Children dance around the statue of Mozart

Outrageously priced al fresco dining

Everybody sing! - 'This green and pleasant land'

End of Summer Part III

As opposed to The Fake Meat Company

Pulteney Bridge, The Weir and the Colonnade

Killer Bees

End of Summer Part II

Lazy tourists

Less lazy tourists

Parade Gardens

End of Summer Part I

It has been a wet and rather miserable summer here in Bath. But these last few weeks the weather has improved markedly and we have enjoyed a bit of sunshine and warm (not hot) temperatures. We don't have Labour Day on this side of the Atlantic so the end of summer is marked by a bank holiday the last Monday of August. I had a pastoral visit to do yesterday and thought I take a few snaps as I walked to my destination.

3rd Hole-Crown Course

54 years; 54 holes.

Today I completed 54 holes of golf in 8 hours and 10 minutes from start to finish. It was a fund-raiser for 'Little Scribblers Nursery School' in Larkhall. Little Scribblers is a nursery school started by a member of our church, Emma Whipp. I raised money to help re-turf the play area and the remainder of any money raised will be used to supplement the pay of some of her support staff.

I started at 7.00 am and finished at 3.10 pm. I was ably assisted by two members of our church, Ron Turner and Colin Bowden who took care of the caddy duties. My scores weren't all that good because I was focussing on finishing the 54 holes and was concerned about getting behind slow foursomes. Fortunately, every time we came up on a group they understood what we were doing and immediately signalled us through. Thus, the much quicker than expected finishing time.

As near as I can figure I will have raised a bit more than £700 GBP ($1400 USD) when all of the money has been collected. I actually felt pretty good after the 13 miles of walking and numerous swings (too many) of the clubs. But now, sitting at the computer my feet are screaming and my lower back occasionally goes into a nice sharp spasm.

Bristol International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

I usually get in 18 holes of golf on Friday mornings. My golf course overlooks the city of Bristol. Yesterday I was treated to the morning launch of hundreds of hot air balloons. This photo was from Saturday's Guardian.

The Seventh Seal

We went to see Ingmar Bergman's defining film this evening. Most appropriate since he died just last week. I must say with each passing year the idea of extending one's life by playing chess with Death seems a bit more credible. Death reminded me of Channel 4s Sammy Terry. On a more serious note, I find myself wondering what insights have I gained since moving to Bath and having an Art House cinema within walking distance? I don't think I have a much deeper understanding of existentialism -Kierkegaard baffles me. But, as Maurene noted when we left the cinema this evening, I am now willing to set through a film with subtitles. Now that's progress!

Why we're in Iraq
These boneheads have the ear of the president and all sorts of Republican congressional members. Scary.

Mike and I in Bristol (thanks Caren)

Abby's Request

Abby wondered why I didn't get a photograph of Michael Bolton at the wedding party (see earlier blog). Regrettfully, I didn't have a camera with me at the time. But, I was sent this great photo of Michael and I at his concert in Bristol when he invited me on stage to jam! Notice the cool purple spotlight they place on me during my solo!

Padraig Harrington lifts the Claret Jug

Why are Europeans so good in the Ryder Cup and so poor in the 4 Majors?

At the start of today's final round of The Open, the BBC Commentators were wondering why the European golfers always do so well in the Ryder Cup but so poorly in the 4 'Grand Slam' events. A European hasn't won one of the big four tournaments (The Masters, The US Open, The British Open, or the PGA) since 1999. And yet, in that same time frame they have hammered their US counterparts in the bi-annual Ryder Cup. Earlier this week, Nick Faldo said that it was because European players are too chummy with one another.

I think it might be sociological. Most European countries are to a great or lesser degree socialist. The United States is capitalist. Europeans learn to handle problems cooperatively and stress teamwork and common goals. Capitalists stress individual initiative and competitiveness. So, an American golfer will tend to go out to play his 'own' game and beat his opponent. Whereas a European golfer might lack the killer instinct but will thrive on foursomes and best ball. Interesting theory.

Well, the drought ended today. And it couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. Padraig Harrington ended not only the European 8 year drought but was the first Irishman to win The Open in 60 years.

