Sir Edward Downes' and his wife's death

Another startling piece of news this week was that Sir Edward Downes and his wife had chosen to end their lives together at the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland.
How very sad, but how brave of them and also in an odd way very beautiful and touching.
What more can one add really except to wish their son Caractacus well in this difficult time for him and to salute Sir Edward and Joan's quiet, dignified exit from this world.

J

Where to start?....Natalya Estemirova's death.

Well so much to write and not enough private time in which to do so.

On a personal level, today was very frustrating - a journey to my mother so as to be there when her removal men come to give a quote, had to be abandoned after multiple diversions,road closures (all to frequent in London nowadays , sadly).

However - to put things in some sort of perspective, I started to read about the poor political activist (I believe), Natalya Estemirova, murdered in Chechneya - someone whose only crime was to voice her political opinions (as I understand it)
I shall have to read about the matter more thoroughly, perhaps in the New York Times, but it makes one realise that we are incredibly fortunate to live somewhere with freedom of expression. What price can be put on that ?...
I had a strange experience recently on a London bus where a woman started to talk to me about her fears for her families safety in a certain Middle-Eastern country - she seemed genuine enough and I was quite unable to make any useful suggestions as to where she should turn for help. The only names I could think of at the time were John Simpson (Foreign correspondent) and Terry Waite (ex-hostage).
She asked me to pray for her.
Well, she may have been another deluded, paranoid person - we have our share in London after all - but I had to give her the benefit of the doubt - and if what she told me was true, I hope to goodness she and her family get some help.

On that rather sombre note I'll say good evening.J xx

Royal Ballet School performance

I must make a start on this as I am so enthused after seeing a wonderful matinee at the Royal Opera House in London!
My niece was involved in a modest way, but the whole show was super and I enjoyed my time in the Opera house from the first to last seconds!!

Having been a ballet dancer myself, I am not always easy to please when in the audience, but here I was impressed by the high standards both technically and artistically speaking.
I will add to this later, but just had to write at least a little while I still tingle from the experience...
Bye for the moment then... J xx