tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71630230906697190622024-03-05T05:03:56.240+00:00The Other Half (of being the curate's wife)I was a reluctant curate's wife but I'm learning that being married to a curate isn't that bad - especially here on the edge of the moor.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger150125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163023090669719062.post-43776739265038810382013-02-01T21:21:00.001+00:002013-02-06T20:03:56.057+00:00Signing off<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxExBwoPNn2ZaDzIKJwvzEmSwvLvXOsGF3P_6nuF0qLoOwKw-U3qG4rxn6DwWGVDmdAvlOe1C-Viun0fG7O5Vq-Q5-j8Y-ntZKafZ-u5Lm5lDvK8GUli5VHDtjKFM8zidwayvP1WIzy77F/s1600/last+moor+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxExBwoPNn2ZaDzIKJwvzEmSwvLvXOsGF3P_6nuF0qLoOwKw-U3qG4rxn6DwWGVDmdAvlOe1C-Viun0fG7O5Vq-Q5-j8Y-ntZKafZ-u5Lm5lDvK8GUli5VHDtjKFM8zidwayvP1WIzy77F/s640/last+moor+018.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I am signing off from this blog as The Curate and I have reached the end of his journey as a curate. I started this blog to help me make sense of the second half of the journey to become a full time curate in the Church of England and a curate's wife. It was a journey that I had not expected to make twenty seven years into our marriage. I thought we would be working hard at our respective careers, enjoying fine wines, foreign travel, life in the country and visiting our sons - where ever they had settled in the world. But life isn't that predictable! </span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilHKzEfDBVgNRyJptf3ijngozsDdhoCFysTm0eE6ZwZpnWzT2VLurXGb5y-B7oLDeO0PsEZQqu4vbrR2-2_O-N14KB2V9ViwqtMBrx1aYGB0H_fh-8hNni541wpIOXt78zmX-jyHtqZ5k/s1600/last+moor+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilHKzEfDBVgNRyJptf3ijngozsDdhoCFysTm0eE6ZwZpnWzT2VLurXGb5y-B7oLDeO0PsEZQqu4vbrR2-2_O-N14KB2V9ViwqtMBrx1aYGB0H_fh-8hNni541wpIOXt78zmX-jyHtqZ5k/s400/last+moor+016.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">When my 'unchurched' husband found God, - or God found him, our life's journey started changing</span></span> <span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and I discovered I was powerless to stop it. I soon realised I could leave him or go with it. I decided the latter and there have been many times, even during this curacy, that I have regretted staying on the bus. But I have also been stretched and squeezed, shaken and churned and, I hope, shaped into a better person.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>'The Other half' </i>blog was suppose to record the second half of The Curate's curacy and my acceptance not of his new role, but my own. This is because life <i><u>is</u></i> different when you live with someone who has a collar round their neck! Our situation had been eased by the Bishop moving us to a second curacy where I could continue my work as a learning support teacher. It came with a price. </span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> We squeezed our belongings into a much smaller house. The lack of space added stresses that we hadn't anticipated. We didn't dare sell any furniture as we were due to move again at the end of the curacy. My commute to work was a stressful start and end to the day. I will never understand road planners that design roads with three lanes merging into one lane on a commuter route! The saving grace of all of the problems was that we were living on the edge of Dartmoor National Park. Dartmoor has been a great joy for both of us and our sanctuary when times were tough.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqyVA_zz3Orj8kSEBTIoOEdLfLk9DaBRv3OKIpW882V40PRAwm4qu_vtP_WRg81_apurh3QKq8Va-Ea0-1cq06BZfVK3cE91BeaseuIYXKQ4FVw164W4CLbXLbRH1mmKqy1SxV7h3NTi0/s1600/last+moor+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqyVA_zz3Orj8kSEBTIoOEdLfLk9DaBRv3OKIpW882V40PRAwm4qu_vtP_WRg81_apurh3QKq8Va-Ea0-1cq06BZfVK3cE91BeaseuIYXKQ4FVw164W4CLbXLbRH1mmKqy1SxV7h3NTi0/s400/last+moor+021.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And times have been tough. This second curacy has taught The Curate and I so much about the importance of being inclusive, understanding and welcoming...and how difficult it is to restore the trust of people when mistakes have been made. It is not The Curate I hasten to add - curates are allowed to make mistakes as a curacy should be a safe environment to learn and grow in. But The Curate has been in the position to feel the hurt and pain of people who have felt neglected, rejected and unaccepted by 'The Church'.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We thought we were going to a parish church that was centred on the community. We looked forward to living within the immediate community who might only use the church for weddings funerals and Christmas, but who saw the church as their church. The reality was that our neighbours didn't want to have anything to do with the 'happy, clappy' place. It was a sobering realisation and to find that The Curate was judged to be 'one of them' even before he had had a chance to speak to anyone.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have learned a lot about church traditions and a lot about myself! I realised that if I worked during the week I (like many people) was not prepared to spend Sunday mornings being talked at in church. If the music on the radio is not up to scratch - I turn it off or change channels. Fortunately there were a number of churches in our locality and I have enjoyed the timeless simplicity of rural churches and the bustle and superb music of our town church. So I ended up where I had the best fit and not where I expected to be. The Curate - who has been sent far and wide to small moorland parishes and has conducted the services in town - has experienced such warm welcomes and we both find these places the most difficult to leave behind.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> </i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This <i>other half </i>of The Curate's curacy has not been the easiest and we have both learnt much about ourselves, our relationship, our work, our vocations, our passions and our vunerabilities.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So much has had to go unwritten. At times we forgot how to laugh and we seemed to be sinking in a sea of stress. Some how we survived - someone threw us a lifeline,- we bobbed up in our life buoys. God just held out his hand and we had to remember to grasp it.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ZgzjZiUpjfi2vHq-kyxZGL2fuPUneu0qUUQcoLgMt1220lIBq4RVzSpcKB5nF9qmNK9WmKHcI86kjbhqNTA3_VHZMUIS3Zp29YXQ9FCAygx0n215rOtbjthvWcpplQ7hmKiRU-VsDK1Q/s1600/tour%252520of%252520dartmoor%252520043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ZgzjZiUpjfi2vHq-kyxZGL2fuPUneu0qUUQcoLgMt1220lIBq4RVzSpcKB5nF9qmNK9WmKHcI86kjbhqNTA3_VHZMUIS3Zp29YXQ9FCAygx0n215rOtbjthvWcpplQ7hmKiRU-VsDK1Q/s400/tour%252520of%252520dartmoor%252520043.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you asked me now if I enjoyed being The Curate's wife - I think I would be honest and say no. I would never have chosen this route through life. I do know it has been good for me - like a medicine that doesn't taste good at the time but it might be making me better!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On Sunday The Curate takes his last service and a week later we move to Dorset. The Curate will be licensed as The Rector of six rural parishes and I will be following him '<span style="color: #351c75;"><a href="http://therectorypath.blogspot.co.uk/">Up the Rectory Path</a>'</span>. Please do visit me at the new blog and I will share the delights of Dorset and the ramblings of a rookie rector's wife</span></span><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> - although I still can't promise any scones or flower arranging</span></span>. (I shall remain <i>The Curate's wife - </i>one never likes to accept growing up!) I hope I have provided some hope for any other reluctant curate's wives - you can come through it - just broaden your shoulders and hang on - I'm sure it will be worth it! Thank you for your generous support - I do so value your comments and I hope you will explore <span style="color: #351c75;"><a href="http://therectorypath.blogspot.co.uk/">'Up the Rectory Path</a>' ( clicking here should take you there or use the link on the sidebar) </span>with me. I look forward to sharing another beautiful part of the UK with you.</span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3GB38ndKPOnRHzwbWIA-0-hG91XNb-6WefybgfcWaQdlhcduotr_EbxALieKYK6hUsJP6E8BaflfNPemciwWpSGsJ3DRnnSVmXfhI_GDebl9PApNfAzOyHEPRONVff1xAug4Aymu0qW2B/s1600/jan+2013+020a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3GB38ndKPOnRHzwbWIA-0-hG91XNb-6WefybgfcWaQdlhcduotr_EbxALieKYK6hUsJP6E8BaflfNPemciwWpSGsJ3DRnnSVmXfhI_GDebl9PApNfAzOyHEPRONVff1xAug4Aymu0qW2B/s400/jan+2013+020a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #660000;">The gang coming with us to the Rectory</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163023090669719062.post-52955189815237021732013-01-19T16:38:00.001+00:002013-01-19T16:41:00.065+00:00A little snow time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaTM0Ob4nASEpYc78Cx4Q3IZYW3Gx3NyP89fQbP88MN8WvBg_R1hriyiuzEYzt513W_1SfHMIG47cciUe0shSsLqEEkEOY2AczfgT3VrBItHiv2HY5O0TvayNhkq13eydsq-dbkxveXKY/s1600/snow+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaTM0Ob4nASEpYc78Cx4Q3IZYW3Gx3NyP89fQbP88MN8WvBg_R1hriyiuzEYzt513W_1SfHMIG47cciUe0shSsLqEEkEOY2AczfgT3VrBItHiv2HY5O0TvayNhkq13eydsq-dbkxveXKY/s640/snow+10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">On Friday the Met Office gave out a rare red weather warning for severe weather over much of the UK. Here in the South West we were going to be on the very edge of the amber warning and we were probably more likely to see rain than snow. I really wanted to see a snow covered Dartmoor before we left the area and I wasn't to be disappointed. The highest areas were covered in a freezing fog but we were able to enjoy the views across to the moor despite a rather gloomy sky. </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Unlike the rest of the country, our winter scenes were very short lived - by lunch time, large areas of green could be seen again. I still have a pair of sledges that have not been unwrapped yet! In other parts of the country people suffered with power loss and icy roads. Travel was disrupted and hundreds of flights were cancelled or delayed.The snow did not bring the delights that we had been able to enjoy. </span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbG2OAJZ4Ti-HMbeo3m4JmftXJCgAtB52kgURAT9cVULo6PkjnFsAo7aXyW4IC72uGTq6cxKVcbC-kLQXcsAM-q4FKE8tHnYSGpBi86Uibd_tfKVDbZK8iqb7pKdqlDoxgE8pKNoEIDks/s400/snow+7.jpg" width="400" /> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC6iXsI9nX-6LC6GBGhTLGX_Rcgz2FyilTH2npQdHnAtmgveU5wsoE4_R8sAy1-3gqN8wCU2OjEiF7Wpm5pf5_6uVA-mRJvTev3uB81miheD-wXPVJUkUY-Urxb5D_vs3Hvj4OHmveW38/s1600/snow+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC6iXsI9nX-6LC6GBGhTLGX_Rcgz2FyilTH2npQdHnAtmgveU5wsoE4_R8sAy1-3gqN8wCU2OjEiF7Wpm5pf5_6uVA-mRJvTev3uB81miheD-wXPVJUkUY-Urxb5D_vs3Hvj4OHmveW38/s640/snow+9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhlA_lS1FH_f6Kcx2VZgrrgvRIpatmPJ4KjsL8cxxiAtMPyq6ORuGv81y8HCENR8g0QhFiMBLC7ykZ5klFYIsNBfijJZ6U-7Ne2tSR9KcR38jG1mPfkKDSibOWuaCSI3qfMGTK6_Mn1qg/s1600/snow+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhlA_lS1FH_f6Kcx2VZgrrgvRIpatmPJ4KjsL8cxxiAtMPyq6ORuGv81y8HCENR8g0QhFiMBLC7ykZ5klFYIsNBfijJZ6U-7Ne2tSR9KcR38jG1mPfkKDSibOWuaCSI3qfMGTK6_Mn1qg/s400/snow+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpH08NAZ6Fow7Zo3HtLlZm4L8nShS6KrvM_vAX7lOhdum_RexPWVySOi8RBbqdl2uai67XZX8Pv94-2p1uCxH80bsi2W2Dix3jVNl3WYj_VJij2AFUfvD-f35tc4RUMl1v9nc_KbGUPMw/s1600/snow+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpH08NAZ6Fow7Zo3HtLlZm4L8nShS6KrvM_vAX7lOhdum_RexPWVySOi8RBbqdl2uai67XZX8Pv94-2p1uCxH80bsi2W2Dix3jVNl3WYj_VJij2AFUfvD-f35tc4RUMl1v9nc_KbGUPMw/s320/snow+5.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Oh yes - and someone else thought it was very exciting to be outside in this snowy world </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHB6CyPmUmOsy_e8hPfq2i4QJfcAdRvn8TdflFIgULvLnr9nF68GU1oGa8eQdo0NQC4N05k5dMUmQsOoBRZjubOVjMSrtCyF119FEAkh72_weK9b3Ous3QBPopcA2DSH5VoK9pyPyoaIM/s1600/snow+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHB6CyPmUmOsy_e8hPfq2i4QJfcAdRvn8TdflFIgULvLnr9nF68GU1oGa8eQdo0NQC4N05k5dMUmQsOoBRZjubOVjMSrtCyF119FEAkh72_weK9b3Ous3QBPopcA2DSH5VoK9pyPyoaIM/s640/snow+12.jpg" width="582" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">- Tess!</span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163023090669719062.post-7835646554157033602013-01-11T16:48:00.002+00:002013-01-11T17:02:09.876+00:00Dartmoor reflections<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRif_N811k7DZk4ygHzkuKtiaSs2j6WIScWRm3I_6UnoLbZxJ0FW0Jr0kVfI4Jatte0BB-XKmAdfWh98zFbBbEC5OJzGf_sXVsk5noR0hbT1Li30s9aLBQu8kpDfY_Crrbe3LJYL34uSw/s640/photo-1.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Northmore's Cross</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I will miss Dartmoor when we move. I can't believe how much the rugged, wild landscapes have got under my skin. The Curate and I have retreated there when times were tough. We could stand and stare at the outstretched country below us and remind ourselves that whatever was troubling us was only a moment in time and time passes. And so it did - and we learnt so much during this second half of The Curate's curacy.