I have lovely memories of my cousin Terry.

For many years, on our way up to bonny Scotland to join friends for our annual wildlife recording foray, we would always stay a few nights with Terry and Trish. A perfect start to our Scottish hols. We also stayed other times of the year, before or after visiting our friends "The Sugdens" near Sedburgh.

One of the traditions was a visit to a local pub for a pint and good food. Another "must do" was a good walk in the beautiful countryside and parts of the upper Lake District area. Terry loved a good, long walk and was always the first to get his boots on to go and explore. On my last visit in mid January 2020 we went for a short walk of around 2 hours. Although struggling a little bit with walking he was always pushing ahead and enjoying the countryside. 

To me he always seemed happiest doing a walk, spending time with his grandson Ben, going to the pub and, of course, watching football or any sport come to think of it.

Football was his joy and would watch any match on the box, but, WBA was always his "team".                                                                       His car number plate had WBA on it and for his 66th birthday his grandson Ben wore a "Baggies" onesie (see photo) bought by Ben's mum Amy. He told me of his many trips, when he was a young man, to the WBA ground by bus from Chapel End in Nuneaton.

Always had a keen interest in Nuneaton Boro and we once went to a match whilst he was visiting Nuneaton a while back.                               I must say he didn't hold back in saying what he thought.

Happy memories of swapping tips about stocks and shares, meeting Terry and Trish and cousins in Sidney, Australia for Kerry and Gus's wedding, the joy of seeing Red Squirrels and "pretty birds" in their garden, going to a parish meeting to protest about a new windmill being proposed (that was fun) and, oh, so many more memories.

I have included a photo taken on one of our many walks. Terry and Trish looking like "real walkers" with their shorts and floppy white hats and me, a townie, with my jeans and Aussie cap. 

It was always a great pleasure to stay with Terry and Trish and they gave me great support during my last 9 difficult years.                             Terry's pride in and love for his wife Trish, children and grandchildren was clear for all to see and they gave him great strength during his difficult years.

I will miss him, very much, but have such wonderful memories that will never fade.

Cousin Chris.