We had a couple of lovely sunny days in mid-February, which inspired a neighbour to have a bonfire. As far as I could see the intention was to dispose of some trimmings from tree clearance work a few weeks ago. The fire went well and a huge tree stump was added to the blaze, presumably…

February was a very dry month but that did not prevent those typically dull and misty mornings when you feel colder than you are. I took this photograph on one such morning, slightly before 8 am from the path round Framlingham Castle’s dry moat. The ancient stones, in various states of repair or not, have…

Thinking members of my family all told me that I should not read it, but never wanting to do as I am told and not wanting to criticise a book I had not read, I have just finished Prince Harry’s ghost-written memoir ‘Spare’. It is a sad story about a person beset by personal hurt…

Several years ago I used to travel regularly to Northern Ireland for business; when it worked logistically I always preferred to cross by ferry as I like the sea but I dislike the airport experience. I will never forget using the Stranraer to Belfast route on an occasion when it was touch and go as…

We were fortunate to be in York recently. With a morning to spare, we decided to walk around the City’s walls; it was an experience for the knees and calves but also for the imagination. For much of the time the ancient Minster is in view, sometimes nearby and sometimes far away. Iconic and solid,…

A recent summary of the declining numbers of people in churches was extrapolated to predict the date of disappearance of various denominations. The author was not supporting the reliability of such predictions but putting down a marker, presenting today’s statistical analysis. Some people use such grim predictions to laugh and remind Christians why they are…

The feast of Candlemas falls exactly forty days after Christmas, so always on 2nd February. Three things come together today. First, for Mary, forty days was the period during which, as a new mother, she must stay away from the temple. The Old Testament Law tells us that after the birth of a Son, the…

I have previously referred to the sound of a woodpecker busying itself in a tree across the road from my study window. Noisy but rarely visible these pretty little birds are strangely alluring (to me). Over the last few weeks one of these friends has become braver and now feeds on the bird feeder that…

Today’s reading from 1 John 4:19-21 says, in verse 18, ‘There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.’ Many years ago I was in a conversation with a friend which, at the time, seemed…

The days immediately after Christmas are a watershed; for some people, they present the opportunity to rest and relax after days of frenetic preparations and activity. There are others for whom the short lived season of generosity of spirit is past and it is time to revert to the grind of poverty, worry and fear…