Boys and their toys

It has been rather a busy but enjoyable few days and I shall endeavour this afternoon to catch up with everyone. In the meantime I thought I would share these two pictures with you of my husband, Nigel.

When we first met in 1979 Nigel was driving a little blue mini, which we both loved and we had the little mini for the next eight years.. we went everywhere in - this photo was taken on our honeymoon in 1981 in Scotland.

Then came the 'sensible' years - cars that would accommodate family, work etc but now that isn't a necessity and, at nearly 50, Nigel's gone back to a 'fun' car again, which is a Fiat 500 and doesn't he look happy!!!

This car has 'bluetooth' which means it syncs with his phone and he just has to say press a button on the steering wheel and say 'call Judith Schultz' and a very nice lady replies 'call Judith Schultz now?' and he says 'Yes' and my phone rings!! At the moment this feature in the car is a novelty and I get phone call every time he's out driving in the car!! not that I'm complaining :)

Now I know where I went for the weekend

Well it was near Gatwick Airport but far more beautiful and peaceful!! We stayed at The Roebuck Hotel, Wych Cross which is situated in the Ashdown Forest. This photo is courtesy of the Roebuck Hotel website.We certainly had a comfortable room and our Rotary President and his wife, Laurie and Vera, had left gifts in each of the Rotarian rooms - a plant for the ladies and a Rotary International candle for the gentleman. We met up in one of the lounges for our evening meals and Nigel certainly enjoyed sitting on the leather sofa in front of the fire.Having a laugh with Vera.

Me with Rose and Dorothy before our evening meal.

I could write and write and write and show photograph after photograph because we did indeed have a fabulous weekend with our Rotary friends BUT the highlight for us was taking a ride on the Bluebell Steam trains and I leave you with two video clips that Nigel took and has uploaded onto YouTube.Me on the Bluebell train - pulling a face at something or someone!!

Photo Hunt Saturday - Bridge

In the early 1990's Nigel & I lived and worked for The Salvation Army in Bangladesh. I had already crossed this bamboo bridge and had turned around to take a picture of Nigel in the hope that he might have fallen in!! lol



for further photo hunt photos leave a comment at tnchick.com

browsing through photos

I've been browsing through some of my photos on my computer and came across these taken a few months ago and thought I would share them. The photos are of Nigel & Karl's walking holiday across the Moors in Devon.

Cheered me up!!

A friend sent me these photographs this morning of Nigel riding a Bull!! They were taken during Unity week when different events were put on to bring people together. Nigel is the Chairman of the Barking & Dagenham Faith Forum - a group which consists of and invites ALL faiths to work together to create Unity within our Borough.

Well they made me smile..

My photo of the day - 4

double click picture to enlarge

Nigel with some of his more mature members of the church having a cuppa

Off with her head!!

Nigel and I, with other members of The Barking Rotary Club, will be at The Tower of London this evening for the Ceremony of the Keys. This ceremony has taken place for over 600 years and you can read about it on http://www.trooping-the-colour.co.uk/keys/. Hopefully, I shall not find myself in the dungeons or at Traitors Gate but will arrive home safely with my head intact!!lol

took these photos during the summer - I live about 8 miles from The Tower of London but with London traffic it can take me, by car, anything from 20 mins to hour to get there.

My 50th post - Roast Dinner

How appropriate this is my 50th blog and Nigel is 50 this year so I should post a blog in his honour..

Nigel's favourite meal is a roast dinner - Yorkshire puds, stuffing, plenty of rich gravy, roast potatoes, beef or lamb so he was delighted, when on holiday, to find a carvery serving roast meals for £3.50 :) in a place called 'Peacehaven'. Doesn't take much to put a smile on his face - lol

New Year Resolution - half hour walk

One of my New Year Resolutions is to have at least a half hour brisk walk everyday - so off I ventured to Greatfields Park situated not far from The Salvation Army. Nigel decided to join me, which is good because he walks so fast that in fact it became a half hour jog for me :(

I did take quite a few photos with my mobile phone that led Nigel to say 'Are you here for walk or photography session?' 'Both' I replied..

