A Fitting Send Off…..

Posted on 13 July, 2014 Neil Greentree

The weather looked decidedly wet for today as I rolled out the team bus and loaded the largest Severne and RRD flags I have into the back. Why, well we were laying Paul perry’s ashes to rest in his favourite windsurfing location in the world – ‘Hunny Dahab’.

We got to Hunstanton sailing Club around 11.15AM and already 30 or so people had gathered for to either sail, SuP or get the ‘Wash Monster’ over to Toppers Bar, the speed strip Paul called ‘Hunny Dahab’ coz of it similarity to the speed strip in Dahab, Egypt where we used to go and sail on holiday. There were around 10 of us Paddling out the bar as there was no wind forecast but beautiful calm waters for paddling. Paul was SuPing years before any of the rest of us had even heard of it. Him and Michelle would head out on their 140ltr Tabou Rocket windsurf boards because SuP’s hadn’t been officially invented!

We all got out to Hunny Dahab and waited for the other guests who chose to take the chartered Wash Monster out to the sailing spot 1 mile off the Hunstanton Coastline. Once there I was asked to say a few words and read a Poem for him before all the SuP’ers formed a semi circle and Michelle scattered his ashes in the spot he often clattered into before slamming a semi controlled gybe, swooshing round, and heading back out to sea. It was emotional but yet there was definitely a positive air around the whole moment. Tears yes, but just of fond memories and times spent with a big man with even bigger character. We gathered on the bar for a group photo before all embarking on the journey back but whatever means.

Once back at Hunstanton Sailing Club everybody was ready to tuck into the wonderful spread of home baked food prepared by Michelle and friends. There were over 65 people all talking about timers spent with Paul, having a laugh (sometimes at his expense now he’s not here to punch my arm!! Lol) but generally all celebrating a man who simply embraced life. A poignant moment for me was when Michelle passed on a wish he often insisted we follow as he counted down his last days – ” Follow your dreams. Don’t be someone on the sideline who watch’s others chase dreams and capture experiences. Go out and do what you want to do….be who YOU want to be. Don’t get bogged down in the ‘Hum…Drum’ of life that sometimes we slip into”

On behalf of Michelle and Zeus, I would like to thank everyone who gave Paul the send off he wanted. Over 65 people paying tribute is no mean thing and people the other side of the world ( Damien, JB’s Son…… thats you!!) reading this article and helping us all remember him after he’s died…………. maybe that in itself is the best testament to way he lived…………..

RIP Paul Perry   1952-2014

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