Field of Blue 12

We made our annual visit to the Bluebells in Norsey woods a couple of weeks back (16 May).  It was disappointing this year.  That's because the bluebells were earlier than usual and we were not.  As you can see it is more green than blue.  A few days later I was at Reader training.  The day was called practical prayer, and very good it was too.  I decided to wander in the grounds to see if I could get a sense of the creator from the creation.  So many people say that they can see there is a God just from creation, but it has never been something that I can say.  We were at St Marks college.  I wandered off and came across this field:

They are forget-me-nots and provide the best field of blue I have seen this year.

Trinity United FC 4 - 2 Southray FC II

The Sceptre Sunday Football League held their cup final, for The Hollywood Cup (Division 3) on Tuesday evening at Great Wakering Rovers Football Club.  The Kick-off was 7:45pm.  We arrived with about 10 minutes to spare after picking up Jo's mum, Karen and Robert.  Andy's girlfriend and her parents were also there, it was the first time we'd met them. Both Andy and Mike play in for this club, and I understand that they had been nervously anticipating the game for at least a week.
Trinity started well, a goal on five minutes, and by 25 minutes they were two goals up (Dan Quilter, Matthew Hatt).  Shortly after Andy made it 3, but the goal was dis-allowed because he was offside.  Didn't look it to me, or to Andy, I found out later.  Just before half time Southray scored.  That's bad timing from our point of view, but Trinity were still in the lead when the half time whistle blew.  Southray had started to dominate the game towards the end of the first half and continued to apply pressure for most, if not all of the second half. After Mike was substituted at about 60 minutes the Trinity attack looked as if it would fail to penetrate the opposition half.  Just the occasional ineffective break, then back to soaking up pressure.  Southray's second goal was no surprise.  The fact that they didn't make it three was.  2-2 at the final whistle.  Now 15 more minutes each way, the first period began almost immediately.  Back in their original half Trinity looked more positive and were playing much better. The first period of extra time was goalless.  Many player were now suffering from cramp, they all looked tired. After the turn around Trinity put in their third goal - Matthew Hatt again, and five minutes later Dan added the fourth.
These two teams have been close all season, and gave us an entertaining final.  Congratulations to Trinity on a superb season (they won the league as well).

Game statistics can be found here.

Google two phase authentication

It sounds like such a good idea.  When you log on to a new device they send you a text with a verification code.  Great!  It makes sure that only the person with the mobile can get into your google account.

One thing I didn't understand - How do I get rid of the cookie on a public PC.  I didn't see a question on the login page!

Unfortunately the downsides out way the security advantage.

Minor downside.
I'm in the habit of clearing the browser store - cache, cookies, etc., so that means I get a text.  On the screen it says enter the verification code ending in 20.  None of the six digits in the text message are either 2 or 0.  The code worked, or I wouldn't be blogging now!

Major downside.
For applications that don't have cookies - in my case thunderbird - there are application passwords "that you should only have to enter once".  I keep my passwords in my brain.  I do not let applications remember them.  That I consider the safer option.  I cannot remember 16 random characters, I would have to write it down - defeating the whole point of passwords in the first place.

Password security.
It is each applications responsibility to make the password that a user chooses safe.  Strong passwords are a con.  A password cracker that simple tries letters until it gets logged on will still get there and quickly even with a 16 character password.  Password crackers can be delayed.  The application simply waits 1 second before telling the user their password is wrong.  2 seconds next time, 4 after that - and so on.  The user will hardly notice the delay for a simple miss-key.  The password cracker can now only try 6 passwords in the first minute.

The Road to Maturity

This is my first attempt at putting together a piece for the Christ Church video notices.  The web cam does not work that well when loaded to youtube.  It's fine on my PC.  The next version will be produced with a camera, and I'll see what I can do with that.  Then I'll have to get into editing - that was all one take (take 5 to be exact!).  Because of problems with the webcam I missed the deadline for last week, still here's the slide that goes with the video:

If you're around Billericay and would like to join us, then let me know.  I'll happily take members of other churches as well as my own.

I'm looking forward to this course, I'm hoping that it will help us to build on the results of the weekend away. That weekend God assured of of His love for us.  I'm hoping that's because He wants to move us on.  If that's true, this course could be the vehicle.

St Pauls

The last time I was inside St Paul's cathedral I was less than 11 years old. I don't remember much of it, most of my memories are 'filled in' from TV programs. So when we were offered the chance to go to the ordination and consecration of our new bishop the Venerable John Wraw, it seemed like an excellent idea. It so happens that the service was also on St Paul's patronal festival. Even with the Occupy London tents the area around St Paul's is impressive from the outside.

(Picture from http://static-imgs-acf.hereisthecity.com/20110721//56/occupy_london_tents_by_st_pauls_8747.jpg) 
Even more so from inside.  I tried to compare it to Canterbury - much more ornate and larger I think, but my memory could be playing tricks.

