Thursday, August 31, 2017

Wildlife

Wednesday 30th August 2017
 
Purple loosestrife on the Rectory glebe where I found a beautiful big green frog with dark markings who looked just like the orchid leaves.  But it hopped under the foliage  before I could photograph it.
Then the honey bees flew off, leaving just one bumble bee in the centre of the picture:
 


Monday, August 28, 2017

Elsdon Fair

Monday 28th August 2017
Ice cream cones as a reward for a hard afternoon's barbecuing..

...and Zebedee comes home with second prize in the "Golden Oldies" class of the Dog Show

Sunday, August 27, 2017

The Bellingham Show

Saturday 26th August 2017
They don't look real but they are!

Setting out entries in the "industrial tent" before the Show opens
The Church tent ready to welcome anyone looking for free rest and refreshment
 
    


Watching stick dressing   



                                                           


serving homemade lemonade and elderflower cordial
 
A father entertains his twins with toys
 
 
Stunt horses in the main ring, demonstrating action...
 
 
...and resting between film takes!

 
Packing up our tent after serving 140 glasses of homemade elderflower or lemon drinks, and providing toys and straw bale seating for countless others
 

Friday, August 25, 2017

The church stand goes up

Friday 25th August 2017
Loading toys for bored children, straw bales for tired adults and drinking water for allcomers

Unpacking the Church tent

Up goes the structure...

...but it looks like a dull day ahead of the man holding up the tent.

Bellingham Show preparations

Thursday 24th August 2017
Eventually some jam to put into the Show was all potted at about 11.15 at night.  It had to be fitted in between other activities like conducting a Communion service and preparing a powerpoint presentation.  There might be time to tidy up the jars' appearance!

Saturday, August 19, 2017

Falstone Show

Saturday 19th August 2017
The weather offered a welcome contrast to
last year:

 
The climbing wall was patronised by some very young climbers:

and everyone patronised the family firm for organic burgers:
 

Thursday, August 17, 2017

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.

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Time for a rest

Wednesday 16th August 2017
I'm having a day off  --  and it looks as if the bull is too!

Monday, August 14, 2017

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!

Wednesday, August 9, 2017

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: