saying goodbye

Saying goodbye

It isn’t easy to post this week. I have a myriad of beautiful images of the Christmas lights sparkling around the Algarve, but on this day I will be saying goodbye to two men. One, a family member- my stepbrother who loved and cared for my Dad like his own. The other, a man who loved life and was loved in return. Both leave behind grieving widows, and families who are shocked at an unexpected turn of events. It’s never easy, but this is a time of year when everybody is set to celebrate. Without them.

  • The sun goes down
  • And the lights come on
  • A seat awaits
  • Rudolph has left his antlers
  • But all is peaceful in the stork’s nest
  • And on the waterfront
  • The sign of the cross
Boa viagem- safe journey!

RIP Tony and Terje.

Jo’s Monday walk : Saying goodbye

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Aleksander Boleslaw Szustakiewicz

26.2.1928 – 2.10.2016

My heart is too heavy to walk with you today.  Some of you will know that Dad died whilst I was in the Algarve.  He had a long, and often-times happy life, and made many friends along the way.  He was never happier than when surrounded by family, and it brought real joy to his life when he was reunited with those in his native Poland, after an absence of 64 years.

Tomorrow he will be surrounded by love as we say our goodbyes, remember and celebrate his life.  He was a wonderful Dad, and was ever present in my life.  The loss will be huge, but the connection to Poland will endure, as he would have wanted.

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I know you will excuse me from commenting this week, but whilst I was away the walks continued to roll in.  I would like you to share them in my absence.  Many thanks in anticipation of your tolerance and kind thoughts.  I will be back walking with you next week.

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Cathy’s been romping all over Iceland!  This is just one of many.  Enjoy!

North Iceland : The Black Lava Field & Solfataras of Leirhnjukur at Krafla

Meantime, Becky is edging eastwards with a whole lot of history :

Going east on the Thames Path

Not just the home of golf!  Ask Elaine!

St. Andrews

Autumn as you don’t very often see it.  Through Cardinal’s eyes :

Autumn Streets

Some day I must make it to Sicily.  Pretty please!  Lady Lee loves it :

Ancient theatre of Taormina

When Sue waxes lyrical you just have to sit up and pay attention!

Larch Trees in Canada- The Beauty Queens

Serious Sue (I’m differentiating  🙂  ) kindly lets me ride her mobility scooter at Wisley :

Signs of Autumn and a Sculpture Trail

Drake has found himself a jewel of a home in Alsace :

High five surroundings

And Biti, the most beautiful ‘shell’ house you’ll ever see :

Ballymaloe Cooking School- The Shell House

Debbie tells the story of Wojtek, the bear who went to war.  If you were curious about him after my last post, here it is!

Soldier Bear 

Geoff goes strutting his stuff around London :

Crystal Palace to Grove Park

Let Jaspa take you to another fabulous UNESCO World Heritage Site :

The Forts and Tunnels of Old San Juan, Puerto Rico

I knew very little about Milwaukee till I read Jackie’s post :

Day 3- Milwaukee

Spicy chilli hot chocolate?  Have some with Violet Sky :

St. Boniface and Gabrielle Roy

Navarra has such a nice sound to it.  Leya would love to show you around :

Ziga, Baztan- Natural, Yet Sophisticated

Take care of each other.