Thursday, December 10, 2015
CHRISTMASS LETTER 2015
I retired (again) in January & I continued to be a member of St Margaret’s and to live in my little old flat, helping out whenever and wherever I was asked, mainly at the Cathedral & at St Margaret’s.
None of my vague plans for travel during 2015 worked out and I spent the whole year in Bloemfontein. I had hoped to be in Cape Town in January but Michael was in ICU for 6 weeks & I didn’t want to leave him. He’s OK now, but it was a near thing. I have no definite plans for 2016 but must get away from the Free State to somewhere warmer in the Winter. I nearly froze to death this last Winter.
As a complete contrast, when Winter suddenly ended, without any intervening Spring, Summer turned out to be the hottest & driest ever. The drought and heatwave is affecting most of the country. The farmers here in the Free State have not been able to plant anything, and cattle are dying, which means that we’ll be out of food in a few months. It can be imported but, with our currency at an all-time low, it’s going to cost a fortune.
I don’t mind how hot it gets during the day but it’s hard to sleep at night when it’s 30o C.. The El Nino phenomenon is blamed but we’ve had it before & never had things so bad. As well as a dodgy electricity supply we now have water restrictions with occasional cut-offs as the dams & reservoirs run dry.
If there’s one thing to be said in favour of the heat wave it’s that it’s too hot to do housework! -Any excuse will do!
I had to get yet another new computer - they don’t seem to last very long. I’m still learning how to make the bloody thing do what I want instead of what it wants.
I still go to Kimberley as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Society of the Precious Blood every March for our AGM. It’s always good to see the Sisters and my old home again.
I’m not getting any younger but my diabetes and heart are still under control and give me no trouble at all. The tinnitus continues to be an extremely annoying noise in the head and medical science continues to be clueless about it. I’m going to have to spend a lot of time at the dentist this year, which I’m not looking forward to.
Go to my Facebook page for all regular news & pictures. (www.facebook.com and then Vic Spencer).
I wish you all a very blessed Christmass season and a peaceful new year in 2016.
I retired (again) in January & I continued to be a member of St Margaret’s and to live in my little old flat, helping out whenever and wherever I was asked, mainly at the Cathedral & at St Margaret’s.
None of my vague plans for travel during 2015 worked out and I spent the whole year in Bloemfontein. I had hoped to be in Cape Town in January but Michael was in ICU for 6 weeks & I didn’t want to leave him. He’s OK now, but it was a near thing. I have no definite plans for 2016 but must get away from the Free State to somewhere warmer in the Winter. I nearly froze to death this last Winter.
As a complete contrast, when Winter suddenly ended, without any intervening Spring, Summer turned out to be the hottest & driest ever. The drought and heatwave is affecting most of the country. The farmers here in the Free State have not been able to plant anything, and cattle are dying, which means that we’ll be out of food in a few months. It can be imported but, with our currency at an all-time low, it’s going to cost a fortune.
I don’t mind how hot it gets during the day but it’s hard to sleep at night when it’s 30o C.. The El Nino phenomenon is blamed but we’ve had it before & never had things so bad. As well as a dodgy electricity supply we now have water restrictions with occasional cut-offs as the dams & reservoirs run dry.
If there’s one thing to be said in favour of the heat wave it’s that it’s too hot to do housework! -Any excuse will do!
I had to get yet another new computer - they don’t seem to last very long. I’m still learning how to make the bloody thing do what I want instead of what it wants.
I still go to Kimberley as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Society of the Precious Blood every March for our AGM. It’s always good to see the Sisters and my old home again.
I’m not getting any younger but my diabetes and heart are still under control and give me no trouble at all. The tinnitus continues to be an extremely annoying noise in the head and medical science continues to be clueless about it. I’m going to have to spend a lot of time at the dentist this year, which I’m not looking forward to.
Go to my Facebook page for all regular news & pictures. (www.facebook.com and then Vic Spencer).
I wish you all a very blessed Christmass season and a peaceful new year in 2016.
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Christmass Letter 2014
I’ve been Priest-in-Charge, for a second year, at St Margaret’s Church here in Navalsig, a residential suburb of Bloemfontein not far from the city centre. It was only supposed to be for one year in the first place but has gone on for another year without a break. If the Bishop and our Church Council had their way, this situation would have continued for several more years.
However, I wanted to do more of my own thing and so precipitated a change by resigning as of the end of this year. Having now turned 71, I can no longer get travel insurance in SA, and some airlines won’t sell tickets to travellers without it. I understand that such insurance is available in the UK so all is not lost.
A new Priest was quickly found to take my place (St Margaret’s is a desirable parish for any Priest) so I’ll soon be retired again. I shall continue to be a member of St Margaret’s and to live in my little old flat, helping out whenever and wherever I may be asked if I am so inclined.
I have no definite plans for 2015 but hope to spend some time in Cape Town in January. And to get away from the Free State to somewhere warmer in the Winter (July/August). Overseas is a possibility while I’m still able to travel, though the prospect of interminable hours in planes and airport terminals is not attractive. The west coast of USA is an ambition yet to be fulfilled.
I’m still the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Society of the Precious Blood and we’re obliged to have an AGM in March, probably in Kimberley. In between AGMs, we manage to do all our work by e-mail & on the internet. Since the Sisters dispersed, I no longer go to Lesotho – which is a pity, I like that country and its people, even though it’s a basket-case economically and politically.
There was a hiccough earlier this year when my old computer died & I had to get a new one. Like everything else, computers don’t last for ever. The new one runs on Windows 8.1 which is awful – what was Bill Gates thinking of?! I’ve also got a new phone full of Androids. It’s called a “Smartphone”, which means that only children know how it works.
My diabetes and heart are still under control and give me no trouble at all. The tinnitus continues to be an extremely annoying noise in the head and medical science continues to be clueless about it. My doctor gave me a couple of inhalers for asthma, which I really don’t think I need.
We had a very long drought here and then prayed for rain. It hasn’t stopped raining since. Where is Noah when you need him? We could do with his ark.
