One of the books I received for Christmas was a biography of Sir Ernest Shackleton, the polar explorer. The particular edition, simply called Shackleton and written by Roland Huntford* had long been on my reading list following good reviews I’d read. I also feel a ‘personal’ connection with Shackleton, as Charles Green, who was theContinue reading “Navigating the Icebergs”
Tag Archives: Christianity
Finding the Perfect Space
I’ve always enjoyed driving, despite the ever-growing volume of traffic on the roads (highways.) Sometimes, I even find it relaxing. On regular journeys, I have landmarks I look out for as a way of making the journey pass more quickly: simple things such as a particularly attractive building, a strangely shaped tree or a favouriteContinue reading “Finding the Perfect Space”
A Box of Delights
Who likes eating chocolate? Most of us, probably, if we’re honest. My love affair with chocolate started with the simple ‘one finger of chocolate’ bar that I was allowed after lunch in early childhood. Since then, I’ve always enjoyed tearing open the wrapper and the shiny foil inside and sinking my teeth into that delicious,Continue reading “A Box of Delights”
Don’t Lose Your Place
I love reading and have done ever since I was first able to turn those strange shapes on the page into the gateways to new and absorbing worlds inhabited by fascinating people. At any period, I’m usually reading two books: one chosen by majority vote of the book club I belong to and the secondContinue reading “Don’t Lose Your Place”
Peeling Back the Layers
A few weeks I visited the Museum of Brands in London’s Notting Hill Gate area. It was fascinating to look at the many packets and tins spanning the decades from Victorian times to the present. (There are also fashions, household appliances and toys to see; it’s a great, nostalgia fest if you’re in London.) AlmostContinue reading “Peeling Back the Layers”
Days at the Beach
Today is a ‘beach’ day. I’m not actually on a beach, though it’s certainly beach weather: a lovely early summer’s day with blue sky, light cloud and the warmth of the sun. It’s Monday and by 10.30 a.m. I’d been able to achieve things from both today’s and tomorrow’s To Do lists. I’d done theContinue reading “Days at the Beach”
Holey, Wholly, Holy
What is the point of a hole? A hole represents the lack of something; for example, the appearance of a pothole in a road often represents a lack of, or poor, maintenance. I know that driving over, or dropping into, a hole in the road leaves me feeling very shaken and insecure if I haven’tContinue reading “Holey, Wholly, Holy”
The Things We Carry
Walking through my village over recent weeks, I’ve noticed how few people are empty handed. Most people walking along are carrying something. One man carried a reel of electrical cable over his arm. Was he an electrician by trade going to work in someone’s home or was he going to repair or replace something inContinue reading “The Things We Carry”
Putting the Pieces Together
After my husband Paul, spent a couple of nights in hospital, I bought him some jigsaws to complete while he recovered and he hasn’t stopped doing jigsaws since then. Apparently, that makes him a fully-fledged ‘Dissectologist’! Now we live surrounded by them and he can’t pass a charity shop without going in and buying anotherContinue reading “Putting the Pieces Together”
Wake Up and Smell the Coffee
I really enjoy drinking coffee. For some years now I’ve chosen to drink decaffeinated coffee as I found that caffeine seemed to affect my sleep but, once I’d got used to not having that instant ‘hit’, I’ve been happy with my choice and I certainly sleep better. At home I usually drink instant though IContinue reading “Wake Up and Smell the Coffee”
Sunlight Through the Shadows 