April 7th, 2017 - Photo 97 of 365

River Thames at Wargrave

This is the view from The St. George & Dragon pub at Wargrave looking out on the River Thames. My Mum and Dad had their wedding reception here on this week 57 years ago, so it seemed kind of fitting at the end of quite an emotional week to take a photo of the view they would have had, and I'm sure very little has changed here. I go past the pub every day on my way home from work, so it's a lovely happy connection with the folks. I am not sure that they were blessed with this barmy weather on their wedding day.There is a black and video of the day, but it's been a while since I saw it. 

April 6th, 2017 - Photo 96 of 365

Anna with Storm and Prince

Today I went to see my sister Ali and my niece Anna at their home in Alvescot near Witney in Oxfordshire. I took up the last few things from the garden at Mum's house, and it was lovely to spend a couple of relaxing hours after the last few months of house clearing in Maidenhead. Storm and Prince love the garden there and they especially like to see Anna. This was a trip I would use to make with Mum regularly, so it was good to begin another new chapter today.

April 5th, 2017 - Photo 95 of 365

Don't forget your toothbrush!

Here's an insight into my day. I have been carrying a toothbrush around with me over recent weeks to try and combat excruciating toothache which has been awful for some time. I have been using the brush to try and ease the pain when it flares up. Also cold water seemed to help, although really painful at the same time. In recent nights I have not been sleeping well, as the pain has kept me awake. Today I went to the dentist on an emergency appointment and this problem that has plagued me for 3 years was finally addressed. Badly infected and root canal filling required. I was in so much pain after she tapped the tooth that she decided to extract the nerve there and then, rather than wait a couple of weeks. I was so happy I really could have kissed her! So now a few hours later and I am pain free for the first time in what seems like forever! 

On the paper you can see my list of things to do. Shortly after lunch I had confirmation that the sale of Mum's house had completed, so I began contacting the utility companies to close the accounts down, and have now finished all that. So yes it's sad to say goodbye to the house, but it is time for fresh stories to begin. The treasured memories will of course always be there..

April 4th, 2017 - Photo 94 of 365

Longchase, The Darvell Family Home 1963 - 2017

Today it was time to say goodbye to "Longchase", our family home in Altwood Road, Maidenhead for 54 years. Tomorrow the sale completes, so this afternoon I went there for the final time to take out the last few bits and read the meters. And whilst it is a sad day, the house holds nothing but the most happy of memories.

Mum and Dad bought the land after they were married in 1960. They moved into it in 1963 and the following 54 years saw so much happiness and it was a wonderful place to grow up in. Spending time there continued to be a great joy in more recent times too. It's time now for a new family to build their own stories and memories, and if they are half as happy as the Darvell family were there, they will be doing ok.

April 3rd, 2017 - Photo 93 of 365

Piddington, Buckinghamshire

Another stunning morning driving around at work, and I took this photo in a lay-by on the A40 at Piddington just outside High Wycombe. It's one of my regular stops - on the other side of the road there is a nice green area to let the dogs stretch their legs. Fortunately I was able to nurse the van around the run this morning, as the starter motor has been on the way out and in fact packed up once I got back to work... Talk about cutting it fine.

April 2nd, 2017 - Photo 92 of 365

Mum & Dad's Wedding Day, April 2nd, 1960

On this day 57 years ago my Mum & Dad got married. They enjoyed 49 years of the most happy of marriages before Dad passed away in 2009. This wonderful photo of them cutting the wedding cake at their wedding reception at the St. George & Dragon in Wargrave only came to light when we were going through old boxes after losing Mum last August. Absolutely love this photo xxx 😊

April 1st, 2017 - Photo 91 of 365

The Back Garden

You will have to excuse my self indulgence at the moment. With just a few fays until Mum's house is sold, it's a final chance to take some photos of the family home. Today I pretty much finished clearing the house after having done a final tip run first thing. All that is really left to do now is read the meters on Tuesday. The dogs of course are ever present with me at the house, so they also need to make the most of the last few visits...