Farewell to Latymer - 1

I shall be retiring from Latymer Upper School on 31 August this year - but as the term finishes this Friday (4 July) it seems fitting to have a few posts this week to say 'good-bye'. This photo shows the Prep School - Rivercourt House and Latymer House. I have much enjoyed teaching Religious Studies to the boys and girls aged 7-11 years.



Although the pupils in the Prep no doubt think I look at least 65, I am in fact only 55 years old, so this represents early retirement. I have taught for 33 years - 18 of these at Latymer. It may come as no surprise to readers of this blog that I am off to the Highlands of Scotland. I hope to move to a new house in Culloden, just outside Inverness in November. I hope to do more church work - but that of course will be up to the Bishop of Aberdeen.

However, one thing is sure - this blog will continue, but with a new name - 'Hills of the North, Rejoice!', (though I'll stick with the present name for the time being).

Sts Peter & Paul

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul.



With golden splendour, and with roseate hues of morn,
O gracious Saviour, Light of light, this day adorn,
Which brings to ransomed sinners hopes of that far home
Where saints and angels sing the praise of martyrdom.

Lo, the Keybearer, lo, the Teacher of mankind,
Lights of the world and judges sent to loose and bind,
Alike triumphant or by cross or sword-stroke found,
In life's high Senate stand with victor's laurel crowned.

Good Shepherd, Peter, unto whom the charge was given
To close or open ways of pilgrimage to heaven,
In sin's hard bondage held may we have grace to know
The full remission thou wast granted to bestow.

O noble Teacher, Paul, we trust to learn of thee
Both earthly converse and the flight of ecstasy;
Till from the fading truths that now we know in part
We pass to fulness of delight of mind and heart.

Twin olive brances, pouring oil of gladness forth,
Your prayers shall aid us, that for all our little worth,
Believing, hoping, loving, we for whom ye plead,
This body dying, may attain to life indeed.

Now to the glorious Trinity be duly paid
Worship and honour, praise and service unafraid,
Who in unending Unity, one Lord sublime,
Hath ever lived as now and to unending time. Amen.

What splendid words - what food for meditation. They don't write hymns like that today.

Happy Feast!

Plockton - 11

Here we have two final images of Plockton.

Plockton - 10

Here we have another colourful image from Plockton.



Having got away with yesterday's link, I'm being a little more daring today, and giving you a link to the Talisker Distillery on the Isle of Skye. Again, you can sample some of the produce at the Plockton Hotel.

As the Holy Father is known to favour Fanta Orange as his favourite tipple, I'll try and provide a link to Irn-Bru one of these days. I have to confess, I didn't bother to ask whether they stock it at the Plockton Hotel!

Plockton - 9

Here we have a lovely arch of blossom leading into one of the houses in Plockton.



I am using this highly respectable image as a foil to a link to the Isle of Skye Brewing Company for those who want more details of some of the ales served at the Plockton Hotel. Hopefully, the Vatican authorities will assume it is a link to some plant nursery!

Plockton - 8

Yesterday evening, after having been deacon at the Solemn Mass at Westminster Cathedral, I went with two of the altar servers to the Cardinal Pub for a pint to continue our celebrations of the Birthday of John the Baptist (not that the good saint would approve!). One of the servers (who is a regular visitor to this blog) said he must pay a visit to Plockton sometime - so I have provided a link to the Plockton Hotel for the benefit of any reader who would either like to have a meal there - or perhaps stay the night. The food is excellent, and the accommodation looks very good.

I shall expect a meal on the house the next time I go there for lunch!



The village is really unique. If you look closely at today's photo you will see a palm tree! Yes, the village benefits from the gulf stream - which explains the beautiful flowers which bloom in many of the gardens. The BBC chose the village as the setting for their popular TV series entitled 'Hamish Macbeth'.

Plockton - 7

Here are some lovely lupin blooms at Plockton Secondary School. I am convinced that flowers like these help to create a more relaxed and happy atmosphere in a place of work. We could do with some lupins in the garden at Latymer Upper School. Our present colourless gardens are the work of a so called 'gardening expert'. No comment!