Oxford Moonlight Stroll - June 30th '07

As you can probably see from the little gizmo on the page, I am participating in a charity event in aid of the Hospice (Sobell House) where Valerie was treated in April. We are walking 9 and half miles around Oxford at night (hence the Moonlight Stroll). We did the Race for Life last year with Valerie and we were going to do it again this year but we thought this would be a fitting tribute and go to a more personal cause. The hospice is entirely run on donations and all our efforts will be greatly appreciated. I am doing this with Helen, Elaine and Dawn, Valeries' daughters and another 3 close friends of the family.

Thank you very much to those of you who have sponsored me so far. And to those of you who haven't, I hope if you read this, you might spare a couple of quid for a worthy charity. It may not be a well known charity, but they were so good to Valerie in her final days and they deserve our efforts and thanks for the fantastic job they do. Just click on the link on the righthand side of the page and follow the instructions. It would mean a lot if you did. Thank you.

Wish me luck and no blisters! :)

S x

Goodbye Valerie

Yesterday we said our final goodbyes to Valerie as she was laid to rest. Although it was an extremely sad day for all, it was a celebration of her life and all she had achieved. It was a testament to her popularity that many many people turned out to pay their respects. I knew Val was involved in the W.I. and T.W.G. but I had no idea just HOW much she was such an integral part of her community in other ways too. The amount of people who came yesterday as well as her family was a true reflection of how much she will be missed.

There were some beautiful words spoken by close friends and Helen did a lovely service booklet containing photos of Valerie on many a happy occasion. Afterwards many of us went back to the family house where we toasted her life with copious amounts of tea and food,which seemed very fitting. If Valerie had been there, she wouldn't have been sitting still for a minute, but making sure everyone had enough tea and food on their plates (and would feed you more if you hadn't!). The sun shone, the weather was gorgeous and I am convinced she was smiling down on us and there in spirit.

It will take time to adjust to not having Valerie around but I see her in all of the family, not only in looks but in chatter, in laughter, in little Ellie Jean (who is a chatterbox like her Grandma) and in food. Valerie's legacy of Lemon Drizzle Cake was on display yesterday (although I wasn't quick enough to get a slice!) but I thought it would be fitting to post it here.

Love you and miss you Valerie... this one is for you!

S x

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Lemon Drizzle Cake

Ingredients

150g (6oz) butter
150g (6oz) caster sugar
3 eggs
150g (6oz) rice or gluten free flour
1tsp baking powder
1 juice & grated rind of lemon

75g (3oz) caster sugar
1 juice of lemon

Method

1. Beat together the butter and caster sugar, followed by the eggs.
2. Mix in the flour and baking powder then grated rind and juice of lemon.
3. Pour into an oiled 18cm (7”) deep round tin and bake in an oven pre heated to 180oC / 3500F / Gas Mark 4 for 45 - 50 minutes.
4. When cake is cooked run a pallet knife around edges to loosen it from the tin.
5. Dissolve caster sugar in lemon juice then pour on to the hot cake.
6. When quite cold remove from tin.