Kath (the mother of the groom) and Maurene after the festivities
Maurene with the happy couple

Maurene signing the wedding register

Francis, our church's Authorised Registrar makes it official. (He looked quite spiffy in his bowtie.)

Wedding photographs

Whilst we were in London we met Alan and Layla. Alan was the son of Kath who attended St. James's Church. Maurene and Kath became good friends and when Alan and Layla decided to marry they asked Maurene to conduct the ceremony. It was a family-only service and I went along to be the doorman, start the CD player at the appropriate time and be an unofficial photographer. The wedding party that evening was held at the Eastern Eye, a great Indian restaurant in Bath. Lo and behold, Michael Bolton came in during the evening. We wanted to ask him to sing 'When a man loves a woman' to the happy couple but his rather large bodyguard seemed a bit intimidating!

I didn't even know Tigger was left handed. . .

I'm taking a week's holiday during The Open. BBC Coverage begins on the radio at 6.00am and on TV at 9.00am and goes until 7.15pm. I wish I'd gone to Carnoustie but I'm going to work on a mosaic so that I want be tempted to do too much 'church stuff'.

Labradors are the world's smartest dogs. . .

At first glance, you might surmise that a dog that would walk into the midst of the peloton of the Tour of France bicycle race wasn't overly intelligent. You would be wrong. This particular Labrador was aware that his master had placed a large bet on this member of the T-mobile team not winning this mountain stage of the tour. Knowing that a large reward of kibble awaited, the Labrador took matters into his own hands (or should I say paws) and made certain that the rider took an unfortunate spill. A Labrador truly is 'man's best friend' . Oh, the dog wasn't hurt -thank goodness.

Carnoustie or Carnasty?

TIGER WOODS was given a savage reminder of how tough Carnoustie can be yesterday.
The day after South African star David Frost complained the course was too easy, Woods faced lashing rain and winds of up to 25mph.
The 514-yard 14th hole would usually be a driver and nine iron for the world No 1.
But yesterday he hit driver, three wood and then failed to reach the green with a four iron from just 112 yards! (from the Tuesday edition of The Sun)

Maurene, Hazel, and Ron (a rose between two thorns)

Time to celebrate!

Maurene and I are thrilled that this evening the Reverend Dr Hazel Starritt joined us in our ministry team. The Induction Service was held at Central United Reformed Church and was well attended not only by members of the three Bath URCs but other local Bath churches and past churches where Hazel served. Hazel is a non-stipendiary minister. This means that she works in another profession. But, she will lead worship at two of our twenty services per month. That is a great help as it gives Maurene and I a bit of time to do some other things that need to get done!

Hazel is a physicist and is the head of the Radiology Department at the Royal United Hospital. It was a great service and a good time was had by all!

It's tough being a celebrity

Ryan Keith and Keith Ryan

I love this photograph of my nephew and great-nephew. Keith and Tiffany sent it to me by email. Babies wearing sunglasses always makes me laugh. Like Maurene below, Ryan strikes a celebrity pose. Vogue, Ryan, vogue!

Stiking a celebrity pose

Back from Manchester

Maurene and I have returned from the General Assembly in Manchester. I promised photographs from the event, but because of our strange religious practices and human sacrifices the authorities would not allow any photos from inside the hall. I did get this photograph of Maurene at Piccadilly Station just after we arrived last Saturday.

Reaction to my Independence Day Presentation

My last post had photographs of the 4th of July party that we hosted at the manse. At the party, I was asked to give a brief presentation about the origins of Independence Day. We Americans sometimes forget that our history isn't the only history! Anyway, I talked about Thomas Jefferson and the Declaration of Independence and the list of grievances against the crown (King George). There were a few chuckles since we now live in the best preserved Georgian city in the entire world (Bath).

One congregant couldn't resist sending me this little photographic response. It was supposed to be humorous, but sadly, it just didn't seem all that funny. Please view my Tony Benn 'democracy' videos that were posted earlier. Eternal vigilance, dear ones!

