"In the deep mid-winter frosty wind made moan, earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone." Well deep mid-winter feels as though it has arrived. The frost was thick over the car and everything else this morning and has remained so for the whole day. It has been bitterly cold but we have had no wind and lovely blue skies and sunshine - a perfect winter's day. I can't decide whether I love or loath winter. I think I come down on the loathing side but there is something approaching romance as I watched people walking through town yesterday with their coats, gloves and scarves pulled tight around them, heads down, their breath forming a mist, trying to get to their destinations before the cold had a more debilitating effect. I love the Christmas lights that have appeared over the last few days, the cosiness of a warm fire after a cold walk, warming soups, smothering myself in scarves, gloves and warm coats. But then there's the long dark nights, the thought numbingly cold wind and rain, the grey skies and the watery sun; the days that never seem to wake up and the inevitable cough and runny nose that comes just before Christmas - perhaps the reason for my present melancholic state. I'm told to take comfort from the fact that the shortest day is only ten days away, but the shortest day is swiftly followed by the longest night! In the meantime I dream of long, warm summer's evenings, barbecues, dressing in shorts and tee shirts and I have actually got some books from the library about walking and cycling in France which I am studying whilst looking at routes in an atlas.
I've had a cold and cough throughout the week so haven't managed to cycle or run since Saturday, another reason for feeling sorry for myself. Yesterday I spent some of my birthday money on a new pair of running shoes. I've never had a pair of dedicated running shoes before so hope they will help with the achilles problem that crops up every so often; but I don't get to use them until this cold has ceased.
Last night we put up our new Christmas tree, an artificial one much to Lucy's disgust, but we have all agreed that with lights and baubles it looks good. This evening we are attending Mary's Life Groups Christmas dinner at Chinese restaurant. So, the James family are getting into the Christmas spirit.

8th December

Over the last week I've tried "spinning". Nothing to do with fishing but in fact a type of gym based cycling class. About 15 stationary exercise bikes are arranged in a gym and an instructor sets the pace and shouts instructions regarding speed and style of cycling. The exercise lasts for about half an hour and is one of the most physically demanding things I have done. There were times during the exercise when I thought I would have to give up but the instructor kept on yelling encouragement and telling us that we were nearly there. I had heard from a few people over the last year or so that spinning is an extreme form of exercise and would push you to the limits and I wasn't disappointed. I managed to get to two classes over the last week and on the second occasions cycled there, did the "spinning", went for a ten minute run on the treadmill and then cycled back to work. I don't think I have ever felt so fit as I do at present and know that if I hadn't lost two stone in weight three years ago I wouldn't be able to maintain this sort of fitness. I'm even thinking about road running again.

Despite the colder weather I am cycling to work three or four times a week which is a round trip of five miles, including some severe hills in and out of Knaresborough, on top of which I am running from between 20 to 30 minutes twice or three times a week on a treadmill in the gym. Most Wednesday's Mary and I get in a walk of at least 6 miles in the Yorkshire Dales and I climb on the artificial climbing wall about once every ten days. I want to increase duration and intensity of exercise over the next year but obviously without sustaining any serious injuries or illness.

The one downer over the last few weeks is that I have now taken my motorbike off the road for the winter because the local council have started to salt the roads which corrodes the metalwork on a bike. I'm missing the riding but am planning some longer trips into Scotland and perhaps even over to France in the Spring.
Last Sunday I enjoyed my 57th birthday. Dan, Kim and Dominic bought me the Alistair Campbell diaries - "The Blair Years", Bethan and David bought me Atonement by Ian McEwan, George bought me a notebook for Grampa (clever little chap), Lucy bought me some delicious cheese and an advent candle whilst Mary gave me a years subscription tot he Trail magazine. So lots to read over the coming weeks during the long winter evenings.

4th December

Of course sentencing a naive, middle aged woman to forty lashes, a fine or imprisonment for naming a teddy bear Mohammad is ridiculous and beggars belief, but at the same time it is staggeringly stupid to give a toy animal the name of the prophet in a Muslim country where issues like this are akin to dancing round a barrel of gunpowder with a lighted match. Did Gillian Gibbons not appreciate how volatile this area is and how her actions would be completely misunderstood? The demonstrations and riots of a couple of years ago over the cartoons drawn of Mohammad, the fatwa on Salman Rushdie for writing "Satanic Verses", alone should have been enough of a warning for Mrs Gibbons to have steered clear of dropping this clanger.
In contrast, with the Christmas season virtually upon us, it will be interesting to note how many "politically correct" city councils attempt to keep the word "Christmas" out of the festival so no offence is caused to ethnic minorities living in British cities. Something, somewhere seems to have gone very wrong.

28th October

Church was good this morning. Lots of people who have been on holiday over the last few weeks were back and that swelled our numbers. Also getting quite a few new people turning up who are returning on subsequent weeks - all very encouraging. Owen and Kim came round for lunch and then we went and looked at some houses they had seen - problem is that looking at a few lovely old but refurbished house has given me really itchy feet just when I thought I had settled down - Oh dear!!
Great programme on TV - Long Way Down featuring Charlie Borman and Ewan Magregor's motorbike ride from John O'Groats to Cape Town, S. Africa. Brilliant "Boys Own" adventure stuff but dangerously infectious. Maybe not a motorbike ride the length of Afica but perhaps around Northern Scotland next Spring.

27th October

We have been back from India for over a week now and settling back into home life. India was a little different on this occasion. The first week all our plans seemed to fall apart as one of our hosts became ill and another was visiting England!! However, despite the disappointments and frustrations we managed to accomplish quite a bit and got a better understanding of even more.
The second week went more according to plan and some useful work was done as well as one or two new contacts being established. I think everybody enjoyed the experience and with one or two minor ailments everyone managed to stay well throughout the trip. The logistics for moving seven people around Northern India in two smaller groups so that we would not bring undue attention to ourselves was a new experience for me but I think it worked. The churches that we visited and the Bible Schools that we taught in were full of very rewarding experiences and I only wish we could have had longer in each place. Once again the greatest and most lasting impression I take home with me is off the people who have to be some of the friendliest and most hospitable on earth. We are now developing a team of seasoned and committed people. This was my 6th visit, Linda and Kevin's 3rd and Lucy and Andy's 2nd, with May and Maggie making their 1st visit. Feedback so far is that all of the regulars intend to visit again in the next year or so.

It's strange having left India where the temperature was around 33 degrees and coming back to cold, dark, grey England. But it is so beautiful, as I commented to Mary when we went for our Wednesday trek around a North Yorkshire reservoir. The air is so clean and the colours so gentle on the eye. Since being home I have managed to get my head around work again, have made one visit to the climbing wall in Leeds, three visits to the Gym and we have had a stopover visit from Dan, Kim and Dominic last Wednesday. I have had some short rides on my motorbike and a couple of decent cycle rides to and from the gym over the last seven days. My fitness levels seem to be up to where they were before going to India and I'm feeling quite well at present. I have made an early New Years Resolution - to get to bed well before midnight every night and over the last week or so I have managed to do so. Tonight the clocks go back an hour and we plunge into the beginning of winter - at least we get an extra hour in bed.

