I had rather lost touch with Phil after I stopped being so involved with world music, but there I was about to ring the massive Gaia bell one early May morning when, glancing at a list of fellow retreatants' Service duties I saw Phil's name. I had not recognised Phil so far at the meditation-intensive retreat but then I hadn't been looking - after all, we were all respecting Noble Silence, which required us not only to not talk to each other, but not even to look at each other. (Door opening, too, a no no.) It turned out Phil had already noticed me, but then we had to spend eight days not able to catch up - although furtive smile or two was, I think, shared. At the end, on a gorgeous, hot Devon afternoon our group tramped up to the ancient hill fort above Gaia House, and we talked, and shared our past histories. Phil then gave me a lift back to Hampshire (for a train to London), and  told me all his news including, of course, his illness. Stunned and sad now, I am sure he is moving onwards and upwards. Love to you, Phil. I will keep dancing.

Charles de Ledesma, Kensal Rise, February 15, 2019.