All Hallows Eve

First full day back home after our holiday.  Had a really good night's sleep and didn't get out of bed until 8.30 a.m.  Both children went off to school leaving Sara and I to tidy up and start the process of the massive unpacking of the cases and washing.  Spent the whole of the day at home until this evening.  Dealt with some of my mountain of mail and essential emails but generally had a work-free day.  I have a potential new client in Oxford through an old university friend and so the work continues to pile up.  In view of our wonderful holiday in The Bahamas we now need to begin the process of saving up for next year's visit as the consensus is that the family want to go again.  Being Halloween Night (All Hallows) we were subjected to some "trick n' treating" but it was all in the best possible taste and we had a visit from Marc and Natasha with their three youngest - none of whom I recognised at the door as I hadn't seen my grand-nephews dressed as ghouls and vampires before!  Tonight I attended college where the tutorial group continued the study of theological reflection.  One minute I feel that I understand it and then the next I feel darkness descend on me!  Others feel the same so that makes me feel less stupid.  One good thought coming out of tonight was to keep a more reflective diary as well as this blog - something I would do in handwriting I think - and much shorter.  It would, by its very nature, have to be a very private document dealing, as it would, with my more inner thoughts and reflections.  Busy day tomorrow with work first thing, a meeting in Salisbury at 11 a.m. and then a dash along the coast to Brighton for a meeting tomorrow night.

Back in England

Our flight back to London Heathrow left on time last night and we spent the night an morning flying across the Atlantic to arrive at Heathrow at 9.30 a.m.  By the time we had got off the plane, gone through immigration and baggage reclaim we finally left the airport at around 11 a.m. catching the Hotel Hoppa Bus back to the Premier Inn where our car was waiting.  Just along the road from our hotel we saw the harrowing sight of paramedics trying to revive a pedestrian who clearly had collapsed with a heart attack.  It makes one realise how enjoyment and tragedy can be so close and you never know when your own time might be up.  We drove back along the M4 and A34 to Andover to stop off at Tesco's to buy essential groceries.  I was really incredibly tired when we arrived home - despite having slept a little bit more than usual on the return flight - but didn't actually go to bed preferring to doze in front of the TV.  Sara went to bed until 7.00 p.m. whereas Mary and I watched some TV.  Tom went to bed but I suspect also indulged in some gaming.  The BT broadband is down and I will need to look at that in the morning - fortunately we still have Complex's Orange connection which we keep as a back-up.  Sara and I watched a few Steptoe & Son episodes before we finally went to bed - totally exhausted.

A day on the Exumas

Today was the true highlight of the holiday - the long-awaited and postponed powerboat trip out to the Exuma Cays - some 40 miles distant from New Providence Island.  We had a really early start this morning, finished our packing and breakfasted on the leftovers in the fridge.  I checked us out of our apartment at 8 a.m. and had all our luggage safely stowed away in Harborside's security room.  We then set off for Paradise Island Ferry Terminal to join the powerboat to take us out to Ship Channel Cay and also Allen's Cay.  We set off on time at 9.30 a.m. and motored under the Paradise Island Bridge of 1969 and out to the western tip of Paradise Island from where we powered up and started to zoom out into the ocean at full throttle.  The wind blew hard in our faces as we motored along until suddenly the boat stopped - engine problems - a clip for the coolant hose had come adrift and there was danger of the engine overheating so for 30 minutes we continued on our way at a slow 10 knots or so until, finally, it was fixed and we were on our way again.  First stop Allen's Cay to feed the iguanas.  The sun was baking hot on our back but the cays were extraordinarily beautiful - a real picture from the front cover of a travel brochure - azure seas, white coral beaches and green vegetation.  After a twenty minute stop we then powered along the cays (Miami Vice style with the theme tune played loudly over the sound system) until we pulled into Ship Channel Cay where we were greeted by a friend of Trish's - Mona who looked after us during our stay on this private island.  Here we enjoyed snorkling over the reef, shark feeding and were also able, ourselves, to feed the giant stingrays.  We enjoyed an excellent lunch of sneak, grouper, green beans and spaghetti.  Beers and cocktails were "on tap" and it would have been quite easy to get roaring drunk.  I explored the island a little which seemed to be covered with lizards. Our time on the island was all too short but it did give us an opportunity of enjoying a taste of the out islands and a slower and simpler way of life.  Back at Paradise Island, we changed and then after an ice cream in the Marina Village, before being taken by a Lincoln limousine to the airport for our flight back to London.  The end of another fantastic week in the Bahamas.

Last Day at Atlantis

Our last full day at Atlantis and so we decided to spend it at the resort to allow everybody to indulge themselves on the water rides for the last time.  I was determined to fulfill my ambition of riding every slide at the resort in one visit and so today I took the Rapids, the Abyss, the Drop, the Serpent, the Challenger, the Jungle Slide and last, but not least, the Leap of Faith!  I had already done the Falls and the Surge previously.  Now I've done the lot!  Sara did the Serpent and the Jungle Slide but resisted all the others.  Mary and I also went to bingo in the Atlantic theatre and I won a wooden solitaire game with Atlantis engraved on its side.  Tonight we began our packing and last minute souvenir shopping before taking a taxi to the Fish Fry on Arawak Cay for cracked lobster, ribs, grouper and snapper - all traditional Bahamian dishes.  We got back in time to watch the end of the seventh and final World Series Game which was won by St. Louis Cardinals, 6-2 and meant a 4-3 series win.  Well done the Cardinals whom Tom and I were hoping would win.

