Sydney Harbour -Midnight, 1 January 2006

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

As I sit down to write this it is Sunday afternoon. The gales threaten to stop many of the revellers from hitting the streets at midnight tonight. I will be at Larkhall conducting a 'watchnight' service. I'm still befuddled about the purpose of such a gathering, but at least for this year I have decided to go along with the traditions of our new churches. Maurene and Jessica will stay home and probably watch the tolling of Big Ben and the fireworks at the London Eye on the BBC. We'll be getting up early in the morning to take Jessica to Heathrow for her flight back to New York.

My fondest memory of 2006 would have to be Sarah and Kevin's wedding in July. I recently received an album of wedding pictures and have been reliving those few brief days. I am already looking forward to Abby and Andrew's wedding in September of this coming year!

To all of my loyal readers, I wish you all of the best in 2007.

The flag of Wales

A WELSH ADVENTURE

Maurene and I officiated at a funeral today. Then we headed out to Wales to give Jessica a taste of the Brecon Beacons-the mountainous area of southern Wales. Sadly, the rainy/hazy weather prevented us from seeing all that much. So we stopped in the town of Abergavenny and went to the produce market/flea market in the town centre and had a great lunch at a local restaurant. You can never go wrong with fish and chips. The talkative Manager/Waitress had gone to university in Bath and now she and her husband were running the restaurant. A lorry accident on the way back, slowed our progress a bit. But we are now safely ensconced back at the house waiting for the gales to blow in this evening. Fortunately, they're only predicting 60 mph winds for our area.

Happy Christmas!

As I sit down to write this it is 9.20 pm on Christmas Eve. Maurene and I have completed our 10.30 am services and our 6.30 pm services of Lessons and Carols. Note I said services. We now each have an 11.30 Communion Service. So, things have been quite hectic. Four down -two to go! But, I wanted to pause for a moment and wish anyone who has ventured on to my blog a Happy Christmas. Christmas is difficult for us, as we realise how far we are from our families. Fortunately, Jessica has made the trip over and has brightened our spirits. When I get an opportunity, I am going to excerpt a Comment in today's Observer from Revd. Richard Holloway, a former Anglican Bishop. It is perhaps one of the most coherent statements about Christianity in our era that I have ever read. If you don't want to wait for my excerpts, you can find it at: http://observer.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,1978453,00.html. It is certainly worth the time. May each of you have a blessed Christmas!

As the sun sets the fog thickens and Jessica presents a ghostly figure as we head home.

Jessica photographs the fog

Victoria Park

THE FOG CONTINUES. . .

In my most recent entry I talked about driving home from London in a thick fog. Well, it hasn't dissipated at all. Air travel at the major airports is in chaos, and people are having to find alternative means of travel to get around the UK. Jessica and I took a stroll this afternoon and I took a few pictures of the conditions in Bath. Surprisingly, the camera seems to see through the fog a bit better than the human eye, but I still think you'll get the picture.

Our trip to London. . .

Yesterday, Jessica, Maurene and I headed to London for the annual outing at Royal Albert Hall. Each year in the days heading up to Christmas a series of concerts are given at the rather magnificent building across from Hyde Park. This year we went to concert entitled, Christmas Classics. We sat near the stage and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

The two soloists were John Owen-Jones, whose primary claim to fame is that he has performed the role of the Phantom in Phantom of the Opera over fourteen hundred times -making him the West End's longest serving Phantom; William Cracknell, an eleven year old was the other soloist, chosen because he is a 'boy soprano'. He appeared quite nervous before a packed hall, but his voice was magnificent. His usual choir was used in the for The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter films.

Whilst in London Jessica and Maurene got in a bit of shopping of Oxford and Regent Streets. Ron went to Trafalgar Square to see the Christmas Tree that is always donated by Oslo, Norway to the people of London for their support during World War II. On his way back to meet up with Maurene and Jessica he stopped in at Foyles (the world's largest bookshop) and had some hot chocolate with extra cream!

