Villajoysa near Alicante - Saturday 22/8 /15
Hove seafront, Sunday 23/8/15
But in so many ways ,it's the weather inside that counts . And the weather inside for me is bright, optimistic, focussing on the horizon and appreciating what I have - family, friends and opportunity.
Oh and I mustn't forget the pets ! They were pleased to see us again and have spent a lot of time curled up inside whilst the rains of the week have lashed us, between occasional glimpses of sunshine.
Appreciating what we have was brought into sharp relief last weekend by the awful Shoreham Airshow disaster which saw a jet fall out of the sky onto the A27 killing at least eleven people and causing devastation to the lives of so many more. The response from the community and the public services has been magnificent . Unfortunately public service does not enjoy the esteem that it had when I left University and was congratulated for setting out on the path to becoming a Social Worker . Yet the contribution of local government staff, Police service and role of the NHS to our wellbeing,safety and sound health is vital ....and not just in high profile emergencies . It's gratifying to see some advocates of these under-sung professionals . One true supporter is Jenny Molloy (who tweets as @HackneyChild) , whose latest book "Neglected:True stories of Children's Search for Love in and out of the Care System " has just entered the Top 5 bestsellers this week. Jenny knows what she is talking about and offers a valuable ( and valuing) perspective on the role and challenges of Social Workers.
Chief constable ,Giles York , adds flowers to the burgeoning Shoreham Tollbridge memorial
This week has been one for reflecting on the past and more importantly planning for the future as I update my CV and consider my Linked-In profile . I have had a number discussions about interesting future assignments and opportunities, and I am working on what's important to me and how I can best make use 40 years of public service and leadership , including 11 years in Chief Executive roles . I want to continue to have a positive impact as well as making more time for family, travel,art and writing.
Over the past two days we have taken our van to the quintessentially English town of Henley , to walk and visit my sister . The rains have given a lushness to the countryside and our walk along the river to Hambleden was a delight.
Swans and five almost full grown signets.
The former home of Kenneth Grahame, author of Wind in the Willows - the house provided the basis for Toad Hall
From the grounds of Henley Business School
One of the intriguing delights of the walk was the sight of numbers of Red Kites. I only know now for sure that that's what they were. At the time, it seemed so unlikely. But my sister confirmed the sightings and explained that following reintroduction to the area , they have bred and flourished.
They are magnificent. Moving mainly in pairs they soared and swirled above us , dozens of them. Try as we might , we could not get a decent photo. We resolved to have a good camera with us next time! As ever, the Internet saves the day!
Inadequate picture of a Red Kite above
A decent walk deserves a decent lunch and the Stag &Huntsman at Hambleden obliged with a delicious seafood salad . Packed on a Thursday lunchtime with a mix of locals and visitors, we enjoyed our tasty sojourn and picked up all sorts of snippets . Local politicians are clearly active - an enthusiastic local councillor sat nearby extolling the importance and enjoyment of the Planning Committeee! Visitors obviously enjoyed the hospitality of a proper pub in this quaint red brick village.
After lunch, the church beckoned . A lovely simple church with a array of ancient tombstones in the Churchyard and some impressive stone memorials within. The most impressive was to the memory of Cope D'Oyley d1633 and his wife Martha d1618 who are commemorated with their 10 children (5girlsand 5boys) . Cope was Deputy Lieutenant of Oxfordshire.
And in the Church porch we were brought back to the present with a jolt , with the Lost & Found notice!
Our family meals together were lovely - one out at the Villa Marina in Henley and one at home where the garden of the little terraced house is a blaze of colour from flowers and tomatoes. Both my sister and I are blessed with partners who have become enthusiastic and very able gardeners. We appreciate them and the results they produce! 
This is our garden in July - I didn't take pic of the sister's garden - a big oversight!
Back home after a surprisingly good journey on the M roads of southern England there is a lot to be thankful for- not least of all a bowl of apples from our tree! 
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