Planning again

Thursday 17th August 2017

A fine view of the Cheviots on the horizon behind the heather as I drive over to Otterburn for a meeting.  Later, on my way up the North Tyne valley to Falstone for another meeting, it's less open country, still lovely.

Time for a rest

Wednesday 16th August 2017

I'm having a day off  --  and it looks as if the bull is too!

Rehearsed and impromptu!

Friday 10th August 2017

The font at St Aidan's Thorneyburn

     The rehearsal was more of a preparation for two children who had asked to be baptised.  So we went to the church to talk about what would happen on Sunday.
     When they left with their parents, four older people looked in as they were passing during a country drive.  We got into conversation and ended up singing hymns in the wonderful acoustic, finishing with a very nice tenor solo!

Sorting sheep

Wednesday 9th August 2017

Why the concentration of sheep who could have spread themselves over a large area?
They are the ones who have just been released, leaving the selected ones in the pen:

The weekend completed

Sunday 30th July 2017

Wedding flowers at St Cuthbert's Corsenside
All Sunday services for this parish  take place in this, the Summer Church, in August.

For me, Sunday was 9.30 at St Cuthbert's Bellingham followed by an 11 o'clock baptism in the Family Service at St Peter's Falstone, lunch with the congregation at Kielder, tea with The Friends of St Cuthbert's Bellingham and an evening of tidying up!

Three one-offs

Saturday 28th July 2017

     This is the middle of the three.  Yesterday it was a funeral at Elsdon, a once-in-a-lifetime event as we send a faithful friend on his way, wishing him "God speed".

     Sunday will be a baptism at Falstone, also something that is irreversible and can only happen once.

     Tomorrow is a marriage "till death us do part" at Corsenside, the church without lighting, heating, organ  --  or certain other facilities which I borrow from another church and deliver today.

Nearly the end of term

Thursday 13th July 2017

A school sports afternoon followed by the summer fair. 
Everyone seemed to enjoy it, with the possible exception of some of the parents taking part in the grown-up tug-o-war when the rope snapped.