Holy Communion in Nassau Cathedral

The weather was back up to the usual high humid temperature today for the Bahamas.  After a leisurely morning in bed, went swimming in the local pool and ate breakfast.  I went into Nassau on the ferry (the cost of which has risen from $3 to $4 in the last two days) and was given passage on a rather smart glass bottom boat instead of the usual rather dubious looking ferryboat.  Arriving in Nassau, the weather was extremely hot as I walked up to Bay Street and then along to MacDonald's for a nice cold Bounty McFlurry!  Having finished that it was time to go up to Christ Church Cathedral, the Anglican cathedral in the centre of downtown Nassau, where I attended Mid-Week Holy Communion conducted by Rvd. Father Colin Hume, the Vicar Priest of Nassau.  There were only three of us in attendance and I was the only white person.  I nearly found myself having to read the intercessions but I left it to rather smart young parishioner who was clearly a regular attender.  The service was held in a side chapel and it was taken from the Book of Common Worship as re-written for the West Indies.   I had a lovely chat with Father Hume after the service.  Back in the sunshine of Bay Street, I visited a pharmacy to get medication for Sara's toothache and my midge bites which are becoming quite irritating.  I also visited Colombian Emeralds to buy Sara a matching set of earrings and pendant for her topaz ring bought last time we were out. I returned to Paradise Island on an overcrowded ferry where I witnessed four Carnival cruise ships in harbour - Carnival Glory and Carnival Conquest (sisters),  Carnival Pride and my old friend Carnival Fascination (a ship I had seen arriving in Southampton from the builders for her naming ceremony and maiden voyage in 1995). Norwegian Sun was also in making it five massive liners in all together. Back at Atlantis, after checking that our powerboat ride would definitely be going on Saturday, I went to find the family which involved my attending the bingo in the theatre.  They were not there - nor could I find them by the poolside.  I therefore returned to the apartment and watched some TV.  This evening we went to Murray's Deli in the Marina for dinner and then back to watch the most thrilling baseball game I can ever remember seeing.  St. Louis Cardinals managed to win after 11 innings and after Texas had been only one strike away from clinching the title.  More baseball tonight in the big final game.

Powerboat trip postponed

Woke up early this morning as we needed to be up and ready to join the Powerboat Adventure at 8.45 a.m. at the Ferry Terminal.  Around 7 a.m. we received a phone call to say that the trip had been cancelled due to the approach of a tropical storm which seemed to be part of the Hurricane Rina weather front.  Really disappointed especially as we were told that any postponement was now not likely to go until Saturday - our last day.  Sara and I had a quick conference and decided to book the Saturday trip in the hope that we be able to get it in before we fly back.  Instead of going down to the Exumas we spent the day in the pools and on the slides at Atlantis.  This afternoon we attended the bingo session and Mary won yet another Atlantis cup.  Tonight we ate in the apartment and watched the Weather Channel which screened a programme about weather events which changed history - the Chicago Big Freeze of 2011 and the Delta 191 plane disaster in 1985.

A day in Nassau

The weather was hotter and drier today although it did remain overcast for most of the day.  After breakfast I caught the ferry into Nassau where I attended lawyers near Government House to execute some documents in connection with a probate estate I am currently dealing with as an executor.  After that meeting I met up with the rest of the family at the Straw Market.  We had a cold drink in Burger King and then walked up to the Queen's Steps and Fort Fincastle for the fantastic view over New Providence and Paradise Island.  After stopping off at the GPO to post cards, we walked back down into Bay Street for lunch and then caught the ferry back.  This afternoon I felt really poorly - headache and stuffed up nose and sore throat.  Decided to go to bed this afternoon and shake off the illness.  Tomorrow we have an early start as we are due to go out to the Exumas on a power boat.  Tonight the weather forecast is not too goo - Hurricane Rina is going to hit Mexico and a tropical storm is predicted for The Bahamas.  We also heard from Sara's brother Adam that his house in Thailand has been severely flooded.  What is with this weather at the moment!  Watched a programme on tornado chasing this evening as there is no baseball on tonight.  Also followed Southampton's fourth round tie against Crystal Palace in the Carling Cup.  a 2-0 defeat for Saints - an unusual occurrence at the moment.

Tropical Rain Storm in the Bahamas

Very unusual weather here in the Bahamas today.  The day started off quite warm but with threatening clouds throughout the morning.  Sara and Tom went down to the Atlantis resort ahead of Mary and me and we followed on about half an hour later.  I have the beginnings of a nasty head cold caused, no doubt, by the air conditioning and warm muggy weather.  About 2 p.m. the heavens opened and we were subjected to a torrential tropical rain storm which continued for about 5 hours and the temperature turned really chilly. We were walking through deep puddles back to the hotel reception. We regained our apartment like drowned rats and I warmed myself up with a Canadian Club whisky.  Time for a siesta this afternoon and I read something of my novel instead of my theological text books - after all, I certainly need some relaxation.  I also had to deal with some work for both of my Surrey clients.  Tonight I cooked spaghetti bolognaise and watched Game 5 of the World Series - a fantastic game which resulted in another narrow win for the Texas Rangers (4-2).