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We have discovered so many different faces to Dartmoor. We have seen the changes with each season and experienced the seemingly endless rain that we have all had this year. What was new for us, was to see how it affected those who lived and worked on Dartmoor and how it was such a threat to their livelihoods. The Curate has been drawn into farming families at times of funerals and he has had glimpses of the farming life that has been passed down from one generation of the family to the next. Quad bikes have replaced ponies and paperwork has halted bartering. TB testing dominates life for weeks at a time but the essence of life in a remote moorland farm, remains the same.</span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_Fp4y5jS5I1mtpsR361FkPsSwma7wX4gqe95svlIi13F5AXMXOCbDmLo6tWAGVZYqvjbAupHPbZ2OBJwQk9ivkP89zwn2-sux_5SwiWPHnCYLsfCGf5_ttbugUayPIz_68lmWtNnhto/s320/photo-2.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Riding round Fox Tor Mires </span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Riding across Dartmoor has given us yet another view of this wild place. I never thought that I would be able to ride as much as I have done and I have met people who have shown me parts of Dartmoor that I would never have found on my own in the short time we have had here. Earlier this week we rode beside the <i><a href="http://www.legendarydartmoor.co.uk/grim_mire.htm">Fox Tor Mires</a> </i>- this is an exposed area of treacherous boggy moorland that you do not cross. It said that it could be as deep as twenty foot in places. There you will find a granite cross which is said to be the tomb of a wealthy Saxon Lord, <i><a href="http://www.legendarydartmoor.co.uk/child_hunter.htm">Childe the Hunter</a>.</i> The Mires are said to have been the inspiration for The Hound Of The Baskervilles by Sir Arther Conan Doyle. We were making our way up Hand Hill to see one of the smallest crosses on Dartmoor - Northmore's Cross. It is just 11 cm tall and is placed on a triangular granite rock</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> in 1982 by <i><a href="http://www.legendarydartmoor.co.uk/northmore_cross.htm">Mr Northmore </a></i> who had farmed the area for years. He was marking his appreciation of having lived and worked in the area.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Dartmoor has certainly become a very important part of my journey alongside The Curate. The landscapes, the wild skies and the people, have all made creases in my life that will not be ironed out. It has taught me that my heart is in the countryside and I now need to explore this as we begin our new life in Dorset next month.</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5o1MsgH3T6xff13yxb-spllPPpebvVQ6AKdfbVBmjFSdlTgesVrqTGtrCBqUOEFtTsqS16nfmCQPCNllbYYK6wqPD-L3O5NUAoK-ff2a4jH1DCek3SktEU_SlokTInUTlk62zqPWIedg/s400/photo.JPG" width="400" /></span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163023090669719062.post-63779424955743168072012-12-31T17:30:00.003+00:002012-12-31T17:30:46.383+00:00Ending the year at the beginning<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixhICshJwsni7LCUbUkSioMeHWwr9k6yvaT-TqkDP8NoqMB8aRmllmJv6n3qRht8ZUmDdfYxwfeddyZRXV4Zk0wWJFmVkhyphenhyphenFSNWwq2XV5st3QCHTGtnePU1_CH5eaWvCLiqExb631OchY/s1600/tess+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixhICshJwsni7LCUbUkSioMeHWwr9k6yvaT-TqkDP8NoqMB8aRmllmJv6n3qRht8ZUmDdfYxwfeddyZRXV4Zk0wWJFmVkhyphenhyphenFSNWwq2XV5st3QCHTGtnePU1_CH5eaWvCLiqExb631OchY/s640/tess+007.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjupsWLctBX5LtagaAJjrKrDkbBtA8WMrhGMK7gosFPUvrSbGDfVxjCOZhyphenhyphen-liVEKuiaAQJ-cD7955Ej4Ckmj3zHUJxmH8UsQ8vAkD4yXBZAS5zGHSm6e46tBpCZS_x1UxQhD5NEc9oR3Q/s1600/christ+12+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjupsWLctBX5LtagaAJjrKrDkbBtA8WMrhGMK7gosFPUvrSbGDfVxjCOZhyphenhyphen-liVEKuiaAQJ-cD7955Ej4Ckmj3zHUJxmH8UsQ8vAkD4yXBZAS5zGHSm6e46tBpCZS_x1UxQhD5NEc9oR3Q/s200/christ+12+011.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">litter tray training failed at first</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0CYglqcNRBKnrFk8Hg4PwKJE1B1BtOkqs-ur7PH6RV_z9-O0VuHk3ZKo5KyzZL9Fof0WMfz6lsJCuUY1VRgpzXvUvZO6ffXlLZjGPrxNU-aE61Wb-SI05_QlQqUqgngMTjN1dVj6MQoc/s1600/christ+12+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0CYglqcNRBKnrFk8Hg4PwKJE1B1BtOkqs-ur7PH6RV_z9-O0VuHk3ZKo5KyzZL9Fof0WMfz6lsJCuUY1VRgpzXvUvZO6ffXlLZjGPrxNU-aE61Wb-SI05_QlQqUqgngMTjN1dVj6MQoc/s200/christ+12+014.JPG" width="150" /></a><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I had forgotten the chaos an eight week old puppy can bring to the household. The Collie's daughter - Tess - has been with us for 5 days now and we are exhausted - the Lakeland and the Collie included. As 2012 comes to a close, The Curate and I are slowly packing up the house - ready for our move in just over a month and Tess is very much a part of our new life. </span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQw3u2r0fW2fkTTl3dQ9btKVxDDCO8qzr8mRzPRrV3hSWH7BX9JqE9ALfIoWsZZXv-1W7CdyLm0XqmXxEGevivOILqLM0ujuac2qyWd_njCLr0d3fRc4ktrNS2GuGG19xQRFsgNzX4iWk/s1600/christ+12+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQw3u2r0fW2fkTTl3dQ9btKVxDDCO8qzr8mRzPRrV3hSWH7BX9JqE9ALfIoWsZZXv-1W7CdyLm0XqmXxEGevivOILqLM0ujuac2qyWd_njCLr0d3fRc4ktrNS2GuGG19xQRFsgNzX4iWk/s320/christ+12+024.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Collie is not too impressed with his daughter so far and keeps giving her little growls if she over-steps the mark. This then send her across the room emitting high pitched howls and you would think she had been ferociously attacked. We are learning that she is a drama queen! Tess is learning to give the Collie a wide berth! The old Lakeland seems to give a deep sigh and has no fight left in her - so Tess ends up in her bed sometimes with the Lakeland - sometimes on her own. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0CYglqcNRBKnrFk8Hg4PwKJE1B1BtOkqs-ur7PH6RV_z9-O0VuHk3ZKo5KyzZL9Fof0WMfz6lsJCuUY1VRgpzXvUvZO6ffXlLZjGPrxNU-aE61Wb-SI05_QlQqUqgngMTjN1dVj6MQoc/s1600/christ+12+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh33zCl9pselohj7ItScjHudElNnXPHIiXWLvH3GrcCDj-v3SobKfqR590T1wucsHwGfcfLbOsqVqrxZClB-ePIkqNd5YRZfJZejAl3KNuvYPmXSKpgUGMIaC7vKnBrWRjeyY9nTFlbsts/s1600/christ+12+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh33zCl9pselohj7ItScjHudElNnXPHIiXWLvH3GrcCDj-v3SobKfqR590T1wucsHwGfcfLbOsqVqrxZClB-ePIkqNd5YRZfJZejAl3KNuvYPmXSKpgUGMIaC7vKnBrWRjeyY9nTFlbsts/s320/christ+12+030.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Second Night</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc5sbLnt9sftYgVI2b2ryR3Yl6GLM0GwGjrlFhilvN3AcNE1sgxrMpRePxzDDLWjMiMvnEueiMkhyphenhypheng4mVRblmZeRt5Jo6xiieF3_mjTMhKO2RBE3JTqJorCO-9kHbtHGQc9tiGxVjikZI/s1600/xmas+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc5sbLnt9sftYgVI2b2ryR3Yl6GLM0GwGjrlFhilvN3AcNE1sgxrMpRePxzDDLWjMiMvnEueiMkhyphenhypheng4mVRblmZeRt5Jo6xiieF3_mjTMhKO2RBE3JTqJorCO-9kHbtHGQc9tiGxVjikZI/s320/xmas+011.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Third night</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTG-u4hczmAr150AP3tfalVZM83MhMmdINguQW_aG-kFqKaicj9WpbnKY79ASUXh0kG0_SjMTpQhmOiWYwdjSMiYb1yxwgA52ZsJxigLi6IWV3Hv7JOu14VTi4w5gnu3cohykfrGlRkEQ/s1600/xmas+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTG-u4hczmAr150AP3tfalVZM83MhMmdINguQW_aG-kFqKaicj9WpbnKY79ASUXh0kG0_SjMTpQhmOiWYwdjSMiYb1yxwgA52ZsJxigLi6IWV3Hv7JOu14VTi4w5gnu3cohykfrGlRkEQ/s320/xmas+025.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">The six pups have all been re-homed now and a sister and two brothers have stayed in this area. Three of them will be meeting at the puppy socialisation classes and in other places. The Curate took the service in the local church this Sunday and discovered that Bessie - a sister of Tess was also attending church in a basket! Her owner was sure that Bessie recognised The Curate's voice and was listening attentively every time he spoke! ( The Curate did puppy sit with me from very early on.) </span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDn_45IkysFZNhO1zOcmG1AnZj8VFlkX_n7IziWinflL2JzruOlwNJ5PPQe9ynSeV695EHvjIwILwRUpal0Gmr5W60G9_hy87mYB0m-Cc67smlz7JdvFxVC7XxSwJmeTpSXeOHCL1Aq6Q/s1600/xmas+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDn_45IkysFZNhO1zOcmG1AnZj8VFlkX_n7IziWinflL2JzruOlwNJ5PPQe9ynSeV695EHvjIwILwRUpal0Gmr5W60G9_hy87mYB0m-Cc67smlz7JdvFxVC7XxSwJmeTpSXeOHCL1Aq6Q/s320/xmas+041.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Tess cannot go out until she has had all her jabs but she has made her first trip to a very watery moor inside The Curate's jacket! She was very keen to join the other dogs and explore. She will just have to wait for the moment. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">So we end this challenging year by looking forward to pastures new (- which are a lot drier </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">hopefully </span></span>! ) </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: small;">May it be a peaceful and very happy New Year<span style="font-size: small;">.</span></span></span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">(with very few <span style="font-size: x-small;">noisy</span> fireworks this year please) </span></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYEfxEq2_dUBlv5988ygn9fqCzfRcAtBOd9LrLkx9J8iGb0cLdAScjk53hd_Z3USPcTwK_kdoy_igSjFWeJGTSuVt5U4GXEqHKlFZ3XSxANifGWvyxL_gU-7g-OSfNrwS-30lE4g3lifU/s640/xmas+037.JPG" width="640" /> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163023090669719062.post-22078444378178292802012-12-28T15:06:00.002+00:002012-12-29T09:04:31.382+00:00Christmas 2012 in pictures that I might have missed.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWPM-250IlhUIV5YvXVyH1QL8rEJjJM3mEQREzyk12XFg6n0Tb0kEUg9Vq5pkwpeKWwbaLRhopmai37GYJtoqFTseAQcjbx2tJPBT3YPYyQVo4sLySQgIIgTbhzxo9NVlHLeEe1INlWQ0/s1600/mix+127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWPM-250IlhUIV5YvXVyH1QL8rEJjJM3mEQREzyk12XFg6n0Tb0kEUg9Vq5pkwpeKWwbaLRhopmai37GYJtoqFTseAQcjbx2tJPBT3YPYyQVo4sLySQgIIgTbhzxo9NVlHLeEe1INlWQ0/s400/mix+127.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The spring bulbs' green tips, determinedly pushing their way </span></span><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">upwards,</span></span> through sodden earth and into the grey, rain-laden world.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The chatter of two sons, catching up, making up for their busy lives separating them by time and distance.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The silliness of sticky notes stuck on foreheads, trying to guess the famous name written on them!</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Every seat filled around our dining table.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The
church memorial plaque, lit by flickering candle light at midnight
mass, reminding us of the abbots that once belonged in this space ;- </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">AEfmaer, Lyfing, Ealdred, Sihtric,Wymund, Osbert..... long forgotten names.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The
Lord's Prayer recited as one low reverent voice of 400 worshippers like the abbots chanting vespers in a dimly lit abbey.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The single star standing sentry to the almost full moon throughout the Christmas night.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span> </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The clearest, joyful bird songs cutting through the darkness on early Christmas morning.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span>The single rosebud determined to be there for Christmas Day despite being battered by the heavy rain.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Two sons, kneeling at the altar, not together, but at the altar rail - in two different churches, in two different settings.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The sunlight lighting up the silver, snake like water trails on the sodden moor, as we make our way to the rural church on Christmas morning.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The warm hugs and welcome by familiar members of the small ancient rural church which is freshly decorated with flowers and candles.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Curate, resplendent in gold stole, standing confidently ready to take the morning service.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My world travelling son receiving communion from his father for the first time.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The laughter and shared double act of The Curate and the church warden at the end of the morning service marking The Curate's last service at this place.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> All Christmas Blessings! </span></span><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163023090669719062.post-70089737657621096172012-12-22T21:46:00.000+00:002012-12-22T22:45:22.071+00:00Christmas Preparations<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0f50OJ8920IRoXpz-nc3QjZsI-htufpVRxI8-9JJHxE6rkrUtKuKteQmJ_G3wKD0itarXUFSPeaD3sUvk9RXThVJj_osuEJ-MCWBeIu1kX2Gth1E2XjKzKY6Yjl-yHOFovrCw2qZbowM/s1600/mix+090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0f50OJ8920IRoXpz-nc3QjZsI-htufpVRxI8-9JJHxE6rkrUtKuKteQmJ_G3wKD0itarXUFSPeaD3sUvk9RXThVJj_osuEJ-MCWBeIu1kX2Gth1E2XjKzKY6Yjl-yHOFovrCw2qZbowM/s640/mix+090.