If you’re one of the few getting this Christmass letter and card by snail mail instead of e-mail, I hope you get it before Easter - though, seeing that our post office is usually on strike, I seriously doubt it!
Go to my Facebook page for all regular news & pictures. (www.facebook.com and then Vic Spencer).
I wish you all a very blessed Christmass season and a peaceful new year in 2015.
Love &
I’ve been Priest-in-Charge, for a second year, at St Margaret’s Church here in Navalsig, a residential suburb of Bloemfontein not far from the city centre. It was only supposed to be for one year in the first place but has gone on for another year without a break. If the Bishop and our Church Council had their way, this situation would have continued for several more years.
However, I wanted to do more of my own thing and so precipitated a change by resigning as of the end of this year. Having now turned 71, I can no longer get travel insurance in SA, and some airlines won’t sell tickets to travellers without it. I understand that such insurance is available in the UK so all is not lost.
A new Priest was quickly found to take my place (St Margaret’s is a desirable parish for any Priest) so I’ll soon be retired again. I shall continue to be a member of St Margaret’s and to live in my little old flat, helping out whenever and wherever I may be asked if I am so inclined.
I have no definite plans for 2015 but hope to spend some time in Cape Town in January. And to get away from the Free State to somewhere warmer in the Winter (July/August). Overseas is a possibility while I’m still able to travel, though the prospect of interminable hours in planes and airport terminals is not attractive. The west coast of USA is an ambition yet to be fulfilled.
I’m still the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Society of the Precious Blood and we’re obliged to have an AGM in March, probably in Kimberley. In between AGMs, we manage to do all our work by e-mail & on the internet. Since the Sisters dispersed, I no longer go to Lesotho – which is a pity, I like that country and its people, even though it’s a basket-case economically and politically.
There was a hiccough earlier this year when my old computer died & I had to get a new one. Like everything else, computers don’t last for ever. The new one runs on Windows 8.1 which is awful – what was Bill Gates thinking of?! I’ve also got a new phone full of Androids. It’s called a “Smartphone”, which means that only children know how it works.
My diabetes and heart are still under control and give me no trouble at all. The tinnitus continues to be an extremely annoying noise in the head and medical science continues to be clueless about it. My doctor gave me a couple of inhalers for asthma, which I really don’t think I need.
We had a very long drought here and then prayed for rain. It hasn’t stopped raining since. Where is Noah when you need him? We could do with his ark.
If you’re one of the few getting this Christmass letter and card by snail mail instead of e-mail, I hope you get it before Easter - though, seeing that our post office is usually on strike, I seriously doubt it!
Go to my Facebook page for all regular news & pictures. (www.facebook.com and then Vic Spencer).
I wish you all a very blessed Christmass season and a peaceful new year in 2015.
Love &
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Dear Friends and family,
Christmass Letter 2013
Retirement didn’t last long, it’s over and I’ve been Priest-in-Charge, for a year, of St Margaret’s Church here in Navalsig, a residential suburb of Bloemfontein not far from the city centre. The Diocese is so bankrupt that they couldn’t afford to employ a new Rector when our previous one was elected Bishop, so I was appointed as the next best thing. This situation seems likely to continue in 2014. Even though I surprised myself by enjoying retirement, I’m even happier to be back in the saddle. We have a splendid collection of lay people doing most of the work, as well as 3 retired or semi-retired priests. We even have a retired bishop as our organist. There is no reason why the priest should be Chairman of the Parish Council so, although I attend the meetings, the Wardens hold the Chair. This is a blessing which I can recommend to all other parishes.
Our St Margaret is “of Antioch” and not the better known “of Scotland”. The only thing I know about our St Margaret is that she was swallowed by a dragon which found her so distasteful that it vomited her up again alive and well. This doesn’t make preaching on Patronal Festivals any easier! (Sometime in July).
I’m equally mystified about the name of our suburb. Navalsig means naval view but the nearest navy is about 1,000 km away. Although Navalsig is the highest point around, you’d need a pretty powerful telescope to see the navy. However, we do have the new planetarium on top of the mountain, together with an enormous statue of Nelson Mandela, a nature reserve and all the TV & microwave towers and transmitters.
I’ve continued to minister to the Sisters of the Society of the Precious Blood in Lesotho but they have become bankrupt in terms of health & strength as well as financially. They will now disperse at the end of February 2014 and the Convent at Masite will close. A board of Trustees has been appointed to manage the remaining assets and to look after the Sisters wherever they may be. I am one of these Trustees. This is extremely sad for all concerned and traumatic for the Sisters. The Convent buildings go to the Diocese of Lesotho which has plans to turn them into a conference centre.
My birthday this year was a milestone: turned 70 and became an oxygen-stealer. My friend Michael has been a regular visitor, often for his Hospital visits (he’s now experiencing kidney failure and is on do-it-yourself home dialysis). He was here for a few days over my birthday, which was otherwise quiet and uneventful.
My diabetes and heart is still under control and give me no trouble at all. The tinnitus continues to be an extremely annoying noise in the head and medical science continues to be clueless about it. I grew a mysterious large lump on the right side of my face near the ear. At Universitas Hospital this was variously diagnosed as parotitis, cancer or a liphoma. To be on the safe side, they decided to remove it in November. This was an interesting experience, since I’ve never had a general anaesthetic before, though I’ve had 3 very minor and painful surgical procedures without anaesthetic (2 in Kimberley & 1 in Ficksburg). I can recommend the general anaesthetic even though it involves a stay in hospital. The eventual lab result was that the lump was a harmless liphoma.
Please ignore my website/blogspot which I’ve not been updating. Go instead to my Facebook page for all regular news & pictures. (www.facebook.com and then Vic Spencer).
I wish you all a very blessed Christmass season and a peaceful new year in 2014.
Love & Blessings to all.
