Summer in my Garden - 5

The tree lilies sure like my garden!



I allow the old stems to stay in place all winter, and then cut them back to ground level in early spring. The stems are then dried off during the summer and in autumn are cut up as fuel for my woodturning stove. In April new growth appears, and by late August the new stems are up to 7 feet tall crowned with a mass of large, colourful, richly-scented blooms. Amazing!

Summer in my Garden - 4

The tree lilies have been as magnificent as ever!



We thank thee, O our Father,
for all thy loving care;
we thank thee that thou madest
the world so bright and fair.
We thank thee for the sunshine,
and for the pleasant showers;
and O, our God, we thank thee,
we thank thee for the flowers.

Out in the sunny meadows
and in the woodlands cool,
upon the breezy hillside,
and by each reedy pool,
and in the quiet pasture,
and by the broad highway;
all pure and fresh and stainless,
they spring up every day.

And in the dusty city,
where busy crowds pass by,
and where the tall dark houses
stand up and hide the sky;
and where through lanes and alleys
no pleasant breezes blow,
e'en there, O God, our Father,
thou mak'st the flowers grow.

And whether in the city
or in the fields they dwell;
always the same sweet message
the fair, sweet flowers tell.
For they are all so wondrous,
they show thy power abroad;
and they are all so beauteous,
they tell thy love, O God.

Summer in my Garden - 3

My garden is now a glorious mass of summer colour!



Let's sing a lovely summer hymn - be sure to listen to the organ improvisation at the end!

Summer suns are glowing
over land and sea,
happy light is flowing,
bountiful and free.
Everything rejoices
in the mellow rays,
all earth's thousand voices
swell the psalm of praise.

God's free mercy streameth
over all the world,
and his banner gleameth,
everywhere unfurled.
Broad and deep and glorious
as the heaven above,
shines in might victorious
his eternal love.

Lord, upon our blindness
thy pure radiance pour;
for thy loving-kindness
make us love thee more.
And when clouds are drifting
dark across our sky,
then, the veil uplifting,
Father, be thou nigh.

We will never doubt thee,
though thou veil thy light:
life is dark without thee;
death with thee is bright.
Light of Light! shine o'er us
on our pilgrim way,
go thou still before us
to the endless day.

Summer in my Garden - 2

I am pleased that Thompson & Morgan sent a good mix of red, white and blue petunias seedlings in their Jubilee Mix.



It all takes me back to my 1st Year classes in Elementary Statistical Theory at University College London when I had to answer questions about the probability of having at least one red, one white and one blue petunia in a pot containing seven plants, where the plants were chosen at random from a larger mixture of 28 red, 28 white, and 28 blue petunias all mixed together and indistinguishable at the time of planting out!

Don't bother trying to answer the question - just thank God for the beauty of his creation.

Lord of beauty, thine the splendour
Shewn in earth and sky and sea,
Burning sun and moonlight tender,
Hill and river, flower and tree:
Lest we fail our praise to render
Touch our eyes that they may see.

Lord of wisdom, whom obeying
Mighty waters ebb and flow,
While unhasting, undelaying,
Planets on their courses go:
In thy laws thyself displaying,
Teach our minds thyself to know.

Lord of life, alone sustaining
All below and all above,
Lord of love, by whose ordaining
Sun and stars sublimely move;
In our earthly spirits reigning,
Lift our hearts that we may love.

Lord of beauty, bid us own thee,
Lord of truth, our footsteps guide
Till as love our hearts enthrone thee,
And, with vision purified,
Lord of all, when all have known thee,
Thou in all art glorified.

Or for those who prefer to sing the hymn in Latin:

Per tuum natura lumen
est ubique lucida.
Flos et arbor, mons et flumen,
luna, sol et sidera
sunt laudanda. Tange, Numen,
tange nostra lumina.

Quo docente regularis
tractat undas impetus,
cuius motio stellaris
conservatur legibus,
nobis esse cognoscaris
legislator optimus.

