Went to Ficksburg for Isabel’s 80th birthday. We had a good lunch together, a couple of gin and tonics and a packet of fags. Much like old times. I also saw a bunch of other old friends at Imperani Park OAH. Isabel died 2 weeks later – no connection with my visit. Ever since I’d first met her, she’d made me promise that I would take her funeral. She had also, apparently, said this to her family, so they honoured this and invited me to take the service at Imperani Park, which I did on June 11th. Isabel had never been an Anglican and had no connection with any other church since her dominee husband died many years ago. She had no time for organised church-type religion (with which I could sympathise) and would have hated our Prayer Book service, so I did a hymn-sandwich kind of memorial with a sermon I know she enjoyed (Isabel was very much present at the service). Her 2 children gave great tributes and we all enjoyed a finger-lunch afterwards.
It took 2 hours to drive to Ficksburg via N1, Excelsior and Clocolan (though the road Excelsior to Clocolan is very badly potholed – nothing unusual in the Free State). It took 3 hours 15 mins to get back to Bloem via Ladybrand and the N8!! The many stop/goes & deviations are something to behold.
Saw the Precious Blood Sisters mid May when they were here for hospital visits and were staying at the Cathedral. Their future at Masite is questionable as they get older and more frail. We have a meeting mid-July to discuss this.
Voted just round the corner from my flat on May 18th, which was a pleasant enough experience – though made no difference to the result. Followed by a hair-do, which I always enjoy.
Car service on 23rd May was interesting. A minor fault disappeared when I got the car there so they couldn’t fix it. It recurs occasionally, but never when I’m anywhere near the garage.
On 29th May, I took both services at St Margaret’s – always a very rewarding experience.
Michael, a friend from Ficksburg, came on June 6th for nearly 3 weeks – the only person in the world to choose to spend his annual holiday in Bloemfontein!! It really was a blessing to have him here. He’s just left and I’m missing him terribly.
Trinity Sunday again gave me both services at St Margaret’s and gave me the chance to preach my favourite heresies on the Trinity.
Monday sees my next (and hopefully last) visit to the dentist. As good as my beautiful blond dentist is, it’s always a traumatic experience.
If I manage to upload the picture with this posting, it’s of the Ascension Chapel at Walsingham and shows Jesus ascending through the ceiling with just his feet still in view!.
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