By The River Dee

I am sat by the River Dee in Chester.  It' a glorious afternoon. In half an hour I shall meet up with an old friend. He has organised a detour on his way home to Manchester to meet me.
Recently my old friends have been a godsend. You touch base with them and years of love and friendship and mutual support rekindle and all becomes right in the world even though it isn' t really alright at all.
I'm lucky. I have a lot of friends
Human bubblewrap 

82 comments:

  1. Human bubblewrap - a perfect way of describing it John. Wish I lived near enough for an afternoon over the odd Scotch egg or three.

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  2. Anonymous2:58 pm

    Wishing you a beautiful afternoon! Sending all my good wishes from across the pond...

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  3. Have I missed something John? You said, "..it isn't really alright at all..." This isn't the first time you have hinted that something is amiss. I hope I am wrong.

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    1. I'm wondering the same thing, Neil.

      John, I do hope you're okay. We're here for you if something is badly wrong. You know that, right?

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    2. A few clouds in the sky YP X

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    3. Something is wrong and I suspect we will know only when and if you decide to share. And that of course is your choice. Just please know there are many that care and wish you all the best.

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  4. Enjoy your time with your friend today John x

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    Replies
    1. A good strong pot of tea is in order

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  5. I have fond memories of sitting on the banks of the River Dee with my dad, eating custard tarts and drinking from a flask of tea, balm for the weary soul.
    I hope your days become easier John.
    Hugs,
    ~Jo
    Sending you

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  6. I like that last sentence. Clever.

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  7. We've all noticed you're not up to snuff, John, but can't pry. xxoo

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  8. I have been worrying about you so much, John. I know something is amiss and I do not want it to be.
    Sigh...
    May your friends carry you gently as you traverse difficult times. And know that you are being thought of lovingly from afar.

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    1. Well said. John, you are loved my friend. xxx

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  9. You do sound a bit low, I hope your friend is a tonic. I spent Saturday with a good friend I haven't seen for twenty years because she lives in Australia. It was fantastic X

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    1. They recharge you... my friend Nigel made me laugh

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  10. Human bubblewrap when we're low is absolutely the best thing, much as our pets give us unconditional love. Sending you a big squishy hug John. xx

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  11. Traveller3:49 pm

    Good expression that.

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    1. A virtual hug is too, sending John a virtual hug xx

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  12. Hugs John ❤️🇨🇦. I totally agree, human bubble wrap is the best!

    Mardy

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  13. We reap what we sow and some people sow weeds. You, my friend, sow the most glorious flowers....or "bubble wrap".

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    Replies
    1. I rather liked the bubble wrap analogy

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  14. It looks nice by the River Dee. I've never been to Chester. Maybe one day. I am glad that you have the support of friends John, in blog land and the real world too. Sending you a huge comfort blanket hug. x

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    1. It has a lovely river just outside the city walls ....with seats , boats and a bandstand

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  15. I do hope things brighten for you soon John.I'm not having a good time as my darling top dog was put to sleep 8 days ago.I'm just living one day at a time in a sort of robotic void xx

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    1. Anonymous5:04 pm

      Sending hug and sympathy during a very sad time. x

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    2. Flis.....so sorry , I know , just know how you feel

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  16. I'm glad your friends are there for you John.

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  17. MaggieB4:34 pm

    Hope everything gets sorted out John. Chin up, MaggieB

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  18. Greetings Maria xxx

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  19. I hope things brighten for you soon.

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  20. Lisa R5:29 pm

    Good or bad, everything passes. Hope you find your sunshine again soon. Xx

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  21. Good friends are indeed human bubblewrap. Here's to better days.

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  22. Don't like to think of you being sad, hope your friends helped.

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  23. Anonymous6:22 pm

    Come to San Francisco, I’ll take you to lunch! Or maybe we should get a group together and all go visit Hippo :-)

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    Replies
    1. There is a seafood pub that I like just down from nob hill

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  24. There are about a thousand of out here offering a virtual hug. Do take care of yourself.

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  25. Hoping happier times are around the corner John.