Inspirator cuncta prorsum
dirigens viventia,
quo tenent superna cursum
imperante lumina,
tolle, diligende, sursum,
tolle nostra pectora.

Fac a nobis agnoscaris
dans lucernam pedibus,
cordibusque instituaris
amor ipse cognitus
et ab omnibus sciaris
omnium tu dominus.

Summer in my Garden - 1

You don't need to go to Buckingham Palace or Crathie Parish Church to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Coronation - just come to my garden!



Much of the summer bedding this year has been done in red, white and blue. I am not keen on flying a flag in a private residence - it seems a bit over the top and not all the neighbours will appreciate it! But flowers in the back garden are a wonderful way of celebrating this special year.

Summer in London - 33

As I left the Palace a guard stood at attention!



You may wish to visit Buckingham Palace yourself during this special year. Sadly, you will not be granted full access to the Palace Gardens as I was. As the Good Book says, 'many are called, but few are chosen.' Sunday 14 July 2013 is a day I shall never forget.



God save the Queen!

Summer at Crathie - 2

What a joy it is to worship once again at Crathie Parish Church.



GATHERING WORDS (Psalm 96)

Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth! Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvellous works among all the peoples! For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised.

CALL TO WORSHIP (Responsive)

Min: The Lord is risen!

All: He is risen indeed!

Min: This is the day that the Lord has made

All: We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Min: The Lord be with you!

All: And also with you

Hymn 202 Stand up and bless the Lord

Stand up and bless the Lord
ye people of his choice;
stand up and bless the Lord your God
with heart and soul and voice.

Though high above all praise,
above all blessing high,
who would not fear his holy Name,
and laud and magnify?

O for the living flame
from His own altar brought,
to touch our lips, our minds inspire,
and wing to heaven our thought!

God is our Strength and Song,
and his salvation ours;
then be his love in Christ proclaimed
with all our ransomed thoughts.

Stand up and bless the Lord;
the Lord your God adore;
stand up and bless his glorious Name;
henceforth forevermore.



PRAYER OF APPROACH AND THE LORD’S PRAYER

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS

‘Oh sing a new song to the Lord’

Hymn 728 Lord of life, we come to you

PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison)

Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. AMEN.

(Silent prayer and words of assurance)

PRELUDE TO THE READINGS

‘The Lord’s my Shepherd’ (Stuart Townend)

OLD TESTAMENT: Ecclesiastes 1&2 (selected verses)

Vanity of vanities, says the Teacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. What do people gain from all the toil at which they toil under the sun?

I, the Teacher, when king over Israel in Jerusalem, applied my mind to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven; it is an unhappy business that God has given to human beings to be busy with. I saw all the deeds that are done under the sun; and see, all is vanity and a chasing after wind.

I hated all my toil in which I had toiled under the sun, seeing that I must leave it to those who come after me – and who knows whether they will be wise or foolish? Yet they will be master of all for which I toiled and used my wisdom under the sun. This also is vanity. So I turned and gave my heart up to despair concerning all the toil of my labours under the sun, because sometimes one who has toiled with wisdom and knowledge and skill must leave all to be enjoyed by another who did not toil for it. This also is vanity and a great evil. What do mortals get from all the toil and strain with which they toil under the sun? For all their days are full of pain, and their work is a vexation; even at night their minds do not rest. This also is vanity.

EPISTLE: Colossians 3:1-4

So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.

GOSPEL LESSON: St Luke 12:13-21

Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.” But he said to him, “Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you?” And he said to them, “Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” Then he told them a parable: “The land of a rich man produced abundantly. And he thought to himself, ‘What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?’ Then he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God.”

Hymn 70 Give praise and thanks unto the Lord

SHORT ADDRESS

‘What might one keep in one’s barn?’

OFFERING

‘Tributary’ Played and composed by Jamie Potter

PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING AND INTERCESSION

Hymn 465 Be Thou my vision

THE NATIONAL ANTHEM

BENEDICTION

Happy Sunday!

Summer in London - 32

Here is a photo of the peaceful lake in the garden of Buckingham Palace. It is hard to believe that one is in the heart of London!



