Planes and Trains and Boats

A busy Sunday today.  I took the All Age Service at East Grimstead this morning which was attended by about a dozen people including one of my colleagues from the Ambassador’s Business Club who, I think, was quite surprised to see me dressed up in clerical garb taking her local church service.  Although there was only a small number of people attending, the service had a lovely intimate feel to it and was very much enhanced by the singing dog who also attend and who sang (howled) sort of “in tune” to each verse.  I was told that I must have chosen good hymns as he sang along to all of them and especially the last, Offertory hymn – “Tell out my Soul”.  Mary is thinking about flying up to Scotland on her own to visit her friend Freya in Alloa.  She and I went to Southampton airport this afternoon (costing me £3 to park the car for 30 minutes – how outrageous in that!) to find out about the accompanied passenger scheme whereby a minor is accompanied by a member of the cabin crew throughout the process of embarking and disembarking.  Mary seems much happier with this arrangement.  I did consider driving her up myself and having a short break in Scotland but once you add the cost of fuel and a hotel it is not the most economical way for her to spend a week with her friend.  After our short (very short - in view of the car parking charges!) we spent an hour or so at the Eastleigh Lakeside Railway and had a return trip pulled by 4-6-0 No. 2005, Silver Jubilee on a gauge of 10.5 inches.  Tonight, I met up with Richard for our end-of-week pint in the Lion’s Head and exchanged stories since Friday.  I, and the family, have also been invited on board the liner Queen Elizabeth, when she next docks in Southampton.