Full circle, or something like that - coincidences ....
Apr 20th 2008, 11:50 pm
#1
Lost in BE Cyberspace
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Joined: Jul 2006
Location: Cochrane, Alberta
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Full circle, or something like that - coincidences ....
In 1993, my husband and I came to visit Canada and did the tourist route around BC and Alberta. We were given details (by a colleague from work) of a lovely 'mature' couple who lived in the big country and were told that if we ever made it as far as Vancouver Island, to look them up and say hello.
Well, we did get that far, and we did say hello - and in fact they invited us to stay with them for a few days. They were originally from Clapham in London and had moved to Saskatoon in the 50's and moved on to the Island in the late 1980's.
We visited them again in 1995 and had kept in regular contact with them. We celebrated with them on their 60th wedding anniversary in Hampshire in 2006. They urged us on and rallied round with lots of support all through our immigration journey. And I feel happy to call them very good friends.
Recently had an email from the lady - they are now in their 80's - and are looking to 'emigrate' back to the UK. Funniest thing was that they were looking to buy a place in our old village - in the same road we used to live in, in Surrey! So - about 25 doors down from the house we just sold last year! What a small world sometimes.
Kinda makes me sad in one way that they didn't live 'down the road' from us while we were still in Surrey - but even now we are over in Canada, it's not like we will see a lot of them in Vancouver Island either (although we did all meet up last summer in Penticton for a couple of days).
Just thought this was one of those strange happy/sad stories - peoples lives and locations intertwined, geography frequently getting in the way - and a typical tale of an immigrant really .... and I wonder if we had not met them in the first instance back in 1993, the fire in our belly to emigrate may never have been lit. Who knows? Fate and stuff
Well, we did get that far, and we did say hello - and in fact they invited us to stay with them for a few days. They were originally from Clapham in London and had moved to Saskatoon in the 50's and moved on to the Island in the late 1980's.
We visited them again in 1995 and had kept in regular contact with them. We celebrated with them on their 60th wedding anniversary in Hampshire in 2006. They urged us on and rallied round with lots of support all through our immigration journey. And I feel happy to call them very good friends.
Recently had an email from the lady - they are now in their 80's - and are looking to 'emigrate' back to the UK. Funniest thing was that they were looking to buy a place in our old village - in the same road we used to live in, in Surrey! So - about 25 doors down from the house we just sold last year! What a small world sometimes.
Kinda makes me sad in one way that they didn't live 'down the road' from us while we were still in Surrey - but even now we are over in Canada, it's not like we will see a lot of them in Vancouver Island either (although we did all meet up last summer in Penticton for a couple of days).
Just thought this was one of those strange happy/sad stories - peoples lives and locations intertwined, geography frequently getting in the way - and a typical tale of an immigrant really .... and I wonder if we had not met them in the first instance back in 1993, the fire in our belly to emigrate may never have been lit. Who knows? Fate and stuff
Apr 20th 2008, 11:53 pm
#2
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,332
Re: Full circle, or something like that - coincidences ....
Hi Ann,
Lovely story, stange things happen in this weird way, who you meet, and how the smallest of things can have an influence, the world moves in mysterious ways!
Charlie
Lovely story, stange things happen in this weird way, who you meet, and how the smallest of things can have an influence, the world moves in mysterious ways!
Charlie
Apr 21st 2008, 11:53 am
#3
half a century
Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Sarf Lundun to East Van :)
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Re: Full circle, or something like that - coincidences ....
Spoooooky!!
Apr 21st 2008, 4:03 pm
#4
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2007
Location: Arnhem, Netherlands
Posts: 287
Re: Full circle, or something like that - coincidences ....
Hi Anne
Just wondering...When you were in Penticton last year did you by any chance head out to Naramata? If not then next time it is worth a visit....We think of it as the village that the Okanagan forgot!!!
Where were you in Surrey? We used to live in Bagshot and then briefly in Camberly...
L
Just wondering...When you were in Penticton last year did you by any chance head out to Naramata? If not then next time it is worth a visit....We think of it as the village that the Okanagan forgot!!!
Where were you in Surrey? We used to live in Bagshot and then briefly in Camberly...
L
Apr 21st 2008, 7:21 pm
#6
Lost in BE Cyberspace
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Location: Cochrane, Alberta
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Re: Full circle, or something like that - coincidences ....
Most recently from Dorking area - but used to work in Camberley for 6 years and lived in Frimley Green for 7 years - so very familiar with old Surrey Heath!
Apr 21st 2008, 9:12 pm
#8
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Re: Full circle, or something like that - coincidences ....
