Advent fun

The enjoyment has begun. A trip to Mosborough toddler group with all the little ones, parents and grand parents. I had a great time with a short simple act of worship in the church before food and Father Christmas.

Then this past Sunday Advent three at Firth Park we retold the two Gospel stories from Matthew and Luke drawing out many of the co gregation to give us two nativity scenes.

Its amazing how there is no donkey in the stories. 

Then we had a really good evening at Boys Brigade on Monday as parents joined in making their masks for the telling of the Michael Mouse story.

Pig in a day

What a fun time I have had having at last taken up my christmas present from last year of a cookery course.

I had chosen the 'Pig in a Day' course offered at The Milestone, on Kelham Island.

With eight others we had the delight of getting to grips with a number of cooking opportunities. We started of course in a civilised manner with coffee before the chef demonstrated how to cut up half a pig. So all the various joints were explained from pigs trotter, a hock, tenderloin etc. Then it was down to carefully taking of a piece of  skin  from what would be our bacon, and slicing, seasoning and it became some very tasty pork scratchings. 

Then it was on to cooking our lunch a piece of fillet which though I do so say myself tasted wonderful.

Here it is in the pan and then

plated up. Most civilsed lunch with a glass of red.

Then it was onto making black pudding, marrinading our bacon that needs 48 hours vacuum packed,  then sausages which though they did not look totally neat tasted amazing.

Finally we plated up a slice of our own blackpudding with attempted touches to make it look professional.

Well I tried ! 

So while the rain fell it was a great Saturday of cooking. 

 

Understanding Islam

I have had the real priviledge of participating over three days in a course led by Dr Chris Hewer to really get to grips with understanding what it means to be a Muslim. This has been more than an academic account of the Muslim religion. It has been to get under the skin and get to grips with seeing the world , life and  God from the viewpoint of a Muslim. The clarity and insights have been profound and while it is so easy in life to focus on the negatives, the failure to live the ideal, the conflicts in our world, gaining a deeper insight is invaluable. To be helped to see what is the real understanding behind this religion, is both exciting and challengng to me as one who is a Christian. So the flip side has been to look afresh at my own faith, the true intentions that lie behind my faith practice, to see how the ideal and reality can often be far apart. Yet so refreshing to see Jesus Christ bringing such a creative life affirming offer from God. Bringing forgiveness, acceptance while challenging all to live life differently. 

If you ever have the chance to listen to Chris grasp it.

Retreat - Superintendents together

Always good after the rush of business in the new Methodist year to stop for a couple of days. 

So I found myself at Sneaton Castle near Whitby.

Each year the superintendents in Sheffield district spend a couple of days away with the chair of district for conversation, prayer, refreshment. The best part of it all for me is not having to do anything and to be with with people who are highly motivated, work hard and keep going. Even though we are all very different it just serves to remind me how amazing it is that God in Christ can hold such variety together. 

The chance to have a whole afternoon to myself meant I could have a long walk. Up to the abbey via 199 steps and down again. Then along nearly to Sandsend before cutting back to the retreat centre.

 

It was just a wee bit blustery but wrapped up well kept me warm. 

Another book

A time to mend - reflections in uncertain times by Peter Miller published by wild goose publications .

It's a little gem of a book that had the capacity to give you hope. Well worth a read . 

Remembrance

A St Peters church council meal out , saw us take the opportunity to see the amazing poppy projection onto the outside of High Bradfield Parish Church. The photo does not do it justice. 

Then Sunday at Firth Park saw again a good gathering  of ages as we sought to balance out a sense of loss that war brings with acknowledgement of lives given up for the sake of others .

We planted poppies at one point outside the church while others laid prayer cards at the communion rail.

And the young people modelled spitfires out of clay as we recalled the 75th anniversary of the battle of Britain.

And our BB had made a large poppy out of hands to serve as a back cloth. We remember that hands  can reach out to 

help others as well as be clenched to hurt. God invites us to open our hands to reach out to all with the Love which is at the heart of God's creation. 

Books to read and Spectre

Havng just completed 'love for the future a journey' by David Osborne I wholeheartedly recommend this as a very good read. He reflects as he uses his walk/ pilgrimage from his home in Cheshire to Iona. He walks and connects up places that have been important to his life and understanding. This is a really excellent thought provoking read. With his understanding of the environment shining through and our need to act. But it is much much more as he encourages thinking about how we are or are not connected to people and places. Just for me walking from my home to our church at Firth Park does, helped by the pace of walking, to connect these two places in a way that does not happen when I drive. Then there are the people you see, smile at or even share a word another form of connecting. Then to walk is to see the environment as it is with beauty and the rubbish littering the spaces . It all stirs up real thoughts and emotions. This is s book to read again to absorb more fully the gems within. Second good read 

Chris's  book provides a whole series of spiritual snap shots by a range of people . Individually they are partial but together they provide such a rich diverse tapestry it too is a book that stretches my thinking as it what really is spirituality.