Large pieces of wood are stacked in piles in the Palace grounds. These piles provide habitats for a variety of flora and fauna, including beetles, spiders and fungi.

Tree stumps are not removed, but are left to rot away naturally, providing a perfect environment for insects to lay their eggs and hatch their larvae in. Dead trees are also left alone, with one such tree at the bottom of the Rose Garden currently providing a habitat for a family of Woodpeckers.

"The use of pesticides is kept to a minimum, and the aim is that eventually they will be phased out completely," says the Head Gardener.

"Whereas weed killer was once used on the paths of the Buckingham Palace grounds, now a weed burning machine is used instead. This breaks up the cells of living plants so that they explode through heat, meaning that there is no need for chemicals which could potentially be harmful to wildlife."

Recent surveys have shown that five damsel and seven dragonfly species live in or near the lake, and 42 species of birds have been seen in the garden. The highlights of the sightings were of Kingfisher, Woodcock, Chiffchaff and Redwing. Since 2009 the garden has supported four successful bee hives positioned on the island, surrounded in the summer by wildflowers.

Happy Feast!

Summer in London - 31

Here is the famous bridge on which The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh were often photographed with Prince Charles and Princess Anne when they were young children.



Sadly, the gate was padlocked - 'for health and safety reasons'. We really are becoming a nanny state!

Summer in London - 30

I was amazed at how many quiet walks were possible in the Palace grounds.



Why is it that so few people venture away from the centre of things, when we were clearly invited to visit the whole garden? Thousands of people baked on the main lawn in temperatures over 30 degrees Celsius, whilst I was able to wander along the cooler paths, hardly meeting a soul. I half expected to bump into The Queen exercising her corgis - though sadly didn't!

Summer in London - 29

Here we see part of the rose garden at Buckingham Palace. One of The Queen's favourite roses is The Queen Elizabeth Rose, named in honour of her Mother.



This remarkable variety has maintained its popularity for over 50 years. It bears large pointed medium pink blooms that have a high centre.They appear throughout the summer and autumn and are double, with 38 petals.

A vigorous plant that with light pruning, develops into an impressive shrub reaching around 8ft or even more.Every few years it can be cut down hard to rejuvinate it and produce nice new growth.It has large , dark green, leathery foliage, and is an ideal rose for the back of the border, a specimen rose, or a substantial and colourful hedge.

The late Queen Mother granted her permission for her name to be associated with this rose on condition that it should be named in full - 'The Queen Elizabeth Rose' Well worth a place in any garden but does now seem to need spraying to keep it spotless.

Summer in London - 28

I was privileged to meet this worker from Milborrow Chimney Sweeps.



Having been established for over 100 years, here at Milborrow Chimney Sweeps we take great pride in the high level of customer service that we provide.

From annual maintenance and chimney sweeping to stove installations and industrial boiler cleaning, our highly qualified team are always at hand to help, with regional offices based in Surrey, Sussex, London and Kent.

They have the Royal Warrant for cleaning chimneys at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle.

Summer in London - 27

This view from inside The House of Glass reflects the old potting shed at Windsor Castle.



The Queen has opening a farm shop to sell produce from her estates, including game killed at royal shoots. The Windsor Farm Shop is located in converted Victorian potting sheds and two purposebuilt new buildings not far from Windsor Castle.

Meat from royal farms, apples and apple juice from Sandringham, plants from the royal nurseries, and produce from the Royal Dairy will be on sale alongside products from small specialist suppliers in the Windsor area.

It is likely that game shot by members of the Royal Family at Windsor, Sandringham and Balmoral will be for sale.

Summer at Crathie - 1

As is our custom at this stage of summer, we now join The Queen and other members of The Royal Family for Divine Service at Crathie Parish Church on Royal Deeside.



CALL TO WORSHIP (Responsive)

Min: The Lord is risen!

All: He is risen indeed!

Min: This is the day that the Lord has made

All: We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Min: The Lord be with you.

