Today Charity flew off to her new job as a nannie in Melbourne, Australia. I'm so delighted for her, because it has been her ambition for many years to travel further afield than North America (and Canada), where she has spent several summers working in children's summer holiday camps.
Charity was the first Housekeeper and Breakfast Chef in Kirkstead Old Mill Cottage's B and B, and she stayed for several years, helping Tony and I develop the lifestyle of sharing our home. I used to describe her as "My ray of sunshine", and she was a delight to have around, caring for us all. I couldn't help sheding a few tears today after she had rung to say goodbye. I know how much I'm going to miss her and I will treasure the memories I have until I see her again. Things like the odd occasion on which she'd call me "Grandma" instead of "Barbie Doll", and of how she kept company with Tony and me for several hours after he had died and I was not yet ready to part with him.
I've know her since she was a baby weighing less than two pounds. She is one of my first Lincolnshire friend's twin daughters, so naturally we were delighted when she agreed to come and work for us. She has always been so reliable and cheerful, and during this recent winter she cycled down the disused railway track to get here, often having to walk because of the snow or ice, but nothing deterred her, and I was always so delighted to see her, particularly as I was more or less hibernating, unable to drive.
She's been such a valued, important member of the Kirkstead B & B team and we're all going to miss her dreadfully.
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