Dear Gill, We were sad to hear of Ron’s death and our thoughts are with all of you, Gill, Gayle, Mark and extended family, today. We first met Ron & Gill in 1995, shortly after our arrival in Bahrain for for that typical 2 year stint which turned into 5 years and a bout of recidivism some years later for an even longer stay in Dubai. It was Neil who first met both of you at one of those corporate cocktail parties in Bahrain, Gill kindly gave Neil your contact details and the rest, as they say, is history. Stella subsequently met Gill and in a very short time both you and Ron became firm friends providing us with strong support, as we learnt the ways of expat life. We have many memories of meals, parties, at least one stranding near the Tree of Life in Ron’s offroad vehicle and many other adventures during this time. You both introduced us to The Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni but it was Ron, always something of a bon vivant and wine connoisseur, who introduced us, as we always remember when we see a bottle on the shelves, to the great Italian wine, Barolo. From 1997 onwards, we enjoyed several trips to Lake Como (on one occasion Gayle & Mark zooming across the Lake to pick us up in your dinghy for a dinner appointment on the terrace of your apartment is another brill memory!) and of course many visits to Eastbourne to enjoy the Eastbourne Airshow from the grandstand of your balcony. Our return to the Middle East in 2009 saw a physical disconnection, although we recall meeting for dinner during one of your visits to Dubai when Ron was still preparing annual reports for banks; enjoying good food and wine has always been a consistent theme! We are sorry not to have seen any of you since we re-settled back in the UK but as other friends often joke when venturing into West Dorset, we are fairly remote here in Lyme Regis. We always read your Christmas letters with interest and maintained some communication via email and Facebook but not finding a way to visit both of you in Melton Mowbray has now proven to be a sad oversight. We wish all of you, all the best. Love Neil & Stella