We're off to Manchester for four exciting days at the United Reformed Church General Assembly. Maybe I'll take my camera and get some exciting photographs of a bunch of ministers sleeping during the tedious presentations. If Jesus could see what a mess we so-called Christians have made of the 'kingdom of God.'

For a moment I thought I was back in Memorial Park

Master Chef

The gazebo was a popular place during the showers

The guy in the middle bought his cap at the Mall of America on a stateside visit

Maurene's Stars and Stripes Cake

Fourth of July Garden Party

Maurene and I hosted a Fourth of July Garden Party for the churches. As you can tell by the attire of our guests the weather wasn't typical Independence Day weather. It was showery, quite blustery, and very cool. I had downloaded lots of patriotic music (Sousa marches, Mormon Tabernacle Choir, a little Willie Nelson and some John Denver) and piped it in to the garden. Not my usual fare, but the Brits seemed to enjoy it.

New Driver

I had purchased a new driver last October during the autumn sales. It was a package deal and included a free rescue club. I enjoyed the Slazenger KI Driver very much but two weeks ago it made a strange sound as I hit one of my prodigious drives and I was disheartened to see that the head had cracked. Unable to locate the receipt, I was sure that I was stuck with a broken driven and would have to return to my old one that failed to give me the 300+ yards to which I am now accustomed. I returned to the store where I had purchased the Driver and was delighted to find out that they took it back and asked no questions. They even allowed me to pick a different driver as a replacement.

I couldn't resist purchasing this Bonnie head cover. Hope it brings me luck.

Get a room!

What do you think they're smoking?

I'll bet there is even some Quakers in this crowd

Sunrise

Summer Solstice -Stonehenge

Stonehenge is just a short drive southeast of Bath. Today being the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, brings a large gathering of Druids, pagans, and new-agers to this rather impressive sun calendar.

Photographs from today's Guardian.

Where is George Washington when you need him?

Garden Refurbishment: Part II

The gardener who is in charge of the ongoing refurbishment had taken a few days off to seek approval to remove the rather pathetic Cherry Tree that is at the end of our driveway. Approval was necessary because we live in a conservation area. Well, approval wasn't granted. It seems our Cherry Tree is the only remaining tree from an orchard that used exist before the homes were built in the late 1800s. Needless to say this poor tree has been on its last legs for some time. The cherries are inedible and dead limbs and rotten wood are in great abundance. The far-sighted conservation committee did allow our gardener to remove all of the dead branches. Surely they don't think this will make it spring back to life! The photograph shows some of the dead wood that was removed and the rather forlorn tree that remains. Maurene and I have determined that it now looks like a giant, though rather barren bonsai tree.

Quaker Wall Hanging

If all of the preparations are finalised the Bath Quaker Meeting will begin worshipping at Central United Reformed Church in the autumn. I was asked by the Clerk of the Meeting to come to their current Meeting House to view a wall hanging that they wish to bring with them. They wanted to insure that it would meet with our congregations approval.

I found it quite interesting as it was a representation of Jesus' visit to the home of Mary and Martha. If you aren't familiar with the story, Mary sits and listens to the teachings of Jesus whilst Martha hurries about in the kitchen preparing a meal.

The similarities to Jesus and the Buddha sitting under the Bodhi tree are striking.

They call me mellow yellow- Our Broom tree and some unidentified bush

A second patio at the back of the garden which replaces a dead tree and bramble patch

Restoring the greenhouse

Garden Refurbishment

A gardener finally arrived and did some significant refurbishment on our garden. I thought I'd include a few photographs of his efforts and some of the lovely foliage that is blooming in mid-June. We have different varieties of plants blooming throughout the spring and summer. I have included a musical link if you'd like to sing along as you look at the photographs.

http://www.contemplator.com/tunebook/england/englgrdn.htm

Happy birthday, Abby!

Don't look so sad! You're not that old.

Watch this!

Tony Benn, long-time Labour MP and socialist is my political hero. But although he has a warm spot in his heart for Karl Marx (he actually called him the last of the Old Testament biblical prophets) he is also a great devotee of Thomas Paine (a Founding Father who was born in Sandwich England). I cordially invite you to spend a half-hour or so watching his documentary on Democracy. It is in five parts for easy viewing. You can find it at:

http://www.bennites.com/BIGIDEASDEMOCRACY.html If that link gives you a problem you can use the links section of my blog. Click on My favourite British politician

Dennis Milligan -a fine American

This is how these tools think. . .

