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First Heavenly Birthday

Today – the 18th December is the day that since I met Mary we have celebrated her birthday although she never liked any fuss we did it always. I have a few things in my diary today so will be keeping busy as the day progresses. Have a project in the garage too so will be taking that forward too.

Started the day with a flick through my facebook memories for this day – always a post about Mary’s birthday birthday – Mary was more of a lurker in facebook but that last birthday post which was two years ago ( she was under the weather last year ) she actually commented on to thank all the people who had also posted birthday wishes – there were quite a few.
Here is the post which I shared – dont usually share memories but I felt it would be a sort of tribute!

That photo represents a very special holiday that Mary planned. She always said we need to make memories. I have thought often this year that she might have had more of an inkling about here declining health than those close to her had. Doing many of the things that made good memories usually represesnted a hugh effort on her part. I am so glad we did these things – infact I cannot really put a value on the many memories we made.

I am very aware that during 2023 we as a family have supported each other and that recounting memories has been a large part of that process. Memories come all the time in my experience – some times in conversaton but very often in the quite times of being alone with ones own thoughts…..

In response to that facebook post someone mentioned the phrase “heavenly birthday”. Indeed Mary’s birthdays are now taking place in heaven. I certainly believe this. I was always great to celebrate together – having the challenge each year of finding a birthday present and a christmas one in quick succession is one that I don’t have more. That is the way things are for now.

As we proceed through the next few days including Christmas Eve/Day and then Aria’s birthday and then the Anniversary of Mary’s passing – we need to hold on the comfort that comes from remembering the good times as we also feel the pain of her loss.

I do long for the time that we will know each other again.

Going Solo Day 4

Today was a work day – so I spent time in my caravan office with a view of the Moray coast and joined a number of Teams meetings to work with colleagues and train some new teachers. One teacher I trained was working from the south of France and will be teaching from there into various schools in Scotland. Its remarkable how technology can enable.

This reminded me of our cruises on the Med where we visited places in that vicinity and also the time I travelled on a school trip to Narbone with the senior boys rugby team to play some local fixtures. The following photo was taken at the Cafe De Paris in Monaca – a special ice cream to celebrate an anniversary ;-). Happy Memory!

About mid afternoon things were going fairly routinely and I smelt a burning smell. Looked across the van and saw smoke coming up behind the seat back opposite. Abandoned the call and pulled out the seat cushions.

Was it the battery charger which is located under the seat that was smoking? I suspect so but no direct sign or proof. So I decided to switch of the electrical power.

Have since disconnected the charger and removed it for closer inspection – it does smell smokey so I am fairly certain this is the source of the problem – everything else looks fine. So new battery changer ordered!

Phew – so I guess this is hopefully the last disaster during this holiday!!!!

11.30pm: I am now at home!!!!!!

So why is this!!! Well I had dinner – cooked in the gas oven and was watching the news – sound on TV cut out – tried to raise the volume – no joy!!! Thought the TV has developed a fault. Tried the other TV – yes we have two!!!!

Still no sound but picture looks fine – looked for a possible cause – cannot find any reason for this . Lights are looking dim!! I check the battery voltage 11.1V that is low! So after a lot of testing etc I conclude that the lights have drained the battery to the point that the TV is malfunctioning and sound is not working. The TVs use a 12V supply…..

Did an appraisal of my options. If I wait till morning the battery might drain more. But the big questions is will the caravan mover work? I decide to test it. Legs up mover engaged – no problem so far. Try to move the van backwards – wheel move a 1/4 turn and that was it!.

So what next – I am pitched on a hard standing with the caravan facing the sea – so need to try and pivot the caravan by hand. So I give that a try – the front jocky wheel digs into the loose stone base. No matter how hard I try it will not move. So I relucantly give up. There is no way I can get the car in front of the caravan there is just not enough space.

I reluctantly message Philip to see if he is busy – he is just home from work but immediatly offers to some up to assist. So I wait.

I was on mains supply but the battery charger is still essential as the lights and mover work off the battery so it needs to be constantly charged up. There were only two other caravans on the site (this is the last week of the season) and I don’t want to ask these people for help they seem to be oldies!!!! So I wait till Philip gets here.

Philip arrives and we are about to man handle the van to turn it on the spot when another caravaner arrives to assist. So there are three of us and between us three it was an easy manuver.

Once the caravan has been turned it was easy to reverse the car up to the hitch and get the caravan attached. Once that was done I was ready to head home. So 1 Hr 15 Mins later I am back home – Fiona and RIchard are there to assist getting the caravan into it parking bay. This is an eash move as the surface is solid smooth surface.

I could not make up this catalog of disasters. Each one was fixable but could have led me to feel down hearted in my first solo camping trip. I will sleep on it before I draw any conclusions.

Coronation Eve

Sitting watching the TV this evening – a lot about preparations for tomorrows coronation of King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla. Whatever our feelings about the monarcy this is history in the making so one way or another it will be a significant event for our country and the commonwealth.

Of course I am reminded that 2022 was to be our Queens last on the throne after a livetime of service. I did comment on her in my Hogmany reflection Click here to see that post. It will be interesting to see how King Charles occupies her shoes. I hope that he is able to maintain a similar level of respect that i think the Queen commanded.

Of course since the queen passed many others have also passed including my dear wife Mary.

It seems that regardless of our station in life, none of us know how much time we have left. It will be interesting to see how long Charles and Camilla occupy the roles they are about to be formally appointed to tomorrow.