28th September

What's happened over the last month? We have seen a lot of the children and grandchildren, Dominic is now crawling and George is smiling at everyone and taking a far greater interest in all that is happening around him. On September 1st I organised a journey on the Leeds to Carlisle railway for Mary's birthday, covering the picturesque Settle to Carlisle stretch in lovely weather. Mary and I have also done quite a bit of walking in the Dales and I had a day climbing Helvellyn with friends from church. I haven't managed the longer motorbike ride that I promised myself and its unlikey that I will do so now that the Autumn months are fast approaching. I have continued climbing on a regular basis on the Leeds Wall and have put in a few longer cycle rides which, along with frequent gym visits, have helped me to maintain my fitness levels. A couple of days ago I visited my Mum in South Wales and managed to get her to the hospital for a hearing aid test and fitting, all of which seemed very succesful.
In two days time we set off for our visit to India. This time there will be seven of us from church travelling - the biggest party so far, which brings with it all sorts of logistical challenges. I always struggle with my mood on the last few days leading up to departure and just want to get on with it now. Lucy is coming with me, her second trip to India, and I am looking forward to having her company - sort of taking a nice bit of home with me.

25th August

Every August Bank Holiday the Craven Potholing Club organise an open day in Gaping Gill which, for a couple of years I have wanted to visit. Well, today I did it. Gaping Gill is one of the most dramatic pot holes in the UK. It has one of the longest waterfalls in the country and one of the biggest chambers. I sat in a chair and was winched down about 350 ft into the blackness, and if I hadn't been wearing my waterproofs the spray from the waterfall would have soaked me. At the bottom of the shaft we were gathered together in groups of four or five peope and were given a guided tour of the chamber. The tour must have lasted for just over an hour and was rivetting. (Sorry about the photos, they are not as good as I would have wanted them to be but give an idea of what it was like.) From there I continued to walk up Ingleborough, one of the great Three Peaks of Yorkshire. I had travelled to the starting point, Clapham, on my motorbike so managed to have a day when did at least three of the things that I enjoy most of all, biking, walking and a bit of adventure. There were lots of bikes on the roads today and the route I took, from Clapham to Hawes and on to Ripon via Leyburn, is a favourite one with bikers. The roads have lots of twists and turns but with good visibility and occasional straight bits. My riding was a bit mixed. Sometimes I felt as though I was moving smoothly and quickly and on other occasions it felt rather lumpy, but the bike ran beautifully and sounds brilliant. I finished the day off with a pork pie and ice cream from the shop in Ripley.

Owen and Kim's Wedding

Owen & Kim's wedding seems to have introduced a spell of warm, dry summer weather at last. The day itself was what dreams are made of, beautiful weather, beautiful bride, handsome groom and everything else was just about perfect. It was lovely to have so many friends, family and others gathered together in one place for five or six hours. The ceremony, conducted by Stephen Matthew from Abundant Life Church in Bradford was friendly. informal but very professional and there was lots of very good feedback. The worship was, as usual, extraordinarily powerful and I wish it had gone on longer. The reception, the music and disco and the general socialising throughout the warm summer evening was one big magic moment. The Scandinavian teepe was stunning and caused a lot of interesting conversation. The young people who served the tables and generally made things happen were superb and could not have been bettered by professional staff. Certainly this was a day that we will never forget and a day which gives Owen and Kim an excellent start to their married life together.

For more photos please visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/13615080@N00/

31st July

Today, at 4.00pm to be precise, our son Owen marries Kim. Preparations have been going on for a year and the benefits are that even at this late hour everybody appears to be very calm, apart from one or two very understandable pre-match nerves. The ceremony, reception and evening event is all taking place in three Scandinavian tepees, all linked together which looks amazing. Owen and Kim are two of the most original thinking people I have come across so the day was bound to be anything but ordinary and I am very proud of them both. They have even managed to book the best weather of a, so far, appallingly bad summer. So all the best and every blessing to a couple who have the most amazing potential to make a real impact in the years that lie ahead of them. Pictures of tepee set up already on Flickr with wedding photos to follow.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/13615080@N00/

17th July

I recently read a book by Jim Curran - The Middle Aged Mountaineer - nothing much about mountaineering - more about a cycle ride he made from the Shetland Islands to Lands End. An epic journey and a fabulous story which has whetted my appetite for a motorcycle ride around the North of Scotland. I don't have the time for a leisurely ride so my intention is to begin the journey on Tuesday afternoon after work and ride as far north into Scotland as I can, stopping for B&B when it gets dark. With the long days and short nights I should be able to get some mileage behind me. I will then spend all day on Wednesday riding around the north coast of Scotland, heading down the west coast in the afternoon, again stopping for B&B when it gets dark. I will set off again at the crack of dawn to get back to work in Harrogate for as near to 9.00 am as possible. Obviously I haven't planned this in any detail yet and the distances may be too great to travel in that time scale, but the idea has been planted.

I'm also planning to do another bike ride during the summer months to South Wales to see my Mum. As you can see from the photo I have recently had a top box fitted to the bike which makes life so much easier when it comes to transporting stuff to and from work and when making visits into town.

Tomorrow (my day off) Mary and I are visiting London. We bought some cheap train tickets a few months ago and get to use them for a trip to the capital. I'm not sure what we are going to do and see when we get down there but just walking the streets of London is interesting in itself.

Last Saturday (14th July) a church party of 10 people climbed Snowdon - for once this summer it didn't rain and we had a fabulous time. Scafell Pike next?

30th June

The last day of one of the wettest June's in living history. This sort of weather eventually gets me down, but even as I say that I feel guilty when I think of the people in Sheffield and elsewhere in South Yorkshire who have been overwhelmed by floodwater. It's hard to imagine how a city like Sheffield, and a few years back one like Carlisle, can be completely swamped by prolonged rainfall. I am suprised that today's technology does not provide the experts with all they need with regard to flood defences and pumps to prevent this sort of catastrophe from occuring.

Two weeks ago we took George to meet his Great Grandmother in South Wales. At the same time I took the funeral of an old family friend who had died at 97 years of age. It was strange to look at George after the funeral and to think that with all the developments in medicine and health care he could live well past 97 years. Mum enjoyed meeting her great grandson and he performed magnificently for her.

Last Saturday I cycled from Home to the Gym on the other side of Harrogate (Ashville) about 4 miles away. At the gym, nicely warmed up, I ran on the treadmill for 30 minutes, used some of the upper body machinery and then cycled home. I felt quite tired for the remainder of the day but it was a nice, healthy tiredness.

