

Anybody want a copy of the eulogy?

thanks for representing us all Gwyn - you did us proud - Rosemary should never be bought, should always be given - Rosemary for remembrance <3

Not really being sold

It was there to take but there were collecting boxes for the carers support group.
.