Cleethorpes

The second full day of my trip to Grimsby.  The weather remains dry this morning and so I mowed Mum's front lawn and generally tied up the front garden including trimming the hedge.  John Roe, the Toyota dealer was meant to call at 9.00 a.m to collect Mum's car to take it for an MOT but by 10 a.m. they hadn't turned up.  After a phone call we found out that due to sickness nobody was available to collect the car until 11.30 a.m.  Mum seemed quite anxious and so I told her to ring the garage.  Sometimes her anxiety can be addressed simply by asking a few questions.  I went into Cleethorpes this morning to visit Auntie Mim in Sandringham Road and was delighted to find that my cousin, Ann, was there visiting her Mum.  I gave both a bunch of roses for being so kind and supportive during Mum's stay in hospital. I stayed a couple of hours and had coffee and biscuits.  I returned home for a snack lunch of haslet rolls before going out for a walk to Cleethopres seafront with my camera to try out my new SLR and clear my head.  I had a lovely cappuccino on Cleethorpes Pier at Tides Restaurant.  I also managed to get quite a few good photographs looking across the Humber Estuary.  Mum didn't want to go out at all, either this afternoon or evening so we stayed in and ate a mixed grill for supper; watching the football - Russia v. Poland - what a great game.

In Grimsby

First full day in Grimsby today and I discovered that my Vodaphone Broadband dongle had run out of credit so I had no access to the Internet with my laptop.   Mum was not feeling well at all so the planned trip to the chiropodist was cancelled.  I drove into Grimsby town centre and visited vodaphone's shop where I was able to top up the dongle - hence the ability to write and publish this blog today.  The traffic system in Grimsby is appalling and streets I used to be able to drive down have now been truncated and Grimsby has simply lost its character as the town I was brought up in.  It always distresses me to see how decrepit it has become - it doesn't even have a league football team to redeem it - only its excellent fish and chips.  I did some shopping in Sainsbury's and tonight, after watching the England v. France Euro 2012 game, I cooked spaghetti bolognese for us.  Mum isn't wanting to go out anywhere. I spent most of the afternoon working on a Complex case with Mum sitting and listening to Classic FM.  Mum went to bed this evening very early - 9 p.m. leaving me to watch an interesting programme on the building of The Shard with a glass of red wine in my hand.  Lovely.  I read some more of Brother Yun's biography tonight as I found it very hard to get to sleep.

A really long day today, as anticipated.  The weather was cold with light drizzle as I walked to St. John's Church for the Early Morning Eucharist taken by Cynthia.  A good number attended this morning - probably because there is a baptism service at All Saints' this morning.  Sara was leading the Junior Church at All Saints' today but I stayed at home and had breakfast before driving over to Farley to lead the Morning Worship service there and also to deliver the sermon on "The Unforgivable Sin?" (see http://pulpitmichael.blogspot.com to read it -"Sermon 9"). There were about 14 in the congregation this morning which made for a nice intimate number and I felt quite comfortable leading and talking to them.  They seemed to be very pleased with the sermon which made them thoughtful and they appreciated me sharing my own thoughts and struggles with them.  I really feel called, today, to my ministry and feel enthusiastic about proceeding with my studies to become licensed as a Lay Minister. I stayed behind for coffee and a chat with the congregation before returning home to pack my things for the drive up to Grimsby to spend a few days with Mum who is currently not feeling too well.  I set off at 2.30 p.m., called in at Andover's Tesco's  to pick up a few provisions and again for a short meal break at Leicester Forest East arriving in Grimsby just before 8 p.m. I had the Test Match Commentary on Radio 2 (LW) to keep me company.  Tonight we watched the Republic of Ireland v. Croatia Euro Football match which Ireland managed to lose 1-3.  They were very poor.  It seemed very warm tonight and I found it difficult to get to sleep.  I started to read "The Heavenly Man" by Brother Yun whom I had seen in Salisbury on Wednesday evening and whose book I had received from Amazon yesterday.