Last night we had the first of our long anticipated church treks. We chose to climb one of North Yorkshire's few real mountains, Pen Y Ghent. Sadly only Ian and myself turned out for the walk, perhaps because people feared going up or coming down a mountain in the dark, neither of which we did. We set off from Harrogate about 5.45pm, started climbing at 7.20pm and we were sitting on the summit by 8.15pm, enjoying a lovely summers evening, with wonderful views across the surrounding hills of North Yorkshire, sharing a delicious bar of Cadbury's chocolate. We were back down the mountain by 9.30pm and it was still quite light. I really must do this sort of thing more often; it's such a shame to waste the longer summer evenings. In a few weeks time we are going to take people from church to climb Snowdon, by which time the rain will have disappeared for the rest of the summer and we will be roasting in a six week long heatwave -

8th June

In India, at around November they have what they call the Wedding Season and there are a couple of days which are supposed to be auspicious dates when there can be thousands of weddings across a city. It feels as though we are entering the wedding season here and now. This afternoon we are preparing to travel down to Guildford to Chris Simkins and Ruth's wedding. Chris is Mary's nephew. A few weeks later we have Matthew Porter's wedding and a few weeks after that is Owen and Kim's - 31st of July to be exact. Watch this space and Flickr for photos as the weddings happen.

29th May

When was the last time you did something for the first time? Well for me it was yesterday. It was Bank Holiday Monday and once again Mary and Lucy were in work, the weather forecast was not good, I didn't fancy any of the films showing in the cinema, so what to do with myself?
For the first time in my life I went "bouldering" at the artificial climbing wall in Leeds. Bouldering is climbing but without ropes and harnesses and rather than climb a 40ft pitch you never get more than 12 ft off the ground. "The Wall" has a few bouldering areas which are big, round areas of rock about 15 ft high with lots of hand holds and a big foam crash mat on the floor, so that if you fall you have a soft landing. The idea is that you work on short areas of climbing which are technically quite difficult, but the experience strengthens your arms and increases your confidence in your ability to overcome some severe problems. As it was my first time I had to rely on what I had seen others do and stick to stuff that was not too extreme, but I enjoyed it and had a good work out, my hands and arms are still a bit stiff today. As well as doing a number of easier manouvres on rock where there were good holds I also struggled with a difficult climb which involved an overhang. I managed about three of the more difficult moves before falling off. I was quite pleased with myself until I saw a boy of about 13 years of age scamper up the climb and negotiate my three moves as if they were hardly there. Was he really that good or am I really that bad ? Anyway, I still enjoyed it and will probably go again in the near future.

29th May

Our grandsons are rapidly growing and changing - I have put some more photos of the boys on Flickr, along with one or two "family" photos - enjoy! http://www.flickr.com/photos/13615080@N00/

26th May

Over the last few weeks I have climbed on the Wall in Leeds a couple of times and feel stronger and more competent with every climb. I have visited the local gym at least twice and have been able to run on the treadmill for up to 30 minutes which is longer than I have run for quite a few years. The cycling continues with regular trips to work but I haven't done a long ride for a couple of weeks. Today I attended a Bike Safe day in Harrogate which involved going on an observed motorbike ride with an assessor following me who then gave me his oppinion on how I was riding and to what I needed to attend. The feedback from the assessor was very useful and very welcome because I really didn't know whether or not I was a good or a bad rider. I was pretty sure I had picked up some bad riding habits over the years but you are never sure how serious they are until somebody appraises you. It reminded me of the fact that I taught in comprehensive schools for over 20 years before someone gave me an appraisal and told me I was doing a good job.Up until that point I didn't really know how well I was doing in the teaching proffesion and I was extremely relieved when after 20 years an appraiser told me I had been doing quite well really. I wish someone had told me that a little bit sooner. The motorbike assessment experience has pressed home how important it is to affirm people when they are doing a good job and gently encourage and redirect when they are not.

7th May

Today was May Bank Holiday but Mary and Lucy were working all day so I had entertain myself for 12 hours. I decided a few days ago that I didn't want to just sit in front of the TV or spend all day surfing the net or reading a book. The weather forecast was not so good but this morning turned out to be quite bright although a bit breezy, so I decided to do a longer than usual cycle ride. About a week ago I rode from Knaresborough to Brimham Rocks and then on to the outskirts of Pateley Bridge before heading back home. So this week I decided to repeat the ride which is about 22 miles in distance. Today the ride seemed easier, perhaps because I knew I could complete it and my fitness is improving, and I did it in 2 hrs 35 mins, about five minutes faster than last week's run. I arrived home just after 12.30pm, had lunch and felt I could justify having a lazy afternoon.
It's funny, but as a child, in fact right up until last year, I never enjoyed cycling. I always found it too painful and difficult. But having made a careful decision over the type of bike I bought and setting up the seat height properly has made all the difference. I guess the first few rides last summer were the most difficult but now I can get to work quickly and easily despite having to climb the hills that surround Knaresborough. After buying the bike I also purchased a rack and a couple of panniers which now carry substantial amounts of books, papers and clothes when I cycle to work.
The bike is a Gary Fisher mountain bike but it has smoother street tyres for easier acceleration.
Maybe in the coming weeks I will add on some mileage and do an even longer ride up into the Yorkshire Dales. The advantages of riding a bike are that it keeps me fit, reduces wear and tear on the car, and is the sort of low impact exercise that reduces wear and tear on me as well.

28th April

In my 9th April blog I said that this season I hoped to do a long motorbike trip to South Wales or Scotland. Over the last two days I have ridden the bike to see my Mum in South Wales, a round trip of 570 miles. I had two long journeys, mostly motorways, and enjoyed the ride. It's a strange mixture of the boredom of motorway travelling along with your senses being heightened because you are riding at high speeds and have to be extra vigilant . Maintaining concentration on the surrounding traffic and road conditions whilst dealing with fatigue from aching muscles was an interesting experience, but I reckon I fared quite well, doing each journey in approximately five and a half hours, with one half way stop.
The previous week I had ridden the bike over to Snowdonia, North Wales; my total mileage for the day being about 400 miles. On both trips the bike performed brilliantly, plenty of power when needed but also nice and comfortable to ride on long journeys. The fairing provides adequate protection from the wind and weather and all the instrumentation is nice and clear.
Today I had to take the bike over to Bradford to attend some meetings being conducted there. At one time I would have thought of that as being quite a decent journey but after the last two days it felt like nothing more than a casual jaunt. The benefit of these long journeys is that the bike runs really well after covering a decent distance and my own skill and confidence increases. I really fancy Mid Wales or Scotland next. Pictures of my bike will be on flickr in a few days.

Newsflash !! 18.04.07

10.00am For the second time we are grandparents! Last night at about 7.30pm, a month early, Bethan produced George Daniel Thomson, 5lbs 10ozs. Mother and baby doing well. We haven't been to see him yet but will have done so by this evening, which will be soon followed with photos of the new arrival. We received the news whilst we were in Halifax with the whole family to celebrate Dan's 30th birthday. So it was great that we were all together and for Dan to have a new nephew born on his birthday. Double birthday celebrations on 17th April from now on.