He was going to take in a film on Leicester Square but was discouraged by the £11.50 price (that's $23 approximately)!

The journey homeward wasn't particularly exhilarating. We drove home in a pea soup fog but safely arrived at 2.00 am.

Is this the oldest Santa in town?

(Joan is as active and hilarious as this article suggests. This was in today's Bath Chronicle.)

You don't find many women in their 80s donning a white beard and dressing up as Santa Claus.
But Joan Long, from Oxford Row, Lansdown, isn't like most women her age.

For the past three years, the fun-loving pensioner has put on her festive garb to raise money for Christian Aid.

"I really enjoy doing it," said Mrs Long, who collects outside her church each year while the congregation sing Christmas carols.

"I've been going to the Central United Reformed Church in Argyle Street for years so when they asked me to do it, I said yes.

"Last Saturday was the best year yet and I raised £249.22 in two hours with £55 in notes. It's not bad for an 87-year-old."

Mrs Long admits it can get cold standing around so she takes a brisk walk up and down to keep warm.

"I'm a tough old bird really," she said.

"I tried to do a parachute jump earlier this year but the doctor advised against it."Born in Cardiff, Mrs Long moved to Bath to join the RAF in 1940.

"I wanted to see the world but for the whole war I was stuck cooking," she said.

"Then I met and married my husband Joe."Together, the couple were church officers at the old Huntington Church in The Paragon, Bath.

"We were there for about 30 years but then Joe had a stroke and died and I moved to Oxford Row," she said.

Mrs Long said her family put on four parties to celebrate her 87th birthday this year and she also flew to Los Angeles to see her daughter.

"God willing I'll be able to dress up and collect next year," she said.

"Hark the herald angels sing. . ." The traditional closing carol for the service. We used the authorised King James Version for our readings and used the same prayers as King's College, Cambridge.

I light the ninth candle before the final reading.

Ground level view with our Christmas Choir (the only time of the year they perform)

CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT

On the evening of 17th December, I led our Service of Nine Lessons and Carols at Central United Reformed Church. Maurene was leading worship at Larkhall. Jessica had arrived from New York the day before and went with me and took some photographs using low-light settings with no flash. She got some great photos. I hope this gives you a feel for the service.

Great Nativity Play Lines

The children's Nativity Play is a staple of most churches in Britain. I attended a delightful one last week performed by the Sunshine Preschool which is located at our Rush Hill Church. This weekend I was reading an article in the Observer about some of the wonderful, spontaneous ad libs that are made within these plays. One particular play had Mary forgetting her lines as she was telling Joseph that she was going to have a baby 'by the Holy Spirit.' Knowing the gist of what she was supposed to say she informed Joseph: "Joseph, I'm going to have a baby. And you're not the father!" Priceless.

Old Tom Morris -winner of 4 Opens and designer of some of golf's greatest treasures

Links land -soon to be a fairway.

Is this heaven? . . . .No, it's Askernish.

One of my great joys is playing the links golf courses found throughout the British Isles (though primarily in Scotland). Whilst living in London, I was a member of Princes Golf Club which was a links course located on the English Channel next to the more famous Royal St. George's which still is in the (British Open) rota.

Now that we've moved to Bath, I am forced to return to a very nice parkland course, although I am considering a country membership at Pyle & Kenfig Golf Club which is a links course on the south coast of Wales. Since I live more than 50 miles away they give memberships at a drastically reduced rate because they recognise that you will not play all that often.

Last night, BBC One had a programme on the Outer Hebrides. These are the small islands that lay just to the west of Scotland. They are known for their striking natural beauty and their rather sparse population. A links course, designed by Old Tom Morris, has been re-discovered on one of these islands. For years, it was rumoured to exist, but the links had returned to its more natural and pristine state. Now, it is being recovered as a links course. After the programme I emailed the developer and got a quick reply inviting me to 'come up an play sometime' . He even offered a lifetime membership for £2500 (about $5000) which is being used to renovate the course so that it will be fully operational by 2008.

