Redbush Runner

We spent the weekend in West Sussex for my mother-in-law's memorial party and the scattering of her ashes. We have visited the village of West Wittering many, many times over the years of course, but never has it looked as beautiful as it did this weekend.  There were so many absolutely amazing things - the shimmering orange moon lighting up the sky on our journey down, Itchenor Harbour shrouded in eerie but hauntingly gorgeous mist, early on Saturday morning as we drove to parkrun, deer leaping in the fields and darting right across Ror's path as we ran on Sunday, squirrels playing in the treetops in the garden, a spectacular murmuration of starlings and of course the mighty waves crashing against the sands on a sunlit beach, Ilse's last resting place.  It was as if she was stage managing the whole occasion, making it extra special.  Three days of the most amazing spring weather - how lucky were we to have that in February? It was a hugely emotional weekend.  No...

Throughout January, Rory and I took part in the 'Running with Refugees' virtual run.  Proceeds from the run go towards UNHCR, helping people who are struggling in refugee camps around the world.  80 years ago, Rory's mother, Ilse and her two sisters came to England on the Kindertransport after Hitler's annexation of Austria.  As a result, throughout her life Ilse passionately supported charities which offered help to refugee children. So, when we signed up for 'Running with Refugees' just before Christmas, we thought it was quite an appropriate event to be involved with.  However, we didn't then realise quite how appropriate a tribute it would turn out to be. In the New Year, Ilse was diagnosed with terminal cancer.  She was given just weeks to live.  January for us was a sad and somewhat surreal month, splitting our time between home and trips down to West Sussex to visit Ilse, first in hospital and later in a nursing home.  It was a month filled ...