Christmass Letter 2013
Retirement didn’t last long, it’s over and I’ve been Priest-in-Charge, for a year, of St Margaret’s Church here in Navalsig, a residential suburb of Bloemfontein not far from the city centre. The Diocese is so bankrupt that they couldn’t afford to employ a new Rector when our previous one was elected Bishop, so I was appointed as the next best thing. This situation seems likely to continue in 2014. Even though I surprised myself by enjoying retirement, I’m even happier to be back in the saddle. We have a splendid collection of lay people doing most of the work, as well as 3 retired or semi-retired priests. We even have a retired bishop as our organist. There is no reason why the priest should be Chairman of the Parish Council so, although I attend the meetings, the Wardens hold the Chair. This is a blessing which I can recommend to all other parishes.
Our St Margaret is “of Antioch” and not the better known “of Scotland”. The only thing I know about our St Margaret is that she was swallowed by a dragon which found her so distasteful that it vomited her up again alive and well. This doesn’t make preaching on Patronal Festivals any easier! (Sometime in July).
I’m equally mystified about the name of our suburb. Navalsig means naval view but the nearest navy is about 1,000 km away. Although Navalsig is the highest point around, you’d need a pretty powerful telescope to see the navy. However, we do have the new planetarium on top of the mountain, together with an enormous statue of Nelson Mandela, a nature reserve and all the TV & microwave towers and transmitters.
I’ve continued to minister to the Sisters of the Society of the Precious Blood in Lesotho but they have become bankrupt in terms of health & strength as well as financially. They will now disperse at the end of February 2014 and the Convent at Masite will close. A board of Trustees has been appointed to manage the remaining assets and to look after the Sisters wherever they may be. I am one of these Trustees. This is extremely sad for all concerned and traumatic for the Sisters. The Convent buildings go to the Diocese of Lesotho which has plans to turn them into a conference centre.
My birthday this year was a milestone: turned 70 and became an oxygen-stealer. My friend Michael has been a regular visitor, often for his Hospital visits (he’s now experiencing kidney failure and is on do-it-yourself home dialysis). He was here for a few days over my birthday, which was otherwise quiet and uneventful.
My diabetes and heart is still under control and give me no trouble at all. The tinnitus continues to be an extremely annoying noise in the head and medical science continues to be clueless about it. I grew a mysterious large lump on the right side of my face near the ear. At Universitas Hospital this was variously diagnosed as parotitis, cancer or a liphoma. To be on the safe side, they decided to remove it in November. This was an interesting experience, since I’ve never had a general anaesthetic before, though I’ve had 3 very minor and painful surgical procedures without anaesthetic (2 in Kimberley & 1 in Ficksburg). I can recommend the general anaesthetic even though it involves a stay in hospital. The eventual lab result was that the lump was a harmless liphoma.
Please ignore my website/blogspot which I’ve not been updating. Go instead to my Facebook page for all regular news & pictures. (www.facebook.com and then Vic Spencer).
I wish you all a very blessed Christmass season and a peaceful new year in 2014.
Love & Blessings to all.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Christmass Letter 2012
Christmass Letter 2012
Another year of retirement is over and I continue to enjoy it. I’ve continued to audit various parishes around the diocese, including our own, and have been used more at St Margaret’s since our Rector was elected to be our new bishop. He’s only to be consecrated and enthroned in March next year, but is already very busy with all sorts of things which take him out of the parish. I was invited to Ficksburg to do their All Saints Patronal Festival and thoroughly enjoyed that – especially the party after the service. It was good to see so many old friends again and to share a good deal of beer with them. It was very affirming to be asked to go back there some time next year on a semi-permanent basis – but I don’t know if I shall. I also helped in Heidedal while their priest was in the Congo ministering to our soldiers there.
I had a holiday in England & Scotland with my friend Michael for a month and that was truly awesome. There’s a full account of it on my Facebook page and on my website: www.vicspencer.blogspot.com if you have access to the internet. I did have time to visit my family in Notts but couldn’t visit all my friends, particularly those from our time together in Zululand. I’m sorry about that and will make a plan some other time. If you can’t get at the internet but would like to read my story, let me know and I’ll email or snail post it.
My own internet access has improved by becoming a Wi Fi Hotspot when my old 3G contract expired this month. (It’s also cheaper). It would be tedious to try to explain exactly what this is (especially since I’m a bit vague about it myself) but just ask the nearest schoolchild.
Our diocese is bankrupt and can no longer afford to pay priests to replace those who leave or retire. So, since I’m cheap as a self-sufficient pensioner, I may find myself less retired in 2013. It’s a blessing to be able to be useful. I continue to minister to the Sisters of the Society of the Precious Blood in Lesotho but they are also becoming bankrupt in terms of health & strength as well as financially. They will probably have to close and disperse.
My birthday this year was an exceptionally good one. My friend Michael was in Hospital here most of November and when discharged he elected to stay over for my birthday on the 29th and brought me breakfast in bed. (First time in my life that happened). This was also the day that my internet contract was expiring and I replaced my old 3G dongle with a WiFi Hotspot. Also on that day, I was told that my flat’s rent may be reduced next year. I should have birthdays more often!
My diabetes and heart is still under control and give me no trouble at all. The tinnitus continues to be an extremely annoying noise in the head and medical science continues to be clueless about it.
I wish you all a very blessed Christmass season and a peaceful new year in 2013. Again, and as I said last year, it won’t be prosperous because the financial turmoil around the world is, if anything, worse. South Africa escaped the worst of the financial meltdown a few years ago but is now rapidly going downhill financially and politically. Keep doing the football pools and buying lottery tickets and hope for the best – that’s what I do).
Love & Blessings to all..
Another year of retirement is over and I continue to enjoy it. I’ve continued to audit various parishes around the diocese, including our own, and have been used more at St Margaret’s since our Rector was elected to be our new bishop. He’s only to be consecrated and enthroned in March next year, but is already very busy with all sorts of things which take him out of the parish. I was invited to Ficksburg to do their All Saints Patronal Festival and thoroughly enjoyed that – especially the party after the service. It was good to see so many old friends again and to share a good deal of beer with them. It was very affirming to be asked to go back there some time next year on a semi-permanent basis – but I don’t know if I shall. I also helped in Heidedal while their priest was in the Congo ministering to our soldiers there.