So what do you do when it's a wet day ? You all go to see the latest James Bond film. Filled with usual gadgets, violence, fast cars and baddies. Not as good as 'Sky fall' but a reasonable story line as bond films go. 

Days out

Trip 1

I haven't been to an IKEA store for ages but found myself there as we sought out a few items for daughter number three and her flat. I guess one day we will stop laying out finance for our children but no sign yet! Still all good fun. Now all we need is to move her in later this week no doubt we will have a full car of goods and need for energy at the other end to put the recently purchased goods together. But thats later in the week.

Trip 2

A visit to the hospital and the audiology department to get my hearing aid sorted. A training scientist meant did I mind a full hearing check? Of course not. No deterioration good news and a new hearing aid means I don't have to keep taking it out to check the battery to make it work. I certainly have been getting my money out of the health service recently. I can only hope I give going to the hospitals a good long break now, well,apart from visiting ill church members.

Trip 3

Today Jill and I drove over to Lincoln to see how Eric and Mary and the family from Ghana are settling in. Wonderful to see them all and to receive hugs from Suzzane and Jehu. School and college appears to be going well in these early weeks. Eric is full of ideas for the churches and I am sure his enthusiasm will go along way in helping to move things on. Chatting took me back to my recent time in Asebu and to receive the greetings of those I have begun to get to know there not least my farmer. Mary made us palm soup so Jill could taste for her self what I had experienced. That taste took me back to my farmer and his small village. How he had cut the palm down which was made into soup later that day. Then again it reminded me of the wonderful oranges he gave me from his trees, and of leading worship in the part built church he attends, and giving him communion. Good to know that money sent has meant the building work has recommenced and I pray I will be able to send more. 

There was good news that someone agreed to pay for the drilling of a bore hole about £2,000 which means clean water for the manse and church at Asebu, and for the new toilets with the potential for a small buisness sellng clean fresh water.  

Well being reminded of all of this helps to reorientate my thinking when caught up in the niggles of church life here. I know its possible that a difference can be made for peoples lives and yes I thank God I have been enabled to do so. 

One of the things I have learnt slowly over the years is to understand what Mr Wesley meant by 'go to those who need you the most' People have to want you to work with them and if they don't you take up the  advice of Jesus himself and 'shake off the dust on your shoes and move on.'

Of course discerning this is not easy but its a vital part of the Christians tool kit, and especially being a minister. 

Now a couple of days not travelling before we move our daughter  to London so its chill out time.

Going round in circles

My visit to dad found him having lost weight and looking more frail. The usual push out in a wheelchair to the pub for a cup of tea and coffee . It gets him out into the fresh air which is better than being stuck inside all day. The conversation of family news interspersed with total nonsense from him. Little by little he is withdrawing in his head to another place. I found I have to laugh as a way of dealing with it. Just thankful that he is looked after well. The travelling as always then leaves me tired and a bit brain dead.

On my return I pick up info about a meeting looking at the placing of our staff resources in the circuit . I find I despair of ever getting to that place of a just sharing of resources . Going round in circles and banging ones head against a wall. That's how it feels. Good job it's half term and a few days out not least to help daughter number three prepare to move to London and start her job. With them all going South you can't help but think about doing the same to be near them. Not so easy as a Methodist minister . With our system you could just as well end up further north. 

At least the pumpkin is ready to be eaten!

Hospital again and toddler group

Sitting once more in hospital waiting to have a US Transoesophageal echo test . So a tube down the throat to get a better structural image of my heart. This is the last test after that nothing. Hoping they won't need to give me a form of sedation as I need to get Jill from work, do a funeral visit and drive to see dad tomorrow. So order of the day is relax.

I think it's noticeable that while I am holding to my new routine of work I have not been finding time to update the blog.

So here goes. 

I had a brilliant day on Tuesday when I went over to Mosborough Methodist Church to meet the parents, carers and toddlers who had been so generous in supporting my appeal for Ghana. So it was a chance to say thank you. To show pictures  and then chat to adults and children. I couldn't resist telling a story to the little ones and joined in their song time . A great morning . They have a great  group with some loyal workers making it happen week by week.