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhsMZI2upMy82dBZuqIcNXb_lL8tjGpr2P3lzqGxixlWQLaW4jeO08T_OQevd2tlHZ4TEr4bDgzPiLvkG2D6S-pUkI3IN8WlJUT8lc7fOw1ghsqFNbNWCiLgoNcP6_5CL9R60Lm8eZDAc/s1600/mix+115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhsMZI2upMy82dBZuqIcNXb_lL8tjGpr2P3lzqGxixlWQLaW4jeO08T_OQevd2tlHZ4TEr4bDgzPiLvkG2D6S-pUkI3IN8WlJUT8lc7fOw1ghsqFNbNWCiLgoNcP6_5CL9R60Lm8eZDAc/s320/mix+115.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimd5Xy4wW_AcBXKvMmM8fCHrCcIy5MZk949Cpci5S18a4cQ6TDs9apMlOMkVCyQBNzLbCxNXrrEQzljM5X3WFy381P5nRFecOPtukaH64-P5OmLth7LbM-rTKcdkhPj07dNxIkaOo0CWg/s1600/mix+118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimd5Xy4wW_AcBXKvMmM8fCHrCcIy5MZk949Cpci5S18a4cQ6TDs9apMlOMkVCyQBNzLbCxNXrrEQzljM5X3WFy381P5nRFecOPtukaH64-P5OmLth7LbM-rTKcdkhPj07dNxIkaOo0CWg/s320/mix+118.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLCAYm9eWJj9wqBZBsANdmBK0AxuJNTIhwc9KUOt0_BP4cCIrCZ68jg_Tsj3yAsSDZajmn4yAG9GhmPnEhkkbjRz5um5NEIxFFEwcvDbdCpuDlcDmWs5JNshHpj8qSKvYMwTvTSaQgzE/s1600/mix+119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLCAYm9eWJj9wqBZBsANdmBK0AxuJNTIhwc9KUOt0_BP4cCIrCZ68jg_Tsj3yAsSDZajmn4yAG9GhmPnEhkkbjRz5um5NEIxFFEwcvDbdCpuDlcDmWs5JNshHpj8qSKvYMwTvTSaQgzE/s320/mix+119.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUYLqbHJeOmvGsUwctaB7w2gCCxr9sx4ev2G3OTK-510NOJwUpyQHQJN91h8lTSycHZiDAvyvwLk9jWwJH1XHLHIStxT7ZuasHmyjOHySeSgDbZgOzt4mJ5g_13oXVZg2lgAbcBcU6xdg/s1600/mix+120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUYLqbHJeOmvGsUwctaB7w2gCCxr9sx4ev2G3OTK-510NOJwUpyQHQJN91h8lTSycHZiDAvyvwLk9jWwJH1XHLHIStxT7ZuasHmyjOHySeSgDbZgOzt4mJ5g_13oXVZg2lgAbcBcU6xdg/s320/mix+120.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnnqzbofxG45Y_b6cTi5VyguqBeNPutP_pNZvqoq7Jc9wRJrKQrEpz6QXsrRNskjiHTWu915pYknj1yT9cQqC5_OP7hYx7yf8K6jDP2G_b4_E2GJpOdIYR9jed6nF4-2DK9MEOTZDQdUM/s1600/mix+121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnnqzbofxG45Y_b6cTi5VyguqBeNPutP_pNZvqoq7Jc9wRJrKQrEpz6QXsrRNskjiHTWu915pYknj1yT9cQqC5_OP7hYx7yf8K6jDP2G_b4_E2GJpOdIYR9jed6nF4-2DK9MEOTZDQdUM/s320/mix+121.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGxHb51uLq-wQWSOiOiJQMjc7yaEv1CWQ0lJNUg8oUdA5cg8MW1vlr4hc0rOCusJvrNwpbve4Rp5g83FuH2P-wLVxiFk_FFIRUJX7LGCBmrWUEX0pf6NuseMf3zhCAOg1nvRcLvGu3XNg/s1600/mix+124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGxHb51uLq-wQWSOiOiJQMjc7yaEv1CWQ0lJNUg8oUdA5cg8MW1vlr4hc0rOCusJvrNwpbve4Rp5g83FuH2P-wLVxiFk_FFIRUJX7LGCBmrWUEX0pf6NuseMf3zhCAOg1nvRcLvGu3XNg/s320/mix+124.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge_tfpw71K9ycdC3MMr67ITGQ9CjecFmBoktZAX_JnwK-zSRroQWZ5-aacPmv7InkNkVdlqApVWmPEng1EnUG6VWj8PBThvvobGy3Zbpj2G0mYP0VfZT-StZRqkMcoEUByerkeCcB-uyI/s1600/mix+125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge_tfpw71K9ycdC3MMr67ITGQ9CjecFmBoktZAX_JnwK-zSRroQWZ5-aacPmv7InkNkVdlqApVWmPEng1EnUG6VWj8PBThvvobGy3Zbpj2G0mYP0VfZT-StZRqkMcoEUByerkeCcB-uyI/s320/mix+125.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_2nHd7KNb5V5cP3Xme3kbIS82e7EpAAz4jZzvT-e24qeYFkfpT1CnJo-UtC7MfrUHdFgJwXSg30Xg_OaouQfO0NuMU52I23pduIYkiK6zpAYATMCiFOzNbRV3jEYCK-bPXrIeMgDb7o/s1600/mix+127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_2nHd7KNb5V5cP3Xme3kbIS82e7EpAAz4jZzvT-e24qeYFkfpT1CnJo-UtC7MfrUHdFgJwXSg30Xg_OaouQfO0NuMU52I23pduIYkiK6zpAYATMCiFOzNbRV3jEYCK-bPXrIeMgDb7o/s320/mix+127.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyW1GQICRrLKJYbKE_wkmrVNt7t0Fn93Ib24OcIsx_w07vDd47ZOOOjAO2jjkYM6-UPF0BkDIcoMPPfFBJaUT5Y4pfDhEs2hc9O_DG83C0T50hNdUF2cr-6DmREZRiks58kTkN2muVezg/s1600/mix+131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyW1GQICRrLKJYbKE_wkmrVNt7t0Fn93Ib24OcIsx_w07vDd47ZOOOjAO2jjkYM6-UPF0BkDIcoMPPfFBJaUT5Y4pfDhEs2hc9O_DG83C0T50hNdUF2cr-6DmREZRiks58kTkN2muVezg/s400/mix+131.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOp1N2Z7keT42Nzt3SNLAB6lM3Hb5jU18kV94hnR6WzttGQOJMisZ7YfWtqSf7kCtG00CbJMLTH3LtEra6aIaELmdvJIkWD6NsGERZeLW_Ouw0PYe-zhoCSVgzCPkkGKQWVC9Ldjppf5g/s400/mix+193.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">and not forgetting 7 week old Tess - who joins us the day after Christmas Day</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163023090669719062.post-8063713389439136132012-12-15T18:01:00.000+00:002012-12-15T18:02:08.884+00:00Christmas garlands and fairground rides<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ4b3hw-y5jUDa1xC4CMPg9xfgiZohjZRk3aMiSJAv0-HLhjSfQAce5lYk9SnAx0pHbgKDL1yapbbhQkUwQMsQe3li1Ua9FRemTu2ExcdGyuO7-AKqQfxazYlHcYWbyX1-jVwGkM52A3E/s1600/christmas+2012+cotehele+048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ4b3hw-y5jUDa1xC4CMPg9xfgiZohjZRk3aMiSJAv0-HLhjSfQAce5lYk9SnAx0pHbgKDL1yapbbhQkUwQMsQe3li1Ua9FRemTu2ExcdGyuO7-AKqQfxazYlHcYWbyX1-jVwGkM52A3E/s640/christmas+2012+cotehele+048.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB888tzQ0xf834kHsGIrgqsXDuWNQjmtv9eFrQ5TQDzUfHUg7lQmoW26FFe02COWi4odjMIeonwOBimr0PWhmir-MMyeWas4zt9TwakD5j2kZjCdfBKR2NjLRNV1RrQ57Dq5Rtr1y8XHs/s1600/christmas+2012+cotehele+063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB888tzQ0xf834kHsGIrgqsXDuWNQjmtv9eFrQ5TQDzUfHUg7lQmoW26FFe02COWi4odjMIeonwOBimr0PWhmir-MMyeWas4zt9TwakD5j2kZjCdfBKR2NjLRNV1RrQ57Dq5Rtr1y8XHs/s640/christmas+2012+cotehele+063.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFvp_1o2hf27xGjuPPQCO9sHpbSHK9DkyFgWsPmU5_ZIqd6JBtl4E-TTD9xvgtgKT8WTNDZInknlKSnRhcW455r9qah2HlP7nnejGLiJr_0nabJ1HGfpA2i5n-xyIgx05xwmyTaa6NM44/s1600/christmas+2012+cotehele+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFvp_1o2hf27xGjuPPQCO9sHpbSHK9DkyFgWsPmU5_ZIqd6JBtl4E-TTD9xvgtgKT8WTNDZInknlKSnRhcW455r9qah2HlP7nnejGLiJr_0nabJ1HGfpA2i5n-xyIgx05xwmyTaa6NM44/s320/christmas+2012+cotehele+035.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Curate and I have been visiting lots of the local places of interest
- you know the ones that we always say we will visit but never get
round to - until we have visitors ....or we know we are moving. We
visited <a href="http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cotehele/">Cotehele</a> this morning which is a wonderful Tudor house situated
on the River Tamar in Cornwall. Each year at Christmas, the Great Hall is decorated
with a sixty foot dried flower garland - made from flowers grown in the
grounds. It is a spectacular sight in a spectacular setting.</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ixgpd6SKoD3e8aIg2CuoxHYq6EXS33M-YzI4bkOfpM8tPvqJtqYELHvlmVymrC2ZIgZUKjqMAGhRktHVGVg71DzKN1Sc01MwoVCKg1PXSAalU19dER5NfgnkLb9owMCqpXcymC_gFNM/s1600/christmas+2012+cotehele+042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ixgpd6SKoD3e8aIg2CuoxHYq6EXS33M-YzI4bkOfpM8tPvqJtqYELHvlmVymrC2ZIgZUKjqMAGhRktHVGVg71DzKN1Sc01MwoVCKg1PXSAalU19dER5NfgnkLb9owMCqpXcymC_gFNM/s400/christmas+2012+cotehele+042.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinaTb0s2R59PcaIj9hZxY1w_hsihksT2CXdUUcfX14iGIFafElId4zv5oqziUAffGPQ4zJehke0wfcn2k2QsR9FQcaXml9HsrkGhIcVxHEKk_sAHOa9FtdpuOmnGY6xZT-JGo8zpK6pZI/s400/christmas+2012+cotehele+043.JPG" width="223" /><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> The other place we visited was <a href="http://www.fairground-heritage.org.uk/">Dingles</a>
which has old fairground rides set up in two huge barns. I have to say
that we thought the old wooden rides, with their bumpy, clattery motion
and fast speeds were more exciting ( and scary!) than we remembered -
maybe we are just getting old. We managed to make ourselves feel quite
sick . All in all, it was a wonderful distraction from work for The Curate and a lovely day out for me. </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinaTb0s2R59PcaIj9hZxY1w_hsihksT2CXdUUcfX14iGIFafElId4zv5oqziUAffGPQ4zJehke0wfcn2k2QsR9FQcaXml9HsrkGhIcVxHEKk_sAHOa9FtdpuOmnGY6xZT-JGo8zpK6pZI/s1600/christmas+2012+cotehele+043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEsiLrlAy4PahgM5oWJlYfTP2gy8nipuLafWXOhHidRRXY7_8tUu3-yx26gpR_TsDaCLEjO_v9nDYsuYbXqz2MthpbRI800Z-Npus3AzOqN1ziTj_fDw2VXqbpEEKvhmtZAoQlsJMRpnA/s1600/fairground+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-OJN2WUkPatGbs83O9DDqTGc3bfgpKFKw5BaiUzV0f7fmJueCwNt2dGkZuq-2ndZAGtFMIZKXlpEIUt-4yZohNqTmiaoJ55XlqvJ_GJ1ckMY8YqMu3Q5qVVzIJcKhUjRWnKP5d1gLsg/s1600/fairground+005.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-OJN2WUkPatGbs83O9DDqTGc3bfgpKFKw5BaiUzV0f7fmJueCwNt2dGkZuq-2ndZAGtFMIZKXlpEIUt-4yZohNqTmiaoJ55XlqvJ_GJ1ckMY8YqMu3Q5qVVzIJcKhUjRWnKP5d1gLsg/s640/fairground+005.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYWF1qSKZD0wS-HhehyphenhyphennsR4OqOeNVgaYO45ibCTAlX72Yw4inUKKAoXURZso7GRwwJKH6mq2-_Cm4LaJhG_AIOwoNRXLkJyyGSYnbsFbhvpwaNB2VYvB92KDxp5O_C9jur7n9YT1zEyBE/s1600/fairground+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYWF1qSKZD0wS-HhehyphenhyphennsR4OqOeNVgaYO45ibCTAlX72Yw4inUKKAoXURZso7GRwwJKH6mq2-_Cm4LaJhG_AIOwoNRXLkJyyGSYnbsFbhvpwaNB2VYvB92KDxp5O_C9jur7n9YT1zEyBE/s320/fairground+003.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEsiLrlAy4PahgM5oWJlYfTP2gy8nipuLafWXOhHidRRXY7_8tUu3-yx26gpR_TsDaCLEjO_v9nDYsuYbXqz2MthpbRI800Z-Npus3AzOqN1ziTj_fDw2VXqbpEEKvhmtZAoQlsJMRpnA/s1600/fairground+001.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEsiLrlAy4PahgM5oWJlYfTP2gy8nipuLafWXOhHidRRXY7_8tUu3-yx26gpR_TsDaCLEjO_v9nDYsuYbXqz2MthpbRI800Z-Npus3AzOqN1ziTj_fDw2VXqbpEEKvhmtZAoQlsJMRpnA/s320/fairground+001.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMBwF8ZgnVC93wbbLDIE6aieBr9TTgUczRkR5UkxiaENuAxMNkt1EhYGokGI_h5IU5Uf0q3wcXp9jvfNDqDlnyAbeWPRwYwSgzgIGpX3MTg0u4xCnElCj0kg6caNDfNu5HN1f6azDMhZY/s1600/fairground+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMBwF8ZgnVC93wbbLDIE6aieBr9TTgUczRkR5UkxiaENuAxMNkt1EhYGokGI_h5IU5Uf0q3wcXp9jvfNDqDlnyAbeWPRwYwSgzgIGpX3MTg0u4xCnElCj0kg6caNDfNu5HN1f6azDMhZY/s320/fairground+004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfVbkhZiw0p11j3-ZZGsd44Xv8MJpQ-LZ10WSR1shis_hQCIFiA0GB9tFLqoQ4QFO5nyeT5Ms1OLXl7zwZdgILKTbX7agC7XfxPjBKp2qnIzgwKyYrHN2DgKfDW19xG_bVxqbr_GgQ8rE/s1600/fairground+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfVbkhZiw0p11j3-ZZGsd44Xv8MJpQ-LZ10WSR1shis_hQCIFiA0GB9tFLqoQ4QFO5nyeT5Ms1OLXl7zwZdgILKTbX7agC7XfxPjBKp2qnIzgwKyYrHN2DgKfDW19xG_bVxqbr_GgQ8rE/s400/fairground+017.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbc1GI5fjKza0DHqu63PPWsoyIub070jZT05sjNb-UaiAw9_mennm1AtbJL3Qb-iyZpDwCTW31rSR2HYFnT-y5P61u-gvanpk2Eq22NV2D527F-MtRuwabuZmpEIjijP6cEggspgiFSt4/s1600/fairground+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbc1GI5fjKza0DHqu63PPWsoyIub070jZT05sjNb-UaiAw9_mennm1AtbJL3Qb-iyZpDwCTW31rSR2HYFnT-y5P61u-gvanpk2Eq22NV2D527F-MtRuwabuZmpEIjijP6cEggspgiFSt4/s320/fairground+018.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTSypeuPuj-jNJE7BLBfi3UMihteU_bM4eFiL02qKn_4r7-enP49ffFRrir-bfWVfbBvpcnStB-MatT7KvCQcEGUFa8c0RVPr7QvsfgOLLDw9KWK-HzhLzXp1KC_g-MMkhDhip2yL53Wg/s1600/fairground+061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTSypeuPuj-jNJE7BLBfi3UMihteU_bM4eFiL02qKn_4r7-enP49ffFRrir-bfWVfbBvpcnStB-MatT7KvCQcEGUFa8c0RVPr7QvsfgOLLDw9KWK-HzhLzXp1KC_g-MMkhDhip2yL53Wg/s640/fairground+061.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163023090669719062.post-77249405934483383022012-12-06T17:09:00.000+00:002012-12-08T15:16:28.663+00:00Living in the now - again.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:RelyOnVML/>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyK5eNx2dT1THhhUXs8XaMHAREjEZ8gz08RvDhJ2ETix3r66g021sLiCfmLNwG0wMLA7-GTqYkAymWHxRxdOMi1Rmol56q5OWLk2EFBaj5EyCXxQjFNu4rI5bt1IIlUmA3CTAQzdGOIEY/s1600/sunset+jan+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyK5eNx2dT1THhhUXs8XaMHAREjEZ8gz08RvDhJ2ETix3r66g021sLiCfmLNwG0wMLA7-GTqYkAymWHxRxdOMi1Rmol56q5OWLk2EFBaj5EyCXxQjFNu4rI5bt1IIlUmA3CTAQzdGOIEY/s640/sunset+jan+036.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span style="color: #cc0000;">I write this having returned from riding on Dartmoor. It is a gloriously clear crisp day and I am taking every opportunity to seize the day while we are still here. At the moment my life is a tumbling mix of house moving meetings, puppies, house sorting, Christmas preparations and visiting . I wrote about 'living in the now' in my last blog and since then Julie and Nick Palmer (who have been friends since college days) sent me a link to Nick's article about </span></span><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Living with <a href="http://www.platform505.com/living-with-motor-neurone-disease/">Motor Neurone Disease</a></span> (click <a href="http://www.platform505.com/living-with-motor-neurone-disease/"><b>http://www.platform505.com/living-with-motor-neurone-disease/</b></a> to link). </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This is an amazingly inspirational, but down to earth, piece of writing in which Nick shares his experiences of MND. It is an excellent insight into <i>having</i> to live in the present. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Julie and Nick have forwarded me a copy but why not read it on the </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.platform505.com/">Platform 505</a> web pages?</span></span> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If you do only one thing today - make sure you read <u><b><a href="http://www.platform505.com/living-with-motor-neurone-disease/">this article.</a></b></u></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><b> </b></u></span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwsSh_YnsEXRuDaCg0I87I1DKeWq3c2JQzIKpEkBjg9iRg1h9HvPWd-5FQj9exvkvZ6BoRgR_RpAoGKCKe0MQXTrQ2tLBTaSvs_Dl5r-Dr2Kh3TwN10H9jiAV79M-YLjv6gs5ffe2EboY/s1600/late+pew+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwsSh_YnsEXRuDaCg0I87I1DKeWq3c2JQzIKpEkBjg9iRg1h9HvPWd-5FQj9exvkvZ6BoRgR_RpAoGKCKe0MQXTrQ2tLBTaSvs_Dl5r-Dr2Kh3TwN10H9jiAV79M-YLjv6gs5ffe2EboY/s640/late+pew+018.