On a personal note ...

Most people who know me well just laughed when I said I was going camping over the Bank Holiday weekend, but here's the proof ...

The Big Church Day Out is actually a weekend (though a day visit is an option). There were five stages, umpteen bands, eateries galore, fun stuff, a massive resources tent and 25,000 people  ...  all set in the grounds of Wiston House.

I SURVIVED!!!  I can now officially say  ...  been there, done that, but no-one gave me a t-shirt.

Thought for the week ...

Bowling Night

Bowling Nights are always fun and last night was no exception with 17 of us spending almost three hours at MFA Bowl.

Here's Sonali Mishra, from India, in action.
Her first ever evening bowling :-)

Here's Rhandi from St Kitts & St Nevis, also
playing for the first time, and here doing a
wonderful impression of a cardboard cut-out.

 

Here are two of our three score results -

please note against the 'L' three strikes, four spares

and two broken nails later, I won the final game :-)  

Many thanks to all who came along.

A Day in Dover

It was great to be able to partner with the University of Kent on this day out in Dover, alongside a group of photography students from the University of Memphis. I simply love networking and really enjoyed all the conversation I had with their teacher, David, as we travelled on the bus.

Our first port of call was Dover Castle, one of England's most iconic fortresses that has provided protection for some nine centuries. Sadly, we didn't have the opportunity to experience the drama of the secret wartime tunnels, but we were able to explore the grounds, the church and the medieval tower. 

 

Our time at the castle was followed by 2 1/2 hours exploring the stunning white cliffs, overlooking the Port of Dover (but only after my safety speech about not getting too close to the edge) ...

 

Hope the Memphis team enjoyed the day as much as we did :-)

Paper Hearts Project

We did it!!!! 

Thank you to everyone who contributed their hearts

to this special project!

Status
CURRENT RECORD HOLDER

Date of attempt/verification/discovery
09 February 2019

Attempt location
Chatham, Kent, United Kingdom

Measurement
53,704 total number

Record holder(s)
Paper Hearts Project, United Kingdom

Thought for the week ...

Change is Here to Stay

This is the title of one of my favourite TABLEtalk evenings, and one we've not actually done for some time. 

Our evening began with some discussion about the words we might use to describe change and how is makes us feel. Below are just a few examples of what was said.

We then heard from students about events or inventions they think have brought about most global change and also changes within the nations they represent. This resulted in an interesting discussion about how progress - through such things as medicine and technology - has been positive but in some respects is now turning against us. Our conversation included the topics of climate change, artificial intelligence and social media.

In the final part of our evening everyone shared two events that had brought about significant changes within their own lives.  I am always amazed and blessed by the stories people tell and the vulnerability with which they share. Many thanks to those who came and took part.