Vultures and fire

We had a day planned at the Hawk Conservancy Trust in Andover with our shit mates Shirley and Steve. Shirley has just lost her mum (my childrens Nanny) so think she wanted to see me to "offload".

Soon after we left home to make the hour and half journey - we passed our old Gym where Mr W and I met. The gym and pool I spend many years at with my children. There is also a treatment room there full of framed pictures I made for my Sports Injury therapist friend. 

The whole building was on fire. There were over 12 fire engines there and the road down the side of it was closed. It was shocking and really upsetting to see. My best friend is also the manager there so I messaged her to say Holy *hit. My friend Lena from Cyprus has shares in the gym so I messaged her to tell her the sad news. She called me straight back. News travelled around the gym and local community. It was a huge and devastating fire that has totally destroyed the whole building. The gym, studio, spin room,  bar, squash courts, Nursery, treatment rooms and changing rooms. Its so sad. 

Anyway - we made our way to the Hawk Conservancy and met Shirley and Steve. Shirley was certainly in a bad mood. She had alot on her plate. Her brother (my ex) wasn't helping her with funeral arrangements, her husband was winding her up and the sale of her mums house wasn't going well. She was loud and upset and tapping the table alot!! But - the bird displays were good. The sun shone and the ice-cream was delicious. I think I helped Shirley through the day and maybe saved their marriage!!!!!

If you have never been to the Hawk Conservancy before, its worth a Google. The displays are amazing. Vultures and owls almost land on you and they do amazing work to conserve birds of pray. They are kept well and spend alot of the time flying free. 

On our way home we passed the gym again. It was then that it dawned on me that thats where Mr W and I met and that it would never, ever be the same. There was still a huge police and fire service presence. And still hugely sad. I still can't quite believe it.