Happy birthday, Dad

Today, my father would have turned 70. I am (naturally) behind on posting the summer travel pictures. In Dad's honor, I am skipping to the middle of the trip, to the day we dedicated to him. 

As the plans evolved for my summer trip to Europe with Lauren and Maddie, we added an important day to our itinerary. My mom decided it was time to bring Dad home to England. He was cremated; the plan was to scatter some of his ashes in significant places. We spent a Saturday morning leaving pieces of him at four important places.

Our first stop was the final furlong at Ascot racecourse. My father grew up in nearby Sunninghill. His father was a frequent visitor to the track here. There was no racing that day, so we were able to access the grounds and walk right up to the rails.  

The grandstand was redone in '06, and many, including Dad, were unhappy with the views from the grandstand after that. Nonetheless, Ascot was one of Dad's favorite places for most of his life.

The new grandstand.

The final furlong.

After a beautiful walk, and more than a few tears, we went on to a spot along the Thames River, in Runnymede. We chose the Thames because Dad always loved the water.

He would have enjoyed the boat docked across the way, too.

Our third stop was the churchyard where his parents are buried. Bringing part of him back to his parents felt right.

The church.

I still can't look at this picture without tearing up a bit.

We went on to the Nags Head, meeting up with old friends from our time in England, including Dad's best mate, Reg. The best part about the group from the Nags has always been that it doesn't matter whether it's been 10 hours or 10 years since our last visit -- the welcome is warm and the conversation is easy. We left a bit of Dad in the garden there.

Site of many midday pints back in the day. Now that Heather is an adult, she found her luck with the fruit machine wasn't quite the same.

It was the perfect end to our tribute to him. And it truly felt like we'd brought him home.