Yesterday, my step-daughter had a party to celebrate her engagement to her long-term boyfriend. A happy occasion planned for the daytime, outside in their garden.
We had good notice of it, and Julie made two large trifles to add to the food on offer, most of which was to be barbecue. The weather wasn’t celebrating though, and early rain where they live 28 miles south necessitated the erection of two large canvas pergola shelters, and the addition of some large garden umbrellas. The gathering was for family and friends, around twenty in total, and as it was outside we didn’t have to be too concerned with safety precautions for Covid-19.
I took Ollie out early. He couldn’t come to the party, as my step-daughter has an enormous dog that Ollie has never met. We didn’t want to take the chance of any doggy disputes spoiling the day for everyone. Then just after 12:30, we drove down to their house in torential rain. Julie was holding the two big glass bowls containing the trifles, which were resting on a large tray on her lap. I had to drive very carefully around roundabouts and sharp bends!
Fortunately, the rain stopped just as we arrived. I got two folding chairs from the back of the car, which we had brought to make sure we had somewhere to sit.
It was a lovely afternoon, with everyone in a great mood. The rain held off, the six small children played together with no dramas, and the Shetland Pony-sized dog (a Cane Corso) was friendly to everyone, even if he did have to be strictly watched around anything edible. We sat on our chairs, hardly moving except to go to and from the table to get things to eat.
By six in the evening, many of the party-goers had to leave, to get their children home to bed. We stayed until 6:30, before driving home. Ollie was very pleased to see us after being left for so long, and he was given an extra treat as a reward.
It wasn’t long after that, only nine at night in fact, before both of us were yawning as if we had been awake for three days. By eleven, I couldn’t keep my eyes open, and made an early start on a night’s sleep. This morning, both of us feel stiff and achey from sitting on the low collapsible chairs for so long yesterday.
Literally worn out from doing nothing.
No matter how lovely, and how happy, gatherings are . . .they wear me out too! Congratulations to the couple!
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Thanks very much, Michele. π
Best wishes, Pete. x
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i know the feeling. i get tired doing nothing too! congratulations to the engaged couple, Pete.
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Thanks, Wilma. π
Best wishes, Pete.
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Congratulations to your step daughter. It sounds like a lovely afternoon, Pete. Those folding chairs are uncomfortable for my mom. I always take pillows everywhere for her back. π
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Pillows might have been a good idea. π
Thanks, Robbie.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Yes I have learned from hospital waiting rooms…..doing nothing can be exhausting….chuq
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Like sitting at an airport for three hours before flying. You get on the plane feeling tired. π
Best wishes, Pete.
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So Julie a trifle tired as well.
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For a moment, I thought you were going to miss that one out. π
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I’ve read that the Cane Corso can be very aggressive towards other dogs. It was likely a very wise decision on your part to leave Ollie at home.
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Loki is not that aggressive, fortunately. But we were not about to take any chances, as neither Loki nor Ollie have been neutered, and there could have been territorial issues.
Best wishes, Pet.
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I could just imagine that large dog and the engagement party. Please say Hi to Julie for me π
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Will do. That dog is VERY big, Arlene. Children can ride on his back. π
Best wishes, Pete.
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Wonderful that the rain stopped and the party was fun. I would have been tired and sore the next day, too.
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Thanks, Jennie. I’m so glad to hear from others who feel the same. I thought it was just us! π
Best wishes, Pete.
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Itβs not you. Being βonβ, especially in a different place and with outdoor chairs, is exhausting.
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Large social gatherings always wear me out. I’m glad the rain held off for the party and congratulations to your step-daughter and new son-in-law! π
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Thanks, Susanne. Since I moved from London, most of my social gatherings have involved attending funerals. A happy family party made a nice change. π
Best wishes, Pete.
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A welcome change indeed! ππ
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Congratulations to your step-daughter and her beau on their public commitment to each other!
Seems you and your wife both had a wonderful time, save for the recovery needed from sitting on low folding chairs.
Loved:
“donβt like trifle though, I cannot stand wet, soggy sponge!”
Yup, agree, wholeheartedly.
