A blustery day today with terrible winds and tidal surges along the east coast threatened over the next twenty-four hours - similar to those experienced in the dreadful tidal surges of 1953. Much damage in Scotland already and Norfolk and the low Fens expected to have it really bad. I went shopping in Andover this afternoon to get some additional items to take up to Lincolnshire and picked up Thom on the way home. This evening news broke that Nelson Mandela had died in his home in Johannesburg at the age of 95. The whole world is in mourning for him but there are also wonderful celebrations for the life of a great politician and human being. A remarkable man who has left his mark, not only on South Africa, but as a symbol of what can be achieved peacefully with the right attitude. I shall fly the south African flag at half-mast for the next few days as a symbol of personal respect and affection for this great man. Having read Desmond Tutu's book "God is not a Christian" recently, I really can connect with what was achieved in bringing about the dismantlement of the Apartheid system. It is interesting that only five days ago I mentioned him at the St. Paul's bible study meeting as a modern day "Joseph". RIP, Nelson (Madiba) Mandela.
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