A moving

memorial service for my dad's first cousin, John Martin Lester (1931-2016), and the compensatory delight of a roomful of cousins at The Royal Oak, Broadwas (on Teme) after some fine readings, tears and hymns. Age span of a good 85 years. 

Juliana arrived unexpectedly from Alberta; I hadn't seen Bronwen for 20 years and I don't think I'd ever met Claire who lives round the other side of the Malvern Hills. 

And then there was Mr Fox who'd cycled from Birmingham with John  during the war to Little Comberton,  to have tea with my great-grandmother. His quoting of end of the King's Christmas message of 1939  ("I said to the man who stood at the Gate of the Year ...") got to me.