First full day at Atlantis

First full day on Paradise Island.  Went for an early morning swim with Mary in the local pool and then after a breakfast of hot dogs, Sara and Tom caught the courtesy bus on to New Providence Island to do some grocery shopping for the week.  On their return, Sara, Tom and Mary went over to the Atlantis Resort for the rest of the day and I joined them half an hour later after I had posted the blog and dealt with some emails.  We spent most of the day today in and around the resort enjoying the pools and slides including a ride down the Abyss and a couple of circuits of the Raging Rapids.  A bit of excitement for Mary and me when the long conveyor taking the rings up to the top of the Power Tower stopped and we had to walk up the slope with our rings - quite a height!  Once at the top (which took us about twenty minutes or so) we discovered that the water had stopped flowing and we would either have to walk down all the steps or take the quick way back by dropping down The Abyss.  We chose the latter!  Tonight we ate rather stringy chicken bought from the supermarket this morning and had an early night.  I watched Game 4 of the World Series with a 4-0 win to the Texas Rangers who have now squared the series.  I also quickly phoned Mum using Skype.

Across the Atlantic

Up early this morning with just a cup of tea and no breakfast.  We caught the 7.15 am bus from the hotel to Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport.  All went smoothly although we needn't have rushed as our flight to Nassau was delayed by 30 minutes - could have had another 30 mins. in bed I guess.  Everything went smoothly at the airport and we took off on time (or rather on time at the amended delayed time) and had a really smooth journey across in our British Airways Boeing 767 with a fantastic view of the island of Bermuda in brilliant sunshine as we passed by.  We arrived at Nassau at 3.15 p.m. their time and descended in the thickest cloud I've ever known only seeing the island of New Providence a matter of a minute or two before landing.  We were through immigration and baggage reclaim in a matter of about 30 minutes and it was good to be back.  The weather was warm and muggy but not unbearably hot with a pleasant breeze blowing.  There is an Island Festival on at Arakwak Cay and area this weekend so the traffic was particularly bad through downtown Nassau.  We arrived at our apartment at around 4.30 p.m. and it took about half an hour to check in and another hour getting settled.  We went out to Anthony's tonight for a meal - the prices seem to have gone up or perhaps its just the dollar/pound which doesn't make it so good.  We enjoyed a stroll around the floodlit Atlantis gardens and lakes.  The sights, sounds and smells brought back lovely memories and we were so glad to be back.  Looking forward to a restful week after so many hectic ones lately.  Went to bed about 10.30 p.m. tonight and watched some of the World Series semi-final (Texas Rangers v. St. Louis Cardinals).  A win for the Cardinals tonight.

A hectic Trafalagar Day

Trafalgar Day and a incredibly hectic day today.  Sara and I both attended the Ambassadors' Breakfast Club this morning which was a special event for visitors and which was addressed by John Glen MP.  Sara had a small table in the corner of the room on which to sell Calendars.  Mary also came along and had breakfast with us.  Following this event, we then all three of us went to the Rockbourne Fair at Salisbury Racecourse to deliver the Calendars and wait for Bella from the shop to come and run the stall there.  I left Sara and Mary for an hour whilst I went into the city centre to do some essential shopping and banking.  We went home after this via Tesco's and I dealt with last minute mail before driving over to Great Wishford for my first meeting with my LLM Mentoring Group.  I was rather concerned when I arrived as my fuel indicator suggested that I was about to run out of fuel any minute and the nearest service station was some three miles away.  The meeting went well but left me realising just how much work I will be required to do before the end of this term and I am still unclear of how to put my assignments together.  I will have to give this a great deal of thought whilst I am on holiday.  I managed to top up the car with fuel before it completely ran out and got home about 4.30 p.m.  It was then frantic last minute packing before we left for our London hotel at just after 6.30 p.m. arriving at the hotel at around 8.15 p.m.  Fortunately we had a good run on the motorway.  We ate in the hotel tonight and went to bed around 10.30 p.m. hoping to have a reasonable night before getting up at 6 a.m. tomorrow.

Some new baggage

An incredibly busy day today finalising quite a bit of Complex work before we go off on holiday.  Sara was off again to the Rockbourne Fayre with her Calendars and Mary stayed with me.  After dealing with some essential paperwork this morning, Mary and I went into Salisbury where I banked some more Calendar money (£230) and went and got some US dollars from the Bureau de Change at Marks and Spencer.  After this, Mary and I enjoyed a hot chocolate (one was free!) at Cafe Nero where we spent the time reading our books over the excellent chocolate.  We met up with Sara at Argos in Southampton Road and then had lunch together at Tesco's where we noticed that the apostrophe was being used for "pizza's" instead of pizzas.  This is really a bugbear of both Sara and myself.  We bought some new luggage for our trip as our current cases are beginning to fall apart after so many crossings of the Atlantic. This afternoon it was back working again to exchange some vital documents and also to deal with some issues for my Bahamian clients.  Tonight I attended a very interesting Deanery Synod meeting to discuss the new proposed Anglican Covenant.  Still need to pack.  Another extremely busy day tomorrow with a meeting with my university portfolio mentor before we dash off to Heathrow.

