A spiritual day (in many senses)

Another long and quite emotional and spiritual day today. I woke up at 6.30 a.m. in my spartan hotel room in Bradford, not quite sure where I was or why I was there for a few moments, and then made myself a cup of tea to get myself going. I read my devotionals and then had a bath. I was up and away by 8.30 a.m. (having watched some news about the Libyan crisis on the TV) and followed my satnav to the crematorium at Rawdon in north-west Leeds. The traffic was pretty bad and I was pleased to have allowed myself plenty of time. I couldn't find the entrance to the crematorium and cemetery at first - it lies in a lovely wooded valley with one-way entrance and exit on opposite sites. My satnav was insisting on taking me to the exit! I arrived in good time and sat in the car for about ten minutes, talking to Sara on the phone, before the rest of the mourners arrived. The service was extremely short - about ten minutes - read by the funeral director in a very matter of fact way. A couple of short prayers and then the committal. A complete contrast to the lovely service at St. Joseph's last night. We all stood around for some time afterwards in the cold Yorkshire air and I was introduced to firends and family from Scotland who would be arranging the burial of the ashes alongside Gerry in Glasgow. That will be a very short ceremony for family alone around Easter time. We all went back to Nick's (Dean's best man at his wedding in the Bahamas all those years ago) for tea/coffee and I was asked to gather up the children for a reading of the Will in a private room - which I did. I am named as the executor of the Will along with the eldest and youngest of Maureen's children. It seems that there are a quite a lot of assets scattered around which we'll need to list including investments out in Nassau. It was good to see so many faces from my days out in the Bahamas including a much older David (who sang songs and played the guitar at the pool side in Bougainvillia Avenue and dear Sheila who didn't look any different and still had that cheeky smile - despite the circumstances. We shall all miss Maureen. It looks like I will be seeing a lot more of the family over the coming months as we sort out the estate. I made my fond farewells and set off for Liverpool for my evening meeting with Chris, my appointed spiritual director over an Indian supper. I had a pleasant drive through Bradford and Halifax onto the M62 arriving in Liverpool mid-afternoon at Malcolm's. We had tea and a chat and then walked across Sefton Park to Aldi's to buy food for breakfast. An early dinner at the Indian restaurant with Chris and Malcolm where we discussed quite a number of topics in addition to lay ministry and especially how we are all coping with 14 year old sons! Chris had to leave just before 8 p.m. to play football - after an Indian meal too! Malcolm and I had coffee and then strolled back to the flat to contiue our stories about parenthood. How things change, fifteen years ago we would have been talking about our then wives! The spirituality continued with a bottle of The Famous Grouse and a different form of direction!

Maureen - you may go now - RIP

Up quite early today – a long day and drive ahead. I attended the Early Morning Eucharist at St. John’s rather than the Praise Service at All Saints for two reasons – first of all I felt I need to take Holy Communion this morning as it is the day of Maureen’s Requiem Mass and Funeral service and secondly because I wanted to be on the road up to Leeds by 10.30 a.m. Jane took the Eucharist in her calm gentle way which was just right. Sara took the children to the Praise Service and after getting all my things together I left for Bradford just after 10 a.m. I had a reasonably clear journey (250 miles) but with some torrential rain on the way. I arrived at the Travel Lodge in Bradford just before 3 p.m. after a couple of stops en route. I found that St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church was only 15 minutes drive away and so the hotel, whilst rather “functional” was ideally located although I was a little disappointed to find that they imposed a GBP3 car park charge for 24 hours – a hidden extra in the price. I arrived at St. Joseph’s a good half an hour early but spent that time in prayer and reading the wonderful eulogy written by Stephen contained in the Order of Service. Although not a great lover of the Roman Catholic liturgy, I found the service surprising uplifting and the liturgy not dissimilar to our own. However, only communicants of the Roman Catholic faith were invited to partake of the elements (host in RC terms) and so I simply went up for a blessing (being very glad indeed that I had taken the elements at St. John’s this morning). It was lovely to see all the Mulrine family again – even if it was in unwished circumstances – and I had an opportunity to chat to many at the Bank House pub afterwards. I left at around 9 p.m. feeling too tired to write up this blog – but gave Sara a call and discussed the day’s events. The Praise Service had been successful and Sophie from West Dean had joined Sara and the family. Apparently, and rather ironically, they had been making rosaries in church this morning! There was a lovely poem in Maureen’s Order of Service which I found most comforting and which I will reproduce here in its entirety in case I should forget or lose it:

May I Go Now?

May I go now? Do you think the time is right?
May I say goodbye to pain filled days and endless nights?

I’ve lived my life and done my best, an example tried to be
So can I take that step beyond and set my spirit free?

I didn’t want to go at first, I fought with all my might
But something seems to draw me now to a warm and loving light.

I want to go, I really do. It’s difficult to stay,
But I will try as best I can to live just one more day,

To give you time to care for me and share your love and fears.
I know you’re sad and so afraid because I see your tears

I’ll not be far…I promise that, and hope you’ll always know,
My spirit will be close to you wherever you may go.

Thank you so much for loving me, and I know I love you too.
That’s why it’s hard to say goodbye and end this life with you.

So hold me now, just one more time, and let me hear you say,
Because you care so much for me, you’ll let me go this day.

