A contrast in textures...

Phil's commision from the Duchess finished yesterday. The girls and I met him for lunch and then he had got permission for us to walk around the gardens with him. It was a really lovely experience. We have been in the grounds on Open Days but it felt really special to have the place to ourselves (the family are away on holiday.)

It was a bittersweet day. It was good to be with Phil and to know that the week-long absences are at an end. It was sad to think the commission is over - he has so much enjoyed being able to do what he loves the most. And underlying everything is my sadness over Karen.

I am ok much of the day but at night my thoughts rush in, the same happens in the early mornings. My heart goes out to Karen's family who had to return home and face their home without Karen.

I am trying to get comfort from the knowledge that Karen is no longer suffering and that she is at peace. I have faith that one day I will meet her again. Karen gave me a bookmark which says "Distance cannot separate two hearts that really care". Karen and I have always been far apart in distance and yet we have always been so close. We are still close.

"Life has to end….love doesn’t.” - Mitch Albom