I had a holiday in England & Scotland with my friend Michael for a month and that was truly awesome. There’s a full account of it on my Facebook page and on my website: www.vicspencer.blogspot.com if you have access to the internet. I did have time to visit my family in Notts but couldn’t visit all my friends, particularly those from our time together in Zululand. I’m sorry about that and will make a plan some other time. If you can’t get at the internet but would like to read my story, let me know and I’ll email or snail post it.
My own internet access has improved by becoming a Wi Fi Hotspot when my old 3G contract expired this month. (It’s also cheaper). It would be tedious to try to explain exactly what this is (especially since I’m a bit vague about it myself) but just ask the nearest schoolchild.
Our diocese is bankrupt and can no longer afford to pay priests to replace those who leave or retire. So, since I’m cheap as a self-sufficient pensioner, I may find myself less retired in 2013. It’s a blessing to be able to be useful. I continue to minister to the Sisters of the Society of the Precious Blood in Lesotho but they are also becoming bankrupt in terms of health & strength as well as financially. They will probably have to close and disperse.
My birthday this year was an exceptionally good one. My friend Michael was in Hospital here most of November and when discharged he elected to stay over for my birthday on the 29th and brought me breakfast in bed. (First time in my life that happened). This was also the day that my internet contract was expiring and I replaced my old 3G dongle with a WiFi Hotspot. Also on that day, I was told that my flat’s rent may be reduced next year. I should have birthdays more often!
My diabetes and heart is still under control and give me no trouble at all. The tinnitus continues to be an extremely annoying noise in the head and medical science continues to be clueless about it.
I wish you all a very blessed Christmass season and a peaceful new year in 2013. Again, and as I said last year, it won’t be prosperous because the financial turmoil around the world is, if anything, worse. South Africa escaped the worst of the financial meltdown a few years ago but is now rapidly going downhill financially and politically. Keep doing the football pools and buying lottery tickets and hope for the best – that’s what I do).
Love & Blessings to all..
Monday, December 3, 2012
December 2012 Diary
Things were very quiet after returning from UK. Which is why no diary for a while. In June & July just celebrated occasionally at St Margaret’s.
August saw a visit to Universitas’ diabetic clinic where diabetes was well controlled. I was told for the 3rd time that I needed to visit an ophthalmologist (the 1st time being the optician and the 2nd by my GP) to check for diabetic retinopathy or detached retina. So I went to Chris Gauws on the 23rd and was told that there was nothing to worry about – the occasional white flashes were of no concern. He asked to see me again in a year’s time. (Always a good sign when doctors don’t want to see you again!!)
End of August and early September saw me again with the Precious Blood sisters in Lesotho doing their accounts and meeting with their bishop to discuss their future. The likelihood is that they will have to close down and disperse within 2 years. But meetings are ongoing.
Celebrated quite often at St Margaret’s. Since Fr Stephen, our Rector, was elected as our new bishop (but only to be consecrated in March next year) he’s become increasingly busy outside the parish which means I’m called on more and more often – no problem – I love it.
Got a new chip type credit card which died within a fortnight so had to get another one. Never had a single problem with the old chipless card but they don’t make them any more. Miracles of modern science.
Met Etienne & Corrie Horak (ex Ficksburg) in Pick N Pay. That was a nice surprise.
October was more of the same. Was able to celebrate for St Francis festival. Took an afternoon service at Bayswater Old Age Home. Celebrated Halloween at St Margaret’s (thankfully American Halloween excesses haven’t reached South Africa). Sister Diana (of Precious Blood) was in Universitas Hospital for a while & I visited her there. I couldn’t make it the 1st time: she was on the 7th floor and the lifts weren’t working; I climbed 4 floors but then had to give up as I thought I was having a heart attack!! They had got one lift (out of many) working the next time I went. Sister is now more-or-less OK and home again in Lesotho.
November was good. I was invited to Ficksburg to celebrate their All Saints Patronal Festival on the 1st weekend. I really enjoyed that, seeing so many old friends again. Slept at Michael’s flat. I had a couple too many beers at the church party so thought I’d better not drive home to Bloem. But Michael wanted to come here to consult a diabetiologist so he drove. He only wanted to investigate getting an insulin pump to replace his many daily injections but the doctor admitted him to Mediclinic Hospital to get his dosage under control. He was in hospital for nearly 2 weeks. He had also burned his leg at work and this needed lots of attention. He was threatened with a skin graft but that was called off.
After getting his burn fixed, he elected to stay over for my birthday on the 29th and brought me breakfast in bed. (First time in my life that happened). This was also the day that my internet contract was expiring and I replaced my old 3G dongle with a new thingy which has made me a WiFi Hotspot. We can now connect 8 different things to the internet at the same time wirelessly!! (If you want to know what this actually means, ask the nearest schoolchild – it’s getting a bit beyond me).
The Diocese has gone bankrupt and sold the building which has my flat. I wondered what the new owner might do and was worried that I’d have to move. But the diocese has guaranteed that I can stay and at no extra cost. (Perhaps even less!).
December started by celebrating at both services on Advent Sunday, which was also parish Dedication Day. It remains to be seen if the dedications will meet the budget. +Tom, our organist, was away and was replaced by 2 others (organist & violinist) who didn’t know what he had chosen to be sung. Confusion reigned supreme for a while. Also no sacristan or servers - which complicated matters. Fortunately, we are Anglicans and don’t take ourselves too seriously so we can take all these things in our stride. If everything always went perfectly, I’d suspect that I’d strayed into the wrong church by mistake! Great fun.
The diocese being bankrupt means that parish priest vacancies can’t be filled. I’ve already been offered 2 jobs so may find that 2013 brings me out of retirement. A good thing??
After being extremely hot, yesterday (Dec. 2nd) turned cold & wet. The 1st real rain of the season – and we really needed it!.
Things were very quiet after returning from UK. Which is why no diary for a while. In June & July just celebrated occasionally at St Margaret’s.
August saw a visit to Universitas’ diabetic clinic where diabetes was well controlled. I was told for the 3rd time that I needed to visit an ophthalmologist (the 1st time being the optician and the 2nd by my GP) to check for diabetic retinopathy or detached retina. So I went to Chris Gauws on the 23rd and was told that there was nothing to worry about – the occasional white flashes were of no concern. He asked to see me again in a year’s time. (Always a good sign when doctors don’t want to see you again!!)
