John F. Allen's Blog at jfallen.org

Cake by Sarah.

On March 8th, 2020.

I find few words to describe here my feelings on the birth of Aaron. A son to Sarah and Mariusz. Our grandson.

Carol and I drove to Bern so that Sarah would have her mother around, before and after. Aaron was born about ten days later than originally predicted, though clearly only a few days beyond term. 4040 g; 55 cm.

“Beautiful” is my value judgment, of course. Just occasionally in life one can surely be permitted to present opinion as fact.

There is a lifetime of thoughts on which to reflect. After months of hesitation, concern for privacy and so on, here are a few photos. This grandfather is as proud as can be, not just of the wonderful little man himself, but of the close and loving relationship between Sarah and Aaron, and between Sarah and Carol. We must have done something right.

We had to leave the day before Sarah and Aaron were discharged from hospital. March 11th, my own mother’s birthday. So day one is all I’ve seen of Aaron in real life, though photos and live video calls have been a blessing. We are planning a return visit in a few weeks’ time.

Récharge Véhicule Electrique?

Another service station, near Dijon, again had just one designated EV parking bay. It was sad-looking, and unoccupied. A cable had obviously been laid, under a pedestrian pathway, between the charging point and a Cummings diesel generator adjacent to a large metal fuel tank. The generator was running and emitting diesel fumes. The charging point had an informative panel with a map of France, and, I assume, details of how to use it. The instructions were obscured by a single A4 paper sheet, taped on. The sheet bore a simple message in large, bold letters – PAS DE SERVICE.

An update. These are travel photos. Interesting, for us at least, but not the life-changing news to be described in a subsequent post.

In Ship Cottage again. A week earlier this year. Weather much the same as last year, though less cold.

Sanchon. Extraordinary. Superb foods I’d never even heard of, with a traditional Korean temple cabaret, apparently.