Welcoming the torch

I am not really a sporty person at all, but as the Olympic flame was coming to Stratford upon Avon this afternoon, and as this is one of my favourite places, we thought we would go and cheer it on its way through the Midlands.  It was such a fun day, there was also a River Festival happening, so more pics of that to follow when I have loaded them.  There were lots of canal boats on the Avon, decked out in bunting, and there was a wonderful atmosphere.  


We went into the Shakespeare Theatre, and I bought a copy of the script of a play the RSC performed last year called Written on the Heart, written by David Edgar.  It is about the making of the King James Bible.  I look forward to reading this in my own time and savouring the text, as sometimes you miss things during a performance.  

Books!

I just thought I'd tell you about some of the wonderful books I've been buying and reading lately.  Many years ago, when I was working in Africa, a colleague gave me a slow cooker book.  I have used this book many times over the past twenty years.  About a year ago, I lent it to a friend, who promptly lost it!  I forgave her, because she is a good friend, but I missed my book.  Imagine my joy a week ago when it turned up at a local charity shop for 30p!

I am so happy to have it back, in fact I think this one is in slightly better condition than the one I lost!

I also bought two books for 99p at another good charity shop.

"Wait for Me" is a wonderful autobiography written by Deborah Duchess of Devonshire, in her own words.  She is the youngest, and only surviving member of the Mitford sisters, and this autobiography gives a marvellous glimpse into her character and her life.

The other book, which I am currently reading, is "Just a Little Run Around the World" by Rosie Swale Pope. Her husband sadly died of prostate cancer about nine years ago, and in order to highlight the importance of early diagnosis, Rosie decided to literally run around the world, sleeping at night in a tiny bivouac at well-below freezing temperatures.

She is a remarkable lady, very inspiring.  She set off, running around the world, from her home in Tenby, on 2nd October, 2003, her 57th birthday.  She ran for four and a half years, non-stop, around the world by herself.  I am really enjoying reading this.

On my reserve pile I have The Mitford Girls by Mary S. Lovell, which is a biography of the Mitford family. I don't know if I will like this as much as "Wait For Me", as it is not in their own words, but I'm looking forward to reading it.

I haven't watched much TV over Christmas, I have an extremely low boredom threshold when it comes to TV!  But I have spent some happy times curled up with these books.

London riots and other musings

Please join with me in praying for London and other cities that have been affected this week by the riots.  I have family living in London, so I am praying for their protection, and for all those that have already been really badly affected.  Our God is a God of peace, not of disorder.  Lets pray that peace will prevail.

Yesterday, youngest son and I went here.

This is a wonderful 'book farm' in the village of Astley, in Warwickshire.  They have a cafe, which sells delicious cakes, served with cream, strawberries and blueberries on the side, and very reasonably priced.  They have a 'ten bob barn', where they sell many books for 50p.  I bought this book

It is called 'The Pleasure of Reading', edited by Antonia Fraser.  I already have a copy, and it is one of my favourite books ever, but this one is for my son to take to Uni with him.

I have read some brilliant books this summer.  As well as Influential Women by Wendy Virgo, which I have already written about, I have read Family Life by Elisabeth Luard

'Room' by Emma Donaghue, which is an incredible book, dealing with a potentially depressing subject in a life-affirming way,

and Once Upon Another Time by Jessica Douglas-Home.

This is an amazing book that I found in an Oxfam shop in Whitby while on holiday.  It describes the author's secret life behind the Iron Curtain in the last years of Communism, when she carried books, materials and hope to dissident communities.  It is fascinating to read how the cultural life of the dissidents was kept alive, despite many privations.  I have read similar books about people smuggling Bibles into these same countries during that period, but this is a different angle, and shows how important it was for people to keep reading, learning, exchanging ideas, and listening to their music.  

For me, I love to read your blogs, to learn, to be inspired and entertained.  Have a great day, and keep writing!

(Terry and Wendy Virgo)

I am currently reading 'Influential Women'  by Wendy Virgo, which is a really good read.

And I am delighted to discover that Wendy now has her own blog called The Wendy House.  I'm looking forward to seeing how it develops.

I know it's been a while since I signed in, but I am enjoying reading all your posts!

This weekend we are having some new friends over for Sunday lunch.  They have been working as missionaries in Cambodia for the past seven years, so it will be lovely to get to know them better, and hear about their work, and their hopes for the future.

Hope you all have a good weekend, whatever you find yourselves doing.

The challenge

I thought it would be good to expand a little on yesterday's post.

One thing I really enjoy reading is 'Cosy Books'.  There is a brilliant list of suggested cosy reads compiled by Brenda over at Coffee, Tea, Books and Me right here.
In fact her whole blog is a really cosy read in itself.

Another thing I wanted to add from yesterday, remember the mirror?

Yesterday I said look in the mirror and see yourself, a fellow blogger, you are one of the writers I love to read. 

Well, today I want to expand on that.  If you are looking in this mirror and reading my Letters From Home, then you are a wonderful source of encouragement. I know from my stats that this page is being read in the UK, USA, Canada, Australia and other countries. How amazing is that!

But here is the challenge.  Recently, I celebrated a birthday.  I received beautiful flowers that make my heart sing.....

And a lovely Birthday Cake.....

(Google images)

Not actually this one, mine had a LOT more candles on it!  Anyway, I also received a very special gift from my husband that I had been hoping and waiting for for 23 years!  Yes, you read that right, 23 years!  In fact I had sometimes given up hope.

Now for the challenge.  I have put together a post all about this special gift, with pictures of it, and it tells the funny story of why I had to wait for it so long.  HOWEVER, I have decided not to post this particular story unless I receive 5 comments, not including the comments I post myself!

So if you are reading this and are intrigued by my little story, please be sweet and leave a little comment.  You don't need to be a blogger yourself in order to comment.  Just say 'Hi' and brighten my day.  You will be rewarded with my funny birthday story. 

And if you would like to recommend some good books yourself, that will be even better!  I look forward to reading your recommendations.

Thank you so much!