Revisiting The Past

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Well, as planned, we drove down to Fromes Hill today, to see what was left of my childhood stomping ground. Whilst the main drag over the hill is now so busy with heavy traffic as to render it pretty unpleasant, I did revisit Fairview, The Manse and the old chapel [blog posts passim] along it, and spoke to the residents of the chapel and The Manse - mainly to explain why I was poking around their properties: they were actually OK with it, thankfully: but I guess grey hair and wrinkles do alleviate stranger-threat, somewhat.

However, the event that really made the drive down worthwhile, was when we decided to head down to Halmonds Frome. We'd already visited the graveyard at St. Matthews, and found the stone under which my uncle Mike's ashes had been laid in 2015. He lived just down the lane towards Halmonds Frome, so we parked up at the entrance to the place and I tentatively picked my way down the short track - having assumed the place had long since been sold on - and saw a guy measuring up for some work on the front porch. I called out a 'Good, Morning!' and explained who I was, and that my uncle Mikey used to live there - all the while thinking he was the new owner of the place - and we struck up a very illuminating conversation.

Turns out he was a friend, and craftsman, to Mike's son - my cousin - Francis, who still owns The Homestead and lives there, the place of his birth. Which was and is, a fabulous revelation. The place is still in the family name and in good hands. Sadly, my aunt had only recently died there, and my cousin was away, so I didn't get chance to catch up; something I will remedy in the next few weeks. Keep you posted...

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