Spring Harvest Day 1

Our first full day as stewards - seeing in the guests for the week.  Weather remains hot and sunny.  Met Tim Vine in the car park who performed in Centre Stage this evening - his Chat Show as performed at Andover.  Not in the Big Top tonight but stewarded the  After Hours event - Tom and Ollie - for the youngsters (loud music).  We were able to watch the last fifteen minutes of Tim Vine after the pop group we had been stewarding ran out of songs!  Tomorrow looks like being a very heavy one.

Spring Harvest Day 0

First full day here in Minehead as stewards but spent a lot of it waiting around to be allocated jobs.  We had two great periods of worship and the fellowship is as great as ever.  Already we've eaten a tremendous amount of food and this morning our hopes were raised when we were confronted by a huge selection of fried breakfast choices.  Unfortunately, this was only because it was the last day of normal Butlin's guests on site and tomorrow it will be back to the usual continental breakfast.  After lunch, another big meal of chicken curry and chips, the sit took on a very eerie atmosphere - so quiet with no guests anywhere - just Butlin's staff and Spring Harvest Team members.We had a further induction meeting this evening and finally went to bed at around 11 p.m.  Our last "early night" for some time probably.  Up tomorrow early for a team leaders' meeting straight after breakfast.  A great crowd of people and really looking forward to the next few days. 

Spring Harvest Day 00

Another gloriously sunny day today.  Spent the first part of the morning packing to go away to Minehead with Richard who called around after breakfast at 10 a.m.  Having said goodbye to Sara and the kids we drove across to Minehead arriving at around 12.30 p.m. and enjoyed fish and chips at our by now familiar cafe in the main High Street.  We booked into Butlins at 2.30 p.m. and were in our chalet 15 minutes later - sharing with a church warden from Pershore in Worcestershire - so I am with two "Brummies"!  This evening, after a dinner of chili con carne and ginger and pear pudding and custard, we assembled with other stewards in the refurbished "In on the Green" for our initial briefing.  I have been appointed a Team Leader with a Christian worker for the elderly in London and a retired deputy head teacher.  Lovely people.  Tonight, Richard, Robin (our chalet companion) and I went for a drink in the Sun and Moon and got to know each other better.  Finally got to bed at 11 a.m. but with the bright chalet lights shining in giving the impression of daylight throughout the night.  Still managed to get a reasonably good night's sleep.  

Mary's Accident

Woke up at Peter's quite early but as I hadn't slept too well I dozed for a little while until I finally got out of bed at 7.30 a.m.  After a shower and tea and toast I set off for Leatherhead at around 8.30 a.m. arriving at my appointment at 10 a.m. precisely.  I spent two hours with the clients and our barrister before driving back to Wiltshire.  I was very tired and hot when I got back and must confess to having an hour's afternoon nap to recharge the batteries before writing some important letters arising out of the morning's meeting.  I spent the evening packing for Spring Harvest but Sara found herself spending it at the A&E Department of Salisbury hospital after Mary was struck with a rope swing at the Cow Field and had to have three stitches put in over her left eye.  Her friends were really concerned for her as the cut was deep and bled profusely.  Mary remained stoic throughout and has gone to bed in good humour.  Tomorrow she has a part to play in the school Easter service as a narrator in the passion play.  I received the Diocesan mark for my first portfolio today - 54% - which was to be expected as I received 53% for my first essay and 55% for my second.  It is usual to get something in between for the portfolio.  Well pleased with this as 40% is a pass mark and we've been told that anything in the mid 50s will not cause any concern.  Now must buckle down and do the second portfolio after Easter - hopefully before I begin the third module on 25 April- that's my target anyway.  Need a reasonably good night's sleep tonight as this is the last night in which I'll get more than about six hours sleep for the next seven days.

Brighton Interview

Another warm day today - Summer seems to have arrived early.  Last full day at home before I go off to Spring Harvest as a steward so used it to mow the lawns and go through paperwork in my study to ensure that no bills or other important papers got overlooked whilst I was away.  Drove over to Brighton this afternoon to attend a meeting this evening at Benfield School to interview a candidate for Brighton & Hove Civic Lodge.  As the Worshipful Master of the lodge it was my role to chair the meeting and sign off the paperwork afterwards - which I did.  I stayed overnight at Peter's as I have ameeting in Surrey with clients early tomorrow morning.  Didn't sleep too well as I was put on an inflatable bed and the street lights (something we don't have out in the country) were shining in. 