All: And also with you

Hymn 39 God the Lord, the King Almighty

PRAYER OF APPROACH AND THE LORD’S PRAYER

Hymn 530 One more step along the world I go

PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison)

God of grace and truth, in Jesus Christ you came among us and called upon us to walk in your ways and so reflect your glory. We confess that we have not always listened to that call – condoning evil, greed, and prejudice, whilst walking away from neighbours in need. Set us fee from a past that we cannot change; open to us a future in which we can be changed, and grant us the grace to grow into the likeness and image of your Son, our Saviour – the One who is the Light of the world. Amen.

ORGAN PRELUDE

OLD TESTAMENT: Exodus 16:2-4, 9-15

In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.”

Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions”. Then Moses told Aaron, “Say to the entire Israelite community, ‘Come before the Lord, for he has heard your grumbling.’”

While Aaron was speaking to the whole Israelite community, they looked toward the desert, and there was the glory of the Lord appearing in the cloud.

The Lord said to Moses, “I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.’”

That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor. When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread the Lord has given you to eat.

GOSPEL LESSON: St Matthew 15: 21-28

Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.”

Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”

The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said. He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

“Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”

Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.

Hymn 167 Guide me, O thou great Redeemer



SERMON

Hymn 231 For the fruits of all creation

OFFERING

PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING AND INTERCESSION

THE NATIONAL ANTHEM

Hymn 615 Holy Spirit, ever living

BENEDICTION

Happy Sunday!

Summer in London - 26

Here is another photo from inside The House of Glass.



This room reflects a sitting room at Windsor Castle - you can see the view of Windsor Great Park through the window.

Windsor Farm Shop was exhibiting at The Coronation Festival. Windsor Farm Shop, on the edge of the Home Park, has been created by converting some Victorian potting sheds and constructing two new buildings, one for the Farm Shop and one for the Coffee Shop.

The Farm Shop sells a range of products from the Royal Farms and small local specialist suppliers including:

Beef, Pork, Lamb and Game in season from the Royal Estates and The Great Park.

A selection of hams and pies cooked on site.

Locally grown seasonal fruit and vegetables delivered daily.

Summer in London - 25

One of the more interesting displays at The Coronation Festival was The Glass House which reflected the changing aspects of interior design over the past 60 years.



Here we see a bedroom which is designed to reflect the theme of sustainable living. It was created by KLC School of Design. I could hardly imagine The Queen would wish to spend the night in such a room!

Summer in London - 24

Not all the vehicles at the Coronation Festival were grand! Here is the van used by RG Jones - who provided the PA system for the Festival.



RG Jones’ busy summer season continued with the Coronation Festival at Buckingham Palace. This followed the Glastonbury Festival, held a few weeks previously, with the simultaneous Henley Festival also placing further demands on their Martin Audio inventory.

Such congestion with very different environments was always going to be a challenge, but with careful planning and deployment, the Coronation Festival proved once again that RG Jones can rise to the occasion.

The audio specialists had been sub-contracted by main technical production company, Hawthorns — who were in turn introduced to the project by event organiser, Media 10. Both the Coronation Festival and exhibition were hosted by the Royal Warrant Holders Association in the Gardens of Buckingham Palace.

As Warrant holders, RG Jones participated in the exhibition (along with more than 200 others) while simultaneously providing sound reinforcement for the Gala concerts. Our stand exhibiting an original Morris J-type — the same as the one used by the original founder Ronald Geoffrey Jones back in the 1920’s.

"The event was spectacular" explained Managing Director Andrew Williamson "we had an overwhelming response to the van and people were fascinated to see how tecknology has moved on. We had an A-list team of engineers and I felt very proud to be there in both capacities".



Happy Feast!

Summer in London - 23

Of course, The Queen has more than one car!



This is the inside of the car which is used each week during the summer months to take The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh from their residence at Balmoral Castle to Divine Service at Crathie Parish Church.

It has been revealed to me that Her Majesty places on new (carefully folded) £10 note in the collection bag each Sunday she worships at Crathie Kirk.

This is the day the Lord hath made;
He calls the hours His own;
Let Heav’n rejoice, let earth be glad,
And praise surround the throne.