Loved: “I think the largest breeds tend to be the best behaved, whereas the smallest ones tend to be yappy & neurotic. ”
Spot on! We are on our 3rd set of big dogs: brother/sister yellow Labradors, now 11 years old. Two sets of “bloody big” Rhodesian Ridgebacks before that. Yes, you must, must, must watch large dogs at social events with food out. We keep learning this btw. . . but couldnβt imagine my life without any of them.
Loved: “had forgotten how tiring it can be to try to keep up with ten conversations at once. π”
Neither of my wives could/can understand how we can all be involved in “all” the conversations. I miss that about gatherings with my UK family. Apparently, it’s a British thing.
You Pete, like my neighbor Cheryl, have such a way of expressing your thoughts. Both of your rich styles of writing are beautifully unique, but equally engaging in different ways. And I getting the opportunity to get to know you both in βdifferent waysβ.
I have always enjoyed time spent with Cheryl and have immense respect for her. I have known her since we were kids in the neighborhood, her being a grade behind me, attending the same schools from primary through high school. But I only really had the opportunity to get to know her while double dating with her and her boyfriend Jordan a bit in high school. Cheryl Johnson was then known as βone of the Johnson sistersβ. The other βJohnson” sister (not actually related) on these double dates was βCindyβ Johnson (now happily, my βexβ wife. . .). Everyone thought they were sisters and we just played along. The double dating ended when Cheryl realized what a jerk a high school football star could be. Jordan disappointed me while showing what a genuine jerk he could be in how he treated Cheryl during their breakup. Larry was her next beau and a much better one in all ways. I am very happy for Cheryl.
But now here I am, getting to know you because of Cheryl through your shared love of writing and I am βenjoying the rideβ. Much of what I have read of your prose strikes me with a keen familiarity. I knew you lived in England, but had no idea you were from Bermondsey, my corner of London during summers in my youth, and continually have explored and loved it as an adult through the present, though COVID has put a dent in that. Interesting you mentioned your affection for the Imperial War Museum, which was in my Nanβs backyard so to speak where I stayed. We may have been in the IWM at the same time as I have literally spent the equivalent of weeks βinsideβ during the summers (loved the egg salad and fresh county tomato sandwiches in the cafe. . .) and was there βoutsideβ when they first fired the 15-inch Naval guns in the late β60s/early β70s but could not tell you the date.
Thank you for letting me listen in and follow along from ~5,000 miles to the west.
Hope you had a lovely Sunday, rain and all. With fondness, I totally understand βSitting in an English garden waiting for the sun. If the sun don’t come, you get a tan From standing in the English rainβ.
Cheers!
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I hadn’t realised you knew Cheryl so well, and for so long. I am intrigued how you got from Bermondsey to California, and became an ‘American’. Cheryl’s writing is rare, in that it ‘takes me there’, whether to her early days with Larry, or falling in her boat at the lake house last month. Our lives couldn’t be more different, yet there is a definite connection across thousands of miles.
That is the joy of blogging.
(And we are both Johnsons of course, that helps!) π
Best wishes, Pete.
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To address your intrigue, the short version is (as if I could ever ‘do’ a short version) I am a U.S. Citizen by birthright of being born here, and again by being sired by a U.S. citizen (my father was born here in NY).
Even though I was born in Los Angles, CA, I was ‘birthed’ by a “British Citizen” (Mum), meaning I am fully British as far as the Home Office is concerned.
Genealogy wise? I’m a bit more than half “British” – 1/4 English, and 1/4 Irish on my Mum’s side, and a bit more from Dad’s side. According to 23&Me, I am ~47% southern European on Dad’s side. Though originally Maltese, the bloodline spent ~100 years in Sicily before my Great grandfather immigrated to the states at the turn of the last century. Last I checked, the phone book in Malta is still comprised of ~50% Tabone’s, which is my sir name,
There is a longer version (isn’t there always?), very romantic, and a great love story. I’ll share it with you another time where I will explain as to ‘why” I grew up in London 2-3 months most summers until I was 18, and why I am just a bit more than 1/2 British π
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That’s a good story. There were also a lot of Maltese people in central London during my teens, though most were gangsters and racketeers! π
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Gangsters & Racketeers? You don’t say? . . . Hummm, apparently you may have already met some of family then π
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Some links that might interest you. π
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messina_Brothers
https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/82979/death_of_the_soho_gangster_big_frank_mifsud_18stone_clipjoint_king#.YRE38IjYrNA
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C11550485
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I’m guessing you saw the original “Italian Job” staring Maurice Micklewhite at the pictures. The Man behind the ‘job’ in Prison, “Bridger”? Three guesses as to my Mum’s madien name. . . The docks were a hot bed of illegal activity back after the war.
