Summer Fun

In August as planned we drove to Cornwall. It took a little longer than the six hours we had thought, nearer nine hours altogether, but taking into account of the stops along the way we did not do too bad.

Andrea even did some of the driving. I would have found it very tiring if I had ended up with me doing all the driving.

We got to there about 6pm. On entering the campsite I saw there was a food stall selling curry! That’s a good idea we thought. If we would have waited to eat until after the tent was put up it would have ended up quite late.

We was able to get a couple of plates and some cutlery out as I had packed them where they were accessible. The camp site itself was good quality and we enjoyed our stay there for the week.

We thoroughly enjoyed visiting various place including The Eden Project and The Lost Gardens of Helligan.

On one of the days we took a bit of a drive to most southerly point in Britain - The Lizard peninsula. We took a walk around and viewed all the lovely rugged scenery. I was hoping to see a particular bird called the Chough, a member of the crow family, but disappointingly it di

d not show.

On the way back I got Andrea to drive. The roads are not that wide around there so Andrea felt a little intimidated by the oncoming traffic. Suddenly a large lorry on the other side of the road came towards us. He seemed oblivious of the speed he was doing. Andrea thought she

could swerve onto the grass verge to avoid it, but it turned out there was no grass verge but only what looked like a grass verge. Instead, behind it, was a wall made of local granite!

BANG! It was an awful sound. We pulled into a drive way and surveyed the damage. We had not hit the lorry but we thought we had damaged the wing. As it turned out we had only clipped the tyre and caused it to blow.

I am glad to say we have free breakdown with our bank

account. Normally it be easy to change a tyre but on this car the seems to be extra precautions so any spare tyre cannot be stolen. therefore it was down to to recovery to all the hard work.

The particular driveway we had chosen (or had chosen for us) was, I am glad to say, well out of the way of the busy road. No one seemed to be in so we were not told off.

It only took half an hour for the recovery to arriv

e, so that wasn’t too bad. He struggled and pushed and shoved eventually the wheel got changed

In the meantime the owners of the house arrived home. They were surprised to see us in their driveway. After explaining to them what had happened they told us it happens all the time on this road. That made us feel a it better and not so stupid. We got back to our tent at the campsite glad that God had looked after us.

After being at this particular camp site for one week it was time for us to break camp and move to a new site nearer to Land’s End. We had to take down the tent in the rain. It was quite heavy rain and we both got very wet.

We drove through Penzance and stopped for lunch at the beach there. It was lovely.

We arrived at the new site in the afternoon. The weather was a little different here. It was sunny but there were more clouds and a little bit cooler.

The site itself was a lot more exposed and we had to put up the tent in a bit of a breeze. this helped dry out the tent. The

re were thundery showers rattling around but did dod get to us. What was nice though was we could see the sunset over the sea. Although the site was not right on the beach we still had a good view of the sea. And every night we were able to see glorious sunsets.

Of course, while there, we had to visit Land’s End itself. The car park was only a m

atter of 15 minutes drive from the camp site. But to park there costs £5.00! Still, we intended to stay a while, so we handed the money over.

Having parked up, the distance to the furthest edge of England wasn't that far. We had to go through the usual tourist shops but our focus was further on.
There were lots of people doing the same as us: taking photos, peering at the scenery, etc. The scenery was indeed great.

Just off the coast was a rock formation called Shark Fin Rock. I didn't know this and

made the mistake of thinking it was a real shark!

Another place we visited was St. Michael’s Mount. This is an island castle off the coast of Penzance. Here is a write up about it:

“Dominating Mounts Bay is St Michael’s Mount, which rises majestically almost 230 feet from sea level to the tower, chapel and battlement of the

castle. Situated approximately 500 yards offshore the Mount is reached by small ferry boats which ply between Marazion and the Mount's harbour.

The grandeur and wealth of history of St Michael’s Mount, with its fairy tale castle, make it a unique attraction in Britain.

An island at high tide, from the great flood in 3000 BC, the Mount is now a treasure of the National Trust. It features a harbour, shops and a restaurant, "The Sail Loft". The castle and gardens are open to the public some days and details can be obtained from the Tourist Information Centres.”