A day in the office

An unusual day today in that I didn't venture any more than 50 yards from the house - and that simply to post some letters across the road.  At least I saved on expensive car fuel by not going anywhere.  In fact I spent the whole day and evening, or most of it, on Complex work as we have to exchange witness statements on a case tomorrow and I also needed to make an application for a postponement of a hearing on another case.  Sara went to the racecourse for most of the day where the Rockbourne Fair was being held.  The Calendar Girls raised another £150 or so.  The balance is slowly rising all the time.  Not a huge amount to write about today as much is connected with confidential client matters.  Mary is at home (school having finished) and so spent quiter a bit of time with Sara.  I am really looking forward to the break coming up.  I seem to be much busier than I can ever remember.  I know I have said this before but "retirement" is certainly not a word I would chose to describe my current situation.  Its good to be busy although sometimes I wish I could stop for an hour or two to watch a bit of mindless TV.  As I write this I know that I must read some more of my text book tonight.  The weahtter is turning really cold now so a week in the tropics will do just nicely.  I am anxious, though, to make sure that I have completed all the work task I need to before gonig away.  Just like old times except there is no assistant to mind the shop this time.

Saints go five points clear - Adkins smiles

Up at 4.00 a.m. this morning to take Adam to Andover to catch the first train to London.  We arrived at Andover at 5.00 a.m. to find that Adam had given me the times of trains from Grateley rather than Andover so we had about half an hour to wait for the train to arrive.  It is getting quite chilly now with the damp atmosphere and I was glad when the train eventually came and Adam was safely on his way back to London.  On my return home I had a mug of coffee and then snoozed for a couple of hours before spending the morning working.  This afternoon I drove into Salisbury and banked another £500 of Calendar money - mostly from shop sales and sales from one of the girls, Lisa.  A wonderful evening tonight - Mary spent the night at Sophie's following her flute lesson and Tom and I went to Southampton to watch the Saints play West Ham in a record-breaking attendance of 32,150 at St. Mary's Stadium.  A win by West Ham tonight would have put them on top but a win by Saints could mean a five point lead at the top if the other results went our way.  They did!  A fantastic atmosphere tonight - every seat filled and a long queue for our chippie!  Like the good old days when we were in the Premiership.  With a win against West Ham, Saints have proved that they are capable of beating any team in this League.  The future is bright - the future is red and white stripes!

Adam's brief visit

Sara's brother Adam, arrived today from London where he is currently accompanying 12 Thai children on a visit as part of their studies.  Unfortunately his wife Lin was unable to accompany him as she is currently wheelchair-bound following an accident in Thailand involving the falling out of a tree!  After working this morning, I drove into Andover where I banked another £300 or so for the Calendar as well as attending to some other business banking.  I picked Adam up at Andover railway station and we drove back to Winterslow in time to pick up Mary from school.  She was thrilled to see her Uncle Adam whom she regards as "cool".  We had tea back home and a chat.  I had to get on with some more work as I now have two employment tribunal hearings to deal with immediately I return from holiday.  This evening we all joined Natasha and her family at the Hampton Inn for a meal.  I enjoyed a curry before having to leave them early to attend my weekly tutorial at the Diocesan Education Centre - the fourth in my first module which involved reflecting on a piece of scripture (Luke 5:27-32 - Levi's feast) where we had to get "into role" and discuss the piece from the point of view of one of the participants.  My role was as the local rabbi.  A interesting and enjoyable exercise which made it clear to me how difficult it is to argue against my faith.  I now have to start preparing for my assignments.  Adam is returning to London on the 5.30 a.m. train tomorrow so I need to be up at 4.30 a.m.!  Despite that didn't get to bed until about 12.30 a.m.

Sunday spent "catching-up"

I decided to go to early Morning Eucharist at East Grimstead this morning which would then leave me clear during the morning to deal with some urgent and important work and bill paying which I hadn't done yesterday due to my tiredness.  Tom remained at home this morning catching up on homework whilst Sara and Mary went to All Saints.  Today I managed to get quite a bit done including filing an Annual Return for Complex Services Limited, completing and submitting passport details to British Airways for our forthcoming flight to Nassau; paying the final bills for our extension and other work connected with my ministry study.  This evening I attend sung Evensong at Farley where I gave the Old Testament Reading (Proverbs 4:1-18)  After a late supper of roast chicken I phoned Mum who is still feeling in much pain after her fall in York.  Not sure what we can do other than for her to keep seeing the medics.   I later met up with Richard in the Lion's Head for a couple of pints and a catch-up.

