I've not written an entry for almost a year. Life has been busy and changed a lot in that time so an update is long overdue.
In June, the wedding of the year took place. Al and Chrissy tied the knot on the most special of days. It really was a fairytale wedding, beautiful in every way. The marriage service took place in a church in a quintessentially English village. As we poured out of the church onto the village green, the road was blocked while A&C boarded their horse-drawn carriage for the brief journey back to the reception. The reception was unlike anything I've ever attended - stylish and classy, yet personal, friendly and intimate all at once.
Kath and I went to Wimbledon and had a great day. (Mum has just drawn tickets for the men's final at this years championship, and will no doubt have a fantastic day).
The most significant change over the last year is that in July 2010, Mr Andrew Smith came into my life (and just in case you're wondering, that's a change for the better, a very positive development!).
In October, I was elected to the leadership team of my church. It's meant I've needed to learn a lot, and fast, but has been a hugely positive experience. It can be hard work but is a privilege to serve in this way.
This winter has been the coldest in a long time, with far more snow than we've seen for years. Because of snow in the village, I wasn't able to get my car home for a week or two. It just became the norm for my commute to begin with a trudge up the hill towards Crawcrook and then dig my car out of a snow drift. I got off lightly with frozen and burst pipes but no major leaks, others were less fortunate.
And now it's Spring. It was exactly this time last year that I got in to writing this blog, and as Spring arrives again, I'm again drawn to writing something. The bulbs are just starting to flower and everything is greening up. The garden is a bit neglected but will hopefully get some attention in the coming weeks.
I was fortunate to finish my work week with a home visit in Amble this week. My favourite beach, Druridge Bay was less than 5 mins drive from where I was working, and it would have been churlish not to stop off for a walk. It was a fantastic way to finish the week - it's always a beautiful beach but was really looking at it's best. Rosie and I both had a lovely walk, and a good blast of fresh air - it's certainly set me up for the weekend.
