tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20476150458288315552024-03-05T14:17:10.639+00:00 The Benefice Blog What's Happening in the Winterborne Valley and Milton Abbas Benefice.
Six Churches - one Benefice
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger275125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047615045828831555.post-69135218895334399112017-03-23T16:11:00.002+00:002017-03-23T16:19:59.707+00:00Art Exhibition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">Please find attached an invitation to the Connections Project next exhibition<br />We are delighted to have the addition of another group in this exhibition 'Creative Connections' Who were started last year as a result of the success of the Connections Project exhibition<br />The artists are independent; rather than in care and love using creativity to express themselves and their challenges.<br /><br />This exhibition will be uplifting and fun.... We all really hope to see you </span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><b><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">Here's a bit I wrote about it on our facebook page....</span></b><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All systems are poised for our next wonderful exhibition!<br />I am so excited that </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/BrewerySquare/"><span style="color: #365899;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Brewery Square</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"> are helping us to host this event<br />The artist's work is split into two themes <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Culliford House Artists have been exploring 'Reflections' This may be reflections in water, a mirror or thinking back to a time they may have changed an action or how they may have wished something was different <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The Creative Con<span class="gmail-m-4390630448673347770gmail-textexposedshow">nections artists have been looking at 'Balance' - This theme is meaningful to some artists because of the physical or mental health challenges they may face. The artists (just like everyone) struggle with balance in their lives: This is explored and expressed in their work.</span> <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="gmail-m-4390630448673347770gmail-textexposedshow">I am so proud of the honesty, authenticity and bravery that all the artists have shown in exploring these subjects and I am over the moon with their creativity & integrity</span><br /><span class="gmail-m-4390630448673347770gmail-textexposedshow">By sharing our ideas and challenges we can start to help ourselves and others to overcome them.</span><br /><span class="gmail-m-4390630448673347770gmail-textexposedshow">Come to the private view if you can & meet the artists....and have a glass of fizz.... xxxxxxxx</span><br /><span class="gmail-m-4390630448673347770gmail-textexposedshow">Thank you for your support </span><br /><span class="gmail-m-4390630448673347770gmail-textexposedshow">SHARE!!!!</span> <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">Kind Regards</span></b><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">Bridget Townsend</span></b></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047615045828831555.post-24837115356572218952017-03-20T19:40:00.002+00:002017-03-20T19:40:45.206+00:00Prayer Meeting - Tuesday 21st March Milton Abbas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: blue;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e7e6e6; font-family: "kristen itc"; mso-themecolor: background2;"><span style="color: blue;">The Church Wardens of St. James’ Church, Milton Abbas invite you
to a prayer</span> <span style="color: blue;">session to be held on Tuesday 21st March </span></span></b><span style="color: #e7e6e6; font-family: "kristen itc"; mso-themecolor: background2;"><span style="color: blue;">2017</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue;"> at 6pm to 7pm in St. James</span> <span style="color: blue;">Church, South
Aisle, Milton Abbas</span>.<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e7e6e6; font-family: "kristen itc"; mso-themecolor: background2;"><span style="color: blue;">We will be praying for all those who have been unwell, sick,
awaiting operations or who have had operations, or who have recently been
diagnosed with an illness.</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #e7e6e6; font-family: "kristen itc"; mso-themecolor: background2;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "kristen itc"; font-size: 14pt;">Please feel free to come and go at any time during that hour.</span><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "kristen itc"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "kristen itc"; font-size: 14pt;">Jennifer Harrisson & Paula Kelsall</span><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "kristen itc"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047615045828831555.post-31562965625192461472017-03-12T09:53:00.000+00:002017-03-12T09:53:11.677+00:00One more Lay worship leader.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLsxft6PtAvOMvYTq4vnlAkr5Uovz1V-u-YdV1FIoKVdAz7RYgaOJ51GTHqrFXg5HWVwAjGuE509OUzM-RNmSi58tmaBUYgil6e_Gkf7z4dGJZHFzNkNVZlx2CLuvza-E6NwHoMrQc8hQ/s1600/jeremy+lwl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLsxft6PtAvOMvYTq4vnlAkr5Uovz1V-u-YdV1FIoKVdAz7RYgaOJ51GTHqrFXg5HWVwAjGuE509OUzM-RNmSi58tmaBUYgil6e_Gkf7z4dGJZHFzNkNVZlx2CLuvza-E6NwHoMrQc8hQ/s640/jeremy+lwl.jpg" width="358" /></a></div>
Jeremy was commissioned as a Lay Worship Leader at St Mary's Church Shroton (Iwerne Courtney) on Tuesday 7th March. The service was lead by The Venerable Antony MacRow-Wood - Archdeacon of Dorset. Jeremy is member of our Lay Worship team and will be leading services in our benefice churches. Congratulations Jeremy!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047615045828831555.post-20883017313967014042017-02-02T11:07:00.000+00:002017-02-02T11:07:16.224+00:00What Can We Believe?
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">RELIGION, CHURCH or GOD?</span></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Religion</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"> can be a menace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is rightly criticised for sometimes
causing division and even conflict.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Church</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"> may not be quite so bad - but it can be
boring and out of touch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alan tells me
that congregations over Christmas were up by about 20%.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So it is not all doom and gloom as the media
keep on telling us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However most of our
worship is one way communication, but some people like the opportunity of
responding and would like time to talk, question, think and comment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our wordy liturgy does not allow time for
that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">BUT <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">God and
Jesus</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"> can be very
exciting, as we try together to discover who they really are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our ideas of God can be disastrously
wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Jews were taught to call him
by the mysterious name of Yahweh, meaning I AM (or perhaps better I WILL
BE)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The criticisms voiced by Richard
Dawkins in his provocative book "The God Delusion" may be misguided,
but that is understandable, in the light of what we Christians often say or
do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The impression created by parts of
the Old Testament does suggest that God can behave as an unreasonable
tyrant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need to understand that God
only reveals what he is like slowly, as we are not smart enough to take in too
much in at one go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I used to shout at my
children "NO!" on occasions when they got too near the fire (an
unreasonable tyrant?).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Later on when
they were older I was able to explain things better and in more detail.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Christians
believe that if you want to know what God is really like you need to look at
Jesus. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus himself claimed, <i>"Anyone
who has seen me has seen the Father."</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(John 14 9)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or to quote a former
archbishop, Michael Ramsey,<i> "God is like Jesus and in him is no
unChristlikeness at all."</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Last year some
of us discovered more about Jesus by looking at the Gospel of Mark, the
shortest and the simplest of the four gospels in the New Testament.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These small groups allowed people to talk,
think and argue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">This year we
shall be carrying on our voyage of discovery based on the booklet that is
available free in all the churches in the benefice, "What can we believe
these days?".<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(You can also
download it from the home page of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>our
Winterborne and Milton Abbas benefice website.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">During March
there will be small groups in our villages and we hope that it will not be just
church members who come along, but also anyone who wants to find out more about
Jesus, and the God that Christians worship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We do not mind if you disagree with us, we do not always get it right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We might all get surprises - indeed I rather
hope we will!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Full details of
these groups will be published in the March Valley News.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 9;"> </span>Jimmy
Hamilton-Brown<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047615045828831555.post-65117050167765869222017-01-05T12:05:00.001+00:002017-01-05T12:05:35.427+00:00Las Posadas: All's well that ends well...or is it the beginning?<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPcx4Y9iKDuZcUUlpayWIoo0Xg4K3GofCp9wZnHQ-Ta8__YTD-2zAYpt-v_Nbiqajt9i40yOOPwD3qvMrZ1w6gVG5ryFQUsyIf98v7DdnK7DC2ctR4f_YRrmwXZg7kNNFCazWbHVEV4pY/s640/blogger-image--277271002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPcx4Y9iKDuZcUUlpayWIoo0Xg4K3GofCp9wZnHQ-Ta8__YTD-2zAYpt-v_Nbiqajt9i40yOOPwD3qvMrZ1w6gVG5ryFQUsyIf98v7DdnK7DC2ctR4f_YRrmwXZg7kNNFCazWbHVEV4pY/s640/blogger-image--277271002.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The baby Jesus arrived safely and was wrapped in a new blanket. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047615045828831555.post-33837055693646767502016-12-25T12:37:00.001+00:002016-12-25T12:38:45.356+00:00Las Posadas: we are happy to announce the safe arrival.<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDtCBgl4m-YNyhif7TByTgtQBh_FWumano7CcDjHq0AAUO_ORaObXaCNmXA2M9qjTrNdZVI87hxJdiBsaIleHjyXtEoGqFP5WOo-mw7ukPi8S1T_x3R-cOsgt_er223woYe4H0koeENM/s640/blogger-image-1050188012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDtCBgl4m-YNyhif7TByTgtQBh_FWumano7CcDjHq0AAUO_ORaObXaCNmXA2M9qjTrNdZVI87hxJdiBsaIleHjyXtEoGqFP5WOo-mw7ukPi8S1T_x3R-cOsgt_er223woYe4H0koeENM/s640/blogger-image-1050188012.jpg"></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047615045828831555.post-66474212130540171062016-12-25T07:45:00.001+00:002016-12-25T07:45:44.003+00:00Christmas Day 2016<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3Li5YAWgj9ylO_YBvJ-6eg7CxChYwrPoVYZSQG32r1me5ncC78Zr4bl7zXGqqgrDWZKp-yM37PD6X5zTBLHd_seaZ4P1qFz4u3HbDWvqqvLUXLqk7oDZJeY9M4zPV87D13eoJHwPBoo/s640/blogger-image-123337578.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3Li5YAWgj9ylO_YBvJ-6eg7CxChYwrPoVYZSQG32r1me5ncC78Zr4bl7zXGqqgrDWZKp-yM37PD6X5zTBLHd_seaZ4P1qFz4u3HbDWvqqvLUXLqk7oDZJeY9M4zPV87D13eoJHwPBoo/s640/blogger-image-123337578.jpg"></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047615045828831555.post-43117376377473076612016-12-25T07:31:00.001+00:002016-12-25T07:38:08.758+00:00Las Posadas:What a party last night!<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk4G_nGX9h6kwULYzWpJ5sPwPWtFhuOZj_q6hdeI9sce_VYnvW2VE8oX66af1xXUoMnAWjGnaT7IuIcqYxL8Oj_ZAsK1mEZR8Lqcbe9DoHJdRaErWc-8ruB-AWXHjmqVoTZMgVFdrmJ7Q/s1600/wn2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk4G_nGX9h6kwULYzWpJ5sPwPWtFhuOZj_q6hdeI9sce_VYnvW2VE8oX66af1xXUoMnAWjGnaT7IuIcqYxL8Oj_ZAsK1mEZR8Lqcbe9DoHJdRaErWc-8ruB-AWXHjmqVoTZMgVFdrmJ7Q/s320/wn2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2015</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipXwFrg-Gz1UrZmvwRHErOhfEMj7eSWfffB9DuwXZ-jqhr1Gf5jFfdgaNLv9FkF_Uo6HSesaeoXI9bQL6CeOdqdQGZU50rUtFZZp8bZ210miIGsEHO3jrsPJTDCAn_MAgfGwx2hVsFB4E/s1600/wh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipXwFrg-Gz1UrZmvwRHErOhfEMj7eSWfffB9DuwXZ-jqhr1Gf5jFfdgaNLv9FkF_Uo6HSesaeoXI9bQL6CeOdqdQGZU50rUtFZZp8bZ210miIGsEHO3jrsPJTDCAn_MAgfGwx2hVsFB4E/s400/wh.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2016</td></tr>
