Remembering Greatnan - Carol Sheridan

Thank you for this Marmight. Something positive to reflect on on a Monday morning and so typical of Greatnan

While looking for something else, I came upon this post which Carol greatnan wrote in November 2011. I think it sums up her exuberance and her complete delight in the outdoors. I hope she was feeling just like this when she went on her final walk :

"My daughter lives in Wakefield, a village about 12 miles from the North coast of South Island - the nearest towns are Richmond and Nelson.

I had not run since childhood, but last January, in the lovely sunshine in NZ, I just suddenly felt the urge to jog round the garden - the family were amazed. However, I found it a bit hard on the knees, so I went back to walking. I find sprinting flat out is actually easier on the knees!

I am acutely aware of how lucky I am to enjoy good health (other than slightly high blood pressure, meaning I have to take Ramipril, and a bit of arthritis in the knees). My main reason for wanting to lose weight was not cosmetic (I really don't care about my appearance) but to stay as healthy as possible so I can continue to live alone in this isolated and beautiful spot.

I know what you mean about feeling smug but my principal feeling when I am walking is just sheer happiness. Today, the sun was shining and I explored some new villages then walked by a stream in a forest.

I have talked about my concern that I was getting too obsessive about walking, but today I got back to my car after 1hr 55 mins and did not feel the need to walk round for another five mintues to make up the two hours, as I have in the past. Small steps!"

Greatly missed Carol one of a kind indeed.

What I appreciated about her was her honesty and lack of ego. She would write quite frankly about her own life and the mistakes she had made, but would always offer support and practical advice to those trying to implement change in their own lives. She was a real inspiration to me when, after a spell in the doldrums, I was trying hard to improve my physical fitness. I miss her.

That was a lovely thought, durhamjen. I know she would have been very touched.

I bought a tree in her name in a Woodland Trust wood, as she always seemed one with nature to me. Hard to believe it's a year ago.

Her sense of adventure was inspiring and is missed.

Greatnan

Can't believe that it's a year ago, seems much more recent. I miss her feistiness too

Thats a lovely post Purpledaffodil its nice to know you came here via Greatnan.

I actually came to Gransnet through Greatgran. There was so much publicity when she disappeared and a lot about Gransnet too. Curious, I came to have a look and stayed. When her posts come up on old and revived threads, I always thank her silently, she sounded such a wise woman.

It's much quieter without her and I think she'd like that too.

I miss her. She was a wise old bird.

I spent a lovely (sometimes hair-raising) week with Carol last year and remember her as kind and generous with the most wicked sense of humour. She showed me 'her' mountains in the French Alps and we had a great time, celebrating her birthday, driving to see medieval villages, beautiful lakes and stunning vistas across the mountain ranges, then looking in on Gransnet when we got back to her apartment to see what was being said. She'd be happy that we all remember her so fondly.

Thank you for remembering Gaga.
I never met Carol, but miss her on Gransnet.
It will be a specially hard week for her family.

She certainly lived her life to the fullest and went doing what she loved.

I miss her kindness, as well as her feistiness. She could certainly argue her point, but it was her kindness that always came through in the end. I wish I had been able to meet her as some of you did.

I enjoyed reading her witty and informative posts , Greatnan was a very spirited lady and I also miss her posts...
In my thoughts Greatnan .

I miss her style and jokes. And arguing with her. I can't believe it's a year!

I 'knew' Greatnan through another forum. She was a fiesty poster on that one, and could well hold her own with some of the blokey types who thought they knew it all.

I remember reading the news of her disappearance vividly . It was half term and my DD.SIL and GS were here on holiday when one evening I read a headline in the Mail on line. 'OMG' I said,'That's Carol.' I then had to explain how I knew her, which I think my OH and SIL thought slightly odd...as men do .

In hindsight her 'signature' was so appropriate....... something like....'I will be a long time in the grave, for now I want adventure'. I admired her independant spirit so much and often wish I had it.

Strange, i read a post the other day - can't remember about what - but I found myself thinking 'That's just what Greatnan would have said'.
Miss her.

Gransnet is a poorer place without GN

She's been in my thoughts this week. She was last seen the Sunday the clocks changed and it was ten days until she was found. Those were terrible days. I'm grateful for having had Carol as a friend and treasure the times I spent with her in 'her' Alps.

I like to think she is having a great time in the after life, but tinged with "oh rats I was wrong after all it didn't all end down there on planet earth"

Who knows though she could be right about that as well!

Greatnan is very much missed