My address in the U.S. for sending hard copy, ad material, etc.
Georgia Cheer, c/o Po Box 2529 Battle Ground, WA 98604
NEW EMAIL please write to: gcheer@crabbet.com.
Always put 'Crabbet' in the subject line. I get so much junk mail.
| March 8, 2008 How things are improving |
| I'm building a new life, slowly but progressively. Thanks to the my family, and my friends, I've been able to look forward with some direction. While I was in California this past early February, my parents and I stayed in the home of my brother Mark. We celebrated my nephew Peter's 19th birthday then - even though it's actually in January. Here you see three generations of my family, my Dad (seated) Sam Cheer, behind him brother Mark Cheer, and Peter Woodward, son of my sister Venise. Peter and Mark both are very interested in airplanes. Not surprising as my father's worked for American Airlines for over 30 years. Mark is currently taking lessons to obtain his pilot license, small aircraft, and Peter works in ground crew at Ontario Airport, sometimes on American Airline jets. Pictured right is me holding the TV camera at Fox Studios where Mark works. Below that is a photo from April 2007 taken in Lymington, Hampshire at the South Lawn Hotel where the Wessex section RREC had a lunch that I organized. You see my Silver Shadow II along side of me, always a good attractive feature to be photographed with. His "barn name" is Samson. This year I've volunteered to produce the Wessex RREC section newsletter which comes out quarterly. It is putting me back into publishing, although a bit rusty, somebody's got to do it, so why not jump in? The last photo is from the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley where Mark, Dad, Peter and I visited February 3rd. It is an amazing museum with artifacts from President Reagan's long life. I was interested in his ranching memorabilia so here are a few of his saddles. You will find lots to interest you in this museum including his Air Force One jet, the entire real one, in residence there as well (can you guess who were interested in the jet?) as Nancy Reagan's many dresses, and the many gifts they received throughout their lives. Now back in the UK, I'm actively pursuing work, and joining a volunteer gardening group, as well as two other social groups I've recently met. I've got several U.S. tours assigned to me for the year and some country house sitting assignments. I'm still missing Stuart a lot, however I'm finding that one has no choice but to carry on and so I'm grateful to my family and friends who have been so understanding, patient and caring of me.
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| November 29, 2007 My life has a large hole |
Loss of my dearest friend Stuart Jennings. I've had a major trauma in my life. My dearest friend Stuart Jennings passed away November 8 due to cancer. He went peacefully, and with little distress although I was not there. My last memory was of our few hours recently spent the morning I left to the airport for my flight to Florida to visit my parents. Stuart always took me and picked me up from the airport before and after my tours. Coming back to the UK and not having his handsome self to take my baggage cart with his Guardian paper tucked under his arm has been very very sad for me.
Stuart was a lovely man, a friend to many, the father of 4 wonderful children and seven grandchildren. He was my constant companion while I was in England. He also came to the US in November 2005 to help Guy and I move house, then the following November 2006 for another happy visit. Both my parents have met and admired him. Although he was 78 years old, he never behaved his age, he was full of life, very fit, a positive thinker and so very humorous. He was a fantastic presence, a rare gentleman with a boyish heart.
It's too difficult for me to relate all that Stuart meant to me. I miss him greatly. My sympathy goes to his loving family. |
| October 10, 2007 Tour work continues |
| Just back from New England. I've been unable to update this page since the end of August as I dropped my laptop and therefore had to get a new hard drive installed, and all the hassle of re-loading software etc meant that my spare time was spent doing maintenance, and install. My brain was exhausted, and frustration levels also increased which didn't allow me to think about writing this page. I am sorry. Meantime, the laptop got repaired and I managed to find some of my travel documents and others I had to rebuild. I had a lovely tour of New England with 29 wonderful and giggly passengers for eleven days the end of September. I will again do the same tour shortly but wanted to get a bit of writing in for those who may wonder what's happened. The leaves in New England are rather late this year due to the warm temperatures and dry summer. We were in Boston Sept. 26 and it was in the mid-80s and quite humid! Further north in Vermont we saw lovely color however not as much in New Hampshire as we had hoped. Our last stop in Maine brought cooler temperatures but still not cold enough to force the leaves to turn. Perhaps they will be better the second time around. I always delight at being in America at this time of year not for the leaves but for the humorous and original Halloween decorations on people's front doorsteps. Thank goodness we do enjoy a laugh and moreso, love spending money to share it with strangers. In the winter I intend to be back in the States to enjoy Thanksgiving, Christmas and the New year with my family and Guy. Not the best weather period but warm hearts mean a warm home. Best of the season to you and yours. |
| June and July, 2007 York, Ascot |
A few More photos. In April when I went to North Yorkshire, I didn't post any photos from the trip. So here is a photo from the my Yorkshire walk. Let's see, the middle of June brought a much anticipated arrival from my Chinese friend Wang Danping (Miranda) from Beijing. She and I work together when I travel for Thomas Cook to China. She is our Beijing local guide. We only get to spend 3 days together when we work and have just a few hours of free time, so this visit to the UK is our first chance to have some fun with no work involved. Miranda's first exciting visit was to Royal Ascot as guest of my friend Andrew, to whom I had introduced her to last year. He treated us both to a day out the first day of the meet. See photo below. Then later in June, I visited the National Trust Snowshill cottage in Gloucestershire. The home is filled with curious collectibles. There is a room filled with antique bicycles. The garden was very attractively laid out, with narrow paths, and a view across the valley. Miranda traveled all over the UK and Scotland, too much for me to write about in my limited time.
Top left my visit to Fountains Abbey near Ripon, Yorkshire.
Top right, myself and Miranda as we arrive to Ascot.
Bottom left, Miranda at Anton river in Goodworth Clatford, and right, the Severn River at Bewdley.
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