Items in the Church

I went to visit Isabel's grave today. As I walked down to the grave, the sun broke through the clouds and shone brightly over the gravestones. As I was there, a magnificent rainbow appeared behind me, above our engagement hill. I think it meant that Isabel was pleased to see me and happy with the funeral service.

For the record, here is a list of the items scattered about the church at Isabel's service.

 1) Red Jacket. Isabel would very rarely be outside without her red jacket on. We did so many walks with her wearing it!

 2) Bottle of Freixneut. We had a bottle of Freixneut in our room when we arrived in the hotel in Madeira on honeymoon. We bought a few more later on in the week! The day before Isabel knew that Arthur was on his way, we had cycled to the Olympic rowing at Dorney lake and back again. In the evening, we drank a bottle of Freixneut and ate pizza. We should have guessed something was up when Isabel ate a whole LARGE pizza!!!

3) Black Hood Scarf. I brought this for Isabel for the first Christmas we were together. She wore it so much!

4) Lamby, (toy lamb). If you looked really closely, you would see that Lamby was wearing socks saying "I love my Mummy". This was a toy that Isabel bought for Arthur while in Mothercare. It was a toy that Arthur really seemed to go for in the shop. Isabel had it with her in the hospice.

5) Walking Boots. We met walking in Newbury and did many walks subsequently. A particular favourite of mine was scaling the Quantocks on New Year's Day 2012 - the beginning of a magical year!

6) Phonics book. Isabel is very keen for Arthur to know his phonics! She also loved teaching them.

7) Large Knitting Needles. Probably the hardest to spot above the picture. With these needles, Isabel knitted my big blue loop scarf . She also starting knitting a number of items for Arthur and me whilst undergoing chemotherapy. I may learn to knit so I can finish a couple of them...

8) Keep Calm and Keep Pedalling T-Shirt. Something I bought for Isabel, symbolising our love of mountain biking on the Ridgeway. Isabel wasn't always the most stable and kept falling off!!!

9) Bike Helmet. Needed for all those times Isabel did fall off!

10) Claude, the French Puppet. Isabel loved teaching everything, including French at Pinewood! This puppet came in handy!!!

11) Badminton Racket. Badminton was something Isabel loved playing. We always joked around wondering who would win if we played. We never did play, but I reckon Isabel's skill would outdo my height and power!!!

12) Euphonium. Isabel started to learn how to play the Euphonium when visiting Pinewood when I lived in the cottage on-site and worked Saturday morning. During the Summer when we first met, she came to watch a number of performances by the Sandhurst Community Brass Band.

13) Yellow Scarf. One of Isabel's many scarves!

14) Teapot. Symbolising Isabel's love of afternoon tea and cake!

15) Purple Hat. Again, something Isabel would wear out and about. She had many hats, but this is one of my favourites!

Let me know how many you spotted, or would like to know where any were hidden!!!