Dear Friends,
Now in our second year we are feeling well settled in Clifton Hampden – although there are still masses of papers to sort out. We have yet to attune to retirement. Marcus has taken a number of services and done a lot of lecturing. Mary talks about retiring but is as busy as ever. Our bodies, however, are suggesting we take life more slowly.
Marcus has had an irregular heart-beat, but ‘cardio-version’ has rectified this. Mary had a skin cancer on her face removed, but it was then necessary for her to have a course of radiotherapy. The arthritis is increasingly troublesome, but she has just had a right knee replacement and is beginning to walk again. She will need a similar operation to the other knee sometime in the future.
Sadly because of the radiotherapy, Mary was unable to share in the pilgrimage to the Holy Land. After much uncertainty because of the war, Marcus and 13 other pilgrims set out in September for what proved to be a very enjoyable and inspiring experience. The group not only saw many beautiful and inspiring places, but also saw some of the work of the Bible Lands Society for disadvantaged children. We hope to arrange a 'Pilgrimage for Families' in August 2008 to give young people the chance to both experience the fascination and problems of Israel/Palestine and to walk in the footsteps of Jesus.
We have been invited to take part in a number of interesting conferences – at the Three Religions Centre at Valencia University, at the International Council of Christians and Jews in Vienna and at the World Public Forum in Rhodes. It is good that the importance of interfaith dialogue is being so widely recognised. Marcus’ new book A Heart for the World: the Interfaith Alternative was published by John Hunt early in year and has had some good reviews. A pocket anthology of 365 Meditations and Inspirations on Love and Peace, of which Marcus was general editor, was published in the autumn by Duncan Baird.
Mary has resigned from many committees in the last year to make way for younger members. She still takes part in two book clubs, which she enjoys, although trouble with her eyes - macular degeneration - makes it harder to keep up with the reading. She has continued to work at the Churchill hospital in Oxford and in Swindon as a renal support manager with kidney patients, although because of her operation she will be off work for about three months. She has taken on as chair of the 17 Courtiers Green Residents committee and got everyone to take part in a street barbecue on the August bank holiday. At long last, we achieved Mary's lifetime ambition to visit the beautiful Scilly Isles.
We continue to see a lot of Rachel and Peter and Kathryn, Helen, Sarah and Anna, who are a great joy to us and who are all doing well at school and who take part in avariety of activities. We were delighted they could all join us for a holiday in Spain in the autumn. Mary hopes to accompany Rachel and family on their visit to Australia next summer
In March we celebrated Jeremy’s 40th birthday with a happy family get together in Bath. We get down to Somerset as often as we can to see Jeremy and Amanda and their delightful children Lizzie and Christina (who is now also at school). They have just started major improvements to their house in Blagdon.
Toffee has had his adventures. When we were away he dashed off from the people who were looking after him and set out to make his way home. Someone saw him and took him to a vet, so he ended up in a dog pound. It was four days before he was found in which time he chewed away most of his tail, although it has grown again. One hot summer evening, we went back to the Baldon lakes. They were completely covered in green weed. Seeing a pair of ducks, Toffee gave chase and was astonished to find himself struggling to keep afloat in the deep water. Marcus dived in – up to neck, but despite the mud – he and toffee got out safely, but wet and smelly. We hope Toffee won’t try diving into the Thames.
Love to you all.
Mary and Marcus
* * * *