It was a lovely sunny day so we parked the car nearby and walked on to the beach. The sea was warm as we walked along the edge of the surf. There were quite a few people on the beach. Children playing in the sand and splashing in the water. I took my sandals off and and enjoyed the sand beneath my feet. Andrea was busy taking photos.

There was a river that came onto the beach and we had to cross it before we got to the causeway leading to the island. As we approached the children were playing in the water. It did not look that deep, maybe it would up to my knees I thought. I was bare footed and had shorts on so I wasn't that worried. I took some precautions making sure cameras and stuff were well out of the way by hold them above my head. Surprisingly the water was getting deeper and deeper until, in the middle, it almost reached the top of my thighs! Still we got through and stepped onto the causeway.

This causeway is available to walk on when the tide is out. It leads right out to the island. I think it was constructed a long time ago and is made of great big flag stones. We probably were there at the best time because we would not need to worry about the tide unil some three

and a half hours later.

As we arrived on to the island I saw the castle was right up the top of the island and it looked a very steep climb. We took our time to tackle it and sat and had an ice cream first. It was lovely Cornish Ice cream and quite delicious.

So onwards and upwards we went. I am glad to say the climb was not as difficult as I had feared and and so we reach the top fairly quickly. The view from the top was spectacular! Looking right across the bay, to the beach we had just come from, every thing looked small. The town of Penzance, with it’s quaint white painted houses and shops, glistened in the sunshine.

Everyone of course was taking photos. We met a couple who were taking pictures of one another, so I offered them to take them together. In return they took a pictures of me and Andrea.

The Island and the castle on top are all part of The National Trust. We are members so were able to have a tour of the castle. There was love paintings and lovely furniture to look at and admire. And it even had it’s own church that is still in use for people to attend.

Getting down the hill, though seemingly easier, there was still need to be careful as the path had big stones which we had to step on slowly.

We did not need to cross the river to get back to the car as we went a different route through the town.

When we got back to the car park we sat by the car for a while having a cup of tea fro

m the flask. We noticed a man scanning the horizon with binoculars. We said hi and we got chatting. The conversation turned to what birds we had seen recently. He described how only yesterday he had seen a very rare bird called the Western Bonelli’s Warbler. This bird, we found out, was very near our campsite. We made plans the very next day to try and see it.

Going out to find and see a rare bird was not our normal thing. But, as it was so near to where we were staying, it was worth the effort. We drove the 10 minutes to a small village and parked up. There was a bit of a walk along a quiet road where we found others with telescopes and binoculars looking for it. And there it was amongst the planted pine trees. It wasn't much to look at but, the fact it was unique to mainland Britain, made it quite special.

And so it was the end of our Cornish holiday. We packed up and made it on our way. I decided a more direct way home and not to use the motorways as we had found out the was a bit of traffic on them.

It may seem that all we have done this year is have holidays, because in October we were able to have a holiday in Cyprus. Our daughter Sarah-Jane has access to a free villa there. All we had to do is pay for flights. She has been going there herself for a couple of years now and has even got Andrea to go with her. I was reluctant to go in the past as the 4 hour flight seemed a long time.

Going to Cyprus was the furthest from home I had ever been. Cyprus is 2 hours ahead.

We landed quite late at night but Pathos seems to have quite a good bus service. I was reluctant to take a cab as the distance to the villa was about 13 kilometres away . So we caught two buses.

While on the bus it was raining quite heavily. This, we feared, did not bode well for the rest of the week. However when we finally arrived at the villa at around 11:30pm the rain had stopped.

The villa was within the main night club area of the region and music was already blaring forth. We thought it best if we went straight to bed. But as the temperature was still very warm, even at that time, we had to keep the windows open. This meant we were “entertained” by Elvis and other tribute acts. The first night then, was a little difficult. It finally calmed down at around 3 in the morning. The temperature and humidity were still quite high so I was glad of a fan in my room. Andrea and Sara-Jane had another room and I slept alone. Good thing too, probably, as I do have tendency to snore!

I awoke to the sound of birds chirping. The rain and cloud of the previous night had completely disappeared and there was sparkling sunshine; all was quiet and it certainly wasn't cold.

