The Rocks is a suburb of Sydney near the famous harbour bridge. It is named such because of the sandstone outcrops that dominated the landscape. These were quarried, filled and terraced over the centuries to conform with what the European vision of civilisation. Now it is a maze of alleys and terraced housing with chic…

Kangaroos! We were racing across the Australian bush (anywhere outside a city) on the Indian Pacific train, with eyes pinned on the landscape, hoping to catch sight of our first “skippy” or kangaroo. It didn’t take long, although they were quite difficult to spot, blending in with the surrounding countryside. Do you know the collective…

If you have read any of my TFTDs in the past you will know Bill the boxer. Today I want to introduce you to Cheddar the miniature labradoodle. She is my son in Australia’s dog, and we met her for the first time on this trip. She became affectionately known as “Cheddy bear,” as she…

I have just returned from a wonderful holiday visiting our son in Australia. One of the many highlights of the trip was travelling from Perth, on the west coast to Sydney on the east coast, some 4352km (2704 miles), by train over 5 days. This gave us fantastic opportunities to watch the changing scenery and…

This thought was first published in August 2021 Thought for the day on 2 wheels!(This series of Thoughts for the Day were inspired whilst taking a week’s break in Eastbourne with my friend Rev Rach Ward, a Minister in the Leeds South and West Circuit, previously a Local Preacher in the Ipswich Circuit) 3. The…

(This thought was published first in April 2021) One of the things small children seem to love to do, is jump into puddles and make a splash. There is a funny video that I have seen of a little girl probably about 2 years old with her pretty pink wellies and she is splashing in…

I have resisted the temptation to produce more TFTDs on the theme of my granddaughter…until now. We are now in the fourth week of Advent and thinking about love. I can still remember the moment I held Ottilie for the first time, nearly 3 months ago. There was an overwhelming feeling of…. love, plain and…

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. A friend of mine often uses this verse to pray with people who are going through tough times. It was the…

Would you prefer to be happy or joyful, (or both)?          It seems easier to describe happiness as we see happiness around us. People out celebrating look happy. When Ipswich Town score the fans look happy – unless of course you are a fan of the opposition! We might meet a friend who has received some…

As we approach the end of the year we look forward to another year, what will it bring? There are so many “bad” news stories in the media, it is tempting to say – “it can’t be worse than this year.” Hope, however gives us something to look forward to. “I hope for a white…