A Cycle Ride

Really enjoyed the cycle ride to St. Saviour’s this morning. It’s three and a half miles there (and the same back, amazingly. I merely add that in to let you know how athletic I am.)

The sky was blue, the sun attempting to to shine (somewhat weakly, it must be admitted) and the birds were singing. I was muffled up in hat, scarf, sheepskin mittens and boots, and felt toasty.

And assailing my nostrils was that gorgeous aroma from the local brewery, of roasting barley. Not that I’m a beer drinker, you understand. But it smells like roasting coffee beans and I am a coffee drinker.

The downside was that the main road is closed this weekend as they’re putting the finishing touches to our new roundabout. Not that I’m griping about that. It’s already much easier to turn right onto the main road, even before the roundabout is properly finished. But the traffic was all diverted along the back roads where I usually cycle in peaceful harmony with nature.

Since the back roads are the width of one car, today was hazardous. And although it was a lovely morning, all the collected mud and puddles of the past week or so ended up on me. That’s what it felt like anyway, as the cars splashed unconcernedly past. I looked like something out of Star Trek when I got home.

It was a good morning in the Parish Office. There’s a Valentine’s lunch tomorrow (now there’s excitement for you) so the church rooms were abuzz with people setting up tables and I got a coffee out of it.

Had a good chat with two of the staff who happened to be down there and are doing sterling work with the monthly Family Service. It starts with bacon butties and is much more informal than the regular worship, so is attracting younger people and their families.

Which has to be the future for St Saviour’s, since the congregation (all aged sixty-or-more plus) are beginning to drop off the end, sad to say. So in my view, building up a strong Family Service is a must if this village church is to survive.

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