Got a free CD with the paper which included George Butterworth's lovely idyll, The Banks of Green Willow. It seems appropriate to link it here if you want to listen to few bars of this as you read about our time alongside the river.
George Butterworth was born on July 12th, 1885. On the outbreak of World War I in August, 1914, he quickly joined the Durham Light Infantry as a Lieutenant in the 13th Battalion. During his year in the trenches, he was "mentioned in dispatches" for outstanding courage, won the Military Cross for his defence of a trench that was subsequently named for him, and led a raid during the Battle of the Somme. The raid was successful but Butterworth was killed by a sniper's bullet. It was August 5th, 1916. His memorial is at Thiepval.
(From the Web http://www.calculator.net/Butterworth/Butterworth.html)
Play background music
Saturday was a lovely day. The weather was warm indeed quite hot and sunny. This brought tens of thousands of downy seeds off the willow trees; they floated in the air landing on the water blowing into the van like great clouds of fluff. In the morning we went into St Neots walking through beautiful riverside parks to the bustling little town. had a coffee in the Market Square and chatted to to a local couple who sat at our table. Looked round the market, and scouted out the baptist Church ready for Sunday. Bought some cheap CDs. Back to van for a sandwich. Listened to Gospel CD
One day at a time, sweet Jesus
That's all I'm asking from you
Just give me the strength to do everyday
What you'd have me do
Yesterday's gone, sweet Jesus
And tomorrow may never be mine
Lord help me today, show me the way
One day at a time
That's all I'm asking from you
Just give me the strength to do everyday
What you'd have me do
Yesterday's gone, sweet Jesus
And tomorrow may never be mine
Lord help me today, show me the way
One day at a time
Later we walked along the river in the opposite direction; lots of reeds and conscious we were surrounded by Reed Warblers but, of course, we saw nothing.
Later that night as I walked to the loo block passed a lot of vans. Their lights were on and one looked into other worlds and then looking up there were the stars, "other worlds" maybe and God sees all. Does God look at this world as I looked into a caravan? Does He see it so small and compact, so oblivious of others around, so self contained?
I wonder.
Sunday to St Neots Baptist Church. Not in the Baptist Union which was why I didnt find them when I looked in the BU Directory before we left. We were made welcome and it was a good service. The Minister was on crutches having fallen off a table and torn ligaments in his leg. The Sermon was from Matthew on not giving the dogs what was holy nor casting pearls before swine. It was part of a series. He had a sense of humour but gave us some wise words. Afterwards a good talk with Jenny and Paul Todd. They too have a van much like ours so we talked vans! Paul is an artist and retired from teaching on health grounds. Hope we will see them again sometime.
After a short walk we retired to Ye Old Sun for a roast lunch and in my case a pint of cider. This combination brought on the inevitable sleepiness! After lunch we walked to the park where a Band was playing. They were in the Big Band style and we had, Aint she Sweet, Mack the Knife, Aint Misbehavin etc. They were great. Back to van, slept, cup of tea listened to cricket and then another walk by the river as the previous day to Eaton Socon Sluice where we saw a boat in the lock. Unlike here in Worcestershire the upper lock gate is a guillotine type. Took some photos which are posted alongside. On way back met a 40 year old Pole called Greg. He was in his own words "drunk" but was coherent and lonely and aggrieved at his flat mate who seemed not to share his love of nature. He said he believed in reincarnation although he also said he was a Christian. Made me think about those in Worcester who like Greg are lonely and at a lose end on Sunday with nothing to spend their money on except drink - is there nothing we as a church can do?
Back to the van for tea; heard Lewis Hamilton had won the Canadian Grand Prix!
Monday was pack up day. On leaving the site we drove the short distance to Paxton Pits Nature Reserve. This was based around some old gravel pits and in fact alongside working pits also. We went bird spotting. We think we may have heard a Nightingale; we certainly heard the cuckoo, our first this year! Most amazing were the Cormorants, a very large inland colony. We saw lots of young and adults flying over the lakes and perching in the trees. Sadly we did NOT see a Kingfisher.
Eventually we reached home safely, Bev having driven home. All was well. Very tired but a most enjoyable few days.
If you are interested in the Baptist Church here is their entry on Find a Church with a link to other web pages
http://www.findachurch.co.uk/churches/tl/tl16/nsbc/
Later that night as I walked to the loo block passed a lot of vans. Their lights were on and one looked into other worlds and then looking up there were the stars, "other worlds" maybe and God sees all. Does God look at this world as I looked into a caravan? Does He see it so small and compact, so oblivious of others around, so self contained?
I wonder.
Sunday to St Neots Baptist Church. Not in the Baptist Union which was why I didnt find them when I looked in the BU Directory before we left. We were made welcome and it was a good service. The Minister was on crutches having fallen off a table and torn ligaments in his leg. The Sermon was from Matthew on not giving the dogs what was holy nor casting pearls before swine. It was part of a series. He had a sense of humour but gave us some wise words. Afterwards a good talk with Jenny and Paul Todd. They too have a van much like ours so we talked vans! Paul is an artist and retired from teaching on health grounds. Hope we will see them again sometime.
After a short walk we retired to Ye Old Sun for a roast lunch and in my case a pint of cider. This combination brought on the inevitable sleepiness! After lunch we walked to the park where a Band was playing. They were in the Big Band style and we had, Aint she Sweet, Mack the Knife, Aint Misbehavin etc. They were great. Back to van, slept, cup of tea listened to cricket and then another walk by the river as the previous day to Eaton Socon Sluice where we saw a boat in the lock. Unlike here in Worcestershire the upper lock gate is a guillotine type. Took some photos which are posted alongside. On way back met a 40 year old Pole called Greg. He was in his own words "drunk" but was coherent and lonely and aggrieved at his flat mate who seemed not to share his love of nature. He said he believed in reincarnation although he also said he was a Christian. Made me think about those in Worcester who like Greg are lonely and at a lose end on Sunday with nothing to spend their money on except drink - is there nothing we as a church can do?
Back to the van for tea; heard Lewis Hamilton had won the Canadian Grand Prix!
Monday was pack up day. On leaving the site we drove the short distance to Paxton Pits Nature Reserve. This was based around some old gravel pits and in fact alongside working pits also. We went bird spotting. We think we may have heard a Nightingale; we certainly heard the cuckoo, our first this year! Most amazing were the Cormorants, a very large inland colony. We saw lots of young and adults flying over the lakes and perching in the trees. Sadly we did NOT see a Kingfisher.
Eventually we reached home safely, Bev having driven home. All was well. Very tired but a most enjoyable few days.
If you are interested in the Baptist Church here is their entry on Find a Church with a link to other web pages
http://www.findachurch.co.uk/churches/tl/tl16/nsbc/
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