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163023090669719062.post-60463333607680853962012-12-01T18:08:00.000+00:002012-12-01T18:30:52.116+00:00Living in the now<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNqlA9cqWmUIbNvKni8afnojQcLQkHFgVR1l-EOiDwvIvabIU2Ueg0-kiwQeS1DFzR_VXEHd-okcw5VHQmoESkojDbVK_FFh_Rk_Rj5v8vtFK-9Q8jca25LcDcZMrD-bcizhtoc5EjwPE/s1600/frost+and+puppies+051a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNqlA9cqWmUIbNvKni8afnojQcLQkHFgVR1l-EOiDwvIvabIU2Ueg0-kiwQeS1DFzR_VXEHd-okcw5VHQmoESkojDbVK_FFh_Rk_Rj5v8vtFK-9Q8jca25LcDcZMrD-bcizhtoc5EjwPE/s200/frost+and+puppies+051a.jpg" width="173" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqzEZMu21pEkVKbSil-C_FaFY-UtoL0vQBEEgAZ23ivW1fkFUeo8eZwtaGtF0DrSRHq3PTxK0ZIzawFq447O6wSfqwl0HdYgyXh5Fd9G4cQXdsSrSEaBfL_-0LOgU3KSy_qtsfSWUMmqM/s1600/frost+and+puppies+027a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqzEZMu21pEkVKbSil-C_FaFY-UtoL0vQBEEgAZ23ivW1fkFUeo8eZwtaGtF0DrSRHq3PTxK0ZIzawFq447O6wSfqwl0HdYgyXh5Fd9G4cQXdsSrSEaBfL_-0LOgU3KSy_qtsfSWUMmqM/s200/frost+and+puppies+027a.jpg" width="149" /></a><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Finding a new home is often both a stressful and exciting event for many people. </span></span><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Since we have been married</span></span>, The Curate and I have owned several houses and lived in married quarters. We have taken on old houses and renovated them and still have a three hundred year old cottage that needs constant attention. But for now, we live in church owned houses. It was one of the hardest things I had to accept when The Curate became a curate. I spent the first part of his curacy living in our old house during the week and commuting back to live with him at the weekends. I had a job that I was not ready to give up and I guess it was a half way stage to letting go of our home. While The Curate is a curate, our house will always be a temporary home because curates are moved on. It was when I heard The Curate say recently, that we would never live in our old cottage again that the penny finally, and most definitely, dropped. I suppose I knew this but, somehow, I don't think I believed it. It has taken a little while to finally let go of our home and begin to work out what we should do with it. It would be good for the village to see another family in it,rather than it be used only occasionally for holidays. As I write, I know I am writing this to convince myself but I do know we are moving on. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc5H7Uq04Fgixf5W_GbGQAIZaSV8gwvafs4VK5bkZZWYk2t4zdtdKsxf3RXQjr6Lwd5CBPoEUe4_HMk5yPElWfpfEjq1llLH08JJZGySDKL7vPlY43RG_yNsoPqfKNOavp8yZ-n9KZQAg/s1600/frost+and+puppies+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc5H7Uq04Fgixf5W_GbGQAIZaSV8gwvafs4VK5bkZZWYk2t4zdtdKsxf3RXQjr6Lwd5CBPoEUe4_HMk5yPElWfpfEjq1llLH08JJZGySDKL7vPlY43RG_yNsoPqfKNOavp8yZ-n9KZQAg/s200/frost+and+puppies+033.JPG" width="150" /></a><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It was a strange feeling to visit the rectory that is to be our new home next year. We did not peruse the estate agents or any other properties as you do when you are house hunting. We did not even view it together. We cannot make plans to change or adapt it to suit our needs. Back in the days when The Curate was in the Royal Navy, any house being viewed would be freshly decorated in magnolia coloured paint and we would be in and out mustered with tick lists and inventory. This time things are different and the work to be carried out on the rectory has to be decided between us, the parish representatives, the diocesan pastoral committee and the diocesan </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">surveyor. It seems like a lot of people that have to agree before improvements can be made. And improveme</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">nts do have to be made!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVK49Ig47yFBZDLJIsYByHJhT0SZChwDaRGEIX4E4CaOQHHeFG82jN1RShYIrJ2EVSFbV3vzDjuk5KzlCCO2C_yhplYP_pIziG7BH8vggiFU09DsFA484KgfTIsf5Bamr5SXNlE-hGyoE/s1600/frost+and+puppies+035a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVK49Ig47yFBZDLJIsYByHJhT0SZChwDaRGEIX4E4CaOQHHeFG82jN1RShYIrJ2EVSFbV3vzDjuk5KzlCCO2C_yhplYP_pIziG7BH8vggiFU09DsFA484KgfTIsf5Bamr5SXNlE-hGyoE/s200/frost+and+puppies+035a.jpg" width="152" /></a><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Curate and I will be travelling back to Dorset to have a meeting with various people to discuss options this week. If there is major work to be done - now is the time for the diocese to do it - while the house is empty. If it is decorating then we are all prepared to get involved. This will be our third move in four years and it would be good if, this time, we didn't move in with the builders. The time frame seems frighteningly short if we are to be there in February and The Curate licensed in March....and there is Christmas in between......and the prediction of snow this winter! "Have faith Curate's Wife, have faith!" I hear you all saying and I will try!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEideEuMuKA7URkunMXwlIwLbDGUqymKM1xC0m4VzQTohrMJMPf_9MHfo38x2tx6QUppOUcTIydcOHrFfYnggqlqd76S9kANSfDSiI5tt3fPnmvQzBf9OtrqCNu_1_DvEcItkrhVKvdpFtw/s1600/frost+and+puppies+042a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEideEuMuKA7URkunMXwlIwLbDGUqymKM1xC0m4VzQTohrMJMPf_9MHfo38x2tx6QUppOUcTIydcOHrFfYnggqlqd76S9kANSfDSiI5tt3fPnmvQzBf9OtrqCNu_1_DvEcItkrhVKvdpFtw/s200/frost+and+puppies+042a.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the meantime, the puppies have all been found new homes to go to when they are old enough. At only four weeks old yesterday, there are still plenty of worries for Maggie's (the pups mum) owners to deal with and they are a lot of hard work! The pups are slowly being weaned - mealtimes are very entertaining and messy!</span></span> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">As all dogs do, they live each moment in the present and do not worry about the future - or the past. Perhaps I should follow their example.</span></span><br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Tomorrow is the first Sunday in Advent and The Curate reminds me that Advent is about waiting for the future but living in the now. Perhaps I had better listen to his sermon tomorrow!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjui8pu5rTQ79LWajGRIUHdKPGkspchNCP6AuKX1G7iz7W3dYLJeNXz16yL_ogBBiNw9i59R1EI1yQ2jyy36pJa_xuTbTzsonGu-X3WZm-eP9eqlYOwniPahXNtxkZKLVUib55h9ISixRI/s1600/pups+041a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjui8pu5rTQ79LWajGRIUHdKPGkspchNCP6AuKX1G7iz7W3dYLJeNXz16yL_ogBBiNw9i59R1EI1yQ2jyy36pJa_xuTbTzsonGu-X3WZm-eP9eqlYOwniPahXNtxkZKLVUib55h9ISixRI/s320/pups+041a.jpg" width="262" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The biggest, the first (and the strangest looking) pup at birth</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Thees33fj39eAfvmrjA9GQfXH0Im-N0w1N2TZxQno2QPg73ymci5gkARgyDHXSUQ9qTdJy90bpeAjJtafKJ-o9b0P0hxhYmVs8tmoWt-GxvZv6q0Vqj5cMSqfzR7nw97AAVnkM9ir5M/s1600/frost+and+puppies+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Thees33fj39eAfvmrjA9GQfXH0Im-N0w1N2TZxQno2QPg73ymci5gkARgyDHXSUQ9qTdJy90bpeAjJtafKJ-o9b0P0hxhYmVs8tmoWt-GxvZv6q0Vqj5cMSqfzR7nw97AAVnkM9ir5M/s320/frost+and+puppies+022.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">...has turned into this very handsome pup.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163023090669719062.post-30954133830393966842012-11-24T17:59:00.002+00:002012-11-24T19:58:58.783+00:00after the deluge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnM5tXcLMnlnYLw7LjYn_NwoqvAqbVKWHFWxwuzn48Gpiy43TnqhcLmcec4KlciV2TXkiIX8rfenjBVvelO9bQ1VpPrMOb6vKz7XFHLFZS6q0OXycFX4q0NRQNcyagFRu6V96FHBl6yjA/s1600/ride+out+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnM5tXcLMnlnYLw7LjYn_NwoqvAqbVKWHFWxwuzn48Gpiy43TnqhcLmcec4KlciV2TXkiIX8rfenjBVvelO9bQ1VpPrMOb6vKz7XFHLFZS6q0OXycFX4q0NRQNcyagFRu6V96FHBl6yjA/s200/ride+out+005.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Lakeland inspects the foam</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMxi-WFciBK1IzqmxREkRlK8jCWl7rfBaHRq7-GNrkFrAIcO6LGTzsGMOnuUlU_fzpLVeCxK5yNLQ1n6MekZQ71lu0Jvzo2IuHtaBmVZWBdO3rs6Irmd7-vb_-iR03H9JiS7RZP_Clwk/s1600/shoes+autumn+tree+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMxi-WFciBK1IzqmxREkRlK8jCWl7rfBaHRq7-GNrkFrAIcO6LGTzsGMOnuUlU_fzpLVeCxK5yNLQ1n6MekZQ71lu0Jvzo2IuHtaBmVZWBdO3rs6Irmd7-vb_-iR03H9JiS7RZP_Clwk/s400/shoes+autumn+tree+001.JPG" width="223" /></a><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Oh the rain...the rain! The water is running off the moor bringing all the Autumn debris with it. The pipes and gutters are blocked and the torrents of water race down the roads tossing gravel and leaves aside. The flood waters are frothed up on the moor and then rush by leaving foamy footmarks. When the rain stops, the temporary torrents slow to a trickle and gravel trails cover the roads. The south west has seen roads blocked, train lines flooded and farm land waterlogged. Yesterday was a respite day before more of the promised rain over night and tomorrow. </span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4WRaxRUTaXLmN2HrR3YmZ7AwOBQ7kHLs96u4_XHKcJBWbuaTlqzTJrFSblHQcZVWLYqO8_s_3N_IAF_lCubS4cH_4WYWVR7B_L1oobSpuaG6P1gJESDGCl14D7NpksVL7xbc7favDkk/s1600/ride+out+021a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4WRaxRUTaXLmN2HrR3YmZ7AwOBQ7kHLs96u4_XHKcJBWbuaTlqzTJrFSblHQcZVWLYqO8_s_3N_IAF_lCubS4cH_4WYWVR7B_L1oobSpuaG6P1gJESDGCl14D7NpksVL7xbc7favDkk/s320/ride+out+021a.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Yesterday The Curate and I made good use of the dry</span></span><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> window by riding out on the moor. It was sodden from the recent rain but it didn't stop us appreciating </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">the wide open spaces after being cooped up inside for the last few days. I am really enjoying riding Major The Clydesdale, who is wintering at Tor Royal Stables from Adventure Clydesdale. I can't believe that two years ago I knew nothing about Clydesdale horses or riding on Dartmoor.</span></span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlETZywDQ85p41o7YZMWJLMDoNUJzSX18eZUekWYyi9S0PPcrfYIbSQMAPskYrW1y44IVSPQfUWk7yaYyw-mYkLBFZx-mmq09qnOdV1oieY9UOgT-rhayIGFNAixHOb7LByveZSW2UEro/s1600/pups+day15+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlETZywDQ85p41o7YZMWJLMDoNUJzSX18eZUekWYyi9S0PPcrfYIbSQMAPskYrW1y44IVSPQfUWk7yaYyw-mYkLBFZx-mmq09qnOdV1oieY9UOgT-rhayIGFNAixHOb7LByveZSW2UEro/s320/pups+day15+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The Collie inspects the water rushing under the clapper <span style="font-size: xx-small;">bridge</span>.</span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">After the excitement of interviews and appointments, there is a realisation that we still have quite a few months to wait and The Curate's work does not stop here.</span></span><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> The Curate is getting on with his day to day job as the season of carol services and celebrations is fast approaching. </span></span>Of course, I am in retirement but I haven't found much time to think about my previous life! My mind is mentally moving furniture around the rooms of a house I have only seen once. So on Monday we are returning to see the house with the knowledge that it will be our future home. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Curate and I were shown it separately on the interview day and we had no time to discuss it together. It was interesting to see what he had noticed compared to what I remembered. I had walked round the house on the interview day unable to, or wanting to, comprehend that this house could be our next home. I gave it all a cursory glance, not wanting to pre-empt the interview decision. Now we have to decide on paint colours, we have to meet the diocese property people to discuss updates and improvements - all to be finished by February - as this is when we are supposed to move in. My plans for 'retirement' activities may need to be put on hold. (There is also the added distraction of Tess the new pup, who was 3 weeks old yesterday!)</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1q01IDj1V3-vKnd7tNWRg2QAeTb2dxl3JqvoFu_DLTMg0ISWHxUKoRLr8zSCy1lN6eZKGeyIo5_sTC08V8QgeQpP98OASLTIuE2Ym9TX8ea7ncj6lfBXasTLa7YYrg61x7eFx10wvURE/s1600/ride+out+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1q01IDj1V3-vKnd7tNWRg2QAeTb2dxl3JqvoFu_DLTMg0ISWHxUKoRLr8zSCy1lN6eZKGeyIo5_sTC08V8QgeQpP98OASLTIuE2Ym9TX8ea7ncj6lfBXasTLa7YYrg61x7eFx10wvURE/s400/ride+out+028.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Tess - 3 weeks old</span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163023090669719062.post-68432656871314961442012-11-18T12:41:00.003+00:002012-11-18T12:41:20.936+00:00It's official!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6-YadLXOBCIU19KUA7HkWrH5ihEjZyzpSuYVotqLRNOrWea6hI8Cn7qryn8HMjf-Pm5F882qqyuDzg1OxQNLZycl7GcLIfiKYLZBYx-2bHFL3K3O-Pq21I5moLiWbbEPsafnbdwvFMTA/s1600/pups+day15+032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6-YadLXOBCIU19KUA7HkWrH5ihEjZyzpSuYVotqLRNOrWea6hI8Cn7qryn8HMjf-Pm5F882qqyuDzg1OxQNLZycl7GcLIfiKYLZBYx-2bHFL3K3O-Pq21I5moLiWbbEPsafnbdwvFMTA/s400/pups+day15+032.