Mr. & Mr.

As insignificant as my quiet little one voice may be amidst the deafening clanging of bells throughout our great nation, same-sex marriage just doesn't make sense and I'm exercising my democratic right in saying so. Actually, I'm not being clear. It isn't only that it doesn't make sense, it's also wrong.
I may befriend you as I would hope you would befriend me, but I could never subscribe to this type of union.

Those bells may be ringing clear, but they aren't ringing true.

In Sunderland for the weekend.

We had one day to finish the job...Monday. The task was to cut down from twenty feet to six feet. These are the thinner bits before reaching the trunks.

This is the back garden gate, beyond which we disposed of all the branches.

About another 50' to go.

The top of the apple tree and the unusually clear sky.

It was a long hard day, but the sky was blue and the sun warm. It couldn't have been better conditions.

We stayed for breakfast on the Tuesday so that we could wish Anna-Belle a happy birthday, before driving back to Preston...in the rain.

An unusual sight on the journey back. Have you ever seen a boot tree?

What to do...

At a loose end. Tried watching Spurs (too painful)...such a waste of time anyway. I think I'll catch up with my French study seeing as we only have a month before we're back there. Yeah, why not? Or should I watch a DVD? No, be strong and do something productive.

I wonder what day it is?

We had a crazy hour with the Irish this evening in the lounge (standing room only). Live music, singing and a little bit of history and all things Irish. As usual, there was too much food.

Thinking of you, cousin Desmond.

Yes, and there was mention of the Six Nations Champions.

A rowdy but happy lot.

Update

So, what's been happening?

We went to Yorkshire to visit John and Hannah and see Harriet and Vivienne blessed. Sadly, I forgot my camera, but the memory burns bright. A stunning place, Yorkshire.

We also enjoyed another couple of trips to Southport for fresh air, food, bowling and browsing, as well as a walk down to the local park.

Oh, and there was an appearance at the Wonka Chorley Chocolate Factory last night...a fun activity at church for the youngsters (and lovers of chocolate). We finished the evening with a game of 10's with Grant and DeAne Bartschi (Bev won). Earlier, Grant and DeAne had invited us for tea...perfect timing as we were flagging after a hard day in the temple. A note about the temple...we'll have been here six months in April (after which we will return to France), and it's been the most rewarding experience of our lives to date. We'll miss it a great deal.

I've also been busy painting, blogging and generally chilling.

Gary at the bar collecting his meal ticket.

A really nice place. We loved the walled garden.

Approaching the main entrance (exit) at the end of our walk. The shadows attracted my attention. It's so nice to walk towards the sun enjoying a chat.

Pretty good, to put faces to names...makes me think more of the kind of people they were and the sacrifices they made.

Quite an impressive entrance.

Another grand entrance...Wonka Chorley Choc Factory.

A paradise for chocolate and sweets. The whole hall was filled with tasty delights and fun activity and not a penny spent.

And all thanks to Mr Wonka, in person. 

Long day

Leisurely day ending with popcorn and...

Bev recovering nicely after the 'blasting'.

Today's little treat.

A nice enough day to get out for a walk around Heskin Hall. Although we went with friends, these pics are mostly of other things that struck me for one reason or another.

The first that caught my attention was Heskin Hall itself. The design is peculiar in the sense of its lack of an entrance of note...and the back of the property is positively ugly. I can't imagine why they( whoever they were) would build such a building in preference to what they could have had built.

The horizontal shadows of the trees on gushing water was spell-binding.

He's well into his eighties and is as sprightly as ever...that goes for his wife, too.

It was a pleasure walking alongside this hedge. It's amazing that anything that has been hacked as much as this can still exude beauty.

Penny for your thoughts, Bev.

I loved the perspective here. Nancy and George (centre) just didn't look real. They seem far too small. My eye would have cast them taller, given they are taller than Bev on the bridge.

The photo doesn't really catch it, but those hills were covered with spectacular colour.

This wasn't the first thing we did today and it certainly wasn't the last. Life is so good at the moment.

Finished the book, but won't see the film, because...

Wonderfully written. An incredible book.

It may have won three Oscars, but here is just one reason why I won't be watching the film...

"His manners are repulsive and course, and his language gives speedy and unequivocal evidence that he has never enjoyed the advantages of an education".

Doesn't that tell you all you need to know about the person? In the film, however, I will doubtless be bombarded with what Solomon had to endure and I'll not to be a slave to that.

Even the most horrific experiences in the book were expressed fully in terms of anguish, hurt, pain and suffering, yet I'm certain the film will be brutal and specific in it's choice of scenes and will be unrelenting and horrific throughout.

There isn't one single swear word in the book, yet it expresses everything perfectly. It doesn't hide from the reality of the situation, and nor do I.

I've read the book, word for word, from the person who was the only eye-witness to the events and I've no real desire to experience the perhaps more sensationalist version... even though my original goal was to read the book then watch the movie.