My dearest, oldest, longest term friend, Dan Ellis, passed away, last night. At 8.55 pm. Taken from us all by a rare form of cancer, Thymic Carcinoma.
As I reflect on the parts of my life that I shared with him, I think my fondest memories are amongst the oldest.
We met at Comberton Village College, secondary school. We were young and innocent, kids becoming teenagers.
I recall staying over at his parents’ enchanted and enchanting cottage, in Little Eversden, for sleepovers, and suchlike. Dan’s parents, like Dan, were really wonderful people.
The atmosphere of their family home was unique and magical. It was a favourite place of mine, to visit. Truth be told, I envied Dan such a Heavenly home.
I’m not sure that that idyllic place remains? As it was largely built/added to by Dan’s father, with no concerns re building regs, etc. And, after both Dan’s parents had passed, it was sold, and possibly knocked down!?
In 2000, whilst we were all still living in London, I was privileged to be asked by Dan to be Godfather to Ailwyn, their first child. And I wrote a little song for him, which I remember playing for them, in their parents paradisical garden.
Dan and I also played music together, many times, over the years. Although drums are my main instrument, I would play guitar and sing, and he’d accompany on flute. Sometimes joining in on vocals.
His lusty singing of the chorus on ‘One More Cup Of Coffee’, by Bob Dylan, was a testimony to his own love of that rich, dark. stimulating bean!