Lamb

I hadn’t made my annual lamb blip because Jenny’s sheep are not in the fields in front of the house this year. To rectify this, before the lambs got too big, I took a walk by the river, up past Katy’s house (she’s in Berlin decorating her son’s flat prior to his move to Kuala Lumpur), and round by Newtown farm to return a book to Sue. I saw this lamb on my way back.

Chris and I had planned a walk in the morning but she phoned to cancel as her son wanted her to go with him and his little boy to Cragside. I thought she sounded a bit stressed so as I was passing her door on my way home I called in. Her son had gone to take the boy back to his ex-partner in the Manchester area, so we had a chance to talk. She’s exhausted as her son has been living with her since Xmas and this time his little boy has been staying for 19 days. She’s going to try to get her son to find any job. It’s so difficult for her. He is qualified to teach maths but doesn’t like it so has only worked for a few terms in his 36 years.

I didn’t mention that I was feeling sad about Anna’s death. Chloe messaged this morning very upset. They had been friends since the 60s and now Chloe has cancer too. I have only known them for 5 years - we met on the Kyrgyzstan trip and became good friends. They both came to stay when Anna had recovered from her stomach cancer op, and I have stayed with Chloe in London. Anna was a force to be reckoned with especially within sight of a Tory. She was witty and full of life and a joy to be with though hard work too. She certainly enhanced my life and I’ll miss her.