French countryside at its best!

I hope you'll agree with me! Last night there was a heavy storm but today was sunny and warm until 6ish. Then it started to be windy, a cold wind. 

Let's chill!

That's it, I am officially on holiday. However when I woke up this morning, it took me a few seconds to realise that I didn't have to get ready for work..even though I don't work on Saturday of course! At work, last week, most people (including I) were counting the number of get up! And after our visit to Alton Towers, a complete success, smiles were on every faces!
We've just had a really nice bbq in good company, Verity and David came to see us for a chat and a lunch all the way from Bolton. Verity and I managed to get a bit of tan until one o'clock, after that it went overcast! So this was even better as we could enjoy the heat without burning..that is if we forget to put some more sun cream lotion! For desert, no chocolate cake, instead, Verity and David very kindly picked up our home-grown raspberries (that is, off our temporary accommodation) and with vanilla ice-cream (the last tab available at the local shop) we had a delicioso desert!
Imogen can't wait to go to her auntie Jacqueline's wedding in Missouri! and we need to load more stuff in the caravane..What are your plans for the summer?
Hope you are having a relaxing week-end! Yours in Christ. N.

Grilling!

Service cancelled due to bad weather

Due to the snowdrifts and bad access to Sandon church (a 10 o'clock service) our confirmation service had to be cancelled. Philip, our team rector phoned Bishop Jeff who was digging his car out of the snow up in Barlaston, just on time, and then succeeded to ring all the candidates. 
Fortunately it was decided that we would have a service (at 11:15) at Weston which is of a more accessible church with a better parking. The weather forecast was -I am told- looking quite good yesterday. It was a lovely Palm Sunday service, with excellent hymns, and well attended by parishioners all around Mid-trent churches team. The younger ones made different coloured palm leaves which we shook when we sang 'At the name of Jesus' composed by John Michael Brierley (b. 1932), one of my favourite hymn.
On a funny note, Imo decided to go for a walk with her friend Kathy and was looking for a pair of wellies (size 5). I told her to look in the garage to see if her sister's wellies (size 4) would fit. She found them and brought them to us complaining that there were bits of paper in it. So I emptied them in the garden and to our surprise, with the bits of paper came a fair amount of sunflower seeds. She tried them on but they did not fit. Some time she left. Then Steven, the good looking vicar (!) told me that the rural mice had probably selected those boots for their spring nest and hoard. I told you that the neighbour's cat Lucy always comes uninvited, thinking about it, I am glad that we have this cat keeping the rural mice at bay. 
Have a blessed Sunday. Yours in Christ. N.