Changes of Plan

Today certainly did not turn out completely as expected.  I awoke quite early and woke Tom up for his early morning paper round.  Tom and I, after breakfast, drove in convoy to the village of Compton just south of Winchester where Clarendon Juniors were taking on Compton Youth (league winners for the past four years).  Clarendon lost 2-3 but played really well.  some of the Compton Under 15s looked to be in their late teens/early twenties and made our players look quite diminutive.  Tom played really well on both wings and nearly scored a goal himself.  We were due to pick up Adam and Lin from Grateley Station at 2 p.m. today but I received a phone call from Sara whilst Tom and I were munching on fish and chips in a Winchester park to say that they would now require picking up from Basingstoke because of engineering works on the line and the fact that the replacement buses could not take Lin's wheelchair.  I do find this surprising as all buses are now supposed to be adapted for wheelchair users. Sara phoned again to say that they had decided not to come down at all today but would postpone their visit until Monday.  This means that the planned meal with Natasha and family in Salisbury will also have to be postponed until Monday evening which is a pity as I have an important tutorial that evening and will not be able to attend.  Tom and I then went back home and watched and listened to the afternoon's football.  An important match for Saints away to Derby which result in a 1-1 draw.  Middlesbrough also drew 1-1 which meant that Southampton remain on top of the Championship still with two points over second-place West Ham.  We play West Ham on Tuesday night so we are in for a really exciting game.  Can't wait!  Feeling really tired tonight but forced myself to prepare and send out all the summonses and agendas for Sarum's meeting on the 2nd November.

More money from the Calendar

A day without any formal appointments.  I attended Morning Prayer (the Daily Office) at All Saints with Nils, Andrew and Judith before returning home for welcomed bacon butty.  Sara was out selling Calendars at Salisbury Hospital this morning with Sarah McC until lunchtime when she worked at the Lord Nelson.  I worked at home this morning on a couple of cases and went into Salisbury to deliver some papers to a firm of solicitors in the city centre. After calling in briefly at the Lord Nelson and home I drove up to Andover to bank some more Calendar money (over £600) and to discuss with the bank staff the sale of Calendars to their staff.  We have now collected over £7,000  for the Breast Cancer charity. An amazing achievement.  I enjoyed a cup of coffee at Cafe Nero before returning home.  This evening I continued to catch up on some masonic and church paperwork. I cooked a meal for the children (fish and chips) and also a meal for Sara and me (salmon and prawns in a garlic and herb sauce with boiled potatoes and peas).  Feeling really tired knowing that we have another busy day tomorrow with Adam and Lin visiting us and a dinner with the extended family (Natasha and family) at the Hampton Inn in Salisbury.  grilled salmon and prawns with garlic and herbs, boiled potatoes and peas.  Tom is playing football near Winchester tomorrow which means I shall be out with him for the whole morning.  Saints are playing away at Derby tomorrow.  A win there would be a fantastic result.  I have a confident feeling that they are going to make the Premier League this season.

Housework and House Group

A day without any appointments at last - except for the House Group this evening.  Thursdays have now been designated our "day off" and so Sara and I decided to use it to clean and tidy the house - first of all completing the construction of Mary's desk/dressing table which Sara had succeeded in putting together other than the last few pieces which entailed fitting the top on the pedestals, adjusting the door on one of these and fitting the drawers on the other.  This required some "spacial awareness" to understand IKEA's diagrams.  I was pleased to be able to complete the task using proper tools and now Mary has a usable desk.  Sara and I cleaned our bedroom in preparation for the visit of her brother Adam and sister-in-law Lin, who should be arriving for one night on Saturday afternoon. Unfortunately because of the need to look after the children in their care from Thailand their time with us is now severely restricted and they will have to return on a very early train on Sunday morning.  So we will hardly see them.  We still hope to meet up with Natasha and her family for an evening meal at the Hampton Inn in Salisbury. I also, today, washed all the windows outside and cleaned some of the fascia boards at the same time.  It was quite hot at the rear of the house today and we seem to be experiencing a real Indian summer.  Tonight we had a small number of House Group - six of us - and we continued our exploration of Hebrews.  We also reflected on how useful people found house groups and whether the style I have adopted meets their needs.  This reflection will be very useful for my LLM module.  Sara attended Test Vallet School this evening with Thomas to discuss the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and work experience placements - both of which will take place this academic year.

An Ecclestiastical Day

Another very busy day today with back to back meetings for most of it.  After the children had gone to school I had telephone conferences with two of my clients which lasted about half an hour and then attended Mid-Week Eucharist at St. John's.  This was immediately followed by a Full Team Staff meeting which last until 1 p.m. followed by another meeting with the clergy to discuss possible alteration to the Morning Worship service on a Sunday.  This was held in the Lord Nelson pub where we also enjoyed a late lunch cooked by Roger.  I think that Roger was quite surprised to see a party of clerics and their "acolytes" - myself included, especially as the pub was empty when we arrived and I think he had probably let the cook go!  Still he did well out of six meals and drinks and a few others came in afterwards - no doubt seeing the cars in the car park.  This afternoon I dealt with some more work before driving Mary to Godolphin School for some art and craft activities with the brownies.  Mary had forgotten about tonight's meeting being at Godolphin and I had to drive her up there late.  I then went on to Sarum College to use the library there before attending my last LWL course session which was rather an academic exercise as I shall not be commissioned because of my training for licensed lay ministry. Afterwards all those on the LWL course from the Clarendon Team met up at Mandy's for wine and nibbles.  Richard also joined us and we all had a very pleasant evening chatting over a glass or two of excellent red wine.

