I met Andy for the first and last time on the Buddhafield Family Retreat at Frog Mill on the edge of Dartmoor last August. It was indeed a pleasure and a privelege, what a beautiful soul Andy was. The first time we met was at the morning campfire where he pulled up with Zeb and Bella in the trailer he was carting around like a pack horse! Two happier children you could never see. Off he went to the breakfast tent and returned with two big bowls of porridge which he fed himself and the children on. Bella had a very mucky face at the end and Andy said he was going to wipe it up with "Daddys special cloth". He then licked her clean amidst squeals of delight. He was a family man with an eye to the community and the planet. Him and Jo were a great and strong team, I sensed that they had a deep respect as well as love for each other. I treasure the picture of the 4 of them on the retreat as it sums them up. Happy, beautiful,whole, wild and appreciating the moment. Jo, Zeb and Bella I sincerely hope that on some plane, that experience will always be there for you, imprinted into your body memory in a way that death could never take away. Andy was hard of hearing, something I noticed because of Tara's hearing loss. He made a lovely connection with Tara , looked out for her and gave her his time and love.They had a lot of laughs together, he had great sense of humour. It was only half way through the retreat that I discovered he was terminally ill. I commented on how much food he ate, his plates were always piled so high, I had thought it was quite comical. He told me that he was trying to keep his strength and weight up because of the treatment he was having. I could not believe that a man with so much life in him was dying. I was very upset about this in a way that I still cannot put into words. I knew that in the very short time I had known Andy he was going to leave a hole in my life and that I would miss him. I remember Andy saying that he felt the land at Frog Mill was very special. He really appreciated the flora and fauna and the stream running through it. He liked that the children could play and explore safely there. I have a warm memory of him sitting in the shade by the naga bridge deep in conversation with Mike who knows Frog Mill best. Two gentle earth loving kindreds sharing their passion for the land. I did not know how I was going to say goodbye To Andy on the last day of the retreat. I knew that I would probably not see him again. How would I say goodbye without breaking down and inappropriately? I did not want to land my grief on him. I thought it through and still did not know how to do it. I don't remember what I said, I know at least I did not sob. We hugged and he said "Til we meet again".This was the perfect thing to say and true too. Andy graced my life and I am truly grateful.