Friday 6 September 2024

Lance's Funeral, Cromer. August 30th 2024

 💗

I lived in Cromer in Norfolk for 9 years, where I was privileged to be a friend of Lance Beeke, who died on the 10th August this year, aged 84.  Lance was a father and grandfather, an artist, a great laugh, and a thoroughly good chap.  His daughters Tiphanie and Jemma organised the funeral on Friday 30th August, at Cromer's St Peter and St Paul's Church, and it was a perfect tribute to him. 

A few memories here...

2003, Red Lion.  We mostly met up where the drink was
flowing and there was much fun to be had.

2002, I think, at my friend Kathryn's flat,
and below with my cats Francesca and Mimi.


New Year's Eve 2004, with Julia, at my flat in Pier Court.

Cromer pier, August 2019

I last saw Lance in September 2022, when it was clear that he was ailing, and he died peacefully in his sleep.


🌅

Last Friday, Cromer brought the sunshine out especially for him



...and it was, oddly, a lovely day.


Julia, John and me on the way to the church.


The cremation was family only, so we went to the Red Lion in between the service and the wake.  So good to catch up with old friends!

🌄

I had to catch a train at 6.30 am from Newcastle to get there in time, and get the 7pm back as there were no trains on Saturday, so it was a very long day, but I'm so glad I made the effort.  Nice views of the sunrise on the way, anyway!



Durham



Me having not had enough coffee, at 6.30 am on the train to Peterborough

💗

Lovely to see you Julia, John, Lisa, Lee, Eloise, Gail, Tiphanie, Jemma, Chris, Mark, Richard, and especially Kathryn :)


RIP dear Lance, a fine fellow indeed.










Sunday 1 September 2024

Arran, August 2024



Last month I spent a week on the Isle of Arran with my fellow scribe friends: Barb, Judith, Georgia and Darlene.  It was, as every year, a terrific week!

Meeting Judith at Penrith station, then onwards to The Waterside, where we have lunch just before getting the ferry at Ardrossan


Arran from the ferry  :)


Reuniting with our beloved Dusk (the collie) ... and Barb!



Happy to be on the beautiful beach again :)


 
The artists of Arran had an Open Studio week; Barb, Darlene and I visited the home and Arran studio of Tim Pomeroy, sculptor



His pieces were set out amongst the forest walk behind his house.  
What a place to live!  I especially like the fairy dell, and the hint of autumn as I looked out to sea :)







Ladies with Scarves!


Our morning writers' workshops :)




 

...followed by lunch 😍




Darlene's books are now for sale in The Wee Bookshop, Corrie!







A walk up and down the lane :)


My trendy white shoe/boots, which Judith thought were galoshes.


Now, let me tell you about Georgia's cookie pudding.
Made with chocolate chip cookies, chocolate, cream 
and other heavenly ingredients.
There was a fair bit left in the fridge, but it suddenly disappeared overnight.
This heinous crime has yet to be solved. 😯
The gluttonous thief has never been revealed 😉
Suffice to say it's possibly the best pudding I've ever eaten.
And I have the recipe...



An evening of scary storytelling in the Cladach Beach House (with gin!)



Lovely harp music before the storytelling started :)



Taken whilst talking to my husband on phone, outside!



☔ A rainy day in Lamlash 



More beautiful beach views next morning, after the rain


Swans in the sea!!


(Georgia looks as though she suspects  
where the rest of the cookie pudding went....just the way she's looking at me...)


August 23 - Goodbye to Arran, Barb and Dusk 


Darlene and I braved the outside whilst Georgia and Judith stayed in the warm


Goodbye to Scotland....



Many, many thanks to Barb, Georgia, Darlene, Judith and Dusk for making this another memorable and delightful week.  Miss you all!! xx