Remembrance Sunday

11-11-11

                                     Eleventh hour on the eleventh day in the Eleventh month 
                                                         We will remember them

I have always supported the Armed Services and the Remembrance Service on the Town Hall Square with all the local dignitaries and representatives of the many branches of the services, has been an important event in my calendar. My father was in the Royal Navy during WW2 both my brothers served in the Army and my eldest son was in the Royal Navy and joined the TA on discharge. Because he is tall and very smart he was chosen as Honour Guard at the Cenotaph almost every year, and now is proud as a Policeman to march with them on that day. I have a high regard for the dedication and sacrifices these young men and women give our country, in the conflicts of the past and recently in Northern Ireland ,Iraq and Afghanistan. Seeing the young and old marching through the town accompanied by a Military Band is really something special.
Boy is it cold now. It’s surprising how you forget how cold the wind can be until you feel it whistling around your ears for the first time. It has forecast heavy snow soon, already there is snow in Scotland. Plus we have had dense fogs on occasions, something I haven’t seen for many years and with the amount of traffic on the roads it can be very dangerous. I shouldn’t really moan about the weather we have had some brilliant Autumn days sunny and warm. I was knee deep in leaves on the garden last week, filled the huge Wheelie Bin and this week there are just as many more that need clearing, one of the pains of being surrounded by trees. But the autumn colours have been magnificent this year, they say it is due to the very cold winter and the wet summer. We also had a bumper fruit harvest this year and that was due to the abnormal weather too. Went to the cinema to see the latest Harry Potter movie it was good but it was only Part 1. I have to wait now for the conclusion which will be at least a couple of years I bet I will have forgotten the plot by then. I have started my Christmas shopping and my writing my cards so I am feeling quite proud of myself as I am usually on the last minute. I am spending Christmas in Knaresborough this year with my son, so I have to get organised. My 19year old grandson is now on his way to Australia with a 12 months working Visa. He is in Hong Kong for a week or so then on to Sydney. Lucky guy he will have a brilliant time.