A day of great sadness and loss

If you'd been at Flutterby Patch on Wednesday morning you would have found me moaning yet again about a pipe on our central heating boiler that drips and makes puddles on the nice clean floor. We've had several visits from plumbers but it seems no one can fix the dreaded drips. And so I mopped up the water, did a few chores and then mopped and moaned some more.

Still thinking about the dripping pipe and how it could be cured, I sat down with my lunch to watch the TV news. Nothing could have prepared me for the horrific scenes being shown. That morning, a 52 year old man in our county had shot his twin brother, then his lawyer and then his friend. We were told he was now working his way across the area shooting to kill anyone he saw. He was travelling in our direction and advice was to stay inside and lock all doors and windows. It was a warm sunny day and I'd planned to spend the afternoon in the garden but not any more. I spent the afternoon glued to the TV and watched the tragedy unfold as body after body was discovered. In total, the man killed 12 people, badly injured 12 more and then turned the gun on himself.

British laws on gun ownership are extremely strict but on Wednesday morning in our sparsely populated county, where few crimes are committed, a local man cut short the lives of 12 innocent people.

Today is Friday. The sun is shining and so I spent the afternoon with my family at our local garden festival and a jolly good time was had by all..... And the dripping pipe?...... Yes, it's still dripping, but who cares!

This horrific story has been beamed around the world and several of my blogging pals who saw the pictures recognised Cumbria as the place where I live. I should like to thank you all for your messages of concern. Thankfully the people in our town were not harmed, but of course many of them have friends and relatives in the places where people lost their lives. I can't begin to imagine how those affected must be feeling but my thoughts are constantly with them.

Eli.

 

Comments

[Joan]

Thank you for letting us know you are okay - I didn't want to send an email or make a comment until after we knew it was all over.

Very best wishes to you, your family and friends and sincere sympathies to all of the Lake District

Joan from Winnipeg, Canada

[Helen]

Glad to hear that you are okay. I also made connection when I heard Cumbria. Such a terrible thing...

You are so right. A leaky pipe is a just a nuisance by comparison. Glad you were able to get out and enjoy the beauty of the garden festival.

[mummymoo]

OH YAY I am soooooo glad you and your family are okay - thank you so much for popping a post on my blog to let me know too !! Hugs and love still to you and those you know who have lost some one, it is beyond comprehension....

LOL about the leaky pipe, at least it is not in the wall doing damage.

xoxoxox

[melanie]

I was also watching the news live, and I just could not believe my eyes! It is just horrific, absolutely horrific. I am so pleased to hear that you and yours are ok. xx

[Wendy wager]

My thoughts were with you too. When we spent holidays in the Lake District, I always felt safe, even when alone somewhere remote while S and the boys explored more rugged places. Important to remember the area still tranquil. All the violence was in that man's head. Lovely garden picture to cheer us all up. Thanks x

[Ailsa]

This was the most horrific thing to happen in the UK and especially in such a tranquil county as Cumbria (our favorite county to visit). It is made worse that it is the third awful thing to happen in the county in recent months (bus crash and flooding) I hope things improve soon.

[missjulep]

It is a shock when something like this happens!! We saw it in the news as well. I hope you and your community recover soon but that can be a long road! Your garden picture does help, a lot! LOVE the gorgeous bright colors!

[Josette Marcellino]

God Bless you and Great Britain.

[Oran Dreamsinger]

Oh goodness I didn't realise you were in Cumbria. I am so glad to read this and hear that you are okay. We were horrified when we saw the news. O. xxxx

[Bellaboo]

It is terribly sad that such a horrific crime and the loss of all those lives could happen in such a beautiful and peaceful part of the world.My thoughts are with all the people in Cumbria at this time.

Bellaboo :0)

[Paula]

Dear Eli,
I did not hear of this until I read your post! How heart breaking and shocking!!! I am so very sorry for the people that lost their lives and for their loved ones! I am very thankful you and your dear ones are safe! Much love to you, Paula