Memory hoard

Up early and had another morning looking at Mum's hoard of photographs. I am finding this quite therapeutic in a way, seeing all those familiar faces many of them now having joined the majority.  I like the idea of good times in the past, and seeing myself looking fairly cheery in a variety of situations. I like seeing things just at the edge of what I can remember. I think Mum felt a bit sad seeing all those people too, she is aware of her aloneness at the moment. 

Unlike yesterday, it was rainy and cool again. Mum and I went to the Jolly Badger for lunch, very crowded for rainy Tuesday afternoon. Enjoyed the bowls of salad, and chicken there, washed down with a solitary Guinness.   

There was a worry about thunder too, and Mum unplugged things when she went back. I walked off in the rain to Mill Hill Broadway station, and had another smooth journey home. I listened to Will's book and I am still enjoying it. Texted Simon, as I found a photo of him and another friend from university Jo, who was on our corridor in the first year at Warwick -- and I am going to meet him in the Summer. Also heard from Keith this morning, funny as I'd been thinking of him the night before.

Happy to be back at home, after a decent journey, and sitting on the gold sofa with Lorraine and two cats. 

Below is Gwen, my grandmother, and her bestie Nancy, who lived in Switzerland. They are standing on La Rue Des Grons, on the lane by the bit of the garden they called The Point. I think I can remember the bits of wood used to make a fence, which were later supplanted by evergreens. I like how Gwen and Nancy are looking quite glamorous, smoking their cigarettes. Below is Peter Hamon, who was David's brother in law, standing in the snowy concrete outside the pebble dashed house in Neasden, where mum rented the flat upstairs. The line of washing led up to the window of the bedroom where Toby and I slept in our bunk beds.