Posy and I met in 1967 at the Maidstone Tech College where we were both reluctantly learning how to be secretaries. We tried hard and didn't do so well but at least we started earning money, first in London and then for both of us at Wye College (Posy as Farm Secretary and I Secretary in the Horticulture Department - Posy got me the job!). We truly had such a fun time there, life filled with students, lots of beagling and subsequent social events, visits to Posy's parents then farming at Sandhurst, visits to mine in Plaxtol. Her little black A30 buzzed along - I do remember one very wet evening swearing in the passenger seat as water came up through the floor. 'Don't swear at her' said Posy, 'or she'll stop'. And she did.

Our emigration to South Africa was epic (£19 for a 10 day cruise on the Edinburgh Castle from Southampton to Cape Town). Marg and Posy eventually returned to the UK and I stayed on in Zimbabwe and then South Africa. My subsequent visits home to the UK during 15 years always included a stay at West Dunster, both Posy and I coping with growing families during these years.  It has been quite remarkable at the changes made at West Dunster from then until the present day and I had the priviledge of saying my 'farewells' to Posy there at Easter this year. West Dunster has been such a constant in my life.

Posy invited me to her goat project in Kenya a number of years ago - what a memorable trip that was, we fitted in a safari in the Masai Mara at the end of the trip, nearly sliding off the road after a rain storm which made the black silty soil so treacherous - but Posy's skilled driving avoided a calamity!

Both Posy and I shared a love of horses and rode together as often as was possible. When I left her on Easter Sunday she drew my attention to her two beautiful greys, Tat and Tully, far away at the top of the hill opposite the kitchen door. Green grass, sunlight, peace.  And that's how I now remember my very dear friend. She is inspirational.

Ros