The wonderful thing about this course is that it is being renovated using the same techinques that would have been used by Old Tom Morris. Techniques he used to build such masterpieces as St. Andrews, Royal Prestwick, and Carnoustie. I'm already planning a holiday for Askernish in 2008! Askernish website: http://www.askernishgolfclub.com/index.php

See you all, next year!

Tree in Abbey Square

Contemplating buying some more caramelised cashews

Maurene takes a firm hold of Santa's bell (Ron blurs the photograph)

A less busy side street. . .

Maurene contemplates purchasing a tie for Ron at Gieves & Hawkes (Ron faints)

Final trip to the Bath Christmas Market

We took one more trip into the Bath Christmas Market. I had stopped by during the week and was able to get a wonderful brat with spicy German mustard without waiting in an interminable queue. We decided after decorating the house and cleaning up the garden that we'd walk in on its closing night. Driving in is nearly impossible. Buses and hundreds of extra cars aren't made for Bath's narrow georgian streets.

My brother Bob informed me that the market was on PBS this past week. It has grown geometrically in the last four years. But, Bathonians are beginning to complain about the huge traffic issues that have arisen. We'll have to see how that affects next year's planning.

Anyway, a few more photos.

Steve Bell in today's Guardian

Ho, ho, ho!

I found this photograph on a friend of my step-daughter's blog. I love dark humour.

So you thought she was dreaming of grandchildren. . .

Perhaps, she was. But, this photograph, was taken a few minutes later as Jake was filling his pants. Suddenly the dream of a grandchild was shattered as Maurene reacted to the atrocious smell.

CHRISTMAS MARKET II

Top to bottom:

Market stalls next to Abbey

The 'Snow Queen'

Buskers singing 'White Christmas'

Merry-go-round

CHRISTMAS MARKET

The Bath Christmas Market opened this evening. I had been at church all day and Maurene braved the 'heavier than usual traffic' and came down for the Christmas Tree Lighting, a quick stroll through the market, and dinner.

A few years ago we had been to a Christmas Market in Lille, France and were greatly disappointed. I remembered the Christmas markets from my days in Germany and my expectations were shattered in Lille. Well, tonight my faith in open air markets was restored. This is only the fourth year in existence and it was as good as I remember those in Germany -the home of Christmas markets. And yes, our German friends came across the channel with brats, glusswein, and ghoulash soup! The market is in town for 12 days and so I passed on the German delights tonight and we went to a restaurant. I'm sure that in the next week I'll stroll over to the brat stand on more than one occasion for my lunch.

Photographs from the top:

Maurene examines one of the stalls

The Christmas Tree outside of the Abbey

My favourite busker

Maurene waving to everyone (she is the tiny speck at the side of the road)

Long time, no post. . .

I just got back from celebrating Thanksgiving in the states. It was good to be with my daughters and the rest of the family. I didn't take my camera, so there won't be any photographs.

It is good to be back home. Maurene 'held down the fort' admirably whilst I was away. We now begin our Christmas and Advent season of craziness.

Maurene and Jake

Friends of ours from London paid us a visit with their six month old baby, Jake. Obviously, Maurene loved it!

As much autumn as we get. . .

Since moving to the UK we have noticed that for the most part autumn isn't all that colourful. We have heard that the Westonbirt arboretum a few miles north of here is beautiful. But, for the most part the trees that do lose their leaves quickly change from green to brown. This tree in our neighbours yard was an exception.

THE SUBTLETY OF BRITISH NEWSPAPERS

This cover of the Independent says it all. . .

GUY FAWKES II

This photograph was from yesterday's Bath Chronicle. The recently finished Bath Thermae Spa has an outdoor, rooftop pool. This photo shows people enjoying the waters while watching the fireworks display mentioned in yesterday's blog. The strange green tower is the top of the Bath Abbey which is illuminated each night. Maurene liked this picture.

Who the Fawkes is Guy?

