A Bad Week

This week I went to the Thanksgiving Service of one friend and found out that two others had died. None were that old.

Neal Crowe was a larger than life character, who lived life to the full. He had a heart attack and died completely out of the blue. It was his funeral on Tuesday.

We first met Neal through his wife, Angela, who Celia met when she was having our youngest, George. Angela had a double-sized project in mind, the twins, Hannah and Elspeth.

The one image that sticks in my mind is of Neal in his underpants dismantling a bed at a party at our previous house at Debach. Not for him an apple pie!

The other memory is a story that must be told.

Neal had worked on leaving University for AEI, who were subsequently taken only by GEC. I don't think it would be an understatement to say that those from AEI did not like the new regime.

One day, Neal, the representative from AEI New Zealand and the landlord from the Masons Arms in Great Portland Street decided they were going to celebrate the demise of their company in London. They spent a great deal of money on drink and food and Neal duly presented his expenses.

Lord Weinstock's assistant didn't like the cost and queried the expenses with Neal. But he had the trump card. Somehow he had the personal number of the New Zealand High Commissioner and suggested that as he was the guest, that he be phoned and the story checked.

Neal got his money!

Gai Evans was my business partner, Richard Evans', wife. He had known her for fifty years and been married to her for most of it!

When we started Metier, she was one of the unseen who allowed us all to indulge in our fantasies. Luckily, for all of us, they came true!

We all owe Gai a great debt!

Dick Wilkinson was someone we met through eventing. He died of Alzheimer's in November. What a cruel disease.

Let's hope that 2004 is better!