A tribute to a dear departed friend

Blimey, it really is a time for goodbyes, this New Year.

I found out on New Year's Eve that a dear friend of mine had died suddenly. He was a man who I met through my old job, about 5 years ago. We hit it off immediately.

He was much older than me, but had a youthful spirit, and a twinkle in his eye that meant that he very much saw life as something you must grasp with both hands and live as if it could end at any moment. He had a stroke about 10 years ago, and had made pretty much a full recovery, and he was determined to live it to the full.

He lived in a village in Northamptonshire, the same one he was born in, and his love for the place was inspiring. He lived with his wife in a beautiful 17th century house, where we shared many evenings, and bottles of wine, sat by a log fire.

His stories about his life were nothing short of being 'ripping yarns', full of adventure, travel and joy.

His wisdom and knowledge of just about everything was vast, and never dull. He would entertain us for hours, on any subject.

His love and generosity was legendary, as was his compassion. Many a time he was on hand to encourage us when times got hard, a relationship hit the buffers, or work got too stressful.

He lived for his lovely wife, family, grandchildren and his beloved horses and dogs.

But above all else he loved good food and drink. He was a walking encyclopedia of recipes, ingredients, good wines and his favorite tipple, single malt (of which he kept various bottles hidden in the shed, so his wife wouldn't find them - she always did, but turned a blind eye!).

I will always be proud to call him my friend, and I miss him greatly.