Despite the piss-istent rain of the last three days, broken now by the blackbird's song (AND I'm playing Aerial again as I write this - which is kinda spooky) we had a successful fiete over the church yesterday.
By successful, I mean that it went as well as we could have hoped. But that's all. I'm a little disappointed that everyone's hard work on the day was rewarded by only a taking of £700, which I don't think is nearly enough. The amount we take on the day really needs to reflect this effor tmore, and is usually up over £1000 But this year we had virtually no organising, no advertising and crap weather.
I still enjoyed it though, but being so heavily involved in setting up, clearing up and counting up does rather tarnish that a little bit.

It was exhausting, and I hadn't planned for my mercy dash into the Forest at 10pm to pick up Biscuit and Sc after their D of E excercise was cancelled!
HArdly surprising, and they all looked like a sorry bedraggled bunch when I arrived at the HQ in the darkness to rescue them froma third night of mud, rain and general dampness.
She's lucky to have this get-out option. the rest of the company had no choice but to spend the night under canvas and return to Northampton the next morning.
So they are here now, a day earlier than expected. But they are not eating much, or talking much, or moving much. In fact, not really at all.
I fail to see how two people can so effectively do absolutely nothing at all.

We left for chuirch at 11 and there were still asleep, and hadn't even woken when we came home at 2.00. Fantastic effort.
Took Stan and his mate jack to a party, and then came home to find they had stirred as far as the sofa.
F, A and LC were happy to be outside at last, in the sunshine that kicked in a few hours ago.
A insisted I took the remianing stabiliser off her bike and duly proved that she can ride it after all!!! Fantastic - it has been a little embarrassing that none of my kids can cycle. ANd not to be outdone, big sis then came down from her birthday Globe Jigsaw (which she has nearly built already!!) and decided that she too would brave the bike we picke dup for her before Easter.
Having previously decided that she can't ride it and therefore won't ride it, she jumped on, wobbled for a few miinutes, and is now whizzing about as if she has always been able too!

So a great day. So proud of them.

Emotional too. My first in the role of Minister of the Eucharist (or whatever you call it) Challis - Bearer etc. And Tx's first communion. Adminstered by me.
We have both shed tears over this since. Beautiful moment.
It was very surreal being the other side of the rail. So many of my friends there, kneeling before little me, expectantly and humbly receiving the blood of Christ, shed for all. I am genuinely touched by this opportunity - it really is as special as everyone said.
ANd, because we had so many visitors today (being our Renuion weekend) Mr Vicar was cooking a barbecue so we had a visiting priest. Which meant that our vicar was able to come to the rail for communion. Wine administered by me. Strange days.

Still feeling it now. very humbling, genuinely emotional.
Once I got over the nerves I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward ot next time. I'm even going ot email Vic and tell him so. He's an inspiration.

AND…
Having sent out an email to all our musicians complimenting them on their skills and servcie, with the suggestion they ought to write their own songs now and then, I have been handed a CD with three tunes on written by one of our occasional guitarists! he's not at all happy with his lyrics, and has invited me to read over them and try to come up with something better.
Not soemhting I had anticipated, but who knows what will happen once you start the ball rolling.
A gentle poke now and then, and a whisper of encouragement, may be all people need to start growing.

Positive feelings. Action and reaction. Added value they call it.
Directly improportional to financial return.

What's in it for me?
The beauty of it is that the answer to that is probably nothing at all.
Which just makes it even more worth while