What’s been happening post tour

Dear Reader

You could be forgiven for thinking I had gone AWOL after I left tour rather abruptly. I sort of did.

I went to Henley-on-Thames where I was able to spend a fortnight recuperating in the loving care of my cousin Sarah and her husband Mark. I also got to spend time with my brother Rick, his wife Vicki and girls Jacqui and Tash who were having a short England break after their Sweden adventures.

I spent time reading, walking, watching Netflix and chilling, as well as heading to London to catch up with my friend Patrick Craig, who I missed when I was unable to join the activities in London.

Sarah and I went to London to catch up with Veronica, who we first (and I last) met in 1981 when she and I travelled together.

I then headed off to Dublin, as I have never been to Ireland before. I did more walking, attended Evensong at Christ Church Cathedral and Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral, The Book of Kells, The Guinness Storehouse, as well as a day trip to Cashel Rock, Blarney Castle and Cork.

I am currently sitting at Heathrow waiting for my flight home, using the airport wifi. For this reason I will upload the post before adding more photos, as I doubt they will load here. It might have to wait until I get home. The one here is the best meal I ate in Ireland, which was six natural oysters at The Bank on College Green in Dublin.

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The Big One, St Paul’s

Dear Reader Today was the Big Event of tour. St Paul’s Cathedral, London. If you are observant, you will notice my absence from the photo above, along with several of my colleagues. Sadly, this happened. After nearly four years and six vaccinations I finally succumbed to the dreaded Covid. At the worst possible time. My multiple vax status has meant I only feel a bit rotten, like a cold, but I do feel sad to have missed the day. And to miss Windsor tomorrow. I was grateful for the considered medical advice provided by Dr Ritesh, father of one of the trebles, who also updated my supply of paracetamol and ibuprofen. So I am relying on others for the report about this special day. The good bits started with four of the young Lay Clerks heading to St Paul’s for singing lessons with my friend Patrick Craig, who is an Alto Lay Vicar at St Paul. In have yet to hear from Nicholas, Marco, Charlie or James, but Patrick was very complimentary about their singing. This is w...

Intrepid Blogging

Dear Reader I have ventured out of the Premier Inn and into the heart of Coventry. A quick purchase of a black jumper at Marks and Spencer (a habit of mine when in the UK) and a bath bomb from Lush for later tonight, along with lots of walking on my own led me here to the Golden Cross, a beautiful old pub which specialises in catering for coeliacs. Everything on the menu is suitable. It was the outside that drew me in. While I was hoping for a wood fire I have had to settle for an armchair next to the heater. I’m imbibing of a wine which has travelled further than me, from New Zealand, and waiting for my plum and apple oat crumble, also gluten free. Which just arrived. You see, Dear Reader, we have been fed so well that I thought today I would follow up breakfast with dinner. However, coming in here for a libation meant I read their menu, and the crumble spoke to me. Very loudly. In about an hour the Lay Clerks will gather at the liturgical West Door (like us...

Coffee, Cath's, Guildford, Jamie's, Cocktails and "Tidying Up"

So now you know from the title, Dear Reader, what occurred today. Perhaps I need not write more. Perhaps I should not write more. But, Dear Reader, I will. Perhaps I will start with the end and end with the beginning... The Young Ones have just left Room 112 (my room) where they very kindly offered to help Alice and me finish off the duty free vodka and gin we bought in KL some 9 days ago. Slack work, Team. There are remnants, so the Young Ones are cordially invited back to whatever room I am allocated in Chichester tomorrow to continue their assistance in Tidying Up the duty free. What was said in Tidy Up remains in Tidy Up, and you, Dear Reader, should be grateful for this. As well as those whose reputations might be sullied by Tidy Up. Continuing our journey back in time, I will take you, Dear Reader, back to TGIF Guildford*. It stands for Thank God Its Friday. Except on their wall it says TGI FRiDAYS, with the plural marker. (Note to self: Turn off inner Grammar Pedant af...

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