Wild Women of Winterslow

Another quite busy day with getting ready for going away for a few days "up north". Sara brought in tea for us this morning - a lovely surprise. This morning I dropped Tom off for his football match against Hilltop - Clarendon won 7-0 - and came back home to start packing and deal with tidying up and correspondence before I go away. Sophie came round at 12 noon and Sara, she, Karen and Ruth went to Livery Road to have their photos taken for a promotion leaflet for the, by now, [in]famous calendar! See picture above. Tom didn't fancy coming to Southampton today to watch Saints v. Swindon (usually one of our "bogey" teams) which is a pity as Saints won comfortably with a 4-1 result. They still remain fifth in the table after today. As I drove into Southampton (along The Avenue) I was greeted by a massive hail storm and torrential rain. Fortunately, it had subsided by the time I parked at Trethowans. Lunch was a portion of chips at our usual chippie before the game. Tom wasn't the only junior not to come to the game today - in fact, only John's son was there - all the other parents were without their offspring so it was very much an adults gathering today rather than a family enclosure. A much busier day tomorrow, Early Morning Eucharist at St. John's and then a drive up to Bradford, Yorkshire to attend Maureen's Requiem Mass and Funeral.

Farewell to a good Friend and Mason

Up early this morning and I hoisted the West Sussex flag to half-mast to mark the funeral of Cameron Eckford which was to take place this morning at Worthing Crematorium. After a breakfast of sausage, bacon and eggs, I set off for Worthing stopping off at Arundel for a coffee. Cameron's funeral was very well attended by family, friends and brethren. The Rev. Stephen Terry, the Provincial Grand Chaplain, took the service with tributes from his daughter, W. Bro. Paul Small and Stephen himself. The service was held in the large chapel at Worthing with seating in a semi-circle. A delightful chapel. After the service I attended the wake at the Windsor Hotel close to the seafront at Worthing and chatted to members of the family. It was interesting to learn that Cameron was brought up in the same street in South Shields as the famous author, Catherine Cookson and in her biography mention is made of the Eckford family. As I was driving back to Wiltshire I learned that Sara had somehow managed to slice her left index finger with a bread-knife whilst cutting bread for the patrons of the Lord Nelson Arms and taken herself off to the Accident and Emergency Department of Salisbury General Hospital. Fortunately, she didn't need any stitches but her finger needs to be kept dry for the next three days. I will need to wash her hair - which will be fun! In fact, I am going up to Leeds on Sunday for Maureen's Requiem Mass and Funeral and will not be back until Tuesday evening. Tonight I went to Conron's Irish Bar in Salisbury to say join two more Friends Provident people who are leaving. Another buffet! My diet has taken a real knock today (as it will over the next few days). Think the diet will have to take a back seat this week and get back on it again next. Must get some exercise.

Seeing old friends in Surrey

Off to Weight Watchers first thing this morning - but on my own as Sara was taking the kids to the cinema in Southampton to see Alice in Wonderland. It was a very quick visit to W/Ws as I was going on to Surrey to have lunch with my former secretary, Karen, and others from Friends Provident. Pleased to say that I lost another pound this week although my weight loss is really slowing down now - only two pounds in two weeks - the slowest rate yet. Still I have only put weight on once (half a pound) in the thirteen weeks I have been at Weight Watchers which means I have now lost 2 stones and 3.5 pounds in total! Pretty good going. I met up with Karen and the others at the Arkle Manor country hotel and pub on the A25 at Betchworth. We spent a pleasant two hours catching up on all the news. Karen hopes to come over to Salisbury soon. I drove back by way of the rather scenic A272 through Sussex. This evening I led another bible study group - this time looking at Joel with it graphic description of locust swarms. We only have two more minor profits to look at which we will "knock-off" next week. The Team Council, last night, approved the expenditure for me to attend the Selection Conference in June for Licenced Lay Ministry. Apparently the vote was unanimous with full approval for me to go forward. This means that my calling for this type of church ministry is now public knowledge within the team. If I succeed at the Conference, this will mean my training will start in September and a lot of hard work and study over the next three years. With this degree of support I really musn't fail.

The King Speaks Again

A dry day today with a hint of spring in the air, at last. A quiet day at home (if there is such a thing as a "quiet" day with the kids off school!) In fact, in the morning Sara went into Salisbury to buy Tom another game for his Xbox or Play Station (I can't keep up with what games he has for what equipment) and Mary came with me to Steve's to discuss an important matter. She had a great time playing with the kids making a horror movie with a camcorder. This evening, Tom and I went to Southampton with some free tickets to see The King's Speech. I was delighted to have an opportunity to see it again and I thought it an even better film than when I saw it the first time - so much more to see and some fantastic casting and story lines. A wonderful film. I really do hope that it sweeps the board at the Oscars. It deserves it. Tom described it as a good comedy thriller - not quite sure what he means by that but I guess he doesn't quite understand all the historical background and significance of some parts of the story. I was glad, nevertheless, that he enjoyed it and he found some of the dialogue very amusing. It was a really nice evening out. We didn't get back until 11.30 p.m. and Sara and I then watched "The Real King's Speech" - a documentary looking into the background of Logue and the King. Fascinating stuff. I must get on with reading "A King's Story" by the Duke of Windsor for some more background.

The "Mighty Whites" go down - 0-6!

