Look at the picture books - people and places
Having left our car in the Blockley snow at the end of last year we returned to collect it. We went in the van and Simon came with us as Pat is not keen on driving either vehicle. We thought the car would be pleased to see us but we were wrong -- it refused to start.
Almost the first thing every year will be Lola’s birthday. They came to Foster's to celebrate. On the left an erudite conversation with Grandad.Some of the partygoers on the right
On 12th of January Norman Smith died. A friend to everyone. A lovely chap who should have retired from 100 different jobs years ago. Always around, always smiling. The church was absolutely packed at his funeral. A man who will enter into his reward as a good and faithful servant of the Lord.
At the end of January Simon again showed his investigative powers by tracking us down at a hotel in Ross on Wye. We had a dental appointment and thought we would have a couple of nights on the Welsh borders especially as Blockley was occupied by Mary Newsom who had borrowed the house for three months before Easter to aid her house searching. Just as well she was there to witness water coming through the ceiling of the kitchen. She rang Simon who interrogated Paul's computer which eventually gave up our secret location. Phone calls fly around! By late in the afternoon, Pat, having left one tooth in Ross on Wye, and I arrived in Blockley an hour or so before the emergency repair service provided by the not so rapid response unit of Direct Line. The good thing about the service is that it is free up to £250 and has no effect on future premiums.
Paul waited until all the snow and really nasty weather had gone before he decided to make a spectacle of himself on the pedestrian crossing near the church resulting in many visits to St Peter's and computer inhibiting plaster. Getting older (to which we do normally not admit) results in longer mending times and the slip up aforementioned plus damage done when carrying cases home from Blockley in the December snow meant several months of problems with ham strings, arms and hands. Barclays Bank kindly paid for physiotherapy -- or most of it -- which was suffered until it appeared that the treatment was making things worse rather than better.
We are fortunate that all four children and families live so close they can meet here frequently- and blessed that they all get on so well together
With festivities and pantomimes over we took ourselves to the theatre to see the Russian State Circus. Stunning, brilliant, amazing, wonderful. What athleticism. All in all a great production.
April saw us globe trotting again, courtesy of Air Miles. We went to Vienna for three nights including Paul's 75th birthday. The statues gave Pat some ideas for a new outfit and hairdo.
We were staying (first and last time?) at a five-star hotel and were much impressed when we returned to our room and found flowers, bubbly on ice and a birthday cake. They must examine passports for special birthdays - or had we actually told the reception the reason for our stay?
Most of the grand buildings are close to the centre and we visited many of them and also enjoyed two evening concerts. Further pictures are shown in the gallery, here.
Halfway through May we clambered aboard our sunshine van and made for Scotland. If the first incident had been at Nottingham, 150 miles away from home, that might sound all right. But we had left from Blockley, where Paul had been preaching, and that is only 80 odd miles. We stopped at a service station for a cup of tea. Pat wanted to buy one, Paul wanted to use our own equipment but using the electric kettle rather than the gas range -- after all we should not have a live gas range in a service station car park. When we want to get on our way the van felt otherwise and so we had to call Green Flag. They diagnosed a flat battery (“not been boiling a cup of tea, have you?”) recharged it and recommended that we put it on a trickle charge overnight -- not an easy thing to do at a Travelodge.
Next morning it started first time - great. Last stop of the day was at Crichton Castle: raining, wind sweeping across an inhospitable moor, welcomed by two full-time Castle keepers who were pleased to tell us that we were the 10th and 11th visitors of the day and would be the last as the time was getting on. Paid our respects to all the ancient history incorporated in the stonework and retraced our steps. The van stands splendidly alone in the car park miles from anywhere. Nothing happens when the ignition is turned. Green Flag again.This mechanic tells us that there is nothing wrong with the battery -- the problem is deeper seated within the electrics.
Started again - well done, Green Flag; we make our destination. Worried again as to what might happen in the morning. Why worry? It starts first time! we search out a garage, book it in for a service a hour later and then drive a couple of hundred yards to the Carphone Warehouse to get a replacement charger for the one that has been left at home. They laughed at ancient device. So we exit the Warehouse with a new phone that only cost £1 (the cheapest, not because they phone was out of date but because it was in the livery of the recent, now past, royal wedding between Prince Willian and Kate). And the pound we paid Pat had found under the bed at Premier Inn. Win, win.
But we only exit as far as the Carphone Warehouse car park. Van won’t start. Green Flag not prepared to get us going again: although they will - small print n contract - take us and the van 399 miles to Foster's or, it seems, to any other destination we wish. The van is hoist on a pick up: we opt to go just 250 yards to the garage for our appointed service. Bad news. The garage says it can do nothing for us. Green Flag mechanic, a knowledgeable chap and a fellow holiday van owner tells us that we do not need a garage but an automotive electrician. He takes us to one: 2½ hours later he calls to say everything is done. We returned to our once again sunshine van and continue our journey with no hint of a thought that anything would ever go wrong again. It didn't.