8.00pm We visited George, Bethan and David this afternoon and were very pleased to see that mother and baby (and father) are all doing fine. We both held George, who seemed to be very alert and contented. He is a gorgeous little chap and considering he is a month early he doesn't look too small at all. Bethan is still quite tired but very happy with her new son. She will probably stay in hospital with George for a few days until the staff are satisfied that he is feeding properly. For more photos click on (Apologies - more pixs coming in May - ran out of space)http://www.flickr.com/photos/13615080@N00/

15th April

Yesterday I rode my motorbike over to Snowdonia and climbed the Snowdon Horseshoe. Beautiful warm sunny weather and tremendous scenery went to make a glorious, if exhausting, day in the mountains. The last time I went to Snowdonia was about ten years ago and then it was to walk the Horseshoe. The climb involves a long scramble up Crib Goch and then a 2 kilometre traverse along a knife edge of a ridge with a sheer drop of about 500 metres in places. In other parts the walk is a 1000 metre high scramble on an extremely narow path. Not a place for those who have no head for heights. After getting to the summit of Snowdon there is a very rough descent to a col followed by another steep climb to Y Lliwedd, which is the killer on this route. The walk down from Y Lliwedd meets up eventually with the Miners track which leads back to the car park. It is about eight miles long and is described as the most famous Grade 1 scramble in Britain. Interestingly the first half of the walk up to the Summit of Snowdon was crowded with people, whilst on the second half of the climb to Y Llliwed there was hardly anyone to be seen. Today I ache in a way that I haven't ached for a long time; but neither have I exerted myself that much for a long time either, on what must have been the hardest walk I have done for over ten years. Attached in Flickr are a few pictures of the ridge. http://www.flickr.com/photos/13615080@N00/

9th April

Since getting back from Kenya there has been a lot of work to catch up on. I have had four or five talks to prepare and deliver as well as admin and pastoral matters. All quite enjoyable but still a lot to do. But despite the busyness I have put the motorbike back on the road, having overwintered it at Bethan and David's garage so that it wasn't damaged from the salt on the roads. Last week I had a trip around Harrogate and down to the climbing wall in Leeds but this morning I went out to Bolton Abbey, Barden Bridge, on to Pately Bridge and home. I clocked up about 65 miles; not too far but it was absolutely brilliant. Although it was a bank holiday and the roads in places were quite busy the bike ran so smoothly and I didn't feel too rusty after not having ridden for over three months. I am looking forward over the next month or so to doing a really long trip to Scotland or South Wales.
Also had my first few rides to work on the bicycle last week. Although it was quite hard work it felt really good and I am anticipating a long warm summer when I can put in a few longer summer evening rides as well as the ones to work.
Last Thursday, after work, I met up with Mark at the climbing wall in Leeds and had a really enjoyable session. I didn't fall off quite so often and managed to complete one or two more difficult climbs. I can gradually feel my confidence and strength growing and don't lose my grip (literally) as quickly as I was doing.
In addition the weather has been warm and sunny over the last few days and hopefully means weare going to have a good spring and summer.

Kenya

Our two weeks in Kenya contains experiences that neither of us will ever forget for the rest of our lives. We were met by David in Mombasa and driven the two hour journey to Watamu. First and greatest impressions were of the incredible heat and the badly potholed roads. As soon as we arrived at Mwamba we were stunned by the proximity of the beautiful white beach and the different colours of blue that were in the sea. David and Liz's house was virtually a concrete one up, one down. They gave us the upstairs room which was dominated by a huge bed over which was arranged an equally huge mosquito net. The best part of our accommodation was the balcony off our bedroom which gave magnificent views of the beach and sea which was only about 150 yards away. Over the next two weeks we spent a lot of time on this balcony with David and Liz, on our own reading, talking, eating and enjoying the breezes that came off the sea, making the heat more tolerable.
Mwamba is a Christian field study centre and other guests staying there were conducting research into local wildlife, bird ringing and so on. Over the next few days we were introduced to the different members of staff, researchers and other visitors to the centre. We often ate with others in the main dining room or under the veranda or took our meals back to our balcony where we ate with David and Liz. We soon learned to look after any food we took onto the balcony after one of the monkeys that live in the trees around the centre helped himself to a piece of toast left on the plate whilst we went back into our room for thirty seconds.
Over the next few days David and Liz took us to the local village, to Watamu as well as treating us to lunch and afternoon tea at the local hotels called "Hemingway's" and "Ocean Sports", which were luxurious and magnificent.
As well as swimming in the warm sea nearly every day, on our first Saturday in Mwamba a boat trip was organised for us to go in search of dolphins. Unfortunately there were no dolphins to be seen but the trip ended with a snorkeling trip over the coral garden. The coral was full of fish, some enormous and jet black whilst many others were luminously coloured. It was my first experience of snorkeling and was fantastic. Later on in the week when the tide was particularly low we walked over the rock pools finding sponges, star fish and a couple of giant clams.
During our first week we visited an ancient and mysterious ruin called Gedi. It had until approximately 300 years ago been a thriving community , full of houses, mosques and many more buildings and then for some reason the population left the complex of buildings which were overwhelmed by the forest.
On one of our first days in Mwamba David and Liz arranged for us to visit Mida Creek which was dominated by Mangrove Swamps which attracted a wide variety of bird life. We had a guide who talked us through the plant and animal life that was around us, led us over a suspended board walk to a bird hide where we had lunch. After lunch we walked across the creek in search of flamingos which we eventually saw, albeit from a considerable distance.
The trip was full of highlights and it is almost unfair to extract one and say this was the best, but our Safari was exceptionally exciting. We were picked up by our driver Steve about 5.30am on the second Wednesday were were in Kenya. He drove us in his Nissan minibus for the next three days through the East and West Tsavo National Parks. For the most part the roads were unmetalled red dirt roads which were surprisingly smooth. Even before we had entered Tsavo East, stopping at a tea/souvenir shop we were taken down to the river side where a young man tempted an enormous crocodile out of the water with pieces of meat. Throughout the rest of the morning we saw antelopes, gazelles, eagles, elephants, water bucks and a number of other animals. We stopped for lunch at the tented camp which was also where we were going to spend the night. The camp, called Epiya Chapeyu was positioned next to the river Galana, and was shaded by some vast palm trees. After we had lunch we sat on deck chairs and watched a family of monkeys play on the edge of the river. After a break of a few hours we were back on safari in search of more animals. That evening, back at the camp, we sat under an enormous canopy for our dinner whilst Liz opened her birthday presents. The night passed reasonably quietly apart from being woken up by the grunting of some hippos on their way to the river.
After a simple breakfast of bread and jam we were back in the mini bus searching for more animals. We hadn't travelled for very long before we came across a pride of lions, or at least we saw the last one of the pride crossing the road. Throughout the reminder of the day we saw elephants, giraffes, hippos and nearly everything that we had hoped to see apart from a rhino. We stayed at a different lodge that evening, taking lunch there and then returning to the lodge after an afternoon of searching for the black rhino. The lodge was more like a hotel, called the Ngulia Safari Lodge and although luxurious, it was described in the Lonely Planet Guide as a curiously unattractive block. True, it had little of the charm of the tented camp where we had spent the previous evening, but the magnificent views of the Ngulia mountains behind us and the enormous plains in front of us made up for that. The meals in this camp were excellent and again we ate everything under an enormous canopy which gave the feeling of being outdoors. Early evening the local leopard was fed, whilst monkeys vied for our attention.
The next morning after another 6.30am start we continued around the Tsavo West National Park seeing more animals at even closer quarters and getting great opportunities for superb photos. We stopped at one more lodge for another excellent lunch, taking in fabulous views whilst being visited at quite close proximity by a family of elephants.
Back home at Mwamba the remaining few days of our holiday were spent on a few shopping trips into Watamu, some long walks along the beach where we marvelled at the hundreds of little crabs that ran back and fore with incoming tides. We spent time everyday in the sea which was so warm that I could have stayed in it all day. During the last day or two of our visit we visited The Turtle Watch Project which rescues injured turtles. There was only one being looked after when we visited but we were given an informative time about the different turtles, why they were endangered and what was being done for them. Mary held the one turtle they had in residence for me to take some photos. The turtle took great delight in thumping her hand with one of his flippers and packed quite a hefty wallop.
Apart from riding in David and Liz's wonderful forty year old Toyota, we had some interesting experiences of the local transport. The most exciting was the "boda boda" which was simply a bicycle with a seat on the parcel rack, on which you were precariously perched! We also travelled on the "tuk tuk" which was an auto rickshaw and also made one journey from Timboni to Watamu in a minibus taxi called a Matatu. These are the main means of transport in the area. There were surprisingly few privately owned cars or motorbikes to be seen which meant that the roads were fairly empty apart from the Matatus and lorries on the main roads.
I can't finish this report without saying something about the two visits we made to the church that David and Liz have been attending for the last year. It is situated in the village across the road from Mwamba. It is a Baptist church but its worship and general feel is more Pentecostal. The people in the congregation were very friendly as all people throughout Kenya seemed to be. The worship was beautiful. The singing of the hymns and songs having the harmonies associated with African music.
Coming back to England during March was quite a shock to the system and for some time it felt like we had been visiting a different world, which in a sense we had. It really had been the experience of a lifetime and one we would not have missed for anything. Our sincere thanks to David and Liz for all the hard work they put into organising the different aspects of it - Amazing!