The first place you should always look for is the loo!! lol

On our way round we were run down by Joyce on her rather dilapidated bike wearing her slippers!! Joyce had been to have a cuppa with her sister who lives on the other side of the Park so therefore had worn her slippers because she was just going from one house to another. I do love characters like Joyce.

My favourite trees 'Weeping Willows' which look as they though they desperately need a drink.

Nigel inspecting the paving stones which he and a group of youngsters repaired last year as part of the Soul in the City programme.

Now to plan tomorrows walk..

My World Tuesday - Princess Alice

The location where the disaster took place - in the distance the City of London

On the 3rd September 1878 the Princess Alice Pleasure Steamer sunk off Creekmouth. Approximately 700 people lost their lives in the disaster. In Woolwich cemetery, which is on the other side of the River Thames, a memorial was erected to commemorate the lives lost; however, it was the residents of a village called Creekmouth who helped in the rescue attempts and this has never been fully acknowledged.

Memorial service taking place - some folk who attended were distant relatives of those who lost their lives - others were grandchildren/great grandchildren of the villagers who helped in the rescue attempt.

On the 3rd September 2008 my husband, Nigel, was asked to lead a memorial service for those who lost their lives and a thanksgiving service for the villages who risked their lives in attempting a rescue service. The service took place where Creekmouth Village once stood but was unfortunately destroyed by a flood in 1953. Over 700 daffodil bulbs were planted - one for each person who perished that tragic evening. Next spring I will return again and take photos of the glorious daffodils.

Nigel leading the Memorial Service

Over 700 Daffodil bulbs were planted.

for other world views -please visit My World Tuesday

My World Tuesday - The Eye

Nigel phoned me on his way home last night and said 'Do you fancy popping into London for a ride on The Eye' - well you don't have to ask me twice the answer, of course, was 'YES'. We got there for 9pm and guess what? The London Eye closed at 8.30pm!! Never mind we had a leisurely stroll along the river and then ended up at Waterloo Station for a McDonald's - such is my life and my world!!

These photos were taken on my mobile so are not the clearest but still give an idea of my neck of the woods.

The trees are all lit up on the avenue walking towards The Eye.

The London Eye at 9pm in the evening. I couldn't believe the amount of photographers there were about with their 'professional' equipment but then again it was a beautiful evening and The Eye is a fantastic piece of work.

Opposite The Eye on the side of the River Thames stands the Houses of Parliament or the clock more commonly known as Big Ben.

visit other people in their locations at That's my World

Because You’re Worth It…

The L'Oreal adverts would have us believe that us mere mortals should consider ourselves fortunate enough to be deemed 'Worth It' to use their products. Over the years I have discovered that people consider themselves 'Worth It' when you spend quality time with them.

Most of my readers will know that on Thursday evenings I lead a service at Thames View Lodge, which is a Sheltered Housing Complex. Along with a few ladies from Christ Church, we have been visiting The Lodge since February of this year and I can truly say with all honesty that it is the highlight of my week. Between 25- 30 residents come along and share in song, prayer, fun and fellowship but it is the time after the service whilst having a cuppa which is so important. Those moments when a resident will share a concern, worry, frustration, confide an illness diagnosed, bring photos of loved ones, hopes for the future - that 'time' spent listening makes a person feel 'Worth It'. My ladies from Christ Church are priceless as they visit, share communion with, prayer with, build bridges and care for those who would otherwise go un-noticed.

Tonight we had our service but because I still have no voice! Nigel led the programme I had prepared for this evening throwing in a few jokes and accompanying the hymns on his portal Casio piano, which certainly adds to the evening rather than singing to my pre-recorded music. They all gave him marks out of 10 for his effort but to me the best reward is seeing folk leaving the lounge smiling and singing a refrain of a hymn/song that we had during the evening. Mission accomplished J

When I'm in my 80's or 90's I hope someone will still think I'm 'Worth It' to spend time listening to me..

"Listening is a magnetic and strange thing, a creative force. The friends who listen to us are the ones we move toward. When we are listened to, it creates us, makes us unfold and expand" Anon

"I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant". Robert McCloskey