Christmas 2016

A very busy and enjoyable few days with families.  A lovely day at Jane's for Xmas Day, on Boxing Day was at home and seeing Sharon.  On Tuesday all my lot came over for lunch, fifteen folk jammed into my living room - it all worked and we had a fantastic day.  Thursday a walk with Lois, Sharon and my lovely boy over Lecky, where we met Nick and Jane, followed by a meal at the Royal William.

Burn up

Spent a great day yesterday with Jerry and Steve, burning up an enormous pile of garden rubbish and furniture at Robs.  Steve set to work with a chain saw on a fallen fruit tree, logging up at the same time. Lunch was jacket potatoes dropped into the hot embers to cook perfectly - mixed with a little salmon.  Ah, now that's how to do a garden.  Thanks chaps.

XCC in Brecon Beacons

On Sunday I came back exhausted from an awesome four days in the Brecon Beacons with a hundred and fifty guys from all over the UK.  I was part of a team of thirteen chaps from Trinity taking part in XCC (Extreme Character Challenge) a mind, body and spiritual challenge. We were exhausted, having been pushed to our physical limits over many hours, we were emotionally challenged as we listened to others testimonies, we bonded as we supported each other - it was a spiritual awakening as we searched for the meaning in our lives and the direction we want to take - serving others and not just immersed in our own lives.

The guys from Trinity were fabulous and I experienced unbelievable fellowship with the group.  It was an experience I'll carry with me, an experience I hope will change me for the better.

Three days in the lakes.

Just spent a fabulous three days in the Lake District. We drove up on Sunday Morning arriving quite late after a tortuous journey.  No worries we decanted our stuff, and Daisy's as well, at the hotel and popped over to see Jane and co (Jess, Steve, Tim and Richard) - arriving just in time for a roast dinner.

On Monday, we drove to the Langdale Valley (one of my favourite places in the Lakes) and walked up from Blea Tarn around Side Pike and then back around Blea Tarn to the car.  Fabulous - the sun shone all day and the heather was golden in the late afternoon sun.

Tuesday up and over Cat Bells with fab views looking down on Derwent water with Helvellyn pale blue in the distance.

Wednesday a quick walk from the hotel took us to Barrow and then on to the top - a fantastic walk. Walking through emerald green fields edged in rust coloured trees, just turning colour as Autumn approaches, to windy windswept up lands with views to Grisedale and beyond.

A lovely time thanks all.

Gifford Circus and all.

A fabulous weekend - On Friday a trip to FOD for a cycle ride and a picnic by the River Wye, a bit chilly but nothing a bit of Prosecco couldn't deal with. We followed this up with an evening meal at the Bear Inn, Bisley (care of Group On).

On Saturday Jane and Richard joined us for a walk over Lecky (and Daisy the dog). In the evening it was over to Cirencester to see Giffords Circus - what a fabulous show it was.  So much fun and laughs - Jane said she hadn't laughed like that for ages - it was lovely evening.

Sunday was William's last day at home before moving up to Solihull - a bit of packing to do. The remaining stuff will go up later.  William started his new job two weeks ago and is loving it, lots to learn, lots to do - this is the start of a great adventure and a new life for him.  I'm so proud of him and love him dearly - but I will miss him.  I know the future holds great happiness for us both and we'll always be there for each other.

Thanks all for a weekend full of love - God bless.

Westward Ho!

Following a forecast of 3' to 5' clean waves, me and William drove to the Ho! On arrival the wind had picked up and the sea was choppy - but no worries we gave it a go and had some fun in the water. I managed to catch a few - it was lovely to spend the day with Will.

Bourne out smarts them again.

Went to the cinema tonight with William to watch the latest Bourne film - another roller coaster, full on, non stop journey for Bourne. But once again he's ahead of the game - great fun.

On Bank holiday Monday, Jane and co came down (including mum) for a dinner and a walk over Painswick Beacon. A lovely day - a chance to all meet up and chew the fat.

Jane

On Saturday we popped up to see Jane and Richard for dinner and a stroll along the canal - always a joy to see her xxx

New Wine

I've just come back from a lovely few days with friends at this years New Wine festival in Shepton Mallet. Music, friendship and worship. Then it was back for a fiftieth birthday party - where, to my joy Don and Laura were also there - what a blessing to see them, to see them enjoying themselves

Devon break

A lovely weekend break in Devon staying in Exmouth, the sun shone but the sea was cold, very cold. But you've got to get in for a swim no matter how cold it is.

Wedding day and birthday

What a wonderful day last Saturday was (2.7.16) - in the morning it was Ed and Ellie's wedding and in the evening it was Claire's fiftieth birthday.  Two great occasions.

Ed, one of William's best buddies and someone very dear to me got married, and William was joint best man.  God bless their life together may it be as joyous and loving as mine and Christine's.

