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Hi, Rusty!
I had been listening to Shirley Williams talking to Richard van Emden but had not realised that he was the author of your new books.
If you had told me his name, then I had forgotten it.
What a strange coincidence!
It will be quite something tomorrow to see the all the children - both British and French - laying flowers on the gravestones of the soldiers who died for their countries.
It is good to see them still being remembered and honoured.
(No, I didn't think much of the Nike nightie)
Time for a coffee and a shortcake biscuit......and I still have one crossword to do......I had forgotten it!

Good evening, Elle,
Yes, I told you about Richard van Emden in post 7948, on the 22nd?.
I bought 3 of his books, and he has written more.
He looks much younger than I imagined.
And Shirley Williams was looking well.
I am looking forward to tomorrow's prog starting at 7.
Wondering if there will be any "Remembrances" in The Times?
I agree with you about the Nike nightie!
I think Miss Safarova won but did not see it.
Had a visitor.

Hi, Rusty!
So you did, Rusty! I am sorry that I didn't remember that - my memory is by no means what it once was!!!
I have set the recorder for 7am tomorrow , as at that time I shall be getting ready to go out with the dog.
I can watch the later programme "live" when I get back.
Yes, Lucie Safarova did win her match, and tomorrow she plays Jana Cepelova, who this afternoon put out Garbine Muguruza.
Now Ms Muguruza was the lady who beat Serena at the French Open to take the title.
So possibly Lucie has a battle ahead of her ?
Coffee drunk, crossword completed.......and I am now off to bed!
Sleep tight!

Hello, Elle!
My memory is a bit erratic, too!
One very sad story from my book.
Richard van Emden used to pass this large house in Reading every day and thought nothing of it, until he discovered that it had belonged to a man called Leonard Sutton.
He discovered that Mr Sutton owned Sutton Seeds.
Have you heard of them? They sell little packets of flower seeds.
B&Q used to sell them.
Anyway, Mr van Emden discovered that Mr Sutton had a wife and five sons, then a daughter. His wife died, possibly giving birth to their daughter. Now, Mr Sutton was left with six children under ten years old.
Later, the Great War started, and Mr Sutton's five sons joined up and each became an officer.
Four of Mr Sutton's sons were killed in the war, and the fifth son was wounded, but survived.
Just imagine having four sons killed?
Mr van Emden has dedicated this book to the four sons.
Mr Sutton went on to become mayor of Reading three times.

Good morning, Rusty!
A damp beginning to my day when I took out the dog earlier, but the sun is shining now.
I have been watching the recording I made of "The Centenary of the Battle of the Somme : Zero Hour".
Very moving.
Although I am watching it belatedly, I did remember and observe the 2 minutes silence at 7.28 am.
I liked the way the first minute was in memory of the soldiers who died, and the following minute was for the men who served and came home again.
I now have the slightly later programme on as I type this.
Your man Richard van Emden has been to the fore again. He is certainly very knowledgeable.
(It must make your book even more interesting and relevant?)
I shall now look for my newsletter from Wimbledon, and see what action there is for today....................

This description of the old front line, as it was when the Battle of the Somme began, may some day be of use......
All wars end; even this war will some day end, and the ruins will be rebuilt and the field full of death will grow food, and all this frontier of trouble will be forgotten. When the trenches are filled in, and the plough has gone over them, the ground will not long keep the look of war. One summer with its flowers will cover most of the ruin that man can make, and then these places, from which the driving back of the enemy began, will be hard indeed to trace, even with maps. It is said that even now in some places the wire has been removed, the explosive salved, the trenches filled, and the ground ploughed with tractors. In a few years time, when this war is a romance in memory, the soldier looking for his battlefield will find his marks gone. Centre Way, Peel Trench, Munster Alley, and these other paths to glory will be deep under the corn, and gleaners will sing at Dead Mule Corner.

Prince Charles read that out in his speech, Eirlys!

Yes he did Elle. I can't remember being moved quite as much as this morning watching the ceremony

We have been watching the Commemoration all the morning.
It was so respectfully and movingly done - what a wonderful tribute.
So much to commend and admire......
The rendering of "Keep the Home Fires Burning" brought a lump to my throat.......and it was a lovely touch to bring this new generation into it, by the six hundred children laying down their wreaths.
I was deeply impressed and found it all very emotional.

There is not a dry eye in the house here