Behind the the times

Mary and I went to Ipswich last night to see Jethro Tull in concert. This is the fourth time I have seen them live, and I did notice that members of the audience seemed a little older than the last time I saw them in 1978! They are outstanding musicians - Martin Barre is THE guitarist's guitarist - and the inclusion of a young American violinist, Lucia Micarelli, brought another dimension to the concert. I have never understood why Jethro Tull are so much less popular here than they are in many parts of the world.

The weather, like my musical taste, is still very much behind the times (roughly six weeks, we are told). Today I saw the first sign that maybe the daffodils in our garden will not wait too much longer to come into flower.

Pew Corner

I wrote in Sprowston News that we had some surplus pews and there has been quite a bit of interest in them. Yesterday a family took two (and have rung to say they would like another) and today another family took two more. The pews were, I think, originally from Beeston St Andrew Church but were put into a garage at the Vicarage. We had a big clear out nearly three years ago and moved them into the carriage room end of our stable block. So as well as being pleased to see the pews going to good homes, it will be nice to have a bit more storage space.
Eleanor got the result of two A2 maths module results today both of them were 79%, which was one mark short of an A - she is very pleased not least because it will ease the pressure of the Maths exams in the Summer. We went out to lunch to the Green Man at Rackheath. It is a nice pub, but sadly the vegetarian choice was very limited.
On Thursday evenings I go to a Tai Chi class. After nine months of doing it, I notice a difference both in my general fitness and in the strength in my legs. I enjoy the class with good humoured instructors and participants.
I don't get to use my knowledge of Latin very often, but the competition on B3ta.com is to show how the Romans would have used the Internet (!). It reminded me of this bit of cod Latin:



*hint* think about putting a rope through the hole

Clear and bright

It has been a remarkably cold week - the snow that fell on Tuesday still hasn't completely melted. The sun has been shining in recent days and skies are very clear and a rich blue. The first crocuses are appearing. It is truly bright and beautiful but VERY COLD






"Clear skies over Norfolk"

Thank you for the NHS

I have an unusual medical condition (Multifocal Motor Neuropathy) which means a day in hospital once a month for treatment (with intravenous immunoglobulin, which is an infusion of white blood cells). The Norfolk & Norwich Hospital let me come in regulalry on the first Friday of each month. I have eight bottles on a drip and I am allowed to change them myself, which means I just have to find a way to pass the time for about seven hours.

I always intend to use the time productively. I have written parts of a sermon or my contribution to Sprowton News. I also try to catch up on reading. It is not always easy to concentrate. However, today I did read "Faith in Suburbia" by Malcolm Brown. It is an area about which very little has (yet) been written, but understanding the contemporary culture of suburbia is going to be very important for the future of a mission-shaped church.

This Sunday's Gospel:

He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him
Mark 1.13