Today He rose and left the dead,
And Satan’s empire fell;
Today the saints His triumphs spread,
And all His wonders tell.

Hosanna to th’anointed King,
To David’s holy Son;
Help us, O Lord; descend and bring
Salvation from Thy throne.

Blest be the Lord, who comes to men
With messages of grace;
Who comes in God His Father’s Name,
To save our sinful race.

Hosanna in the highest strains
The Church on earth can raise;
The highest heav’ns, in which He reigns,
Shall give Him nobler praise.

Summer in London - 22

What a magnificent vehicle - and please note, it doesn't have a number plate! No chance of being booked for speeding in this limousine.



I asked the attendant whether there is a cocktail cabinet in the back of the vehicle. The answer is - yes!

One more step along the world I go,
one more step along the world I go;
from the old things to the new
keep me traveling along with you:
Refrain:
And it's from the old I travel to the new;
keep me traveling along with you.

Round the corner of the world I turn,
more and more about the world I learn;
all the new things that I see
you'll be looking at along with me: Refrain

As I travel through the bad and good,
keep me traveling the way I should;
where I see no way to go
you'll be telling me the way, I know: Refrain

Give me courage when the world is rough,
keep me loving though the world is tough;
leap and sing in all I do,
keep me traveling along with you: Refrain

You are older than the world can be,
you are younger than the life in me;
ever old and ever new,
keep me traveling along with you: Refrain

Summer in London - 21

I'm sure I've seen this car somewhere before!



Yes, this is the State Limousine. A definitive moment came in 2002 (The Queen's Golden Jubilee) when Bentley presented Her Majesty with this beautiful vehicle. A dedicated team of 30 designers and craftsmen worked on the vehicle, which is notable for its specially enlarged glasshouse that allows well-wishers every opportunity to see The Queen as she travels to and from an engagement. It also features a unique two-tone exterior paint scheme with the shades of claret and black being solely reserved for the State Limousine.

I was privileged to send Her Majesty loyal greetings from the members of The PRS Club at Latymer Upper School in London on the occasion of her Golden Jubilee. I received a lovely letter of thanks from the Lady in Waiting telling me how much The Queen had appreciated the photo we had sent her of our club members. Perhaps it is still on display inside the Palace.

Today, of course, is the Glorious Twelfth. HRH The Duke of Edinburgh is currently staying at Balmoral Castle. This will probably be the first time he has not been able to go on the shoot himself. Hopefully, grouse will still be served on the Royal Table this evening.

19th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Today we hear one of my favourite Gospel passages, 'There is no need to be afraid, little flock, for it has pleased your Father to give you the kingdom.'



Thine forever! God of love,
hear us from thy throne above;
thine forever may we be
here and in eternity.

Thine forever! O how blest
they who find in thee their rest!
Saviour, Guardian, heavenly Friend,
O defend us to the end.

Thine forever! Lord of life,
shield us through our earthly strife;
thou, the Life, the Truth, the Way,
guide us to the realms of day.

Thine forever! Saviour, keep
these thy frail and trembling sheep,
safe alone beneath thy care,
let us all thy goodness share.

Thine forever! Thou our Guide,
all our wants by thee supplied,
all our sins by thee forgiven,
lead us, Lord, from earth to heaven.



Happy Sunday! For the next few Sundays we shall be joining the congregation at Crathie Parish Church for Divine Service.

Summer in London - 20

Not surprisingly, the Coronation Festival had a strong gardening theme.



One of the firms displaying was Suttons Seeds. They were horrified when I told them that I use Thompson & Morgan Seeds and said, 'surely Her Majesty knows what's best!' They were obviously keen to get my custom as they gave me a complimentary commemorative apron. We shall have to see!

They obviously took my details, as their Autumn Catalogue arrived in the post on Thursday morning.

Summer in London - 19

This is the scene once the gates of the garden were opened to the general ticket holders - I was so pleased to have been granted privileged access at the start of the day.