Strange customs here in England. November 5th celebrates bonfire night. Guy Fawkes, attempted to blow up the houses of Parliament. He was caught in the early morning hours of November 5th, 1603 with a torch and 36 kegs of gunpowder. He was tried and executed. Every November 5th Brits get together and set off copious amounts of fireworks. Most people don't even know what they are celebrating or commemorating. Guy Fawkes was a Catholic and was protesting the ill-treatment of Catholics that began with Henry VIII.

Last night, after my evening service at Central, I spent 20 minutes or so watching the fireworks that were set off in the city centre.

I'm the man!

Check out the scorecard! This was my inward nine from this morning! I was two under with two holes to play, but an unplayable lie on 17 (2 stroke penalty) and a 3 putt from about 80 feet on 18 took me back to a 36. But that is the best golf I have played in a long, long time! Don't ask about the outward nine, I was just warming up. My writing is kind of faint so I have added the scores: 10 -3, 11-3 (birdie), 12 -3, 13-4 (birdie), 14-4, 15-4, 16-3, 17-7 (triple bogie), 18-5 bogie.

Total Score 36, total putts -14. I was using one of the Titelist DDB balls that Jessica sent me. I haven't used Titelist in several years. I'm switching.

Who are these people?

I have learned that some questions are better left unasked. Every time the Mayor of Bath arrives at a ceremony (civic or religious) this entourage shows up with her. Carrying maces and swords and wearing strange outfits they take their duties quite seriously -and Bathonians seem to take it all in stride. I was pleased that the Bath Chronicle included this photograph of her lackeys or perhaps in more up-to-date parlance her posse. This was the mayor entering the Abbey for the 40th Anniversary Service mentioned earlier.

Keith Olbermann - Fox, Lies and Videotape

This story has even made big headlines in Britain. What troubles me is that the issue isn't being discussed outside of overt partianship. Couric's 23 minute interview with Michael J. Fox at least had enough substance to it to point out that stem cells can also be obtained from IVF cells that are now being discarded. It also dismissed the notion that Fox is a shill or pawn of the Democrats (ie Fox's support of Arlen Specter). As for Rush Limbaugh, he is the one to be pitied. But, Keith Olbermann using Sam Seder's vitriol in response just obscures the issues even further. When will Americans demand a sincere discussion of issues instead of the partisan attacks that only rely on hatred and fear?

University of Bath -40th Anniversary

One of Maurene and my duties is as part-time chaplains at the University of Bath. I drew the short straw and had to join in the procession that entered the Bath Abbey yesterday to celebrate the awarding of royal charter by Queen Elizabeth II in 1966. This is the academic portion of the procession. Amazingly, the abbey was full for the ceremony.

RING OF FIRE

This evening we had a fireworks display that celebrated the opening of the Thermae Bath Spa. It lasted only 3 minutes but was set off from 6 of the 7 hilltops that surround Bath (hence the 'Ring of Fire'). The picture was taken in Victoria Park looking at the fireworks above the Royal Crescent. Maurene and I oohed and aahed, something Brits don't understand. But they did clap and cheer at the end.

I want to be a stonemason

A few weeks ago I had photographs of the wall in front of the manse which was destroyed by a hit-and-run driver. The church got estimates and submitted the lowest bid to our insurer. After the cheque arrived, the stonemason came out and using the old stones and his mortar rebuilt the wall in about 8 hours. Total cost -£1347 (in American dollars that is $2537.16) Or an hourly wage of $317.14. Either mortar is very expensive, or I missed my calling in life. Anyway, we do have to admit he did a very good job. The wall blends in quite naturally with all of the other stone walls that line the streets and gardens of our neighbourhood. And believe me, if it didn't, the preservation society would already be demanding that it be taken down and redone!

Cat from Hell

Wow! I love this cat!

Nostalgic photo #3

Caption: Ron has his first experience with an older woman.

Nostalgic photo #2

Again, this will only be understood by members of the family:

Caption: Keith Garner, always a frugal man, sets out to prove that you can fill a cavity with a putty knife and some spackle.