End of August and early September saw me again with the Precious Blood sisters in Lesotho doing their accounts and meeting with their bishop to discuss their future. The likelihood is that they will have to close down and disperse within 2 years. But meetings are ongoing.
Celebrated quite often at St Margaret’s. Since Fr Stephen, our Rector, was elected as our new bishop (but only to be consecrated in March next year) he’s become increasingly busy outside the parish which means I’m called on more and more often – no problem – I love it.
Got a new chip type credit card which died within a fortnight so had to get another one. Never had a single problem with the old chipless card but they don’t make them any more. Miracles of modern science.
Met Etienne & Corrie Horak (ex Ficksburg) in Pick N Pay. That was a nice surprise.
October was more of the same. Was able to celebrate for St Francis festival. Took an afternoon service at Bayswater Old Age Home. Celebrated Halloween at St Margaret’s (thankfully American Halloween excesses haven’t reached South Africa). Sister Diana (of Precious Blood) was in Universitas Hospital for a while & I visited her there. I couldn’t make it the 1st time: she was on the 7th floor and the lifts weren’t working; I climbed 4 floors but then had to give up as I thought I was having a heart attack!! They had got one lift (out of many) working the next time I went. Sister is now more-or-less OK and home again in Lesotho.
November was good. I was invited to Ficksburg to celebrate their All Saints Patronal Festival on the 1st weekend. I really enjoyed that, seeing so many old friends again. Slept at Michael’s flat. I had a couple too many beers at the church party so thought I’d better not drive home to Bloem. But Michael wanted to come here to consult a diabetiologist so he drove. He only wanted to investigate getting an insulin pump to replace his many daily injections but the doctor admitted him to Mediclinic Hospital to get his dosage under control. He was in hospital for nearly 2 weeks. He had also burned his leg at work and this needed lots of attention. He was threatened with a skin graft but that was called off.
After getting his burn fixed, he elected to stay over for my birthday on the 29th and brought me breakfast in bed. (First time in my life that happened). This was also the day that my internet contract was expiring and I replaced my old 3G dongle with a new thingy which has made me a WiFi Hotspot. We can now connect 8 different things to the internet at the same time wirelessly!! (If you want to know what this actually means, ask the nearest schoolchild – it’s getting a bit beyond me).
The Diocese has gone bankrupt and sold the building which has my flat. I wondered what the new owner might do and was worried that I’d have to move. But the diocese has guaranteed that I can stay and at no extra cost. (Perhaps even less!).
December started by celebrating at both services on Advent Sunday, which was also parish Dedication Day. It remains to be seen if the dedications will meet the budget. +Tom, our organist, was away and was replaced by 2 others (organist & violinist) who didn’t know what he had chosen to be sung. Confusion reigned supreme for a while. Also no sacristan or servers - which complicated matters. Fortunately, we are Anglicans and don’t take ourselves too seriously so we can take all these things in our stride. If everything always went perfectly, I’d suspect that I’d strayed into the wrong church by mistake! Great fun.
The diocese being bankrupt means that parish priest vacancies can’t be filled. I’ve already been offered 2 jobs so may find that 2013 brings me out of retirement. A good thing??
After being extremely hot, yesterday (Dec. 2nd) turned cold & wet. The 1st real rain of the season – and we really needed it!.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Sorry this blog isn't often up=to=date. Please visit my Facebook page by clicking on the Facebook logo on the left side of this screen. I post to that every day.
Friday, June 8, 2012
More diary 7th June 2012.
The second last event in April was taking the service on a Wednesday afternoon, St Mark’s Day, at Bayswater Retirement Home. I thoroughly enjoyed this and was well-received. It’s very affirming to be asked when I’d be able to come again. But this is up to my Rector.
The very last event in April was flying to England with my friend Michael on the 30th by SA Express to Jo’burg and overnight by Virgin to London. This was pleasant enough even though I can’t sleep while travelling. A tube ride from Heath Row to Picadilly followed by our first dose of VERY English cod & chips on Shaftsbury Ave, then a taxi in the rain to our flat in Lambeth.
The English weather lived up to its reputation: cold & wet for the 1st 10 days or so then unpleasantly hot & humid.
Because Michel had never been to the UK (or anywhere else outside SA & Lesotho) we did the whole tourist thing; it was a blessing for me to see so many familiar things through new eyes. We spent most of our time in London – my favourite place in the world. It’s impossible to give a blow-by-blow account of all we did, but included: a ride on the London Eye, high above the city; from there a boat ride on the Thames to the Tower of London and the home of Toc H nearby; a visit to Mme Tussauds which has taken over the Planetarium and turned it into a 4D theatre, the 4th D being all sorts of physical effects built into the seats – an experience never to be forgotten.
We caught a Punjabi concert on Trafalgar square one day and a small part of a London Symphony Orchestra concert also on the Square another day. Excellent street entertainers drew big crowds in lots of places, especially the South Bank Centre and Covent Garden. Shopping in Regent St, and Oxford St was all it’s cracked up to be. The bookshops on Charing Cross Rd were all still there and we spent some time in Foyles – perhaps the biggest book store in the world. The electronics all up Tottenham Court Rd interested Michael more than they did me – he bought a remarkably inexpensive tablet, pad, whatever it’s called. A bus took us direct from Lambeth to the Albert Hall and nearby museums and we walked across Hyde Park to another flat in Bayswater where I slept on a kind of double-bed sized shelf near the ceiling while Michael slept on a pull out bed in the lounge/kitchen. The tinniest of bathrooms completed the place.
We visited Marble Arch and practically every other place you will have heard of in London.
The details will come back as time goes on. We ate out every day - usually a pub lunch of such delicacies as fish & chips, sausage & mash, steak & kidney pudding, Aberdeen Angus Steaks, scampi. Washed down with quantities of beer. All great every time. Why don’t we have such pubs in SA?
From London, we made day trips to such places as Stonehenge (where I’d never been before) and the Warner Bros film studios where the Harry Potter films were made. This was a remarkable experience as the studios had created a tour of all the things that went into the films. I came away with a wizard’s cloak.