Quite a few people asked me for information concerning The Pilgrims Table, and some were surprised when I told them it was located in Inverness. Still. I took all enquiries seriously.

The Queen and Prince Philip are now staying at Balmoral Castle for two months, and should they fancy a day trip to Inverness, The Pilgrims Table would be an ideal venue for a spot of lunch. Her Majesty may be interested to know that we serve her favourite dish (Coronation Chicken) on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Summer in London - 18

Here we see the stand for Moet & Chandon Champagne. It took two visits to this stand to properly assess their produce! Judging from the samples they gave me, I don't think they appreciated that we do not have a license to sell alcohol at The Pilgrims Table.



Moët has been associated with the sparkle of success and glamour ever since the House was founded in 1743 by Claude Moët. These are the values that we share and the values that inspired the founder’s grandson Jean-Remy Moët to share our champagne with the world. A man with a true spirit of achievement and leadership, it is to him we owe our reputation as the world’s most loved champagne.

Summer in London - 17

Here is a close up of the Donald Russell stand.



Donald Russell traces its roots to Scottish farmer William Donald and master butcher John Stone, who traded under the name Russell Meats. The butcher and wholesaler was established in 1974, supplying upmarket restaurants and hotels, including Kensington Place, Simpson's-in-the-Strand and The Grand Hotel in Monte Carlo. Since then it has grown rapidly, expanding into online mail order under the name Donald Russell Direct.

How do you cook the perfect steak? Let Donald Russell show you how!



Enjoy!

Summer in London - 16

I cannot think why Bishop Mark came to mind when I visited this stall!



A monastic type of cheese which owes its origin to the Cistercian order of monks who once farmed the pastures of Hunts Court Farm whence it was launched in 1994. As with many monastic cheeses, this variety is matured in humid cave-like conditions. The rind is washed in perry because the 100 or so varieties of perry pear known nationally are peculiar to this part of Gloucestershire and its border areas. One of these varieties is ‘Stinking Bishop’, a name which seems appropriate for this cheese. The Stinking Bishop pear was in turn named after a local mid 19th Century farmer called Frederick Bishop. He earned himself the nick-name 'Stinking Bishop' because of his riotous behaviour. He once took a cow to market and determined to drink the proceeds before he went home - he did, and then when the kettle was too slow to boil he shot it!

In the background you can see the stall run by Donald Russell - butchers to HM The Queen.

Happy Feast!

Summer in London - 15

The Champagne and Seafood Bar was located in a very pleasant part of the garden.



The prices ensured a certain exclusiveness to the area - this did not prevent me from going and having a nosey look. I decided not to make a purchase!

18th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Today we hear about the rich man who built himself a very big barn. He stored up treasure for himself in place of making himself rich in the sight of God.



Glorious things of thee are spoken,
Zion, city of our God;
he whose word cannot be broken
formed thee for his own abode;
on the Rock of Ages founded,
what can shake thy sure repose?
With salvation's walls surrounded,
thou may'st smile at all thy foes.

See! the streams of living waters,
spring form eternal love,
well supply thy sons and daughters
and all fear of want remove.
Who can faint, when such a river
ever flows their thirst to assuage?
Grace which, like the Lord, the Giver,
never fails from age to age.

Saviour, if of Zion's city,
I through grace a member am,
let the world deride or pity,
I will glory in thy Name.
Fading is the worldling's pleasure,
all his boasted pomp and show;
solid joys and lasting treasure
none but Zion's children know.



Happy Sunday!

Summer in London - 14

Sadly, my attempts to get invited into the Corporate Hospitality area did not work!



The organiser of the Coronation Festival was privately owned company Media 10. They had a list of who was entitled to receive Corporate Hospitality - and The Pilgrims Table was not on the list!

Summer in London - 13

Now this is the sort of display that I like - fine wines!



I had a most wonderful time making myself known to the trade stalls before all the general public arrived. They were very generous with their free samples!

Summer in London - 12

One advantage of being at the Palace early was being able to spot a suitable place to eat lunch.



This humble table would be an ideal place for me to sit down and eat my fish and chips.