Maggie Walker
“Pat’s bringing someone home to introduce to us” Mum went into a flap – Dad calmly continued reading his paper. The best china was duly dusted off for the occasion and the freshly baked cake, together with Mum, Dad and myself awaited their arrival. John immediately put us at ease with his lovely smile, easy manner and personality, which remained with him all his life. We all had lovely family days and meals together from that day onwards.
I was lucky enough to share several holidays with Pat and John. I recall a walking holiday to Arran where we enjoyed many mountain walks and I was also given an early introduction to Scottish Whisky. On rest days we visited beaches where John displayed a fine talent for sand castle making, a skill put to use when Clare and Tom came along.
The passion for walking continued and Pat and John often visited me in Austria, where we explored the local area together, with John keenly photographing as we went along. One of many memories was walking across the frozen lake to Zell-am-See, seen in the distance.
After and day in the snow and a well-earned rest, a hearty meal appears to be to everyone’s liking!!
I do recall one funny story which John related when we were high on a mountain in Austria. We were talking about the number of electricity pylons which ran through the valleys around. He grinned and then said “when I was young the talk was about running everything underground, I just couldn’t see the logic in this as how would burying a cable and a pylon save money! “ He did go on to say he was very young at this time. He was never too grand to laugh at himself.
I will miss John greatly, but he leaves many memories for us to share in the future.
Thank you John x