Spent the morning at home today largely separating warring children. Quite tiring, Sara was trying to finish off the Parish Magazine and I was feeling rather jaded as I found it hard to concentrate on anything. This afternoon I drove into Salisbury to drop off some old clothes for the Barnado's charity (some of the clothes I can no longer wear because I have shrunk!) and to pick up two new cartridges for the printer. I also posted some letters I had written this morning. This evening, Richard and I went to see Salisbury City play Truro City at Salisbury's ground near Old Sarum. We were expecting a very close contest. There were over 1600 people there tonight - a great attendance for a team in such a lowly non-league division. Salisbury needed a win or a draw to consolidate their lead at the top of the table (over Truro!). I can only describe it as an utter appalling performance from Salisbury. They were losing 0-2 at half time and were one man down due to a flare-up by their captain. This only got worse in the second half. Salisbury scored two disallowed goals and Truro a further 4! Final result: Salisbury 0, Truro 6! Richard and I decided to have a couple of pints back at the Lion's Head this evening - the highlight of the evening. Went to bed feeling quite tired and a little down this evening. Hoping I feel a bit more positive in the morning.

Photo Session

First day of the school holidays - and how I wish it were the last! I really don't know why the two children can't get along for at least one day! A very stressful morning especially as Sara was trying to get everybody in gear to go along to a professional photo shoot for a family portrait. I was delegated to drive us all over to Wilton for the studio session at Mandy Milford's. We all arrived slightly late but this didn't seem to be a problem and Mandy snapped away - must have been close to one hundred shots. I am sure there will be something good amongst them. Having lost so much weight, I feel much happier about having my photo taken than in the past. We arrived back home via Porton where I stopped off to buy coffee. This afternoon I went into Salisbury to do some banking and meet with one of our lodge members who wanted to have a chat with me in my role as mentor. He informed me that he was going to be late and so I went to Cafe Nero for a coffee first. I met David at 6 p.m. at the New Inn and we spent an hour talking about his masonic career and work issues. As I was leaving I met a few of my former colleagues from the Claims Dept. of Friends Provident in Salisbury and I joined them for half an hour or so for a glass of wine. They all said that I looked really good and much younger for having lost weight. Back home, I had a light supper of grilled chicken before going to bed quite early to read and have some quiet time. It has been a busy day and looks like being quite a busy week ahead.

Another Sad Loss - Maureen Mulrine, RIP

I walked to church this morning ahead of the rest of the family who followed on in the car about half an hour later. A great sermon from Nils about "loving your enemy" which even got the children thinking. We prayed for Maureen Mulrine on the sick list and for the soul of Cameron. Sophie came over from West Dean and enjoyed our service and fellowship. In fact most of the congregation stayed behind for coffee and a chat as long as the service itself. I walked back home again enjoying the walk and the opportunity to have some more quiet time. Back home I went on the Internet to find a message from Stephen Mulrine to say that Maureen had died that very morning - probably as we were praying for her. I sent a note of condolences back and expect that I will be going up to Leeds for the funeral in the next week or so. I am already scheduled to go to Cameron's funeral on Friday so don't know, just at the moment, how my week is going to be structured. Will have to be flexible. I have a few appointments (including lunch with the secretaries in Dorking on Thursday) which may have to get switched around. Mary and I went to Romsey Rapids this afternoon and spent an hour or so enjoying the water features there and having a fun time swimming. The water did seem a little colder than I remember it - perhaps I am feeling the cold a bit more since my weight loss. Tonight my diet got "blown away" quite a bit. We had roast duck for dinner with orange marmalade sauce - a beautiful bird. This was washed down with some red wine. That excess was followed by a trip down to the Lion's Head for a couple of pints over a chat with Richard and Steve. Whilst I was out Sara had a long chat with her niece, Natasha, which I gather was a little emotional at times. We all hope that Natasha and Lee will talk to each other and that Natasha's curiosity about her Dad will be satisfied and put to rest. Sara and I had a video conference with her Dad and Andrea tonight after I returned from the pub. We chatted for nearly an hour about family matters. Skype is such a brilliant invention. We didn't go to bed until 1 a.m. and, I have to say, I was well over my daily points allowance today. Will have to be much more disciplined tomorrow.

The Hurt Locker

After a very busy week with meetings and church events galore, it was nice to have a much less rushed morning today and Sara and I stayed in bed longer than normal. Nothing on the daily agenda until 10 a.m. when Tom had to be up at Barry's Field for his Clarendon Team match against Clatford Juniors. I cooked breakfast for us and, in the end, Sara took Tom up to the pre-match training whilst I tidied up the kitchen. Mary had a "sleep-over" (a misnomer if ever there was one) at her friend Allie's house close to the Salisbury City football ground and Sara had arranged to meet up with her in the High Street at 10.30 a.m. I arrived at Tom's match after walking through an extremely boggy field just before half time when his team were winning 3-0. Tom played well in the second half and scored a super goal from quite a distance out - unfortunately, Clatford scored their first (and as it happened only) goal immediately after that. The final score was a win for Tom's team of 5-1. I had quite a lazy afternoon today except for gonig down to the church with Richard to hoist up the "world" made at FFT and suspend it from the roof beams above the creche. I made myself a light salad for lunch and later this afternoon watched the Manchester United v. Crawley Town F A Cup tie on the television. Crawley played amazingly well and the final score was a very respectable 1-0 to Manchester United. This evening Sara and I watched the film The Hurt Locker which, whilst an interesting insight into the dangerous world of bomb disposal during the aftermath of the invasion of Iraq, did not, in my opinion deserve so many Oscars. We had to watch something much lighter afterwards so saw a couple of recorded episodes of The Vicar of Dibley. A couple of glasses of red wine also went down very well.