While the van was being cared for, our by now good friend the Green Flag mechanic, took us to our next planned place of interest - the Falkirk wheel. An amazing piece of engineering. It takes about the power of one light bulb to lift a craft from one canal to another -- something to do with a chap called Archimedes.
From Falkirk for a few days in Pitlochry, on to Inverness and from there to Orkney. 240 days a year of rain and we had sunshine although it must be said that the rest of our Scottish progress (or should it be Scotland progress?) was not exactly sunshine all the way. When we returned to Fort William to climb Ben Nevis it was ‘closed’ by blizzards.
Our journey to Mallaig was more blessed. Here is the 'Jacobite' which took us along ‘the most beautiful rail journey in the world’” Do have a look at the pictures from Scotland which are on this gallery.
Wednesday June 1st it was "home we go" -- again to Blockley for a few days. We diverted quite a long way to give Ian Russell the joy of our company - by arrangement of course. One or perhaps two courses we hoped, as we had asked that he repay our diversion by providing lunch. As we arrived exactly on time (thanks Sat Nav for that and for the other 2000 faultless miles) we were surprised he wasn't outside to greet us. Indeed we had to ring his doorbell twice and then even found he had already partaken of his lunch. We took some persuading but eventually believed him - we had actually told him we would turn up 24 hours earlier on Tuesday! Gracious as ever he laid three courses before us which we gladly scoffed. And so to Blockley. Please do remember that our little house at Blockley is available to any reader and it is free of charge unless you stay more than 10 days and insist on making a contribution. There is a double bed and two other beds. It is small: some think it is like camping indoors! Nevertheless it is in the most beautiful part of the United Kingdom.
Back for the boys’ joint birthday celeb. May 24 to June 11 covers Adrian, Simon, Timothy and Phill. Lucie helps to prepare the culinary delights.
Next up are the twins. Second birthday for them. Plenty of other pictures, here.
As the twins are growing so is a bulge in dear Zuzana which will provide them with a sibling. Let's hope they can grow up quickly and offer some help with the new baby due sometime in the second half of December.
July was busy as we were preparing to go to Ibiza .Much work to be done on the computer preparing services, sermons etc for the five weeks we were due to be there conducting a chaplaincy for ICS. And then on 12th of July Paul's computer was stolen! Hopefully there was no other crime in Surrey that day as we played host to at least five police officers and subsequently had calls from crime prevention, victims support and efficiency management units. Such excitement caused Paul to forget that it was Pat's birthday -- only to be reminded when daughter in law Annie phoned to present her greetings on the auspicious occasion. There was a backup on an independent machine but only to a fortnight earlier which was before any of the Ibiza work had been done! Setting up a new computer is a long-winded job as anyone who has done it will know. It wasn't as if there was nothing else to do before August 5 when we left for Gatwick. Unfortunately we didn't arrive in time for our flight as there was a horrendous accident on the M25 which brought everything to a standstill for more than four hours. Adrian was taking us together with Belinda and so it was tough on them as well. Eventually they were able to deliver us to the airport having missed our flight and the next one. Nothing daunted we were able to find seats on a flight which left at 5.30 the next morning, having 'camped out' at Gatwick overnight..
Ibiza was different. The temperature varied between 35° and 36°. Perhaps pleasant if there is shade and nothing to do but we frequently had to rush around like mad things to greet holiday makers at welcome meetings in their hotels where we were able to offer invitations to the four Sunday services each week. We were billeted in an apartment which was situated on a rough track off the main road. For Pat, with nothing to hold onto, such as a steering wheel, it was a white knuckle ride which took a full five minutes in first gear. Third gear was quite fun.
As it was always a blessing to us to be able to lead worship and we also know that it was a worthwhile exercise for those who attended. We were also able to do a couple of renewal of marriage vows for couples who wish to give thanks in that way. There is a permanent Anglican Church in Ibiza -- it has been there 40 years -- and those members we came across made us most welcome including Sarah to whose home we were able to go several times. Sarah also lent us her car when ours had to go in for repairs: just one of her very generous and gracious acts. Sarah is the one closest to Pat. Further pics of Ibizas are here.
One of the consequences of going to Ibiza was that we missed Tenerife for the first time in 28 years! And one of the consequences of the consequences was that we were able to attend the parish house party which is held every two years. It was lead by Peter Harwood of Christchurch, Woking, and had a definite charismatic bent which actually went down very well with our folk who are not normally exposed to such experiences.
