3.30 am may seem a strange time to update a blog, but I’m off on holiday with a 4.30 am start!
The last Sunday of the choir term – for me at least – was two parts singing and four parts eating. (Long-term readers of this blog may sense a pattern here.) One of the Melanesian Bishops, en route to the Lambeth Conference, was in residence. I’m not sure what he made of our English reserve, but he charmed us with his smile, which threatened to turn into a giggle at any unexpected moment. Tallis’ ‘If ye love me’ – which turned into a fine piece of music after our hard work at choir practice – sounded a little weak on Sunday. However, we made up for it at evensong with a joyous romp through the Sweeney responses, Ireland in F and Wood’s ‘O thou the central orb’. We were unfortunately reduced to one tenor, but he enjoyed the chance to sing out to balance the sound.
And now to the food: apparently bishops need to be fed, so in true church style we fed him (and joined in as well). Sunday lunchtime saw us at one of the large farmhouses situated in the other benefice parish, containing a huge farmhouse table laden with meats, salads and deliciously fattening desserts. The gathering was extra large as it was also to say farewell to the long-serving church school headmaster. Fortunately the rain held off and we were able to spread out into the garden. After evensong, still groaning from the delights of lunch, we tucked in to a fish and chip supper, straight out of the paper wrapping (apparently a special request of the bishop). We’d better send advance warning to Lambeth that he won’t need any further feeding for a fortnight.
And now to the holidays……. : )