Thinking back, in my mind uncle laurence was probably my cool uncle when i was a boy, the sort we all want to have. Its not that he was sporty (a big black mark when your 12...) but he just introduced us to the world  outside wee ‘Norn Iron’, with his exotic food and oriental stories.

But it was really when i arrived in london as a young lawyer that Laurence stepped up for me. From being a trainee dogsbody working all hours and without any weekend friendship circle, I would race from the office to liverpool street station, and finally relax on the train.  It was lovely getting out of london as rural east anglia opened up from the train window, then alighting at the tiny village station walking round the corner to the pub for a lovely warm welcome and of course everyone knew laurence and everyone knew the nephew was coming!

That was the thing, i always felt he was proud to introduce me round. What a transition from ‘getting everything wrong’ as a stressed trainee in a City firm.

Then we would wander round and have the most fanstastic meal together- someone else here has mentioned beef on the bone and i thought yes! That was it! His guests were fantastic and it was so relaxing, wonderful villlage folk and old friends. Looking back it was like a cross between an Officer and a Gentleman and Hogwarts!

After sleeping in the vast upstairs quarters above the river, I loved our breakfast chats and walks up the estuary or down the village.

I think he knew what i needed and it was perfect.

Then he had me in london for Dim sum of course! He had me back up to the village for his baptism. I recall being privileged to be part of such a personal part of his journey. As someone said, he was very open and also very open minded, but a really unique and unforgetable companion, and a truly caring uncle.

Life moved on, of course, and i struggled to keep my weekend getaway pattern.

Its sometimes only when you lose someone that you realise their impact on some part of your life.  inwas privileged to him have him in my life.