Department of: You Couldn't Make it Up.

If a writer invented this string of coincidences and connectivity no one would believe them.

A couple of years ago a crusty old traditional folksinger of the confirmed bachelor type surprised all of his folkie friends by trimming his beard, proving he wasn't as old as we all thought he was, smartening up and marrying a pert Canadian lady (unknown to G's folky friends) and moving to Vancouver Island. Not much coincidence in that, you might say... but...

The couple had known each other in their youth, lost touch for thirty some years and only got together again fairly recently, having found each other again via the internet. Not much coincidence in that, you might say... but...

For twenty odd years of that thirty year separation I knew both of them, completely independently.

While G was an expatriot Yorkshireman in Oxford, singing traditional songs through his fine bushy beard and running into our trio at festivals and folk clubs, L was an expatriot Canadian working at the Camphill Community just eight miles away from where I live and bringing her community residents and her own two children to concerts at the Village Hall and festival - and also booking us to go and sing at the Community's own hall for the residents. She returned to Canada around - maybe - six years ago.

The couple never really needed the internet. All along they could just have asked me, except...  I've only just discovered who G's mysterious Canadian bride is. Much happiness them both.

Department of: You Couldn't Make it Up.

If a writer invented this string of coincidences and connectivity no one would believe them.

A couple of years ago a crusty old traditional folksinger of the confirmed bachelor type surprised all of his folkie friends by trimming his beard, proving he wasn't as old as we all thought he was, smartening up and marrying a pert Canadian lady (unknown to G's folky friends) and moving to Vancouver Island. Not much coincidence in that, you might say... but...

The couple had known each other in their youth, lost touch for thirty some years and only got together again fairly recently, having found each other again via the internet. Not much coincidence in that, you might say... but...

For twenty odd years of that thirty year separation I knew both of them, completely independently.

While G was an expatriot Yorkshireman in Oxford, singing traditional songs through his fine bushy beard and running into our trio at festivals and folk clubs, L was an expatriot Canadian working at the Camphill Community just eight miles away from where I live and bringing her community residents and her own two children to concerts at the Village Hall and festival - and also booking us to go and sing at the Community's own hall for the residents. She returned to Canada around - maybe - six years ago.

The couple never really needed the internet. All along they could just have asked me, except...  I've only just discovered who G's mysterious Canadian bride is. Much happiness them both.