History

A portion of the outer wall of Tutbury Castle, whose long history I’m not about to go into here.

No, I mean my history, or at least my past ... A group of people from Tutbury’s twin town, Ollainville in France, arrived this morning and were met by their hosts, after which they were going to the church, where refreshments and a chance to meet and greet everyone had been arranged. A friend who is hosting suggested I went along as the parents of my best friend from nursery and junior school were also hosting and expressed an interest in seeing me again ( after 40 years! ).

My friend was called Tracy, and we went through the first 11 years of our lives together as best friends. Although we also attended the same high school, we drifted apart ... As I put it, “ she was just so much brainier than me “ and her mum said “ and that’s what got her in the end “. Should have thought that through. Tracy lost her battle with a brain tumour in our early 40’s.

Despite ill health, both were very cheerful and remembered so much more from those days than me. Things like, I rode my pony to their house, on the outskirts of the town and put him on the lawn whilst I hung out with Tracy for a bit. It’s only 3 miles, but mostly along a busy main road. I wouldn’t do it now!

After about 45 minutes I left them to get on with being hosts and I went on to see friends Joy and Ian who have recently moved house. I managed to find the new one, to deliver the Jersey potatoes that Ian loves and I’d found them in Aldi, so bought him a couple of bags.

I went with Joy to visit Derby, make sure she was happy in her stable out of the sun and give her some more hay to keep her occupied.

Next was a trip to the farm with some plants I’d grown for them to share out between them but only Graham was home, getting ready to watch the football. I left him to it and enjoyed a drive about on the very quiet roads!

When I got home, Sav and I broke out the popcorn and settled down to watch some tennis until tea time ( why we call it tea time on the weekends, but dinner during the week I’ve no idea?! ). After that, Sav went to bed for a nap before his night shift and I watched tv.

Sav went to work, I went to bed!