Reflections

I was up early again this morning after a short night's sleep.  Sara was not feeling too good this morning - aching after all her work in putting together Mary's desk/table.  I left Sara in bed and sorted out the children and took Mary to school in the car.  I had an early morning telephone meeting with clients to attend before I drove up to Andover and banked a further £790 for the Calendar - having raised another £80 myself of that total last night at my Installation meeting in Brighton.  After visiting the bank in Andover I drove to Amesbury to meet up with Ashley, my fellow LLM student, where we met at the Holiday Inn for a couple of hours over coffee to go through last night's tutorial and gave each other much moral and actual support for our studies.  We both find the same things taxing and it is really good to have the support and encouragement of a like mind.  We discussed the finer points of theological reflection and learning styles.  I drove back to Winterslow, made cheese and toast for Sara and myself before going to the Rectory for an hour and a half meeting with Nils my incumbent to discuss matters of my ministry formation and academic assignments.  We have agreed, in principle, for me to start preaching very soon - probably at an LWL/Evensong.  This will be my very first test in proper public ministry.  Sara is still not feeling too good this evening and I am feeling quite tired with another full day tomorrow.  I went over to Sophie's tonight to pick up Mary from her flute lesson.  She is doing really well at the flute and, unlike Tom, has a love of classical music already.  Think I will have an early night and read a few more pages of my theological text book.  I must also start writing up a spiritual journal which will be a private note of matters upon which I have reflected during the day.  I need to think differently in my ministry formation and be much more reflective.

Installed as Master of Brighton & Hove Civic Lodge for the Second Time

A busy and long day again today.  Although it would have been really enjoyable to have a lie in today after the busy weekend, I had much to do.  I spent the morning in the study reading and dealing with correspondence which had accumulated over the weekend and at lunchtime Sara went to have lunch with our friend Jan.  John H called at just before 2 pm to pick me up in his Audi and drive me over the Brighton to attend the meeting of Brighton & Hove Civic Lodge at which I was to be installed as Worshipful Master for 2011-2012.  I navigated him on to the M27 and then spent the journey learning my words for the obligation and investiture of my officers.  I must confess to closing my eyes for a short while to help me concentrate on the words and then waking up with a start on the Chichester by-pass!  So unlike me to fall asleep in a car!  We arrived in Brighton quite early and so I took John on a guided tour of the city including a drive along the seafront to the Marina.  The meeting went very well with Maurice Adams, the Provincial Grand Secretary for Sussex, attending a presiding officer.  A lovely man and a very good companion over dinner.  I did struggle a little with my obligation but was word perfect when it came to my second obligation in the Inner Working.  I also chose to extemporise a bit in the investing of my officers deeming sincerity and a flowing oration as being far more important that being word perfect from the book.  I think this came across well from some of the comments I received afterwards.  It was very much a low key affair from when I had been installed the first time in 1994.  Then, there were far more brethren in the lodge and my then father-in-law had attended from Middlesbrough. That visit to Brighton was also the last time I saw him alive too.  Tonight there was less pomp and I enjoyed the increased informality and sincerity of the speeches.  A lovely evening.  John managed to get me back home for 12.30 a.m. but I found it difficult to get to sleep.  I watched a "B" move starring Klaus Kinsi (of fame) called Commando Leopard about a revolution in an unnamed Latin American country with Kinsi playing the part of a general in the army of an oppressive dictator.  Eventually went to bed about 2.30 a.m.

Signing of my Training Contract/Lay Ministry Admissisons at Salisbury Cathedral

A very long and busy day today - Sundays now seem to be our busiest day of the week!  Tom was up early to undertake his paper round with Sara driving him up to the shop to do the "inserts" and collect the newspapers for his round.  This morning, Sara, Mary and I went to Alderbury Church to attend the special Team service where Andrew signed his declaration as the new assistant curate and then went on to preach and I signed my training contract in front of the combined team congregation.  It was a long but lovely service.  After coffee at the back of the church, Sara and Mary went back home separately and I drove into Salisbury.  I spoke briefly to Mum on the phone as this would be the only time today when I would have any free time.  I attended the lunch and annual meeting of Lay Ministers at Sarum College and then went across to the cathedral to attend the admission and licensing ceremony of lay minsters.  Another long and majestic ceremony with two bishops in attendance - the Bishop of Sherborne and the Bishop of Sodor and Man who also preached.  Both in his sermon and at the lay ministers' meeting he emphasised the importance and difference between lay ministry and ordained ministry and at the meeting had expressed some concern at the two often being confused by not only the public but also the clergy themselves.  The importance of lay ministry that it should remain as a fresh expression of the church "on the fringes" between church and the world.  Too many lay ministers are too deeply in the church psyche and should retain close contacts with the outside world - in the pub, in the office, at the football stadium etc etc. echoing my own thoughts.  After the ceremony, at which our own Debbie was admitted and licensed, a group of us from the Clarendon Team joined her and family and friends for a splendid tapas buffet at La Mollina.  Tonight Richard and I ran the pub quiz at the Lion's Head back here in Winterslow in aid of the Calendar Girls Stars Appeal charity.  I am delighted to report that we raised another £106 tonight - another amazing achievement.  The Calendar must now be approaching £7,000 in money raised for the breast cancer unit at Salisbury Hospital.  Incredibly tired tonight.  I have another extremely busy three days ahead too.

