On George's Birthday 2015

Welcome to our midsummer blog on George’s Birthday. He would have been 40 years old today but, as I have quoted before, he “will not grow old as they that are left grow old” and at 70 this year I find myself very much in this latter category!

Our big news at this time is that a new bench for the wood arrived last week, generously donated by Emily and Henry. 

There had been a bench at Aldenham, where George went to school, donated by school friends Lloyd, Hugo and Andrew which had a plaque on it, but I fear this is no longer in existence as the last time the school was contacted it was sadly not to be found.  The inspired words on the plaque summed up George’s character beautifully:

Common sense evaded him,

Cacti fascinated him,

Music ran through him,

Intelligence saturated him,

Laughter poured from him.

His friends are grateful to have known him.

However, the new bench in Georges Wood has an equally pertinent message which you can read below in the photos. It is from the poem “They are not dead” the full version of which can be found in the Spring Blog of 2014 below.

The new woodland pond has now settled into the landscape – today a grey heron visited it but took off before a photo could be taken! So, please, take a photographic walk with us through Georges Wood, today on his birthday as we remember and celebrate George together .....

Entering the woodland

    

Silver birches becoming a wood and forming a canopy

the pond settling into the landscape....

.... and its first reptilian resident!

woodland paths evolving

A very special first bench for Georges Wood.....

                                                                                                                                                                    

George..... with an extraordinarily poignant inscription by which we can all remember  

A ray from heaven!

See how the trees are flourishing!

The centre piece of the wood - the oak - thriving in the sunshine 

Look up!  Heron taking off from the pond!

A water vole having his elevenses! Thanks to our dear friend Jan  for the brilliant pic!!

Then off for a dip to cool off from the heat! Thanks again, Jan, for another amazing shot! 

A spot to pause, remember and reflect.....

Finally, a quote by Minnie Aumonier (which George would have appreciated)  sent to me by friends Martin and Christine:

  “There is always music amongst the trees….

 but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it”