I know it's nature BUT

One of my favourite birds is the Sparrow - I love watching them bathe in the soil that I have just turned over in the garden - watching them chase each other and then feed from the bird feeder on the apple tree. My neighbour, William, has all sorts of goodies in his garden to attract them plus a variety of nesting boxes which they do use. However, over the last few years we have sadly noticed their demise as less and less sparrows visit and nest in our gardens.

a pair of china sparrows Nigel & I received as a wedding present 28 years ago.

I know one of the reasons why and it's because we must have nesting sparrowhawks in the area - last year they visited my garden a few times to capture sparrows and this morning my theory was proved right when I heard twittering in the garden and rush to the patio door only to see a sparrowhawk swoop down into the hedges and swoop out with a little sparrow in its clutches (the sparrow was still alive) then the sparrowhawk landed on the path in my garden with the intention of killing its prey. I thought (foolishly) if I banged on the window it would drop the sparrow and fly off but no it just flew off with the sparrow and the sparrows family and friends twittering in the background.

Sparrowhawk - picture taken from the internet.

Now I know that it's all part of nature BUT it still churned my stomach to witness the catch.

Pink Saturday

Pink Saturday fun - click here to visit Beverly and other Pink Saturday participants.

This week my Pink Saturday post is a photo I took Thursday evening of two of my delightful ladies who attend the Thursday evening service at Thames View Lodge. I took their photo on my mobile and, unfortunately, the quality is not at all brilliant and does not depict their beautiful pink blouses at all.

Eve (left) is coming up to 91 and Daisy (right) is her late 70's both ladies were singers and dancers performing in shows. Both ladies are absolute gems and Thursday evenings wouldn't be the same without them.

I explained to them the reason why I wanted to take their photo - neither had heard of blogging but knew of the Internet. So I explained that they would be seen by people all over the world and they were quite happy with that thought :))

Two photos and an award :)

A photo Ali took of me with a delightful gentleman advertizing the Internet as I clutch my Ireland mug that Ali gave me as a present.

The photo is rather dark but just to prove that we did meet - Ali and I in Garfunkel's resturant.



Then many thanks to Valerie from Simply 4 God for presenting me with this award. Valerie is truly an inspirational lady and I enjoy reading her posts which always come straight from the heart. Thanks Valerie.

History of the Uber Award:
Uber (synonym to Super) Amazing Blog Award is a blog award given to sites who; inspire you, make you smile and laugh, gives amazing information, a great read, have an amazing design and any other reasons you can think of that makes them UBER amazing!

Here are the rules:

•Copy the badge and put the logo on your blog sidebar or post.

• Nominate at least 5 blogs (can be more) that for you are Uber Amazing!

• Let them know that they have received this Uber Amazing award by commenting on their blog.

•Share the love and link to this this post and to the person you received your award from.

•Come back and comment here so that your link could be added to the master list of awardees.

The Uber Award goes to:

Deb - Ladybug from Texas

John - John Ager's Home on the Web

Ali - The Diary of a Reformed Workaholic

Elaine - A Scattering

Janet - Greetings from Gauteng

Sandi - Rose Chintz Cottage & Inspirations

the wheels on the bus go round and round

Until my new car arrives I have been travelling on public transport and particularly on the 387 bus and have lost 7lbs in weight in the process!!

Us Londoners seem to have the reputation of being very insular and not at all chatty when it comes to travelling on the public transport - well, today I would like to correct that perception. Yes, OK I admit the whole bus is not buzzing with people talking and chatting to each other - a lot of the time it would appear that they are actually talking to themselves (on their mobile phones) or listening to their iPods or gazing dreamily out of the window. However, I can honestly say that every bus ride I have taken, so far, I have managed to strike up a conversation with someone who has only been too happy to tell me about their day, their lives and where they are going next!!

Today I had a chat with a lovely lady who told me how for the last five years she has been a cook within a primary school in Barking. How she was looking forward to the Easter Holidays because she was feeling tired but she does so love her job even though it's only for four hours a day.

So next time you are on a bus or any other form of public transport - don't assume that people do not want to talk. I still strongly believe that folk are just waiting for someone to listen to their story and to dialogue. Some of my pensioners travel on the bus just so that they see a face, have the opportunity to exchange greetings with someone even if it's only the bus driver - it gets them out of their flat or house. You know it's good to talk and even better to listen.

Two old ladies meet for lunch

Ali's photo came out better than mine so the one above will have to do until I get a copy from Ali.

Well we've met!! and what a wonderful time. Thankfully Ali knows Tottenham Ct Road and Oxford Street better than me (from her previous life!!) and we were able to have lunch in Garfunkel's, followed by a stroll then tea at Costa Coffee. Actually it felt like having lunch with a friend I've known for years rather then someone I've met via blogger :)

On the train home I thought to myself - I think we've covered and talked about every area of life within four hours - do you think that's a woman thing? we can cover pregnancy, varicose veins, work, family and Obama all in one conversation :) Obama will be flying into Stanstead Airport as Ali will be flying out.