So, what to do on our first day? We decided to go to the local beach. This was about 15 minutes walk away. Coral Bay beach is reputed to be the best beach in Cyprus. The beach indeed was lovely. We all took a swim in the lovely warm Mediterranean water.

I am afraid we would be here all week if I detailed all that we did in Cyprus. But here are a few highlights.

• Andrea and I took a walk up the hills nearby while Sarah-Jane sat by the pool of a local hotel. We got a bit lost, but eventually we did complete the circular walk as described in a local guide book.

• We took a trip the the ruins in Pathos itself. Although interesting, I was more interested in the birds there.

• A coach trip to the north of the island where the views were lovely through the mountains.And for not much money either.

• We had look at a church that was at the place that St Paul visited as told in Acts of the Apostles in the Bible (Acts 13)

The flight home was at a reasonable time and was was quite uneventful. and so we got home with no problem.

The time difference did affect us a little and for the next few days I found it difficult to get up at normal time as Andrea and I kept waking up around 4 in the morning

.

Trust Issues

Many may not know that Andrea and I are friends with a Bengali girl in prison. we have been friends with her for a number of years. I have described on a previous blog how we met and how the friendship developed. And how she rang us up a number of years ago and left a message on our answering machine saying: “I am been born again!” She is in prison because she was convicted of murder. That is another story, suffice it to say God has really put her on our heart to lo love and accept her. We visit her from time to time when she is able to get Visiting Orders out to us. We had not seen her for quite a while, but recently we were able to see her. we saw that she was ding very well. She was still going on with God and know that God loves her and cares for her.

I write this blog to describe what has happened to us, and me in particular, and what God has been saying to me.

After we visited our friend in prison, in Holloway, we walked down the road and had a cup of tea and croissants in a little tea shop. As we were looking for our bus stop we noticed there was a market nearby. We decided to take a look. From the entrance it didn't look that big. But as we entered it opened out to be a huge market; It seemed you could get anything there.

I was thrilled to see all the people there. For as long as I can remember I have always enjoyed being with people. I think that is God's heart too. God loves people! God is eternal and did not have to create the world, and but He had so much love it spilled over and created us.

Surprisingly He enjoys our company. When we are there, sitting in our room, Jesus is with us. He’s listening with rapt attention to our praying.

I remember when I was sitting in my room once (quite a long time ago now, before I married Andrea) I felt a bit lonely at the time. Suddenly God seemed to speak to me. I saw a vision of God’s throne room. It was very big and very grand. The stairs leading up to the throne and God was there at the top. Surprisingly the place was empty with only me and God there. Then I felt God speak to me. “despite all you think I have to do and all that is going on, when you come into my presence, and talk to me, I listen to you. It is like you are on your own with me and you have my full attention.” I was shocked! Many a time in the past I would feel God was not listening to me and, as some have said, “heaven is like brass today.” meaning God is not receiving my prayer. Having heard God’s answer I realised that was never true. I had no choice but to believe it. From then on I never doubted God was listening to me.

You see, our Heavenly Father is not like us at all: He never changes, He never has mood swings or has a bad day. God is constant and consistent. That thought is a delight to remember.

The amazing thing - and it always astonishes me - that we have complete access to God’s very presence through Jesus. He welcomes us with open arms and delights to see us. It was Christ’s sacrifice: His giving of His life, that meant we can go and speak to Daddy with no fear. He will not reject us or think bad of us.



One of my favourite books of the Bible is The Book of Hebrews. I really recommend you read it if you haven't read it lately. It describes (much better I think) what I have just said. Jesus is the better way.

In many ways I love this big city of ours. Big cities are where the people are. And so, As I said earlier, God loves the big cities. Yes I know cities are dirty and noisy and full of traffic and rampant crime, but God, by His grace, will see this city and other cities changed.

I was just talking to a work colleague today on the bus on the way home. He described the chaos that may come about because of the Olympics. He said there would be millions visiting London in 2012, especially during the time the games are on. That means more dirt more traffic, and more disruption. But thinking about it, it would mean more people! More opportunity then to tell people about Jesus.

