Safe Arrival!

The most important piece of news to report is that I arrived safely in England, just twenty-four hours ago. After a good night's sleep I feel a lot more rested, so here I am, seated at a computer in Chipping Sodbury Library, ready to do some blogging. I have just read my e-mails, so many thanks to those who sent them! I hope your queries will be answered in today's 'Flotsam and Jetsam'.
I was asked how you send me an e-mail via 'F & J' - the answer is that I don't know! However, I do know that you can e-mail me at seasiderdi@gmail.com, as well as at my usual shaw.ca. If you wish to phone, my mobile no. here in the UK is 07969 742965 (01144 7969 742965 from Canada).
As mentioned previously, I made a quick trip to Abbotsford on Monday morning. Having arrived in Vancouver by 6am, I was out to Abbotsford shortly after 8am, where I was warmly welcomed by dear friends of longstanding, Ruth and John. The purpose of my visit at that particular time, was to attend with R & J the funeral service for our mutual friend, and former teaching colleague at Oliver Elementary School in the '70s, John McRae. The service was a wonderful celebration of the life of a Godly man, who will be sorely missed by his loving wife of 43 years, Mary, their five kids and 17 grandkids, plus all those whose lives he touched. I hadn't seen the kids for many years, so it was very special to be greeted by name (Miss Wilkie!) and a hug byJames, whom I had taught in Grade 4. He did a wonderful job of leading the singing for the service, as well as sharing with the congregation - together with his brother and three sisters - fond memories of his father, both poignant and humorous....
I was very thankful that the weather was fine for my driving on Monday, and that I managed to get there and back without getting lost, in good time to check in for my flight. I am very thankful, too, that the flight was uneventful, and the subsequent parts of the journey, via underground and train, went smoothly. Brother Jim was at the train station to meet me, and after a few side trips in Bristol, we went together to 'The Heathers' to visit Mother. We had a good time together. She knows very well who Jim is, but was somewhat hazy about who I was. It will be interesting to see how my viasit today with her goes. Apparently she is better when there is just one person visiting....