Sunset

Another glorious warm day today.  This morning I drove over to Amesbury to take some large cardboard boxes etc. to the recycling centre and then, after a brief shopping expedition at Lidl's, arrived at St. Nicholas Church of England School in Idmiston to deliver a one hour talk to the Year 5 and 6 pupils on Titanic at the beginning of a week's project they are doing on the ship.  I had adopted my talk which I give to adults and this seemed to go down very well.  Today Sara signed up to become a Jamie at Home representative following the problems at Vie at Home which seem to getting worse.  We both had lunch at Sam B's - a soup lunch organised for Christian Aid.  I mowed the lawns again this afternoon and then Mary and I cycled along Pincroft Lane to observe a wonderful sunset - Mary said that this was the first time that she had seen the Sun actually dip below the horizon - see photo above.  I drove into Salisbury after sunset to take all the Sarum lodge books to John H who will be acting as Secretary during my absence in Minehead.  An early night - in bed with a book by 10.30 p.m.  Luxury after a busy day.

Titanic Research

Another glorious warm day again.  Mary had a friend, Harriet, sleeping over last night so was not up and about this morning to go to church.  Sara also stayed in bed this morning, after having got up early to take Tom on his paper round, so only Tom and I went to church - an All Age Eucharist Service taken by Elizabeth.    This afternoon I worked on some Masonic papers and finalised my talk to Idmiston School on Titanic - doing research on some passengers who came from Salisbury.  I am quite looking forward to giving the talk again.  Later this afternoon Natasha, Marc and family called round for tea and cake and Marc has agreed to do some carpentry work for us.   This evening was spent at the Lion's Head with Richard and Klynn over a few pints (in my case of diet coke) discussing Spring Harvest and other issues.  One of the main topics of conversation being Jonno's engagement and forthcoming marriage to Lily.

Saints nearly there (for promotion)

A great day today for Saints!  Tom, unfortunately couldn't join me this afternoon at St. mary's because he had to attend school in Stockbridge for a briefing about his great hike for the Duke of Edinburgh Award. Southampton managed a 2-0 win over Doncaster Rovers this afternoon courtesy of two goals from former Doncaster striker, Billy Sharp.  Billy scored the only goal against Southampton when the two sides met just before Christmas - Tom and I went up to Doncaster for that game, staying with Mum for the weekend.  So, of the three goals scored in both meetings, Billy Sharp scored them all - two for Southampton and one for Doncaster.  How ironic!  Donny were a hard side to grind down and it was a very frustrating first half.  This afternoon Reading beat Blackpool 3-1 but West Ham could only manage a 2-2 draw at Burnley. Saints now have 78 points on the boar and are five points clear of Reading and nine clear of West Ham.  Three wins from their last seen games should see them promoted, if not Champions!  What a great time to be a Southampton supporter.  Only seven games away from wiping out seven years in the wilderness.  Looking forward to the Pompey game at Easter weekend.

My Longest Cycle Ride since the 1970s!

A wonderfully warm and sunny day today - and I spent most of it inside!  Sara went off early walking with Jane M not returning until just before she had to go off work at the Lord Nelson.  I have been doing mainly Complex work today as well as paying bills etc. and preparing and sending out agendas for the lodge meeting in April which I can't attend.  One great accomplishment, however, was to transfer our Bahamas' timeshare credits for 2012 (we are not going out there this year) into hotel points so that we can stay at Sheraton five Star Hotels elsewhere in the world.  With some of these points I was able, successfully, to book three nights for Tom and me to stay in the Krakow Sheraton in Poland in August when we make our pilgrimage to Auschwitz-Birkenau.  I was also successful in booking cheap flights from Bristol Airport direct to Krakow thereby saving over 50% on the holiday package put together by travel agents.  The only difference is that we will have to pay for our own transport to and from the airport which I know is quite cheap.  We will also have to book the trip out to Auschwitz or Oswiecim which was an additional cost in any event.  We will be staying in a much superior hotel though. Having spent much of the day locked inside the house, Sara this afternoon has been sorting through papers in an attempt to put everything away in her new study, I decided that I needed a long bike ride as I had not done my 3-miles yesterday.  I set off at 5 p.m. and cycled through West Tytherley, East Tytherley to Lockerley Church where I had a good look around and then returned to Winterslow via East Dean and West Dean - a total of over 14 miles.  a great sense of achievement tonight.  This is the longest distance I've cycled since I was a teenager!