To see the photos that accompany our Kenyan post, click on the following link and then click on Kenya Holiday 07 http://www.flickr.com/photos/13615080@N00/

28th March

At 3.00 am this morning we arrived home from our holiday in Kenya and words fail me in my attempt to describe the time we had with Mary's brother David and his wife Liz. "Awesome" would be an understatement, so I don't intend to say anything for a day or two and just let things sink in and let the best memories come to the surface. In addition, as well as some comments on what we did, I will put some of the photos we have taken on Flickr.

The first Sunday we were in Kenya I was woken by a text message from Lucy, my daughter, bringing me the news that Wales had beaten England in the Six Nations by 27 points to 18; 22 points of which were scored by James Hook. Sometimes it's so good to be alive!!
To many Welsh supporters it will not matter one jot that Wales have lost the previous four matches of the tournament as long as they have beaten England. That makes it a good season. Even some columnists in the Welsh newspapers are talking along the lines of "all is now OK because we have beaten the old enemy." What a sad and pathetic attitude and one I suspect may be responsible for our repeated failure to perform to our full potential against other nations.I am obviously thrilled that we aren't the wooden spoon holders and that a star has finally been born, but what other reason can there be as to how a team that can beat England so convincingly can also play so badly against Scotland and Italy, other than that the myth of "all that matters is that we beat England" has been so deeply engrained in the national psyche that even the players believe it. I appreciate that this season there is very little between the six sides but I am wondering if a side that can play as well as Wales did in their final match and as well as they did to win the 2005 championship are, on other occasions, just plain lazy! If the supporters really believe the "as long as we beat England" lie; and if some sports journalists in the Principality support that, could it be possible that even the players themselves believe it and so never fire on all four cylinders for other matches?
Excuses abound but, with the exception of James Hook, Gareth Thomas and Gavin Henson, this is vitually the same team that won the 2005 championship, and then everyone hailed them as the team of the future because they were, and still are, so young. Yet now they are talkng about this latest victory as being the start of their rebuilding. Weren't they talking about rebuilding under Steve Hanson, three or four years ago. How often and how many times within four years do you need to rebuild? To me this does not make sense. They use the fact that their new coach has only been in position for a year as another reason why they have not "gelled" this season; but their last coach, Mike Ruddock, was in office for less time than this when he led them to their 2005 championship win. I wonder what excuses they will use when they get knocked out of the early rounds of the World Cup or when they fail to produce the goods in next years Six Nations? Nobody would be happier than me if all I have just said was to be proved wrong by an outrageously victorious Welsh team who capture every bit of silverware available over the next 12 months. I am Welsh and whatever the result of their last match may have been I will be shouting for my side to win - I just wish they would do so a little more regularly ! Cymru Am Byth!

10th March

Tomorrow we go to Huddersfield for Dominic's dedication. It will all be a bit of a rush, leaving our own church half way through the meeting and then getting over to join the folks in Dan and Kim's Church. Anyway, it's all going to be really good and just adds to the excitement of the next few days. We start packing on Sunday evening in readiness for our flight on Monday night to Kenya. So, the next 36 hours or so is all systems go. Everything is in place, vaccines, anti-malarials, visas etc, etc. Today I have been sorting out correspondence and paper work so that everything is in order before we go. Mary is doing some baking for the post dedication meal and sorting out clothes that need washing before we pack. Tomorrow evening we pack, allowing ourselves Monday for anything that has been forgotten. We are being taken to Manchester Airport by Bethan and David at 5.00pm on Monday evening to arrive three hours before the flight at 10.00pm. Everything so far seems to be in order.
Watched the Six Nations Rugby this afternoon. Another knife edge thriller for Wales, which unfortunately they lost - again! I am mystified as to how a team of such talented individuals cannot do better. The team that won the championship in 2005 will this year not register a single win - how? No doubt over the coming days there will be calls for the resignation of the coach, Gareth Jenkins and for the captain to be sacked in favour of the new find, James Hook. Hook is actually sensational and reminds me of the floating, jinking abilities of Barry John. So there is still hope. I hope the coach hangs on in because in the mediium to long term I think he will pull things together - it's just rather painful to be Welsh at the present moment !!
Next game is against England, and if Wales win that, even though they have lost everything else this season, they will consider the chamionship to have been a good one!

7th March 2007

Things are starting to get cranked up for our holiday to Kenya, although neither of us can really believe that we will be there in a few days time. Most of what we need is now bought, all vaccinations are done and all that is left is for us to start packing over the next few days. It sound idyllic, sun, sand, sea and very high temperatures - will I want to come home? We will be staying with Mary's brother, David and his wife Liz and they are organising out itinerary. They have already suggested a glass-bottomed boat trip to see the dolphins and to view the fish around coral reef. We will probably also be doing a Safari and probably a lot of lieing around on the beach, some snorkelling and catching up on a few novels.
Day off today - but neither of us really fancied the customary walk in the Dales and just continued to get things ready for the Kenya trip. Mary has spent a good part of the afternoon putting music on her MP3 player and I have pottered round doing bits and pieces and reading.