Worshipped in Westminster RC Cathedral; Westminster Abbey; St Joseph’s RC church in Sutton; St James in Bayswater (the late Princess Diana’s parish church); my old parish church of St Mary Magdalene.
We flew from London to Edinburgh and spent a few days in Scotland (Again, a first for me). From Edinburgh we went by train to my family in Notts for a few days. It was great to see them all again, including a few great-nephews and nieces I’d never seen before. (It was 15 years since I was last in England.) The instantaneous mutual bonds of affection between Michael and my family members brought a tear to my eye. As well as a great deal of beer to my stomach! While there, we made a trip to Matlock Bath (in Derbys) and took the cable car to the Heights of Abraham.
From there a train back to London to pack for our return to SA. This time we used the overland train from Paddington to Heath Row because it was more convenient from Bayswater. While manoeuvring too much luggage at Paddington I fell on an escalator was spit off the end rather unceremoniously. While Michael stood laughing, a stranger helped me up quite unhurt.
The Virgin flight back to Jo’burg was awful. My knees were pressed hard against the seat in front and I had to pay an extra £30 (R400) for a seat which wouldn’t cripple me. The food put the joke back into airline meals.
So, back to Bloem where I’m freezing to death. Would you believe that I’ve typed this whole thing wearing gloves? There will be lots of lingering impressions of the UK but a few that come immediately to mind: the friendliness of everybody; lots and lots and LOTS of public transport everywhere; the feeling of safety & security all the time; really luxurious toilet paper is the norm; the pubs I’ve mentioned already; everything works as it should; totally free banking including drawing cash from absolutely any ATM; sorry to have missed the Jubilee celebrations but glad to be away before the Olympics; sorry not to have had time to visit friends here and there in England but glad I could spend all the time doing the tourist thing with Michael instead
I’ll go again sooner rather than later..
The second last event in April was taking the service on a Wednesday afternoon, St Mark’s Day, at Bayswater Retirement Home. I thoroughly enjoyed this and was well-received. It’s very affirming to be asked when I’d be able to come again. But this is up to my Rector.
The very last event in April was flying to England with my friend Michael on the 30th by SA Express to Jo’burg and overnight by Virgin to London. This was pleasant enough even though I can’t sleep while travelling. A tube ride from Heath Row to Picadilly followed by our first dose of VERY English cod & chips on Shaftsbury Ave, then a taxi in the rain to our flat in Lambeth.
The English weather lived up to its reputation: cold & wet for the 1st 10 days or so then unpleasantly hot & humid.
Because Michel had never been to the UK (or anywhere else outside SA & Lesotho) we did the whole tourist thing; it was a blessing for me to see so many familiar things through new eyes. We spent most of our time in London – my favourite place in the world. It’s impossible to give a blow-by-blow account of all we did, but included: a ride on the London Eye, high above the city; from there a boat ride on the Thames to the Tower of London and the home of Toc H nearby; a visit to Mme Tussauds which has taken over the Planetarium and turned it into a 4D theatre, the 4th D being all sorts of physical effects built into the seats – an experience never to be forgotten.
We caught a Punjabi concert on Trafalgar square one day and a small part of a London Symphony Orchestra concert also on the Square another day. Excellent street entertainers drew big crowds in lots of places, especially the South Bank Centre and Covent Garden. Shopping in Regent St, and Oxford St was all it’s cracked up to be. The bookshops on Charing Cross Rd were all still there and we spent some time in Foyles – perhaps the biggest book store in the world. The electronics all up Tottenham Court Rd interested Michael more than they did me – he bought a remarkably inexpensive tablet, pad, whatever it’s called. A bus took us direct from Lambeth to the Albert Hall and nearby museums and we walked across Hyde Park to another flat in Bayswater where I slept on a kind of double-bed sized shelf near the ceiling while Michael slept on a pull out bed in the lounge/kitchen. The tinniest of bathrooms completed the place.
We visited Marble Arch and practically every other place you will have heard of in London.
The details will come back as time goes on. We ate out every day - usually a pub lunch of such delicacies as fish & chips, sausage & mash, steak & kidney pudding, Aberdeen Angus Steaks, scampi. Washed down with quantities of beer. All great every time. Why don’t we have such pubs in SA?
From London, we made day trips to such places as Stonehenge (where I’d never been before) and the Warner Bros film studios where the Harry Potter films were made. This was a remarkable experience as the studios had created a tour of all the things that went into the films. I came away with a wizard’s cloak.
Worshipped in Westminster RC Cathedral; Westminster Abbey; St Joseph’s RC church in Sutton; St James in Bayswater (the late Princess Diana’s parish church); my old parish church of St Mary Magdalene.
We flew from London to Edinburgh and spent a few days in Scotland (Again, a first for me). From Edinburgh we went by train to my family in Notts for a few days. It was great to see them all again, including a few great-nephews and nieces I’d never seen before. (It was 15 years since I was last in England.) The instantaneous mutual bonds of affection between Michael and my family members brought a tear to my eye. As well as a great deal of beer to my stomach! While there, we made a trip to Matlock Bath (in Derbys) and took the cable car to the Heights of Abraham.
From there a train back to London to pack for our return to SA. This time we used the overland train from Paddington to Heath Row because it was more convenient from Bayswater. While manoeuvring too much luggage at Paddington I fell on an escalator was spit off the end rather unceremoniously. While Michael stood laughing, a stranger helped me up quite unhurt.
The Virgin flight back to Jo’burg was awful. My knees were pressed hard against the seat in front and I had to pay an extra £30 (R400) for a seat which wouldn’t cripple me. The food put the joke back into airline meals.
So, back to Bloem where I’m freezing to death. Would you believe that I’ve typed this whole thing wearing gloves? There will be lots of lingering impressions of the UK but a few that come immediately to mind: the friendliness of everybody; lots and lots and LOTS of public transport everywhere; the feeling of safety & security all the time; really luxurious toilet paper is the norm; the pubs I’ve mentioned already; everything works as it should; totally free banking including drawing cash from absolutely any ATM; sorry to have missed the Jubilee celebrations but glad to be away before the Olympics; sorry not to have had time to visit friends here and there in England but glad I could spend all the time doing the tourist thing with Michael instead
I’ll go again sooner rather than later..