Andrew's Ordination

A big day in Salisbury Cathedral today - the ordination of deacons including our own curate Andrew.  Sara left home early to run a Calendar Girls stall in Salisbury Market and took Mary into the city with me on the Park & Ride bus dropping her off at the market and then going on to the cathedral where I joined Gill and others from the Clarendon Team in supporting Andrew.  What a moving ceremony - the cathedral was full and the clergy were turned out in all their fine vestments with the Bishop of Sherborne bringing up the rear of a very long procession as we sang the wonderful hymn "O for a thousand tongues to sing" by Charles Wesley.  This is used at the commencement of most ordination services and I really do hope it will be used at my own licensing service in the cathedral in two year's time.  A really lovely and spiritually uplifting ceremony which meant a great deal to me.  The sermon was given by Jane Charman who was one of my intense interviewers during my selection conference and is Director of Discipleship for Learning and Ministry. She spoke about the historic and current role of deacons in a most enlightening and at times entertaining way.  I will be very interested to see how this service compares to the licensing service tomorrow.  Although the cathedral is a vast place, communion was administered to me in the cathedral by Nils and Andrew.  A lovely touch fro which I felt blessed.  After the service I joined Sara for a short time on her stall.  She took about £200 today for the breast cancer fund plus whatever people also put in the collecting boxes.  Tonight Tom has a friend, Doug, staying over and we shared an Indian ready meal from Tesco's.  Another big day tomorrow with the public signing of my ministry training contract before the congregation at Alderbury at the Team Service and then a lunch at Sarum College for LLMs and trainee LLMs followed by Debbie's licensing ceremony in the cathedral.

A profitable day

I was up very early this morning and after a shower and ironing a shirt, I set off for this morning's meeting of the Ambassadors' Business breakfast club.  I gave a short talk on the success of the Calendar and was greeted with some heart-felt applause when I announced the Calendar had already raised some £6,000 for the breast cancer fund of the Stars Appeal at Salisbury Hospital.  Today Sara had a stall at the hospital and I believe another £150 was raised there and with a market stall in the centre of Salisbury tomorrow we can expect some more money.  I stopped off to see Natasha and Mark whilst in Salisbury and had a cup of coffee with them.  So nice to have an extended family now in Salisbury.  Nice for them as well as us.  I drove into Andover at lunchtime to bank some £1,000 for the Calendar as well as to do some of my own banking and shopping.  The bank are also interested in taking some Calendars for their staff so I have promised to go back in next week when I bank the next load of money.  A very busy week next week with a trip to Brighton on Monday and also some essential work schedules to meet.   I spent the afternoon catching up on some work and writing one of my articles for the next parish magazine.  I also engrossed my training contract for signing before the congregation at the Team Service on Sunday.  Still quite a few paper tasks to complete but I think I will now have an early night and tackle some of these when I'm fresh in the morning. 

Provincial Grand Lodge of Wiltshire Annual Meeting

Coat of Arms of the Provincial Grand  Lodge of Wiltshire

I took Mary to school again this morning and on my return Richard joined us for a cup of coffee whilst we went through the questions for the Calendar Girls/Lion's Head Quiz on Sunday.  I then changed into my Masonic suit and set off for Salisbury - using the Park & Ride and getting the bus into the city centre.  I attended an excellent lunch at the Guildhall and was seated with Cavin and Roger who were both being appointed Provincial Grand Stewards.  The lunch consisted of cold chicken and ham salad with hot minted potatoes followed by cheese and biscuits accompanied by red wine.  The Annual Meeting itself took place at the Salisbury City Hall and was rather unusual in that the widows were allowed to join us for the investiture of the new Provincial Officers and the speeches by the Provincial Grand Master, Deputy Provincial Grand Master and the the Chief Executive of the Masonic Samaritans Fund.  I arrived back home at 6 p.m. in time to prepare for tonight's House Group which continues a study into the book of Hebrews.

Sarum Lodge's new Masonic Year begins

The weather has turned much cooler again today with a lot of drizzle.  I walked Mary to school this morning and Sara did her usual stint at Morning Star.  After a quick breakfast of a bacon and sausage muffin and coffee, I drove to Alderbury to attend the Mid-Week Eucharist at St. Mary's Hall.  Not too well attended this morning with just four clergy (including Gordon and Anthea) and four laity (including me).  Still, it was a very good service with Jane giving a homily on prayer and I gave the Old Testament reading from Jonah (Chapter 4).  Back home for another coffee at 11 a.m. with Sara arriving back only minutes afterwards.  I spent the rest of the day preparing for tonight's lodge meeting and also scanning and sending some copy documents to one of our clients.  This evening I attended our lodge meeting in Salisbury, which should have been the all important Installation Meeting but, which was replaced by John giving an excellent rendition of the Explanation of the First Degree Tracing Board.  A very pleasant Festive Board afterwards.  It was delightful to see two of our newer members, Lee and Richard, in attendance.  I really do hope that we can get some life back into the lodge and save it from having to hand in its 1929 warrant.  I am optimistic that we can turn these problems into opportunities.  I did manage to sell six Calendars tonight as well as three Provincial ties.  Our new Master Elect has taken one of the Calendars and will take it to a Bournemouth meeting where he hopes to get some orders for more.  A very long and full day today.  When is there not a full day?

