I have had a stark reminder that we are mere mortals following some sudden recent deaths, the latest being a blogging friend Maalie, Dr Jim Fowler, a true adventurer and free spirited soul. I was shocked and saddened to learn today that Jim died of a heart attack while kayaking on Coniston Water. His friend Simon Cotter pays tribute to him on his blog post here. They shared some amazing trips together and Simon can take comfort from the wonderful memories of their friendship. A retired university lecturer, Jim really lived life to the full and loved the outdoor life, he was always planning an adventure and was an extremely knowledgeable ornithologist.

Last summer I met free spirited Jim for the first time and we went kayaking on the Norfolk Broads. He was such good fun, intelligent and amusing, and told me about his life and his love for his family. Our favourite word to describe him was “runcible”. Strangely enough, I was thinking of Jim quite a bit at the weekend, how my visit to his blog to catch up with his news was overdue; I was also hoping we could plan another kayaking trip on the Broads .

Jim was very cultured too and loved ballet. He has a framed pair of ballet shoes given to him by the lovely ballerina Darcey Bussell who he took out for dinner after meeting her at the stage door; I was so impressed.

Jim, it was such a privilege to have known you, I’m just so sorry, like your other friends, that we have lost you so suddenly. I so admired you.

Not so long ago, another free spirited soul died while cave diving in Wales. American born Bonnie Cotier was incredibly dynamic and vibrant and we were introduced at a networking event last Christmas to talk about our shared enthusiasm for  QR codes. She was only 52 and the Cambridge creative network is truly stunned at her loss, she is sorely missed.

And then there was the savage death and beheading of a lovely gentle soul, Jennifer Mills-Westley, in Tenerife, after she caught the eye of a maniac and lost her life.

As a mere imperfect mortal, I am suddenly inspired by Trudie Styler’s philosphy on life, which is to live more, give more and forgive more…