A couple Saturdays ago I had a barbecue for my birthday. We had a great time except it was rather rainy. It was forecast, but I had a cunning plan! I had a friend who had a gazebo which I asked to borrow. They said it would not be a problem. However, I had a knock on the door the day before the barbecue. I was surprised. The friend who I asked to borrow from actually bought me a new one!

The day itself went very well. We think around 50 to 60 came to the party all in all. Andrea was in her element. People told her later how happy she looked and how much she seemed to enjoy it. She said it was a bit of a blur and doesn't remember getting much to eat. I was standing by the barbecues of course (as that is the job of the man isn't it?). A few of the men friends joined me. People were coming and going; it was great! It was so good to see friends I hadn't seen for a while.

Andrea and I are getting a little excited. We are off to Cornwall next week. We bought a new tent and are going camping there. Last month we tried the tent out and it was fine. It is quite easy to put up and at least we can stand up in this one. I think we were getting to old to use our other low-lying tent.

It’s going to be a long drive, 6 hours according to Google maps.

We had visited Cornwall before, when the children were small. That time it took 12 hours. We only had a small car that had been loaned to us. Thinking back I am really wondering how we ever fitted three kids and all our camping gear in that small car. Now, I’m glad to say we have a bigger car that can easily take all our stuff. Of course the children are no longer with us, but we still tend to fill the car right up to the brim.

I have recently recovered from pneumonia. I was three days in hospital. The doctors had been worried for me and was surprised a little how quickly I returned to work. I still get a little tired if I do too much, so going away and just chilling by my tent will do me the world of good. Cornwall is very different from London and the change of scenery will be beneficial.

Recently, at church, we had been hearing about sharing ones faith to everyone we meet. Our Lead Elder, Mike, used an illustration giving us all a handful of sunflower seeds. He described how seeds don't look very big but when they are given away (or planted which is what you do with seeds) you don’t know what happens to them. So it with sharing your faith. Telling people about what Jesus has done for you or what He means to you. A seed is sown every time one says a small word here or a small word there. It is then up to God who (as the Bible says) “gives the increase” to make the seed grow. All we are asked to do is scatter the seed. A few of us started eating the seeds but we were encouraged to scatter them. So, as we did, it seemed to get the message across. It did make a bit of a mess on the carpet and we felt a bit sorry for the cleaner who would have to clean that lot up!

Kieren and Jenny are doing well and Mia is growing up fast. They too are off camping, but they are driving to the south of France. Now that is a long way! It is funny how things come around: They have only a small car and they have a baby and will have to find room in the car for luggage and the tent. Hmm.. I know how that feels!

Change - not always easy

Our granddaughter Mia is growing up fast. I can’t believe it was only 11 months ago that she was born. She is nearly walking now. She stands up and chatters away. Not with words anyone can understand except (I think) by her. Last week we went to her local city farm. Outside are some bronze animals like ducks and goats. She really enjoyed standing by them.

Church for the City, the Church Andrea and I go to, has gone through some major changes recently. After setting up a church in Stratford in Newham, East London, over a year ago, And with quite a lot of the congregation going to join them. It was felt we should, as a church, continue to “plant out” more churches. So, yet again, we sent a group of people to set up a church in Bow. Quite a few people went to part of that as well. The leadership of the original church of Church for The City felt we should change the area we should concentrate on and move to Shoreditch. We now meet on the 7th floor of a plush hotel.

These changes have been a little unsettling for me. I am an outgoing person and enjoy being with lots of people. With the number of people in the church dwindling, it felt that less people were there to interact with. I got quite upset and down. The people that did stay in the Church for The City were quite young and had only joined the church in the last eighteen months. That meant they did not really know me that well and did not remember my history. Some from the other churches do but I no longer see them on a regular basis. They have their own church now and are independent.

It was made further difficult for me when the pastor felt a few of the jobs I had been doing were given to others to give them a chance to learn and blossom. It took some time but I finally saw the wisdom of what was said and what was happening. I realised that instead of me “doing it all” and fearing it would collapse if I did not do these things, I should “let go” of them and trust Jesus to take care of business. After all, it is His church. Now, because Andrea and I live in Stepney, I have the job of encouraging those that have a heart for Stepney and Whitechapel, to pray and seek eventually to “plant” a church of our own.