Sara and Mary go to see the King and I

A trip into Salisbury this morning - my first one for several days.  After paying in some more Calendar money - yes it's still coming in dribs and drabs - I met up with my fellow student, Ashley, for a coffee in the Boston Tea Party in the high street.  I also met Jane M and her friend there and we chatted briefly whilst I waited for Ashley to turn up.  Ashley and I discussed how we were getting on with our course work and I debriefed him on the meeting in Marlborough last night.  We parted company at about 12.30 p.m. and after walking back to my car at Waitrose I drove back in time for soup and a roll at Morning Star's Lent Lunch.  Tonight, whilst I led the house Group, Sara and Mary went into Southampton to attend a performance of the King and I at the Mayflower Theatre (the venue for Tom's and my experience of Derren Brown last week). They had a wonderful time once they had found somewhere to park - I was on the end of the telephone directing them to a parking spot!   Didn't get to bed until quite late this evening after watching the delightful Dr. Alice Roberts in her "Human Journey" series on TV.

Revelations

I was up early today and drove over to Whaddon to attend Mid-Week Eucharist.  Following the service I joined the rest of the ministry team for a staff meeting at the Alderbury rectory - a meeting which lasted for over two hours.  I came away feeling that we had not achieved as much as we could in that time.  This evening I went up to Marlborough with Debbie to attend a talk on Revelation by the theological writer, Ian Boxall whose books I have been reading as part of my course.  Quite an erudite lecture which I enjoyed better in the first half than the second.  In the first part of his lecture he discussed the times and circumstances surrounding John's time on Patmos and how we interpret Revelation according to where we think we are in the escatological context.  His second part looked at the symbolism of Revelation which is confusing to say the least.  I can see why middle of the road theologians avoid this book!  I received the marks for my two Interpreting the Bible assignments tonight - 56% and 66% - both excellent marks and well within the pass mark of the foundation degree.  I now have to work those into my final portfolio before beginning the last module for the first year.  It's amazing to think that by July I will be halfway to being licensed as a lay minister.  I enjoy the academic study but still wonder where my ministry will be led.  Still must just keep cracking on with it.

From Hell, Hull and Flatpacks.....!

Today could be described as my idea of hell!  A morning spent shopping with Sara in Asda's in Andover and an afternoon constructing a flat-pack desk for Sara's study.  Not that I mind doing things for Sara but both activities - supermarket shopping and constructing furniture from flat packs with completely inexplicable diagrams (yes I did have six pieces of dowling and about a dozen screws over) - would be what I think I could imagine an eternity in hell being like!  The desk took about 5 and a half hours to complete together with cramp, a damaged finger, several cold cups of tea and a painful back.  However, I was surprising pleased with the result and all the bits and pieces did fit together well - still not sure about where the extra screws are supposed to go!  Once I had finished the desk I took myself off for a three-mile bike ride to get some fresh air - stopping off in Pincroft Lane to admire the view across Salisbury Plain - a fine sight.  A hasty stir fry followed for supper and then a nice soothing bath before listening to the Hull v. Southampton game on the radio.  a brilliant result again - 0-2 to Saints with West ham only managing another 1-1 draw against Middlesbrough and Reading losing 3-1 at Peterborough.  Tonight Saints are five points clear of Reading at the top and seven points clear of West Ham.  Promotion is theirs to lose now.  I shall be extremely surprised if Saints fail to make the Premier League this time.  Sara watched the first part of Schindler's List again this evening as she fell asleep for most of it last night.  I'll join her in bed shortly to watch the second half.

Provincial Grand Chapter in Worthing

Today seemed to go by so incredibly quickly. Was woken quite early this morning - 6 a.m. with the sunlight streaming in.  Although it turned out to be a bright sunny day it was still cold.  Sara tried to make her new study desk this morning but got totally confused with the appalling flat-pack instructions.  Unfortunately I was unable to help her as I has to spend the morning on Complex work before driving over this afternoon to attend the Annual Provincial Grand Chapter meeting at the Charmandean Centre in Worthing.  I stopped by and had a Lent lunch at the Methodist Hall with Sara before going on to Worthing.  Again the traffic around Arundel was reported as being bad so I took the coast road - arriving at the meeting just five  minutes before it started and grabbing one of the last seats.  The meeting went on a little longer than usual because there was a presentation made at the end by the Royal College of Surgeons with surgeons telling us about some new research developments to combat intrusive surgery for cancer patients.  Fascinating stuff.  At the end a cheque for £5,000 was presented to the surgeons.  Amazing when I think that this £5,000 has come from over 2,000 Royal Arch Masons over a year and Sara and her girls have raised £17,000 in just six months!  The Royal Arch money will be used to help young surgeons be funded for further research.  I met with a few of my Chapter members to discuss arrangements for my friend Lee's exaltation in May.  I didn't stay for the £25 supper but had a kebab on the way home at Bognor Regis - feeling really hungry.  I learned on my way home that Mary went AWOL tonight - not wanting to go to school with Sara for a parent's evening.   Arrived home at around 8.30 p.m.  Feeling quite tired after a long day of working and driving to and from Worthing. 

