Farewell to Brambles

This page is dedicated to Brambles who passed away early Sunday morning Xmas 2002 (having waited for Seb to arrive from Manchester). She was laid to rest in a small coffin supplied by a local craftsman, Mr Le Page, who had finished trading and was surprised when told it was for the little dog wagging it’s tail in the window of the van (she told us she was ill). It was actually the last ever solid wood one made in Guernsey even lined with silk. Now anyone who knew brambles would know things would have to be different. Word had gone around the marina and at sundown over 35 (if we had used the phone it would have been nearer 100) of her friends had congregated in the rain to say farewell. With the rather deep hole, which I had dug earlier and had great difficulty exiting, and drinks dispensed the atmosphere was to say the least frought and it was too much for one of Brabbs good friends who’s late mother had owned a yorkie and he had a fit as I carried this beautiful wooden, flower covered coffin he collapsed swallowing his teeth. While the sound of the ambulance rang through the lanes, over another German spirit Mike (the German) remarked how our friend ‘wouldn’t fit in the hole’ to which I replied ‘there is no way I am digging another’. Strange how the medics didn’t even comment on the coffin, flowers, hole and dozens of wet people as they trollied muddied friend away. So to the sound of the ambulance we lowered Brabbs and everyone threw flowers and as the sun (if it had been there) went down we all sang All Creatures Great and Small led by big Jim Kindred.

After a year of chiselling a granite image of Brabbs is now in place in front of the Marina Restaurant with permission from her friend Franco, the owner. We will be laying a brass plaque with the Portuguese words ‘boa viagem’ meaning ‘have a good journey’ which is appropriate as she is looking and waving towards the entrance.

Ciao Brambelina.