I have finished volume 1 of Jeffrey Archers Prison Diaries which I have found very informative and helpful in understanding more about the prison system and the man himself. Before reading the book I always felt a distinct dislike for Lord Archer, partly because of the party to which he belonged, and partly because of his dishonesty. But whilst reading the book I have begun to feel less hostility and even some sympathy for him. I fear that if I read volumes 2 & 3 I may even get to like the man!! He certainly comes across as a person who was able to command respect and even some measure of popularity amongst his fellow inmates, although one has to remember that the impression I am being given comes from his own pen, and he is an extremely skilled and persuasive writer. He seems to have spent the best part of his first three weeks in prison amongst prisoners who were serving life sentences because they were more settled and accepting of their sentence and less likely to give a celebrity a hard time.

From my own experience of working with inmates in the local prison I am still amazed and appalled at how Judges can give a person a custodial sentence when they are clearly not a danger to society and should be given some other form of punishment. I have met so many prisoners who committed non - violent offences, people who are not dangerous but are locked up in prisons that are overcrowded. Surely, when the government are claiming that our prisons are at breaking point, it is time to consider alternative ways of punishing men and women rather than locking them up. Incarcerating a man who has tried unsuccesfully to work a tax dodge, or been found guilty of embezzlement is a waste of money and a cell. Instead that man could be forced to make a worthwhile contribution to his victim and to society by keepng him at work whilst he financially pays back his debt. The Judge's deliverance of a custodial sentence usually ruins the man's marriage, seriously damages his children, and in general terms does more harm to the prisoner's family than it does to the man himself. Many men, even those who have been succesful busines men who believe they have something to look forward to on release, find that the stigma of prison ruins their chances of developing a succesful career after their release; making them an even greater burden to society.In addition, imprisoning a man costs the country thousands of pounds. Prisons, locking men and women up, should be reserved for those who are violent and a danger to others. The grey areas come in the decisions to be made about recidivists and those whose crimes are drug related. The latter problem being one of the greatest that our society faces today. So much crime now is drug related. Putting a drug addict in a prison so that he goes through withdrawal and stays clean for the remainder of his sentence is not even the beginning of the solution. When the man leaves prison and goes back home he immediately picks up old friendships and old ways. His whole environment will work against him and before too long he will be addicted again. Part of the answer lies within the sort of follow up and support the man gets when he has left prison. Even moving him into an entirely different part of the country could be a consideration. Oh if I ruled the world........

1st March

Time to put some photos of our new grandson on display. This is one of the best and the rest you can find on Flickr. Sunday 11th March is Dominic's dedication and the day after Mary and I head off to Kenya. But back to Dominic - he has changed quite dramatically every time we see him and I think is getting to look more like Kim, although it is still early days. He is starting to take more notice of things around him and becoming an interesting little chap. Enjoy the rest of the photos!http://www.flickr.com/photos/13615080@N00/

Yesterday was my day off and because the weather was so awful we spent the morning sitting round at home reading and drinking coffee. I've started reading the first volume of Jeffrey Archer's Prison Diaries and because of my own involvement through church in the local prison I find the book especially captivating (oops! bad terminology). More about Lord Archer and Belmarsh prison later. After lunch Mary and I went to Leeds. Mary went shopping whilst I went back for my final assessment on the climbing wall. The instructors have to be convinced that I can belay another climber proficiently before they will allow me to register, and all went really well and they passed me, which means that I can now use the wall at any time unaccompanied by an instructor. As well as belaying the instructor I had several hard climbs on the wall and this time didn't fall off. I felt both stronger and more confident and feel that some of the strength training I have been doing for my hands and arms is beginning to pay off - although today my hands, arms and shoulders have a dull ache even when I don't move them. I am really enjoying the rediscovery of climbing and will probably go down to the wall at least every other week, interspersing the visits with trips to the gym. Being able to do a hard climb gives such a feeling well being and a sense of accomplishment as well as using a combination of strength and agility in getting up the wall which improves fitness. It is intriguing to watch more experienced climbers working their route out as they go up the climb, it a bit like playing a game of chess but you work out the moves with your body. I can tell that this is something I could get addicted to.

Today I worked most of the day in the Offices. One or two people dropped in to see me but for the most part I concentrated on preparing a talk for church on Sunday morning. I have now got some themes and ideas for a talk and tomorrow will spend a good part of the day getting it written up. Saturday I will spend a few hours fine tuning it - or at least that's the plan!!

I like the challenge of sitting down with a blank sheet of paper and seeing what eventually God gives me to speak on. Some church leaders hardly make any notes or do any written preparation before they speak; they spend most of their time in prayer, jotting down just a couple of notes at the last minute. Personally I begin with prayer, and when I feel ready I turn to my Bible, start reading and writing down notes as they come to me and continue praying until finished. I often end up with far too many notes but it's easy to just cut them back to the required amount. Sometimes I can get inspiration to write a sermon from reading a book, watching a film or even watching a rugby match. God can and does speak to us in all sorts of ways in order to get our attention -

21st February

Today was my day off and at last we managed to get in a really good walk up Whernside, one of the great Three Peaks of N. Yorks. The weather was far from brilliant and the views were a bit limited at first by low cloud and mist. We finally had some better weather and the picture shows the mountain as being a little clearer than it had been all day. To the foreground you can see the Ribbleshead Viaduct, along which runs the Settle to Carlisle line. We both enjoyed the walk and it restored our appetite for more of the same in the coming weeks. We both felt quite strong and completed the walk in the prescribed three and a half hours. However, we both now feel a little weary and our feet especially are sore.

19th February

The beginning of another week. I wonder what it holds for us; what highs and what lows? Maybe it's better that we don't know. We had a lovely day yesteday. Dan and Kim brought Dominic over to LDC to introduce him to the church and then came back with us for lunch with Owen and Kim. It was quite a significant moment at one point as nearly three quarters of the row of seats were taken up with our family. Someone at the end of the meeting told me I ought to be really proud of our family, and I most certainly am. What an absolutley awesome bunch of sons, daughters, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, daughter-in-law to be and grandson. Mary and I must be one of the most blessed couples on earth. I must remember this when I feel fed up with life in a few days time.
It is only a week since we last saw Dominic but even in that time we notice changes. He is getting far more alert now, following you around with his eyes and even turning his head around to look at things that attract him. We will have to be careful over the coming months not to miss an important development or change which could come and go so quickly.
Today I finish off preparation for tonight's Bible Study, prepare my submission for church news / bulletin and take said Bible Study this evening. There will be other phone calls to take and make along with e-mails etc to be written. Nothing exceptional - a relatively quiet day - we'll see what things look like at the other end of the day.