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Things got a little raucous last night. Mary Joseph and the donkey met up with old friends and an evening of merriment and laughter ensued. ( Donkey's singing has not improved !) It was some night!!<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047615045828831555.post-56226410743113066052016-12-24T21:52:00.001+00:002016-12-24T21:54:22.136+00:00Las Posadas: It wasn't just Mary who needed a rest last night!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjJBMgrBnBMcOaLzL2c08rjYCD32Bd2UTu3bIlI4a6T-uYqrpzxzRo2KyTM9p199v249vV8eRLwS_VwQtoylEGa5UEaTl5PsBhAfNZ8ZimlBozw4JPlWsRIQNjxPM_pQ2PO_AKgHrp0Ks/s640/blogger-image--1260877659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjJBMgrBnBMcOaLzL2c08rjYCD32Bd2UTu3bIlI4a6T-uYqrpzxzRo2KyTM9p199v249vV8eRLwS_VwQtoylEGa5UEaTl5PsBhAfNZ8ZimlBozw4JPlWsRIQNjxPM_pQ2PO_AKgHrp0Ks/s640/blogger-image--1260877659.jpg" /></a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047615045828831555.post-42514369637886612612016-12-23T17:23:00.001+00:002016-12-24T07:15:01.195+00:00Las Posadas: Donkey caught catnapping!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW6kg9P-NzVMlAk7sXDIxuSHamo6d5JFqzOaI77qfg9Hc_UID6B0xR5niNpvrW4lnm8mqclMNOowi0Gdy9AXKJsvY4ud9FSUL0XM2ahBmJiLRG3p6XsI2bBBGOuw7o2mAbkZKhPsUubZs/s1600/toni.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW6kg9P-NzVMlAk7sXDIxuSHamo6d5JFqzOaI77qfg9Hc_UID6B0xR5niNpvrW4lnm8mqclMNOowi0Gdy9AXKJsvY4ud9FSUL0XM2ahBmJiLRG3p6XsI2bBBGOuw7o2mAbkZKhPsUubZs/s640/toni.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVKvowXvuT_AOsSD_8Lzil1EV_jAtRlv4OJzWS1BQXZfWASpMTT_Sig4FGHTVUPdTVK9S_XWYSaNU6nVbJ0eG4ObhJ_bRPsSrohRCRvXiXNjjgkrPtAX_Vhu7lVC0GVx5lUF7BxlN_rsw/s1600/toni5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVKvowXvuT_AOsSD_8Lzil1EV_jAtRlv4OJzWS1BQXZfWASpMTT_Sig4FGHTVUPdTVK9S_XWYSaNU6nVbJ0eG4ObhJ_bRPsSrohRCRvXiXNjjgkrPtAX_Vhu7lVC0GVx5lUF7BxlN_rsw/s320/toni5.JPG" width="240" /></a><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvv2l6DPI79bOxEOQJfZDFCMQGKLKaHHIpGiJEGdDbUa2wKCkVWYdvdHGVs5NBgiqKp5UO8admO9vcOdmrVoT8KBfxvSeVDbI_PiJRLONpOQypyLc9gQ3cMYuJ3IDVAi1QNKTU2RVRaAM/s320/toni3.JPG" width="320" /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-GYsJVge7ZspkEhV-LvleUtiUOZEkGlC7-CNEgTmXMfAjoHf0RUwwP7ErJgPxjyNc7bWRqwuE2U4RRHvPpI_5vVp9sLI3bfpdsqj7Tqf0tvrpW4HkwmnbNCd5FJ6JWOfk06eRPdJ4YKY/s1600/toni4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-GYsJVge7ZspkEhV-LvleUtiUOZEkGlC7-CNEgTmXMfAjoHf0RUwwP7ErJgPxjyNc7bWRqwuE2U4RRHvPpI_5vVp9sLI3bfpdsqj7Tqf0tvrpW4HkwmnbNCd5FJ6JWOfk06eRPdJ4YKY/s320/toni4.JPG" width="320" /></a> Thursday 22nd December <br />
We were very grateful to our travel consultant who very kindly dropped us off to our new host yesterday afternoon. We arrived to find our accommodation all ready for us, our very own house! Joseph and I were pleased to discover that there was even a crib in the bedroom! <br />
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Our host was busy checking her work emails and donkey was frightened by the four adopted cats that live here and started braying very loudly! so we decided to explore the garden, where we met more adopted animals, including guinea pigs called Rocko, Caramel and Butterscotch and two rabbits who had arrived just days earlier called Jack and Frost, they seemed very friendly and came over to chat to us. <br />
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Our host had to go to work but invited us to come along, so we set off on a very long car journey, we stopped briefly to look at the view from a very big hill and I was very relieved we didn't have to walk as I am getting very tired now. <br />
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After a long drive our host disappeared into a house and reappeared a while later, while we waited in the car, this happened several times throughout the evening, stopping at different houses, and we didn't get home until very late!!! <br />
We had to get up very early this morning to attend morning prayer and there was a brief panic when donkey disappeared!! Where had he gone?? <br />
Luckily our host eventually found him, asleep with one of the cats! <br />
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After a short drive we arrived at a large church where we met yet another dog collar - there certainly seem to be a lot of them! He was very friendly and was very interested in our journey, after morning prayer we stopped to admire the huge Christmas tree which had a very large star on top of it, was this a sign that would lead us to Bethlehem?<br />
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKGjl1b3EjTfbrEMkzgBuXhbO86sBYtsiVcJuz385yiq8DYS1xZClU-Jf2RsF4DD2eLDrNIZBr69vudX3-YYoRqqJiKt6-0qs4kVXXzoI4UhZnvOVPzGi2nHKaBQ5wgmYkbokNNnO9yPY/s640/toni1.JPG" width="640" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047615045828831555.post-29598812461586090442016-12-23T16:46:00.002+00:002016-12-23T16:51:23.546+00:00Las Posadas: It's a GIRL!21st Dec <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnDaTxOR_whq4JYGTqyFeremD2iwNaD74ygvMSKRMbPbULgk4znTKVnI13kCoZC_82tZXtG-NaF990XN9RscB81HUr-6b6cs38yAhSJf7huxSY4GegUyHb2kSbu5A3KInFO-OBj7AsJL0/s1600/baby+girl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnDaTxOR_whq4JYGTqyFeremD2iwNaD74ygvMSKRMbPbULgk4znTKVnI13kCoZC_82tZXtG-NaF990XN9RscB81HUr-6b6cs38yAhSJf7huxSY4GegUyHb2kSbu5A3KInFO-OBj7AsJL0/s1600/baby+girl.jpg" /></a></div>
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KIDNAPPED?</div>
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A frantic message from the travel co-ordinator! "Have they been kidnapped?" </div>
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No! Following the Xmas sleepover and with 'no room at any inns' a visit to the House family! </div>
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I'm afraid here their adventures are not very exciting as we had to visit Dorchester Hospital for an arrival of our own! Our first Grandchild! While visiting they stayed here at home as we as we thought the midwife may limit visitors numbers! But they made use of their time looking after the dog & kitten! We are thankful of their help at this busy time! </div>
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On return they have been looked after by our son Nathan kept him company while on the sofa! </div>
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We wish them a safe journey and hope that Mary's delivery of her own child is a wonderful one! </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047615045828831555.post-9728102153493984412016-12-23T09:22:00.003+00:002016-12-23T09:22:50.388+00:00Las Posadas: A Cub Christmas sleepover in the church!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQeaPvGcD5GpnLi1MG69qhyphenhyphenVY-0qy8z8zU1XR0YlFwvY1S4nKr_piJimdMswlKN7_Uo95WNf6kk4U38v4m7eK0XRhl9YFWjbBIYRD1Mn1Uky6LWBVkzYBPF5Xsu2ifkKAkYf0w1qtK2g/s1600/cubs3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQeaPvGcD5GpnLi1MG69qhyphenhyphenVY-0qy8z8zU1XR0YlFwvY1S4nKr_piJimdMswlKN7_Uo95WNf6kk4U38v4m7eK0XRhl9YFWjbBIYRD1Mn1Uky6LWBVkzYBPF5Xsu2ifkKAkYf0w1qtK2g/s400/cubs3.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>
20th Dec <br />
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After a brief period of being lost our trio found their way to St Mary's Winterborne Stickland where they found the cubs having a Christmas sleepover! </div>
