Dear Simon 
 
Thank you for….
 
Having a job that I could continually take the piss out of. Director of Strategy or whatever. From experience that means lots of spinning on your chair, pontificating and coming up with bright ideas that someone has to implement. Although it seems that after all that you were quite an expert spinner. So, the joke is on me. 
 
Driving Megan and I to Nottingham University open day. What a joy to listen to your views on the Midlands. Unsurprisingly you weren’t that impressed. Thank God Amy didn’t end up there. Can’t imagine you would have been too chuffed. At least she ended up on the right side of the Pennines. I couldn’t believe though, that you needed a Sat Nav to get you from Ilkley to the M1. You didn’t even look at a map before you set off. Totally disgusted. Can’t forgive you for that. 
 
The expert advice on what outdoor wear that Tony should buy. Not cheap of course but you always had the best gear and lots of it. How many boots does a man need? When did you find the time to research?  Perhaps between spins on your chair? You will be pleased to know, Tony took your advice, and is now the proud owner of a pair of very expensive Meindl walking boots. So, thank you.
 
The company. The laughter, games, meals and times together with Sarah. Opinions aired and shared. You always right. Naturally.
 
Being Sarah’s wingman. (Or maybe she was yours. All that admin. Behind every successful man etc…). You were the Yang to her Yin. The Kirstie to her Phil. Together perfect.  
 
Many happy memories. We will miss you.
 
But mostly we will miss what was to come. Less time spinning in your chair. More time with friends and family. More time with Sarah and you in Scotland and Mull. More time walking, talking, laughing, playing and putting the world to rights. More time for piss taking. How can you have deprived us of that! But you, being the awkward bugger that you were, have put a bit of a spanner in the works on that one. 
 
But we will still do these things with Sarah. You will walk alongside us, as we walk out to Treshnish and Quinnish. Be warned, it will be at a slower pace. We will stop to take in the view and may even sit down for a rest. We will debate whether it is safe to walk past the cows or if we should turn back. Who will lead the way now you aren’t here? But we will walk on. We will be brave.
 
And we will finish the day off by raising a glass to you, and saying ‘I wonder what Simon would say’. Because you would have something to say, you always did. Thank you.
 
Love 
Sarah, Tony and Megan xxx