Taking Wine in Botley

Another action packed day today. Up early to attend the Ambassador's Breakfast meeting at Grasmere House Hotel in Harnham where I had to give my usual one-minute speech on the work of Complex Services. Afterwards, I left the car in their car park and walked into Salisbury across the water meadows - it was damp and misty with a deep chill in the air. In the city centre I visited Barclay's Bank to transfer some funds into our current account and then walked back to the Grasmere through the Cathedral Close, Harnham Gate and Harnham Village. It was good to walk past the Rose and crown where Sara and I had our wedding reception. It brought back great memories or the day and people who are no longer with us. After a short stop at the new Lidl's to but some fruit, I drove to St. Mary's Church, West Dean to have coffee with Sophie and her friends. This week the coffee shop was well attended with, I am pleased to say, a couple of people from Winterslow. It is good that we are supporting other Team initiatives. Sophie and I spent an hour afterwards having a long chat about our respective plans for the church. Sara was still out working at the Lord Nelson's Arms when I got back. I made myself a light lunch of crumpets and bananas and set about writing up my blog and dealing with some incoming mail and emails. At 4 p.m. David Davies, the Secretary of Wiltshire Masters' Lodge arrived and we drove off in his car to Botley to attend a meeting of the Southampton & District Installed Masters' Lodge. It was an extremely interesting meeting with a talk on the Ancient and Accepted Rite - the Christian Degree I joined only three weeks or so ago. After the meeting we enjoyed a lovely dinner at which I was asked to give a short speech on behalf of the visitors in response to the relevant toast. I was pleased to do this. I arrived home about 10.30 p.m. as predicted. Sara has been in touch with her Dad and Andrea and also with her brother Lee. She is hopeful of some form of reconciliation (for want of a better word) between Lee and his daughter. I ended the evening watching an interesting documentary about Moses and the battles he fought on the way to Canaan.

Hosea - Love, Unfaithfulness and Difficulty - Some Sad News

Off to Weight Watchers' today feeling quite apprehensive as I have not been carefully tracking my points this week. I expected to have either put on a small amount of weight or stayed the same. I was delighted to discover that I had, actually lost a further pound - and a significant one at that as it signalled the 15% total weight loss mark since I started twelve weeks ago. So now, in three months, I have lost 2 stones and 4.5 pounds! Really pleased with that. I am sure that my weight loss has contributed, in no small measure, to my general feeling of well-being at the moment. Unfortunately, during the course of the meeting I received an email on my BlackBerry informing me that Cameron Eckford, the man who had proposed me and been my mentor in entering the Ancient and Accepted Rite Christian Degree in Freemasonry, had died suddenly whilst having an emergency triple by-pass operation. I was shocked and saddened by this news. We had only had dinner together three weeks' ago in Brighton. Sara was unable to join me at Weight Watchers today as she had a meeting at Salisbury Hospital to discuss her calendar with the Director of the Stars Appeal. Sara came back very encouraged by her meeting and feeling very positive indeed. I spent this afternoon working in the study and preparing for the House Group tonight. The topic we had chosen was the minor prophet, Hosea. A very tricky book dealing with, as it does, love and unfaithfulness. Most of the minor prophets are hard to read and understand, theologically, and this is most probably why readings from these twelve books are avoided in church! After the meeting, James stayed behind and we discussed my calling. He was not surprised and wholly endorsed it. We spent a little time talking about his own experiences and where he saw himself going spiritually. I think the wine always helps the discussion to proceed in a frank way! I am delighted to have his support. Sara spent much of this evening, after the House Group, reading through her Mum's old journals. I am pleased she is doing this as I know it always brings a closeness with her mother who seems to have been such a gentle, loving and pragmatic person. One of my greatest regrets in life is that I never met her. I am positive that if she were alive today she would be so proud of her daughter although, from what appears in the diary, disappointed that Sara has never got any tidier! Can't have everything I suppose!

A Coming Together

Up early this morning as I had quite a busy day ahead of me. The weather was mild and dry today as I set off for my meeting with Pam in Dorchester to discuss a potential partnership arrangement to provide employment law and HR services to the education system. I arrived in Dorchester quite early and delivered an important document to an address there before meeting up with Pam at The Octagon Café in Poundbury – the beautiful village/small suburb adjacent to Dorchester, built on land belonging to the Duchy of Cornwall and to the stringent specifications of the Prince of Wales. We spent over two hours together catching up on our news (we last met nearly a year ago) and discussing business. We parted at about 12.15 p.m. and I was back home by 1.30 p.m. – just in time to greet Sara before she set off for her LPA training. I picked up Mary from school (walking there and back) and cooked tea for both children. Tonight I attended a meeting to discuss the Food for Thought/Youth Zone joint meeting for Red Nose Day. I don’t think I contributed much to this meeting and felt that it was project more suited to others. Although I will lend it support if needed I do not feel too enthusiastic in being involved in its planning. Afterwards, I had a short meeting of my own with Carolyn, the Youth Zone Leader and a leader in the Baptist Church, to discuss the possibility of an Ecumenical FFT jointly with the other village churches in May. I shall be more than pleased to be involved in the planning for this. When I got home, Sara was in a state of wonder having received a Facebook approach from a long lost niece who is anxious to know all about Sara’s brother. She spent an hour and a half exchanging Facebook messages and then discussed the whole thing with me. As a consequence, although I was very tired, we went to bed quite late. Suddenly our lives seem to be so full and rich with many challenges being heaped on us. I am sure God is testing us and hope we shall not be found wanting. Sara’s grace is overwhelming sometimes. How I love her!

