Back to the old days

We have come to that time in our lives when we have been married for 25 years.  Yesterday we visited our close friends as they celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary.  25 years ago I was best man at Jim & Nicola's wedding.  On Friday night I was phoned and asked "Accustomed to public speaking as you are, would you like to say a few words?"  The answer wasn't "Yes", but I did agree.  It wasn't a best man type speech, just a few memories and lots of appreciation. Their family has grown up and is moving away but their service to Jesus and His church continues. There were quite a few friends we hadn't seen for a while.  Our CYFA leader, who has just retired, and friends who have returned from many years as missionaries in Tanzania.

Will any of us make 50, and if we do will I still be blogging? 

This morning John Carr visited Christ Church, he is an excellent preacher and gave us a very straight forward sermon on prayer, which will be on the web site in a day or two.  We also sang some 'traditional' (for me) hymns - Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, which was printed on the Evening service service sheet when I joined Christ Church in 1979/80. 

So it really has been back to the old days.

On the Day

Today we opened the cards and presents that we had been given on Saturday. Many thank you letters will be required, because much thanks is due. There were loads of cards too, some you can see in the background hanging between the lights. Its just like Christmas.

We went to Paper Mill Lock near Little Baddow for lunch. Andy took us. We picked up Mum on the way. I was expecting something a little more like a restaurant, but they are really only a tea shop, doing sandwiches, cakes and tea and coffee. We had a sandwich, and wandered along the canal.

Perhaps that can count as #4 - visiting an Essex canal - certainly something I hadn't done before.

After coming to a bridge that was part of a bridle way, and stated that it was built in 1951, we turned back, because the black clouds were threatening yet more rain. It arrived, but was not that heavy. So cake and more coffee back at the Old Stables Tea Rooms, and watch the canal boat go through the lock. Then back to Stock Brook for a pint, and home.

More pictures here

25 years

On Wednesday I will have been married for 25 years. We had been told to keep Saturday 20th September clear - so we did. Karen arrived mid-afternoon, and there was lots of talk of going to Stock Brook (where Andy works). I was a little skeptical that even he could have pulled off a cheap deal, and that we really could go to Stock Brook. We didn't. We went to Christ Church Hall. The venue is not important because there were SO MANY people there. Some had come from the North of England, others were friends who live in the town and attend the same church. I was very please to see them all. Jo and I spent almost all of our time going round talking to people. We didn't even manage to have a proper go at the buffet! Some people we hadn't seen for about 10 years, but they don't change.

Does this count as #2 in the list of 25 things. I think so, we have never been to our 25th wedding anniversary party before!

I must say a big thank you to the co-conspirators - Liz and Karen. Here they are in the car as we arrived at church, with me playing with the camera - as usual.



After that there are 100's (literally) of pictures, but none on my camera - because the ruse that was used to get us into the hall meant I left it in the car, and then forgot about it.

An amazing evening - We even did karaoke - badly, but to a live band. So that can be #3 of the 25 things -we have never sung together (just us two) before.

So I did say some thank yous at the event, but its worth writing it here also.

Thanks to all who came, especially to those who came from far and wide

Thanks for all the presents, most of which we will open on Wednesday.

Thanks Karen for all the organising, and the truly brilliant speech.

Thanks Liz for keeping a straight face while organising things at home, and not letting on.

Thanks are also due to the boys and their friends, who helped with the food, and the clearing up - and some other stuff, I expect.

Thanks to Jo, of course, without whom none of it would have been possible.