The funeral for Maureen's sister Bet

Frosty morning. Getting ready for a funeral. Appalled by suddenly being unable to fit into my formal black trousers, which only a few weeks ago I was able to enter like a seal sliding into the wide sea.  My hair is also deeply rubbish at the moment, having not had a cut for too long. Felt shabby all day. 

Luckily, the day wasn't all about me. Lorraine and I hopped into the car, then picked up some sandwiches, a wreath made of flowers, then Pat and Maureen who were sitting downstairs at Stratheden waiting for us.

To south London to attend Maureen's sister Bet's funeral. Reached south London fairly rapidly. The driving app took us through some windy country lanes just at edge of south London near Biggin Hill, Skid Hill Lane, and Corkscrew Hill. We arrived at Bellingham just a bit south of Lewisham, at Bet's house where her son Ted lives. Ted in his dressing gown, who said his ribs were damaged and seemed in a lot of pain. Probably not helped by us arriving very early, and Maureen demanding the kettle be put on. His brother Peter arrived and the two of them were nervous and pacing about like bears. Gradually family began to assemble. I felt a bit of an interloper, but I had met some of them before. Peter was struggling with his tie, saying he hadn't put one on since school. I sorted it for him, having managed my black one earlier. His was yellow, because his mother loved flowers.

Off to the Crematorium. Maxine and Simon there, along with many other of Lorraine's cousins and their children. Maureen the last of her generation able to attend on the day, was treated with great love. Very emotional send off with various members of Bet's family (she had six surviving children - her first child died at a few weeks) gave little speeches, and many others were in floods of tears. Then we drove off to a nearby British Legion where there was a spread and people had cups of tea or a few drinks. I enjoyed chatting to Simon and Maxine, and also Christine Lorraine's cousin, aka Deany aka Poppy, and her husband Colin. Colin was from Montreal and I liked him immediately.

Maureen and Pat being talked to by everyone, and Maureen had a thoroughly good time. 

Home under Venus and the new moon, and after dropping Pat and Maureen off, Lorraine waited in the car while I bought some fish and chips. 

I hadn't much looked forward to today, but it was really interesting to meet more of Maureen's family. 

Below Lorraine's Aunty Bet loved elephants, and Bet's granddaughter Emma, who seemed very kind and nice, got this wreath. A view out of one of the bedroom windows at 7:50, quite frosty this morning.