Here is a list of the latest posts I wrote. I had been rather slow, trying to cope with the new WordPress editing system! And now, rather disappointingly, my slowness has dwindled to a complete full stop.
Last Drinks, Please March 10th, 2023 - My blog has been so inactive that this will probably come as no surprise to anyone else, but I’ve been deliberating, delaying and so on for months… I have decided, reluctantly but I hope sensibly, to close down my blog in a few weeks’ time… I have been trying not to think about this for … Continue reading Last Drinks, Please
The Marionfsblog is Alive and Well! February 19th, 2022 - Even if rather silently so… Well, I really am still here, and sorry I haven’t been very obviously alive. When I think about doing a blog post, there are so many things to say it is difficult to know where to start. So it’s only too easy to tackle something else that needs doing (in … Continue reading The Marionfsblog is Alive and Well!
56 Years Ago Today… July 10th, 2021 - On July 10th 1965 John and I were married. Such a happy day. Many of our guests stayed with local friends in the village and nearby. The tiny local church of All Hallows, in Ringmore, South Devon, was packed to bursting. It was a joyous family/village occasion. The only thing that didn’t go quite to … Continue reading 56 Years Ago Today…
Remembering John Today November 27th, 2020 - November 27th… For many years this has been a special day in the F-S/Hall/Cragg world. Today would have been John’s 81st birthday. John loved birthdays, as many of you will remember: presents and happy gatherings meant such a lot to him and he was quite charmingly shameless enjoying his own quite as much as anyone … Continue reading Remembering John Today
John F-S Update and Thanks November 2nd, 2020 - There’s not much to be cheerful about these days. Covid-19 strengthens its grip – Tier 2 for Derbyshire Dales as from last Saturday night, lockdown from today Thursday 5th November, winter approaches and the days ae getting shorter… and as far as John’s immediate family and friends are concerned, the gap he leaves seems to … Continue reading John F-S Update and Thanks
John F-S – May he rest in peace. October 16th, 2020 - As you can imagine, this is a rather hard blog post to write. 2020 has not been a good year, for anyone much, and certainly not for us, with my sister Ruth dying earlier in the year, and John increasingly ill and eventually dying on 19th September.
John September 25th, 2020 - I’m afraid I have some very sad news. After several months of acute pain and ill-health met with great fortitude and dignity, John slipped away very peacefully on Saturday 19th September 2020. He had been suffering from Discitis, an infection of a disc in his spine. He received wonderful care from everyone on Elmton Ward, … Continue reading John
Coping Under Lockdown April 22nd, 2020 - Almost exactly four years ago, April 15th 2016, we moved into Crown Cottage, here in Winster. It was the 14th house we had viewed, and the first that we had both been completely smitten with, and possibly in many ways the least suitable for a couple approaching old age. Heart ruled the head, and how … Continue reading Coping Under Lockdown
Facing up to the Future March 18th, 2020 - “If only I’d known…” We are certainly living in ‘interesting’ times, with a queue of worries and question marks facing us: Brexit, global warming, Australian bushfires and then floods, and now, overshadowing, everything Coronavirus…
Sara – Bushfire Update January 8th, 2020 - It would seem from all the television footage that most of Australia is alight, is one roaring furnace.
Heartfelt Good Wishes January 3rd, 2020 - Two decades of the 21st century have already passed. After all the jollity and happiness for lucky souls over Christmas, as we take down the tree, the cards and the decorations I think we must all be entering 2020 possibly with some excitement and rather more anxiety about what lies ahead for us all, both … Continue reading Heartfelt Good Wishes
Leaving India, Again… December 8th, 2019 - Completing the circle, half a century later When we left India in April 1968 we imagined we were leaving for good. John’s three-year contract with the Cathedral and John Connon School in Bombay had come to an end and he had been offered another teaching job in the UK. We had thoroughly enjoyed our time … Continue reading Leaving India, Again…
India part 4 November 14th, 2019 - A Dribble of News from India… I warned of a flood of news, but there’s been almost total silence, and I am so disappointed. What’s the reason?
India 3. Cruising the Keralan backwaters November 7th, 2019 - We’d heard talk of Keralan Riceboats and the Keralan backwaters but hadn’t appreciated what a lovely experience this would turn out to be. Sorry to go on about it but I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it, Everyone on the road seems to be relying on quick reactions, their horns – but above … Continue reading India 3. Cruising the Keralan backwaters
India Revisited – First Impressions… November 6th, 2019 - I have a hurried hour to write this before we are collected by our driver for our next adventure – a 11/2 hour drive to Alleppey in the Kerala backwaters, for a day and night on a rice boat. So, first impressions, in a rush. Clammy heat, bright sunshine, colour, noise, warm greetings and friendliness, … Continue reading India Revisited – First Impressions…
India revisited November 5th, 2019 - In a year of reunions, yet another – very special – one… We’ve almost made it! I almost thought we never would. Thanks to the persistent persuasion, kindness and support of a number of people, 51 years after we left Bombay for good, we are returning to India. We first arrived in India as 25-year … Continue reading India revisited
Our Family Gathering 2019 September 15th, 2019 - With an explanatory introduction for those family members under five or six… Once upon a time, a very long time ago, there were two young people who went out to Africa to live. They were called Douglas and Rachel Hall, and they lived in a country that then was called Northern Rhodesia. (Now it is … Continue reading Our Family Gathering 2019
Downsizers’ Diary July 28th, 2019 - Or Perhaps An Ode to Busy Disorganisation In case anyone did wonder, I am still about – still alive and kicking but just not very active blogwise. My excuse is that we have been rather busy.
Family Links and Memories May 19th, 2019 - Last week we were in Northumberland. Everything was lovely, apart from the weather but even that didn’t stop us. We did so much, and had such a good time I may risk sounding as if I were in the pay of Visit Northumberland. I assure you I am not! So I will try to skip … Continue reading Family Links and Memories
Bombay Friends & Memories May 5th, 2019 - The Class of ’67 In July 1965 John and I were married, in the tiny church in the little village of Ringmore, S. Devon. It was all very charming, very English. Two weeks later, we set sail for India, where John had been offered his first teaching job as a recently qualified teacher, at the … Continue reading Bombay Friends & Memories
Well done, you two! What an amazing and worthwhile experience. I look forward to more pictures, especially of the sea eagle.
Gill
Thank you, Gill. I am afraid you may get a flurry of posts landing on your computer, as I am sitting at mine now, hoping to slot in some missing posts and tidy things u somewhat! John has some truly amazing photos but we may’ve to wait a day or two for those as he has aver 4,000 to lift through!! So sorry to hear about your broken arm – what a pain in every sense!
Marion and John,
Having followed your blog we are pleased to read of your progress.
Belatedly – as Jenny has now recovered from a third operation on her hips – we are visiting Parwich for a shortened period …. 31st July – to the morning of August 4th.
We would love to pop in to say hello but certainly not too take up too much of your time as we are condensing activities!!
If you are away may we wish you both well.
Jenny and Derek
Derek and Jenny, what a lovely treat to hear from you again! Yes, please, we’d really love to see you both. Lunch or supper, any of those days, although Tuesday mildly less convenient than all the others. Winster is only about six miles from Parwich, we’d love you to meet our new house.