We entered by the west door, - a side one, not the huge centre one - that was opened for the bishops to leave by and let all the heat out of the cathedral in an instant.  Chelmsford on the left, Winchester on the right - we took our seats about 10:20, with plenty of time to spare.  We had collected a service book from a wand bearer and I do mean book - it has 38 pages.  
The service started roughly on time.  The sound of the clock chimes reminding us that it was 11:00 am, just as they would later in the service (for noon, not 11am again!).  The sung Eucharist is an amazing service mainly because of the sound of 1000+ people singing.  The service book has helpful extracts of the music to help us all sing along.  Well those who can sing.  Stephen Cottrell preach a very entertaining sermon, like a wedding sermon, it was mainly addressed to the new bishops.  From where we were sitting he appeared about 0.5 inches high, and his voice came somewhere from the left.  Quite disconcerting for a while.
Then came the Eucharist.  Chaos very nearly reigned.  Are people distracted, unthinking, or simply uncaring?  Why can they not simply follow the person in front who has been directed back to their seat the correct way.  Then St Paul's would not have a traffic problem!
After the service some of us met in a Pizza Express for lunch.  Rather expensive, but very nice.
Then it was back on the train home.  A very enjoyable day.

Christmas 2011

Christmas 2011

The Christmas break for me ran from 21 December to 3 January. It's been a good relaxing time for the most part, but there has been some work involved and an unpleasant visit to the dentist. The only downside has been a robbery that meant that some of the family did not receive the Christmas presents they would have. Well, that and the dentist.  The dentist is always an experience I hate.  I have been 3 times in the last few weeks and have to have an extraction on 3 Jan.  It could be worse of course, I could be in pain with no access to a dentist!

This year I was not involved in leading or preaching at Christmas, which meant that I could choose the services I attended.  My only duty was to lead intercessions at the mid-night service. So I was at the last Christingle service on Christmas eve, the midnight communion service and the Christmas Day service.  Christingle was still well supported even though Christmas eve fell on a Saturday.  I had expected the numbers to be down but that was not the case.  Indeed the attendances have been good through the whole period.

Karen and Robert were waiting for us in the church car park on Christmas Day and we spent the rest of the day with them.  Present opening was super fast this year as Andy took change and 'speed delivered' the presents from the tree to the recipient.  I'll let you imagine what speed delivered means.  The there was a family dog walk in the increasing gloom in the later afternoon.

On Boxing Day (St Stephens Day) we went to visit my nephew for the evening meal.  His wife had cooked for all of us and his family.  Once my children and my sisters children get together you can be sure of a loud evening with plenty of banter and probably quite a bit of "Sing Star" - competitive karaoke.  We were not disappointed.

The next three days operated on the more classic 'Pete Time', getting up late and going to bed late.  The routine became sleep, eat, walk the dog, repeat.  Except for building the new computers at church.  These must be usable by 3 Jan when the office opens for business.  For the first time ever we have purchased new equipment - two identical machines and a more sophisticated storage and backup system.  The basics are ready but there is much more to do before our vision is complete.

Today I led a spoken only service which I was expecting would not be well attended - I was wrong again.  While not at the levels of a normal Sunday there was a respectable number in the congregation.  There were also some old friends, who we increasingly only see once a year.  refreshments were no available but I invited the congregation to stay and chat.  The 45 minute service was followed by about 45 minutes of chat.  Really good to see that we don't need refreshments for this to happen.

P.S. How do I get my google+ photo's on my blog?  With picasa it's easy, a link is provided, but with google+ I haven't a clue!

Carol Service and other Christmas preparations

On Tuesday 13th December I led and preached at the Carol Service, but that was NOT the high light of the service.  That honour falls to the Wickford Salvation Army Band.  They were our guests and did a superb job of leading the music - and following the words that appeared on the screen.  The subject was "Christmas starts with Christ", to pick up the theme of the National Advertising campaign. Here's my sermon. Following the service an old memory returned - the song "Banner Man", which as I r4membered it was about a Salvation Army marching band.  Who was it by? There was much discussion but it took a long time to come to me.  While I was walking the dog it came to me "Blue Mink".  So Christmas has started, and the preparations are now at an advanced stage.   My shopping is done - most of it anyway and work is finished.  It is odd being ready for Christmas before 6pm on Christmas Eve - I must have forgotten something - lots of things.

This will be the last Christmas we have together as a family, if everyone's plans work out, so it's more important than usual to enjoy it.

Kingfisher

Tuesday we went to Aberystwyth. The beach has dark grey sand and varying size stones. We were kicking the ball for Brody. He chased it everywhere and enjoyed the water, but eventually lost it in the spray of the tide. We watched it being taken away by the rip of the tide, until finally we lost sight of it altogether. Then on to Llanrhystud for ice cream and a walk along the path back to Aberystwyth. The path is far from dog friendly and we had to help Brody over a stile. He completely ignored the sheep in the field.