Jubilee Holiday Week

Monday 4th June

No rain today, thankfully.  A quiet morning after yesterday and just before 12 noon I set off for the Ageas Bowl in Southampton for the CB40 limited over cricket match (Hampshire v. Scotland).  Unlike most trips to the Bowl, this one provided a full afternoon's uninterrupted cricket with Hampshire winning the game by six wickets (Scotland 230 for 9; Hampshire 234 for 4).  As a member of Hampshire CC I was able to use the facilities of the Member's Enclosure and got a really good seat almost behind the wicket.  I was also able to take advantage of the member's car park which is a great saving.  Looking forward now to the T20 competition which tends to be on a Friday or Monday evening - both of which I can make.  Back home after the match, Sara, Mary and I went up to Robin Hill Farm to see the Beacon being lit and to enjoy the "bring and eat" BBQ. Over 200 villagers attended the event.  A wonderful occasion.

Tuesday 5th June

Back to the pouring rain again down here today.  We spent a leisurely morning watching the Jubilee Thanksgiving Service from St. Paul's Cathedral on the TV.  The weather in London seemed to be much better.  What a wonderful celebration - colourful and full of the pomp and majesty we associate with royal occasions.  After we had seen most of the celebrations we all went to the street party at The Flashett which was well named today as the marquee used for the occasion had a "river" flowing through the middle of it.  This didn't dampen anyone's spirits and we enjoyed a really great feast of snacks, cakes and booze.  Great occasion and a day we'll never forget.


Wednesday 6th June

After such a long weekend of celebrations, it seemed strange to be back at work today - but yes, I did have some work to do - notably sending out fee notes and catching up on so much paperwork which had gone by the wayside over these last few days.  This evening I attended a talk by Brother Yun ("The Heavenly Man") a Chinese refugee who escaped from a maximum security prison in China after being imprisoned for preaching the gospel in China.  The event took place at the Godolphin Girls School in Salisbury and organised by Vineyard Church and Flame International.  Brother Yun preached in Chinese with his Finnish friend interpreting into English.  I was expecting it to be just a talk but there was an hour of worship before and after Brother Yun's talk a period of the manifesting of the Holy Spirit.  I left early with the Clarendon clergy as it did seem that the whole affair would go on for some considerable time.  His story is certainly interesting and I shall order his book on line through Amazon.


Thursday 7th June

Sara had Mary and Myrna over for lunch today.  They arrived at 11.30 a.m. and stayed until 4.30 p.m.  I was working today and so only joined them briefly for lunch and again for afternoon tea before they left.  It seems incredible that Mary is approaching 80.  She really doesn't look like it at all.  The weather has turned cold and I actually lit a wood fire today - the first time I can ever remember doing that in June.  I managed to renew our season tickets for Southampton FC today after a few problems - including the fact that Tom has been listed on their records as an adult.  We had a small house group this evening - just five of us - but we continued to plough through Romans.  Felt really tired tonight.   Haven't been very far afield this week at all - the furthest has been to Southampton for the cricket.


Friday 8th June

My car went in for its first MOT today - in fact, its the first time a car of mine has needed an MOT in the last 25 years or so - I've always had new cars which I have replaced before they are three years old.  Thankfully it passed with flying colours - it should have too as I only recently paid for an expensive service at the same garage.  No advisory notifications either.  I went into the city centre for a coffee and a snack at Reeves whilst I waited for my car.  As I did so I received a phone call from our clients, ABC Networking, who invited me to join them for a reception at Fisherton Mill this evening and afterwards at City Hall to see comedians Shappi Khorsandi and Jon Richardson.  Sara couldn't attend but I enjoyed a marvellous evening and haven't laughed so much for ages.  A really fantastic evening. Its good to have clients who sponsor the Salisbury Arts Festival!   


Saturday 9th June

Up really early this morning to take Tom into the village shop to start his paper round.  I have spent most of today preparing for the service I am taking at Farley tomorrow morning - including writing my sermon which I didn't complete until this evening!  Normally I would have it done by Thursday at the latest.  Hope it goes okay tomorrow - in fact, it has ended up being the longest sermon I have so far written.  The furthest I have been today has been the village shop!  The book to be presented to our former churchwarden, Norman, arrived today as did my copy of Brother Yun's book "The Heavenly Man" which I shall now start reading as I have finished Golding's "The Spire". Eyes hurting a bit tonight with all the writing I have done today on the laptop.

