God I’ve been lucky………….. with Paul, with my family, with my friends, with my home, with my job. I’m now on my way, I’ll now be with Mum, James, Granny and Uncle John…..I’ll give them all your love! I had an idyllic childhood in Africa, it was a lot of fun, a bit wild, so far from civilisation, (not so far you couldn’t hear Donny) but I dare say character building and never boring (memories……. of walking in the jungle and around the tea estates with the dogs, sunbathing with Mum in the sand pit, Dad throwing cold water at us, (can I mention his freezing hands waking me up in the morning, guaranteed a scream but I never missed breakfast), Beach houses, game parks, catching river crabs, making dams in the river, chasing lizards and snakes, blanket tents in the garden, the 3 foot cane rats in the roof, (took us several years to get that Dad was drumming his fingers 50% of time, drove Kim the dog bonkers)!. Boarding school was a bit tough from 6, but the holidays were fantastic…the old absence from the family makes the heart go fonder. Left school, and first career was in the pub trade (developed a lifelong skill in pulling the perfect pint, expertise in knowing the difference between a drink and A DRINK…not always a pint……and always a useful skill with the West Family! My main career has been with Thames Water, and it’s been brilliant, loved working there and had a lot of fun. I can recommend them as an employer and they have been hugely supportive during my illness. Peter has been the most exceptional manager that I have had the privilege of working with, of course I always teased him that he was over paid and undervalued, but he’s very caring and his people skills are second to none. I have had fantastic work colleagues. Dee is loving and giving, and very compassionate and has been supportive of Paul through many long nights, Dee I have special and funny memories of you getting lost even with the Sat Nav…. and Dee…. don’t get lost tonight. Jan and Chris and all the teams, both in Kingston and Reading, that I have worked with over the years, it’s been a ball! I have been extremely lucky in my friends too many to mention by name, (well maybe one, Linda, you can have your wig back now), but you know who you are, we’ve had great times and laughed and drunk and had lots of fun, I couldn’t have asked for better friends and drinking buddies and you were always there when I needed you. For those of you that joined me at the new Forest Show I have extra special memories as the New Forest was such a special place for me. I have been lucky with the boys in my life…….Pinza, Rafikii, and Mojo – loyal, affectionate – bossing the sofas and slurping my tea Some thank you’s I have had some special carers over the last 3 years, Gemma, Danielle, Barbara, Lindsay, Kelly, Tracey, Charlotte, Sam, and especially for the gossip, Debbie and Lisa. Thank you for having a laugh, making a difference and being good at your job….keeping me sane and out of hospital! I wasn’t a cushy number I know, but hey that’s not my problem …… and some of you were lucky enough to get Pauls pancakes and just think of the memories you have getting me into the shower…..you know I never meant to splash you………NOT! A special thanks to Dr Dhillon, my consultant, you were brilliant and you gave me 2 extra years and I can tell you, …. I really appreciated them! Also to Dr Bill how he has truly helped me. Finally a thank you and special love to the family, thanks for all the love and support, Mum, Dad and Edwina, Jono and Jools, Tan and especially Paul, my rock (sweetie, poppet, darling), who has gone well beyond this call of duty and I love him dearly …… and I know how much you have loved me. (I have special, cherished memories of moments in Cornwall, Devon and Dorset over the years – the wind – the rain – the mud. And the wider family, especially all the Uncles, looking after me on half terms and looking out for me, great parties (Can I mention Jono’s 21st at Vals?), I feel blessed with all the love and laughter surrounding me all my life and yes, you can see I’ve been lucky Bye bye and love you all!