A visit to the Archdeacon

The hottest day of the year so far and I had to visit the Archdeacon. Nothing wrong with that, except that for some unknown and inexplicable reason, the electric windows on my car refused to function. There I was, stabbing and jabbing like there was no tomorrow, all the while keeping my eyes firmly fixed on the road as you do, but to no avail.

You’ll have gathered from this that I have a cheap and ancient mode of transport with no air-conditioning. Mostly, of course, we never need air-con in the UK. But you can bet on this being the hottest year of the century if I have a car without air-con and with windows which refuse to open.

So I arrived somewhat hot and bothered and having dressed up in the clerical shirt and the dog-collar (have you ever worn a dog-collar in the heat? They’re made of plastic, clutch you firmly around the neck and thus produce copious quantities of perspiration) only to find the Archdeacon in an open-neck shirt and slacks. At least he treated me to a glass of elderflower cordial. Very welcome.

I signed away my life – or my living, at any rate. As I’m retiring in August I had to sign that I would ‘irrevocably’ leave my present position. All felt terribly final. Which it is – but it’s difficult too. Lots of saying goodbye which has already started even though I have two months to go.

On a brighter note, Jonathan brought round a beautiful photo album full of pics from Ed’s 75th birthday. Remember? The whole extended family gathered together in Cornwall for a week and we had a great party on the night of his birthday. The family clubbed together for this album as their joint gift to Ed and Jonathan came along as official photographer.

It’s a fabulous record of a brilliant time, so we’ll probably spend retirement huddled over it. When we’re not watching daytime TV, that is.

(To comment, click on title)