Here we see a splendid stag - a creature very much associated with the Hills of the North. I don't suppose this poor creature rejoiced at being shot and stuffed.
Universalis
Wednesday, 14 July 2010
Balmoral Castle - 15
There is plenty of wild life in the extensive grounds of Balmoral Castle - and in the stables there is an educational display of some stuffed animals and birds for the public to visit.
Here we see a splendid stag - a creature very much associated with the Hills of the North. I don't suppose this poor creature rejoiced at being shot and stuffed.
Here we see a splendid stag - a creature very much associated with the Hills of the North. I don't suppose this poor creature rejoiced at being shot and stuffed.
Tuesday, 13 July 2010
Balmoral Castle - 14
As Her Majesty returns to the Castle following a walk in the gardens she will pass this splendid hen.
All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.
Each little flower that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colours,
He made their tiny wings.
Refrain
The rich man in his castle,
The poor man at his gate,
He made them, high or lowly,
And ordered their estate.
Refrain
The purple headed mountains,
The river running by,
The sunset and the morning
That brightens up the sky.
Refrain
The cold wind in the winter,
The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden,
He made them every one.
Refrain
The tall trees in the greenwood,
The meadows where we play,
The rushes by the water,
To gather every day.
Refrain
He gave us eyes to see them,
And lips that we might tell
How great is God Almighty,
Who has made all things well.
Refrain
Cecil Francis Alexander (1818-1895)
Perhaps at Crathie Kirk they sing 'The rich Queen in her castle..' Only joking!
No! How foolish of me! Given the recent cuts in Public Spending the second verse should run:
The poor Queen in her castle,
The rich man at her gate.
He's paid his £6.80
To visit her estate!
Birreta tip to Fr Mildew for this hilarious idea.
All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.
Each little flower that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colours,
He made their tiny wings.
Refrain
The rich man in his castle,
The poor man at his gate,
He made them, high or lowly,
And ordered their estate.
Refrain
The purple headed mountains,
The river running by,
The sunset and the morning
That brightens up the sky.
Refrain
The cold wind in the winter,
The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden,
He made them every one.
Refrain
The tall trees in the greenwood,
The meadows where we play,
The rushes by the water,
To gather every day.
Refrain
He gave us eyes to see them,
And lips that we might tell
How great is God Almighty,
Who has made all things well.
Refrain
Cecil Francis Alexander (1818-1895)
Perhaps at Crathie Kirk they sing 'The rich Queen in her castle..' Only joking!
No! How foolish of me! Given the recent cuts in Public Spending the second verse should run:
The poor Queen in her castle,
The rich man at her gate.
He's paid his £6.80
To visit her estate!
Birreta tip to Fr Mildew for this hilarious idea.
Monday, 12 July 2010
12th July
Today, Orangemen throughout the world will be celebrating the 320th Anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne.
As well as the pageantry, there is also a deeply spiritual side to the Order as shown in the following video - which shows an Orange Order Service in St Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh. This video was made in the Tercentenary Year (1990), less than 2 months before I left Northern Ireland to return to England. I was received into Full Communion with the Catholic Church on 28 September 1991. For the past two years I have been living in the Scottish Highlands.
It is worth recalling that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II visited this very Cathedral on the Thursday in Holy Week 2009, in order to distribute The Royal Maundy. Here we see her and the Duke of Edinburgh pictured with the Most Rev Alan Harper, Archbishop of Armagh. Alan was my Rector in Belfast between 1986 and 1990.
O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
our shelter from the stormy blast,
and our eternal home:
Under the shadow of thy throne,
thy saints have dwelt secure;
sufficient is thine arm alone,
and our defense is sure.
Before the hills in order stood,
or earth received her frame,
from everlasting thou art God,
to endless years the same.
A thousand ages in thy sight
are like an evening gone;
short as the watch that ends the night
before the rising sun.
Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
bears all its sons away;
they fly, forgotten, as a dream
dies at the opening day.
O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
be thou our guide while troubles last,
and our eternal home!
Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
I send loyal greetings to all my Protestant friends in Northern Ireland on this special day.
As well as the pageantry, there is also a deeply spiritual side to the Order as shown in the following video - which shows an Orange Order Service in St Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh. This video was made in the Tercentenary Year (1990), less than 2 months before I left Northern Ireland to return to England. I was received into Full Communion with the Catholic Church on 28 September 1991. For the past two years I have been living in the Scottish Highlands.
It is worth recalling that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II visited this very Cathedral on the Thursday in Holy Week 2009, in order to distribute The Royal Maundy. Here we see her and the Duke of Edinburgh pictured with the Most Rev Alan Harper, Archbishop of Armagh. Alan was my Rector in Belfast between 1986 and 1990.
O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
our shelter from the stormy blast,
and our eternal home:
Under the shadow of thy throne,
thy saints have dwelt secure;
sufficient is thine arm alone,
and our defense is sure.
Before the hills in order stood,
or earth received her frame,
from everlasting thou art God,
to endless years the same.
A thousand ages in thy sight
are like an evening gone;
short as the watch that ends the night
before the rising sun.
Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
bears all its sons away;
they fly, forgotten, as a dream
dies at the opening day.
O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
be thou our guide while troubles last,
and our eternal home!
Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
I send loyal greetings to all my Protestant friends in Northern Ireland on this special day.
Sunday, 11 July 2010
15th Sunday of Ordinary Time
In todays Gospel we hear Jesus tell us the Parable of the Good Samaritan.
Would you walk by on the other side,
when someone called for aid?
Would you walk by on the other side,
and would you be afraid?
Cross over the road my friend,
ask the Lord his strength to lend,
his compassion has no end,
cross over the road!
Would you walk by on the other side,
when you saw a loved one stray?
would you walk by on the other side,
or would you watch and pray?
Cross over the road my friend,
ask the Lord his strength to lend,
his compassion has no end,
cross over the road!
Would you walk by on the other side,
when starving children cried?
Would you walk by on the other side,
and would you not provide?
Cross over the road my friend,
ask the Lord his strength to lend,
his compassion has no end,
cross over the road!
Pamela Verrall
Happy Sunday!
Would you walk by on the other side,
when someone called for aid?
Would you walk by on the other side,
and would you be afraid?
Cross over the road my friend,
ask the Lord his strength to lend,
his compassion has no end,
cross over the road!
Would you walk by on the other side,
when you saw a loved one stray?
would you walk by on the other side,
or would you watch and pray?
Cross over the road my friend,
ask the Lord his strength to lend,
his compassion has no end,
cross over the road!
Would you walk by on the other side,
when starving children cried?
Would you walk by on the other side,
and would you not provide?
Cross over the road my friend,
ask the Lord his strength to lend,
his compassion has no end,
cross over the road!
Pamela Verrall
Happy Sunday!
Saturday, 10 July 2010
Balmoral Castle - 13
Although the garden lacked colour at the end of May this year, it will be a riot of colour when The Queen is in residence throughout August and September.
The following song should help identify some of them - sorry it is not a Scottish Country Garden!
Friday, 9 July 2010
Balmoral Castle - 12
Not all the pot plants are destined for rooms in the Castle. These plants will remain in the greenhouses, but are sure to get appreciated by Her Majesty on her daily walk (weather permitting) though the Castle Gardens.
Thursday, 8 July 2010
Balmoral Castle - 11
The gardeners are also busy inside the greenhouses growing on potted plants. These plants will adorn the rooms inside the Castle when Her Majesty is in residence (later in the summer). They look very healthy!
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