I stayed with Kerren

[Katharine]

On Wednesday night I stayed with Kerren. I was in the area for an Inner Wheel function and we could not believe how close I was to her. We had a lovely evening looking at some of her CH treasures including the 'kiff?' bowl and the delightful sampler she got from ebay. (I still think it shows a Mon's badge, Kerren!) I also browsed some of the original DR's Founder's Day stories and really look forward to seeing them in print. I found many anecdotes I had forgotten.

On Thursday morning we went to see another OG who had nursed in Zululand with my aunt for many years. She is now a nun in a small convent of elderly ladies in Shoreham. They were all delighted to see us and lovely ladies.

After a pub lunch I got the train home, it was even driven by a friend of hers! He was fine we reached London on time, but instead of a through train to Bangor I had to change twice as the first train failed at Rugby.

[kerrensimmonds]

Hello Folks! Yes it was good to see Katharine last week, and she did stay here in my (almost) refurbished and now cleaned up home - after the Great Flood in February. And (as well as enjoying my own and the eBay memorabilia and my paltry contributions to food and refreshment) Katharine coped admirably with one dog and two cats - who might have caused some problems for her formal attire, worn because of her prior Inner Wheel activities. I saw the posh outfit.. but not the chains or the gongs which I imagine she would have worn for the formal part of the day, before she descended (with me... and I was even scruffier) into casual wear for an evening chez Simmonds and our menagerie!
And yes it was really good, the next day, to visit a very old Hertford Old Blue (Sister Joan Therese, formerly Joan Biron, House 6 in the 1930's) who now lives in a relocated convent in Shoreham, not that far from here. Sister Joan Therese saw nursing service in South Africa with Katharine's aunt (Helen Hills) also an Hertford Old Blue - and they had been good friends while at school and beyond. Sadly Helen passed away a couple of years ago, but not before making her mark as the eager beaver with the rubber gloves, ready and willing to do the washing up after an Old Girls' reunion. We miss her and all that she stood for in terms of duty and service, as exemplified in The Charge.
I am glad that my church friend, Dave the train driver, got Katharine to London safely and on time.. but am sorry that thereafter she was subjected to the vagaries of the rail system. At least she did get home
safely, in the end, albeit later than she she should have done.
Following this and other experiences, I would say that any Old Blue who might be visiting West Sussex is most welcome to apply to me for accommodation.
Kerren