17th February

I've included a few photos taken in and around N. Yorkshire, the one of Knaresborough Bridge being about half a mile from where we live. Mary and I went for coffee to a little riverside cafe near there this morning. Sometimes we have to remind ourselves how fortunate we are to live in such a beautiful part of the country. Click on the Flickr URL and you will get through to other photos, to which I will be adding in the future.
I managed to get back to the gym today after a lay off of about three weeks due to this cold/cough. I ran on the treadmill for about twenty minutes which I was very pleased about and then did some upper body work on the other machines. Feeling good apart from a slight twinge in my achilles tendon, hopefully not too serious. Later in the afternoon I checked over my bicycle to make sure it was standing up to the aweful weather we have been having recently. I wasn't convinced that a nylon bike cover would offer adequate protection from the weather, but so far it seems to have done a good job.

Scenes from N. Yorkshire

More photos on http://www.flickr.com/photos/13615080@N00/

15th February

Today, for the first time in about twenty years, I went rock climbing, and I loved it. I actually went to an artificial indoor climbing wall in Leeds and spent an hour there with an instructor who put me through my paces. He showed me how to tie on and belay another climber and then let me climb about six routes. We started on a gentle slope and then when he saw that I could manage that he moved me on to some more difficult pitches. The adrenalin buzz was awesome as was the sense of accomplishment and I drove home with a grin from ear to ear. I am thoroughly hooked and will be going back next week for another session with the instructor. When he is convinced that I can belay properly and am competent I will be allowed to register as a regular climber and climb without instruction.
It's great! I've always wanted to start climbing again but never managed to get round to it. Now that I am slimmer, lighter and fitter than I have been for some years I wanted to do something with all that fitness other than just keep going to the gym. The climbing is also a a part of the "get out of your chair and do something different philosophy" that I am trying to cultivate within myself. Judging from today's experience I also think that the climbing will lift my fitness to another level.
Later in the evening we went back to the Church Offices to see the Youth Groups Fashion Show. Absolutely stunning display of professionalism and commitment. The aim of the show was to communicate to older generations the different categories that young people fit into; such as "Moshers", "Emos", "Geeks" and so on. They also detailed the different problems like drug and alcohol abuse the young people have to encounter as well. I found it very moving but was really impressed by the quality and character of the young people in our church.

10th February

A few days ago I visited HMV store in Harrogate - rare purchase of a CD. Didn't go in with anything particular in mind but I was determined not to buy Eric Clapton, McCartney, the Stones or anything else that panders to the middle aged person's tastes and needs. After spending 30 or so minutes trying to look cool and trendy by looking at "Arctic Monkeys", "Zutons", "Scissor Sisters", Amy Whinehouse and a load of others I came away with "the Best of Sting and The Police" and "the Esential Bob Dylan" - still pandering to my middle age needs or just good taste? Even as I am writing this I am listening to Sting's "Englishman in New York" and there seems to be a timeless quality about the music. Same with the "Who's" re-emergence over the last few years, not only playing new, great material but even managing to make their old songs sound even better with new versions and add ons.
About three years ago I went to see Paul McCartney's concert in Liverpool. He played non stop for about 4 hours with no support band and was awesome. What is it about the older musicians who cut their teeth in the 60's and are still going strong and in some cases getting better all the time? I guess though, that there are scores of bands and musicians that played in the 60's and 70's that didn't survive because they just didn't have, or didn't want that something extra. Having said that some of the music, lyrics of younger and more recent bands like the Arctic Monkeys, McFly, Lily Allen, Coldplay and so on, is superb and I guess many of them will still be on the scene in 30 years time, having made a lot more money than me!!

2nd February

This must be the 4th or 5th day I have had to stay off work over the last two weeks with this cold / virus / cough thing; beginning to get me down as I hate inactivity for any length of time. Inactivity for a few hours can occasionally be very nice - even using one of our days off for doing nothing can be refreshing - but enough is enough and I've had enough. Mary's had to go to work, Lucy's gone to college, so I'm on my own, thinking.
And that I suppose is one of the great advantages of enforced inactivity, it does give you time to think. One of the things that has been reinforced in my thinking is that I really want to make the most of the little free time that I have at my disposal. It seems that a lot of people spend much of their leisure time watching TV, but I honestly and passionately dislike so much of today's television. Soaps, celebrity ice skating and ballroom dancing, big brother and so on is just mind numbingly banal. I don't get that many evenings in, well not as many as most people do, so when I do get a night at home I feel it is a waste of my time watching something on TV which is not developing me or taking me forward in someway. In addition, where is the sense of adventure or accomplishment in sitting down and watching a night's TV, most of which is .........!
I really don't want to get to the end of my life and have to say that I spent hundreds of hours watching "Casualty" or "Emmerdale" and have very little to show for my life. The problem is what can you do on long, dark winter's evenings in the UK apart from watch TV. I spend a lot of my working day reading books so find an evening reading more books a little too much. However, that is often what I do, changing the type of reading from theology or Christian literature to a travelogue or an occasional novel. I'm also becoming more selective about what I will make a point of watching on TV. I go out of my way to watch a Michael Palin type - documentary about travel in another part of the world. Or I enjoy watching certain sports events and there are one or two programmes like "Judge John Deed" which I have enjoyed recently. Occasional comedy programmes like "Green Wing" are therapeutic - and my daughter in law has just lent me the DVD "Spooks" (espionage thriller) which is just about right - enough to stimulate the grey matter without being too demanding - but that just about sums it up.
I have recently started going back to the gym in the evenings for about an hour, once or twice a week, having a really hard workout and then going home feeling more satisfied with myself and life in general. I occasionaly go to see a film in the local cinema. I have considered joining a choir or the local photography club, but my evening work would make any continuity or commitment impossible. There are climbing walls in Leeds and an artificial ski slope near Castleford, and now that I am quite a bit lighter and fitter than I was I may give something like this a shot in the not too distant future. I'll keep you posted!
Something entirely different - Mary and I are going to Kenya in March! We had planned for Mary to visit her brother David and his wife Liz, who have been working out there for the last year; but for a number of reasons didn't think it would be viable for me to travel with her. Over the last few days, again for a number of reasons, we have decided that it is possible for me to go with her and we are now getting quite excited about the prospect. Over the last 10 years or so I have made innumerable flights to India, Israel, Brazil etc. and always wished that Mary was with me to enjoy the experience. It's brilliant that I will be able to be with her when she has her first experience of flying. We travel from Manchester to Mombasa on the 12th March and will be away for 14 nights, during which time we will stay with David and Liz in Watamu, a village in the coastal district of Malindi, where they work for A Rocha , 100 km north of Mombasa, and do a safari and other exciting African things. I will write more about the work of A Rocha in future. posts.
Enough for today - goodnight!

