To St Alban's

Saturday 11th November dawned bright, with sunshine scudding across the sky, but a cold wind none-the-less. Guy, who worked with me on SCOUTING Magazine in the late 1970s, generously agreed to drive me to and from St Alban's Cathedral to witness the Rector of Ampthill, the Revd Michael Trodden, installed as an Honorary Canon in the Cathedral. Guy lives and works in the City and is much involved in the Cathedral, so I had an excellent and knowledgeable guide and mentor. We lunched at the Waffle with waffles - what else! Coffee at Guy's gorgeous home in an Edwardian part of the City, then to the Cathedral. Snd he told me so much about the history as we moved along.

Michael was Vicar of St. Peter's Aldborough Hatch from 1987 to 1996, so I had not seen Mandy and Michael's children, Katie and Andrew in 21 years. They have grown somewhat!

Michael followed in his farther's footsteps in being installed as a Canon. A wonderful service followed by the chance to chat and mingle - and Peter and Amanda Schlotter were there too and others from the old days in the Hatch. Then home in the dusk and dark.

My sincere thanks to Guy for driving four ways just because I guess he thought I was a bit too old to go by public transport. And he was right!

Christmas is here!

Christmas started officially at the old homestead this past week. The Lakeland Christmas Catalogues (three over two weeks) arrived in the post. Decisions were made online, the order placed and delivered here. Christmas wrapping paper purchased (I went for quality rather than the three for the price of two). And yesterday found me in Borough Market where I visited the West Country Farmers' Stand for some English grown teas - I know one lady who likes specialist teas and a man too! Whilst there I could not resist the bread - so I bought a crusty number to have with cheese for my supper. But I passed by my favourite flower shop for fear I could spend my hard-earned pension here yet again!

A number 17 bus took me to St. Paul's Cathedral where I spent time browsing in the shop before buying Christmas cards and presents for someone I know.

Evensong was peaceful and rather special. I sat under the Dome and let others have the pleasure of sitting in the choir stalls.

The number 11 bus was on diversion so I had to walk the last 300 yards to Liverpool Street Station with the City workers - well, those who were not filling the pubs to overflowing for it was Friday evening and the end of a hard week when many of them may wonder if they will still be in London when BREXIT hits.

The train to Ilford was one of the spanking new ones that will ride the Elizabethan Line from Reading to Sheffield via Ilford in 2019. Very streamlined, comfortable, airy with massive picture windows to look out at the passing East London scenery. I look forward to riding to Reading in 2019. Home from Ilford by Radio Cars, for it was raining in the air - as they say - and I was more than a little tired at seven in the evening. I have known the Rastafarian driver for many years so we chatted about life in general and Ilford in particular.

Love in a Box

‘Love in a Box’ brings Christmas joy to those who have nothing

Again this year St. Peter’s Aldborough Hatch was a collecting point for the ‘Love in a Box’ Christmas Appeal. One hundred and two shoeboxes packed with sweets, toys, toiletries, warm gloves, scarves and hats and decorated with Christmas wrapping paper were collected from the church on Thursday 9th November. Forty of the boxes came from the church of St James in Halesworth, Suffolk, whilst the remaining 62 were made up by members of St. Peter’s and their friends.

The Children in Distress ‘Love in a Box’ Scheme gives children and adults who would otherwise have nothing a present at Christmas. Some 6,000 shoeboxes packed with a variety of goods will be taken from the UK to Eastern Europe in time for the festive season.

Children in Distress was initiated in 1990 to address the plight of the children and orphans with HIV AIDS or that of infants and children abandoned in Romania's rundown hospitals – those in institutions as result of terminal or incurable illness as result of accident, infection, genetic disorders or accident at birth.

St. Peter’s Aldborough Hatch has been involved in ‘Love in a Box’ from the beginning for it was started by the Reverend Dr John Walmsley in the neighbouring parish of St. Laurence, Barkingside.

Today the charity has its UK base in Glasgow and still cares for children of all races and religions in Eastern Europe – with the stated aims: to cure, sometimes; to help, often; to comfort, always.

The charity offers love and care to infants and children with a range of other incurable and terminal illnesses, physical disorders and disabilities and those who need a little extra support to overcome discrimination, disadvantage, and an opportunity to change their future. The vision is to create a better today for children who may have no tomorrow.   

Snowflake takes a bow

Today I had coffee with a good friend who invited me to take some photographs of her companion, Snowflake. The Lady in question - Snowflake - was fast asleep when I arrived (or hamsters are nocturnal as you may know, Cedric) but she decided to perform for me once she spotted the camera. 

So here she is - Snowflake.

Hot lips!

I took these shots on Saturday - the front garden ready for the winter, well almost! I just cannot bring myself to cut back the Salvia - Hot Lips - inside the front gate area (where there was once a gate!) and on the fence with next door. I have to cut it back at sometime for the new growth next year - but even time I take the secateurs to it, I shy away!

First task of the day

Having taken a brisk walk in the garden, Socks waits patiently at the kitchen door for me to prepare his breakfast - the first task of the day. Having enjoyed the wet and dry food selection (all from Pets at Home, of course) he is now off to meet his pals for the morning, returning at lunchtime for a treat stick. What a life my constant companion has!

Official opening!

The Barnardo Charity Shop on Barkingside High Street has been closed for three weeks for refurbishment. The official opening was on Friday 3rd November at 10am. I happened to know the Celebrity Opener so I popped along with the camera to take a few shots. Miss Linda Bowley, no less, arrived just before 10am in her Ferrari, which she parked at the back of the shop, not wishing to make a fuss. And here is Miss Bowley with staff members, scissors held akimbo before cutting the ribbon to declare the refurbished shop well and truly open. I went inside and purchased a fine selection of Christmas Cards, some tags and carrier bags. Do go to the shop- their Christmas goods are well worth looking at and buying - excellent value and good quality to boot!