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Tess at 15 days old</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The wardens of a very beautiful Benefice in the diocese of Salisbury are pleased to announce (subject to CRB checks) that their new Rector will be arriving just before Easter.<br /><br />The benefice we are going to comprises of several rural parishes that work closely together, deep in beautiful Thomas Hardy country.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">- And that's as much as we need to say. We are moving to the next door county </span></span><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">(eastwards) and to a lovely rural location. We have lived in the counties either side of Dorset. We have explored and holidayed in Dorset when our boys were much younger and we are looking forward to revisiting old haunts.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So much to do....so much to explore.......so much to plan......so much to pack.......</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">so much to learn</span>!</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So long to wait!......</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Curate (soon to be Rector) will be licensed in March. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6W1GamtdfQsW-HSsSllAIAc4G0cyRIj2U7oTw1XNEN__KGS4xo29EsmUVThf5zrB4ol57vLAaAFMZpRQ1QjTbVPBBn4azF08dzgT4dJ0FLFzFUgY2UqsSj4wWJQPQ-DcGHnF16hvIZE/s1600/pups+day15+034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6W1GamtdfQsW-HSsSllAIAc4G0cyRIj2U7oTw1XNEN__KGS4xo29EsmUVThf5zrB4ol57vLAaAFMZpRQ1QjTbVPBBn4azF08dzgT4dJ0FLFzFUgY2UqsSj4wWJQPQ-DcGHnF16hvIZE/s320/pups+day15+034.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">Tess will join us after Christmas and will be our Dorset Dog</span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163023090669719062.post-87371072837283509032012-11-15T20:31:00.001+00:002012-11-16T17:02:06.770+00:00Naming names<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqInB0ViY5CqGU2eYOUx67kBfFDxCFVBqSNYMEhc13-wX74U5cDrjbfXli29VNUdtucznI5VPyaB94Dcuf1U1e0o2oWP7El43JNH705HpyI4S22enirJParw9ahKCJ_uaAW7FouNQok-4/s1600/pups+033a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqInB0ViY5CqGU2eYOUx67kBfFDxCFVBqSNYMEhc13-wX74U5cDrjbfXli29VNUdtucznI5VPyaB94Dcuf1U1e0o2oWP7El43JNH705HpyI4S22enirJParw9ahKCJ_uaAW7FouNQok-4/s400/pups+033a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">Mum keeps a careful eye on her pup.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This is the pup who will be coming with us to our new parish. She is one of the smallest and has unusual colouring for a collie but both The Curate and I feel drawn to her. Now for the name. Jem, our Lakeland, was named after a character in Jamaica Inn ( I know he was a man). We had decided that our next dog would be called Jem when we were driving back to West Country after living in Gibraltar. We had listen to the tapes of Jamica Inn as we drove from South to North Spain. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Jed The Collie has a very suitable Devon collie name and he was also our Jedi Knight from Star Wars. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This pup will probably be called Tess - still on the literary theme. Can you guess which area of the UK we are going to next? </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">All will be revealed on Sunday when The Curate's appointment will be officially announced in both parishes ( and here).</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163023090669719062.post-53366431875018740232012-11-10T11:08:00.000+00:002012-11-10T11:08:01.931+00:00Next Steps<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnSZexEE4cNScas4kW9C2ZS-ZXpUyx7kgqqQ9FWmw66tFnu_oV4UCm1vMSmdFs-5zxb7Yd7wccLiJfRGaHc4-AUb9Ep-WUKFvcqgeYUsZiInvoSLOYZtu85g0YcXk9nMXTcq8LE52xaFc/s1600/pups+123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnSZexEE4cNScas4kW9C2ZS-ZXpUyx7kgqqQ9FWmw66tFnu_oV4UCm1vMSmdFs-5zxb7Yd7wccLiJfRGaHc4-AUb9Ep-WUKFvcqgeYUsZiInvoSLOYZtu85g0YcXk9nMXTcq8LE52xaFc/s400/pups+123.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">8 days old</span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Life has not slowed down yet except for yesterday when I was puppy sitting The Collie's new pups and mum for the afternoon. The six pups fed and then slept, grunting and squeaking rather like guinea pigs as they snuggled up to each other. Their eyes are not open so we are still waiting to see if any have the collie blue eyes. I had taken a bagful of things to do but as it was, I spent the afternoon just watching and photographing. It was so restful and mum was so calm that I was able to take the time to reflect on the past two days events.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Curate and I have just returned from an interview that started with drinks on the night before and ended with a lovely lunch the next day. In between, The Curate was interviewed by two panels and preached on the gospel. I visited the various parishes attached to the vacancy with other interviewee's wives and drank coffee and ate cake. It is with great joy that I can say that The Curate was successful and we now know where we are heading. I can say no more until it is officially announced but - we are on our way!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the meantime, we are thrilled with the pups and we are trying to choose one to join us on the next stage of our journey. Here they are:-</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfXxyTt3Y63cQAA2GYkHXqRZwucbeHldO9J2aRbVA4144l5XizmPhu5_qelVyM6jmo8KGl9qTeSdoAuNdZjJThClS3cSivC6CxmEvbuutI253jd7y0mZkpAkaC3XLbunNFEjn0ozByLV4/s1600/pups+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfXxyTt3Y63cQAA2GYkHXqRZwucbeHldO9J2aRbVA4144l5XizmPhu5_qelVyM6jmo8KGl9qTeSdoAuNdZjJThClS3cSivC6CxmEvbuutI253jd7y0mZkpAkaC3XLbunNFEjn0ozByLV4/s320/pups+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj54HFZhD4rqwiewnv1dfWJQlWXGFqqmGvYN0DB7YbbuoD15nRVRlAW3udJir-Ry1o6Uy5w2pZ7xuE98LzTS4xhpCT7V0LvOpL0lvMu3y2nPHXIusidDu0_rxJcLiCbE3Wd7o-yvHOTPlY/s1600/pups+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj54HFZhD4rqwiewnv1dfWJQlWXGFqqmGvYN0DB7YbbuoD15nRVRlAW3udJir-Ry1o6Uy5w2pZ7xuE98LzTS4xhpCT7V0LvOpL0lvMu3y2nPHXIusidDu0_rxJcLiCbE3Wd7o-yvHOTPlY/s320/pups+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiOr2fwMNtP3Yo4HVKNWU6t_EpPSodz-a5aIVp-z4da8KLF2d4EbDt1hijta7xJB2taQy5Z9MMkMzhjHkL4mCcUsCQfEg8SA6QyccTg-O_Lcdb22zyUXE2ZcV1kqcAMaUf7zKTrkoBlUw/s1600/pups+109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiOr2fwMNtP3Yo4HVKNWU6t_EpPSodz-a5aIVp-z4da8KLF2d4EbDt1hijta7xJB2taQy5Z9MMkMzhjHkL4mCcUsCQfEg8SA6QyccTg-O_Lcdb22zyUXE2ZcV1kqcAMaUf7zKTrkoBlUw/s320/pups+109.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPAF5OyYhWPx6a7Ffba6DJZjqD-HphkjdiFoIXrPLIcogBJfSHSmQlp2UiV6tMgI9mnrIkqiz9bz_vEKZplMDIpCGOtT02qg95aoVNVQQeWO8-CkmAT_K0il7sGkShQ8leIUTYzd7K-Uc/s1600/pups+095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPAF5OyYhWPx6a7Ffba6DJZjqD-HphkjdiFoIXrPLIcogBJfSHSmQlp2UiV6tMgI9mnrIkqiz9bz_vEKZplMDIpCGOtT02qg95aoVNVQQeWO8-CkmAT_K0il7sGkShQ8leIUTYzd7K-Uc/s320/pups+095.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk4qa9c__lUhqKp8y8iXpVBYqJEX3Pbe7djiknm4nijAGbJU1yUqYFvJHJZjfnHgnhYAbyabC5FJFxzDsXUxiDnLtorEQblTk-_MBwek4KpaQEvU2ZQklzo2N6hE9fGEt3DEcmXSjoiRs/s1600/pups+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk4qa9c__lUhqKp8y8iXpVBYqJEX3Pbe7djiknm4nijAGbJU1yUqYFvJHJZjfnHgnhYAbyabC5FJFxzDsXUxiDnLtorEQblTk-_MBwek4KpaQEvU2ZQklzo2N6hE9fGEt3DEcmXSjoiRs/s320/pups+013.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhib0kF1QELnU7-IRXw_6Qf4tbD6LjQIX0bNszOIs5M55zmDtjmlfqm_7HiN2qQ2cEAdBT87wehernjTHAysT-jKY1o9JGDUWf4PoDvv3EO4aHkL_6o_2JDomyl-4KNZOP9SvsgaupFNH0/s1600/pups+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhib0kF1QELnU7-IRXw_6Qf4tbD6LjQIX0bNszOIs5M55zmDtjmlfqm_7HiN2qQ2cEAdBT87wehernjTHAysT-jKY1o9JGDUWf4PoDvv3EO4aHkL_6o_2JDomyl-4KNZOP9SvsgaupFNH0/s320/pups+041.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_huo8L06v8VGsTNR8yr2yZHMTO9lvueDfqg9U5982ppPAGcmjE8253mc3LL1krdl9CCpCv6nElWTnHQqLEGLMMmcQxw9qWd9q1gGCWSOZRUBKFKWOmWpgFPEyOPQ_tTif5wWxSag6MDM/s1600/pups+083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEpghc0576NUeraFh050M7utU7PxbEL0B6lW6ThyphenhyphenWnuBoisGPtxNKzVWjYotCxAQWvIRlsk3c327brFO3w57_rwno_z_p5hrvw9KbPIObZU_u_tagQj3osEa2bMUMPUcVRgfDzWK3z7gs/s1600/pups+060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEpghc0576NUeraFh050M7utU7PxbEL0B6lW6ThyphenhyphenWnuBoisGPtxNKzVWjYotCxAQWvIRlsk3c327brFO3w57_rwno_z_p5hrvw9KbPIObZU_u_tagQj3osEa2bMUMPUcVRgfDzWK3z7gs/s640/pups+060.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw9iTKVUqAxxrwBMAExi2VXt1DpdCSm__oDB04cZTT93IkfrQnfQ3BiQ79XhTT8g9E_4IT9ZlxK_Xb4TzjqvMqm6v35pcs5jeYeDEvOi89BM4j75FlYkJYz4TcP-PHqi3cWRCMlqKkdHg/s1600/pups+059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw9iTKVUqAxxrwBMAExi2VXt1DpdCSm__oDB04cZTT93IkfrQnfQ3BiQ79XhTT8g9E_4IT9ZlxK_Xb4TzjqvMqm6v35pcs5jeYeDEvOi89BM4j75FlYkJYz4TcP-PHqi3cWRCMlqKkdHg/s320/pups+059.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_huo8L06v8VGsTNR8yr2yZHMTO9lvueDfqg9U5982ppPAGcmjE8253mc3LL1krdl9CCpCv6nElWTnHQqLEGLMMmcQxw9qWd9q1gGCWSOZRUBKFKWOmWpgFPEyOPQ_tTif5wWxSag6MDM/s640/pups+083.JPG" width="640" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163023090669719062.post-79657829268220966032012-11-04T16:14:00.004+00:002012-11-04T16:22:37.199+00:00There we are<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmjZq7Kj9tE_ZX-9GMw07Ecrm9L1Daa0c-G38nxFaZlOL98Di9MSEyj4Y0EZGiEMPdZ9-S4iSipb0As4wcMB9ObXyXC6m-MqX3kk4khvLLazmHmt3yxJwUpw9PtIaC2vaydzKisCY-WNg/s1600/pups+002a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmjZq7Kj9tE_ZX-9GMw07Ecrm9L1Daa0c-G38nxFaZlOL98Di9MSEyj4Y0EZGiEMPdZ9-S4iSipb0As4wcMB9ObXyXC6m-MqX3kk4khvLLazmHmt3yxJwUpw9PtIaC2vaydzKisCY-WNg/s400/pups+002a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Less that 24 hours old.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6iUmEnr_Lunm9W8CD4dirf3TEdhqxBg7Jn0dgbjhjkqNqdZN0GwWq0V06t6W5kGhk5wtwc_zxhEtq_sTxxQcP_oyDu0r7SyoC6GSP3d25KrU8Tq64psAwc4uNRKEO00EKhT2y09lXco/s1600/word+cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6iUmEnr_Lunm9W8CD4dirf3TEdhqxBg7Jn0dgbjhjkqNqdZN0GwWq0V06t6W5kGhk5wtwc_zxhEtq_sTxxQcP_oyDu0r7SyoC6GSP3d25KrU8Tq64psAwc4uNRKEO00EKhT2y09lXco/s200/word+cake.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It is the first time I haven't had time to write a blog for over seven days and I am supposed to be retired! In the last week I have caught up with old and new friends, there have been exciting engagement and expecting baby announcements (not us I hasten to add). I have ridden in the first snows on the moor, visited the six new pups who are the offspring of our much loved Collie, seen the latest James Bond film and cooked for informal supper parties (the type of entertaining that I enjoy). Since 'retiring' I have never been so busy or so blessed! I was warned that there were not enough hours in the day by other retirees - but I didn't believe them...now I do!</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjlr6JUUCQ0-CJeKhC3qUfxHfpD_i8XmvXSn11QNYdNNgqBzaZiqybB-oNEbdNcax8q3IUYXwLzqAHk4utM9wxJ6jn9PV437bomMDUnShPiH2dM-J3eOmxZL5cHaqqn1aPGz81wRh_zo/s1600/jen+visit+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjlr6JUUCQ0-CJeKhC3qUfxHfpD_i8XmvXSn11QNYdNNgqBzaZiqybB-oNEbdNcax8q3IUYXwLzqAHk4utM9wxJ6jn9PV437bomMDUnShPiH2dM-J3eOmxZL5cHaqqn1aPGz81wRh_zo/s200/jen+visit+014.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinr_3meBuyUS__leACRnWPl3XfxzZGS-J41TzcECC9BgGPsQhMzCwMtPotOogloLcKPNbuVu79zp7sd9fCwpJhaV9LMtwN2drOCzXMiBnVlwVzrAUJ_4AOumGt2GQaYmr8oOJN5OA3lgo/s1600/jen+visit+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinr_3meBuyUS__leACRnWPl3XfxzZGS-J41TzcECC9BgGPsQhMzCwMtPotOogloLcKPNbuVu79zp7sd9fCwpJhaV9LMtwN2drOCzXMiBnVlwVzrAUJ_4AOumGt2GQaYmr8oOJN5OA3lgo/s200/jen+visit+015.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_hBr3zgc8p1X7brbMJfRwyvwwg2dHgp-3FXWDigPwGg8-rpTDOiWRsFtRhdAO_0J-b0k_TtnTTmFzEUoEIK_TKekgI1U31_jC6iTpKF0a7tZlSN_ZQuz8XOFVhgiYFoNgSgosc6CeRk0/s1600/pups+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfyONRXkouPQYPxfx3uHGPbM4PSJelZmWizYAW9QE5dUyCjfhyphenhyphenn20n1bllX3N_f-irLsmLwxJHUdtzKTSilP8g2fDp-a00vERfBuFQfLK0n5kHak8C1GmU8DiV6c5o2C1dSXcmjc5tnFc/s1600/alpaca+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We have had our old friend and neighbour to stay which has been lovely. Our Collie greeted her with such excitement - we have never heard him 'speak' in the way that he did when she arrived. And, of course, she totally spoilt both the dogs!.</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We have walked and talked together </span></span><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">on the moor in sleet, snow and sunshine. Even the old Lakeland was determined to show she could keep up with us and climbed a tor. At nearly sixteen years old (what's that in dog years?) - I am constantly impressed by her determination.</span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_hBr3zgc8p1X7brbMJfRwyvwwg2dHgp-3FXWDigPwGg8-rpTDOiWRsFtRhdAO_0J-b0k_TtnTTmFzEUoEIK_TKekgI1U31_jC6iTpKF0a7tZlSN_ZQuz8XOFVhgiYFoNgSgosc6CeRk0/s1600/pups+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_hBr3zgc8p1X7brbMJfRwyvwwg2dHgp-3FXWDigPwGg8-rpTDOiWRsFtRhdAO_0J-b0k_TtnTTmFzEUoEIK_TKekgI1U31_jC6iTpKF0a7tZlSN_ZQuz8XOFVhgiYFoNgSgosc6CeRk0/s200/pups+004.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Then we had the news that six pups had arrived - we had been expecting to hear and so of course, we had to find time to visit the day old pups. These are our Collie's offspring and one will be joining our household eventually. How do you chose a single pup? - We would like them all!