Cheers,
CT
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We used to get a lot of stuff from Surrey Docks. It was lucky for us that it conveniently ‘fell off’ those ships. π
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Here is an old post from 2012. it is about going to the cinema in south London as a child. It is quite long, but you might enjoy the nostalgia.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Oh my, here I was about to respond to your lovely news Pete of your step daughters engagement, long parties, poor Ollie, etc when I stumbled on Chris’s post and there I am in the middle of the story! Yes, Chris and I go back many decades, same schools, dating histories, dramatic stories, lots of laughter, and now my daughter owns his previous house so we’re making new memories in the Tabone homestead! I’m so glad Chris found your blog Pete, you are a brilliant writer, but more importantly a kind and generous man. Now Chris, refrain from sharing all the stories, a little mystery is good! Bahaha, my love and hugs, C
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Awwww, Cheryl. . . Not even the story where a young and beautiful blonde was caught, locked out of her cabin, buck-naked in the hallway of a Carnaval Cruise ship at ~3:30 am while down in the Caribbean in the late ’80s/early ’90s?
True story Pete. . .
But. . .
It did not star our Cheryl Oreglia.
It was a different blonde altogether. Bahahah! π
But I promise not to share any dirt, Neighbor. Mostly because I simply have none. You are a gem, my dear!
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I was all ready to refute the claim of hallway nudity on a Carnaval Cruise down in the Caribbean (BTW ~ I’ve never been ~ yet), but alas it was revealed I was not the star. Thank God! Ha! if I’m a gem, it’s not a rare one, and it definitely rough! Thanks Chris, xxoo
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All of these you hold: Polished, ‘Rare’, and Priceless!
Your children and your precious grandbabies are the proof of that.
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I also have a sort-of connection with Chris, as his English roots are in the same part of London I am from.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Chris is like that Pete, he knows how to make connections, and loves to swap stories! He’s kind and generous like you but likes to stir things up a bit! C
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Indeed! Life is like that Neighbor – often best with a bit of stirring. . . Could say the same if we were discussing a cup of tea. π
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I have been feeling the same after social outings…. I think maybe that’s what we’re not so hard to… Since the pandemic, I am used to doing zero socializing and once we started seeing people again I realized the small facades I put up in social situations… Soon as I’m in my car I feel a bit of release, much like taking off my make-up at the end of the day lol
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It could be that, BB. But this was just family, and others we knew. It was hard to keep abreast of 8-10 different conversational threads though. π
Best wishes, Pete.
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Pete, we were exhausted yesterday for no reason – I think there was some sort of retrograde thing in the air!
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Glad to hear it wasn’t just us, John. π
Best wishes, Pete.
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I think more than ‘doing nothing’ it’s socialising again that wears us out. We’re just not used to it yet.
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That could well be it, Mary. Mind you, I haven’t done too much socialising in large groups since 2012! π
Best wishes, Pete.
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Barbecuing in the rain is just so British! Nice to have a reason to celebrate, there have been far too few these past 18 months.
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Yes, during 2020, we didn’t see that much of Julie’s family, so it was good to catch up with them, and their friends too. The rain held off for the barbecuing time, fortunately. π
Best wishes, Pete. x
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Ah! The presence of dogs – at the event and waiting at home – ensures happy occasions. I could almost taste Julie’s delicious trifles from your description. Treats for everyone, human and canine.
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Thanks, Pippa. Just a shame that I don’t like trifle. (The wet sponge…)
Best wishes as always, Pete. x
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Social events like that always used to wipe me out. These days there aren’t any, fortunately. I do like the sound of the trifles. Haven’t had one in decades!
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They are always very popular. I don’t like trifle though, I cannot stand wet, soggy sponge! π
Best wishes, Pete.
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Yes, I’ve heard other people say that. Actually, I think I would prefer spotted dick with custard!
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Me too! π
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It sounds like a lovely day Pete. Congratulations to your stepdaughter and her fiancΓ©.
