It is three years ago today since Ben was shot, and thank you so much for all of you who are remembering Ben today, and have contacted me (and Tom and Lorraine).
On 24th May 2022, I was camping next to the Beauly Firth, near Inverness with Scamp, on our way back from walking up to Cape Wrath - a trip that Ben and Tom had thought they might join me on. I woke at 2 am...which is close to the time that Ben (with Claudio and Freddy) was shot in Mexico.
For myself, I prefer to keep this day on my own...and to go back go back out with my tent and my dog (Ben's Doge) for this devastating anniversary.
This year, I am going to attempt a kind of nighttime pilgrimage: starting around dusk at Chapel Carn Brea (the first beacon in Cornwall/England, where I will share a pasty, a Punk IPA and a Marlboro with Ben).
I then plan to walk through the night, past Bartinney, Sancreed Beacon and Caer Bran, ending up at Boscowan Un, possibly around 2 am...all of these are the sort of places that Ben knew well.
This walk through the night symbolises for me Ben's journeys through life, including him going across the time zones to Mexico.
It reminds me of his 'Green Lane' walk from Castallack Farm to Tregonebris [I can't find the video! I don't know if you have it, Lorraine or Paul?] and of his walk around Penwith on Xmas Day 2020 in Middle-Eastern shepherd garb [I have only found the one photo above...].
Also of that walk with Tom on Dartmoor at New Year in 2021...
...and my walks with him around London, following the traces of the Underground Rivers.
Yes, Ben, we miss you! We miss the things we did together. And we wish you were here to share how those things have changed and developed, and the new things that you would have delighted in with us.
But let there be light! And love!! And good health!!!
¡Que haya luz! Kerenza ha yeghes da! Dad/Grandpa/Andrew x