Recently, Cilla and I were invited by our 'home' church near London to spend a week with them in order to get to know new church members and share at various meetings. Before that, however, we were also able to spend a few days at the B&B guesthouse, at Criccieth (North Wales), where our friend Rachel Jones lives.
So, on Sunday 25th March, we flew from Madrid to Liverpool airport, where Rachel's friends and landlords, Bob & Anne, kindly picked us up. (Unfortunately, Cilla's suitcase failed to arrive and at the date of posting this report - nearly 6 weeks later - there is still no sign of it!)We spent a few days relaxing in Wales and enjoyed surprisingly warm and sunny weather. The B&B is right on the coastal promenade at Criccieth, and we were also able to explore Snowdonia - as well as purchasing emergency clothing and toiletries for Cilla!
I was also invited to share a Godly Play story (using sand from the local beach!) at a meeting of the local Christian fellowship.The following Wednesday, Cilla and I took the train to Harrow (Middlesex) and that evening we attended and shared at one of Roxeth Green Free Church's cell groups. The day after, I was asked to lead a Godly Play presentation at the Thursday afternoon group which meets in the church hall. And I was also able to include a brief Godly Play story, on the Mystery of Easter, as part of my Palm Sunday sermon at Roxeth.
The big event for me, however, was the surprise 60th birthday party which the church sprung on me - with Cilla's secretive collaboration! Many family members (sister, uncle & aunt, cousins, nephew, son-in-law & grandchildren), as well as old friends took the trouble to travel sometimes long distances to be at the party. It was astonishing to see folk we had not met since our wedding day way back in 1969! A number of them gave little speeches and said kind things about me which I'm not sure are totally true! There was also a quiz on 1947, the year I was born. (I am trying hard to find time to write personally to those who attended the party. But if you were there and you read this beforehand... a BIG thankyou for being in on the secret!)
A trip to England is never complete without at least a short visit to see our daughter, Lorna, and her family in Thatcham (Berkshire). We were able to spend a couple of days with them before flying back to Madrid on Tuesday 3rd April.Click here for more photos of our stay in Wales, and here for pictures we took of our time with Lorna, Simon and the grandchildren.
3 comments:
Hi david, My name is Sharon Valen. I am so very happy to come upon your advert. i am a writer. the book i have written is Titled The Grape Jellyfish Cafe a book for Children available at Amazon.com
I am from California i was born Sharon Ann Pritchard. Maybe we are related. anyway i wanted you to know that my book mention's my family name (Pritchard) set in england... Thank You, Sharon Valen
Thanks for getting in touch, Sharon. I have only just seen your comment on one of my posts from 2007 - I'm afraid I do not visit my own bog that often!!!
My father was born in Wales and, of course, Pritchard is a very common surname there. He was from a town called Mountain Ash in the southern county of Glamorganshire. If your own family tree includes "Mountain Ash" (!), then it is possible that we might be distant cousins. Who knows?
I have had a look at your delightful children's book on the Amazon website. It sounds great fun! Did you do the illustrations too? Hope it sells well!
Oops, typo! That should be *blog, of course!
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