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The first thing they did was to discuss Advent and light four of the candles. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-MXg5DNs-0Ejvm4n-metz6KxWrAVAJOxkBPNZgqD7v9_mK_WmRHJF3EpV80zDXz7HzDh6Oj6jERBQRPNjNKj5oPMtbZH3Kvk2LL7ff1o_W1yeg41EI-zZpX4WoPsDAVZqNRzc4lRsQHg/s1600/cubs5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-MXg5DNs-0Ejvm4n-metz6KxWrAVAJOxkBPNZgqD7v9_mK_WmRHJF3EpV80zDXz7HzDh6Oj6jERBQRPNjNKj5oPMtbZH3Kvk2LL7ff1o_W1yeg41EI-zZpX4WoPsDAVZqNRzc4lRsQHg/s320/cubs5.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Following this they tried bell ringing. This was a wonderful experience for all and we are all very grateful to the bell ringers who were brilliant! </div>
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They greatly enjoyed an Xmas singsong, singing carols and a cubs twist on the 'twelve days of (cub camp!) They loved the following Hot Chocolate and Cake especially Donkey who had seconds! These were special cakes celebrating 100yrs of Cubs and 30yrs of Beavers of who recently started in Winterborne Whitechurch and two of the leaders came along to help and enjoy the experience. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPY2IJ-5lYpT6pRjOtVODV6j7mOo0rZ-9KPP8VIXmO4_M-HgRVYOyE_3f4jryu8sKnlbPFnNae72rjnGtCVloG4iSBx9XfHnjYQlGvfq7HoiwlClEaa5v5gLg54rpPXunne8-gy5epxds/s1600/cubs2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPY2IJ-5lYpT6pRjOtVODV6j7mOo0rZ-9KPP8VIXmO4_M-HgRVYOyE_3f4jryu8sKnlbPFnNae72rjnGtCVloG4iSBx9XfHnjYQlGvfq7HoiwlClEaa5v5gLg54rpPXunne8-gy5epxds/s320/cubs2.jpeg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzU63bQPvAykJ43_9swoKMPc_sCb5Q4u23TTqDJqQiSc36oGN5iz1XnHJXuAS2214hhm6SN-ZUQdKLrBV0sbMSbQIF1MciQHQE1ZdpffgT5uCHibER7QM6oo0PT6AZTpF5eGCLan-MLO8/s1600/cubs1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzU63bQPvAykJ43_9swoKMPc_sCb5Q4u23TTqDJqQiSc36oGN5iz1XnHJXuAS2214hhm6SN-ZUQdKLrBV0sbMSbQIF1MciQHQE1ZdpffgT5uCHibER7QM6oo0PT6AZTpF5eGCLan-MLO8/s400/cubs1.jpeg" width="400" /></a> </div>
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They were also very lucky to enjoy as we were a visit from the Rev Alan Ryan and who popped in. Alan took time to took time to talk to us all flying through a 800yr history of the church and getting us all thinking. It all helped us to realise what a special place we were in. A prayer for us closed their visit. </div>
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Mary, Joseph & Donkey enjoyed sitting down to an Xmas story written by one of the leaders before bed. </div>
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Some sleep or should that read 'Little' sleep was had and the next morning they were awoken to the smell of bacon & sausages! </div>
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They then renewed their cubs promise as part of the 100yr celebrations. </div>
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12 o'clock came around all too soon and I'm sure that they were as sad as us leaders to see the cubs go home to their families to enjoy Christmas! </div>
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But what happened to them following the sleepover?</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047615045828831555.post-36245626577147739252016-12-21T19:41:00.001+00:002016-12-21T19:42:34.562+00:00Las Posadas: Lurking behind a tree.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Efabwn5dYJrUnVQGiWl9ZMe3R1nqz_hG2CMcqXYeLyQHofMn5iqC4_2muPqAfKF_H63zGNVf1CdEal9XMBYolSDEpafZAbQxjJuNUCLvSHgyr4zu3zZgP0pHBFM1-sYZ2laKArAW9JA/s1600/IMG_1851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Efabwn5dYJrUnVQGiWl9ZMe3R1nqz_hG2CMcqXYeLyQHofMn5iqC4_2muPqAfKF_H63zGNVf1CdEal9XMBYolSDEpafZAbQxjJuNUCLvSHgyr4zu3zZgP0pHBFM1-sYZ2laKArAW9JA/s640/IMG_1851.JPG" width="352" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRTYaN3VGmViDUuzqNXV4H5KvpIEDa5PDXh9J5BxGO3-lgrOUhaNOBzoPebr9r4T9AsV_Q0X1ZKv8AJQ6_RjGx2-I_pc_42hKIFIwnJWX2fDAvGdYLh_T6TV0p5Rsv3aosmjMgIgw5aI/s1600/IMG_1850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRTYaN3VGmViDUuzqNXV4H5KvpIEDa5PDXh9J5BxGO3-lgrOUhaNOBzoPebr9r4T9AsV_Q0X1ZKv8AJQ6_RjGx2-I_pc_42hKIFIwnJWX2fDAvGdYLh_T6TV0p5Rsv3aosmjMgIgw5aI/s320/IMG_1850.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
Our travellers attended the Houghton carol service and (despite having to peer through the branches of a large tree) they enjoyed the children's shadow puppet show - They were a little confused because the story seemed to be about them. Donkey felt that he should have had a lead part!<br />
Where did they spend the night? Who hosted them? Where did they go next?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047615045828831555.post-6764622233970398372016-12-21T19:27:00.001+00:002016-12-21T19:27:35.237+00:00Las Posada: Dancing, singing and ringing - it all happens with these hosts!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyK5YBvuz_oAvAi5pvJIKpFM1-LP_QwDn7MIqX1SP4P6cjDrSGHfLu1Er5TaigQt-0qs7KpUOzxnGCkVTAoEXXVs2oQ5CX2BU8MMO8IaN4yHBoxceheTsy3f9PpZHWB9_xEnQvv6mfhQ4/s1600/karen3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyK5YBvuz_oAvAi5pvJIKpFM1-LP_QwDn7MIqX1SP4P6cjDrSGHfLu1Er5TaigQt-0qs7KpUOzxnGCkVTAoEXXVs2oQ5CX2BU8MMO8IaN4yHBoxceheTsy3f9PpZHWB9_xEnQvv6mfhQ4/s640/karen3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></o:p></div>
<o:p> </o:p><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Saturday 17<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
December<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>hosts Karen & Richard Marchant<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgywS2zUCnpG0i_iNTsNWmTHri33dvockeCDIdBD7J-CyW_j2sHWGL1sACPySm8xCq9jq9F8LXJeN-MdCgK-Q-Q7Z-iCYOCjE30s_zCsYh0VUqr4QWclYsGvDBJn3ryf3oB6aJ1ogFle2M/s1600/karen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgywS2zUCnpG0i_iNTsNWmTHri33dvockeCDIdBD7J-CyW_j2sHWGL1sACPySm8xCq9jq9F8LXJeN-MdCgK-Q-Q7Z-iCYOCjE30s_zCsYh0VUqr4QWclYsGvDBJn3ryf3oB6aJ1ogFle2M/s320/karen.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We arrived in the evening when the ‘Strictly Come Dancing’
on the screen in the corner of the room had already started. We were given the
best seats and Mary was so pleased that Ore won. Even I quite enjoyed the
splendour of it all.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju6FmPLv-do9PIFn6gtY80FTf_TgPorp7Y_q_eSRwNte2YOpxyXajT0dHPBSmVU_tiEsi3ief2jHlNk7rQ8RTpBKSYFNzaqs1CKtsiVQlLXoIvsbtzYRQFkjDEcuK71hX39tcka9zFVdU/s1600/karen1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju6FmPLv-do9PIFn6gtY80FTf_TgPorp7Y_q_eSRwNte2YOpxyXajT0dHPBSmVU_tiEsi3ief2jHlNk7rQ8RTpBKSYFNzaqs1CKtsiVQlLXoIvsbtzYRQFkjDEcuK71hX39tcka9zFVdU/s320/karen1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Donkey was not impressed that he had been shut in his box
all day, but cheered up considerably when a splendid supper was provided.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Joseph</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sunday 18<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
December<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>hosts Karen & Richard Marchant<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDekbQSLLieb_JLL13-6agxyzWFBHcVuvieZmZFn9ygSb1OYo7AJ6dZBL3IRLkaK1V8UH4A8U9D4wYUIHOXy_lURfR0Y8B4ECPVN_cmyxmwPXa1vVK3ahklp-kr6WVqd_WVCy4Kell8rM/s1600/karen2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDekbQSLLieb_JLL13-6agxyzWFBHcVuvieZmZFn9ygSb1OYo7AJ6dZBL3IRLkaK1V8UH4A8U9D4wYUIHOXy_lURfR0Y8B4ECPVN_cmyxmwPXa1vVK3ahklp-kr6WVqd_WVCy4Kell8rM/s400/karen2.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We all spent a comfortable night and were looking forward to