Mothering Sunday

I attended Early morning Eucharist today at St. John's.  I was not "on duty" today and so could pick and chose what service, if any, to go to.  This morning's service was well attended and officiated by the Salisbury Cathedral's Precentor Emiritus, Jeremy Davies, who has recently retired and is now working with us in the Clarendon Team.  Unfortunately, nobody had told Jeremy that there were two Anglican churches in Winterslow and he had gone to All Saints.  We therefore started rather late and I didn't get home until 9 a.m.  Sara attended All Saints on her own this morning.  I stayed at home and washed the car, did the washing up from last night and cooked myself some breakfast.  I also cooked lunch for us all (beef casserole).  In the late afternoon I went for a short cycle ride to Buckholt and back - a 6-miles ride which tested my bike (and my fitness) up Gunville Hill - the first time I've cycled all the way up the hill without having to get off.  It certainly got my blood flowing though!  Working in the study again tonight - two articles for the Parish Magazine and writing up my blog.  Think I'll get up early tomorrow and catch up on some of my other paperwork.

Saturday Football at home - lucky win for Saints

A day spent in the village of Winterslow.  Tom's football team was playing at home this week and so I took him up to Barry's Fields for his match against Winchester which resulted in a 4-1 win for Clarendon.  Tom scored the last (fourth goal).  Clarendon didn't play all that well either.  This afternoon Tom has his friend Chloe around to watch a DVD.  I worked in the study and listened to the Saints' game away to Millwall.  At half-time, Southampton were losing 2-1  but two penalties in the dying minutes of the game produced a 2-3 victory, securing three points and keeping Saints at the top of the league.  Tonight we watched a wacky film entitled "Be Kind - Re-Wind" with Jack Black.  Sara was working on building a cabinet for her study which I finished off.  Unfortunately I seem to have put my back out and after a hot bath have decided to go to bed early.

A very long, tiring yet exciting day today.  It started with a meeting of Ambassadors’ Business Breakfast Club at the Grasmere House Hotel in Harnham which was immediatly followed by a trip up to Salisbury district Hospital for the presentation of a cheque for GBP 17,054.53 to the Stars Appeal Breast Care Fund by Sara on behalf of the Winterslow Calendar Girls.  The Earl of Pembroke, John Glen MP and senior Trustees of the Hospital were present in the Education Centre Lecture Theatre for the wonderful event.  Sara gave a fantastic speech – a real professional – and the breast surgeon explained how the money would be used to purchase a new biopsy system which would mean that unclear diagnoses could be made certain (either negative or positive) without the need for invasive surgery.  Sara was presented with a fantastic certificate in the form of a framed set of Calendar photos with the certificate and amount shown.  It will be on show in the Winterslow Central Stores for a few weeks.  After the presentation I had to rush off to Wilton for a two-hours meeting with a new client and meant that when I got home I had quite a bit of paperwork to complete.  Tonight Sophie, Andy, the children and her Mum and Dad came over for a birthday meal with us – it’s Sophie’s 30^th Birthday today.  We ate chilli con carne and birthday cake and they left us at about 9.30 p.m.  I went to bed quite early tonight – at 10 p.m. feeling quite exhausted – and no bike ride today either!

DIY - Fixing curtain poles

Up early this morning to put out the rubbish and recycling to find the weather was heavy fog and drizzle. After making a cup of tea for us both, I dozed off again for half an hour or so.  Sara went off for a long walk with Jane from church leaving me to put up a curtain pole in her study - a task which was remarkably (and I mean it was remarkable!) easy.  The holes were drilled to perfection and the rawlplugs fitted properly.  Even the screws provided were of a good durable type.  I met Sara for lunch at the Lent Lunch at the Methodist Hall - leek and potato soup, bread, cake and a cup of coffee.  This afternoon meant another trip to Amesbury to take the two remaining old cupboards from the garage down to the recycling centre and then on to Andover to bank a cheque for Complex, and shop and collect a few items from Asda.  Arriving back home I had a cup of tea with Sara before taking Mary out again on another bike ride - shorter than yesterday - just a 5 mile circuit in Bentley Woods.  Another good House Group meeting tonight -continuing the theme of Finding a Voice based on the film - the King's Speech.  James stayed behind for a cup of tea and a natter explaining his idea for a prayer walk with dogs around the village.  A big day for Sara tomorrow as the Winterslow Calendar Girls will be handing over a cheque for more than £17,000 to the Stars Appeal Breast Cancer Fund with the TV, Radio, Press and local MP and dignitaries present.



