My Ghost

I'm proud as punch with my new bike. Its awfully pretty and fast with it.

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Syd Reeves Rest In Peace

We found my father's grave in the churchyard at Bledington nr Chipping Norton in Oxfordshire.

Syd Reeves was born somewhere in Oxfordshire in 1928 - unfortunately we don't know precisely where.  His father was a farm worker and the family moved around a lot.  At the time he left home they lived in Cuddesdon, Oxfordshire.

In 1946 Syd was conscripted into the Royal Air Force, and ultimately posted to the airfield in Grove Nr. Wantage.  That's how he came to meet Babs who was living in Ardington at the time.

When Syd's time in the RAF was up in 1948 the two married and set up home in Wantage, initially in a room rented from Jesse Gibbs, in Trinder Road. They would later move to set up home in a Nissen hut (previously barracks on the airfield, and subsequently at 10 Hamfield, 19 Stockham Way and 30 Denchworth Road - all in Wantage see the pictures below.

In 1970 Syd and Bab's divorced.  Syd met Silvia and moved into her home at the Old Forge in Bledington.  The two married  and lived comfortably and happily until Syd passed away.  At the age of 58 he died when his Aortic Aneurism burst.  He probably never knew he had it, and nor did his doctor.  Syd fell sick one evening, with extreme pains in his abdomen.  Silvia called the GP who told her not to worry.  It was just a belly ache.  Put him back to bed with some painkillers.



Syd died around 2.00am without knowing what was killing him, although he'd probably figured the doctor's incompetence had made a special contribution.


Syd was happy in Bledington, with Silvia.  She understood his kindness and reserve.  She didn't expect him to be a leader or provider.  She was just happy to have him around, for company and a soul mate. And so was the rest of the village.  Syd soon became the goto man for everybody needing something to be fixed.


Visiting his grave for the first time in 26 years brought back all sorts of emotions related to early years when Syd and Babs couldn't make it work, and couldn't prevent that failure impacting those around them.


But knowing Syd's last resting place is such a peaceful spot, in such a quiet village which he felt part of,  is a comfortable end to the story.

Here are pictures of the houses mentioned.

50-year buying opportunity - authers note - markets - FT.com


Wouldn't it be nice, if this was right?  After 12 years of zero or negative returns on pensions and other investments we could sorely do with some wins of any size.

Big wins would be especially helpful.

There's Nothing Quite Like

There's nothing quite like having your own golf course - if you're a golfer, of course, or maybe if you just want somewhere to walk the dog.

In my case it's both.

This picture is taken from the 7th. tee of the Championship Course at Royal Dornoch and shows the beach I walk on with Bennie every morning.

Our house is 100 yards from the 1st tee of the Championship Course and 70 yards from the 2nd. tee of the  Struie Course.

On evenings like today I can walk across to Struie 2nd, tee it up and go.  There's nobody there.  I can potter around to my heart's content.  This evening I went out at 5.30 and played 2 balls on every hole, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18.  The 18th. green is only 50 yards from the house.

As old as I get, my golf gets worse but that doesn't seem to matter when all you're doing is taking the air before a dram, a cigar, and dinner.

Jackie says she loves this place, and especially the house.  The only problem being its 600 miles too far to the north.

And I agree, but you can't have everything, can you?