</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">With all this excitement going on in the house, the poor Curate is trying to prepare for another interview - somewhat tougher than the last one. I'm going along as well this time. It's a good job he manages to keep calm despite the chaos that seems to surround me! I just hope the vicarage is big enough for puppies, dogs, a Clydesdale horse (that I don't own yet....but one day......one day!) and the alpacas I've just been to visit today(and would love to own!), the occasional visiting sons and a vicar and his wife!</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHRFXqY0EiCqVsefz4wscxR_eO3sQt5IclpRQINT_pNFWV1ITyKi-WjhAjhIabvDYaHMjQXTo1k5nKMhO5bLiWF5N-RzWQchJowCHfG-6qlPFi2iNLKmpvU9tRrpGMHKnw_XZZ1vGW7qI/s1600/alpaca+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHRFXqY0EiCqVsefz4wscxR_eO3sQt5IclpRQINT_pNFWV1ITyKi-WjhAjhIabvDYaHMjQXTo1k5nKMhO5bLiWF5N-RzWQchJowCHfG-6qlPFi2iNLKmpvU9tRrpGMHKnw_XZZ1vGW7qI/s320/alpaca+012.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163023090669719062.post-76406951227623657102012-10-27T06:53:00.000+01:002012-12-05T19:41:22.349+00:00Retired!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwyMMDpqm0ZB6tXvykTRTu0qrmRUQ1NRLKeBJKGVgPTuTJ-sw3yI_VCWA8lCiMrx1c9qJYYv-rpRRVMywJ5PmEKyaF4vHhoATkAdyzf0WdetFjpun8RYSzDBotFngQE-YYnYw8P8loIHc/s1600/retirement+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwyMMDpqm0ZB6tXvykTRTu0qrmRUQ1NRLKeBJKGVgPTuTJ-sw3yI_VCWA8lCiMrx1c9qJYYv-rpRRVMywJ5PmEKyaF4vHhoATkAdyzf0WdetFjpun8RYSzDBotFngQE-YYnYw8P8loIHc/s400/retirement+008.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">That's it - decision made - job done! We can now focus on moving on and working out where we are supposed to be. I had a super last day at work - thanks to a friend's excellent cake cooking and kindness. There were no regrets and no doubts about whether I had done the right thing or not - just a certainty that all would be well. The Curate and I celebrated with a fish and chip supper in our van parked up on the Moor. Madness at it's best! Suddenly life seems incredibly busy and we have so much to do, I wonder how it will all get done. Life is exciting and busy! (Can you sense those giggle bubbles?) </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeIe6dthsYwp2lFJ3fBnwl90J8hCdjyoiBLpifVJg8yqg7XN0mEllznK68G32PTmbO3UUgLXlp2vcg7j0K5r1Qj3KssO3WPGVNhx7-exNejNU74M13fU60hGR9cH_jiZcjzxRMXqvt368/s1600/retirement+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeIe6dthsYwp2lFJ3fBnwl90J8hCdjyoiBLpifVJg8yqg7XN0mEllznK68G32PTmbO3UUgLXlp2vcg7j0K5r1Qj3KssO3WPGVNhx7-exNejNU74M13fU60hGR9cH_jiZcjzxRMXqvt368/s400/retirement+002.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163023090669719062.post-37366138083197406092012-10-21T11:56:00.000+01:002012-10-22T18:16:39.539+01:00Sunday Morning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDi9hWTHdwwOucNn8isxOBAhuLRdAk4Rhe2Wo9ot9NgQxkNZ4DgzJOmq2CRt5BoGOaMbwOkYOqNGyEZwVRvjgTtuQoNnRgKCPiw4khXVNlJVjI1XznhmujTtWkfEXldNvplo2jXQIY6-E/s1600/early+walk+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDi9hWTHdwwOucNn8isxOBAhuLRdAk4Rhe2Wo9ot9NgQxkNZ4DgzJOmq2CRt5BoGOaMbwOkYOqNGyEZwVRvjgTtuQoNnRgKCPiw4khXVNlJVjI1XznhmujTtWkfEXldNvplo2jXQIY6-E/s640/early+walk+007.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Dare I say it but for me, there are better places to be than in church on a Sunday morning. Today I am watching the sun try to rise up from behind the tors on the moor. The Collie, the Lakeland and myself have arrived to see the night time shroud of cloud become edged with the early sun light. It has the promise of a beautiful day. It is Sunday, and while the Curate goes off to open the church and prepare for the early communion service, I have brought both dogs to the edge of the moor, where human leisure pursuits mix with the </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir-hp_i3s2-csza-nYxMgEPBAf7gmBhASZDwSJVvznth7E6raDvDtcU84wTbbaV-oFhgvYqu5yW7hK1KOTf_Oebn7sr2HFOtTG7LK0oUpVTikl2HZLzOOMXOneshSLB21f3FxDw2Um4TM/s1600/early+walk+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir-hp_i3s2-csza-nYxMgEPBAf7gmBhASZDwSJVvznth7E6raDvDtcU84wTbbaV-oFhgvYqu5yW7hK1KOTf_Oebn7sr2HFOtTG7LK0oUpVTikl2HZLzOOMXOneshSLB21f3FxDw2Um4TM/s200/early+walk+021.JPG" width="150" /></a><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">rural </span></span><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">life of the moor - cattle and golf, football and sheep, dog walking and birds of prey. They all mix at different times of the day on this particular spot. For now it is silent, too early for the chattering small birds that hide themselves in the gorse bushes, too early for the sheep to rouse themselves from the middle of the road for just one car and too early for the ponies to be worried by the presence of two happy dogs. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Old Lakeland still enjoys wandering around - I lose her now and then as she ambles off in the opposite direction to me. In this early light, her flaxen wiry coat blends in with the long grasses so it is easy to lose her. She doesn't respond to my calls - she is either deaf or has very selective hearing.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiajz1PGbzuWB-dWS6JrwKYTb0vv1Fj3OUgCfgDwn8i2sIH1W_Fn10Pjk4Qe_VfSovNvZqSCW_4McVdrE3cQ2KQirmWIl1W3dYJgKz-ofTyp9dvwCEVJBqVpdvieEsSYvcTKVimEQ3-AIk/s1600/early+walk+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiajz1PGbzuWB-dWS6JrwKYTb0vv1Fj3OUgCfgDwn8i2sIH1W_Fn10Pjk4Qe_VfSovNvZqSCW_4McVdrE3cQ2KQirmWIl1W3dYJgKz-ofTyp9dvwCEVJBqVpdvieEsSYvcTKVimEQ3-AIk/s320/early+walk+011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2jTaPN2SmqIM7E2-XYOIiB8GseRVT_tq6y1AFBrPR_zbwa0P2FUo6BA3x7Cag0Iht4ob7NiQDAbNyXgbEgQf8Ad6h8IULY99WLiD6vyfEWofH9w2Q7x2BwiS88eNwjwA-5-fqTARFIh4/s1600/early+walk+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2jTaPN2SmqIM7E2-XYOIiB8GseRVT_tq6y1AFBrPR_zbwa0P2FUo6BA3x7Cag0Iht4ob7NiQDAbNyXgbEgQf8Ad6h8IULY99WLiD6vyfEWofH9w2Q7x2BwiS88eNwjwA-5-fqTARFIh4/s200/early+walk+013.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The early glimpses of sunlight seem to be disappearing now and a strange watery light has taken their place. Could this be rain coming? The view of the distant tor fades in and out of sight as the light changes - now you see it - now you don't. It is a great place to be still and reflective - to pray and to listen. So I don't complain about the early walks on Sunday.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagp631uFUJRyYf40BAghHFBQaUkAUxY-JWLvtrnsznv-Bz2OEGdBIgitJETtd7REgw3lEGp-5ip-nGqv3BdT65ARQzmuoXbUnjaaMaBJlz4uRxfOWQPwMF8dqozFx38VeR7_hwX2Y5wU/s1600/early+walk+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagp631uFUJRyYf40BAghHFBQaUkAUxY-JWLvtrnsznv-Bz2OEGdBIgitJETtd7REgw3lEGp-5ip-nGqv3BdT65ARQzmuoXbUnjaaMaBJlz4uRxfOWQPwMF8dqozFx38VeR7_hwX2Y5wU/s200/early+walk+045.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Around me, the moor is coming to life. The ponies are standing up and moving themselves from the middle of the golf course. There is the early golfer who sees only the small white ball and the flag that he is aiming for. There is the runner who is unaware that she has just sent a herd of ponies running ahead of her. There is the dog walker with one of those ball throwing things that sends the dog off repeatedly to collect the rubber ball leaving him with no time to sniff and explore. Soon the Sunday morning footballers will be training where the sheep have laid for the night and the cyclists will be making their way up to the higher moor along with the walkers. I am grateful for the stillness I have had and now another day can start.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCvF7vwdLsY7fnm9EBjtJJ2JFxubQERTwJbkl2sDlj6eyec1Or81AYBsQlXH2fvsLhnGmcz4yoElAu84JkNu7YIWjG63UUOMSnlsUARaF73Ce1RjdqjM_oyUbkWWgp-MybKGvLqD-uK7M/s1600/early+walk+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCvF7vwdLsY7fnm9EBjtJJ2JFxubQERTwJbkl2sDlj6eyec1Or81AYBsQlXH2fvsLhnGmcz4yoElAu84JkNu7YIWjG63UUOMSnlsUARaF73Ce1RjdqjM_oyUbkWWgp-MybKGvLqD-uK7M/s640/early+walk+014.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163023090669719062.post-23015161993655288962012-10-13T12:36:00.000+01:002012-10-13T12:36:32.628+01:00After the storms......<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWDlm21eCp9z3ugCB9Z2q5pci54m9IKbGSYJ2oYd1W2cKs_wke_IPHffnq2qPWI8wLuzLAlAg995nsXV8L0Np46HSyKqvF8SHiTYLUEWAmUClysDr1fiU_vAg54632KdA_hC9cFabDOYM/s1600/tor+royal+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWDlm21eCp9z3ugCB9Z2q5pci54m9IKbGSYJ2oYd1W2cKs_wke_IPHffnq2qPWI8wLuzLAlAg995nsXV8L0Np46HSyKqvF8SHiTYLUEWAmUClysDr1fiU_vAg54632KdA_hC9cFabDOYM/s640/tor+royal+023.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have had rain and more rain in the last week - and for most of it, I have been holed up indoors. With a glimmer of sunshine yesterday I rode out onto the moor with a couple of other riders from <span style="color: #351c75;"><a href="http://www.dartmoorhorseriding.co.uk/">Tor Royal</a>.</span> It was so good to be out in the wide open spaces - no roads, no busyness of life - just open (rather boggy) moorland. We are so lucky to have this time living near the moor.</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgngkrPlqO7aymG_2PmbnqFr2ctCBAPOzd4IUI4ck359q2xpkTRxopYwNbbCgo8NWF_ldNc35B8diFMmEJaMzNN-6RE4d3rtVQ8LVQMkIwpUJYZ3ElpTM_kd_3NAG3a0xWig9txzr7cvAQ/s1600/tor+royal+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgngkrPlqO7aymG_2PmbnqFr2ctCBAPOzd4IUI4ck359q2xpkTRxopYwNbbCgo8NWF_ldNc35B8diFMmEJaMzNN-6RE4d3rtVQ8LVQMkIwpUJYZ3ElpTM_kd_3NAG3a0xWig9txzr7cvAQ/s400/tor+royal+017.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I feel like I am on top of the world when we ride up here. After the heavy rain, the ground is saturated and the horses have to pick their way through the peaty bogs. You are enshrouded in silence - just the breathing of the wind in your ears. The light is sharp and bright when the sun comes out from behind the scudding clouds. The distant villages are clearly defined on the horizon and then become hazy again as the sun slides away. </span></span><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The marbled skies are reflected as stripes</span></span> of silver that criss-cross the moorland surface.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After</span></span> <span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">the turbulence of last week, I hope for a period of calm and reflection for both the Curate and myself. </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We have certainly learned a lot about ourselves and what we feel is important to our lives. Perhaps we are slow learners and we should have worked this all out before the Curate applied for any jobs. We thought we had - so it came as a bit of a shock that when every box appeared to be ticked, we both knew we had got something wrong. We have learned that we can't fly solo, that we value our family (obvious really!) and living in a community, that we need open space on our doorstep and our desire for adventure comes with conditions.</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163023090669719062.post-43934200746785376932012-10-09T09:55:00.000+01:002012-10-09T09:57:42.010+01:00Stunned<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<i><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u>Are we listening?</u></span></span></i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1st job application</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1st job interview</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1st job offer</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1st job declined </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">One Curate reeling</span></span> <span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">from week's events</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One Curate's wife stunned while out of action and recovering from 'seasonal chest disorder!'</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">(Note to self: Have flu jab at end of August</span></i>)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9NsMlVXIBPDOWZbQ-7PRppNbDWlXpt67m9IBK_sHqo-kqB2mPQJGa9w_t89NROjylEiqaBaCCYn9A6W69L_2JLxFNl4yyOA3Wd-1q1Q_FlRnl3SofVB1YVeg-tMx9vnWikMRRsW9CNtY/s1600/early+morning+007ab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="401" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9NsMlVXIBPDOWZbQ-7PRppNbDWlXpt67m9IBK_sHqo-kqB2mPQJGa9w_t89NROjylEiqaBaCCYn9A6W69L_2JLxFNl4yyOA3Wd-1q1Q_FlRnl3SofVB1YVeg-tMx9vnWikMRRsW9CNtY/s640/early+morning+007ab.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<i><span style="color: #660000;"><b>Psalm 143:8</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #660000;"> 8 Let the morning bring me word of your
unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should