Monday, April 9, 2012
Easter Monday diary continued
Easter Monday 9th April 2012
February continued with visiting Sr Diana SPB who was here in hospital for a knee replacement..
I celebrated at St Margaret’s every Wednesday during the month, including Ash Wednesday, which was preceded on Shrove Tuesday by pancakes at the church.
It was Michael’s birthday on the 12th and he came to stay for a week on St Valentine’s Day (14th)
I audited African Martyrs’ books on the 20th: it was good to see Roosh again.
March was busy. Got new specs on the 5th. Michael came on the 6th and I went with him to Jo’burg (by Greyhound) on the 8th to apply for a Visa for UK, having already spent many hours doing it on the net.. Overnight there and then back again on the bus was a little wearing – Michael slept the whole way. Broke a tooth while having breakfast in Sandton City which meant dentist on the 12th and another R700++ out of pocket – I wonder if medical aid schemes are worth what they cost. (My new specs having used up all my benefits.) (The pic is Michael with Nelson Mandela at Sandton City.)
Riding the Gautrain to Sandton was a good experience – I can recommend it.
Michael came again on the 16th in order to go again to Jo’burg on the 19th to collect his Visa. He went by himself this time. He enjoys bus-riding more than I do and, having blazed the trail, he was perfectly happy to be on his own.
A visit to Dr Anthony Orrock on the 15th confirmed that I was in perfect health apart from having one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel.
Spent 4 days at Masite doing the Sisters’ books from the 20th – it’s good to be able to celebrate and preach every day.
Was able to book flights by Virgin to London at the end of the month.
April 1st was Palm Sunday and I took 2 services in Heidedaal. Followed by an emergency baptism at Universitas Hospital. No services on Monday & Tuesday in Holy Week, then Mass on the Wednesday followed by all the Triduum services from Maundy Thursday, when I preached.
I was blessed by Fr Dintoe asking me to celebrate at the early service on Easter Day.
The baby baptised in the hospital on Palm Sunday strengthened and was discharged 0n the 10th. Praise God for this miracle.
Bill & Pam Johnston come on the 12th from UK (They were missionaries with me in Zululand donkey’s years ago). Then to the Sisters at Masite (Lesotho) again on the 15th for a few more days discussing their future.
February continued with visiting Sr Diana SPB who was here in hospital for a knee replacement..
I celebrated at St Margaret’s every Wednesday during the month, including Ash Wednesday, which was preceded on Shrove Tuesday by pancakes at the church.
It was Michael’s birthday on the 12th and he came to stay for a week on St Valentine’s Day (14th)
I audited African Martyrs’ books on the 20th: it was good to see Roosh again.
March was busy. Got new specs on the 5th. Michael came on the 6th and I went with him to Jo’burg (by Greyhound) on the 8th to apply for a Visa for UK, having already spent many hours doing it on the net.. Overnight there and then back again on the bus was a little wearing – Michael slept the whole way. Broke a tooth while having breakfast in Sandton City which meant dentist on the 12th and another R700++ out of pocket – I wonder if medical aid schemes are worth what they cost. (My new specs having used up all my benefits.) (The pic is Michael with Nelson Mandela at Sandton City.)
Riding the Gautrain to Sandton was a good experience – I can recommend it.
Michael came again on the 16th in order to go again to Jo’burg on the 19th to collect his Visa. He went by himself this time. He enjoys bus-riding more than I do and, having blazed the trail, he was perfectly happy to be on his own.
A visit to Dr Anthony Orrock on the 15th confirmed that I was in perfect health apart from having one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel.
Spent 4 days at Masite doing the Sisters’ books from the 20th – it’s good to be able to celebrate and preach every day.
Was able to book flights by Virgin to London at the end of the month.
April 1st was Palm Sunday and I took 2 services in Heidedaal. Followed by an emergency baptism at Universitas Hospital. No services on Monday & Tuesday in Holy Week, then Mass on the Wednesday followed by all the Triduum services from Maundy Thursday, when I preached.
I was blessed by Fr Dintoe asking me to celebrate at the early service on Easter Day.
The baby baptised in the hospital on Palm Sunday strengthened and was discharged 0n the 10th. Praise God for this miracle.
Bill & Pam Johnston come on the 12th from UK (They were missionaries with me in Zululand donkey’s years ago). Then to the Sisters at Masite (Lesotho) again on the 15th for a few more days discussing their future.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
More diary
1st February 2012
During December I celebrated at the weekday mass while our Rector was on leave.
On the 18th I was at the cathedral to present Marje Steyn with her certificate of long meritorious service in Harrismith. All the generations of the Steyn family were present and it was a truly joyful occasion.
Christmass was quiet. St Margaret’s had no Carol Service, Advent Wreath or Midnight Mass.
Fr Dintoe broke into his holiday to celebrate on Christmass Day.
I celebrated twice on New Year’s Day as well as continuing to celebrate the weekday mass until our Rector returned from leave.
Towards the end of January I audited St Peter’s, Zamdela – good to get back into the numbers game.
It was very good to see Barnard Litabo again.
The clergy retreat took place during the week of the 22nd – but I was not invited. Just as well since I had my annual heart check up in the cardio clinic at Universitas on the Wednesday. Everything still in good working order – thank God.
Lent starts on the 22nd of this month: maybe I’ll get pancakes on Shrove Tuesday.
I’m trying to plan a major holiday and hope to get it organised by the end of the month.
During December I celebrated at the weekday mass while our Rector was on leave.
On the 18th I was at the cathedral to present Marje Steyn with her certificate of long meritorious service in Harrismith. All the generations of the Steyn family were present and it was a truly joyful occasion.
Christmass was quiet. St Margaret’s had no Carol Service, Advent Wreath or Midnight Mass.
Fr Dintoe broke into his holiday to celebrate on Christmass Day.
