Lynn gets the love

Another busy seeming day. Up and off to drawing class in the morning. Our model today was a woman from Mumbai. Adele and I were chatting in the break about how much more fun it felt to draw people who aren't skinny and perfect looking. My own drawings all curates eggs, but I did do one in the two minute poses at the beginning that I quite liked. We always start with these quick poses and I inevitably make a hash of them.

Then home, a bit of faffing about, then it was time for the Understory. However as Robin sent me the podcast at exactly the same moment as the Understory session started. My manners were terrible for my fellow poets, I was eating noodles, had prepared nothing and had to make my excuses after an hour. To do some editing and blurb writing. We managed to get the podcast, featuring Robin's interview with Erica McAlpine. The second I'd finished this, a quick change and into the car with Robin.

We drove to Crawley where there was a presentation and a bit of a party for Lynn who had been at her school for 30 years. Malcolm also there of course, and lots of Lynn's former colleagues were there to pay tribute to them. The school staff were all wearing pink, which is Lynn's colour apparently. Nice to go to an event where the whole purpose is to show love to someone. Lynn a bit shellshocked by walking into the hall and finding it full of her family, and colleagues. Everyone mentioned Lynn's infectious laugh and kindness. All rather heartwarming. Lorraine and I grabbed a nice chat with her and Malcolm too, who is still at his cartooning, but mainly looking after grandchildren.

When Lynn came in there was a bit of a this is your life moment, with her and Malcolm (who was of course in on it) sitting on the stage, while the head teacher read out lots of messages about her.  Lorraine, who had her wits about her took this of  Lynn still a bit embarrassed and Malcolm on stage.