My contribution to the nostalgic photo competition

My daughter and brother have placed a few 'old' photographs on their blog sites. I decided to add one of my own. This photograph was found when I was rifling through an envelope shortly after our move. My suggested caption will only be understood by members of my family.

Caption: Ron was fine in the playpen until he realised how much Billy looked like Uncle Peal.

Autumn Mix - Oh no, Mr. Bill!

Any time Maurene or I return to the states for a visit, we usually try to bring back those items that we can't get in the UK. Sadly, I haven't been able to figure out how to transport White Castles, Skyline Chilli, or Cassanos Pizza. But, we usually bring back Red Twizzlers or Butterfingers for Maurene. My list is more extensive and actually quite seasonal -Black Jelly Beans and Marshmallow Peeps at Easter, those soft peppermint thingys with the trees in the middle at Christmas, for Halloween and Thanksgiving I prefer Autumn Mix.

So it was with great joy that Maurene arrived in Bristol from her trip to see Jessica with two giant sized Butterfingers (for me!!) a bag of orange slices (which were Dad's favourite) and two bags of Autumn Mix -that terribly sugary confectionery treat that I simply can't resist. So, less than 48 hours later the bag of orange slices has disappeared, one butterfinger has been reduced to a few small slivers of chocolate with some yellow/orange middle attached and one bag of Autumn Mix has bitten the dust.

Who needs caffeine when you can get high on sugar? Anyway, just a little over a month till I travel home. Can't wait to sink my teeth into some of those peppermint tree thingys.

IT'S OFFICIAL - BATH IS ENGLAND'S BEST

from the Bath Chronicle
10 October 2006
Bath has been voted the best city in England by readers of a national newspaper.The accolade in the annual Guardian and Observer Travel Awards is the most prestigious in a string of recent tourism poll boosts for the city.

More than 15,000 readers voted in the survey and in the favourite UK city category, Bath came third behind Edinburgh and Glasgow, making it the most popular city in England, ahead of London, Cambridge and York.It has jumped up the leader board from seventh place last year and eighth place in 2004.

Debbie Ponting, spokeswoman for Bath Tourism Plus, the city's marketing organisation, said: "Everyone here at Bath Tourism Plus is thrilled to hear that the city has gained this recognition."It shows the city is already well recognised by the British public as the great tourist destination it is, and the extra promotion will encourage those who don't already know about it to come and discover the city's charms for themselves."The award is a credit to all of those who make the city such an enjoyable place to visit, from the hotels, retailers and visitor attractions to the friendly residents of Bath."

City mayor Cllr Carol Paradise added: "I am not really surprised but it is very, very gratifying and nice to know that somebody else sees the city as we do."People always say what a beautiful city it is, personally I think it is a shame about the litter and people dropping chewing gum but that is a problem across the country."When people walk around they say it is like they are in a dream, it is such a beautiful city and so relaxing. It really is a privilege to live in Bath."

The city's most famous attraction, the Roman Baths and adjacent Pump Room, has also just been shortlisted for an award.The council-run complex has made it to the finals of the South West Tourism Excellence Awards in the large visitor attraction of the year category.Katie Smith, visitor services manager, said: "This is a fantastic achievement for the Roman Baths and Pump Room and we are thrilled. There is stiff competition this year, particularly from SS Great Britain which has recently undergone major refurbishment and has received many awards, so it is great we have made it this far."Visitors from the UK and abroad are drawn to our attraction and we have an excellent reputation across the world."We are committed to improving our already high standards and to making sure that all our visitors have an enjoy- able, entertaining and interesting day out."

Developments that impressed the judges at the Roman Baths, which attract a million visitors a year, included the new children's and Bill Bryson tours and computer "fly-throughs" of the site in Roman days. The Pump Room will celebrate its 300th anniversary next month.The winners of the regional awards will be announced on Monday.