going to the Milton Abbey Carol Service. To get us into the mood, our hosts
played ‘Twinkle, twinkle little star’ for us on the handbells. After the
performance, Donkey thought he might have a go but, on closer examination of
them, they were a lot bigger than he first thought!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We were taken to the Benefice Carol Service at the Abbey and
turned out to be the guests of honour. We stood on the piano at the front and
listened to some lovely music from the choir, the organ and congregation. The
readings were telling our story – what a joy!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Donkey and I were very pleased to hear the Abbey bells
peeling. Mary did become very tired and was glad to return to the tranquillity
and comfort of out accommodation. The baby was restless and dancing and kicking
to the music – just like Ore did on <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Strictly</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Joseph<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Monday 19<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
December</b> and on our journey again to meet our next hosts at Coffee Pot.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047615045828831555.post-35488239413692551792016-12-19T10:17:00.001+00:002016-12-19T10:18:29.187+00:00Las Posadas: MISSING!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfYwtI6Gjr2XIreuZCkzSgLUXksMVktJbjrPTnRb7hazkJuziaFsbwC58gNjI28136dWjHh7rZgKuoPElhzl542UItSJrU1HxEPVzjWFqtPPiCSSzQj1ifITlZ-8oDTySpBZcY-zy5wRM/s1600/image1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfYwtI6Gjr2XIreuZCkzSgLUXksMVktJbjrPTnRb7hazkJuziaFsbwC58gNjI28136dWjHh7rZgKuoPElhzl542UItSJrU1HxEPVzjWFqtPPiCSSzQj1ifITlZ-8oDTySpBZcY-zy5wRM/s640/image1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Hi Richard,<br />
> <br />
> Just about to message Harriett I'm afraid we haven't received them!<br />
> <br />
> I understood they were being brought to our cubs party last night,<br />
> <br />
> Regards Jay, <br />
<br />
Dear Jamie<br />
I was beginning to think that Mary had been rushed to the maternity unit in Dorchester Hospital but apparently she spent the night in the back of someone's car, consequently hungry when they arrived. They watched the final of Strictly whilst we prepared something to eat.<br />
Come to think of it, it's a good job that Mary didn't need to go to hospital otherwise Christmas Day might have been changed to the 16th December - that would upset the Christmas story, not to mention the shopkeepers!<br />
Thanks for contacting the tour operator.<br />
Best wishes<br />
Richard Marchant<br />
<br />
This was the panic this weekend - the travellers were last spotted enjoying the school end of term service but where did they go from there?!! Eventually the tour operated tracked them down and sent them off to their correct destination. A little ruffled, no doubt, but they seem to have quickly settled in with their new hosts.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047615045828831555.post-35997731975628205492016-12-13T16:21:00.002+00:002016-12-13T16:21:36.943+00:00Las Posadas:The days before.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4gzy8e1KpwKQvSJne97sS7SGJ-7wbIEPrN7a-Wvpc11XUZ2_N9rH3BQVVJcQIS-nHaNyjKY789T06CQu1nyK5QSPjeTmVkfpnmhtSFmENYqVsTKvDXX0Ac9jxtH6d2fHNCLIMqqUhvjU/s1600/P1030819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4gzy8e1KpwKQvSJne97sS7SGJ-7wbIEPrN7a-Wvpc11XUZ2_N9rH3BQVVJcQIS-nHaNyjKY789T06CQu1nyK5QSPjeTmVkfpnmhtSFmENYqVsTKvDXX0Ac9jxtH6d2fHNCLIMqqUhvjU/s400/P1030819.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Must be for me - there is a donkey shoe on it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Saturday 10<sup>th</sup> December<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaX-MCUKWlO1GPQGjoKnzrnWYpZE0XmamFLj2ZEhRlbZE1srKB9Zc9C_WzxuyrDNpOAJ3OTdUet7M4kBdRBJnV85mM1rV2kiRajCSMsEOc-oxzNWLgKZt7RQdVy7gkSDYd1FKHPBwAos4/s1600/P1030816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaX-MCUKWlO1GPQGjoKnzrnWYpZE0XmamFLj2ZEhRlbZE1srKB9Zc9C_WzxuyrDNpOAJ3OTdUet7M4kBdRBJnV85mM1rV2kiRajCSMsEOc-oxzNWLgKZt7RQdVy7gkSDYd1FKHPBwAos4/s320/P1030816.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was Mary's favourite - I have to say it tasted <br />
rather good too!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Donkey:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Well,
off we went to Milton Abbas Church. Wow-eee, the change in there since we were
taken by Dulcie to Choir Practice. It all looks sooooooo beautiful decorated
with all those amazing trees. We were placed halfway up the aisle. This was a
new Rev, the Rev Sue, who said halfway up was symbolic as we were still
travelling!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The singing was good even
though the choir sat amongst the congregation. There were quite a few kids and
they so enjoyed placing the figures in the Nativity scene up near the pulpit.
It was a little scary when the lights were all turned out, but peeping through
the box it was lovely to see all the trees light up. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The
Inn Keepers wife from Bethlehem was there. Three times she told folks about the
Inn where we are headed. Quite a tale she recalled. Someone said she is quite
an actress and I should have asked for her autograph, whatever one of those is.
She gave Murray some bedding and ask him to help make up the beds and as for
the dustpan and brush she gave Jeremy to help clear up after me! Well, I ask
you!!! Someone ought to tell that Debbie that I’m house trained. Oh, and by the
way, our friend Dulcie excelled herself on the organ. Joseph tried a little of
the red wine, Mary only had the refreshments, and everyone forgot about me.
Poor me. Rev Sue said I reminded her of a poem by Chesterton “Tattered Outlaw
of the Earth”, or some such thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Fancy that.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Sunday 11<sup>th</sup> December<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">We spent a comfortable night with John and Sue. Mary
enjoyed the Strictly Come Dancing on that screen in the corner. Evidently Sue
loves it. She is rooting for Ore to win because she doesn’t watch East Enders.
All double dutch to me. Breakfast was porridge and something called toast and
marmalade. Great. Then it was off with our hosts to a different church.
Something called a Methodist Church which was at Colehill. We were placed on
the Communion Table, still in our box, and when the cloths were taken off the
bread and wine, Sue released us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>The folks
were all sat in a circle so we could see everyone and they could see us. I went
sort of shy. I mean, I’d only just had my breakfast. But they were ever so
friendly and wanted to know all about us and a group that called themselves
Knitters said that they would be busy come the new year making replica’s of us.