Then had a good evening with two local preacher tutors and three students which gave me a real buzz of a day.

I would like to report that every day has been like that but sadly not. The usual frustrations of some church gatherings leave me still amazed by how faithful folk are in the face of some refusing to change.Sitting  still talking about getting new chairs after nearly seven years leaves me cold. Does it really matter? Well yes because people of the inner city deserve the best.

Good news daughter number three is now registered as a social worker and once the papers come through she can start work. So we will be sad she will be leaving home, but delighted for her as she is ready to start now after the end of her masters. Of course we will get to go to another degree ceremony in the new year. So proud parents once agan. 

The good news for our circuit is two probationer appointments have been approved for September 2016. So we have just one appointment to fill in this years stationing process . Added to this I am hoping a lay pastor will be appointed to one of my churches for January which is good for the churches concerned, and a reduction of my pastoral load which will be good for  me.

So sitting waiting in the northern general and if nothing else it means I can't do anything else. But not having been able to drink for hours leaves me gasping for a cup of tea . And then afterwards if all goes smoothly I still have to wait and only sip a few drops of water till muscles on throat feel right after the anaesthetic. Still always good to learn about these things from the patient perspective . 

Well its late evening now havng had a good funeral visit for a lovely lady from one of our churches. 99 years of life and so glad I had been able to take communion with Lizzie to her a couple of weeks ago. She was a bright, sharp intelligent and loving woman.   Tomorrow its a trip over to see dad.

I have to say the  US Transoesophageal echo test must go down as the most unpleasant thing I have ever had. The staff were great and helped to keep me calm but it was not easy and I have a right sore throat. The good news is my heart looks fine,  no cholesterol. So as the consultant said very unlikely to have another stroke. Something to give thanks for as I go to bed and restful sleep. 

So to end a favourite prayer from my evening compline service.

Eternal God and Father, under whose mighty and  gracious protection all our days are spent, we thank you for the mercies of the day that is now past; for any good examples we may have seen ; for any good words we may have heard or read; for all holy thoughts and right desires which your Holy Spirit has this day put into our minds. O Lord, grant that these may not be unfruitful in us, but may work in us that for which you sent them; for Jesus Christ's sake . Amen.

New leader

I decided to take time out to listen to the Labour leader make his first conference speach. Now as a reader of this blog put aside your political bias.

It was refreshing to hear a person speak without bile and stay true to his roots. My Granddad, a local preacher, councillor, town mayor J.P. And yes a Labour man through and through. Well he would have been delighted by what he would have heard.

 For once it did feel like someone saying what they really believe. What they have worked for all their lives, and inspite of becoming labour party leader sticking to their principals. Yet clearly he would be willing to debate with anyone, disagree and not then hold a grudge because he didnt get his own way or you didnt agree with him.

You can disagree about the need for upgrading trident, but ask yourself 'Would you really press the button that sends us all to armageddon ? If you wouldn't because that is morally indefensible then you dont need it! Have better equipped conventional forces oh and an extra hospital, school and staff to boot. 

We know that the largest part of the welfare bill goes on housing costs then it does make sense to both control rents and build new social housing. 

It was refreshing to hear a more visionary view of society that means things don't have to be the way they are. Yes that's why women got the vote, a health service for all was created and trade unions protected the vulnerable. 

Yes we do have the wealth and the means to do things differently. It's just can we really set aside our   selfishness to allow others to share what we have in abundance. 

My time in Ghana back in May reminded me that we just don't see what we have and value it. Just as I know as I work in Burngreave and Firth Park that for some this is a no go area. People often comment to me, as someone did only today, that they are looked down upon because they live here. 

The new Methodist Sheffield circuit was meant to create justice across our city in the life of the Methodist people. That has yet to find fruition as vested interests still seek to control resources for their places. 

Jeremy Corbyn has connected with people. I believe he will stick to his principals even if vested interests end up bringing him down. The Methodist people of Sheffield need to stick to their principals and connect with people in the community. They need however to see the original vision of the new circuit through because if they don't a moment in history will be squandered and we will become history. 

I'm not a joiner of groups, apart from the Iona Community, but I am tempted to join a Labour party that has a vision that reveals aspects of the Kingdom of God.

