AN EXTRAORDINARY EVENING

A fascinating and extraordinary conversation late into the wee small hours with Ken Furness (the Father of my good friend Dr Greg Furness ) about his memories and exploits in the RAF 138 SQUADRON during WWII

As we listened to RACHMANINOV C MINOR CONCERTO - Mvt II, ADAGIO SOSTENUTO tears welled in his eyes as he recollected stories of friends and colleagues whose aircraft were blown out of the night sky.

His Squadron operated in close conjunction with the Special Operations Executive and flew on secret missions deep into occupied Europe to land in country fields or clearings in forests to collect agents or drop printing presses and ams for the Maquis or other underground forces.

As they flew in small formations across Europe, Ken said it was only due to great luck and the incredible skill of his aircrew, that they survived countless missions from which they thought they'd never return.

That we owe our freedom and liberty to so many, should never be forgotten.

What a great privilege to be in the company of such a gentle, and humble human being.

( the pic is an old Chiminea in which we had a fire of seasoned beechwood logs )