“There’ll be Bluebirds Over the White Cliffs of Dover”

[Greenthorn]

“Tomorrow, just you wait and see.”

I have to share this story of last Wednesday when I took a guest to the British Library in Bloomsbury, London. I had never been before and confess I had no real interest in the place. From the outside it looks very doom and gloom, – great slabs of stone, almost tomb like. But I compromised with my friend and said I would accompany her for a coffee inside the building. (We had earlier lunched at Dishoom Indian restaurant at King Cross – very trendy.)

We sat at a bench to drink our coffees when my friend bemoaned the fact that her phone was nearly out of battery and she was unable to take any photos. A woman sitting on a nearby bench, heard us and offered to charge the phone on her portable charger. (You can't mistake my friend; she is from Zimbabwe and was wearing a really colourful outfit.)

The conversation continued and we learnt that the lady and her husband had travelled to the UK for a holiday from their home in New York. They were to tour the UK. But the main purpose of her visit here was to bring over her parent’s ashes. She told us that both her parents had origins in England and that her father’s connections had some connection with the navy. Anyway, she told us that the day before she had been to Dover, and had scattered her parents’ ashes over the cliffs. What surprised us was she telling us that she had mixed the ashes together with her bare hands. Presumably emptied from the urns.

She then passed us her mobile phone to allow us to view the film of the ashes being scattered over the cliff edge. It was clearly a lovely day, and we could see the blue skies and white edge of the chalk. As soon as we began to watch the film so I was inspired to look up "There'll be bluebirds over the white cliffs of Dover" sung by Vera Lynn on my Spotify account and I played it alongside the film. It was just lovely listening to Vera Lynn sing that song, and seeing that lady's wishes come true.

It was a touching moment for all of us. The lady from New York was very proud to share this with us. And we felt privileged to see it too. Her husband soon joined us from having been upstairs on one of the galleries. After that we said our goodbyes but neither my friend or I will ever forget, how for less than a minute, all our lives were shared. (Pictures of Dishoom restaurant another time!)

[Katinka46]

Lovely. You do have the most amazing encounters. And I don’t believe in coincidences. It comes from your wonderful empathy and ability to pick up on people’s moods, stories, personalities. Thank you so much.Love and hugs

Kate xxxx

[Greenthorn in reply to Katinka46]

It kind of grew on me Kate. I used to be very shy! X

[sassy59]

What a lovely story David. It’s nice to meet people like that. Thank you for the photos and I look forward to seeing Dishoom too. Xxx

[Greenthorn in reply to sassy59]

OK, Dishoom joins the queue of stories. 😀

[RoadRunner44]

A truly lovely story. I enjoyed your post and photos immensely. Thank you.

[Greenthorn in reply to RoadRunner44]

Thanks RR44. I liked those pictures too!

[Morrison10]

Thanks for lovely story and pictures, such nice idea playing Vera Lynn, white cliffs of Dover. Hope you feel pleased, look forward to more! Jean xxx

[Greenthorn in reply to Morrison10]

Jean, thanks, I'm so used to matching a song to a patients history whilst on the hospital wards. It's second nature now!

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

What a beautiful story and I'm sure you will always rember that couple. Thank you for sharing have a good night and take care 😊 Bernadette and Jack 🐕 xxxxxx 🌻🌻

[Greenthorn in reply to Damon1864]

Thanks Bernadette, I'd been meaning to get this story out!

[madonbrew]

Aww that’s a lovely story!!!

I don’t know if you were here some years ago when I confessed that I’d thought that song was ‘ There’ll be bloomers over the white cliffs of Dover’….I literally had thought it was a song about the ladies waving their bloomers waiting for their beau’s to come back from war 😳

[Greenthorn in reply to madonbrew]

Well that would be a sight for sore eyes as my mother used to say!