The curious incident of the dog in the nighttime

 

Well what an amazing set at the Lyceum with modern technology used at its most effective to enhance some amazing individual performances. The lead playing an autistic youth was outstanding, and it gave such an insightful glimpse into what it must be like for a family. It was full of humour which is a great safety valve  when everyone is caught up in such a stressful life. It begs again the question what is normal? We all live life on a spectrum and we know that stresses can sometimes make us all flip. It was in its way quite a humbling experience with the challenge to look at everyone with the eyes of God. Only then will we see the potential of every unique person made in the image of God. More often than not we chose to discretely sideline such people. They become hidden to us as its the easiest way to cope. 

I am struck once again how through plays and novels we can discover so much about relationships. God is to be found here just as much as in Sunday worship and the bible if we are open to it. So I count myself fortunate that Jill, I and Lizzie could spend an afternoon soaking up the atmosphere of this play. 

The bonus of the day was we could then unwind with strictly come dancing. I wonder who will become our favourite!

another chapter

It had been a particularly harrowing day spent at the hospital which had followed a previous night being called out and the night before that. It didn’t happen that often but like buses people seemed to become ill all at the same time or a crisis would arise just to add to the pressure. One of the most irritating aspects of ministry was when predecessors kept on taking funerals. Not only was it a loss of vital income it interfered with the pastoral care of the community. Maurice was one particularly annoying retired minister who seemed to live for and off funerals. To hear that he was doing yet another after an exhausting run of hospital visiting was the last straw. Roger called late one night in the full knowledge that he would be doing a burial the next day at the Methodist Church graveyard. He had arranged for it to be dug a little deeper than normal as he explained to the grave digger they will be wanting to bury his wife on top. So with the ground literally prepared Rogers late night call to the isolated home of Maurice was just a simple matter. A shared cup of tea and a drop of the stuff used for Betty quickly did for Maurice. Then neatly wrapping Maurice up in an old sleeping bag it was simply a matter of not being seen. Good job the boot of the car was deep and so a short drive took Roger to the grave yard. Quickly he placed the body at the bottom of the deep grave covered it well with the freshly dug soil and ensured it was well beaten down to hide any trace of what had occurred. It was of course a risk but as the coffin was lowered into the grave early next morning and covered over, Roger’s secret was well and truly buried. The disappearance of Maurice was to remain a mystery.

Synod and meetings!!!!!! A few thoughts !

Now I know its September!

I am  sitting in our Synod the gathering of representatives from the circuits that make up our Methodist district of Sheffield. Many of us keeping an eye on our phones to see what the Labour leadership result would be. Well what a result as Jeremy Corbyn wins by a landslide , people did not expect that a couple of months ago. It appears he has tapped into something very deep rooted that seeks to go to the heart of the ethos of a socialist understanding of society.

Well I wish we could tap into something that brings a real spark of excitement to this synod it feels like we have lost our way, our roots.......

So its the end of the week and  I have journeyed through a series of meetings. Two pastoral committees, a supers gathering, circuit meeting and thankfully these have been balanced out by conducting a funeral and some good pastoral visits made possible by creating more space in the diary by not doing or going to pointless meetings. 

One of the positive outcomes in having a TIA in March with time for reflection during my sabbatical, is claiming back my life from the treadmill of meetings, and to begin to reconnect with the call to make time for people. Being set free is a state of mind as you give yourself permission to not feel guilty if you are not at every meeting or rushing around like a headless chicken. This is really liberating to remember that being set free as a minister was so you could be available to exercise a ministry. If diaries are so crammed with 'important meetings' you either can not respond to needs as they arise or you squeeze more into the day which just increases the pressure which becomes unhealthy. So I now find myself back in the place which asks the questions 'Do I need to be at this meeting? Will this meeting be anything more than a talking shop?  and Will any decisions be made that will in fact be implemented?  It does not take long, putting a healthy dose of cynicism to one side to know the answers. Suddenly the diary opens up and quality of life improves. You can attend properly to others when real needs are heard. Its not that you are not passionate about things when you are in meetings its just you can stop taking yourself so seriously.

So day be day, week by week I will claim back my sense of being called to be a minister and I may not be at the next synod and strangely enough the world will not collapse.

read a good book lately? and a circuit service

Finally completed reading Karen Armstrong's book ' Fields of Blood Religion and The History of Violence'   excellent read as it explored the old chestnut of 'religion has caused more wars and suffering...' Not only does she write so well and is extremely knowledgeable, she is able with such clarity to explode this myth. For me it reveals that down through literally thousands of years humanity has sought to find meaning, sometimes it has shown itself as liberating and life enhancing. The way of love, peace, forgiveness compassion. Yet humanity has struggled against the need to create order so that it has been caught up with power and domination of the masses by a minority, and so there has been suffering war and violence. And it is political, its about people holding power. So we find even with so called secular societies where faith/religion is put to one side from the realm of politics e.g. the USA, violence & war still continues. Very often it has created more death and suffering than regimes of the past associated with a religion. Its an amazingly complex subject and Karen captures that complexity. So a very good but challenging read one to be recommended. Local readers can borrow my copy.

