Saturday 26th September 2020

As you know from yesterday's post, the 1st anniversary of Mum's passing.

And a day with much to ponder as the 366 days between have brought many changes, and last month, saw us pay off the mortgage on Chez Jelltex, as a direct result of her passing.

Truth is, I don't miss Mum. I had stopped calling every week a couple of years before when Mum made it clear she wasn't going to change. It's not something I have regretted. Although the old Sunday night phone call was short and not so sweet, we talked about nothing, she never had any news, and really had little interest in what we did. They were just words. And so we called when there was news. Sometimes she made up an excuse, but calls went from once a week to once a month.

Her cleaner, Sheila, had worked for many people of Mum's age and health to know she was near the end. I never thought that time would come, her and her genes would see to that. But then her case worker at the council tried to get her to move to a home, and she seemed set on it, then declared herself fit.

And that was that, she died a month later. She might have anyway, who knows.

For the past year things have gone our way, even through the pandemic, and still are. We have high hopes for the future and to travel and meet old friends, if we can.

Life goes on.

And on.

So to Saturday, and what to do.

Well, how about some churchcrawling?

Why not.

And I got it into my head to go to Old Romney, on the edge of the Romney Marsh.

The Romney Marsh and its churches are some of the most visited places in all of Kent, and in July when I had some time off work, one midweek morning we visited three churches, all open. So, thinking of revisiting St Clement since I was last there will my friend, Simon K, I thought it a good idea to use this Saturday for a visit.

The weather was grey, dull with a cold wind, so botanising was really out, so some churchcrawling.

We drove out along the coast road from Hythe, through Dymchurch to New Romney, as there is a larger and older parish church there: so the New church is older than the old church.

Work that one out.

Anyway, traffic was mad in New Romney as people drove to avoid taking the bus or walking, so we inched to Church Approach, with the large west tower in front.

Closed.

There was no chance it was just closed against the weather, there are usually church open signs here. Not today.

So we drive through the houses back to the coast road, then out to Old Romney.

St Clement stands on a low mound next to the main road, I was hopeful of it being open, but as we pulled up on the lane leading to the church, I could see the laminated sign on the porch door.

Several Marsh churches are open with very limited hours on one or two days a week, and the ones I wanted to visit not open on a Saturday.

And St Clement was one of three that were closed until further notice.

Just exterior shots taken this visit.

Sadly.

We went back to the car and I drove us home. It was still quiet, even for a Saturday in September.

We got back and had cheese and crackers for lunch, as I had bough a wedge of Stinking Bishop from the butchers, it is a mighty strong spreading cheese, the first time they have sold it in a few years, mainly because it stunk the shop out. Each wedge is now wrapped, so the stink cannot get out.

It is most splendid, and we have enough for more on Sunday.

Jools was trying to switch to nights, so had a snooze in the afternoon while I listened to the football, outside it rained. Hard. Mulder can in, jumped up on my chest and shook.

Nice.

The continues to dusk, and beyond into the night.

We have pizza for dinner, shop bought ones, as it would be easier. We haven't done that for ages, but was good.

We play Uckers, Jools wins.

Sigh.

I watch videos of cab rides on trains riding the L in Chicago. And drank whisky.

It got messy.

We went to bed at half eleven.