I didn’t like the sound of that, but Sue said that copying is the sincerest
form of praise for the excellent job we are doing. I liked the decorations in
that Church as well and they have a lovely cut glass window of a cross and
dove. It was so beautiful I had to have a roll on my back to show my
appreciation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">After lunch John is taking us to St Mary’s, Winterborne Whitechurch,
where we are to be placed near the organ as arranged with Debbie our next
hostess. I ask you, a Donkey’s life is never done. Perhaps I’ll have a snooze
while I have the chance.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Donkey</span></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047615045828831555.post-3148409710215256602016-12-13T10:32:00.002+00:002016-12-13T10:32:55.469+00:00Las Posadas - <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi62XDjC8Kd93R9w10dY-FeCLw5oJvWescFxwlC4UjzaTcATq2OeH5prEWmwLrQMO-1uMVmCuNLNtMvH61m4s2bikX1qUt_ep8Hp6CcEPHsjEH0M49Llhq_hSuf_PdoexiIfFt81AJu5mo/s1600/IMG_20161211_1700391_rewind.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi62XDjC8Kd93R9w10dY-FeCLw5oJvWescFxwlC4UjzaTcATq2OeH5prEWmwLrQMO-1uMVmCuNLNtMvH61m4s2bikX1qUt_ep8Hp6CcEPHsjEH0M49Llhq_hSuf_PdoexiIfFt81AJu5mo/s320/IMG_20161211_1700391_rewind.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />'Mary, Joseph and donkey arrived a little early for the carol service in Winterborne Whitechurch on Sunday so they wandered around the church and saw a tableau of figures that bore a strange resemblance to themselves. They couldn't understand why there was an empty manger that everybody was looking at or why there appeared to be kings with presents on offer. Feeling a little embarrassed that they had not got anything to offer they carried on looking around the church'<br />
<br />
<div class="x-mail-message-body plaiTextEditor" id="mail-message-body">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmEMtg_vqHhKeu5dJ0GT4hcGlXIQ29N9cdZLChku_Q5pkE9hNSV3uKsvINxIhqfXQjbVlhlpld4JDq7XN80ShGRW7LdQ-Y6Dk_9qC_SdtU-kMu37QQxvd8vhllOKlgAA7XIG5nmajphLQ/s1600/IMG_20161211_1658334_rewind.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmEMtg_vqHhKeu5dJ0GT4hcGlXIQ29N9cdZLChku_Q5pkE9hNSV3uKsvINxIhqfXQjbVlhlpld4JDq7XN80ShGRW7LdQ-Y6Dk_9qC_SdtU-kMu37QQxvd8vhllOKlgAA7XIG5nmajphLQ/s320/IMG_20161211_1658334_rewind.jpg" width="181" /></a>'They came upon a strange bit of furniture called a pulpit. Joseph said that he had heard somewhere that it was customary for somebody in a dog collar to give a sermon from the pulpit. They knew that they would be a service at 6 o'clock and wondered who was going to be the person doing this? Joseph said that he had heard that it was often a visitor who did it and as Donkey looked the most like a dog out of the three of them that it would have to be him that gave the sermon if no one else appeared. Donkey was petrified at the prospect and his legs started to shake. They were all very relieved when they saw people starting to arrive, especially Donkey. They moved back into the church where they could watch people coming in.'</div>
<div class="x-mail-message-body plaiTextEditor">
</div>
<div class="x-mail-message-body plaiTextEditor">
'All three of them stood and watched as the villagers came into the church and sang carols. The singing was lovely and the church looked beautiful with twinkly lights. They heard people reading from a book and it slowly started to explain the story about the people that they had come across in the crib. <br /> Donkey's back legs had been shaking so much at the thought of having to speak out loud that he had to sit down. He thought he could hear someone mutter 'wonky donkey' but decided to ignore it and listen to the readers tell a remarkable story of angels, shepherds, and a new born baby.'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047615045828831555.post-32467506067187212272016-12-06T16:56:00.000+00:002016-12-06T17:04:08.107+00:00Las Posadas Day 9 Donkey's Diary<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6W_4oHicEcs3TfOovorHBglv_bC_8J4K9iNRdAnAhfY8qfPrm-T8PZmJlbubxCVo-UkwaRYf96YgNaxrU3tnY-v_qXARz6PTz7lt8_TJBOhESq5_mL0-x0zTrWDG_baPb3lVzUCCuG0E/s1600/Day9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6W_4oHicEcs3TfOovorHBglv_bC_8J4K9iNRdAnAhfY8qfPrm-T8PZmJlbubxCVo-UkwaRYf96YgNaxrU3tnY-v_qXARz6PTz7lt8_TJBOhESq5_mL0-x0zTrWDG_baPb3lVzUCCuG0E/s1600/Day9.JPG" /></a></div>
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Our host, Anne is surprised and honoured to be the first person in Houghton to give shelter to our family. She doesn't know much about looking after donkeys . Her daughter, in her teens, had a New Forest pony who was very independent. Will she think I am the same? Do far I have been quite happy to look out of the window with Mary and Joseph - watching the villagers go by taking their dogs for a walk. The dogs all wear collars and some have collars that light up at night. Have you ever thought about having one like that Mr Rev? I am sure your flock would appreciate it!<br />
<br />
I think we shall have a quiet time today as Anne is not feeling very energetic. She had thought about taking us to Bulbarrow to see if we could distinguish Glastonbury Tor and its Abbey. Legend has it that Mary' Babe (yet to be born) visited there as a teenager with his great uncle - St Joseph of Arimathea. How wonderful if it were a fact!<br />
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Tomorrow we are going back to Winterborne Stickland to meet our next host in St Mary's Church.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047615045828831555.post-56077229847244173702016-12-04T17:44:00.002+00:002016-12-04T17:44:58.194+00:00Las Posadas Day 7 - Forgotten?!!!!!!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Joseph, a man full of
God’s Grace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mary and Joseph and Donkey at the table, keeping warm by the
Advent Candle whirligig .<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;">Advent needed a little explanation !!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Saturday 3<sup>rd</sup>. Thanks to the emergency hostelry at
the Rectory – Mary, Joseph and Donkey were able to sleep in safety despite the
intended hosts not arriving to pick them up. No satisfactory excuses – I
forgot. When the Rector phoned, I was out at a concert. By the time I returned
it was very late and I felt it too rude to phone. Happily the Rector said he
would deliver Mary Joseph and Donkey to me at Clenston church.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were pleased to
see Mary, Joseph and Donkey sat happily on the altar cloth and kept warm by the
candles and with a good view of what would unfold at the service. A thought
flashed through my mind as I sat at the organ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The popular modern song “The Little Drummer Boy” has a verse wherein it
says “ I played my best for Him”. I’m sure the congregation sang with their
hearts too, it certainly was with feeling. After the service there were drinks
and something to eat. Mary Joseph and Donkey seemed very content with that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Upon arrival at home Mary Joseph and Donkey were placed by
the Advent Candle; a merry-go-round with shepherds, sheep, kings and a camel
and gifts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Some old woodworking tools were in our shed and I placed
these near our guests. Joseph seemed to be looking intently at these tools. I
looked hard at Joseph and thought how gracious he was. We don’t know exactly
what he thought at that time but he was determined to stand by Mary whatever
happened. He had chosen to leave his job and work and friends to accompany Mary
in a long and dangerous journey. I then heard myself asking Joseph if he missed
his work and his tools. His reply went straight to my heart. He explained that
the tools and skills he had were gifts from God, that he could make something
new or he could mend things that were broken and both gave him and his
customers great pleasure. That was his greatest reward, the pleasure from
purposeful hard work, seeing other people’s joy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;">He also explained that his ancestors had broken things.
Among these were broken promises. His faith was steadfast in the belief that,
given the right tools, all of us can always make amends. Looking at Joseph I
could see the tools needed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;">I wiped a tear from my eye and Joseph noticed. He said that
being sorry was probably the first stage and washing ones eyes was a good way
to see the light- the way ahead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;">That made me smile. This honest, humble and dedicated man
had read my hurt at letting him, Mary and the Donkey down the previous evening.