Well last night the new Methodist year kicked off with a circuit service at our Woodseats Church. It was good to see the place full, with lay leadership within the service. We welcomed Keith Blinston as a lay pastor in the circuit and celebrated with a presentation of a number of long service certificates for Local Preachers.

 It was for me the end of a long day following morning worship at Firth Park and  then preaching and leading communion at our Family Worship centre congregation in the afternoon. The later being a largely Ghanaian congregation with lively singing, movement and of course a longer service took me back to my recent time in Ghana. As always it was a joy to be with them. I feel welcome there and a sense of belonging to them, just as much as any of our more traditional congregations. Its going to be good at the outset of October when our morning congregation will join them in the afternoon as we continue to learn to grow more closely together. 

Well tomorrow brings a staff meeting in the morning and then a gathering of all our leaders of worship and preachers. We will share food together, some buisness and holy communion as a way of beginning a new Methodist year. It really does feel like I have not been away but its also good to get back into a routine and recconect with people. 

Welcome service

Last night I travelled to Lincoln to be present at the welcome service for Eric, Mary and family my hosts in Ghana. They have now come to serve in the UK.

Richard our Minister from our Family Worship Centre congregation travelled with me. The service  was at St Giles Methodist   Church which will be one of Eric's churches .

What a joy to see them all and receive cuddles from the younger children. My amusement increased as I walked into the church with the children to be greeted with 'you must be Eric' Now I know I have caught the sun on holiday but not to that  extent ! 

Good to meet Alan  the super once again and to find myself sitting next to Sylvia Jill's auntie. So a chance to catch up on family news. Then to my surprise another lady looked at me with recognition and the penny dropped. Margaret a retired minister who had been super in the Peak  circuit when I first came to Sheffield. Yes Methodism is a small world. So we too caught up on news. 

The service was led by Alan the super and the chair of district preached and led the formal welcome to Eric. 

Then time for refreshments in true Methodist style.

Mary with a very sleepy Jehu

Richard and I went back to the manse  which has been furnished partly through generosity of folk in Sheffield. So a chance to see them all settled into their new home. Time for me to pray for their new life here and home before a return to Sheffield. It should have been a reasonable journey home, but no a diversion which was not well sign posted so we did not get home till midnight.

Hospital and reflection on my TIA

Sitting in the hospital waiting to have a transcranial  Doppler test so I had time to jot a few thoughts on being back at work. 

It's always strange to notice that not much changes even after three months of being away. Issues remain the same. Can one fellowship/ church find a new space to do their mission? If not what happens next? Another on the surface has had offers to take on responsibilities for day to day running in the life of their church. But is that addressing the need to discern a sense of mission? Really it means just keeping going as they are. It all feels like going around in circles and not very life giving.......

So in for my test . The stroke nurse was excellent in explaining the procedure and the outcome which was I neither have a hole in the heart of a shunt so another test ticked off and one to go. 

Has to be said afresh we are really fortunate to have the health service we do. It really needs protecting as a national health service free at the point of delivery. 

Then a couple weeks later I saw the consultant who confirmed the results with just one test to go if I want it. She noticed I had lost weight looked  well and my cholesterol had come down by diet and exercise. Yes I had come off the statins. So it it appears its up to me take a different one of not. It reduces the risk of another TIA by 40% but I am taking a blood thinner so reducing risk anyway . The jury is out for me and I am in no rush to take another tablet. 

Now no one wants to experience a TIA or have more, and how thankful I am I did not experience a full blown stroke. I have sadly in the course of my ministry visited many people who have. Some have recovered well and many have not. It really can be a cruel cutting short of peoples quality of life. 

