Friends Forever

Codford and the Abbots

In this English parish, lies a story closely related to daddy's past.

The picturesque countryside brings tremendous pleasure to one and memories of the place linger in our minds long after we left it for home. Look at the thatched roof. It is ancient but still relevant to one's eyes.

Codford in Wiltshire is a picture of peace and serenity. This was caught on a beautiful morning in June and calms one's mind and spirit. So good a place to retire.



You see this? It is as though it's extracted from the pages of a story book; pretty isn't it? Fancy living beside it everyday of your life. This is it. When you have it, you learn to treat it well ; just like when you have loved ones beside you ; we appreciate them. You feel most when you lose them. Oh so lovely is the patch of green to the eyes ; unforgettable.



Wooden wattle just as often mentioned in poems; so lovely.




Lovelier than anything known is this thick friendship that exists between dad and long time comrade; Vincie Abbot. The kind and generous lady used to house dad when he first landed on the shores of Portsmouth and Vincie was one of the earlier friends who helped set a home away from home for him. Dad tells me that Vincie though known to him as his landlady was always there to provide meals and shed at guess what ? 7 GBP a week ! He recalls the time when she taught them skills and discipline for survival.
So dad can never forget her. Vincie makes it a point to keep in contact. She laments that dad is bad at mails and cards and took it upon herself to keep the line alive by hook or crook.

BJ is spouse to Vincie. It was so kind of him too to put up with so many of us and the subtle moments he created to speak to the girls especially Esther in building matters. Very informative uncle to the girls.

Gran Vincie Sr stayed behind for another day just to meet us. Warm, gentle and kind she listened to stories of my past since she last saw the family in 1995 ! Her quiet disposition has won the heart of Sara as she kept telling me that gran Vincie is so 'proper' and sensible...she likes her tremendously.

So in Codford residents stroll deep into the woods in the evenings and enjoy the cool, clean air away from pollution. You can walk miles, be healthy and happy. To be mentioned again; a good place to savour in the natural beauty of the Creator.

Streams and lakes of this nature are aplenty ; see... are you envious?

While in Codford a couple of weeks ago, I could not help but be enthralled by the common effort put in by the local folks to create harmony, participation and togetherness. A competition to scare away beasts and birds was on !

You like this better?

Or this? There were many others but I could not snap them in time; they disappeared very fast... they set a festive mood to the place.

So in this lovely township, Vincie like her usual self, provided us meals after meals from breakfast to dinners... you don't know the feelings until you are there.

Dinners at night are a pleasure indeed. The girls had a wonderful time being fed well !

BJ remembers the good Lord at every meal. We thank the Lord for friends, love, mercies and food... prayers bring us together. It has always been the faith right from the beginning of dad's journey to the UK in the 70s that brought Vincie and him together.

Sara could not help but bake her favourite cheesecake ! Being away from home was tough as it denied her the chance to vent out her passion for baking often enough. So she must bake; she insisted. She did and she passed the test !

Gran Vincie had to leave the next day. At 87, she is indeed a blessing to us. It was kind of her to stay behind for us.

At the first instant of meeting us, she brought out this photo that she had kept with her since 1995. She remembers the children in this manner and now...

They have all grown up and it brought her real joy and pleasure! How time flies. They are now beautiful young ladies.

Saying goodbye to the Abbots was not easy but all good things will have to end...

Grace could not go without posing with them for memories...

When will we meet again? At Little Orchard ? ... the place where ducks swim freely and happily?

Here dad speaks to Vincie about Little Orchard and the great plans of a new look...

Where pears and apples grow naturally....

Where the mysterious swan swims on its own without care..

Yes, Little Orchard is our next appointment in God's grace... till we meet again.

To the Abbots, our grateful thanks and appreciation for having us for 3 lovely days; a wish coming true for dad and his crave to visit the land he left 40 years ago.

Codford with the Abbots will remain in our hearts and minds for many, many, many days, months and years to come.

God bless the Abbots.