He finished with such a gracious statement. “This is our path. We are glad to be
here and your home is one we gladly share. With God, all will be well.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;">I mouthed the words “Thank you”. It was all I could do. It
was all that was needed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">The journey continues……..<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> </span></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047615045828831555.post-77843209005712830702016-12-03T08:27:00.001+00:002016-12-03T08:32:14.704+00:00Las Posadas Day 5. A Donkeybox for the donkey?<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span><br />
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">A night at Mill House and then off to work at The Winterborne Horsebox Company in Stickland, where Joseph was keen to join his old mate George for a few hours to try his carpentry skills at horsebox building</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVzcGQ0gmyVZEJCrI9YEze67EVdfAFaZh2Mj3Gb1M1mg2_K1UbwaWpybVghLDnPM59jUFJsOYhGOIbQml2PZXbiMs4ZlXDzCx2-aGM_2DrVQajGxH6-ifKF_mJN2ddX_eO_vBdpiV5k2c/s1600/Las+Posadas+Day+5b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVzcGQ0gmyVZEJCrI9YEze67EVdfAFaZh2Mj3Gb1M1mg2_K1UbwaWpybVghLDnPM59jUFJsOYhGOIbQml2PZXbiMs4ZlXDzCx2-aGM_2DrVQajGxH6-ifKF_mJN2ddX_eO_vBdpiV5k2c/s320/Las+Posadas+Day+5b.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">We thought about how much easier a horsebox would be for a while, but most of them were much too big for us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span> <span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">There was, though, one box which was just the right size for us and Donkey got very excited by the prospect of a horsebox (or, more particularly, a donkey box), which he thought would be a jolly good idea.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlMdTHno3SN9ECvVzhq3sC97_GfpL63Mxrl14XYDftt-z8QS6j-MaWMdV0EYNs4eqmjRlFmSx38DuvWpoyrWMZSEkVh8EsbY174vvh98birZ6OZ_7V9iEVhT1Ta0RD4XYlKg343a3b2OI/s1600/LasPosadas+Day+5+c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlMdTHno3SN9ECvVzhq3sC97_GfpL63Mxrl14XYDftt-z8QS6j-MaWMdV0EYNs4eqmjRlFmSx38DuvWpoyrWMZSEkVh8EsbY174vvh98birZ6OZ_7V9iEVhT1Ta0RD4XYlKg343a3b2OI/s400/LasPosadas+Day+5+c.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">In fact he took such a shine to it that he sat in it and resolutely refused to budge until it was lunchtime and we managed to lure him out with some carrots.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> MARY </span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">xx<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</span></span> </span> </span><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047615045828831555.post-85460115978349500492016-11-30T15:38:00.000+00:002016-11-30T15:44:14.313+00:00Las Posadas. Day 3 Guests at the Churchleaders' meeting.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPpVDtwxflMhe72CTalbX_rJS5djgdOmXtb7cdOi40if2VPTDaNPtSaSi_OjBi6qSMMo5fnUNFnq30xg2xu24Kh-r7ZpQ66qsh7SSA7vNePWky29Yd0U4VlClgwPuN9QE94o846gbjUHQ/s1600/P1030569a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPpVDtwxflMhe72CTalbX_rJS5djgdOmXtb7cdOi40if2VPTDaNPtSaSi_OjBi6qSMMo5fnUNFnq30xg2xu24Kh-r7ZpQ66qsh7SSA7vNePWky29Yd0U4VlClgwPuN9QE94o846gbjUHQ/s400/P1030569a.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mini Mince pies - for me!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihIKdE2Wg3aDhUf2EpUrGTEyUE2cac1IPf5oIMR3CY_85U8Q7umy5-hGxlGAWqdGqXPpvDvCcO9nrKP99J7uAGiKH14hShlgXgCGk9psK6MrXGxRan6dh5s7uoFtYDM6nb0M-KQGZrhxI/s1600/P1030570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihIKdE2Wg3aDhUf2EpUrGTEyUE2cac1IPf5oIMR3CY_85U8Q7umy5-hGxlGAWqdGqXPpvDvCcO9nrKP99J7uAGiKH14hShlgXgCGk9psK6MrXGxRan6dh5s7uoFtYDM6nb0M-KQGZrhxI/s200/P1030570.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">The best things about churchleaders' meetings are the mince pies. <u>Most</u> people were paying attention to the speaker so I was able to tuck in unnoticed. <span style="font-size: small;"> 😁<span style="font-size: x-large;">DONKEY</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPpVDtwxflMhe72CTalbX_rJS5djgdOmXtb7cdOi40if2VPTDaNPtSaSi_OjBi6qSMMo5fnUNFnq30xg2xu24Kh-r7ZpQ66qsh7SSA7vNePWky29Yd0U4VlClgwPuN9QE94o846gbjUHQ/s1600/P1030569a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047615045828831555.post-20135051626201624962016-11-29T11:45:00.001+00:002016-11-29T12:36:48.659+00:00Las Posadas Day2 - Up with the abbots!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0070c0;"><em><span style="color: black;"></span></em></span> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Ct8cHpTVaRdFydvK6Ay4pQJ3YFAvAMPA3Rw_IB0pOiVO28PCZZozKao2WEr-nrFvz1BP8UObv0hgBdD6XqLXnadEFflYENk6FLc297T03EYS8SzcRMEAQI6sau5hSWsJhBy76EOQNUQ/s1600/day2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="347" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Ct8cHpTVaRdFydvK6Ay4pQJ3YFAvAMPA3Rw_IB0pOiVO28PCZZozKao2WEr-nrFvz1BP8UObv0hgBdD6XqLXnadEFflYENk6FLc297T03EYS8SzcRMEAQI6sau5hSWsJhBy76EOQNUQ/s400/day2.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOFp-fPPH02dz9lg1OPCrkLDU58V4WmVA19bcDaqghsEnfzfqLkF6DOTj56IjoOrwBY38vot8Lb5NiPQotfcFMAP0_C3sB_dMEYyPIizR8iOy3mxHhaKgDdUIAsFFoOQqAR895N3Vb1ng/s1600/day2b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOFp-fPPH02dz9lg1OPCrkLDU58V4WmVA19bcDaqghsEnfzfqLkF6DOTj56IjoOrwBY38vot8Lb5NiPQotfcFMAP0_C3sB_dMEYyPIizR8iOy3mxHhaKgDdUIAsFFoOQqAR895N3Vb1ng/s200/day2b.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnCEfmVr0SaPhjBStHJoSr60T7seK6doNNpikEa8fB3P-ccANvTvwqYIkgS2UbMem9WzpiqKO0sHk62VS_GgKn0fPVhmO4w5KfHCwvf1VHUTdgbe0kjbQVEFP4LYJgfhtLvY4hIZJTW7k/s1600/day2a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnCEfmVr0SaPhjBStHJoSr60T7seK6doNNpikEa8fB3P-ccANvTvwqYIkgS2UbMem9WzpiqKO0sHk62VS_GgKn0fPVhmO4w5KfHCwvf1VHUTdgbe0kjbQVEFP4LYJgfhtLvY4hIZJTW7k/s200/day2a.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="color: #0070c0;"><em><span style="color: black;">After Morning Prayer at Winterborne Stickland we were sent to our new hosts who took us on a car journey - this was a novelty for donkey who was used to walking everywhere! We were finally allowed out of our box at Abbotsbury where we were all delighted to see that we were in the company of very familiar hosts and so we knew we were in for a fun day!<br /><br /> As it had been a few hours since we last prayed, our hosts decided to take us to the Chapel on the Hill. Mary needed a breather half way up the hill and naughty donkey decided to climb a tree for a better view - we were relieved he didn't get stuck! With the occasional shafts of light piercing the darkness, St Catherine's Chapel was a very beautiful and peaceful place to pray - it was certainly well worth the climb.<br /><br /> After leaving Abbotsbury, donkey was eager to visit some inns well in advance of Mary's due date, and when his hosts found one with a special star he thought this was the ideal place to stop for refreshments. After lunch we all helped our hosts with the final planning for their Advent Discussion </span></em></span></div>
