Today was another difficult day for Mum, my sister Susan and me.

This morning we finalised the order of service for Dad's funeral with Anne-Marie, the rector of St Luke's, who will lead both the church service and the committal at the crematorium.  Dad had noted down his three favourite hymns and Psalm several years ago, and Mum remembered the Bible passage which he loved best for the reading.  Anne-Marie knew Dad as one of her congregation on both Sundays and Thursdays every week, as a fundraiser for the church and as a regular sidesman.  She also paid him a lengthy visit in hospital in November, during which she learnt much about his long life that she hadn't known before.  Together with the three pieces of music which Mum and I have picked out from his widely varied CD collection, I am certain that the service will reflect the very essence of the man Dad was - kind, loving, unassuming, strong in his faith, quiet, wise, courageous, loyal, thoughtful and a true gentleman.

The most upsetting part of the day was getting out the clothes which Dad will be dressed in and taking them to the funeral directors' this afternoon.  After that, we ordered the floral tributes from Mum and from my sister and me.  It is a relief to know that everything is in hand, but we are also heavy-hearted tonight.


Today's blipfoto was taken just after dawn this morning.  The bad weather presaged by the red sky has now arrived in the form of very strong winds.