Deanery Synod

Another very busy day today - with heavy rain this morning. I woke up early at 6.30 a.m. and drove into Salisbury for an early morning swim after doing a bit of work in the study (writing some letters for posting in the city). I spent half an hour or so and swam twenty lengths before driving to the Southampton Road retail park where I did some shopping at Staples and the new Lidl's. I took the opportunity, whilst in Staples' car park to ring Mum with whom I had not spoken on Sunday evening because of the pub quiz. She seemed well and was going indoor bowling this afternoon. I returned home about 10.30 a.m. Sara was out doing some "mystery shopping" in Salisbury. This afternoon I had appointments at the Rectory and with Debbie in Pitton and on my return home spent an hour or so in the study finalising an important document which I need to deliver in Dorchester tomorrow. Sara cooked a Weight Watchers' beef casserole which was delicious before I sent off again for a meeting of the Deanery Synod at Sarum College in the The Cathedral Close. At this meeting the Synod was being asked to vote on the Diocesan Synod's motion for the approval of the draft Measure to ordain female bishops. Not surprisingly, the motion was passed almost unanimously. This was the last Synod meeting before elections in April to appoint a fresh set of representatives for another three years. I have indicated to the Winterslow PCC a willingness to stand again. Arrived home tonight to find Sara watching a medical programme about conjoined twins. Not my "cup of tea" at all so I decided to write up this blog and have an early night with a book. Tomorrow I have another early start to drive to Dorchester for a meeting with a former HR colleague from my old company.

A Day of Meetings

St. Valentine's Day today. Sara and I had decided to dispense with the chocolates, hearts and flowers and instead gave each other a card. It has been quite a hectic day, again today - especially this morning. Tom was feeling unwell - dizzy - and stayed at home today. Sophie from West Dean came over to see Sara first thing and I had a meeting with Susan and one of her art colleagues to discuss the procedures in a criminal trial for a piece of artwork they propose doing. Afterwards I joined Rosemary, Carole and Gillian at Rosemary's for part of their bible study meeting before then driving over to Laverstock for a special meeting of the church's standing committee to discuss the church's budget for 2011 over a plate of sandwiches. It proved to be a relatively easy task in the end. After the meeting I went into Salisbury to have my photograph taken and also called in at the Sarum bookshop. I had intended to spend some time either swimming or in the gym but found that my shorts were still wet from my previous visit and that the swimming pool was being used for children's lessons. I returned home and worked in the study until teatime. Tonight, Mary and I played a couple of games of Cluedo. Another busy day tomorrow on church business including a very heavy Deanery Synod meeting tomorrow night at Sarum College. An early night beckons.

Fork Handles - Happy Birthday Food for Thought

A really miserable day today, weather wise, with heavy rainfall all day. Sara was leading the Junior Church this morning at All Saints and she and Tom went on ahead with Mary and I following on about twenty minutes later. Jane led the Eucharistic service this morning with a sermon on the difficult topic of divorce. I had a chat with Jane afterwards over coffee. Following church, I went into Salisbury and spent an hour or so in the gym and after some shopping in Waitrose returned home to find Tom with his four friends in the lounge playing on his gaming console. This is what Tom had requested by way of a birthday celebration and the lads stayed until around 6 p.m. At 4 p.m. I went over to the Village Hall on my own to support Food for Thought which was a joint venture this month with the Scouts and included the building of a massive globe from wicker and cellophane. It was very well attended with Tim leading. It was the 4th birthday of FFT and Rosemary produced a birthday cake with four candles (not fork handles) on it. The Rural Dean, Vanda, was present and I had a long chat with her after the service. I avoided eating any of the food and when I got home I cooked two lovely trout for Sara and myself which we ate with new potatoes and green beans. Tonight, I went down to the Lion's Head for the pub quiz and formed a team of three with Richard and James. Klynn, Joe, Ellie, Susan, Jeremy and Sue formed two other teams of three. Needless to say, our team won again and I returned home with another bottle of wine! Another busy day tomorrow.

Another 3 Points for Saints

Woke early this morning and brought tea in bed for Sara and myself. I spent an hour our so on the laptop dealing with some important paperwork before taking Tom up to Barry's Field for his football match against Basingstoke. Unfortunately they lost 0-5 and the team didn't play at all well. I took my netbook up with me and I was able to do some more work in the clubhouse before the match began. This afternoon I took Tom, and his classmate Callum, to St. Mary's Stadium to watch the Saints v. Carlisle United game. Callum lives in Lockerley and we almost pass his house every time we go to Southampton. Once more, we parked at the Trethowan's garages off The Avenue and walked along St. Mary's Road and St. Mary's Street to our usual chippie. After picking up Callum's ticket from the ticket office we joined our usual crowd in the Chapel Stand to watch ninety minutes of not very inspirational football - quite a slow game in fact. Fortunately for Saints, a goal from Rickie Lambert just before half time secured a win for Southampton who spent most of the second half keeping a clean sheet. Carlisle played with just ten men for most of the afternoon and Southampton seemed to be playing with only ten themselves - rather like Tom's match this morning! Tonight Sara is out baby-sitting with Mary and Tom has been playing on his Xbox in the lounge whilst I have been finishing off some important paperwork. A quiet night in.