 However the TIA has made me stop and take stock of life. Yes I really do want to live for a good number of years yet and to do so healthfully. So I have reappraised my lifestyle. So many times I have sought to control the workload but always it encroaches. Days off never happening even though I fully thought I would swap the day because a need meant I lost it. Then I had tried to work only two sections of a day but again the need to put some meeting in the diary drove that one away. Even doing exercise and going to a gym became a need to rush there and away for a meeting etc so what benefit it may have given was lost. Then again what have all the meetings I have attended and even led been really about? The sustaining of a way of doing church that no longer works, as well as a cycle of meetings that never actually arrive at decisions. The latter out of fear of doing things differently. You can always tell this because people always say we are working towards doing it differently. I say the way you travel is the destination as well. No I didn't say that someone else did, but I can't remember who, it was so long ago I read that. I do however think its true.

Now I have an inner voice that insists I take control of the diary. Morning and afternoon commitments then its an evening blocked. Morning and evening out then its afternoon off. Well, if as ministers do work six days, then it is the only real way to stay healthy. In going to the gym putting aside time not to rush means it becomes a positive experience. What I have discovered is I am beginning to reconnect with people because I have time. Deliberately I chose not to have the car so I now walk more and reconnect not just with people but the environment I work and live within. Moving at a slower pace I suspect is to move at God's pace. The God who has time for all people, and never overlooks the most vulnerable, who we often miss in our rushing around. Having made more time to bread make, bake and cook is in fact about slowing down and connecting with the earth and with God. A microwave or ready cooked meal never does connect you with the creation that provides all our needs. So a partly frustrating day this week and beginning to feel annoyed, was calmed by baking some mini biscuits for our amazing neighbours who keep bringing us food. 

.......So perhaps one more medical test and I will be liberated from the hospital books. I pray however I will never be stupid enough again to think I can go on working seven days a week, three sessions a day and still be healthy. So thank God for a TIA and that by the Grace of God I am both alive and healthy.

Journey home

Awoke up to blue skies and with a quick trip into Vamos to get breakfast we were soon eating our croissants on the balcony to fortify us for the journey home. Leaving a little earlier than planned turned out good as signposts in Crete are not great. So having gone the wrong way we had to double back on  ourselves   to get back in time to drop off the car. Only trouble with air flights is the waiting around at airports.

So sitting in the shade but outside there is time to add to the blog. If all goes smoothly we should be home by 5pm which is not bad at all. That will be helpful as it will be up first thing to drive to see dad in hospital in Kings Lynn. So I guess a round trip that will take 6 hours minimum driving. 

It's been one of the most relaxing holidays I can ever remember, helped by the almost wall to wall sunshine. The friendliness of the locals speaks volumes about hospitality  we have enjoyed. The lack of a need to travel miles to sit on beaches or visit historic sites has been a bonus when what you really need is to just take it easy.

My must read book for  recommendation is Victoria Hislop's 'The Thread'. It is a superbly written story with background knowledge of Greece's often turbulent history giving it a depth that makes it a book of quality. 

As I write we are now flying over Greece mountains rising up towards the clouds and beautiful sea and lakes give the place a magical feel. Bit like Sheffield!

Well we arrived at Leeds Bradford airport to grey clouds and yes rain. A drop in temperature down to 15 C the pilot said sorry.

 Hopes for a speedy car journey were dashed as traffic problems meant it took more than two hours to get home. However we were greeted with warmth and hospitality on our return. A neighbour had married at the weekend, and sadly being on holiday we were not able to attend, but food arrived not long after getting into the house. So that resolved what to have to eat. 

Lazy lazy days!

Our holiday cottage is called Mandarin and you can just about see them forming on the tree outside our   door. It's so lovely here we have to force ourselves to go out, and as it was Sunday we truly had a day of rest. A couple of swims and lots of reading and really only going out in the evening for a meal at a recommended restaurant. On route we took a detour to what turned out to be a locked church in the grounds of a ruined monastery. 

The restaurant was good but with three tiny dishes given with bread before we even ordered, and the frozen grapes taken from the owners vine hanging above us, you forget how filling eating a meal can be. Needless to say we were not hungry when we woke in the morning.

Modern technology keeps us in touch with family. So news of my dad having seriously fractured his thigh and needing an operation means waiting to hear how the operation goes Monday afternoon and a trip over Wednesday morning to see him.

Well today has meant greater activity as we headed for lake Kournas and a pedalo ride for an hour with blue skies above. 

We stopped at a small sea side resort on the way back before taking an afternoon to just sit by the pool. Then having taken out the fallen leaves,  

hardly onerous in the sun and heat, a final opportunity to swim read and not overeat.  

So our holiday ends as we fly back tomorrow morning. From the warmth of 90 F to a much cooler Sheffield. We hope the garden has been looked after by a neighbours son who has been doing the watering.