28 May 2024 – Dr Sophie Louisa Bennett, PhD Conservation Biology (Lincoln 2016), MA Modern and Medieval Languages – German and Swedish (KC 1987, Cantab 2020), Diploma in Translation – German into English (City University/Institute of Linguists 1998)
I did some tidying up today – much needed but prompted only a slight pause, pursed lips and eye-rolling in loved ones. Just one box and one drawer in which I’d kept a variety of oddities for years. An overspill from drawers in the room next door where I’d cleared some space for a new occupant. Old letters (and cards in all likelihood) – ‘gamla brev‘ (what other type is there?) as the box at the top of Malin’s wardrobe read in calligraphised handwriting. I found her again, the 1986 version, and the original paperwork from an application for an international pen-friend during my lower 6th.
Amongst the paperwork was evidence of purchases from years of online shopping, including BHS – now surely counting as something historically valuable. Receipts and delivery notes for Christmas presents. Items from the Body Shop – Monoi oil with its warm rich comforting smell. Cards and gifts and household goods from the RSPB, SPANA, Natural Collection, Atlas (clothing for real men), La Redoute etc etc.
There were also some labels from presents – both birthday and Advent/Christmas – ones I’d thought particularly lovely and put aside temporarily for sorting at some point in the future… Not the near future as it happened.
A mouth-painting of the Brandenburg Gate from friends in Germany which had accompanied a box of numbered tea sachets, one for each day of December up to Christmas Eve. Some evidently old greetings cards on which Mum had used pinking shears to create a label, with all her/their love.
Then, having shuffled through various papers, pieces of card and notes, I came across a very curious find, both ‘serendipitous’ and poignant: a reproduction of a painting by Timothy O’Brien, of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, showing a Lancaster and two Spitfires. With Tattershall Castle behind in the background. I have a vague memory of finding this small picture in a frame I bought secondhand from a charity shop years ago. I had evidently taken it out and kept it because of family history – my paternal grandfather who reached the rank of Squadron Leader during the Cold War and had been ‘in Lancasters’ amongst other aircraft.
Who knows how I re-discovered this today. I thought of the Spitfire pilot and the plane and the people who have cared for both over many years.
Into-English-Translations 