Parkrun

No this is not (for once) a typo, Parkrun organise free, weekly, 5km timed runs around the world. They are open to everyone, free, and are safe and easy to take part in. So last Saturday saw me take part in my first "race" for about 9 years. This is part of the "new me" campaign which I launched at the beginning of the year, my New Years resolution. My weight has been slowly ballooning and I am mighty unfit. Since January I have lost about 16 lbs in weight and started doing more exercise. My plan is to try and do a couple of these competitive runs each month which should give me encouragement to keep jogging. This first run saw me run the 5k in 30 minutes 19 seconds, when I think that twenty two years ago I was doing 10k in about thirty three minutes I realise that I have a lot of catching up to do. Still I was younger and about 40 lbs lighter!
One of the good things with these runs is that as well as getting your time they gave you an age graded score so you can compare your performance against runners in different age categories. My age graded score was 54.81%; hopefully the next run will show an improvement.
If you are interested in taking part - runs take place all over the UK and overseas then click here.

Opening the Lodge

Last weekend we went down to Devon to open the lodge after the winter break. Fortunately this year we did not suffer any frost damage. On the way down we called in to see my cousin Mary whom we had not seen for a couple of years. She was in fine form and we took her out for lunch, the restaurant was by the sea but thanks to the fog we could not see it!

Cousin Mary

A non-view of the sea!

Whilst we were down in Devon we went for a walk on the moors to Wistman's Wood. This is a magical place of stunted oak trees and lichen covered rocks. It is reputed to be the home of the large red-eyed black dogs that roam Dartmoor attacking unwary travellers - luckily for us they were not at home!

 

Wistman's Wood

We also went into Exeter, Julia looked at the new season's fashions.

Then we went for a walk along the Exe.

Stars of the small screen

Last Sunday Sky News were filming at our church when the Archbishops' letter concerning gay marriage was read out in our church. The observant among you will  note that they spliced the sequences together in the wrong order. Never mind!

http://news.sky.com/home/uk-news/article/16186293

Fasting and Feasting During Lent

I just came across this and think it is worth sharing:

Lent should be more than a time of fasting. It should be a joyous season of feasting. Lent is a time to fast from certain things and to feast on others. It is a season in which we should:

Fast from judging others; feast on the Christ dwelling in them.

Fast from emphasis on differences; feast on the unity of all life.

Fast from thought of illness; feast on the healing power of God.

Fast from words that pollute; feast on the phrases that purify.

Fast from discontent; feast on gratitude.

Fast from anger; feast on patience.

Fast from pessimism; feast on optimism.

Fast from worry; feast on hope.

Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation.

Fast from negatives; feast on affirmatives.

Fast from bitterness; feast on forgiveness.

Fast from self-concern; feast on compassion for others.

Fast from discouragement; feast on hope.

Fast from suspicion; feast on truth.

Fast from thoughts that weaken; feast on promises that inspire.

Death of a good friend

Just heard that a good friend from college days, Lawrie was found dead at his in house in France on February 15th. He was a great guy, one of the best, we kept in touch and saw one another over the years. He lived most of his working life in Singapore so we didn't meet that often. But that did not break the bonds of friendship.

May he rest in peace.

His wedding day

At his place in France

Happy Memories

Study Weekend in the Snow

I arrived back form Boston to have to go to a study weekend for my Diaconate Course. Apart from being very enjoyable academically  it was great to go for a stroll in the snow covered countryside.

 Quite why a scaffolding company was flying the Jolly Roger defeats me!

Boston - At last!

Well eventually I did make it to Boston. I was working all week but did manage to take a few photos.

 Faneuil Hall

Inside the Hall 

Why we are going to the dogs as a country

Left home at 7:30 to go to Heathrow for a BA flight to Boston. I checked the flight schedules before I left home and the flight was on. When I arrived at Heathrow at 9:00 I found the flight was cancelled despite the weather improving! I transferred to a Virgin flight, when we boarded the captain said that we should arrive at Boston ahead of schedule only for us to have to sit for ober an hour on the plane whilst they de-iced it. Why couldn't they have de-iced it whilst we were boarding.
A severe case of left- hands and right- hands with a major disconnect in between. Al this for three inches of snow and temperatures just above freezing - how come flights can take off from Moscow when  there is heavy snow and minus 20degress C.
Sadly major companies no longer care for their customers; all they want is massive profits with minimal investment.