Claire's birthday a lovely evening in the company of special friends.

Graduation

A wonderful day in Bath for William's graduation. He got a 1st for his MEng after four years of hard work, I'm so proud of him we are all so proud of him. Christine was with us in our hearts on a day of celebration and love - thank you all for attending.

God bless you all for supporting William and myself over the last few years.

A working break in the French Alps

Today is the penultimate day of a fabulous working week in the French Alps we stayed with our special friends the FT's. A jam packed week of laughs, wine, food and adventures.

On arrival we were picked up by Dave and drove to Annecy - we strolled through this beautiful town by the lake and savoured local cuisine.  After a spectacular drive through the mountains we arrived at our chalet in Le Bettie.

After a much needed good nights sleep, we walked to a local peak called Roc de la Luae - with spactacular views to the snow capped mountains we could clearly see the Mont Blanc massif.

The next day we walked up to the snow line, at approximately 2000m. As the scorching sun beat down on us we took a dip in a high mountain lake (Lac de Lou), which was chilled by the snow melt water that tumbled into it - now that was cold so it was only a couple of minutes before we had to get out.   

Jerry and myself even managed to make a small snowman. Whilst walking down I rounded a corner, and there, in the path was a Marmot, we looked at each other for a couple of minutes and then he scurried away.   

The rest of the day was work - tidying up the chalets at Reberty a few miles away up the valley from our chalet.

Day four saw us spending the day, cleaning, sorting rooms and varnishing tables - it wasn't to hard really, as the view outside was beautiful.

On day five the promised rain came in the morning, but seeing a window in the weather the boys went canyoning while the girls strolled down the valley to St Martin. The canyoning was great fun, wet, slippery and challenging.

Today was chill out time, a bit of a lie in then it was up the mountains to a delightful pasture restaurant called 'Chez Pepe Nicolas' in Les Menuires, a lovely meal surrounded by snow capped mountains.

An absolutely blessed week - loved it.

Baptism

This evening I was baptised at Trinity Church, a watershed evening for me in the fellowship of friends. The service was moving and the complete immersion felt like a new beginning.  William came up from Bath for the occasion - it was wonderful to have him with us and be part of this special celebration.   Its a new life for me with purpose, direction and a sense of belonging, a life that Christine would recognise and bless with her love.

Last weekend

Spent last Saturday in Bath doing a bit of shopping and then on Sunday saw my lovely boy.

Exmouth

A lovely couple of days in the sun, on the beach in Exmouth. Also a chance to see Jonathan.

I love a picnic!

Another busy weekend

A jam weekend of fun. A party on Saturday and a trip up to the Midlands on Sunday/Monday to see Mum, Jane and take a look around Jess's and Steve's new flat.  Great fun.

Symonds Yat

A fabulous day walking around Symonds Yat, the sun streaming through the tree canopy, lighting up the soft new leaves and dappling the blue bell glad forest floor in a glowing soft light - that was in the morning.  In the afternoon the rain came and drenched us as we walked along the banks of the River Wye - that's Britain for you!  Mind you still found a place to have the obligatory tea and cakes - that's Britain for you.

Christine

Yesterday would have been Christine's birthday, it's at these times that I really miss her: her loving kindness, her delicate hands in mine, I miss running my fingers through her beautiful hair and kissing her before I go to work.   We had a blessed and wonderful life together, but the pain of loss still takes me by surprise.   I'll always love you my beloved Christine xxx God bless you.

A Bath weekend

Bath visits - first the Thermae Spa (a fabulous open air heated pool in the centre of the city), second a catch up with my lovely boy. Then on Sunday it was a meal out at Zizzis. A wonderful weekend all round.

The big makeover

Working on Jane's garden this week.   It's a big job but it'll look great when it's finished. Finished the garden and yes, it looks splendid.

Blistering Cornwall

A wonderful weekend in sunny Cornwall with the FT's. Arriving in the afternoon on Friday, we pulled up onto the drive, and a lovely cream tea was waiting for us before we headed to Flushing for a walk and watch Jerry take the helm on a local gig.  In the evening we chewed the fat and watched Hot Fuzz.

On a cold but sunny Saturday, we explored the spectacular Lizard, sketching, eating ice cream and drinking tea, finding time in the evening to take in the Porthleven Food and Drink festival, and wrapping up warm to fend off the biting wind, we watched the sun set from Godrevy Beach (on the walk back we spotted a herd of seals).

On Sunday we relaxed on Ghylly beach. Finding a sheltered spot we soaked up the April sun, SUPed around the coast - even stripping down to my board shorts.  It was a beautiful day, the sea sparkled under the hot sun, the billowing white sails of distant yachts flecked the azure sea, the air was filled with the soporific hum of the sea as we talked and laughed.

A blessed weekend.