N is for Nancy

 Nancy was my mother.  I've written about her several times over the years but I've never told you about the time she was the (late) Queen's understudy.

When the Queen did an official visit to open or inspect anything,  timings, safety etc had to be checked.  Obviously HM knew exactly what she was doing but anyone due to be presented to her wouldn't be so sure.  There would be a rehearsal so that everything would be alright on the big day.

In 1974 the Queen came to open a major steelplant in Scunthorpe but my mum (who was about the same height) was the understudy for the walk through.  She had to arrive in the a car so positioning could be checked and red carpets perfected and then she walked though the steelworks.  The stopwatch was in use throughout.

At one point she caught her heel on one of the many railway tracks which run through the works and the rehearsal had to stop until the problem was sorted.  Everybody practised bows and curtsies, the photographers checked their angles then everyone went home (slightly more) confident about The Big Day.

The restyle begins

Front drive -complete with Portaloo!

 Jack is coming today and today the sorting of my garden begins.

I think I have had the best builders in the world working on the alterations.  They have been so kind and courteous, anxious to make the whole process as easy for me as possible.  I haven't been able to use the drive for several weeks but each time I have parked my car on the street they have been there to carry stuff into the house for me.  It has been difficult for me to get to the wheely bins but they have taken rubbish out for me.  They have appreciated the copious supplies of tea and coffee (and have even remarked on the fact that I always use proper coffee amd posh mugs!) but they have well deserved every mug. 

Back gardeb skate board run!

 

And my neighbours have been great too.  The drive and front path haven't been available to me so my neighbour asked the builders to take a panel out of her fence so I could step through and use her drive.  Whenever I have apologised to any neighbour for the noise, dust and inconvenience they have all said they are delighted that things are being made easier for me.

And now I need to butter up Jack.  There will be a lot to do and I will have a large deficit of Brownie points as I won't be able to cook lunch for him today (I've been invited out so he will moan) but no doubt he too will avail himself of the unlimited tea.

And he too will do his bit to make my garden wonderful.  After he's cleaned the windows so I can see it!

M is for Ministry

 I haven't done an alphabet post for ages and when I checked I found the next letter due was M which seemed very opportune as twenty nine years ago, on 24th April 1994, I knelt in Lichfield Cathedral to be ordained as a priest.

24thApril 1994

It was a momentous day and not just for me.  On 23rd and 24th April the first fifty one women to be priests in the Diocese of Lichfield were ordained.  In some dioceses there were protests but the Lichfield ordinations were joyful and calm.  The evening of that same day I celebrated the Eucharist for the first time in Shrewsbury Abbey.

There's been a lot of water under the bridge since then.  It's no good asking me to kneel now - that's not going to happen!  I served as curate at Shrewsbury for a further year then moved back to Lincolnshire to be incumbent of five parishes.  Thirteen years ago I retired and I think I have led Sunday worship in at least thirty different churches during my retirement.

Soon my public ministry will reduce further and eventually the time will come to hang up my dog collar. For the moment I still help out a few times a month but my health is making this increasingly difficult and I don't want to wait until a congregation saiys "Enough is enough!"  but I shall never cease to give thanks for that wonderful day back in 1994.

He's back!

 

Hi Everyone

I hope you’re all keeping well.  It’s such a long time since I put pen to paper and, although a third of the year has gone, I’d still like to wish you a Happy New Year.

Firstly, I’d like to thank those who sent me birthday wishes.  It’s so humbling to know I’ve got people all over the word who are kind enough to do so.  My 80^th celebrations started in February when my very good friend the Vicar (it’s not like me to be nice to her but this time she deserves it) took me out for a meal.  Thank you, Vicar!

As you know my birthday was at the beginning of March.  My last meal out was 31^st March.   I had a long and wonderful time made even better by your comments.  Reaching 80 years was so good and my next target is 90.  Some of the gifts I got were bizarre.  Someone sent me an incontinence sheet and a wee-wee bottle. I’m always playing pranks on people so it must have been pay-back time.

I attribute my good life these days to my little dog.  Most days we walk two or three miles.  We see deer, Canada geese, egrets.  The birds are singing and the trees are coming into bud, the crops are growing and the wild flowers are out.  All in all, it’s great to be given such beauty to enjoy.  And it’s all down to the Vicar’s Boss!

On one of my other posts I have told you I’d found a long-lost friend in New Zealand after forty years.  Well, I’ve got back in touch with one of our bridesmaids whom I haven’t seen for a very, very long time.  She’s moved many miles from me.   We met up in a pub and her hubby and my daughter came along too.  I didn’t recognise her but she recognised me.  It was so emotional.  She sent me a photo of herself aged eighteen months when I was fifteen. 

It won’t be long before I post again if the vicar lets me (she’s kind enough to copy this out) - I’m creeping again.

Please look after each other and remember, it’s because of all our yesterdays we can enjoy all our tomorrows.

All the best, Jack

 

Going down the plughole

 I haven't gone down the plughole but I have had major alterations to the house including converting the bathroom into a wet room. I wrote a little about this in February.

There have also been major alterations outside to improve accessibility for me.  

Just two photos for the moment.  One of the view from my front door on Monday and the same view yesterday.  

The back door and garden access has also been altered but I'm not showing you that as I am teasing Jack who hasn't seen it any of it yet.