A Day at the Dockyard and Basil the Rat

Another wet and windy day today. After seeing the children off to school, and after Sara had seen a marketing expert in the village to talk about her calendar, we both went off, in separate cars, to attend Sophie's coffee morning at Dean Church. Sara is conducting some Myers-Briggs work for the church and dropped off one of the forms. I stayed about half an hour (Sara longer) and was just leaving when Nils arrived. We exchanged a few pleasantries and I then drove off to Portsmouth where I exchanged some Tesco vouchers Sara had given me for an annual pass to the Royal Naval Dockyard Museum complex. I spent a lovely couple of hours exploring HMS Warrier and visiting the Trafalgar Experience and viewing the Victory's Trafalgar foremast topsail. It was sad, though, to see HMS Ark Royal being stripped as it lay in the dockyard. HMS Invincible, also in the Dockyard, has already been gutted and awaits its fate at the hands of Turkish shipbreakers. The once mighty Royal Navy is a shadow of its former glory. I had a really enjoyable few hours looking around the museum with still plenty left to see for a further visit. Before leaving Portsmouth, I visited the cathedral in the old town and lit a candle before having some quiet prayer time. As soon as I got home I could see that Sara was not a happy bunny. She quietly told me, in the kitchen, that she had been out to put some potato peelings in the compost and a rat had sat looking up at her on the top of the compost! When I looked in I saw nothing, although there did seem to be a hole where it had burrowed down and, presumably out! I have explained to Sara that if you live in the country, these are the sorts of things you need to expect. We've only been living in a rural setting for eleven years! The kids are out tonight at the Youth Club and Sara is also up there with them doing some makeovers or something for the girls. This has left me alone this evening to get on with some important paperwork I need completing for next week. It has been a nice day today - apart from the Basil the Rat experience.

Back on Track at Fat Fighters

A miserable wet day today which captured my mood as I got up this morning - it is Weight Watcher's weighing-in day and after last week's increase in weight and this week's dinners, I was convinced that the trend of putting on weight was going to continue. Sara was rushing around this morning with her own heavy schedule ahead of her - Weight Watchers, a Vie meeting in Durrington and a trip this afternoon to see The King's Speech (my high recommendation to her) at the Odeon in Salisbury. I stopped off at the Team Office to pick up a couple of bibles and made a quick visit to Dawn's before setting off for Stockbridge. Sara went on ahead of me and was already in the queue to be weighed when I arrived. There are quite a lot of new members now and so she had still not be weighed despite me being about ten minutes behind her. Unfortunately, Sara had put on a small amount this week which confirmed to me that I had almost certainly done likewise. I was absolutely amazed, and asked to be weighed a second time, when the scales recorded a further 3.5 pounds loss! Fantastic but a stunned feeling. I have now lost more than 2 stones and feel absolutely great. This gave me a great boost of confidence and feeling of positivity coming as it did after Sara's wonderful support yesterday. After the meeting, Sara went off in her car to the meeting in Durrington whilst I ordered a second coffee and spent an hour or so in the lounge with my netbook working on an important paper I need to complete for next week. This afternoon I moved all the boxes out of the study onto the landing making room in the study to start the major clear-out. I need the study to be relatively free of clutter and to turn it into a proper studying/working facility and not a dumping ground. Now looking forward to getting it sorted.
Sara returned home very pleased indeed that she had been to see such a wonderful film. Tonight we had a small study group - Ivan, James, Rosemary, Sara and myself - looking at Haggai - a very short book of the bible but with some wonderful issues to tackle relating to priorities - quite a useful study for me at present. James stayed behind for a whiskey (yes I've spelt it correctly as it was Jamieson's Irish). He needed it as he had pranged his car earlier. Another busy day tomorrow.

Positive Motivation

Another very full day today with another very early start. “Suited and booted” I attended an employment law update seminar at the offices of Trethowans, solicitors, in Salisbury. Despite the fact that it was a breakfast seminar, I resisted the temptation to partake of the sickly pastries but did succumb to a croissant with my cup of coffee. I met one of my former colleagues from Friends Provident at the seminar who is now working in HR for a charity dealing with problems of addiction which is based out in the wilds of rural Wiltshire. It was good to receive an update on such topics as age discrimination, paternity leave and pensions. I also had an opportunity to have a chat with Jon, the employment partner afterwards. Following the meeting, and as I was in Salisbury already, I spent an hour in the gym – my third visit this week. It is getting much easier to motivate myself to go there now. I have discovered that if I stop going I find it very hard to get the incentive to go again but if I keep going then it becomes a good habit. This afternoon, Sara went on her LPA training and I picked up Mary from school – walking there and back. Mary is never keen on walking but with the price of fuel, and the need to ensure that I get exercise (not to mention green issues); I try to walk locally whenever possible. Sara returned home just before 5 p.m. – in time for me to rush up to the Rectory for my meeting with Nils. As it happened, Nils had only just got home himself. We spent 45 minutes in a useful discussion. Tonight I felt quite exhausted and Sara and I had quite a long conversation about parenting skills with a teenage son and how our own characters and behaviours are likely to change as a result of the ministries we are likely to be called upon to fulfill in the future. I am so lucky to be married to Sara – a real soul mate who is prepared to expend all her positive energy to support others – especially her family. On a lighter note, I wonder whether that positive motivation will express itself in a weight loss tomorrow!