Royal Celebrations on the River

What a wonderful celebration today - the River Thames Pageant to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.  I started my day by driving over to Alderbury to attend a special Jubilee Day Service at Alderbury Village Hall led by Elizabeth which took the form of cafe church.  Coffee and biscuits to start with the congregation sitting at tables.  A good range of well-known hymns and Elizabeth took several of the Queen's Christmas messages over the years for us to reflect upon.  There were about 60-70 people present from all denominations and we enjoyed a very free and relaxed atmosphere.  There was Union Flag bunting everywhere.  Bill M, bless him, gave me his ticket to Brother Yun's lecture at the Godolphin School on Wednesday night.  what a kind and thoughtful man and such a selfless act on his part.  He insisted that I took it as he thought that I would get a great deal more out of the talk than he would as he had already read Brother Yun's book - about Christian persecution in China.  They are such lovely people in Alderbury and seemed genuinely delighted that I was going to join them on Wednesday.  Back home, I was glued to watching the river pageant on television - a really fantastic spectacle.  The only downside was the torrential rain which accompanied it later on.  I had to take Mary and Izzy over to Winterbourne Gunner Cricket Club later that afternoon to the Winterbournes Fete where she was in the cheerleading demonstration team.  A colourful experience again with a Jubilee theme.  The country seems alive with patriotism.  The day ended with a couple of pints in the Lion's Head with James.  Richard is currently away in Cornwall and then Yorkshire.  I had hoped that James could have joined me for the cricket tomorrow at the Rose Bowl but Sam is unwell and he has to drive to Berkshire to pick up his son.  A really satisfying day today.  Tom watched some of the pageant but preferred to spend his time on his computer in his room where he is building a virtual model of Titanic.

A Pimms' (Jeeves') Day

Woke up quite late this morning - 8.30 a.m. after quite a few strange dreams including one involving me diving off a high diving board into a small pool below - must have been all that climbing up the cathedral tower yesterday.  Mary and I went to the Cash 'n' Carry to stock up with drinks as we are quite low.  A cooler but still sticky day today.Quite a lazy day today although I did do quite a bit of gardening this evening as I cleared away a bit more down the bottom for my Chinese/Oriental Garden.  The traffic in an around Salisbury was heavy today with the radio reporting heavy traffic on the motorways and major trunk roads. This is the beginning of the long Jubilee Celebration Holiday and so many people are en route to the West Country for the break.  Sara made a home-made cola drink from a Jamie Oliver recipe whilst I had a Pimm's type drink called Jeeves'.  I watched an interesting programme tonight showing the private photographic album of one of the SS officers at Auschwitz.  The scary thing is that he and his fellow officers do not look like monster but ordinary men and women.  It's so hard to imagine what possessed them to undertake such evil actions.

Up Salisbury Cathedral Tower

I woke up this morning to heavy fog.  An early start as I attended Ambassadors' Business Breakfast Club's AGM at the Grasmere House Hotel and then had to take my car into the Mercedes Garage for repairs to its fuel tank.  I was given a wonderful E-Class 250 as a courtesy car which was a dream to drive although slightly unsettling when it kept cutting out the engine whenever I stopped at traffic lights or was stopped in traffic generally.  This is all part of the eco-culture of the new Mercedes cars.  I arrived back home briefly after some banking and shopping at Staples for some printer paper, and picked up Mary (whose school is having a teachers' training day) to bring her back into Salisbury for lunch and to take her up the Salisbury Cathedral tower.  We parked the car at Petersfinger Park & Ride and went to Burger King for lunch.  We arrived in good time for our 2.15 p.m. tour of the tower.  There were only four of us, myself, Mary and a couple from Melbourne, Australia.   We were led by tower guide Leslie Smith, whom I am sure I have met/seen before, and our tour lasted just under two and a quarter hours.  He was an excellent guide and gave us plenty of opportunity to ask questions and he explained, in great detail, the craft of the medieval woodcutters.  We learned where the term "top dog" and "underdog" came from - the cutting of large tree trunks to make stanchions in a pit - the overseer being on top and the underdog being the the pit.  We were fortunate enough to be in the bell chamber when the 4 o'clock was struck and I managed to get the whole process on video.  A quiet evening in tonight.