<span style="color: #0070c0;"><em><span style="color: black;">Group which was to take place in another inn that very evening! But before that it was time to pray again and so it was off to Evening Prayer in the Crypt at Wimborne Minster - it was pretty dark down there and donkey was a bit scared but Mary loved </span></em></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgknEknlgCfXho4ieKenI87u_HDWedx-NvLX1SfjjEqTA1cQiTvWsKX9ii7Z8ga5IIbUwC1OcLLYHwofItl8aMgigTDqjmXG2WUqJU9s5yW2-bSMG73KesmIMIYuOmTaquKsQuerUamSGY/s1600/day2d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgknEknlgCfXho4ieKenI87u_HDWedx-NvLX1SfjjEqTA1cQiTvWsKX9ii7Z8ga5IIbUwC1OcLLYHwofItl8aMgigTDqjmXG2WUqJU9s5yW2-bSMG73KesmIMIYuOmTaquKsQuerUamSGY/s320/day2d.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiixKbciOUPHGnbcKOcZ2Mki0-UlFwiTVJsvXkMz6Bqzc8XGce6ujG_71go1ncyFrFH2QDwxtYbphxK_p2iRm329uDzgP5LoxxwkA5DYzW8H7NCyBP1PF1diuL6gWgPQCPtmGGBqTq_AVY/s1600/day4c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiixKbciOUPHGnbcKOcZ2Mki0-UlFwiTVJsvXkMz6Bqzc8XGce6ujG_71go1ncyFrFH2QDwxtYbphxK_p2iRm329uDzgP5LoxxwkA5DYzW8H7NCyBP1PF1diuL6gWgPQCPtmGGBqTq_AVY/s200/day4c.jpg" width="89" /></a><span style="color: #0070c0;"><em><span style="color: black;">the peace and quiet.<br /><br /> Then it was back to Winterborne Stickland and to the Advent Discussion Group at The Crown - donkey was sure he had been to this inn before.....!! Our hosts were joined by 7 other jolly people, including the dog collar....it was good to see him again.<br /><br /> And so eventually it was off to bed as we have to get up pretty early for Morning Prayer before joining our new hosts. </span></em></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Y8tQLZMbZSULGrz54lKgqOmwe-EVPWPGZLOPy4uyZ2m-xM-y3rz79-_YzRJDrLHJsKIVfAj340KkS67ILyUUzbH9oZCmDIfWzWkGVi5eOvBfaQnXAUb6D-0RDqwRFYQCfWruCaLw3OA/s1600/day2e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Y8tQLZMbZSULGrz54lKgqOmwe-EVPWPGZLOPy4uyZ2m-xM-y3rz79-_YzRJDrLHJsKIVfAj340KkS67ILyUUzbH9oZCmDIfWzWkGVi5eOvBfaQnXAUb6D-0RDqwRFYQCfWruCaLw3OA/s320/day2e.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<em></em><br />
<h2>
JOSEPH</h2>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047615045828831555.post-58676643352312048972016-11-27T18:38:00.001+00:002016-11-28T11:13:41.850+00:00Las Posadas Day1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieoqNyBSO9SoNY_hTQnXe-AYKqrKY2_2Yc8knYiMrGMdcJDmwu9rKJ5JWSEjjeNXBeUHxHS9c1T-NGeiteaz2sBBtWXv-kcDNvtHFM5xfuu4e5pOSRbkKS0POrw-HlCQo9V-Vw4-_CZ9w/s1600/P1030562a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="367" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieoqNyBSO9SoNY_hTQnXe-AYKqrKY2_2Yc8knYiMrGMdcJDmwu9rKJ5JWSEjjeNXBeUHxHS9c1T-NGeiteaz2sBBtWXv-kcDNvtHFM5xfuu4e5pOSRbkKS0POrw-HlCQo9V-Vw4-_CZ9w/s400/P1030562a.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>Looking for a dog collar.</u></span></div>
I didn't get out of the travel box all last night - it's getting pretty smelly in here - Fancy having to share a box with Mary and Joseph! I did take a peek when all was quiet and we were in a very pretty church and there were four very tall red candles and a white one next to us. We kept very quiet and listened to the singing. I wanted to join in but Joseph put his hand over my mouth and told me my singing sounded like braying! How rude!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWFqhw1BocAae5YHJ8LGKb16mwX8ckoEnRyuNunfc5gm4FM4JGbDayEKbXjjPZAKNTOIC1RZaUsUpns4TvMcYgRyTbnoua3UM3g64mVvnJEA_BWrcVvCwyhlXlNJAAbDQ8elbgljqkY-Q/s1600/P1030559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWFqhw1BocAae5YHJ8LGKb16mwX8ckoEnRyuNunfc5gm4FM4JGbDayEKbXjjPZAKNTOIC1RZaUsUpns4TvMcYgRyTbnoua3UM3g64mVvnJEA_BWrcVvCwyhlXlNJAAbDQ8elbgljqkY-Q/s320/P1030559.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
When all was quiet we set off on our journey to find someone in a dog collar. Mary has been very quiet - she seems a little scared by all this travelling.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQdQ2Us2II0trhr4_5wHtJIDeTvlDYRdXXo9R4eUHW2rGMtXQ3BZK9eRqvtDhfk0FnzcxGkJjw2IIi250WPt43OALjzhhvaT8Wb8tRHBtbTFRBIBhFipv2Q61K4AcXrfu3tCFFJr8ZDq0/s1600/P1030567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQdQ2Us2II0trhr4_5wHtJIDeTvlDYRdXXo9R4eUHW2rGMtXQ3BZK9eRqvtDhfk0FnzcxGkJjw2IIi250WPt43OALjzhhvaT8Wb8tRHBtbTFRBIBhFipv2Q61K4AcXrfu3tCFFJr8ZDq0/s320/P1030567.JPG" width="240" /></a>We were heading for the home of Mr and Mrs Rev. I was sent ahead to look for them and was a little surprised by what I found....two dog collars! Somehow I didn't think Mary was going to want to stay here.<br />
But then we saw the dog collar we were looking for! We spent a little time getting
a<span style="font-family: "calibri";">cquainted <o:p></o:p></span><br />
before we went off to church with him (a chance to try out my singing I hope!)<br />
We will be spending the night with Mr and Mrs Rev. I hope I am not in the dog house!<br />
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<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">xxDONKEY</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047615045828831555.post-9088208495700767512016-11-26T17:48:00.001+00:002016-11-26T18:00:00.103+00:00They have landed!<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Las Posadas - The day before Advent Sunday</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTfCg47tGFiRezQETn7qtWeodAbVS0HMhrpolnl9VMigGmE6YtAOv22Ql2HvxkNASGDIPRHkrq9QcoTW7CA5Y0t7ENpfd5ez5gsYtn4rR2nM6dCxM48Vgq-0D_aaEVIYLXyEb6k_ZiaYo/s1600/DAY1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTfCg47tGFiRezQETn7qtWeodAbVS0HMhrpolnl9VMigGmE6YtAOv22Ql2HvxkNASGDIPRHkrq9QcoTW7CA5Y0t7ENpfd5ez5gsYtn4rR2nM6dCxM48Vgq-0D_aaEVIYLXyEb6k_ZiaYo/s640/DAY1.jpg" width="358" /></a></div>
Mary, Joseph and a donkey have been brought ashore by the RNLI. It is believed that they are making their way to the Winterborne Valley.<br />
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Could this strange package that arrived on the steps of St Nicholas Church, Winterborne Clenston, be a clue to their location?<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, everyone was rather occupied with the baptism of Tabitha so the box remained unopened and was placed on the organ. <br />
Fortunately, Angela and Gerry were able to keep a close eye on it.<br />
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Where will it turn up next?<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047615045828831555.post-13379639089024836012016-11-22T12:25:00.005+00:002016-11-22T12:25:49.781+00:00Advent Discussion Group<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRWAeAbTQuBOOGf-QYjV0iEL7nkIznJZBLaXCFc10fsm6BLC9dOm8aRrJSWhVLjY0xXbNZdXPb5b9WMaMU1ajTliGUVUueHjJ0fpAhP0hC2-6B7-IzWhvHVdBqjHLaYXavLW2bJdqAM6A/s1600/advent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRWAeAbTQuBOOGf-QYjV0iEL7nkIznJZBLaXCFc10fsm6BLC9dOm8aRrJSWhVLjY0xXbNZdXPb5b9WMaMU1ajTliGUVUueHjJ0fpAhP0hC2-6B7-IzWhvHVdBqjHLaYXavLW2bJdqAM6A/s640/advent.jpg" width="452" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0