The Queen's (Mary's) Speech

Another busy day today. Sara went off after breakfast to Karen's (more Calendar business) leaving me to deal with some housework and office work - quite a few emails to write. On her return we went down to the gym together and spent an hour working out - this was my second trip in two days and so I felt quite fit - poor Sara, hasn't been there since May last year so really felt it! Afterwards we had a light lunch of tuna salad (me) and tuna pasta (Sara). Some more work this afternoon before Mary came home. This evening Mary was one of sixteen finalists in her school's speech competition - eight pupils from Years 3 & 4 and eight pupils from Years 5 & 6 (Mary is in Year 5). The parents were all present and we listened to sixteen excellent speeches - quite inspiring from 8-11 year olds with some very wide ranging topics. Mary's speech was on the topic of "What animal [she] would like to be"? She spoke with confidence and the speech was structured with tinges of humour and information. A really good effort. It also had originality over some of the other entrants. She was absolutely shocked, and we were absolutely delighted, when it was announced that she had won the Year 5 & 6 section - indeed, her speech had won over some excellent efforts from children a year older than her. I was, myself, very struck by the originality of her talk and felt she deserved her prize of a book token. Well done, Mez! We returned home quite elated. After a meal of king prawns and roasted vegetables, I met Klynn down at the Lion's Head where we spent nearly three hours discussing a whole range of topics including reviewing our own spiritual journeys (and I don't mean whisky or brandy on this occasion!) and analysing our life/work balances and futures.

Happy 14th Birthday Tom!

Up early this morning - Tom's 14th birthday today. It's frightening to think how quickly time has passed by - it seems such a short time ago since I saw him being born and the joy that event invoked! Now a tall "strompy" teenager! Just enough time this morning for him to open his presents (a Fifa '11 game from us, a trendy top from my sister and family, some chocolates and sweets from Mary, some money from my Mum and a token from Therese) before he needed to get off to school - another important day for him as he has to speak with his form tutor to discuss his GCSE choices. Sara went off this morning to have coffee with our friend Sue to discuss her calendar leaving me to deal with some office work. This afternoon I drove into Salisbury to bank some cheques and spend an hour in the gym. I parked at the leisure centre and walked into the city and back - so got quite a bit of exercise in. This evening we indulged ourselves with a Chinese takeaway - Tom's favourite - and Mum phoned in to wish him a happy birthday. He will be having some friends around next weekend and I've suggested and agreed that we will take one of his friends with us on Saturday to watch the Saints v. Carlisle league game.

Light, Salt and Sugar!

Again, I was the only member of the family to go to church this morning and after all the food last night at the Melksham dinner, thought I ought to walk there. I set off at a brisk pace and took the road rather than cut across the muddy fields. The service was taken by Elizabeth who used props in her sermon on the subject of "light and salt" from Matthew's Gospel (the Sermon on the Mount). An excellent presentation which included a plate of cold chips and a load of salt! The essence being that the quality rather than the quantity of our spirituality is important and that the church should not get hung up on numbers in church but the depth of the spirituality of those who are part of the Christian community. As the service was an All Age Eucharist it lasted only 55 minutes with a coffee and chatting afterwards lasting longer. Our friend Karryn attended and was disappointed that Sara was not there. However I am certain that she was made very welcome by those of us who spent a little time with her. This wasn't the only time today that Sara's absence was noted. This afternoon I went to a transport fayre at the Novotel Hotel in Southampton where our friends Dave and Sue had a stall displaying Royal Derby porcelain as used on the White Star liners. In fact, it was Sara who had got in contact with them to say we would meet up with them. Unfortunately, Sara felt compelled to stay at home and deal with some housework and so I attended on my own and Sue was disappointed not to see her and light-heartedly gave her some "stick" on the phone! I resisted the temptation to buy anything (there were some great books) other than a small Art-Deco style sugar bowl which had come from the P&O liner SS Oriana (the original ship of that name built in the 1960s) for £2! Tonight we had another roast pork dinner and I then joined James and Richard at the Lion's Head for a pint and a chat.

Breakfast and Dinner Out

Up early this morning and a brisk walk to Mike's for the Men's Breakfast meeting. A pleasant walk and a pleasant breakfast of sausages, bacon, eggs and tomatoes. The talk was less pleasant as we discussed the doom and gloom presented to the world by our diminishing resources and political instability in the Middle East. A brisk walk back home, via the newsagents for a paper, and then up to Barry's Field to watch Tom play football against Dummer. Tom played well during the first half but rather tired himself out for the second. They eventually won 4-3. Mary and Sara went into Salisbury this afternoon for her ballet and Tom and I stayed at home. I dealt with some correspondence and paid some bills. This evening Sara and I went to a "posh frocks" do at Melksham Assembly Hall (Wiltshire Provincial and Grand Officers' Dinner). A pleasant evening although the speeches were a little too long. Sara wasn't feeling too well when we got back - not sure if it was something she ate or just feeling under the weather. On the way up to Melksham we listened on the radio to the thrilling Peterborough United v. Saints game which ended in a 4-4 draw after three penalties! Saints were winning 3-4 right up until the final two minutes of extra time. They still have quite a bit of catch-up to do in order to get into the automatic promotion places.

