Not for me, you understand. I might play a few games of golf, but I won’t be out there every day hacking at a ball – any ball!
However, you could be forgiven for thinking that the UK is sports mad, especially in summer. At the moment we’re thick into Wimbledon, and at the time of writing, we still have three Brits competing. Make the most of it, I have a horrible feeling that as usual, it won’t last.
There seems to be a lot of cricket on television too, at least in our household, and of course, our Rory McIlroy romped to victory in the US Open (that’s golf, for those who don’t know.)
Add to all that the present craziness over the 2012 London Olympics tickets, and it seems to be nothing but sport. Apparently some Olympic events are already sold out, and masses of people have been disappointed, not being able to get hold of any tickets, let alone the ones they wanted.
Ed and I opted long ago to watch these events on television. It may be pedantic of us, but at least we get to see all the events we want at close range.
Of course, the British weather always adds a degree of excitement to any of these summer sporting events. Apart from here in the east, where we’ve had a dry spring and summer, everywhere else has been suffering torrential downpours. Huge fun as you watch the covers being rushed over the crease (cricket) or over the court (tennis).
Ed and I are off to Wales tomorrow for a week, so I expect we’ll see plenty of rain over there. It’s right over the other side of the country (so we’re leaving at silly o’clock to beat the traffic) and is renowned for being wet.
Oh well. Wales is also very beautiful, so maybe I’ll have some photos for you when we return.
Until then – have a good week.
Yes, Don died on Sunday morning, but again, I’m so glad I got to see him one last time. I’m sure we shall miss his funeral as we’re off to Wales on Saturday and it’s almost sure to be next week, but Joan’s funeral isn’t until July 8th, when we shall be back.
On a brighter note, we had some old friends for lunch yesterday and had such a good time, catching up on all the news with the usual laughter and banter.
Today Ed and I rode the bus into Norwich. Our first stop is always The Tea Junction in Castle Mall, where we sit for tea or coffee and I generally purchase some of their excellent coffee, usually Cinnamon And Cappuccino – to die for! It’s such a good shop, with really enticing aromas, and the staff are always so nice.
Just had a long chat via Skype with youngest daughter in Belgium. She’ll be coming over next month for her graduation ceremony at the Defence Academy near Swindon, so we’ll be meeting up again. Meanwhile she’s feeling a bit low as the boyfriend can’t make it over to Belgium this weekend. Ah, these affairs of the heart. I remember them well – and am so glad I’m well past that stage in life!
We heard older daughter speak at the Autism-Anglia conference in Norwich last week. She was their keynote speaker, and was really good. First time Ed and I had heard her. Even better, she arranged for me to have a table selling Babes And Sucklings, featuring a main character with Asperger Syndrome which causes him a great deal of trouble. Hopefully the sales will begin to get the book out into the Autism community.
Just to complete the family profile, our son came for lunch on Sunday as it was Fathers’ Day. We had a lovely time with him and he brought Ed a new golf shirt plus a couple of golf balls. Unfortunately Ed won’t be using them any time soon as I seem to have generously passed my heavy cold onto him – just in time for our trip to Wales! I’m sure he’ll be better soon, but meanwhile we suffer!
Just started a number of new websites. If anything comes of them, I’ll let you know.
There are many sadnesses involved in the life of a priest, but when I retired I thought that would be the end of them.
Yes, OK, definitely wishful thinking, and perhaps I knew that deep down inside.
On Saturday I was invited back to one of my previous parishes to baptise the great grandson of the the churchwarden there. It was a really happy occasion, but instead of going on to the christening party, Ed and I went back to one of other parishes because I’d been told that another churchwarden was dying.
I so wanted to see Joan before she died, so I called in on Saturday afternoon.
She was deeply unconscious so I don’t suppose she knew I was there, but at least I was able to stroke her forehead, murmur a prayer, and give her a farewell kiss.
Joan died this morning.
Also this morning, I had an email telling me that another old friend was in hospital, not expected to survive, and would like me to visit, so I trotted along to the hospital today.
Don is very ill and unable to eat. He has almost no energy, but his mind (at 90) is as sharp as ever, and we were able to have a few words and share a touch and a prayer. I don’t know whether I’ll ever see Don again.
He and Jenny have a wonderful love story. They met when Jenny was 12 and Don 14. Jenny was playing the piano at the Methodist Sunday School; Don had moved into the area with his parents, and it was love at first sight.
They married when Jenny was 18, and celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in April.
Such lovely people – and there is a hole in my heart when people I love die.
Sadnesses, and becoming more frequent as the years roll by. So I must just give thanks for all that has been, and the wonderful people I have known. They are legion.
Just back from a great week with our youngest daughter in Belgium. She works at the university in Leuven, so Ed and I hopped over via Eurostar, which was such a good experience. We took a bus from home to Norwich train station (free), a train from Norwich to Liverpool Street in London (vastly reduced with Crumbly passes), Underground from Liverpool Street to King’s Cross, walked through to St. Pancras (all the same station, really), then boarded Eurostar for Brussels. Becki met us in Brussels and shepherded us onto a train for Leuven, then it was a walk of maybe a mile and a half to her apartment. We only took backpacks, so it was all very easy. We left home at 9.30am and arrived in her apartment by 5.30pm. The train under the ocean, across part of France and into Brussels, took only two hours.
The weather was blazing hot the whole time, as I believe it was in the UK (our part of it, anyway) and across most of northern Europe.
My daughter insisted I should try a different Belgium beer each day, so there are all these compromising photos of me on Facebook with my face stuck in pint glasses of varying colours. Very good beer, but no, I’m not telling you where to view on Facebook!
A huge treat was Belgian waffles, covered with strawberries, cream and chocolate – to die for! At Becki’s insistence I tried Belgian stew. Doesn’t sound very exciting, but the flavour was out of this world. And naturally, when in Belgium you are required to eat chocolate. It’s mandatory since they make it – and superb! In case you’re thinking it was all food, let me disabuse you. We did walk as well. Becki lives about fifteen minutes walk from the centre of Leuven, and about the same distance from the university, so we did plenty of walking around.
One day we went to Brugges, and here is a photo of the clock tower in Brugges (apparently famous, although I didn’t know that): 
Here’s one of part of Leuven university campus – an ancient water wheel with a beautiful medieval building in the background (can’t remember what it’s called) and Becki in the foreground: 
This is the very elaborate pulpit in Leuven Cathedral, carved from wood and terrifically ornamental. Imagine preaching from here: 
And finally, the very elaborate town hall, again medieval: 
All in all, a wonderful week for Ed and me.
