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Tourists at large
Pat had said months ago that she would like to see a live orchestra so we took to Town staying 5 days at a Premier Inn and enjoying 3 concerts at the Festival Hall. Sunday we worshipped at Westminster Abbey - conducted through the congregation by a Sidesman to a place of honour on account of being a one time Chaplain! - and All Souls Langham Place.
The Light at Addlestone has - by the look of it - much more comfortable seats than the Royal Opera House from which Manon - performed by the Royal Ballet - was shown by film. Manon is a ballet about a young woman who is seduced by wealth and power, and the tragic consequences of her choices.
Recognise this? The last of our Tesco/Avios/British Airways vouchers were threatened with withdrawal/expiry. Spend them quick. Never been to Rome. We arrived in the city at 4.30; by 5.30 Paul had lost Pat (no kidding). The story is quite involved but suffice to say we were rejoined some 2 hours later with the help of 4 Italian Police Officers and two police cars! Not too good a start to our short term break but we benefitted from Alzheimer's as by the next morning Pat had forgotten all about it. A record of our trip is in the gallery. Click here
Further Ukrainian guests Nataliia, Tima and Amaliia join us. The children are at Fullbrook and Pyrford Primary - following the pattern of our own children 50 years ago!
Another wonderful production - introduced as usual by Darcey Bussell and Petroc Trelawny. Madame Butterfly
Yet another lovely evening at The Light. Swan Lake.
Pains Hill is just 5 miles from Fosters and yet in 50 years we've never been there. Created in the 18th century by Charles Hamilton as a living painting, it claims to be a masterpiece of garden design.
And off we go - on yet another river cruise. Seems it's the only European one we've not done other than Budapest to the Black Sea. Amsterdam to Basel taking in some Dutch coast and a meander down the Moselle.. We had a new and welcome experience as a bunch of Australians decided we were old and should be looked after. They weren't aggressive; just helpful and welcoming. Nobody has ever called us old before and, of course, we are not but it was fun pretending. And we went on one of the castle trips, designated in the itinerary: "Note: This is for active guests only and requires a good degree of fitness and mobility." None of the Aussie came with us! Do visit the gallery.Click here.
The Rhymers (Blockley) left us after eight months as they took a new posting with OM in Yemen. Pleased we met them - of the dozens we have hosted we have only met one couple before.
No sooner were they out than the Heathcotes were in. Tim, Miranda and Emanuelle and, again breaking the rules, a couple of said-to-be well behaved dogs. This time we've gone utterly mad and agreed for them to stay 2 years! Saves Paul a lot of admin. We 'took' them from CMS who record them as working into North Africa from Spain. CMS have agreed they can do that from Blockley! We've been supporting CMS for 60 years and their ways of working have changed considerably as demonstrated by Tim and Miranda who work with other organisations as well and in their own capacity - htpps://place of springs.net.
Slowing down now - proved by nothing to record here. Plenty of medical appointments but they're not very interesting - more for Paul than Pat. Still doing Tots Praise, Buggy driving at RHS Wisley (occasional), Friday Coffee Shop at church (as per last note other than misnomer as coffee shop provides full english breakfast), Helping Others (car trips to docs, hospital etc. 21 drivers on call; very meaningful and effective pastoral service) and a few pastoral visits. And a slowly increasing amount of work at home for Paul as Pat goes in the other direction. Not that easy for either of us.
October a blank and November had just two food things. First was the Shepherd's Market. We again looked after the deserts at lunch. The last time it was mentioned was in our Journal for 2016 when it said we had been doing it for years! All we do is to ask other people to make them - although Paul did once make a cheesecake - and we then display and sell them.
Then came a dinner - very good too - provided by the Message Trust. Their annual online dinner which is delivered a couple of days before and then is eaten with guests in front of the tele with commentaries on their work in between courses. The Message Trust is one of various mission enterprises we are pleased to support in our daily prayers using their published prayer diaries. In this way we keep (vaguely) in touch with CARE, CMS, TearFund, Message Trust and Sat 7. If you, dear Reader, wish to be greatly moved and inspired take a look at https://www.message.org.uk/ and https://sat7.org. Syria is one of the countries within reach of Sat 7.
Joan's 90th birthday was 21 December. She got in early and invited a crowd of family and friends to lunch at The Mote in Maidstone on 7th December. Lovely time and a meet up with many not seen for ages. Joan is in good form: the cake was all garden; just where were the oranges as the nectar keeps rolling out of Denton Close?
Our Ukrainian guests, Nataliia, Tima and Amaliia moved out on 13th into a flat in West Byfleet which I'm sure we will visit in due time. They've been with us 9 months. Because (please don't tell anyone) we are getting older and Paul has to take more care of Pat, we are very unlikely to host a fourth family of refugees. We really are very pleased to have been able to share with these friends who were really in need when they each came to Fosters. It cost us very little and we are left feeling guilty as members of a community many of whom could easily afford to give so much more in so many different ways. And are church prayers for the poor, lonely and homeless hypocritial if we just ask God to look after them when I guess He is really asking us to man the pumps.
Just before Christmas we again celebrate Stella's birthday although, as with all our family gatherings, the children make off to a place in the house of their choice and the parents etc sit around talking. When the food is prepared and announced the children reappear! We've not had a family picture for some time and so it seemed a good idea to have a pic of Stella.
Following common practice each family spends Christmas Day in their own home other than Anita and Simon who have again been helping the Salvation Army in Addlestone who entertain in the community hall. We were just 5 this year, average age 72, which disguises the fact that Roger is 92 and Shakira is only 25!
Determined to have a family picture Paul again failed to prepare adequately and we finished with a prominent Simon and a missing Anita and Belinda. Photoshop to the rescue although the two faces decorating Simon are from an earlier year. The first appearance of Amy - on Timothy's lap.
And so another year draws to a close. The world is changing. Artificial Intelligence is being widely used - although we by no means always know when we are being influenced by it. A probe has got within shouting distance of the sun. Wars and fighting everywhere, it seems. We really could do with a Saviour. Maranatha. Even so, come Lord Jesus.
Blessings, blessings on you - and yet more blessings!
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