More flowers

Another ‘final’ service today, at one of the smaller churches in our benefice (group) of six. There were about twice as many people in church as usual, which must say something. Glad to see me go? Sad to say goodbye? Looking for free eats and wine? No, not really. That doesn’t do them justice, for they’re lovely people and I shall miss them loads.

After the service and all those hugs and kisses at the door, Ed and I were just moving next door to the converted barn for refreshments and what not, when a couple from one of the other churches fetched up with a beautiful purple orchid in a pot and couple of bunches of carnations.

“This is from the Pensioners, to say thank you,” they said, as they thrust the assorted blooms into my hands. I’d given a talk last week to the Pensioners’ Club and forgotten all about it (except that one of the club members turned out to be the brother of someone I was at school with about a hundred years ago and about two hundred miles away.)

Then we all trooped into the Barn together, where there was a sumptuous finger buffet and the statutary wine. After a bit of noshing and chat, someone got up and gave a nice but mercifully short speech about Ed and me, whereupon they presented us with a huge bouquet of flowers, nearly bigger than me, and a lovely, framed aerial photo of the village, with the church in central position. We are so delighted.

Then it was masses more hugs and kisses (and one or two tears, if truth be told) all round and we eventually got away.

Nearly there.

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