A long bike ride - 11.5 miles - with Mary

Woke up early this morning with Tom telling me that Reading had faltered against Doncaster Rovers last night and that they had drawn the match 1-1.  This means that Reading have moved into the no. 2 promotion spot two points behind Southampton but now with no game in hand.  West Ham are now in third spot but with a game in hand.  It is becoming more and more certain that this is going to be a three-horse race for the two automatic promotion places - Saints, Royal and the Hammers.  At the moment Southampton are in pole position with two clear points and a massive better goal difference.  They must just keep their nerve.  Another news item was most tragic.  22 Belgian children (aged 12) have been killed when their coach smashed into the wall of a road tunnel in Switzerland today.  The total death toll was 28 about of 52 passengers on the bus.  The cause of the accident isn't known at this moment but as with most accidents like this more will be revealed later.  I went over and collected my new bicycle this morning from Halfords and also cleared out some of the rubbish from the side of the house including Tom's old bunk bed, some old cupboards and other junk.  I took these to the household recycling tip at Amesbury. There will be another load tomorrow probably. I then drove over to Andover to pick up some items which Sara had ordered from Asda.  Unfortunately, I didn't pick up one item from the order and will need to do that too tomorrow.  Later this afternoon Mary and I went out on our bicycles and did the 11.5 miles circuit - Winterslow - East Grimstead - West Dean - Winterslow. I was delighted with the new bike and was able to cycle all the way up Weston Lane Hill and was also to take hills on the route which previously had meant I had had to get off and walk.  Fantastic!  I an really looking forward to doing a lot more cycling to increase my fitness and get my weight down again.

Derren Brown in Southampton

Woke up on the floor of Peter's lounge - on a mattress I hasten to add - I am still not drinking alcohol!  After dropping his mother-in-law off at the hairdressers, we walked to "Wheelies" for our now traditional Tuesday morning fried breakfast - once that has been consumed no further meals are required for the rest of the day.  I set off back for Wiltshire at around 11 a.m. taking the coast road all the way this time.  The car radio announced that there was a two-mile queue through the Arundel roadworks again so I was pleased that I had had the foresight to take this route.  I arrived home at around 1 p.m.  This evening Tom and I went into Southampton to a performance of magic and illusion from Derren Brown at The Mayflower.  An absolutely intriguing show - a master of both illusion and entertainment.  The theatre was absolutely packed (2,499 people according to Derren) and we were squashed up in the "gods".  The performance started at 7.30 p.m. and with just a 20 minutes break ended at 10.30 p.m.  We were sworn to secrecy about the contents of his show - so I will not say any more.  however, if you get the chance to see him on tour do try and grasp the opportunity.  you will have a thoroughly enjoyable and mind bending night out.

Freemason on the Titanic at Brighton - more speaking

A long and busy day today with quite a bit of travel.  I got up early this morning and drove over to Warminster to get two Masonic bibles to give to the two brethren in my Brighton Lodge, where I am the Worshipful Master, who have been raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason during my year.  I was delighted that Warminster Regalia had a couple which I was able to take to Brighton this evening.  After a light lunch I drove over to Hove - a really appalling journey with massive queues at Arundel caused by road works.  The town and by-pass were gridlock ed and so I had to drop down onto the coastal road and drive along to Hove via Littlehampton and Worthing.  I arrived at Peter's at 4.15 p.m., much later than intended.  We drove in my car to Brighton city centre where, after a short formal meeting, I delivered my lecture entitled "Freemasons on the Titanic" to about 50 masons and their wives and guests.  The lecture was received well.  This was followed by a very pleasant dinner of melon, chicken supreme and trifle.  This will be my last festive board dinner in the chair as the next meeting I shall attend will be to hand over the reins to the incoming master.  A most enjoyable meeting with me having a bit of a sore throat from all the speaking I have done this evening - chairing the meeting, delivering a lecture and presiding over the dinner.  Looking forward to a few days without any speaking engagement.

A successful day

A busy but satisfying day today.  woke early and went to the 8 a.m. Early Eucharist at St. John's which was taken by Elizabeth.  Tom and Sara went to the 9.30 a.m. Parish Eucharist at All Saints and I spent the morning in the study finalising this evening's service at Whaddon and completing my sermon.  I spoke briefly to Mum in Grimsby who has now got herself a "lifeline" button thanks to Auntie Ivy who has one and was able to tell Mum where she could get one quite cheaply.  She is reassured that it is working having sent two false alarms which were answered promptly.  I am relieved that she has invested in one of these.  The Evening Prayer service I took at Whaddon seemed to be quite successful.  I led the service and preached on the topic of standing up to our fears with readings from Exodus 5:1-6:1 and Matthew 10:16-22.  I felt quite confident and reassured with Nils in the congregation.  There were only about a dozen people in total and it would have been good to have had some more.  A bit like a house group.  After I had dropped Nils off back at the Rectory I went home, changed and walked to the pub in time for the Monthly Quiz.  Another win for "The Last of the Summer Wine" - this time by 16 points and I returned home with another bottle of red wine - to be consumed after Easter.  Off to Brighton tomorrow to give my talk on Titanic. 

