ARE WE THERE YET?

On Friday Robin and Claire took me on a journey by car to a small coastal town for lunch. The restaurant was small, but we had reservations. I had "Smugglers Casserole" for lunch. Afterwards we visited a small village along the way back, and I took a few pictures.

The evening turned out to be the highlight of the day for me as Robin brought me to St. Mary's for a special evening program designed as one of the fundraising events for their church renovation program.

Following a format familiar to the people, they had a "program" called "Deserted Island Discs," broadcast on BBC for decades. The program featured the bishop of Newcastle, Bishop Martin, who was interviewed by one of the people from St. Mary's in the presence of an audience of about 80 people. As the interview progressed, the bishop would respond to questions, and then a song or a piece of music (from the discs) that he selected would be played for everyone to hear, and he would explain why he chose each selection.

Hearing him tell his personal story in this unique format turned out to be very inspiring for me. In all 12 musical selections were played in the 90 minute program which had a 20 minute intermission for having a glass of wine and some "nibbles." There was also a drawing which I was asked to take part in. I also had the privilege of sitting next to the bishop's wife during the program.

Early on Saturday morning we went over to the Metro station where we took the train to Central Station in Newcastle. While sitting there we watched a freight train pull through the station,but we didn't know whether it was coming in or leaving the area. Each of the cars was plainly marked, however, with the word "COAL." Who would have thunk it?

Arriving at the hotel, we learned where to go to take part in a "Vaults" tour. Unfortunately we were delayed by a military parade along the way. But we made it on time and toured the underground areas that were created by a bridge built across a valley. The history of the "vaults" was very enlightening, but the vaults themselves were filled with darkness.

This evening the group finally assembled for the first time as a whole group, and we had dinner together. We're expecting to have Compline soon, and then the others will be glad to get some sleep.

We're here now, finally, and the "pilgrimage" has begun.