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Thanks, very much, Kim. We were so lucky with that break in the bad weather. π
Best wishes, Pete.
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I quite understand being worn out from doing nothing. Warmest regards, Theo
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My energy levels seem to be at a low ebb, Theo. π
Best wishes, Pete.
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I’ve never been more tired than sitting around doing nothing. Sounds like the party was a great success.
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Thanks, Phil. It was such a relief that the rain stopped! π
Best wishes, Pete.
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A day in the fresh air and then with so many people can be quite exhausting. The lowest folding chairs are also added.
But still nice to have had a sociable day. Congratulations to your stepdaughter on the engagement.
Best wishes, Irene
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Thanks very much, Irene. They have been together for six years, and there is no wedding planned yet. π
Best wishes, Pete.
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Its not nothing, Pete! Today they call it “meeting”, and like Sue wrote “socialising”. π Is it still common for you to get engaged? Here – and it’s flat land – young people usually get married straight away. Usually, the first child is even a few years old. xx Michael
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It is common to get engaged. They have been together for 6 years already, and have no plans for a wedding at the moment. π
Best wishes, Pete.
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Well, in a long-term relationship, it might make sense to somehow commit publicly.
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Reblogged this on NEW OPENED BLOG > https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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You were doing something – socialising!
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That’s true, Sue. I had forgotten how tiring it can be to try to keep up with ten conversations at once. π
Best wishes, Pete.
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πππππ³
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hahahaha – this is so wonderful and funny. glad it all end up well and what a lovely celebration, low chairs and pony dog and all.
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Thanks, Beth. He really is that big! π
Best wishes, Pete.
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All that fresh air got to you, eh?
Congrats to your step daughter and fiancΓ©.
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Thanks, GP. I think it was the very low chair that really got me. π
Best wishes, Pete.
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I can relate to THAT!! lol
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I get the same after working all day sitting/bending in a hunched position. I’m wilting when I get home. Hope you are refreshed today!
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Still stiff and achey, but that’s propbably the damp. It’s tipping down here now! π¦
Best wishes, Pete.
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Had a few stair rods here too!
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Sounds like a lovely outing. Always good to do something different, even though it can tire you out.
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After so many pandemic restrictions, it was nice to feel ‘normal’ again, Darlene.
Best wishes, Pete.
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A change in posture due to sitting in a fold-up chair can cause backache. I cannot slouch on a soft settee and have to sit bolt upright otherwise I pay for it for about a week afterwards.
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We learned the hard way yesterday, Stevie. π
Best wishes, Pete.
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knackered doing nowt’, oh the luxury π Glad it turned out to be a good day.
But I have to say when I do find myself at a loose i’m tired out by mid afternoon.
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You are more used to having to be active all day, so I suppose a change from that is going to throw you off balance.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Aww lovely, itβs good to see that neither the pandemic or weather deters your family from celebrating π₯³. Take care π
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We did have a big break from seeing the family during 2020, but everyone over 30 is vaccinated now, and meeting outside feels a lot less threatening, Linzi.
Best wishes, Pete.
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good having party and fun with your stepdaughter and good decision on not taking ollie
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Yes, if Ollie had not got on with the other dog, I would have had no choice but to bring him back home.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Pardon me.
Congratulations for her marriage engagement.
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Try some cool stuff. A take a walk to your garden or a nearby cool place. It’ll reduce your tiredness.
Congratulations to your stepdaughter for her birthday. ππ
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Thanks, Lokesh. It was a marriage engagement though, not a birthday. π
Best wishes, Pete.
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I think that’s one of the primary problems with travel as well: the enforced idleness. Where dogs are concerned [and I’m no expert, at all] I think the largest breeds tend to be the best behaved, whereas the smallest ones tend to be yappy & neurotic. A local friend, whom I’m sure I’ve mentioned before [he’s a musician & anti-corruption campaigner] has always preferred the large breeds, currently has a dog similar to a Newfoundland, but I can’t remember the name of the breed: a lovelier dog you couldn’t hope to meet [apart from Ollie, of course!]. Cheers, Jon.
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I agree that most bigger dogs tend to be gentle, though that is not always the case with German Shepherds, in my experience.
Best wishes, Pete.
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