New Year

Well here we are at the end of another year.  After two weeks of celebrating and feasting it is back to old clothes and porridge.  It has been quite a good year for me with many pleasant highlights.  The wonderful 90th birthday Amanda organised with the opportunity to see my friends and family  I shall treasure among my memories.
We are still having wild weather.  We were fortunate not to suffer damage  to the house but did have one sad loss.  Our beautiful tall elegant eucalyptus tree was blown over and had to be cut down.  After a worrying few days when it leaned dangerously over a wall it has been cut down.  Strangely enough we had a friend staying with us who used to be a tree surgeon and he and the tree surgeon we called in decided its fate.
I look forward to the next year.  I hope for some nice surprises as I had this year to leaven the less pleasant ones that are no doubt in store.  Bits of my body keep wearing out but I must try not to grumble.  Nobody likes a moaner.
A Happy New Year to you all.
Jay May.

Christmas 2013

Happy Christmas all you Hatters!  This has been a busy household since December 17th when Amanda started our Christmas entertaining by cooking lunch for my Seaford friends.  There has been a continuous stream of people to feed and baking to be done.  Yesterday and throughout this week the house will be buzzing with activity.
We are so lucky so far not to be affected by the dreadful weather.  The only casualty so far is our beautiful tall eucalyptus tree which is leaning at a precarious angle and will have to be cut down.
I feel very sorry for those people who have no electricity or are facing floods or have their travel plans dashed.
On Sunday we went to a beautiful  service of nine lessons and carols.  It was a peaceful time to think of other things than the bustle of shopping and getting - atime to think of those less fortunate than ourselves and to remember those of our friends for whom Christmas will be a less happy time because of illness or loss of a love one.
Thank you all for staying with me.  Will try to be more regular and interesting in the New Year.
Best Wishes    
Jay May.

Mind the Gap

Apologies.  I am finding it difficult to read my computer.  Letters are missing and the lines wave up and down.   This macular degeneration is a very peculiar condition and reading and writing are very tiring on these poor old eyes.  I am still getting occasional hallucinations.  When travelling by car I frequently see a double decker bus or a horse and cart which isn't really there.  A good job I no longer drive! I manage now to ignore these things and concentrate on something else.  So I shall press on with my occasional blogs.   I'm afraid my usual Christmas letters will not get written so I hope I will be forgiven.  I have managed to write to two of my friends who have so sadly lost their husbands this year.  A sad Christmas for some people.
It is time to think seriously about Christmas preparations so I shall get on with sending my cards.  I love receiving them.  Another trip to the Eye Hospital this afternoon.

Another Choir

The report of Nelson Mandela's death reminded me of a visit of a party of Mothers Union members from South Africa in 1990.  Because of the proximity of our church to Canterbury Cathedral we M.U. members were often called upon to act as hosts to religious groups visiting Canterbury.

On this occasion about 20 ladies were making an extended tour of Europe and Israel.  The tour was led by a clergyman and two white South African ladies.  They had already been to Jerusalem, Bethlehem and the Sea of  Galilee.  They then flew to Bavaria to go to a performance of the Passion Play at Oberammergau which is performed by the local people every 10 years.  They arrived at our church by coach, having been guests for a few days of M.U. members in Hertfordshire.  I was told to walk with them to the Cathedral for a service.  I was also told not to let them get a sniff of Marks and Spencers or they would not get to the Cathedral in time for Evensong.  All went well and their voices added to the lovely singing of the Cathedral choir.  Back at our church hall for refreshments and chat about our  very different lives and families and how our faith had brought us together.  Before they joined the coach they said thank you by singing two hymns.  I shall always remember these lovely friendly ladies in their beautiful coloured costumes. Their voices blended so beautifully as they sang harmoniously just for us.