Wake - Celebration Day for Nicholas Glossop

Going out of chronological sequence to acknowledge the Wake / celebration for Nicholas Glossop, Sun Oct 23, 2016
Attention all friends of my dad, Nicholas. We are hosting an Irish wake/celebration of life at the Almanac on Whyte Ave on October 23 at 7PM. We will have a memorial book, please be prepared to share your stories and photos. Expect loud music, big laughs, and my mum crying in the corner. Come share your love.

All the best to Sandi, Eva and Maeve in their celebration of memories. Sandi & Nick were so good to us from when Judy & Larry dropped us off after our day going from Shauna & Rick's up to Mannville to find the Humphrey homestead. Sandi & Nick held their dogs back to let them in one at a time to join us in the lounge. (I ended up sharing the couch with one head on my lap. Next morning I was growled at - not sure why, perhaps I didn't get up early enough.

The house Sandi & Nick lived in (Queen Alexandra - Edmonton according to my iPhone location ID) had history, some 100 years old (Built 1913 I think). Barb can be seen loading up the car before heading to Jasper.
When we had trouble getting a train from Edmonton to Jasper (passenger trains do run but freight had priority, so it is difficult to plan a tight schedule) Sandi suggested we drive but with my limit of two hours before needing a coffee AND driving on the right, we resisted that and took the offer of Sandi and Nick driving us to Jasper (to link up with Glenda who would take us to Prince George). Being a passenger meant I could appreciate the scenery more - and although the not quite the wide open spaces around Calgary and up to Edmonton, it still struck me as 'Big Country - Big Skies.

Clearwater County says the iPhone location marker for this photo and when we stopped for a break we were then in Banff National Park.

Inside the souvenir store looking out and seeing Sandi & Nick waiting for us to be done.

Nick & Sandi up by the Athabasca forefield trail - and Barb seen below in her distinctive blue coat. It was a freezing wind up there. Then finally we made it to Jasper. Sandi & Nick were staying the night and then driving down to White Rock, Vancouver to see how her mother was - after having a fall damaging her glasses. Lydia turned out to be OK, just needing new glasses - but for Nick & Sandi that was going to be one big drive down the Fraser.

Last night at Earls, across from the Athabasca Hotel where we were staying.
While Sandi & Nick were having their big drive south, Barb & I had a leisurely wander around Jasper waiting for cousin Glenda to turn up from Prince George

After a few days with my cousin Glenda, September 2nd, Barb & I were getting on a West Jet Bombardier plane at Prince George to fly to Vancouver - to be met by:- Sandi & Nick and then driven out to White Rock to stay with Sandi's Mom & Dad. Wasn't that great for us - such service, so much appreciated. Then it was a walk along the pier at White Rock with Lydia, Sandi & Nick - and White Rock's famous Fish & Chips for dinner back at the house.

Next morning we were going through the family history that Lydia had done, with Ken busily trying to find where various documents were stored and with Sandi's help I was trying Tiny Scanner. Later that day Sandi & Nick were back in their car heading home to Edmonton and the following day we were flying back home to New Zealand.

Then September 26, we get a message from Eva ... "Nick passed away on Friday. He really really loved meeting you." What a blow that was, we had only recently been enjoying his company, I enjoyed being corrected on my history and liked Nick's English sense of humour. On a message from Sandi Sep 22nd ... It was a joy to spend those couple of days with you! I love you both! September 22 Nicholas Glossop had added ... 9/22, 3:54am I'll cosign that message.
As Barb said in a message back to Eva We feel a bit helpless being so far away Thinking of you all and wishing we could just be with you big hugs love barb xxxxx