The Changing Tides

Saturday 25th of July 2020. Who would have ever imagined such a year of direction changes….

A week of canine visitors, visits and scraps – Floyd and Alfie (the black one) didn’t realise the other was allowed at Al and Sandys house. After a quick sniff the small one (Alfie) decided to stake his territory and bark….big mistake when the one you are barking at is 40 kgs heavier and doesn’t really like many other dogs anyway! Luckily Dan was “Johnny on the spot” to grab Floyd and save the obnoxious little ones life!

We now begin our journey without Sandy, Dads partner of 46 years who was snatched from us a week ago and who we laid to rest on Thursday in true Sandy Style….she at least had a few days to plan her farewell and the cousins, Sandys friends, Steve, my friends and boys worked so hard to make it all happen her way.

Daniel spent two days, second one under Dads direction, painting some of Sandys world on the coffin lid (chosen by Sandy, artwork directed by Sandy and Al)

Dad and I, after a hectic morning of asparagus roll making, garage cleaning, beer icing, vacuuming and three pairs of pants before we found the right ones! Lucky I had my two mates, Pam and Trudi, and my sons here to help get the house ready for the aftermatch activities. Steve, his wife and family arrived around 11am then went and had lunch before meeting us all at the church.

A mass of 300 turned up at the church, most staying for the afternoon tea and refreshments prepared by a wonderful team of Bonnici cousins and then back to Dad and Sandys (and now my new home) for an evening of story telling and more refreshments!

So we can’t all be angels all the time and my breaking point was when I got back to the house and realised the alcohol was limited to Heineken and wine and ginger beer. Those that purchased the liquid supplies (Steve and Dad) had forgotten that the chief cook and bottle washer actually drinks Speights! My reaction, while a bit harsh was nothing to what Sandy would have let them have! My sons to the rescue…and raced up the road to return with a box of the golden stuff! Seriously I don’t ask for much!

Crisis averted and not too many guests had to witness my tantrum…Sandy seemed very much with us all evening (probably even directed my tantrum) at a Bonnici et al family gathering…