Last week, over Easter, we were able to go to Germany again to see our son Richard. This is the second time we have gone. The first was in October with all the gorgeous autumn colours. Now it was spring and I was looking forward to seeing the trees in their spring growth, hearing the birds sing and see the flowers.

When Richard had first gone to Germany to live I was very reluctant to visit him. I don’t know why. Maybe it was the cost of the air fare or being a strange country with a different culture, but now I have been it no longer holds any difficulties for me. In fact I really enjoy going. Berlin, in its own way, is quite similar to London. With a good transport system and bustling crowds; I felt right at home.

The week before though, I had a bout of Gastric Flu. This really messed up my blood sugars. I have to be a bit careful because of my Diabetes. Even though while I was ill I had not eaten for over 24 hours, my sugars were quite high. I went to the doctor who promptly sent me to A&E to be seen. She was worried for me with what she found in the urine sample I had to provide. I was seen quite quickly and after much investigation they were satisfied it was not as serious as first feared. They told me to report back to my doctor again. After all this I was left quite exhausted. When I did return to her she told me to be off work for two weeks. This surprised me a little and I had this flight to Germany. I told her and she said that was fine and to have a nice time.

Because I was ill I could not be at the Easter feast meal I had planned at my work with my Christian Union. I really wanted to bless people who worked at my place of work whether Christian or not. I wanted to show them the Grace of God. When I originally planned it I discussed it with my group. They were enthusiastic. It is really surprising God has made me leader of the group of Christians at my work. Anyway I could not be there. I was glad to hear they took on the challenge of getting the food organised and getting people invited. They told me afterwards how good the event was. I wondered why God had allowed me to be ill and for me not to be there. I think it was all part of what I said earlier that the world does not revolve around me. It’s all about Him not me.

Times Past

Last Sunday I had a very interesting day. I had regained contact with someone I had not seen for over 35 years.

Susie Harrington had written to me via email after I expressed thanks to her parents for looking after me and taking me into their home when I was 18.

When I was 16 I was ejected from my mother’s home and had to fend for myself as far as accommodation was concerned.

After two years of moving from place to place I was offered to come and live with the pastor of my church I was going to then. All I can say was that I was a very disruptive and maladjusted person and in many ways still quite childish. Susie was probably 14 or15 at the time when her
parents took me in. They showed great kindness and sacrifice.

When I got the email I was surprised and a little scared. This was my past catching up with me. Yes I had written to her parents expressing my gratitude for what they had done, but did not expect to hear from Susie.

After a while we arranged a time when Andrea and I could visit them. She had told me they are now Leaders of a church in Maldon and it was last Sunday we went to see them.

Remembering what I was like I felt a bit shy and a little ashamed as I drove with Andrea to Maldon to visit their church and spend lunch with them.

The church met in Maldon’s town hall. I envisaged an old ornate building but what we found it was quite a modern brick building.

The service was lively and worshipful. The trouble with being in a new place which I didn't know is I felt a little out of place at first.

Both Trevor and Susie are busy people and when the service finished many people sought their attention. I understood and went to get a cup of tea from the cafe bar. People do tend to talk to one another who they know but Hazel got chatting to Andrea. After a While we got chatting to Les. He was an old boy from the East End He knew of our road and one of the shops on the corner where we live being a sweet shop. (I think it’s a mobile phone shop now).

Andrea and I were invited back to Susie’s for Sunday dinner. I was still a little unsure and nervous. “What must she think of me?” I thought. Why was I thinking like this? God had done so much in my life. He had changed me from that person.

I had deliberately arranged to meet them purely to deal with the past. And yet, for a while, the past seemed to dominate my thinking. Many times, in the past, I would blurt out and over react to what I was thinking but this time I was determined to keep a lid on my emotions. Things were not helped when I cleared the table I had broken one of the glasses. I apologised profusely. In the past this would have left me quite embarrassed and down about it but after a reassuring word or two from Susie it was soon forgotten.

Like Andrea and I, all their children had grown up and had fled the nest, but they were always keen to entertain and welcome people into their home; so another family had joined us. Karen and Wayne were one of the new Christians Trevor and Susie had seen come through to faith in
the eight years since moving to Maldon and planting the church. Karen listened with interest the story of how God had given us our new home in Stepney.