College in the morning; Great win for Saints in the afternoon

Back to Sarum College this morning for my final tutorial on Interpreting the Bible in which I, and two fellow students, had to give our presentations as part of our ministry training.  There was a presentation on art work from soiphie, one on Bruce Springsteen songs from Judy and I gave my PowerPoint presentation on the them of "Hope" running through the bible.  All three presentatinos seemed to work well and now I will await my mark as the presentation will count as my second assignment for my portfolio.  Once the portfolio is put together and sent off to Oxfrod Brookes University I will be 25% of the way towards my licensing as a Lay Minister.  The tutorial ended at 1 p.m. and the students went for lunch.  I did not join them as Sara came round to the college and dropped Tom off so that we could drive to Southampton for this afternoon's game against Barnsley.  The traffic was kind to us and we arrived at our private car parking space off The Avenue at 2.15 p.m.  A fifteen minutes walk to the ground saw us in our seats with a good twenty minutes before kick-off.  When I had first found that I had to attend college on this Saturday I had assumed that I would miss this game.  i am so glad that I didn't as Saints won 2-0 thanks to two great goals from adam Lallana and as an icing on the cake, West Ham could only manage a 1-1 draw at home to Doncaster.  Tonight Saints remain top of the table, three points clea rof West Ham and Reading.  Even if these two other clubs maange to win their games in habd over Saints, Southmapton will still remain at the top of the table.  It is looking really good.  Tonight Sara went round with Sophie to Linda M's conservatory party for the Calendar girls and I don't expect her back until quite late.

Another day in college

Sara and I were both up early this morning as were the kids.  I had decided to spend the whole day at Sarum College to complete my second assignment (a presentation I have to give at college tomorrow) and also to make good progress on the sermon I am to deliver at the service I am leading at Whaddon on Sunday.  Before I could get away to college I had a phone call from a client wanting some employment law advice in a hurry and I was pleased to be able to give them some assistance.  I arrived at Sarum College just before 10 a.m. and was able to get parked in the car park at the rear.  I struggled at first to get started as I was anxious to ensure that I covered all the gifts and competencies and range statements necessary to complete the portfolio.  Eventually I returned to my original motif of "hope" and with the assistance of a study guide from Spring Harvest and my concordance I was able to put something together as well as prepare a PowerPoint slide show to accompany it.  It won't be without its humour - I hope.  I called in to see John H on the way home to collect some documents for the lodge and arrived back home just before 8 p.m.  Feeling shattered tonight.  Sara is currently on Skype to her father whose birthday it is - so I had better quickly say hello before I go to bed.  another busy day tomorrow - college and then Saints' big game against Barnsley. 



Finding a Voice

A dry cold morning and so I cycled round to East Winterslow and back before breakfast (a quick 3 miles) for some early morning exercise.  Both Sara and I were at home all day today and I worked on my presentation for college on Saturday - but not getting as far along with it as I had hoped.  I have decided to spend all day on Friday in the college library bashing out something to deliver.  I did, however copy out the service for Whaddon and listen to the hymn tune CD to ensure that the music will coincide with the number of verses - there is no organist at Whaddon.  Mary and I went for a short bike ride this evening up to the entrace of Bentley Wood and back.  we didn't venture into the wood as it was getting dark and neither of us have lights on our bikes - something we probably need to get.   There is talk tonight of the northern Lights being visible in England due to a massive solar outburst which is due to reach us today.  Unfortunately, the sky has been overcast this evening and so nothing is on view as I write up this blog.  We had a very good House Group tonight - Session 1 of The King's Speech - Finding a Voice Lent Study.  It threw up some very interesting discussions especially around the topic of social fears.  Good contributions from all members.  The talk was probably encouraged by the lovely warm log fire - with wood collected from Brown's Copse earlier today.