go, for to you I lift up my soul.</span></i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163023090669719062.post-33073951610457386472012-09-27T13:36:00.001+01:002012-09-27T13:36:20.010+01:00Bowling down the aisle and doughnuts in the side chapel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFalaYpQS8AT3UwszRDir-84BQ3ArhmIVUgFy-3Q2MLis4DJuDfb2O6P07v5BpBFJpObBwUbMjCXQ5Ir3zhH0407AoiWel4pSVRKb0I5BkQkdTT84G8o7VeW1PjiLFMmKy1MIolK3QEU/s1600/fun+day+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFalaYpQS8AT3UwszRDir-84BQ3ArhmIVUgFy-3Q2MLis4DJuDfb2O6P07v5BpBFJpObBwUbMjCXQ5Ir3zhH0407AoiWel4pSVRKb0I5BkQkdTT84G8o7VeW1PjiLFMmKy1MIolK3QEU/s400/fun+day+029.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Well I was nearly felled at the first post in my quest for fun. I have succumbed to the dreaded cold, complete with sore throat and runny nose. I complained last year about the</span> <span style="color: #20124d;"><a href="http://theotherhalf-thecurateswife.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/why-all-children-should-carry.html">lack of hanky users</a></span></span> <span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">in school and I see that it was exactly the same week into term that <i>THE COLD </i>struck last year.</span></span> <span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">After a long (but not hot) summer with rest and fresh air and well away from snotty germs, it seems that the body's defence mechanism can't cope with a mass attack from marauding children. (ok, so the children don't maraud - but I'm sure their bugs do!) </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEispAMP2_0EVLUzr_rW5w9Km9TmL7YUUK_Oa_JcPPZgk5s8LdgUzUhWHlSNP7KF0OS6m5g3mEpgZ4inBR_X3cdY_ZBBMfFg43j0g_a8sYn0ltoH5EXD7lUDSI8Q4H1rn5WAMb47hgfVts8/s1600/fun+day+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEispAMP2_0EVLUzr_rW5w9Km9TmL7YUUK_Oa_JcPPZgk5s8LdgUzUhWHlSNP7KF0OS6m5g3mEpgZ4inBR_X3cdY_ZBBMfFg43j0g_a8sYn0ltoH5EXD7lUDSI8Q4H1rn5WAMb47hgfVts8/s400/fun+day+003.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Despite sniffles,I was able to visit our church's new take on Harvest.This festival was seen as an opportunity to outreach into the community by running a Harvest Fun Day. A team from the church organised an assortment of games and fun activities to get the local community to come into the church and have a bit of fun, at minimal cost. The sun shone and quite a number of people wandered up the hill for a non threatening encounter with the church and free apple pie! </span></span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin_vZYn-lOqjWpfL7PQ0VGKE3Ws2OfGG1I4TgMr1u7seqFWrpdDxqOnn2sBoEZLKKLAExEfns5n3AI9Pt0he8eCeEeE3r2nIyDPi-dhYrfWOv7d_LUTzb31_qX_R62-vsXRs3UCHzb-24/s1600/fun+day+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin_vZYn-lOqjWpfL7PQ0VGKE3Ws2OfGG1I4TgMr1u7seqFWrpdDxqOnn2sBoEZLKKLAExEfns5n3AI9Pt0he8eCeEeE3r2nIyDPi-dhYrfWOv7d_LUTzb31_qX_R62-vsXRs3UCHzb-24/s320/fun+day+016.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsMgUg7Qo8XdOIKJj9jIUSE6Xi6wzwIIHM_RG0VhJBb-DMlJbR3ADQDXWGYC8K44i3FZRHSjjV9kArQ-bF0HzHM0yrqoXcUlzqqD76OwTNf4W7mUNd9G7nB3sbzJE6FtKuzFCMg_Rz4Vo/s1600/fun+day+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsMgUg7Qo8XdOIKJj9jIUSE6Xi6wzwIIHM_RG0VhJBb-DMlJbR3ADQDXWGYC8K44i3FZRHSjjV9kArQ-bF0HzHM0yrqoXcUlzqqD76OwTNf4W7mUNd9G7nB3sbzJE6FtKuzFCMg_Rz4Vo/s200/fun+day+009.JPG" width="150" /></a><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A closed church door can be a huge barrier to people who have never been inside the church or have given up attending. There is the unknown on the other side and, in many people's minds, no real reason to explore what goes on on the other side. So a day like this means that the community can see that this is a church that doesn't take itself too seriously all the time. The Curate was a shining example of this and threw himself into the activities with gusto!</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There were lunches and teas available in the hall and free apple pie in the church. People lingered over their ploughman's lunch or pasty. They chattered with others while enjoying their tea and cake. It was lovely to see such a wide age range all having fun together. This first event was the result of a lot of hard work from a determined group of people and their hard work was rewarded. I hope that this will become a regular event for this church.</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163023090669719062.post-28122915805079812742012-09-21T10:20:00.000+01:002012-09-21T15:20:42.176+01:00Fun<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-mpTClNZ9Fxav1oSlirnO0T1TLcWNXT0orArAU4L7Z2jU_jUPlSdr5IOzk8S-7tclTJg4ge_qaVtAFTWc2UH9j8t3hBFnddxo6NY2-9OvaFp2EtVJLs5E0fXJ8S-3Dt8oPOolFaJO2HA/s1600/Harry_Worth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-mpTClNZ9Fxav1oSlirnO0T1TLcWNXT0orArAU4L7Z2jU_jUPlSdr5IOzk8S-7tclTJg4ge_qaVtAFTWc2UH9j8t3hBFnddxo6NY2-9OvaFp2EtVJLs5E0fXJ8S-3Dt8oPOolFaJO2HA/s320/Harry_Worth.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Harry Worth and the shop window!</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Last week </span></span>The Curate and I walked down the street and I had tears pouring down my face. It seems such a long time since we have laughed so much that I was crying ...and in a public place. I suspect onlookers may have thought we were drunk but, as it was only mid morning, this was not very likely for us. I can't repeat what was making us laugh so much but it was deliciously childish. It felt so good! It reminded me of how my father would laugh at the antics of the TV comedian Harry Worth in the 1960s. Slap stick humour that hurt no one and was so innocent compared to today's comedy. Too often people think it is acceptable to laugh at others rather than with others. What is funny for one group of people may be at the expense of another group.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In responses to my last post, I was advised to have fun now that I am about to set off in a new direction with The Curate. So what constitutes fun? Is it a self centred concept? I'm beginning to think it might be. I <i>enjoy </i>activities that involve other people having fun such as ensuring my sons celebrated their birthdays properly and had loads of fun - <i>But was that me having fun? </i>Or did I get my enjoyment from being a 'facilitator'. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">'Fun' for me, as opposed to 'entertainment' is when I experience a guilt free, child like giggle that starts at the base of my stomach and rises, like a bubble, through the whole of my body. Sometimes this is openly expressed (as with The Curate last week), other times it is expressed as a sense of warmth and well being and that all is right with the world because life is fun. Of course, the most awkward times are when that giggle bubble starts and has to be suppressed because it is not at an appropriate time. As adults, the latter is usually when we (or others) judge ourselves as being immature or childish. Isn't it good to see the world through the eyes of a child? How foolish and self important we make ourselves sometimes. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So I am setting out to have some fun (at no one's expense) and discover who I am and what makes me tick! </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163023090669719062.post-60498916298596726012012-09-14T14:25:00.000+01:002012-09-14T14:25:33.878+01:00A leap of faith<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN5-aBxH2A1LHmswNdjjOA-Pw591m5rCo09GzP4jg_HhM4B6SfKUfYvshITNzc5akbezoYCvTqtZYTwWE5urzzKuDldVeCHu982Stn9riDKJq_xeOcU6fA09vBF3bcDtnt4lbbkk3oVeQ/s1600/DSCF0012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN5-aBxH2A1LHmswNdjjOA-Pw591m5rCo09GzP4jg_HhM4B6SfKUfYvshITNzc5akbezoYCvTqtZYTwWE5urzzKuDldVeCHu982Stn9riDKJq_xeOcU6fA09vBF3bcDtnt4lbbkk3oVeQ/s320/DSCF0012.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN3qa_Mr_d1zC57PCQAiz-Vv7FUc_JUbVEQCzMnk_eRV6f2HgCtXYtuiSkn2hxggAVgeaI4vKEMw4Lvr2yZKwdckDCUmU7pftFuVPO3N3SdLUCMS9fHJRNnMxIFWSl7sthih5gv0_JzKI/s1600/dog+van+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN3qa_Mr_d1zC57PCQAiz-Vv7FUc_JUbVEQCzMnk_eRV6f2HgCtXYtuiSkn2hxggAVgeaI4vKEMw4Lvr2yZKwdckDCUmU7pftFuVPO3N3SdLUCMS9fHJRNnMxIFWSl7sthih5gv0_JzKI/s200/dog+van+018.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I have resigned my job. Those of you who follow this blog will know that I have been toying with doing this for sometime. I just didn't have the courage to step off the edge into the unknown. Returning to work after the summer, I knew that the time had come and I had done as much as I could in this particular job. It means that The Curate can apply for possible vacancies </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">in any location. </span></span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyR4-aLKfgA7eoMYqVbw4RBWgdRBiEi_NE7BGb9jnCTftCAomg3_SrGJLaJNInOQvMntC89o-PiXTkKWXe9-_Pv6Yjy5Nu_sfTKegQmRvktzJ0yEcI6yY_tBfLJJv5fNGMUCHIxga8RSo/s1600/dog+van+035a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyR4-aLKfgA7eoMYqVbw4RBWgdRBiEi_NE7BGb9jnCTftCAomg3_SrGJLaJNInOQvMntC89o-PiXTkKWXe9-_Pv6Yjy5Nu_sfTKegQmRvktzJ0yEcI6yY_tBfLJJv5fNGMUCHIxga8RSo/s200/dog+van+035a.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My daily commuting will end at the end of October. I have had a lot of encouragement and I can only look forward to pastures new. I have swapped my commuting car for the smallest camper van in the country and The Curate and I will be heading in new directions. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Of course, it feels a little wobbly at times but I guess this is when I really do have to rely on prayer and inner strength. The Curate has already found me a school to volunteer / supply work in, should I wobble too much! Until we know where and when we are going, I intend to take full advantage of living near the moor and do some conservation volunteering, more walking and plenty of riding. There is a problem horse who might be waiting for a patient pair of hands and the possibility of a new pup, plus a house that needs clearing now sons may be moving on. Nothing is a certainty....except that I won't be going back to work in November. </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM8GPsySraDXM3he5CtntrRiwns3sMR0URGzKjoFfUpMXIcYbhch8GW4Su9SLBLll6Pph7vPdhAkbF_Ji7rpGAPi7PEs1GqWaRx9svgkZ5Yt5DKPyiJ8AyxsMtgKkO-0MrHe3QWE3efjA/s1600/car+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM8GPsySraDXM3he5CtntrRiwns3sMR0URGzKjoFfUpMXIcYbhch8GW4Su9SLBLll6Pph7vPdhAkbF_Ji7rpGAPi7PEs1GqWaRx9svgkZ5Yt5DKPyiJ8AyxsMtgKkO-0MrHe3QWE3efjA/s320/car+001.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163023090669719062.post-9235670137648766442012-09-07T18:49:00.000+01:002012-09-08T07:00:13.737+01:00At last a dip on Dartmoor.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHLCXZv-85frzgSNbq6wEmf4zT21R5haWToX3nm1kSYcgTwZjAfQIlmVRsxR1MmfCMXAIINJ0ovZDSQE2NtTACGpK4rbIwL07eTfOgwt7OzfVk4ChhUL4gDmuETQzW2Z_oRySUcqk6FEk/s1600/swim+widgery+cross+064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHLCXZv-85frzgSNbq6wEmf4zT21R5haWToX3nm1kSYcgTwZjAfQIlmVRsxR1MmfCMXAIINJ0ovZDSQE2NtTACGpK4rbIwL07eTfOgwt7OzfVk4ChhUL4gDmuETQzW2Z_oRySUcqk6FEk/s320/swim+widgery+cross+064.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">15 and a half and still enjoying Dartmoor</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXhhSc8kBrl1qOPKgHp2YAnjWPyWEzM8mY_npNhl3yvQt9X-2MkVncLgSShK85TaovluX8l6_rYJd3VD7IZvxj_EUU3yST9NV3u8Orqaw0M-opdcw6tu2XjgTBzg1xcUNtBhXcD090zFc/s1600/swim+widgery+cross+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXhhSc8kBrl1qOPKgHp2YAnjWPyWEzM8mY_npNhl3yvQt9X-2MkVncLgSShK85TaovluX8l6_rYJd3VD7IZvxj_EUU3yST9NV3u8Orqaw0M-opdcw6tu2XjgTBzg1xcUNtBhXcD090zFc/s200/swim+widgery+cross+035.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUeDL0eDpJjY4zEbxZQAOk0EfTyB59PU_wbN96Ebp3dcr3-x8VhVy7TCz-8jG1QjRCAwDbP1QOxTXThmosXaA1VG3CtnyYHgdcEn4Nzdp6mOab_2vqo7pmngYjLNkr8qvtEw8Oo7vI_8U/s1600/swim+widgery+cross+044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUeDL0eDpJjY4zEbxZQAOk0EfTyB59PU_wbN96Ebp3dcr3-x8VhVy7TCz-8jG1QjRCAwDbP1QOxTXThmosXaA1VG3CtnyYHgdcEn4Nzdp6mOab_2vqo7pmngYjLNkr8qvtEw8Oo7vI_8U/s200/swim+widgery+cross+044.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What a wonderful way to spend our day off. At last the sun shone and we were able to picnic on Dartmoor. We had the river to ourselves and the dogs splashed in the river. I dipped in the river (not deep enough to swim) and The Curate paddled in the shallows (and slept!). </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We sat by the river and shared cheese pasties and dog biscuits.No sky larks, no sheep or ponies- just the burbling of the river making its way towards the sea. We have missed spending time together on the moor this year because of the weather but this was a perfect afternoon.</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW1KLRZCa_HbbzUNLwaTe1WLxwkLSuykVjPlgW-Lsicc_Kg1lVqQg0zdPBCli6FhCPA7XfQsDfI0IHhtfl6bs2hN4-Bs2HMoNXSmk7QTUFR1lDge282opyUL84W7l54vuaKmYnLhh0yu8/s1600/swim+widgery+cross+050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW1KLRZCa_HbbzUNLwaTe1WLxwkLSuykVjPlgW-Lsicc_Kg1lVqQg0zdPBCli6FhCPA7XfQsDfI0IHhtfl6bs2hN4-Bs2HMoNXSmk7QTUFR1lDge282opyUL84W7l54vuaKmYnLhh0yu8/s400/swim+widgery+cross+050.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163023090669719062.post-61608291607109531572012-09-02T15:52:00.004+01:002012-09-02T15:56:28.150+01:00And now it's all over<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOd_lGMlBX9TTseTPb6fD3uA3fltxU5hLjts93zUeixMN5tYxg7xaM69o20Jnto9cRklEQGDlaiRb7oEbE-akv0d7e7ciWrDvTw88AUI-uptSi_NiVCnqlVuLB4F3ooyyKBhqVyvPqas/s1600/dartmoor+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOd_lGMlBX9TTseTPb6fD3uA3fltxU5hLjts93zUeixMN5tYxg7xaM69o20Jnto9cRklEQGDlaiRb7oEbE-akv0d7e7ciWrDvTw88AUI-uptSi_NiVCnqlVuLB4F3ooyyKBhqVyvPqas/s400/dartmoor+038.