Christmas 2023

Snippets from our 2023

Sad farewells - Elaine, whose welcome and love lives on through Andy and their children; Cari - whose sister Jo died in 2022, and David, much loved.  David and Jane (+2017) welcomed so many into their home and family; their eldest invited Humph along to the new Saturday evening youth fellowship in 1973 where Phil & Marian added to the outpouring of love and renewal seen at St Cuthbert's (and later St Michael-le-Belfry) where harmonies and healing spoke of the strongest of relationships.  They kindly gave us a set of bowls and serving dish at our wedding - one bowl remains, battered but a continual reminder of their generosity.  Early in the 1970's, David was invited to lead the service on local radio from St Botolph's; his text: "When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?".  He played the part of God in the York Passion Plays; the Almighty would have come in handy when his Renault 4 throttle cable snapped as he left the vicarage for Thornton and Melbourne - he drove on the choke for the 9:00am service, then a piece of string through the fresh air vent and made it eventually back to Allerthorpe.  How many did we squeeze in to their VW bay?  We were to hear of many of David's stories over the years, the joys, the pains - but always the same sacrificial love overflowing from their hearts and lives.  David reminded me [just] once that it's surely all about what God does.  We and so many saw our lives transformed.  Our love for them and their beautiful family continues to grow - honouring both David and Jane.

Glorious welcomes - especially to EJ, with many congratulations to Sophie and Tim; cousin to Kez & J, Georgia and to Freya.  There's something heavenly about singing 'Welcome to the world...' to such a young, precious bundle of hiccups cradled in your arms.  A privilege, of course, and an honour - but mostly unfathomable delight and overwhelming joy; was there any blessing like this?  Jane had created quilts for just about every new born over the years - and Allison has assumed part of the mantle to continue to pour out their love. 

Wedding bells in Bordeaux - and singing in the streets!  Esta took us back to the sunshine in October, to help celebrate a third wedding in France.  Such generous, kind, loving families - and how the grandchildren are growing.  The music rehearsal on the Friday night followed a time of prayer (by les jeunesses; when they ran out of chairs, they found more, then moved pews into the prayer sanctuary).  The wedding was yet another 'standing room only' service in the Catholic communities; as is usual in France, the wedding guests left the church first, gathering in the open air to welcome the newly married couple - who came out leading the singing of 'Comment ne pas te louer' with everyone waving their drapeaux.

An unexpected bonus was watching the rugby world cup on the big screen at the camping, enjoying the crowd shouting «Allez, allez, allez!»; the Stade Atlantique was just a short walk away.  We explored the Jardin Botanique, too, whisked along on the excellent trams and buses.  Their solar-roofed car parks are extensive, too - and the street lamps in Gradignan brought a smile.  

Spotting rhododendrons in October near Tan-y-Bwlch with Andrew was a welcome surprise, as was the unveiling of James Spooner.  We watched the gravity train thunder through and then later come to a stop in Minffordd - with just a couple of strong folk bump-starting it again.   The replica of Spooner's boat pottered down the line under gravity and then sailed over the Cob.  Celebrating birthdays in Eryri (Snowdonia) was a treat indeed.

Esta took a trip to Scargill in the spring, catching up with an old friend who had worked on the team; a joy to meet her nearest and dearest, too - and grateful for the new cheese slice (the one given to us in the Nederlands had had such a good innings).  Grassington was dressed for filming 'All Creatures'; t'was uplifting to revisit so many good memories.  And Esta has proven to be welcome and comfortable long range transport - our electric horseless carriage serves very well, even if the supply cable is a bit short.   There's even a charge point at Sandringham, although it took us a moment to learn how to use the navigation system.

This year's Christmas listing included hundreds of church services and events across the south of the county up to the A17 and A52.  Anything to help put lamps on lampstands, and always a joy - ecumenical matters are easy when you're on everyone's side.  As ever, the local Flower Festivals drew in many - some churches offering fragrant welcomes for the Coronation of King Charles III, too.  There's so much going on...

With our love and best wishes to you for Christmas and the New Year