I celebrated twice on New Year’s Day as well as continuing to celebrate the weekday mass until our Rector returned from leave.
Towards the end of January I audited St Peter’s, Zamdela – good to get back into the numbers game.
It was very good to see Barnard Litabo again.
The clergy retreat took place during the week of the 22nd – but I was not invited. Just as well since I had my annual heart check up in the cardio clinic at Universitas on the Wednesday. Everything still in good working order – thank God.
Lent starts on the 22nd of this month: maybe I’ll get pancakes on Shrove Tuesday.
I’m trying to plan a major holiday and hope to get it organised by the end of the month.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Christmass Letter 2011
Christmass Letter 2011
My first year of retirement is nearly over and, much to my surprise, I’m thoroughly enjoying it. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from moving into my little flat, it’s that we accumulate far too much “stuff” – I’d be doing perfectly well with less than half of what I have.
Bloemfontein may not be everybody’s idea of a perfect city but it’s much bigger than anywhere else I’ve ever lived. I bought an air conditioner for the hot weather – which is now, but haven’t found out how to keep warm in the cold weather – whoever invented electric blankets should be given a medal. It has every conceivable shop, a number of cinemas, a couple of theatres, a casino, airport and railway station. (Though I’ve not made use of any of these things except the shops).
I hope to use the airport sometime next year for a holiday in Europe – but must be away again and back home here before the Olympics. If anyone has any useful ideas of accommodation in London to use as a base, I’d be glad to hear. I can afford a reasonable cost.
I’ve been offered 2 full-time, stressful jobs – one back in Kimberley and the other in Lesotho, but have turned them both down. I get to take services and help out at my local church just down the road, as well as helping the Sisters in Lesotho and, with everything else, this keeps me busy enough. I seem to spend a lot of time doing housework and I hate ironing!
I was asked to go to a local retirement home to take a service and thoroughly enjoyed that – to the point that I put my name down to live there when (and if) the time comes.
My old computer died. It was old when I bought it for about R2100 – now they wanted R3000 to fix it, which obviously wasn’t worth it. I got a great deal on a new one with all the software included. It’s got even more a mind of its own than the old one but I’m gradually taming it! It behaves most of the time now. It has a built-in webcam which makes skype calls more interesting. I keep my diary and some pics on my website: vicspencer.blogspot.com if you can get on the internet. The picture at the top of this letter is courtesy of the webcam.
My tiny little Chevvy car goes extremely well, is very easy to manoeuvre and park in city traffic but has more than enough power on the open road. I couldn’t be more pleased with it.
My diabetes and heart is still under control and give me no trouble at all. But I got a bad back again – like I had in Kimberley. Lots of physiotherapy later and it’s tolerable but not perfectly OK yet. Old age is not for sissies! I’ve acquired tinnitus, which a continuous, annoying noise in the head. I took it to a doctor, an audiologist and Universitas Hospital, but they all say the same: it’s a complete mystery to medical science – they don’t know what causes it and have no way to fix it – I just have to live with it.
Old friends and parishioners from Harrismith & Ficksburg pitch up in Bloemfontein, usually when desperately sick, so I spend some time hospital visiting.
I wish you all a very blessed Christmass season and a peaceful new year in 2012. (I won’t say prosperous because I can’t see that happening given all the turmoil in the eurozone. Keep doing the football pools and buying lottery tickets and hope for the best – that’s what I do).
Love & Blessings to all..
My first year of retirement is nearly over and, much to my surprise, I’m thoroughly enjoying it. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from moving into my little flat, it’s that we accumulate far too much “stuff” – I’d be doing perfectly well with less than half of what I have.
Bloemfontein may not be everybody’s idea of a perfect city but it’s much bigger than anywhere else I’ve ever lived. I bought an air conditioner for the hot weather – which is now, but haven’t found out how to keep warm in the cold weather – whoever invented electric blankets should be given a medal. It has every conceivable shop, a number of cinemas, a couple of theatres, a casino, airport and railway station. (Though I’ve not made use of any of these things except the shops).
I hope to use the airport sometime next year for a holiday in Europe – but must be away again and back home here before the Olympics. If anyone has any useful ideas of accommodation in London to use as a base, I’d be glad to hear. I can afford a reasonable cost.
I’ve been offered 2 full-time, stressful jobs – one back in Kimberley and the other in Lesotho, but have turned them both down. I get to take services and help out at my local church just down the road, as well as helping the Sisters in Lesotho and, with everything else, this keeps me busy enough. I seem to spend a lot of time doing housework and I hate ironing!
I was asked to go to a local retirement home to take a service and thoroughly enjoyed that – to the point that I put my name down to live there when (and if) the time comes.
My old computer died. It was old when I bought it for about R2100 – now they wanted R3000 to fix it, which obviously wasn’t worth it. I got a great deal on a new one with all the software included. It’s got even more a mind of its own than the old one but I’m gradually taming it! It behaves most of the time now. It has a built-in webcam which makes skype calls more interesting. I keep my diary and some pics on my website: vicspencer.blogspot.com if you can get on the internet. The picture at the top of this letter is courtesy of the webcam.
My tiny little Chevvy car goes extremely well, is very easy to manoeuvre and park in city traffic but has more than enough power on the open road. I couldn’t be more pleased with it.
My diabetes and heart is still under control and give me no trouble at all. But I got a bad back again – like I had in Kimberley. Lots of physiotherapy later and it’s tolerable but not perfectly OK yet. Old age is not for sissies! I’ve acquired tinnitus, which a continuous, annoying noise in the head. I took it to a doctor, an audiologist and Universitas Hospital, but they all say the same: it’s a complete mystery to medical science – they don’t know what causes it and have no way to fix it – I just have to live with it.
Old friends and parishioners from Harrismith & Ficksburg pitch up in Bloemfontein, usually when desperately sick, so I spend some time hospital visiting.
I wish you all a very blessed Christmass season and a peaceful new year in 2012. (I won’t say prosperous because I can’t see that happening given all the turmoil in the eurozone. Keep doing the football pools and buying lottery tickets and hope for the best – that’s what I do).
Love & Blessings to all..
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