Bitter-Sweet Remembering

" Miss the bugger like hell. "
said Mels.
Yes, is the resounding echo,
from the hundreds
who shared his embrace.
The final tribute
on 4th February, 2006.
was made by Alan and Eric.
Yesterday they took his spirit
- and a bottle of the Ardbeg -
to the stand at Twickenham.

The final words of closure
are from Mick.



Alan spoke.

"If I can start with a quote from a comment on the Macdoodle blog ,
with your permission, Hector.
" Don't be sad Dan's passed away
just be glad he passed your way "

Dan gave a wealth of joy to everyone he knew.
We should all feel so much richer for having known him.
Personally, I have witnessed and been party to, some of Dan’s DIY jobs.
One of these tasks was to emulsion an already white ceiling
with fresh white emulsion.
Did Dan buy ordinary white emulsion ?
No, he bought a special white emulsion to make it easier
to paint over a white surface. The paint goes on a sickly pink, but does dry white.
I was there when Dan started to paint, and Mags returned home.
I left with the foot-stomping tantrum from Mags ringing in my ears,
" I don’t want a pink ceiling !!!! ".
Dan with straight face, like only he could hold,
denied that there could possibly be anything unpleasant
about his choice colour and continued painting.
This was typical of the man's indominatable sense of fun.
Over the last 6 months. I have been totally overawed
by his bravery and courage, in the helpless situation
in which he found himself .
Through it all, he maintained his sense of humour and sincere warmth.
I will miss visiting Dan and hearing the words, " You’ll have a drink, Al ".
This was not a question - well that’s my excuse -
because the glass was already being filled.
The answer was always anticipated - a beer, a wine or a spirit.
And talking of spirit, my claim to fame with Dan is -
I introduced Dan, to the man, who introduced Dan, to Ardbeg. - Eric "

Eric said -

" I asked Dan what whisky he drank. "Highland Earl from Aldi's"
was the reply. I asked him what whisky he really liked.
A peaty whisky was the reply.
I knew that he was the right candidate
to sample some of our Ardbeg.
And so the legend began.
Dan has become the brand ambassador for Ardbeg.
This did cause worry at the distillery,
they were running out of 10 year old
and had to introduce a new Ardbeg, "Ardbeg Very Young".

Dan was one of the most thoughtful men I’ve met.
His first question was always to ask "How’s your family getting on".
He always showed concern for others.
Just to capture the spirit of what I mean.
With Morag’s permission, I would like to quote from the comment
she left on the Macdoodle blog.
The message captures the essence of Dan,
from the point of view of his wife Mag’s family.
We have been privileged to have Dan in our family.
As a brother to us, and a son-in -law to Jeannie.
He has given us all so much support, so much fun, so much love.
He fitted in to our family like a hand in a glove,
keeping us warm with his patience, care and humour.
We will miss him, always. "


" Dan’s last journey started in July
when he was diagnosed with cancer.
There was a parallel journey, which started in August.
Dan’s nephew, Leven, left Cadiz in " Atlantic Wolf "
to row the Atlantic Ocean, single-handed.
Dan and Leven had an agreement,
that they would complete their journeys together.
Leven made first landfall on Friday the 27th January .
Dan completed his journey two days later.
It is because of this journey, that, Dan’s brother Mick,
is not here in person.
Mick, Mionie and Leven are stranded in Trinidad ,
unable to get a flight home.
Mick, has sent us these words,
his reaction to the news of his brother's death. "

" Mags, we got the news in the evening in Trinidad, I felt the need for a solitary walk. A firefly flickered in front of me with brief intensity – in moments of deep sadness things take on a more profound meaning - I said into the darkness - safe journey my friend."