10 June 2015 | Horta, Faial, Azores 38’31.99N 28’37.50W - Horta, Faial, Azores 38’31.99N 28’37.50W via Newcastle, UK
The arrivals and departure gates of an airport show the best of humanity. There are tears from those saying goodbye and smiles from those being reunited with loved ones. We have flown 'home' and had the joy of seeing family but have also had the tears of saying a final goodbye to the closet family of all, Fiona's mother, Pamela.
The reunions happened time and time again as the whole 'Bolt' clan started making their way to Northumberland. As more of them arrived so the smiles and the tears increased.
Many wonderful childhood and family memories of Pamela were shared. From sticky iced buns and high jumping in the garden; to coral coloured lipstick with green wellies and barbour jackets; to skirts held together with safety pins and the life long task of taming the red squirrels. Many a joke was made especially about her and John once again being reunited and therefore able to complete the Telegraph cryptic crossword together again, with of course not a cross word between them.
Our goodbyes were said in a service led by the Cannon from Hexham Abbey and then all descended on the Family home at Runnymede Road for a party the proportions of which mum would be proud.
Finally the petticoat army (Nico, Jan, Fiona & Tessa) set John and Pamela on their final journey together. Their ashes flowed into the River Derwent, at a spot special to them, with bluebells and wild garlic in abundance, birds twittering in the trees, not a cloud in the sky and the sea just a few bends in the river away.
We have shared the joy of reunions and the sadness of goodbyes and we are once again at the departure gate. Our journey on Ruffian continues.
Homeward bound. Nothing goes upwind like a 747.
The Northumberland beaches were as stunning and as deserted as ever.
The farm was looking in fine fettle.
With some great 'boys toys'.
Our lovely hosts.
The whole clan assembled.
The breeze picked up.
And we nearly all got blown away.
But we were all here to say goodbye to Pamela.
With her love of the outdoors.
And flowers.
You'll be sadly missed.
And then there was the goodbye to the family home.