Posts

Encounters

Image
I haven't written a blog for quite some time. In fact, the last one was over a year ago. So it feels about time for another! I hope you enjoy these reflections and perhaps find some encouragement along the way. As you travel through life, how do you feel about meeting people? What do you gain from those encounters? Hold that thought for a moment while I take you on a brief journey through our latest adventure. Ruth and I have just returned from two precious weeks in Italy. Although we’re retired, it is still wonderful to get away, spend time together, and enjoy the beauty, history and culture that Italy offers in abundance.  Our first week was spent in Bologna, a city of endless porticoes, medieval towers and wonderful food. We loved wandering its ancient streets, discovering hidden squares and simply watching everyday life unfold around us. We also enjoyed visits to Modena and the beautiful hill town of Brisighella, where life seemed to move at a gentler pace. From Bologna we ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Pooh Sticks and Saving Panda!

Image
I love being with my family and recently it was a joy for Ruth and me to meet up with our son, John, his wife Catherine and their children, Ava (aged 3 and a  bit) and Finn, who is just 10 weeks old. We met at Mottisfont, a wonderful National Trust place just south of Stockbridge.  As we showed our National Trust passes at the entrance, we had no idea of the drama that was soon to emerge. Walking along it was lovely to witness Ava grasping her little toy Panda that Ruth's mum had given her. Ava adores this little toy which has added significance given that Ruth was also given a similar toy panda when she was a baby. A little way in we encountered a small bridge over a river running at quite a pace beneath us. This was a perfect opportunity for each of us to participate in that great game entitled 'Pooh Sticks'! Basically, this meant each of us finding a small twig which we then simultaneously dropped into the river on one side of the bridge before racing over to the ot...
Post a Comment
Read more

Back Again!

Image
It's great being back in beautiful Cornwall tucked away in our little hideaway near Ludgvan. Storm Dennis has just passed through and we can still see the magnificent St Michael's Mount while doing the washing up! We're just away for a few days this time but the memories of those wonderful three months spent here during the summer of 2018 remain strong and clear. Since then I've shared with a few people how that time was arguably the best period of my life. It offered me (and Ruth) d aily opportunities to grow in our understanding of God. Being away from it all without any distractions gave us a window to enjoy His love and celebrate what He’s given us. It was a time that helped me realise even more that in Him, there’s a fullness to life that we can't have without Him. We grew in our relationship with each other and we grew in our relationship with Jesus. A relationship that will last forever. So, with all that in mind we're 'Back Again' - our seco...
2 comments
Read more

She ain't heavy, she's my Misses!

Image
When in Cornwall... it's time to Blog. Last year we spent three glorious months in this wonderful part of the world and fell in love with it. Now we're back, just for a week this time but the urge to record some of it in writing is gnawing away at me. So here we go again. Last year the weather was amazing but that was May, June and July. So we couldn't complain (in March) as we drove down in typically grim British drizzle. It was a marvellous feeling as we arrived just after 8 pm and walked into the little barn that was such a memorable home for us just nine months earlier. Angie, the owner had placed a heart shaped slate sign on the wall inscribed with 'Gordon & Ruth, welcome back to your 2nd home'! The next day we were off to Sennen Cove to encounter powerful winds and breath taking waves crashing into the harbour wall. It was spectacular sitting in Ruth's tiny car buffeted by the wind as we tucked into local chips, onion rings and wait for it....
2 comments
Read more