I would be interested to know how this couple (who have been away from the UK for 50+ years) will settle in the UK after being in Canada for so long. My parents (in their 70's haven't lived there for + 25 years) couldn't be paid enough to retire back in the UK...they couldn't afford it but that isn't the only reason.
Apr 21st 2008, 9:18 pm
#9
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 548
Re: Full circle, or something like that - coincidences ....
Hi Anne
Just wondering...When you were in Penticton last year did you by any chance head out to Naramata? If not then next time it is worth a visit....We think of it as the village that the Okanagan forgot!!!
Where were you in Surrey? We used to live in Bagshot and then briefly in Camberly...
L
Just wondering...When you were in Penticton last year did you by any chance head out to Naramata? If not then next time it is worth a visit....We think of it as the village that the Okanagan forgot!!!
Where were you in Surrey? We used to live in Bagshot and then briefly in Camberly...
L
We stopped of in Naramata this time last year they were upgrading the road up there at the time its a beautful place and we went to see a subdivision they were just selling lots at the time in the most wonderful setting ive ever seen unfortunatly with a price tag to match but could well understand why they were priced the way they were
Apr 21st 2008, 9:20 pm
#10
Lost in BE Cyberspace
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Joined: Jul 2006
Location: Cochrane, Alberta
Posts: 7,861
Re: Full circle, or something like that - coincidences ....
For whatever reasons, I don't think finances are a major issue. They still travel a lot internationally and have all their marbles - and have always made regular extended trips to the UK. I do not believe they have a pair of rose-tinted's on
To be blunt, I think the man does not wish to die in Canada. He's 82 now I think, and is finally realising that he is slowing down a bit and has for several years harboured yearnings to return to his homeland. Some inherent feeling that I cannot, nor will not argue with.
They still have family and friends in the area and a support network, that in fact they do not have on the Island.
They just feel this would be a good and correct next chapter of their retirement, even if it is the last one ....
To be blunt, I think the man does not wish to die in Canada. He's 82 now I think, and is finally realising that he is slowing down a bit and has for several years harboured yearnings to return to his homeland. Some inherent feeling that I cannot, nor will not argue with.
They still have family and friends in the area and a support network, that in fact they do not have on the Island.They just feel this would be a good and correct next chapter of their retirement, even if it is the last one ....
Apr 22nd 2008, 5:27 am
#11
Sloopy Frickenbutt
Joined: May 2006
Location: Its good ere Honest........
Posts: 5,225
Re: Full circle, or something like that - coincidences ....
For whatever reasons, I don't think finances are a major issue. They still travel a lot internationally and have all their marbles - and have always made regular extended trips to the UK. I do not believe they have a pair of rose-tinted's on
To be blunt, I think the man does not wish to die in Canada. He's 82 now I think, and is finally realising that he is slowing down a bit and has for several years harboured yearnings to return to his homeland. Some inherent feeling that I cannot, nor will not argue with. They still have family and friends in the area and a support network, that in fact they do not have on the Island.
They just feel this would be a good and correct next chapter of their retirement, even if it is the last one ....
To be blunt, I think the man does not wish to die in Canada. He's 82 now I think, and is finally realising that he is slowing down a bit and has for several years harboured yearnings to return to his homeland. Some inherent feeling that I cannot, nor will not argue with.
They still have family and friends in the area and a support network, that in fact they do not have on the Island.They just feel this would be a good and correct next chapter of their retirement, even if it is the last one ....
but maybe some of us just have a stronger homing instinct then others and when that time comes ...they just go with the flow and after my own experiences, i personally think the ones among us that can go with the flow are the lucky ones.
Apr 22nd 2008, 11:25 am
#12
half a century
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Location: Sarf Lundun to East Van :)
Posts: 10,222
Re: Full circle, or something like that - coincidences ....
My aunt lived all over the world and then came home for her last year !
Apr 22nd 2008, 2:21 pm
#13
Happy in NB
Joined: Sep 2005
Location: Island View, New Brunswick
Posts: 2,020
Re: Full circle, or something like that - coincidences ....
Hi leepee - not sure if we went to Naramata - doesn't sound familiar. Did stop off and dunk ourselves in the lake at Summerland though.
Most recently from Dorking area - but used to work in Camberley for 6 years and lived in Frimley Green for 7 years - so very familiar with old Surrey Heath!
Most recently from Dorking area - but used to work in Camberley for 6 years and lived in Frimley Green for 7 years - so very familiar with old Surrey Heath!
