Dear Jackie,
Do you remember that when you were living at Highview, you and Neil gave Geoffrey and me a home for a few months. We stayed in the flat and spent a very happy summer enjoying the lovely grounds, the swimming pool, and your company. It didn’t feel like work at all! The most exciting time was when John and Emma got married on a fiercely hot day in July that year. The following morning, you invited our whole family to breakfast. We had a great cook up and a swim, which was lots of fun. I’ve got pictures of a number of the family, as well as you, in the pool and my mum, very elderly, watching from the railings above and enjoying the fun, too.
Dear Jackie. You were so generous then, as on many other occasions. Thank you .
Another memory has come to me from when we lived with you in the flat in Highview all those years ago. At the Army, we had the visit of the Melbourne Staff Band, which was very exciting and was a good weekend as far as I can remember. Then, at the end of the evening meeting, you invited the whole Band out to supper at Highview. And that included all of our Bandsmen as well! Of course, Geoffrey and I were roped in to help with the hospitality. I remember loads of food on tables outside and inside the house – it must have been good weather – lots of laughter and fun. And then someone suddenly suggested an Aussie Rules soccer match on that piece of ground at the back of your house. Croydon versus Melbourne I imagine. Lots of noise and letting off steam at the end of a busy and stressful day, possibly even tour. Such a blessing for everyone.
Not surprisingly, another memory connected with food! You were magnificent as ever.
Here's another memory from our times with you over all the years. Sometime in 1999, I think, we travelled with you for a long weekend to a village in France, where you had a house for a while. We went on the Eurostar, which was a unique experience in itself, and then on to the village. If you can see the picture I sent, you'll see you and Neil and the boys, together with Geoffrey, sitting in the sunshine on the steps of the house. Note Geoffrey's legs, in their usual condition!
When we saw George recently, he confirmed our experience and remembered the cottage. I don't have much memory of the house, though I think we slept in bunk beds, but I do remember a drive round the village and the countryside, when you pointed out another cottage which I think was owned by someone we knew - was it Rosemary and Keith Frances? We went into the little town for a meal, in a crowded restaurant on the main square. Everyone seemed to know you - no surprise there! It was all very jolly. George said there was also a food van in the square itself where you used to have food, but I don't remember that one.
Altogether a lovely time was had, with memories of good company, sunshine and food! As ever.
