It’s the hottest day of the year , tomorrow will be even hotter.

Ted has come to the end of his journey. The pub is full to send him on his way.

Francis has been gone 8 long years, ‘Though lovers be lost love shall not’ as the great Welsh pub man would say.

Soon they will be atomically united again, ashes together on a hillside above the water.

But first we are to see him on his way.

A piper leads a procession through the room, Ted makes his last trip from the bar to his corner.

He sits in a carved box below a framed picture of Francis.

As the last mournful notes of the drone fade, a haka erupts.
Tikanga for the dead from these isles and the north ones.

A barrel of mild ale is tapped. Ted’s favourite so we will drink it for him.

Dan stands and reads out some Larkin. The North Ship from a pub nestled in this southern sea haven.

Baz talks about the power of a wake. A coming together to live in the face of death.

Lester says lay down your arms, there’s one shot at this life.
Don’t fill it with hate.

Tales are told funny and sad. Toasts are made to the memories.

We head off into the hot evening, full of ale and mortality.
Tonight we are all a little more awake.

For a moment aware of every step, on this tightrope we tend to call life .

It is the hottest day of the year, tomorrow will be even hotter.

Edward Verrity 9/03/1939 – 01/01/2024

Francis Ellen Verrity 1/03/1941 – 12/10/2015