Wednesday morning was awful weatherwise. It was also the first attempt at getting Brody to run along by my bicycle. He likes to hold the lead as he runs, but that makes the direction he runs in inconsistent - and therefore potentially dangerous. Riding down the hill I was caught in a gust of wind in the rain - just like having a bucket of cold water thrown at you. When he came back he was very tired, so was I. In the afternoon we left Brody in the cottage and headed for RSPB Ynys-hyr. There was a noticeable lack of birds. Nothing at all - not one from the first hide. In the second hide there was very little. Just a flash of blue across the eye line. It landed on a spindly tree and turned around, showing a bright flash of orange. A Kingfisher! I had to check the board in the hide, just to be sure I wasn't imagining it. There it was on the board, and also still on the tree - right at the limit of the binoculars, I watched go from tree to water. in and out, three times. It was too far away to see if it had caught something. What a treat - I've waited fifty odd years to see one. RSPB Ynys-hyr is a disappointment from a sign posting point of view. We could not find the short path back, and had to go back past the hides we'd already visited. In the evening we went into Caersws for Fish and Chips - very nice. We ate it sitting on the seat across the road from the shop and opposite the pub - which just proves the weather isn't that bad really.

Thursday started with another dog cycle, then we went into Newtown for food and petrol. The consumption is high here because you are always slowing down for a lower speed limit or a tight bend - I rarely use the brakes as often or for as long. After shopping we walked along the Severn to the Pwll Penarth Nature reserve, past the disused canal. It's a pleasant walk. Almost level, mostly between fences, quiet and peaceful. It's supposed to be a cycle path but we only saw one cyclist. The round trip distance was 5.34 miles. Then we drove to Llanfair Caereinion to see if the trains were running (they're not, weekends only) and exercise the dog. Then back to the cottage for our £10 meal deal from Tesco - delicious.

Blaenglanhanog

So, the final holiday of 2011 is underway.  We are staying in perhaps the most luxurious cottage of the year Blaenglanhanog.

From 2011_10 Blaenglanhanog

This cottage sleeps 6 easily.  This is large in the way that Thatched Farm was small.  Wales in October is wet.  Wednesday is the wettest.  We expected rain before we came and it is not a problem in itself, but being in the hills and well away from settlements - even the village is over a mile away - I was hoping to get to see the Milky Way.  No chance so far.  Tomorrow might be a good chance - we'll see.  What is really good about holidaying this time of year is that dawn occurs at the right time to wake up.  We do not set an alarm clock and when we wake up in the night it is dark - properly dark - can't see your hands dark.  So when there is light it is obviously time to get up.

On Sunday we visited Grandma's Garden.  It's in the grounds of a hotel.  I walked into reception to get the tickets.
"Hello" said a guy dressed like a head Chef, minus the hat.
"Hello, we've come to visit the garden"
"Brave!" he replied, followed by a long warning about how slippery it is - which we soon found was true.  Slipping and sliding around the grounds with an inquisitive dog was not to be recommended.  The Jo slipped over and dropped her camera through a nettle patch.  I managed to retrieve it, but it had hit the decking on the way down.  The lens was pointing the wrong way.  Despite this it has to be said that the garden was probably not worth the visit.  Its a nice idea, but it is falling apart. m Perhaps Grandma is getting too old to maintain it properly.
Later we visited Borth to allow Brody to run on the beach.  There is a lot of work going on, but not on a Sunday evening.  It had a run-down feel.  Brody enjoyed the beach and we enjoyed the walk.

On Monday we visited Llanbrynmair and walked up to the mobile phone mast on the Glyndwrs way.  I went on a little further, on the way back we watched the sheep being moved to a new field. It took about 2 hours. After lunch we went into Machynlleth to buy a ball thrower for Brody. The we played in the grounds of the Plas – he broke the first ball immediately. We had a spare in the car. Jo bought some more.
We moved on to Dolgoch falls and finally on to Tywyn beach

Public Worship with Communion by Extension

It's been a long time since I've led communion by extension.  Since the last time the service has been revised and the Readers, including me, trained.  So it was out with the robes (a pleasant surprise for some) and the new service sheet to see how things would work out.
I had spent a considerable amount of time during the week working on getting the liturgy onto the PC only to discover that the powerpoint approach does not work on the church Laptop - slightly annoying, but we had the service sheets so it wasn't a disaster.  PWCE is supposed to NOT look and feel like a Holy Communion service.  Some of the changes that have been made to achieve that made the transition into the communion liturgy seem clunky and I will have to take another long careful look at what we do and how we do it, if I have the opportunity to lead this service again.  I explained at the start that it was a new service, so hopefully I didn't put people off too much.
The service was 1 hour and 45 minutes.  This is long by our standards, we are normally finished in 1.5 hours.
Most of the feedback I received at the end related to the robes, and some to the length of the service.  What I really wanted to hear about was the service - what worked well, what didn't, what people found difficult.  So if you were at Christ Church this morning please comment.