Coffee in West Dean

A slightly more leisurely day than the previous ones this week. After the children had gone to school and I had written up my diary and read my devotionals, Sara and I drove over to West Dean to support Sophie and her coffee shop in St. Mary's Church. Unfortunately for Sophie, only one other person came along -this is such a shame seeing that Sophie has been working so hard to get the church better known in her community. I do hope she'll stick at it as, in my experience, it often takes a little while to get something like that established. We left her at around 11.30 a.m. and returned back home. Sara was working at the Lord Nelson this lunchtime. Whilst she was out I finished off working on the lecture for the lodge meeting in Brighton on Monday (which is to be delivered by the secretary and not me) by which time Tom was ready to be taken to football training at Sarum Academy. His training this evening was cut rather short as the cleaning staff had taken it upon themselves to clean the hall in advance of the boys arriving and so the floor was still wet and slippery - making it useless for them to train properly without the fear of injury! I suspect the staff decided to do the cleaning early so they could push off earlier for the weekend! Back home, I ate a light choices prawn curry and watched some comedy on TV. I went to bed quite early this evening feeling quite exhausted. It's been quite a week and tomorrow Sara and I will be out late attending a formal dinner in Melksham - the other end of the county. I need my sleep!

Mr Blobby!

I'm afraid that today didn't start all that well as our trip to Fat Fighters' this morning resulted in a revelation that I had put on half a pound this week - the first week in eleven that I hadn't lost any weight but had actually put some on! Not sure why this was the case other than the fact that I think I've been a bit relaxed this last week and perhaps over-estimated the number of activity points which I have earned - allowing myself to over indulge because I thought I was burning off more fat than I actually was. Also, as I am now looking much slimmer my weight loss is perhaps slowing down anyway. Sara, bless her, had lost one and a half pounds so she was delighted that for the first time in eleven weeks she had beaten me on the weight-loss stakes! I must redress this next week as I am so close to having lost a full two stones - my halfway point! Feeling a bit depressed and like Mr. Blobby this morning. We didn't stay very long and after a cup of black coffee each we returned home. Sara had a luncheon appointment with friends (a traditional Israeli lunch apparently) and I had to drive down to Dorchester for a very important meeting. My trip to Dorchester successfully accomplished, I returned home at around 6 p.m. giving myself just enough time to scramble together the semblance of a study of the Book of Amos for tonight's house group. It was well attended tonight with seven of us - a nice number - and we read through Amos before discussing its relevance to today's world. The situation in Egypt today is worsening as eight people have now been killed in the protests against Mubarak and his regime and the fear of a de-stabilising of the country so close to the Israeli border. The world watches and waits.

Sara's Calendar takes "Shape"

I didn't get up too early this morning and let Sara organise Tom's breakfast and bring me tea in bed. I used this quiet period to read my devotionals and reflect. I was up, however, in time to take Mary to school and when I got back I had a breakfast of coffee and grapefruit. Sara went off to Morning Star just before 9.30 a.m. and I left shortly afterwards to attend the Mid-Week Eucharist at St. John's. I felt a great urge to go and so glad that I did as the homily given by Nils really hit the mark for me today and I am sure I was meant to hear it. In fact the service was very well attended for a mid-week Eucharist. I returned home to have a coffee and prepare the paperwork for this evening's lodge meeting - recording the apologies received and checking and printing enough agendas etc. I then was just leaving for Warminster (to pick up my altered undress regalia for tonight's meeting) as Sara returned from Morning Star - much later than normal. Apparently there had been much to do there this morning and the leaders there had also called upon Sara's professional advice in the employment field. I managed to get over to Warminster and back within two hours and pick up my altered apron. I walked to school, after my return, to escort Mary back home. She was in a right "strompy" mood (a lovely word I picked up from Lucy at church in Whiteparish on Sunday - cross between stroppy and grumpy!) and I was quite glad when Sara returned at 5.oo p.m. from her LPA training session. At 5.30 p.m. I set off for Salisbury to attend my lodge meeting which went very successfully. Sara had 19 ladies here tonight to discuss her "Winterslow Calendar" and I gather gleaned some great marketing and production ideas. A big day for me tomorrow so must get my head down. Sara is currently putting together a blog site for her Calendar Girls idea as I write this up. Now how is that for true outreach!

Golf at Hamptworthy

Another long day today. Following my long day and evening in Brighton yesterday, I was up early today at 6.00 a.m. so only had about 5 hours in bed. I put all my golf equipment in the car and then drove off to attend a business networking breakfast at the Grasmere Hotel where the Ambassadors' members met members of another networking group. I managed to chat to some new people - a photographer who lives very close to us and also a recruitment agent for whom we might get some employment law work. Sara joined us towards the end for a meeting with on of the Ambassadors' members to see if she might be able to do some occupational psychology work for him. I changed from my business suit into my golfing clobber and then set off for Hamptworthy Golf and Country Club to play a round of golf with Brian and Kevin - two former works colleagues. I found the course quite tough going - in places it was quite wet and muddy with plenty of water hazards and trees. It is quite an undulating course and bearing in mind I hadn't played since the States was not at all surprised. Both Kevin and Brian are immense hitters - easily driving 300 yards or more whereas I struggle to get it as far as 200 yards. In most cases they could get to the green in one or two shots less than me but I did manage to out-put them on one or two occasions to make the score not quite so humiliating. I really must use my voucher for some lessons and analyse my swing. It was a long course too - I reckon we walked some five and half miles in just under four and a half hours. Certainly earned a lot of activity points today - so much so that after a nice muscle-ease bath and a short nap, I bought the family a Chinese take-away tonight. I have plenty of pro-points available to use before my next Fat Fighters' Weigh-In on Thursday. Think I'll have a mini bottle of wine tonight too!