I met Shirley before Rob, we played badminton at Poole Sports Centre. Very soon husbands and wives became a social group and we quickly realised we all liked parties !
In those days 30 years ago we had house parties - lots of them. For many summers Rob reigned supreme as Welly Throwing Champion, it didnt seem to matter back then that the flower beds got annihilated. At one of my birthday parties Shirley and Rob arrived a little late, Rob said they had stopped off to pick up my present and to close my eyes and hold out my hands , which I did ready to receive my gift, it was then that Rob dropped a live toad into my waiting hands ! All of our children were about and joined in from time to time, Matt as a teenager liked to push the boundaries in a fun way, little did he realise he was no match for Rob. Quietly Rob set up the garden hose and drenched Matt, it quietend him down beautifully Matt has had a soft spot for Rob ever since.

The Badminton Girls moved on to David Lloyd and onto a new chapter of parties, some wild, all wonderful, Rob even danced if Spikey Mike played the right music. We became the Walking Group ....S&R N&J J&C  Ian and myself, we had some wonderful walks and weekends away, there was always the challenge to plan a walk which included two pubs. If we were beside rivers Rob had all the info, if we were up hill and down dale Rob knew the land and the wildlife. When we went to London, Rob’s home ground, he made it come alive.

We had fun, we knew how lucky we were to have such a close group of friends, but Rob was unique.

love Sue