The Tim Vine Chat Show at Andover

This morning, Sara went off for her usual stint at Morning Star while I drove over to Whaddon to attend Mid-Week Eucharist at St. Mary's Hall which was taken by Nils with Andrew in attendance.  This also gave me an opportunity to see what resources exist at Whaddon for the service I shall take there on Sunday.  Following this, I drove into Salisbury for some banking and met some of the Morning Star group in Cafe Nero having a coffee.  I quipped that they seemed to be enjoying themselves whilst Sara was busy slaving away in their kitchen making sandwiches for the homeless banquet run!  Ironically we bumped into Sara in Castle Street as I was walking back towards my car.  I worked in the study this afternoon and this evening Sara and I went to The Lights Theatre in Andover to see the Tim Vine Chat Show where he chats to members of the audience.  An hilarious evening - brilliant comic an so clean.  A bit corny at times but that is his trademark and it works well.  His supporting act was a comic magician called John archer who was also excellent.  The evening was over all too quickly.  Tim Vine stayed behind in the auditorium afterwards and Sara managed to get his autograph and we chatted with him (see photograph).  A really lovely evening. Good news tonight was that West Ham couldn't take advantage of Saints' dropped two points last night and could only struggle to a draw themselves against Watford - so as things stand, Southampton are still top of the table - one point above west Ham, but West Ham now only have one game in hand.  If Saint's keep winning and/drawing they will continue to remain in the automatic promotion places.  It has turned very cold again tonight and we really must order some more oil.  

Two Points dropped tonight - and tickets not picked up!

A brighter day today and another day at home.  This afternoon I had a meeting at the Rectory with my training incumbent and we have arranged for me to take four services and preach five times between now and the beginning of July.  This should give me plenty of opportunity to fulfil my portfolio requirements for the preaching and leading worship modules.  A bit of a rush tonight as Tom and I then had to drive to Southampton for the Saints' match against Ipswich Town who are of really good form at the moment.  Saints had a good first half but couldn't score and so they went in 0-0 at Half-Time.  Saints played well in the Second Half but Ricky Lambert to put one in the net 74 minutes into the game.  Saints were now looking much more confident and three points seemed to be in the bag when Ipswich scored an equaliser and the game ended 1-1.  Saints still remain top of the table but only two points above West Ham who have two games in hand and three points above Reading who have one game in hand.  Things are really hotting up and we have most definitely got to beat Barnsley on Saturday!  I expect we'll sink to second place tomorrow night after West Ham's game against a poor Watford.  Tonight Portsmouth lost to Reading and are at the very bottom of the table.  Poor ol' Pompey!  Missed Andy and Shaun tonight.  They battled through the traffic to get to St. Mary's and then discovered that they had left their tickets at home!  Perhaps it was all for the best.  They listened to the game on the radio - and it must have really sounded frustrating too!  He'll get some stick on Saturday and I'll enjoy tweeting him to remind him to pick up his tickets.  He'll forget them again!

Cycles and Circles

A much drier and brighter morning than yesterday.  Mary was due to start her bikemobility course at school  this morning but her current bicycle is too small for her.  She was very disappointed to think that she might not be able to take part but fortunately, the course tutor was able to provide her with a suitable bicycle and a friend lent her a helmet.   I spent this morning on Complex work - Sara designed a new business card (I am rapidly running out of them) and we've ordered 250 of them.  They will bear Complex's new logo.  I worked for three solid hours on preparing the papers for the proposed conference with counsel in Surrey on Friday only to receive a phone call from counsel that he would be in court and we have had to postpone the meeting to 28 March!  I spent some more time fine tuning the Titanic presentation I am giving in Brighton next week and after picking up Mary from school, we went to Halfords and bought two new bicycles - one for Mary - a ladies 17" frame bike - she is too big for a junior bike and now needs a ladies - and I have ordered a Carrera light framed bicycle with 21 gears which will make cycling around Winterslow much easier than the very heavy steel-framed bike I currently have - it only has ten gears.  I am hoping that this new bike, and Mary's - will mean that we can go further and get fitter.  I really look forward to the summer for this.  Sara has gone, this evening, to Southampton with some of the Calendar Girls to see the play - Calendar Girls - again at the Mayflower.  The kids and I has a Chinese takeaway this evening.  So, in conclusion, I've worked hard this morning to bring it quite a bit of  money - all of which was spent this afternoon on bicycles.  C'est la vie!

Is Christianity Boring, Irrelevant and Untrue?

Really strange weather today.  It started very wet with torrential rain this morning as Tom undertook his paper round.  I drove to Early Morning Eucharist at St. John's, usually a walk, in a downpour.  Nils took the service this morning and afterwards asked me if I would be willing to give a homily at this service on a future occasion to which I responded positively.  At lunchtime today we had snow which did settle on the cars and lawn but not on the roads and soon melted.  I had good intentions of working today but instead got all the paperwork together for Wednesday's masonic meeting which I can't attend because Sara and I are going to see the TimVine Show at Andover that evening.  Therefore, I prepared all the paperwork to give to John H who has agreed to act as Secretary in my absence.   I took the papers round to him in Salisbury this evening when I went to CityChurch to hear the amusing Kieran Dunne speak - a good talk/sermon on the topic of "Is Christianity Boring, Irrelevant and Untrue?  Kieran works for the Alpha Course up in Glasgow and had flown down especially to give this talk. Some good laughs and some serious stuff too!    James was going to join me but ended up having a late lunch and so couldn't make it.  I met up with James and Richard later in the Lion's Head where I drank diet coke and lime and soda instead of the usual beer. I do have, though, enough loyalty points now for a free pint of beer at the end of Lent - I'll need it!