I was listening to myself telling this story as well. I realised I had nothing to fear. Yes God my Father had blessed me and Andrea over the years and we were safe in his hands.

It was time to go so we took our leave of them.

On the drive home Andrea and I talked the day through together. I am so glad I am married to her. She has been a great help to me.

I think this day was an important day for me and a valuable lesson too. I need not to fear or worry what people think of me and be confident in what God had done in my life. Thank you Daddy!

Christmas and other stuff

We have settled in well into our new place. It has been a few months now since we moved in. Andrea and I still think it is like living in a holiday place. We are just astonished at God’s blessing and provision for us.

We had a house warming party. People came and went but all in all we had over 80 people turn up. It was a great time and I felt very privileged at the number of people who consider me there friend.

Many have known us for a very long time and have been looking for us to move to the East End of London so we're celebrating with us the open door that had come along.

The church that we go to has changed. Some 18 months ago the church felt right we should have a separate congregation meet in Stratford. And then we felt have a church set up in Bow and now, from January, we are having three separate congregations Stratford, Bow and Shoredich; Andrea and me are joining the Shoreditch congregation.

Kieren and Jenny had a little baby girl back in June meaning we are Grandparents. Mia is growing well and already she is sitting up she is able to turn herself over. It won’t be long before she is crawling and “walking round the furniture”.

All our family stayed in a rented cottage in Hunstanton in Norfolk over the Christmas period. , Richard flew from Berlin, what with all the snow we were getting worried if ever they would be able to make it.

Andrea’s parents are getting frail so were unable to transport themselves to this cottage. I got to theirs by train and drive their car to the cottage. Andrea’s mother was quite grateful that I offered to do this, otherwise they would have been left out.

The cottage, (well it is a large house really) slept 12 people and had 6 bedrooms. It was ideal for us to stay in over Christmas. It was very reasonably priced as well. It was Fiona, Richard’s wife, that did the hard work and found it on the Internet. My family are good bunch but, when we do get together, we do tend to be a bit loud.

The Journey home was quite interesting. I drove Andrea’s mum and dad back and stayed over night there. I caught the train from Clacton to London. All went well until the train stopped between stations. Apparently the train in front of us had inadvertently pulled down power lines. We were going nowhere! It took over three hours to solve the problem.

At my work we have been worried about the cuts and how it will affect our jobs. I am glad though as the boss says we are not expecting to cut jobs until at least 2012. This was a relief.

Andrea too was a little worried. She only works for a small charity who make tapestries. There is less demand now so work has dried up a little. She wanted to continue to express faith to God and was reminded of the verse in the Bible

“ 17 Fig trees may not grow figs,
and there may be no grapes on the vines.
There may be no olives growing
and no food growing in the fields.
There may be no sheep in the pens
and no cattle in the barns.
18 But I will still be glad in the Lord;
I will rejoice in God my Savior.
19 The Lord God is my strength.
He makes me like a deer that does not stumble
so I can walk on the steep mountains.(Habakkuk 3 17-19)

Later on in the month though, God seemed to speak to her from her daily reading of the Bible from Ezekiel 34 v 25-27

25 ‘I will make a covenant of peace with them and rid the land of savage beasts so that they may live in the wilderness and sleep in the forests in safety. 26 I will make them and the places surrounding my hill a blessing.[a] I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing. 27 The trees will yield their fruit and the ground will yield its crops; the people will be secure in their land. They will know that I am the LORD, when I break the bars of their yoke and rescue them from the hands of those who enslaved them.”

Andrea does not normally get things like this happen to her so she felt it was special. She was encouraged to continue to have faith in God and know He will take care of us as a couple.

In lots of ways it is quite similar to what God spoke to me many years ago from the Book of Isaiah

“Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness[a] will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
“If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.
11 The LORD will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail. (Isaiah 58 8-11)

I think God has a lot planned for us. I believe many of these words have already been fulfilled in us. We have been a blessing to many people. We have seen God use us to change and affect lots of people’s lives we have come into contact with.