Ali also very generously presented me with these gifts - a beautiful t-towel and mug - thanks Ali. Great to meet you and hopefully Nigel & I can visit you and Graham over in Belfast.

Barking meets Belfast

Today I am meeting a blogging friend for the 1st time. We have spoken on the phone on a few occasions but Ali (http://www.chemicalsblog.blogspot.com/) has flown over from Northern Ireland and is staying in a hotel in Tottenham Ct Road in London and I shall meet her at 11.30 ready for lunch. What fun :)

Pink Saturday

click here for other pink saturday participants.

A pink hand tickling the tummy of a black and white cat with a pink nose who is sleeping on her pink blanket.

Oh I deserve this :)

Since my car crash at the end of January I have been travelling by foot and on public transport because, at the moment, I don't have a car (new one arrives at the beginning of May) and today I was just tired, aching and just wanted to get home and put my feet up!! having the spent the afternoon at Dianne's farewell bash - click here for post.

I had to buy some milk and cat food so got off the bus outside the co-op and there spied 4 mars for a £1 - well I must admit I don't normally buy myself chocolate but oh they were calling out to me!! honestly :)

Did I enjoy my cuppa and mars bar when I got home? you bet I did!! Nigel & Karl enjoyed finishing off the rest :)

Horse and Carriage

I was out in Ilford yesterday buying 'farewell' presents and balloons ready for Dianne's farewell from the Thames View Advice Centre (of which I am a Trustee) and on my way back to the bus stop I had to pass the Funeral Directors and came across this wonderful sight!!

There were two lovely ladies responsible for grooming these horses and also riding behind them infront of the carriage. I asked their permission to take these photos on my mobile phone and they were only too delighted to oblige and then I had a very interesting chat with them regarding their responsibilites etc. (just to say that the carriage was empty - no coffin in it yet!!)

Horse and carriage funerals are very traditional with the really 'old east-enders of London Town' but are now becoming more popular but also very expensive.

Judith (Community Chaplain)

I am entering a very exciting time within my ministry, which I have been working towards for the last 5 years - a new worship space within a new housing area.

Because there is so much going through my mind and so much to do, as well continuing to minister to folk I am already ministering too!!! I have decided to start another blog so that I can organize my mind (do you feel like that sometimes - you just have to write things down to clear your head?) I would be honoured if you had the time to visit me there too and comment - don't we all just love comments? it's your comments that encourge me.

By clicking on the photo you will be transported to my 'ministry site' - thank you.

God bless you all - Judith

Wordless Wednesday - school children

Taken at Mamprobi School, Ghana - July 2001


for more Wordless Wednesday participants click here

photo of the day

can you see her? Karmen hiding in the holly bush!! *ouch*

Blue Monday - Mothering Sunday

For more Blue Monday participants visit Sally by clicking here

Yesterday, in the UK, it was Mothering Sunday which now has become very commerical and is know to the general public as 'Mother's Day; however, that was not it's true beginnings.

History of Mothering Sunday
Most Sundays in the year churchgoers in England worship at their nearest parish or 'daughter church'.
Centuries ago it was considered important for people to return to their home or 'mother' church once a year. So each year in the middle of Lent, everyone would visit their 'mother' church - the main church or Cathedral of the area.
Inevitably the return to the 'mother' church became an occasion for family reunions when children who were working away returned home. (It was quite common in those days for children to leave home for work once they were ten years old.)
And most historians think that it was the return to the 'Mother' church which led to the tradition of children, particularly those working as domestic servants, or as apprentices, being given the day off to visit their mother and family.
As they walked along the country lanes, children would pick wild flowers or violets to take to church or give to their mother as a small gift.

some of my flowers/plants which I received on Mothering Sunday at church.

Karmen's Tales

Karmen as an 8 week old kitten - she is now 22 weeks old

I know some of you were following the adventures of my kitten, Karmen, but I have to say that I was finding it difficult to keep two blogs going - so decided to delete 'Karmen's Tales'. However, just to prove that she is still alive and kicking!! :) here are some photos of her which I took yesterday.

Karmen 'Queen of the Apple Tree'

surveying her territory

not quite so ladylike and one reason why I haven't put a collar on her!!

back down to earth

it's exhausting looking after the garden - so time for a snooze

Pink Saturday - Pink Photos

click here to visit other Pink Saturday participants..

I took these photos on my mobile phone whilst Nigel and I drove over the Queen Elizabeth Bridge and it wasn't until I downloaded them later that I realized how pink they were. I can only assume that the sun shinning through the unopened sun-roof of the car must have bounced off my camera-phone to produced such interesting photos. I could probably sell them for a fortunate as modern art :)