Super Super Kel!

Tom  was up early this morning for his paper round.  I had to miss going to Men's Breakfast this morning as I had to take him to Appleshaw near Andover for his team's football match against Lee Filters.  They are a tough team who beat Clarendon 1-8 when they played Tom's team at home.  Many of the Dads were out for revenge today.  It was a hard slog of a match and Clarendon were 0-2 up at half time but a quick goal in the second half brought it to 1-2.  Clarendon scored again to make it 1-3 but couldn't hold on to the lead.  With ten minutes to go the score became 2-3 and finally, with just a few minutes left 3-3. That is how it ended.  I think they did well to come away with a point from these guys. Back home Tom had a shower and made himself a lunch of chicken goujons. I had a steak and kidney pie and watched an episode of Storm Chasers.  I popped in the see Richard to see if his projector would work with my laptop.  Fortunately it does which means I'm all set up for the various presentations I shall be doing over the next few weeks. This evening Tom and I watched delightedly as Southampton pulled off a narrow win over Leeds United at Elland Road - they've done the double over them this season. Their win was as a result of a single strike by Ricky Lambert and some absolutely fantastic goalkeeping from Kelvin Davis.  "Super Kel" indeed!  Tonight they are four points clear at the top of the Championship with West Ham having a tough game against Cardiff in the Welsh capital tomorrow.  The pressure is really on them now.  I also spent an hour or so reconstructing my company's cash book from paper records following the loss of information when my old laptop crashed.  I have an immense amount of work to do tomorrow so think I'll have an early night and go to the early morning service tomorrow.  

Mary to go to her chosen school

A really early start today with a breakfast meeting of Ambassadors at Grasmere House Hotel where members and visitors were given an entertaining illustrated talk by a Quantity and Building Surveyor which involved a "Barbie" doll, a helicopter and a cocktail shaker.  A lively and amusing start to the day.  Sara did her usual stint at the Lord Nelson today and I spent much of today writing up the month end accounts for Complex and sending out the monthly bills to clients – not too much earned this month for a variety of reasons, but principally because  there had been little progress on my biggest case and the failure of my laptop had meant that I had to spend quite a bit of work time this month restoring a lot of the records.  February, however, is often a slow month and so I am not too concerned as we had four very good months prior to that.  Mary received her letter about her secondary school and is delighted to learn that she is going to her chosen school of St. Edmund's Girls’ School and Sports College in Salisbury.  Most of her friends are also going there  so she is very pleased about that.  Of the nine pupils who took the 11+, seven have passed.  A good result.  Mary’s friend, Harriet, is one of those who will be going to South Wilts Grammar School.  Mary was really delighted for her and had a sleep over with her tonight after they attended a school's disco.  This evening Sara and I watched Arthur Millar’s play, “Death of a Salesman” starring Dustin Hoffman on the TV.  I had previously seen the Warren Mitchell version of this play which I preferred.  Not sure how much of it Sara saw as she seemed to be dozing off through most of it. Guess we'll have to see it again sometime.

St. David's Day - A Day of Education

St. David's Day.  Tom set off for school today and sat a science exam this morning from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m.  It counts for 25% of his science GCSE paper.  I wish we could have done it this way.  When I sat my GCE exams we sat them all together - three hour papers each - over a couple of weeks.  Now the exams are part formal written exam and part assessment.  After cooking Mary pancakes, I walked her to school today in a very thick mist stopping off at the shop for a morning newspaper.  Sara went off to the gym today for an exercise class whilst I read the paper and did some essential work in the study.  This afternoon I drove out to Great Wishford for a meeting of my mentoring group.  There were only three of us and we spent the hour and a half discussing our portfolios and our current church training.  I established today that I have enough points for three free nights at a five-star hotel in Krakow and also enough credit card points to convert for free air travel to Istanbul in the Autumn.  I need to book the hotel and flights for our trip to Poland as soon as possible - flying out from Bristol.  I will need to pay for the flight as I can't use the air miles on any direct flights to Krakow. It therefore looks like we shall be going to Poland in the summer and tom will get his wish to see Auschwitz. Tonight the House/Lent Group watched The King's Speech.  Three of our number had not seen it before. It was good to see it again and over the next five weeks we shall unpack it further looking into what lessons it teaches us during our Lenten journey.