Phill got a new job in August and that sparked a house move to Guildford - less than a mile from T,Z and twins. Adie, Annie and Belinda are still in Pyrford and about to build an extension to their bungalow. Adrian is still caring for the Post Office and Annie is caring for everyone else. Belinda will be going to Fullbrook in September, following in the footsteps and her Dad and Uncles. Timothy is still with a BT subsidiary and Simon has been in gainful employ since April whilst still working on his own web project.
During the last quarter of the year we have been able to be engaged in two new ventures. The first is a Bible study group at a local private girls school. The group was started on the initiative of three of the girls aged 11 which is most impressive. The group - averaging 10 girls - meets each week. The second is a new initiative at our church, a weekly Tots Praise. We have various duties and Paul has been able to give the talk to the little ones - who knows how much they take in? It is a group of about 35 which is gradually building up in numbers. We are still able to do a duty at the Friday morning cafe, once every three weeks. It is only about once in every six weeks that Paul has the opportunity of leading worship and preaching at various churches in this part of the diocese: This is the biggest disappointment of retirement.
Two other new things for Paul have been working with (click) Besom, a national organisation, which is a Christian outreach into the community giving to those who have little. The activity mainly centres around providing furnishings and interior decorating to those in need. Only very good quality items -- provided by members of various churches around Woking -- are considered good enough. Many electrical items have to be bought new from money which seems to trickle in quite regularly. The core members of the group are deeply committed to those they are serving: their grace and love and prayers move the whole show. Recipients are recommended by social workers and by workers from Christians against Poverty which runs from the central Anglican Church in Woking.
Paul is also offering a few hours to Wisley Gardens driving a buggy for handicapped visitors: a far cry from the Chieftain tanks he was able to play with a few years ago.
At the end of November we had a visit from our miracle baby, now adult friend, Ashley Fini. (see diary for 2007 and our trip to New Zealand). He was spending a couple of weeks in
We had a red letter day on 2 December when Pat made her final visit to the oncology unit at Cheltenham Hospital and was declared "free". Paul still has best part of a year to go. How wonderful to be healthy: come to that wealthy as well -- but we will go no further!
Just in time to make her début in this year's Nativity Play Stella Elizabeth arrived at the stage door on 19th December, a trim 8 lb 12 oz (what happened to those metric measurements?). Stella will look good in the classically designed costume of what they used to call 'swaddling bands'. She will be a natural for the part. Having given birth Zuzana became pregnant with pride and Timothy was radiant. Welcome, Stella, and many congratulations to her parents. Even from her first portrait, captured by Timothy at less than one day old, it was so clear who she took after. And when they came home we all descended, expressing our 'ooohs' and 'aahs' and having our ration of cuddles.
Simon and Anita joined us on Christmas Eve both for a meal and to go to the first Communion of Christmas (11.30pm). Christmas Day saw AA&B, ZT&ML&S on their home turf, MP&L at Phill's Mum's, and S&A at Anita's parent's. We were left on our own - well, not quite as were are able to invite Ian, Rene, Roland and Yvonne. Now Y is only 64 but counting her out we averaged quite a senior 82.
But come Boxing Day we were together again, apart from Z&S who decided to have a rest. We missed them greatly but it did seem sensible to avoid the crowd. In the morning all save PM&L come to Fosters. We took a walk in Wisley Gardens and then repaired home for lunch. In the afternoon and evening we were entertained by Melanie et al. Melanie again presented us with a wonderful gingerbread house - and we all engaged in our mammoth present opening ceremony. That takes three hours so there is no need for entertainment other than Phill playing his guitar.
And so another year draws to a close. This diary, and all its galleries, is a record for us which goes with the impressive journals that Pat writes and illustrates each time we have a holiday of a couple of weeks or more. If you have never seen the journals do ask to see them next time you visit - and please visit more often. If you have read to this point then please count yourself one of the family! No conferences this year which means we have not been exposed to any in depth teaching or biblical explorations. We miss that and the buzz and fellowship of such meetings. Paul makes up for it by a fair amount of theological reading in books and in news and discussions on the web but it really would be good to know at least one other person with whom regular theological discussions could take place. Having said that we did have a very good retired clergy (and spouses) study day with Antony Billington of the London Institute of Contemporary Christianity.
That leaves us to wish you all the blessings that our Lord wishes to lavish upon you. Although we live a life of comfort and ease we know of many who do not. Many of those know our Lord Jesus Christ, and place all their hopes in him rather than in this rickety unstable and often immoral world that we now inhabit: others do not and we pray each day for both as well as giving thanks for everything we ourselves have received. If there is anything we can do for you, please do tell us.
After all this there is a family gallery for the year if you wish to see it - just click.
If you wish to go to a list of Picture Galleries
