G’day!! How wonderful it was to see everywhere looking lush and green on our return, a far cry from brown lawns etc we had left behind in July. Right back into village life the following day as the flower ladies transformed the church with beautiful autumnal colours for Harvest service on 28th September, led by Marilyn. An excellent service, there was no choir so we were able to sit with the congregation which was great. Belinda also gave a very interesting talk of Farming Life through the four seasons.
The flower ladies were back at church on Thursday 2nd October to arrange and add flowers for the following day, Hannah & Stefan’s wedding. How very stunning everywhere looked, almost as beautiful as the bride! Even the weather behaved itself at the correct times, wonderful.
What a joyous and exceptional afternoon we were all treated to on Sunday 5th. ‘Twelve Hours’ written by Phil Howe, with ‘Jane’ brilliantly acted by Shona. The gestures and dialogue portrayed, made it a very realistic, compelling and sometimes very funny monologue. Charlie popped out from behind the screen every now and again, each time with a different wig on! depicting individual characters as ‘Jane’ was talking about them. Phil Howe was in the audience and commented afterwards “Well, I’ve never seen it done like that before” He loved it. Paul and Michael played a few favourites of ‘Janes’ on the Harpsichord, absolutely superb. We were all treated to tea and delicious cakes in the village hall afterwards, thank you Sally and Rachel
Book group met on Friday 10th at Barbara’s, thank you very much for hosting and to Karen & Jan for delicious cakes. After much catching up, it was suggested we got down to discuss the book! ‘Go Set a Watchman’ by Harper Lee. It tackles the racial tensions brewing in the South USA in the 1950s and delves into the complex relationship between father & daughter. It includes treatments of many of the characters who appear in the classic ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ A score of 5 overall was given.
Sunday 12th at 6.00pm, the United Benefice choir joined Deane at All Saints’ for their Harvest service. A very jovial service taken by Rev. James, with wine and canapes after, enabling everyone to stay and have a good catch up. Thank you very much ladies.
Singing is in full force every Tuesday evening in the village hall and next week, 21st. The November dates are Tuesday 4th & 18th, everyone very welcome. Marilyn has chosen some great songs, accompanied by Paul, the odd Christmas one maybe introduced from now on…
We have the Christmas Market to look forward to on Saturday 29th in the village hall 10am-12.00. Lots of goodies to buy, some edible, always a jolly festive morning, great raffle which nearly always consists of two hampers if not more. Still cloudy and damp outside, getting better as the week goes on, I hope. Always amazing to think we were at the start of Springtime in Australia when we left. Constant blue skies, temperatures rising. We were blessed with amazing weather, incredible sightings of whales and other wild life, a trip of a lifetime. We saw no snakes or spiders, until we got home and two very large spiders made their way across the carpet!! I hasten to say they were caught and placed outside. I’m off now to put my dried fruit in brandy to soak in readiness for making my Christmas cake. The fire will be lit tonight, I think.