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  26. Enjoy your visit with your friend John. I love the bubblewrap description. So very true. Please remember all your friends in blogland care.

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  27. Love from me too. Stay strong

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  28. Human bubblewrap, pet therapy, a scotch egg, and fresh cut flowers. I know they can't make everything better, but maybe a bit more tolerable. Thinking of you. -Jenn

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    1. Cut flowers........a little piece of heaven

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  29. Human bubblewrap. What a wonderful description. We all sometimes need a cushion against the sharp edges of life.

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  30. I strongly suspect you have a lot of friends because you are a friend. And have wrapped more than one person yourself.

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    1. I echo this comment. You have been a good friend to many, and no doubt bubblewrapped lots of friends.

      I had to just laugh... I typed in 'bubblewrap' and predictive text offered me 'inflatables' 🤣🤣🤣

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  31. Human Bubblewrap, I love this.

    cheers, parsnip

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  32. Have to watch those hugs if you're wearing bubblewrap, though.

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  33. Hey John, I was just reading the comments - can you imagine the group hug we could have with all of your blog followers! There's a group hug for the record books!

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    1. The group hug would be so strong I'd fart like the queen Mary's fog horn

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    2. Thanks for making me laugh John.Do you have a tickly funny bone? x

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  34. It is so nice when people make the effort for each other. I hope you enjoyed your time with your friend and can feel the care and concern of all of us "out here".

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  35. We have a 'woodblock' print from Chester showing a castle tower. I imagine this town is very pretty.
    Hope you and your friend had a wonderful day together.

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  36. I hope the cloud that seems to be hanging over you leaves soon.

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  37. Everything ok with you and the Prof? I know I have no right to ask but....?

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  38. Be well, John, and never give up hope for a better tomorrow.

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  39. Isn't there an Irish proverb about a good sleep and a good laugh making everything better?
    It doesn't solve everything but it sure makes it more manageable

    xo

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  40. Anonymous2:31 am

    Seems you're feeling a bit melancholy since your and the profs decision to relocate. The trips down memory lane can bring joy and sadness but you have much to look forward to - a future with much adventure and new memories. Hope you are feeling better soon. Take care. Ranee (MN) USA

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  41. I need to say it too . . .
    I care about you John . . .
    I find you about truth authentic, gentle, love, kind . . .
    Not sure what is happening in your world . . .
    All I know is . . .
    I hope everything will be ok for you.
    It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know you have tons of people “in your camp” . . . we love you!

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  42. I am glad you have dear friends to bubble wrap you with tender care and some laughs along the way too. I hope June will be an upbeat month for you.

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  43. Human bubblewrap is a brilliant description. You know you have lots of it wrapped all around you ❤

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  44. Sending you a hug . XX

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  45. I too have been worried about you lately. Sending you hugs XX

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  46. Don't know what's going on that's making things so difficult right now, but you deserve good friends.

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  47. Sorry to hear that you are still not quite yourself John - hope everything is OK on the home front. Many things come to "try" us in this life but I always think that we will not always be in that bad position and it will pass - eventually. Hope you enjoyed a lovely time with your old friend.

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  48. I love Chester. I got to visit the charming town 25 years ago and was charmed by its old buildings and city walls.

    A friend and some fresh air always helps me feel better too.

    Julie q

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  49. Worried about you, sweetheart. Hope things get better.
    We are having a tough time at the moment. Five adults in our house, three with mental health issues (including me).
    Take care, darling xx

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  50. Your friends are there for you as you are for them. Take care.
    Jane

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  51. I'll see you your Human Bubblewrap and raise a gazillion cyber-hugs in it's place. xxxxx

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  52. Anonymous11:38 am

    Well I've had good 2 chuckles catching up with your posts about the frog and your dad fainting. Then I read this post, and agree, sometimes you just need to be with someone that makes you feel everything is alright. For me its when I'm with my son when I see him I just feel more myself that everything is alright even if it isn't. I hope everything is okay with you. You just have to keep moving forward. Jean/winnipeg

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