Page 20 - Edition Summer 22 News and Views revised 31.05.pub (Read-Only)

long-term Quakers, who had attended a Meeting in Stuttgart and seen our names as Quakers
living in Gran Canaria. They visited the island often, and wondered if we could meet together on
Sundays? It was such a strange coincidence, or was it?

As a result, we continued to meet regularly with the Belgian couple in our home for several years
until we returned to the UK. We were joined by a Spanish and German couple, a Welsh harpist
from the island orchestra and a Russian academic who had managed to escape persecution with
his partner. The stories that were shared over coffee after our meeting were true eye openers.
During those years, we regarded our house group as a kind of Bournemouth ‘spin off’, and we
continued to receive newsletters and newsy emails from Bournemouth Meeting that inspired us
and were readily shared between all members of our house group. Although I doubt that
Bournemouth friends were aware of their Canary Islands outpost, our Belgian, Spanish, German
and Russian friends were certainly well aware of Bournemouth Meeting, and may well visit
Bournemouth Meeting one day.

All good things come to an end eventually and, for us, Brexit was the final curtain. We had heard
enough of promises from both the UK and Spanish governments to make us uneasy. We had to
make a decision, which would mean the end of our amazing life in the Canary Islands, leaving
friends and work that we loved, as well as our lovely home. Nothing is forever and we looked to
the future with confidence, as well as some apprehension.

As I write this, I have been diagnosed with cancer that will no doubt change my expectations of a
long and fulfilled life in the UK. Despite my diagnosis, I am thankful for finding Quakerism in
general, and Bournemouth Meeting in particular, and their love and welcoming support has been
a comfort over many years. I know my life has been changed for the better by Quaker philosophy
and wisdom shared over many years; I face the future calmly, and with continued hope and
strength.

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