Pulteney Bridge, 7 October 2006
Pulteney Bridge and The Weir

Pulteney Bridge was finished in 1773. Like its inspiration, the Ponte Vechio in Florence Italy, it is lined with tiny shops that cater to a wide variety of tastes -everything from antique maps and teddy bears, a florist, and a rather exclusive women's dress shop. The dress shop is frequented by Dame Judy Dench, whose cardboard cut out stands majestically, if a bit sun-faded, in the front window.

The shops have had their share of catastrophes. In 1804 some of the shops fell into the river. Just last month some rather large flower boxes that were perched above the doors of the shops were blown over by a rather intense wind squall and injured some tourists who were passing by.

Flooding has also been a problem in the centre of Bath. Fully 200 years after the Pulteney Bridge was completed the horseshoe shaped weir replaced a straight weir just below the bridge. With some other improvements to the west of Bath the flooding issues have been resolved (for the time). The higher tides and more intense rains promised by global warming may tax such projects in the future. But for now, Pulteney Bridge and the weir provide a popular, though 'slightly off the beaten track' tourist photo opportunity.

THE RIVER AVON PART II

I've been asked to provide a larger photo of the River Avon from my 20 mile walk. I hope this does the trick, I don't know how to make it any larger.

About the River Avon. This is not the same river that runs through Stratford (Shakespeare's hometown). Avon is a Celtic word that means 'river', so there are quite a few in the British Isles. Also, Avon is not pronounced like the 'Avon calling' phrase that we are so used to hearing. This Avon rhymes with haven, or maven, or craven, or ain't misbehavin'. Just like our mispronunciation of Bath when we first got here, we have had to learn to soften the final syllable of this geographic label. I won't even try to explain words like Leicester, Berkshire, or even seemingly innocuous words like clerk (pron. clark) or schedule (pron. shed-yule).

Back to the river. It runs through Bath and since it is a tidal river and subject to flooding it is controlled by a series of weirs. One such weir is just below the famous Pulteney Bridge. I'll include photos and more explanations in the future. Weirs are like steps which create a pleasant waterfall. The Pulteney Weir is the subject of many a tourist photograph.

The Avon flows from east to west and ends about 10 miles from here where it flows into the Bristol Channel which flows into the Atlantic Ocean. I ride my bicycle in to work each day along the Avon and enjoy the tourist boat traffic that often uses the waterway in the summer.

Autumnal light

Since moving to England, Maurene and I have noticed the quality of light as evening approaches in the autumn. It is difficult to describe, but it has a particular quality that is serene and has a calming quality when one slows down enough to actually notice it.

In Bath, with all of the honey-brown stone and steep hills, the evening light takes on an even more luminous quality. I was walking in the city centre this evening and looking up toward the row houses that fill the hillsides in all directions. I again felt that rather unifying feeling that comes when we observe the light phenomenon. Wish I could capture it in a photograph. But that would defeat the purpose, wouldn't it?

Maurene and Ron

A NIGHT AT THE OPERA

Can you believe it? Maurene and I went to the Bath Abbey on Saturday evening for an 'International Charity Opera Gala'. The charity was Dorothy House -our local hospice. Yes, Ron went to the opera.

Joseph Calleja was the headliner. The programme describes him as, 'A young and exciting Maltese tenor [who] has established himself as one of the most promising artists of his generation.' He was joined by Ha Young Lee who represented Korea in the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Competition. She received the Audience Prize. The City of London Sinfonia provided the accompaniment.

When I'm 54........

Celebrated my 54th birthday today. Wrote a sermon, had a mole removed from my head, ate Chinese. Nothing particularly spectacular, but at 54 you really don't expect anything spectacular. Bill Clinton spoke at the Labour Party Conference in Manchester today. He is something of a god over here. He is still amazingly articulate and persuasive.

A few more cows

Bath from Solsbury Hill

Swainswick Valley (also the last hill on the walk)

I've added a few more photographs from my Circuit of Bath Walk. I recovered quite nicely thank you.