After almost 25 years of faithful service, it was reluctantly agreed that I could demolish our greenhouse. This task, despite its challenges, was an enjoyable experience and involved several trips to the local Recycling Centre. The next major decision was whether or not to replace it, and if so, with what. After several hours of…

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…

In my recent Christmas reflections and reading, I came across the tradition of making Christmas pudding. Every year, just before Advent, people stir the pudding and then store it to mature for the next Christmas. This was new to me, because I am still learning English culture and life here. That simple tradition taught me…

Today’s thought for the day is brought to us by Sue Dare www.ellel.uk “I will give thanks and praise to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;Wonderful are Your works,And my soul knows it very well.” Matthew 14:29-30 A few years ago, I had a revelation that resulted in a major shift in my…

Next Monday (19th January) will allegedly be the most depressing day of the year: Blue Monday. Developed by Cardiff psychologist Cliff Arnail in 2005, it’s a psychosocial framework to identify and explain a confluence of factors contributing to low mood and psychological distress typically observed in mid to late January. It even has its own formula:…

‘Thou burning sun with golden beam, thou silver moon with softer gleam, O praise him’ (William Draper based on words of St Francis of Assisi) A clear and cold afternoon makes for a great walk and a chance to hear and see the sounds and sights that are hidden on cloudy, damp days. I set…