These boots....

belonged to someone in the family once. They have been sitting in our garden for seven years waiting to be planted up. Somehow there always seems too much else to do. HoF has gone to town to fix Miss P's house so I have a couple of days to myself. At last it is gardening weather so I have been outside this morning moving a couple of bushes, emptying the compost heap and the bonfire pit. Yesterday I sowed seeds in pots indoors. Last Saturday I helped organise a seed Swap in the village which was a great success for a first time event. A new FH certificate arrived this morning so of course I had to look at that this afternoon. I have spent quite a bit of this week doing a family tree for someone else, having 'sold' my services in an Auction of Promises last year. On April 6th the cost of ordering certificates goes up from £7 to £9.25 which is a crying shame, so I wanted to make the most of the time. His tree was quite glamorous, a far cry from my ag labs, with reverends and double-barrel surnames and a professor of music. Fun though, like doing a cryptic crossword.

Ragdale Paradise

Miss P had a week's holiday, so she and I used two nights to go away for a blissful spa break. I travelled there by train with my senior's railcard which I intend to use more this year. Our spa of choice is Ragdale. Once upon a time I didn't think I would enjoy this sort of thing but a visit about five years ago changed my mind. There is something absolutely delightful in spending all day in a swimsuit and 'robe' (dressing gown). I don't usually like swimming because of all the changing in and out of clothes so being able to stay unchanged all day is very releasing. And it isn't just swimming either. Choices range from saunas to water gym, jacuzzi to candlelit pool, and an outdoor heated section where I swam alone one night in a purple mist.

Then there are treatments included. Pedicure and back massage in my case. And to cap it all, wonderful food. Mostly healthy, all delicious but not a chip, burger or fish finger in sight!

Two days was great, three might be even better but I wouldn't want to stay for ever or the glamour would wear off. I started a book there called 'Crazy Love' by Francis Chan which has this quote from John Piper:

'The critical question for our generation - and for every generation - is this: If you could have heaven, with no sickness, and with all the friends you ever had on earth, and all the food you ever liked, and all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natural beauties you ever saw, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted, and no human conflict or any natural disasters, could you be satisfied with heaven, if Christ was not there?'

Mmmm. Good question. Having tasted something like that heaven I know there's no way it could satisfy for long.

More old friends

Hope you enjoy seeing all these old friends, as we did.

Some of the younger generation are hardly recognisable, but all wonderfully supportive of their parents.

Our hosts for the weekend. And mainstays of the chapel which we used to attend. Pretty lifeless back then, but now thriving with plenty of folks of all ages. Producing interesting questions, such as 'should you be baptised before becoming a member, or a deacon?' 'Is a building where prayer has been made for generations a sacred space?'

Faithful friends who pray for our Tz family. J&H also asked for gifts to MAF and not to themselves. This couple have only recently acquired their first passports to visit a daughter in Australia. It was a good visit which we enjoyed although their were some tugs at the heartstrings which may explain some feelings of discouragement at the moment.

This is where

Remember these folks? It was John's 65th birthday and retirement party. So a real memory lane time for us visiting old haunts, spending time with old friends. J & H haven't changed much except that H has had a considerable battle with ill-health but now seems to be on the mend.


















And of course you all remember this too. Our home for some important years of family life. The outside is little changed except for the two big trees being cut down, and the front hedge (what was it?) too.












And the sweetie shop! A Saturday venue for some young boys. I bought some postcards here and a fridge magnet with a picture of Bethel Baptist Chapel. Wow!

Guess

We've been away for the weekend. I'll give you three guesses where. Photo answers tomorrow when I've had some sleep to recover.