My cousin Jonathan

I’m blogging briefly from the plane just before we set off to London for a few days. We are looking forward to seeing Ally’s and Cat’s new flat and going to a couple of plays at the theatre, a couple of exhibitions, and generally strolling around London.

On Thursday evening Julie phoned me and I thought that it was about the arrangements for Bill’s funeral, but in fact it was to tell me that there has been another death in the family. My cousin Jonathan was found dead in his flat aged only fifty-two. I was so sad to hear this; Jonathan was always an extremely pleasant man who loved his rugby and his real ales, in which he was an expert and was on the board of CAMRA. He had been suffering from a chest infection for about ten days and had been prescribed antibiotics. He spoke to a friend on Thursday morning on the phone, saying that he felt a wee bit better, but by the time Kari tried to phone him at midday there was no answer, it must have been very sudden. It is a shock for the whole family, he was so young and it happened so soon after Bill’s death. 

I visited Katy in Biggar on Friday, she is very sad but comforted by many phone calls and visits from friends and family, especially Abigail. And today I went to visit Stuart and Anne, who are being supported by their family; Kirstie and Kari were both there along with Scott, Greg and Greg’s beautiful girlfriend Sabrina when I arrived. But it’s still so sad, even though the family are taking good care of each other, they (and we in the wider family) will miss Bill and Jonathan so much.

In other news, Ally has been home for the weekend; he had a work thing on Thursday and stayed in Scotland to do a bit of hill-walking with James. It has been very nice to see him. We had a lovely dinner at Heather and Ewan’s on Saturday evening, and then brunch in town with Gerry and Janis on Sunday. Ally came for brunch too, he did work experience at Janis’ firm years ago so was pleased to see her again. Then on Sunday evening we decided to make a fondue to celebrate Ally being at home. Ally did all the assembling while I cut up the bread and it was absolutely delicious. But oh dear oh dear I suffered dreadfully from indigestion afterwards to the extent that I was very sick during the night. As a result I’m completely exhausted, I will be glad to get to my bed in Canning Town Premier Inn later.