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX57EHt4BDgd-uTMC5azE7oa42IU-3_KMw_ACEnuotACE7sG5b-GKu7yJebgI6rB-Fo38_Z2uGl_rbzCYmwEnG0rBXCs7F-Pbtctd-ZHz1F-T-ZtZiDREcniV4ZPfPZL01SOSt8W_ipFo/s1600/dartmoor+033a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX57EHt4BDgd-uTMC5azE7oa42IU-3_KMw_ACEnuotACE7sG5b-GKu7yJebgI6rB-Fo38_Z2uGl_rbzCYmwEnG0rBXCs7F-Pbtctd-ZHz1F-T-ZtZiDREcniV4ZPfPZL01SOSt8W_ipFo/s200/dartmoor+033a.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So that's it ! That was summer! Next week I am back at work and autumn is well and truly heading our way. It has been the wettest summer for a hundred years but the Curate and I have had a <u>great</u> time. What has made it so fantastic? The public celebrations set the tone, from the Royal Jubilee to the Olympics and now the Paralympics. On a personal level, perhaps it is because The Curate knows he is at the end of his training and we can begin to look forward. Perhaps it is because I have made decisions regarding my work. Perhaps it is because both sons are back in the UK. Perhaps it is because we have managed some stress free time away, we have caught up with family and managed to take two very well behaved dogs with us. Perhaps it is because I have taken full advantage of living near the moor and have been able to ride regularly. All in all - an excellent summer!</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So now what? Job adverts and applications become The Curate's focal points while he carries on serving in his present parish. After a summer of officiating at weddings, he is fully wedding trained and he has become quite an expert on the practicalities of various wedding dress designs. He has managed to not drop the rings or step on the wedding dress. He has lost his sermon and had to go looking for it during the hymn singing and managed to conceal his panic. He has calmed excited bridesmaids and handed hankies to bridegrooms.</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguGfDcBRhjR7Lvsslu_rw-eY7JzsM_YTh9PSKmA8-euB3DuigFTzxiUXf95R9bQ-NUK9KDz5IP6xMU6NfyrKGG_BJb3LVCJmK2De-KxE6uMXZEp03cGGGERSyPvQ4pyWLUgcy8C-8kVII/s1600/aug+sort+154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguGfDcBRhjR7Lvsslu_rw-eY7JzsM_YTh9PSKmA8-euB3DuigFTzxiUXf95R9bQ-NUK9KDz5IP6xMU6NfyrKGG_BJb3LVCJmK2De-KxE6uMXZEp03cGGGERSyPvQ4pyWLUgcy8C-8kVII/s400/aug+sort+154.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Perhaps the secret to the success of this summer has been to ignore the weather and totally immerse ourselves in all that has been going on. After all, skin is waterproof!</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163023090669719062.post-35764425519872407272012-08-24T17:25:00.000+01:002012-08-24T17:55:29.387+01:00Fun loving, sweet natured female would like to meet........<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOSmrZlBxuZSGgrsxTfuNnyZogCpProecCzGIgt51yk5P9172d42piAKIgfqZpe69A26yyKQCLbgA75vdR5pcP8cLiA0O-m0_sA2dJTIOCg2WO3NN_p4JrFEDWLAODSmhKvfA9F36dHc/s1600/aug+sort+183.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOSmrZlBxuZSGgrsxTfuNnyZogCpProecCzGIgt51yk5P9172d42piAKIgfqZpe69A26yyKQCLbgA75vdR5pcP8cLiA0O-m0_sA2dJTIOCg2WO3NN_p4JrFEDWLAODSmhKvfA9F36dHc/s400/aug+sort+183.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjazP5p5ToWlkhtwsszPcsNcwtkV6Pd90R6Mgh13L9vwwEbkSkJ3rFYr5k30GOCc8GwR1zW0BiaXBHBNgUIK2SowTC2yxXMs_MbCLnZldDAl1aybaz2p3zrEWSj2ShMpAIvSLB_HAI2FpY/s1600/rain+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjazP5p5ToWlkhtwsszPcsNcwtkV6Pd90R6Mgh13L9vwwEbkSkJ3rFYr5k30GOCc8GwR1zW0BiaXBHBNgUIK2SowTC2yxXMs_MbCLnZldDAl1aybaz2p3zrEWSj2ShMpAIvSLB_HAI2FpY/s320/rain+010.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I am sitting watching the water from our over flowing gutter splurge down the window and onto my long suffering geraniums that have yet to flower. We are now at the beginning of the Summer bank holiday.....ha! The Curate and I are fortunate to have had our holiday and now he is back at work. I am wrestling with restlessness as we wait for the Curate to be able to apply for his next job. I am in limbo....again. But at least I am not in a tent! (My heart goes out to all the happy campers who have arrived in the West Country today - I hope that they can find a dry pitch.)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There has been a few developments on our home front that have been distracting me and which may impact on our lives - if all goes to plan. The Collie has responded to a local advert and he is in the process of getting to know a very lively young lady collie. At the moment it is just walking and talking and meeting on the moor. He seems very taken with her. She is a little in awe of him at the moment but these things take time! I wonder if there will be the patter of tiny paws before Christmas?</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4nyRdN22KydTBTjJq6IXBMmC-ksb5O_aFHuzSkLn1RQwIbCdui_VfVkTSLAaVVP9B7Vi2MRPYI6xVNWINTJqRia14WG1loAzZPWgmkOB_88Hvb5UlKlRKfNNNOjyTr-YhM058U7hDmoM/s1600/aug+sort+162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4nyRdN22KydTBTjJq6IXBMmC-ksb5O_aFHuzSkLn1RQwIbCdui_VfVkTSLAaVVP9B7Vi2MRPYI6xVNWINTJqRia14WG1loAzZPWgmkOB_88Hvb5UlKlRKfNNNOjyTr-YhM058U7hDmoM/s400/aug+sort+162.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We
are managing to get out onto the moor between showers and The Curate
and I are still climbing tors and we record the trig points we have
conquered by highlighting them on the map in our downstairs cloakroom.
Our latest walk was up Sourton Tor (1447ft). We were able to dash up and down
between the rain showers. The views were excellent and we had the fun of finding a letterbox.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZg0BhR1apGFhcfqFuwI8tU2230Dph6f5i4IAD6ga0USheS7dWxWYbTP5rv71cmnc_tIli5m0It_mAzDbG2KG6D8kzju9x4MucfbrieV7wPENA24HYnML0IeVgjX0wCN64r6dYrraC7Qw/s1600/aug+sort+165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZg0BhR1apGFhcfqFuwI8tU2230Dph6f5i4IAD6ga0USheS7dWxWYbTP5rv71cmnc_tIli5m0It_mAzDbG2KG6D8kzju9x4MucfbrieV7wPENA24HYnML0IeVgjX0wCN64r6dYrraC7Qw/s320/aug+sort+165.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ivttE-xZGVu19KqwxunbzthmPnfpHHz2-ZCHui58typ69wgqEep_ETT3mj5qJN1cXfxGCyA3UVHVbrQiuAc9Il2Atu_Z2GKGUFxRCA5Ty1kAM51aJO6HA7IbcydtPHIFGmj2YJ9zH_A/s1600/aug+sort+167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ivttE-xZGVu19KqwxunbzthmPnfpHHz2-ZCHui58typ69wgqEep_ETT3mj5qJN1cXfxGCyA3UVHVbrQiuAc9Il2Atu_Z2GKGUFxRCA5Ty1kAM51aJO6HA7IbcydtPHIFGmj2YJ9zH_A/s200/aug+sort+167.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-JPH_jqzHa8hMQjqxrAg7ck9JHEmOnkZxw8x-Yc5VSvqk1GrLROQspvyzP0qXM7BelXt8ZsV3ifEmg0VKjdXoTtWNIEp0-9gTf-L1rOoC9I0MoaF5OooPcJ8wEf8gHB42BZwRStsICqw/s1600/aug+sort+169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-JPH_jqzHa8hMQjqxrAg7ck9JHEmOnkZxw8x-Yc5VSvqk1GrLROQspvyzP0qXM7BelXt8ZsV3ifEmg0VKjdXoTtWNIEp0-9gTf-L1rOoC9I0MoaF5OooPcJ8wEf8gHB42BZwRStsICqw/s200/aug+sort+169.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> We have not really got involved in</span> <a href="http://www.letterboxingondartmoor.co.uk/" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Dartmoor letterboxing</a> w<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">hich involves finding hidden boxes (similar to Geocaching but without the technology)</span> <span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">but it is always fun when we stumble across a box on one of our walks.</span> <span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There is usually a sealed box which contains a rubber stamp and a place to leave your </span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">own </span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">stamp. You then return the box to its hiding place and continue your walk whilst taking in the views.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEE9Q-GR-l86YszEzO6tT5K0KW-lJtdvtAbw1vD3H7olV8erWAoVpAaDaOy1uNbVm9OpE3x552RZAVCUUR6oV1ntlkGoqnAEaVgcCJL-UcCLmPxbX3ac-lsroUi755CsIhTY2P_a4nttI/s1600/aug+sort+171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEE9Q-GR-l86YszEzO6tT5K0KW-lJtdvtAbw1vD3H7olV8erWAoVpAaDaOy1uNbVm9OpE3x552RZAVCUUR6oV1ntlkGoqnAEaVgcCJL-UcCLmPxbX3ac-lsroUi755CsIhTY2P_a4nttI/s320/aug+sort+171.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbQljMco9HZBS7YLHSJZaqlZNT5mVidX-_soNfSXHMDhJq3Haaew4ASEJjLN01g9js8-15sWY_dPmuSgf8Tu06TsmskDovpesdEByzbztoZJ3acVeulvZouleqcOU_ytHz9mAqfSxGjOM/s1600/aug+sort+164.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbQljMco9HZBS7YLHSJZaqlZNT5mVidX-_soNfSXHMDhJq3Haaew4ASEJjLN01g9js8-15sWY_dPmuSgf8Tu06TsmskDovpesdEByzbztoZJ3acVeulvZouleqcOU_ytHz9mAqfSxGjOM/s320/aug+sort+164.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbQljMco9HZBS7YLHSJZaqlZNT5mVidX-_soNfSXHMDhJq3Haaew4ASEJjLN01g9js8-15sWY_dPmuSgf8Tu06TsmskDovpesdEByzbztoZJ3acVeulvZouleqcOU_ytHz9mAqfSxGjOM/s1600/aug+sort+164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> And it doesn't rain all the time!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-lBnNB62Oz2eZf3do2zKHk6wrQgCUHqjGTPu_dV61ZXvXC0EKrVchxVBgbb1T8v1ywAQN3gR6y9fPEKLTuMEK2eVGmdhQjpQb2przpYnOWNs1NkHvfSmYeodbseM7EHiFsjmk0stpow/s1600/aug+sort+176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-lBnNB62Oz2eZf3do2zKHk6wrQgCUHqjGTPu_dV61ZXvXC0EKrVchxVBgbb1T8v1ywAQN3gR6y9fPEKLTuMEK2eVGmdhQjpQb2przpYnOWNs1NkHvfSmYeodbseM7EHiFsjmk0stpow/s640/aug+sort+176.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163023090669719062.post-7611626317805256832012-08-18T14:30:00.000+01:002012-08-18T19:30:31.025+01:00Stone circles<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx0OjNN2nRupfIZvpsH-RYwHW2NKvYvTgCQF5WNm09b2sZbx8kYuJmFr4xKdXC48BQZOpg8J1gH2z2IVuY6T_59zxKp_Yas1X5TzWf9QQXVNUNJpohCJemCqqx6066sHLwVe4Z3kG75as/s640/late+evening+007.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Merrivale Stone Row at sunset</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
The Curate and I still enjoy exploring Dartmoor. The Collie loves the open spaces and we love the ever changing skies and scenery. But I am also fascinated by the remains of ancient stone structures that we come across. The stone hut circles are thought to belong to the Bronze age and we often come across these circular groups of stones that once formed the base of a Bronze Age hut. They had a conical roof supported by one central pole and the floors were covered in slabs of stone. They are usually in groups and you can begin to imagine the village life that went on in the area. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAk7hBicXg8mIImI3d2UX-MK68-f7KtaahiA8NGkX_qC-UdBxm-uD_JXvoK51BO6v98JW2dxYL3FUQLyV_8vb_kGrsi6UppC4MdzUo7X-fVftxt7F-WMMoBBjYTOeUZn57lWvy2luilZg/s1600/godsworthy+bap+023a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAk7hBicXg8mIImI3d2UX-MK68-f7KtaahiA8NGkX_qC-UdBxm-uD_JXvoK51BO6v98JW2dxYL3FUQLyV_8vb_kGrsi6UppC4MdzUo7X-fVftxt7F-WMMoBBjYTOeUZn57lWvy2luilZg/s400/godsworthy+bap+023a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
Recently I rode out to one of the the stone rows that can be found on <a href="http://www.legendarydartmoor.co.uk/stone_rows.htm">Dartmoor</a>. Nobody seem quite certain what these were constructed for. You are left to imagine why these long rows of standing stones were placed with considerable effort and skill in the open moorland. This one seemed to run from east to west and may have been aligned with the rising and setting sun.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEm495XLaCCWkxJjqK7PolXzTFOh-aCbn-uIn9nA7r_Tz09r0PYq9utwhy31aFd2PfIqkRUssZ6k5oxLxXskPb5OcJ0ZYvyItAiDm2aCLY8l1DCQiArQ_iR2ONw-iSHrdqt0yiYxPuX24/s1600/august+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEm495XLaCCWkxJjqK7PolXzTFOh-aCbn-uIn9nA7r_Tz09r0PYq9utwhy31aFd2PfIqkRUssZ6k5oxLxXskPb5OcJ0ZYvyItAiDm2aCLY8l1DCQiArQ_iR2ONw-iSHrdqt0yiYxPuX24/s320/august+018.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdbb_pAdY4f4EcbbCLmD3Eo7CfRg9w6lqHfCbb4wRtcEVo75O70WrsEpzz-UHtsYINlHEAEfJmBjiw_T9bzvwWfP2qzxvT9mYBAm0mMLBLoQguZLsn-0UhcKqSU7Sc6LEsqpIXebT-sN0/s1600/late+evening+057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdbb_pAdY4f4EcbbCLmD3Eo7CfRg9w6lqHfCbb4wRtcEVo75O70WrsEpzz-UHtsYINlHEAEfJmBjiw_T9bzvwWfP2qzxvT9mYBAm0mMLBLoQguZLsn-0UhcKqSU7Sc6LEsqpIXebT-sN0/s400/late+evening+057.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
Another favourite walk for us is to the <a href="http://www.stone-circles.org.uk/stone/merrivalecircle.htm">standing stones at Merrivale</a>. Different times of the day and the changing light seem to change the feel of this ancient site. Dartmoor has a way of getting under my skin. It stimulates the imagination and arouses the senses and makes you stop and stare at its sheer magnificence.</div>
<div style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQQAf_Z2YOJxJhgzXPevfhqm0LOKIxlC7BoB7oDvMDs2A0cO6j0wOXyFaxAYCxDW9skWU8odJSgD-28c5bUZ_LHcXAFo0dDyuPtRwoFUB1jeXetIuKpmWG0GdLqhLSn0Skglplya5agM/s1600/late+evening+029.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQQAf_Z2YOJxJhgzXPevfhqm0LOKIxlC7BoB7oDvMDs2A0cO6j0wOXyFaxAYCxDW9skWU8odJSgD-28c5bUZ_LHcXAFo0dDyuPtRwoFUB1jeXetIuKpmWG0GdLqhLSn0Skglplya5agM/s200/late+evening+029.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQQAf_Z2YOJxJhgzXPevfhqm0LOKIxlC7BoB7oDvMDs2A0cO6j0wOXyFaxAYCxDW9skWU8odJSgD-28c5bUZ_LHcXAFo0dDyuPtRwoFUB1jeXetIuKpmWG0GdLqhLSn0Skglplya5agM/s1600/late+evening+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Should we have to leave this area, I know that there are other places that have similar intriguing history that would need to be explored..........</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/bpJp_AK5-dU" width="640"></iframe>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4