In his first interview as the chairman of the Arkansas Republican Party, Dennis Milligan told a reporter that America needs to be attacked by terrorists so that people will appreciate the work that President Bush has done to protect the country.
"At the end of the day, I believe fully the president is doing the right thing, and I think all we need is some attacks on American soil like we had on [Sept. 11, 2001]," Milligan said to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, "and the naysayers will come around very quickly to appreciate not only the commitment for President Bush, but the sacrifice that has been made by men and women to protect this country."
Milligan, who was elected as the new chair of the Arkansas Republican Party just two weeks ago, also told the newspaper that he is "150 percent" behind Bush in the war in Iraq.
In his acceptance speech on May 19th, Milligan told his fellow Republicans that it was "time for a rediscovery of our values and our common sense."

Editor's note: If you accept this logic then we should hope that Putin nukes the United States and then we'd realise that the President is right about Star Wars!

Move over Rover,

Let Jimi take over!*

Photograph of my new nephew with the distinctive shirt given to him by his cousins, Sarah and Abby.

* Lyrics taught to me by my cousin, Mark, who also taught me The Larry Lamport song.

The 'Mother of all Roses'

Hopefully, the gardener will come this week to do a major refurbishment on our garden. He has already started with some repairs to the greenhouse, taking a way a major brush pile that had accumulated, and removal of a bush that had gone past its 'sell by' date. He has also started a second patio where I hope to place a Zen garden.

Anyway, Maurene discovered this huge rose on one of our bushes.

Ryan Keith Garner (quite original name there, Keith and Tiffany)

I'm a great Uncle (as if you didn't know)

I just discovered that I am a great Uncle (actually four times now). Ryan Keith Garner was born at around 1.30 pm today, 1 June 2007. I am so happy for Keith and Tiffany and can't wait to see my newest nephew in September. I'm a bit misty eyed sitting here at the computer. This is one of those times I wish I was back in the USA. Maurene is away in London so I have no one to celebrate with! So, its off to the local to hoist a pint in honour of Ryan Keith Garner.

It was forty years ago today. . .

On 1 June 1967 what many consider the Beatles seminal work, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, was released. My primary memory of the album was established that autumn, when my Sophomore English Teacher, Miss Myers, played the music for a week during class and we discussed the possible meaning of the lyrics. Little did I know that the experiences in Miss Myer's English Class would prepare me for the hermeneutical pursuits that would follow at United Theological Seminary. The BBC World Service is devoting much airtime today to the album with interviews and opinion pieces. And from today's Guardian editorial page:

In praise of... Sgt Pepper LeaderFriday June 1, 2007The Guardian
It was not 20 but 40 years ago today that Sgt Pepper taught the band to play, and the album that defined the 1960s was released. From touching ballads (She's Leaving Home) to dreamy psychedelia (A Day in the Life) to music-hall wit (When I'm 64), the record confirmed the breadth of Lennon and McCartney's songwriting. Track for track, the LP may not be the Beatles' best; not least because 1967 hits such as Strawberry Fields and All You Need is Love were omitted. It stood out, however, for the sweep of its ambition. Adopting the alter ego of a marching band, the fab four donned colourful uniforms, and they top and tail proceedings with a song performed in role, giving the collection a sense of theatre, if not a coherent concept. The transformation of cheeky mop-tops into artists was also marked by the lyrics being printed on the sleeve, so that they might be read as poetry. George Martin's production exploited classical instruments and eight-track technology alike, making for a sound the world had never heard before. And there is still no icon in pop history to match Peter Blake's inspired cover, which shows the band with stars, writers and their younger selves. Even where it falters, the album innovates. Within You Without You may be a dirge, but it exposed the west to the sitar and provided the prototype for many a hippy sermon. Like no other record, Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band ushered in a new age- one with long hair, dope and time for a number of things that weren't important yesterday.