The day

I'm fully across the purpose of a funeral in terms of acceptance and as a symbol of the start of a new phase in the grieving process and today did that perfectly.

The service was a lovely way to remember Martin and covered the important facets of the man. He was fiercely proud of his three children and they were able to be there. It mentioned his service as an RAF Policeman, he started as a dog handler with Air Dog Sheba and retired as a flight sergeant after 32 years. He travelled around the world with the RAF and would tell wicked tales of stuff he'd been involved with if the right amount of beer was applied. He played a key part in setting up a charity, "Kids of KAIA", when he was based at Kabul Airport leading a team of RAF police as part of the International Military Police unit in 2005. The charity raised money to provide equipment for a local school and in addition to recarpeting the school and equipping each classroom with a blackboard, they made sure that each pupil had books, pens, pencils and sporting equipment. The school had 6000 pupils.

His job when he left took him around the UK and anyone checking his blips will spot that he had a good deal of affection for beer and pubs.

The streaming service meant that I could watch the events but it isn't the same as being there. I felt guilty having a cup of tea while I know that the people there would be waiting outside for the coffin to be taken from the hearse. I know that people around the world were watching but there was no sense of community because we couldn't see or hear each other; a few of us exchanged messages after the service. But it's done now and it is what it is, it simply wasn't possible to be there. We'll get together once the current restrictions are lifted and we'll have a few beers. Went early with the wine today because it was the right thing to do.

The image is a leek & potato gratin that I made because the leek needed using.