Party, Party, Party...

There has been a delay in our weekly blog because we have been celebrating our 50th birthdays. 10 days ago there was Jane's birthday, followed by our tutor-group party on Saturday, our course party last night - oh and my birthday on Friday. Jane is wondering when the next party is going to be, whereas I have suddenly become allergic to chocolate cake, I now consider candles to be un-green, and I have discovered that the 'Happy Birthday' tune causes severe migraines. The Saturday party was a smart affair and I 'styled' my facial so that I had sideburns similar to Elvis in the 70's and for the first time I bought some hair gel, I couldn't find any Brylecream in the shops - have they stopped making it? The theme of last night's party was P & J, there was a judge, penguin, joker, painter etc. With Jane in the photo are Princess Jenny and 'J' cloth Deborah. P

Now a grown-up?

I realise it has taken me a very long time to actually feel that I have grown up. Today I am 50; people tell me it is the new 40, but I am not really bothered. I am just enjoying every moment of life so why should one put a tag on it?

The party started on Fri with our tutor group celebration with cake and candles and the celebration still seem to be carrying on. I still enjoy birthdays and think they are deserve a mark on the calendar. My parents are here for the weekend and have been plying me with sloe gin and weak tea to calm my excitement. In another two weeks Pete will join me and we will make a century of living. Until then he is enjoying the toyboy thing (being the younger man!) For anyone in Herts. the next 2 parties are on the 22nd and the 27th. See you there! J

Fudge Duck

During a recent visit from Adrian & Lucy we went on a walk to the local nature reserve. A time to relax and catch up with news, only to be interrupted by a loud Shhhhh! The twitchers were trying to spot a rare visitor to the UK - the Ferruginous Duck, colloquially known as a Fudge Duck. I would have told you about it earlier, but by the time we returned from the walk all that I could remember about the duck was that it began with 'F'.

My forgetfulness is probably down to all the words that are floating around in my head such as Antinomianism, Pneumatology, Tetragrammaton, Adebayor, Defoe and Rooney (an obvious sign of too much theology and 'Match of the Day') P

Day Release

After five weeks we have had our first 'day release' for good behaviour. Our friend Ian visited us to escort us and to make sure we didn't get phased by the big wide world that is beyond the college and our local village, Stanstead Abbotts. We visited Cambridge, a first for us all. Jane thought the speed of the punts was a bit tame and only wanted to go on one if there was an outboard motor - James Bond style. Cambridge is indeed a special place but you need a long weekend to see everything.
Our course is now picking up a pace, with the calender filling up with extra tasks, presentations and lessons. P

Lee Valley

We have walked a few miles in the Lee Valley Park over the last few weeks. It stretches 26 miles along the leafy banks of the River Lee, from Ware in Hertfordshire, through Essex, to the River Thames. Throughout the valley there are many nature reserves that attract many birdwatchers, I must admit that a pair of binoculars would improve our enjoyment of the birds. There are cormorants on the small island in the foreground so a zoom lens for the camera would also be beneficial.
Today and tomorrow (morning, afternoon & evening) are full of lessons covering many interesting subjects including 'living in community'', conflict management', 'listening skills' and 'emotional health'. P

Chores

Another week at All Nations has flown by, lectures have included learning about culture, understanding our own perspectives and working in cross-cultural teams. All the students have daily and weekly chores. At the moment we are on a kitchen team that either serves or washes-up at breakfast, lunch or tea. Our weekly chores include laundry or general maintenance. These chores not only keep our fees down but provide experience of working in teams, practicing humility and preparing us for working abroad. P

The walk home from the shops

Today in the South East of England it has been more like summer than autumn. This has meant that we have been able to enjoy the Hertfordshire country side, including a wonderful nature reserve about a mile away, which is in a beautiful area called the Lee Valley. The college is surrounded by a large wood with footpaths in all directions including Ware and Stanstead Abbotts (both about a couple miles away), which means a scenic walk home from the Saturday morning shop - one of the perks of not having a car. The trees are beginning to turn to their autumn colours so expect some further countryside pictures. There's something special about the English countryside and its one of the things I miss most when abroad. Something not to be taken for granted. P