Books and Owls

The was much cooler today with a light drizzle this morning as I drove up to All Saints' Church to join the curate, Andrew, for Morning Prayer.   Afterwards, I called in at the shop for a paper and some bacon and rolls for breakfast.  Sara drove me into Salisbury.  She was attending a "Ladies who Latte" meeting to promote the Calendar and I left her at the Milford Hall Hotel and walked into the centre of the city.  I banked a further £440 from Calendar sales and then spent a couple of hours at Sarum College in the library there reading and completing a learning style questionnaire which needs to be done for next week.  It was a very pleasant and conducive atmosphere for studying although the books are still quite heavy going.  Quite a few abstract concepts to understand which for a pragmatist (my revealed preferred learning style) is not easy.  I spent this afternoon on finalising Complex's year end accounts so that I can get them to my accountant in Frome a bit earlier this year.  Weight Watchers was quite the horror I was expecting - I had only put on 1lb over the last three weeks despite the trip to Liverpool and the nibbling I've been doing.  Mary and I went out again for a dusk walk through Bentley Wood and were treated to the sounds of a chorus of owls - barn and tawny.  Tonight I undertook some secretarial work for Sarum Lodge - my masonic lodge here in Salisbury and Sara had a skyped conversation with David and Andrea in the States.  They have just taken delivery of 25 Calendars. From their response, they are delighted with then and so proud of Sara - as am I, although I know I sometimes don't make that clear.  After all, I've had to live with this Calendar and its ups and downs for well over a year now!

Woodland Walk at Dusk

A bit cooler today but still very warm for the time of year.  I walked Mary down to the school and picked up my morning paper from the village shop on my way back.  The shop has sold over £300-worth of Calendars already!  I spent the rest of the morning at Rosemary's bible study group.  This afternoon I worked on Complex's year end accounts and submitted bills for work done during September. Later on I worked further on my theological studies and mowed the front bank.  This evening, Mary and I went on a lovely 2 miles walk down Witt Road and around Bentley Wood.  It was getting dusk and it was lovely to walk through the darkening woodland listening to the rustling of the trees in the wind and hearing the tawny owls calling to each other as they awoke.  When we entered the wood the first quarter Moon was beginning to shine brightly but upon emerging we found that the sky had clouded over and by the time we reached the top of Witt Road again, it had started to spit with rain.  I think it will be much cooler tomorrow although this hot weather has been forecast to continue right up until Wednesday - perhaps even up until next weekend.  I should have had a tutorial this evening but my tutor was unable to take the class and so I have a night off.  Had it not been for the amount of work I've had to do today I could have gone to Brighton for my installation rehearsal.  Feeling quite tired after the long walk and the hot weather of today.  An early night for once.

Sara's first BCP Service

Yet another scorching hot day.  I walked to church this morning for the Harvest Festival service which was attended by quite a number of pupils, teachers and parents from Winterslow Primary School.  Sara stayed at home with Tom.  It was a short service with Elizabeth leading it with readings and prayers from a number of the pupils.  By the time I walked home it was getting really quite hot.  I mowed the back lawn this afternoon whilst Sara and Mary (whom she picked up at Sophie's) went to IKEA in Southampton to get a dressing table/desk for Mary's new bedroom.  I rang Mum this afternoon for a brief chat.  She is still suffering after the fall she had in York.  I spent the rest of the afternoon reading my theological reflection text book.  Tonight Sara went to Whiteparish to attend the BCP Evensong to support Sophie who was leading her first service as a trainee Lay Woshsip Leader. It was not well attended, apparently, and Sara did not enjoy the BCP format at all - this was the first time she had ever attended one as she had been a Roman Catholic at the time BCP was prevalent in the Anglican church. It still uses 1662 language which, whilst poetical, is difficult for those not used to this style.  Tonight Richard and I met at the Lion's Head to discuss the format for the Calendar Girls' Pub Quiz next Sunday. 

Heroes

 Another really hot day today.  I started the day by attending Morning Prayer at All Saints with Andrew, the new curate.  It was still cool at 8.30 a.m. but soon the temperature soared to record the hottest October day since records began.  Amazing weather we are having but with the threat of a really heavy winter to come.  Tom and I spent the afternoon at St. Mary's Stadium in Southampton witnessing a fantastic 4-0 win over Watford - 2 penalties converted by Rickie Lambert and 2 goals (from Da Prado and Lee Holmes) during open play.  Middlesbrough could only manage a 0-0 draw today and Derby lost against  Leicester in an evening kick-off.  I also managed to sell two Calendars at St. Mary's - one to each of the "Andies".  Sara went over to Sophie's to do a make-up party for her daughter's birthday party this evening and stayed on for an Indian takeaway whilst Tom and I stayed in to watch the football on TV and ate a Chinese takeaway from Porton.  I ended the evening by watching an interesting recorded documentary on Hans Litten - the Jewish human rights lawyer who prosecuted some SA Storm Troopers in 1931 and summonsed Hitler into the witness box to give evidence of the strong-armed tactics authorised by the Nazi Party.  He ultimately paid with his life in Dachau.  A brave man.  I have to confess that before this documentary I hardly knew of him or the extent of his bravery.  Another Dietrich Bonhoeffer.  I wonder whether I would have been so brave?