Amazing friends ..and what life throws at them ...

Its been a week for friends . Starting with my sister on Sunday ( even though that was her day for going home ), moving on to Barbara on Monday and a night at Lui's ( tapas in the village ) . Lovely to come home after work and instead of the usual events , to have a bath and get ready to go out . We found a lovely quiet table in the back , with a shelf behind the table , where B carefully placed the jacket she had bought in Toronto earlier this year , commenting its perfect for this time of year as its slightly padded . As we became engrossed in a tale she was telling me about someone we both knew , I saw a curl of smke then a whoosh of flames from behind us and shouted Barbara youre on fire ! Somehow neither of us had noticed the row of tasteful candles and the jacket had fallen across them and was literally aflame . She grabbed it and started bashing at the flames . Fortunately at that point our drinks had not yet been served otherwise my Weston's organic cider might have been wasted . On recovering from the shock Barbara , ever cheery and practical , decided she could cut a stylish v out of the collar of the jacket and situated behind her hair no one would be any the wiser . Though knowing B she will probably tell everyone the tale with a loud cackle as she does so .
A great night !

Margaret Anne and I caught up on the phone on Tuesday evening . We ve always spoken regularly on the phone since she moved away a number of years ago and every so often she comes to stay here or I go to Wiltshire . Last Sept was the last visit when N and I stayed with her for a few nights after Oliver's book launch in London .
She would have been due her annual pilgrimage north in the Spring but for some reason it didnt happen this year although I wasnt sure why as our contact had become less.
I texted her last week saying I was wondering about her though I knew she would be all right .
She rang to tell me the devestating news that their business was in the process of folding and that they were losing everything , their home , livelihood etc . However what was amazing , but didnt surprise me was her upbeat attitude to it all . She was as ever looking at all the positives to come out of it , rock solid relationship with her husband , a new start looking at houses , a new business venture for Mike , and something of a test for her in her beliefs in the power of the mind , in doing the right thing , living with integrity and doing everything possible to live her life acccording to her beliefs and philosophy . It was brilliant to talk to her . I know how much she loves her house , as she loved her previous home here in the north east , and just how much of herself she has poured into it , yet as she said , its bricks and mortar and as long as we have all the important things thats what matters . And I knew exactly what she meant .
And not forgetting Debbie , who I havent seen this week but who keeps me sane on Fridays usually so I will see her later this week no doubt .
Amazing friends . There are others but Im out of time .
I plan to visit John lewis in person now to inquire again about my laptop .
Wish me luck ?