[madonbrew in reply to Greenthorn]

😂😂😂

[Threecats]

That’s a wonderful story, thank you for sharing it and the photos, too and what a perfect music choice. You sound not dissimilar to my late husband, he was a very open soul and we would often have interesting conversations with strangers in queues, or in restaurants. On my own I’m far too reserved for my own good! 😀

[Stratos20]

That’s a really nice story 😊

[Greenthorn in reply to Stratos20]

Thanks Stratos, it made my day!

[Thepainterswife]

I just love these chance encounters . Over the years I’ve spent quite a few five to ten minutes chatting with a fellow bus passenger and left the bus feeling happier, enlightened, educated,fascinated etc . I think strangers often cross our paths and leave lasting impressions if we’re open to them , sadly these days , understandably there’s so much fear of strangers 😢Great story Greenthorn and looking forward to the restaurant photos 😊.

[Greenthorn in reply to Thepainterswife]

Absolutely agree with you. I used to be prison visitor at Holloway Women's Prison in London. Time and time again I would walk out feeling elated and inspired by women I had met. And now that "buzz" continues as a volunteer at University College hospital. I will try and post a few few pictures of Dishoom restaurant at Kings Cross. (Granary Square and Coal Drops Yard! )

[Thepainterswife in reply to Greenthorn]

I’ll look forward to those. I’m in the NW and although I’ve been to London (and loved it) several times it was many years ago , no doubt it has changed but I’m sure it’s every bit as interesting as it was then 😊

[Izb1]

Thank you for sharing your lovely story and photos, great to meet new people x

[Mavary]

That’s a beautiful story. It’s not often we get memorable moments like that which will last for ever.

[Cloudancer]

Lovely that fleeting encounter will bring back happy memories for all concerned -magical.

[HollyBoyd]

Aw, Greenthorn, that was quite an emotional encounter for you all. The lady will have a wonderful story to relate to her family and friends when she returns to New York, of her encounter with this lovely gentleman who played 'The White Cliffs of Dover', when she replayed the video of scattering her parents ashes. It really is lovely to share magic moments with strangers, that brings on another tune? Strangers in the night, or maybe not!! Whatever, thank you so much for sharing xxx 😊

[Greenthorn in reply to HollyBoyd]

Believe it or not I just met and befriended another stranger, sitting at an adjacent table in a pub garden. She went inside to the bathroom and asked me to watch her beer. I said "put it on my table". When she came back I asked her to sit at my table. Thus began an extraordinary conversation. She was a publisher and she was meeting the owner (her boss). We are destined to meet again!

[HollyBoyd in reply to Greenthorn]

Is this the start of something new, lovely meeting Greenthorn. I wonder if you found an appropriate song for the occasion? 😋

[Greenthorn in reply to HollyBoyd]

I was too gobsmacked to think of a song! You've got me thinking now!

[HollyBoyd in reply to Greenthorn]

I'm sure you will have found a song for your next meeting xxx

[Greenthorn in reply to HollyBoyd]

It's come to me: "Please send me someone to love" (Red Garland on piano.) Watch this space.

[HollyBoyd in reply to Greenthorn]

Well, I hope that comes true. It wasn't a familiar tune, so i googled it and really enjoyed listening to Red Gardner's version, quiet jazz. Also found the blues ballad version by the writer Percy Mayfield, which was also very nice to listen to. They could write ballads back in those days. I think you could play the ballad version in the background at your next encounter? I wish you lots of luck xxx

[Greenthorn in reply to HollyBoyd]

Yes it was a Percy Mayfield tune. Today I listened to other versions as well, including T Bone Waker and Eddie Vinson. Also the Animals with Alan Pryce showing off on keyboards. Well done for checking it out. I'm now learning the tune to play on piano!

[HollyBoyd in reply to Greenthorn]

Oh, such an artist, what a gift xxx

[Caspiana]

What a great story and interesting day. I sometimes wish us Japanese were more social with strangers. xx 🙂👍

[Greenthorn in reply to Caspiana]

If you see my reply to HollyBoyd you will see that I had an even more extraordinary encounter with a lady and a publisher yesterday afternoon. Just a chance encounter but WOW!