28th January

It's the end of another day, the family are starting to make their way to bed and I am left to reflect on what has hapened over the last 15 hours or so. Highlight of the day was having Stephen Matthew and his wife Kay from the Abundant Life Church, Bradford come to speak in our church. As you would expect he was excellent but having them back for lunch afterwards was the icing on the cake for me. Such really nice, positive and constructive people, with no airs and graces, very down to earth but who have accomplished so much. Quite a unique gift to have done so much with your life but to still be so approachable and available. Mary made a great lunch, Owen's Kim joined us (Owen having to work elsewhere), Lucy was working in the shop at Ripley and we just had a really good time. Positive feedback from Steve re the development of our own church since he was with us two years ago.
Later in the afternoon we paid a visit to the offices to say goodbye to Neil Prem, followed by a quick walk around the Stray. When we came home I spent some time preparing for Bible Study tomorrow evening and then watched Top Gear where the return of Richard Hammond was celebrated. What a lovey guy he is and what a brilliant, but crazy show. I can't help but wonder how he can keep playing with fast cars after the near death experience he had in the jet car. Even more interesting is whether or not he has any concept of or belief in God after his close shave. He will know that you don't crash a car at 280mph and survive, normally. So why did he survive when others die in accidents that occur at a fraction of that speed? Does he put it down to pure luck, the softness of the grass, the structure of his crash helmet - or could the fact that some of his friends and family may have been praying for him before the crash and a lot more people were praying for him after the crash, have anything to do with it? I would love to know and maybe one day I or someone else will manage to find out.
It's strange how some people can have a near death experience in a car or on a motorbike or through sickness and disease and they start to see God involved in their escape or recovery, rescuing them in some way, and others are completley spirually unmoved and unconvinced. There's great material for someone's doctoral thesis there - maybe, one day.
I have come across some people who could have a vision and explain it away as a trick of light but others could just feel the breeze blow in a different direction and interpret it as guidance from God. I wonder how many different factors go towards creating the different response?
I wonder what God thinks of it all?
Started reading a brilliant book over the weekend called "Learning to Breathe" by Andy Cave. He comes from the mining village of Grimethorpe and went down the pits as soon as he left school. Whilst mining he discovered mountains and rock climbing through a friend and was hooked. He goes on to write about the 1983 miners strike and the devastation the Tory Gmnt wrecked on the mining communities, but how towards the end of that time he developed a love for English literature and eventually applied to do "A" level english which led to him going to University to study at graduate level, followed by doing his doctorate. All of this also meant he had more time to pursue his love of climbing which eventually led to him climbing some of the highest and greatest mountains in the Himalya and the Alps. All that talent that was only released because the mining industry was finished off. How many hundreds of thousands of men and women never realise their full potential that was within them because their path was marked out for them through the community in which they lived, where you weren't expected to excel at anything other than earning an acceptable living and following in your father's footsteps. How many doctors, lecturers, university proffessors, scientists, musicians, artists and poets have been lost to the world because they were born into a certain community. But then again, whose to say that a good miner is any less valuable than a good surgeon?
It must be getting late - I'm rambling.

Friday 26th Jan

Friday lunchtime prayer meeting went well again. That was only our second one at the new mid-day time and it seems to be going really well. Even more people turned up this morning, about 16 in total, that is 4 or 5 more than last week which is brilliant. When a lot of people turn up the hour seems to go faster than ever.
Mary's at work this afternoon and Lucy is working at home, which leaves me at the office wondering which bit of work to attack first.
We haven't been to see Dominic (new grandson) for a week or so and I fear that if we leave it too long he will have changed a lot and we will have missed out on a stage of his development. Must arrange a visit next week.

An interesting thought occurred to me; if it is true that you can tell what a person is like by looking at the books on their bookshelf then how much more accurate an appreciation would you get of someone by looking at their "Favorites" on the browser of their computer? After all there are probably more people surfing the net now than there are reading books. On the office computer my favorites contain Amazon; E-bay; some book purchasing websites; bank sites; the BBC homepage; the Western Mail and the Times online; a few photography, motorbike and cycling sites; an online Bible site; the Met Office; LDC Website; the AA routefinder; some general Christian and specific church sites and a few other bits and pieces. The computer at home has so many favorites on it that last night I had to start deleting them to make it quicker to get to the ones we use most often. And which do we use most often? Probably the banking sites, followed by the Western Mail for the rugby. When working I tend to use the Bible site - great site by the way - BibleGateway.com - loads of different versions of the Bible, study guide's,commetaries and so on. Use Amazon a lot for books; but have found Green Metropolis very cheap (£3.75 per book inc P&P) although choice is a little limited. So now you know what's on my favorites list, what does that say about me?
Talking of computers, I went into the Library the other day full of apologies for late returns. The librarian told me that in future I could not only renew my books online but even check where the books that I want to borrow are at any given time in all the libraries across North Yorkshire, fantastic I thought, but now realise that you all probably knew that years ago!! So now N.Yorks.Libraries sits as the newest entry at the bottom of my list of favorites. One thing that I have never done is read an online book, there's something more satisfying about holding a book and turning the pages.

James Family Picture

A bit on the "dark side" this one but you can just about make out all the members of the family, assembled together on New Year's Day 2007

Introducing Us

Hi, for those who don't know us a brief introduction; and for those who do know us, an update. There's a lot going on in our family at present. Daniel and Kim produced their first son, Dominic, our first grandson six weeks ago on Dec 11th. On New Year's Day Owen and Kim got engaged watching the sunrise at Brimham Rocks and in May Bethan and David expect to give birth to their first ?? We've just come to that stage in the life of our family where a lot seems to be happening without our input - quite nice really. Lucy is growing up faster than we ever imagined possible and enjoying being a student. Mary works most days in Bethan and David's shop in Ripley - a completley new experience for her, but one she is enjoying, after having done supply teaching, on and off, for at least thirty years. I still work full time in Life Destiny Church along with my son-in -law David, and am pleased to say that I enjoy the work more than ever. The church has a really healthy feel to it and is beginning to see some growth. We often reach between 90 -100 people on a Sunday morning and rarely dip below 85 these days. Still a long way to go and a lot of work to do but there appears to be a real sense of unity, purpose and focus in the church at present.
Back to the family for a moment. Mary and I spend our days off on Wednesdays walking in the Yorkshire Dales or Moors. Walking is something we both enjoy for slightly different reasons. Mary enjoys working out routes, reading maps etc and I enjoy the hard exercise of climbing hills and mountains and taking photos of the surrounding countryside. During the last month I have reverted to film photography, buying an old 35mm cameral off E-bay. I just wanted to try something different with a variety of lenses you can buy cheaply off the internet now that digital has caused the 35mm market to crash. In addition to the walking and photography I bought a brand new Kawasaki ER6F 650cc of pure exhilaration which has been thrashed across the country roads of the Yorks Dales on a few occasions over recent months. Unfortunately I have had to take it off the road for the winter due to the salt on the roads which ruins bikes. Then over the last five months I have got into cycling - bought a mountain bike with town slicks - partly to keep fit and partly to save wear and tear on the bike and car - but I've got to really enjoy it and am gobbling up any books, magazines, route guides I can lay my hands on. The great thing about cycling the 2 or 3 miles to work is that you can keep fit whilst going to work and save money on fuel etc. etc. Planning to do some longer motorbike and cycle rides when the weather improves in the spring.
In the longer term we have a wedding this summer, a new grandchild in May, Summer holidays to Cornwall (if Mary gets her way) to France or Spain (if I get my way); I will probably be travelling to India again in Oct / Nov and who knows what else may be fittted in between now and Dec 31st?