Category Archives: Uncategorized

21 June 2007

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A big week for Oliver, who has learned to ride his bicycle. He showed real determination and independence, and it was great to see his delight when he managed it – on a video sent by David. Today I was able to see him riding down the street “live”: David held a webcam out of the window, and Oliver went up and down two or three times, with Vicky watching from a distance. The picture here goes back a couple of weeks, when he was still getting a helping hand in the garden from Nana (but always wanting to do it on his own). This afternoon he goes with his mother to his new school for a familiarisation visit.

Dot missed this morning’s ride because she was inspecting a school at Wreningham. On Tuesday she was out all day taking Aunt E to visit Aunt J at North Walsham. Rather wish I’d gone, but I did speak to both of them: E to find out why Dot was so late back, and J later to thank her for keeping a paper for me and to mention that I’d met a friend of hers (Yvonne K) at Welborne. Dot and E had lunch at Elderton Grange, and Dot was enthusing about it.

The weather has improved a bit: it’s quite warm, but we still have occasional quite heavy showers. Other parts of the country are much worse hit: part of a rail track was washed away on the England/Wales border.

I spent most of yesterday working on a translation / interpretation of the Lord’s Prayer using the original Aramaic text and commentary on it. Aramaic is a much richer language than English, because its words (and their roots) have wider associations, usually based on verbs and vital human activities. I was trying to create a sort of prayer-poem, and I was reasonably pleased with it. It’s based on a book called Prayers of the Cosmos by Neil Douglas-Klotz. Obviously I don’t speak Aramaic, so I was heavily dependent on the translations and expansions given. Here it is (feel free to skip):

You who created all things perfectly
out of what did not exist
You who are mother and father to us
the source of light and blessing
whose breath flows through and transforms all it touches
rising and shining in space so that we can know you
through the song and vibration of the universe

we plant a garden
a holy shrine
within ourselves
separate
letting go all that would distort or inhibit
your focusing light,
your wisdom, your peace

Come like a fruitful arm
a coiled spring
to release the potential of the earth
Come and fill your children
with delight and faith to go forward
bearing the music and the spirit of your kingdom
in new directions

As stars swirl together in harmony
your heart’s desire is an irresistible force
Let this be true of our hearts too
in word and vision
without break or discord
as we sigh together with the living earth
our home

Take us forward step by step
Give us the food and understanding that we need
Breathe into us warmth, passion and creativity
Produce within us fruit and light
fulfilling what lies within the circle of our lives
an illumined measure of your abundance
nourishing each other

Through forgiveness return us
to our uncorrupted state
clear and unburdened
free of secret debt and hidden entanglements
accidental offences and frustrated hopes
Embrace us with the purity of emptiness
just as we free and forgive others
consistently
repairing relationships

Do not let us be diverted from the purpose of our lives
by surface temptations
or seduced by what is false
and illusory
Do not allow our minds to be lost in forgetfulness
like flags waving aimlessly
in the wind
but break the seal that binds us to what is immature, unripe
or inappropriate
Free us to walk your path with joy

For your field is fertile and all-sufficient
You determine all in your royal universe
Yours is the force that produces and sustains
Yours is the glorious song
light and sound in balance
astonishing fire
from one age to another
in the cycle of time
gathering to gathering
mysterious
grounded and true

17 June 2007

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My grand-daughter Amy at the wheel, pausing for a moment’s reflection. Women drivers, eh?

Welborne is over – an exhausting but fulfilling weekend, with quite reasonable weather on the whole interspersed yesterday by a couple of half-hours of torrential rain which brough a chill as well as sogginess to the air. I think our marquee looked pretty good, and the poetry reading went well, despite meagre attendance today and competition from live music and a town crier yesterday. Very little sold, sadly, though I did manage to get rid of a couple of my original books. Dot came along this afternoon, and we both attended a reading by novelist Tessa West which was excellent (although only six of us were there). Dot bought one of her books, which she signed. Much higher numbers for live music outside and clowns: maybe community activities and more serious stuff don’t really mix. I still love the Welborne Arts Festival, though. Lovely setting.

We spent most of Friday transporting the pictures etc to Welborne, hanging and organising.

On Saturday Dot went to a Wall Hall reunion in Suffolk which I was sorry to miss. I spoke to a couple of the “girls” on the phone – Liz and Jeannie – when I rang to check that Dot had got there all right (through the driving rain). I got myself on an outrageous rump steak in the evening on the assumption that Dot would have eaten, and she had – but she was still back earlier than expected at about 8pm. So we were able to have a relaxing half-an-evening together. Tonight she has gone to an Ambient Wonder event at which she is taking a leading role, but I decided to stay at home because I was very, very tired and because I thought she might do better without me. This evening, I mean. Not generally.

PS There has been an outbreak of very slow driving on the lanes and roads between Norwich and Dereham. On returning from the Welborne Festival yesterday I got caught behind a red Toyota whose driver seemed to think 30mph was a bit excessive, and today I had a similar experience behind another elderly driver on the same road. In each case the driving was so bad it required a real effort not to unintentionally tailgate them on corners, and overtaking was out of the question because you couldn’t believe the driver in front would keep far enough to the left on the narrowish roads. Extremely frustrating and inconsiderate driving. Amy would do a lot better.

11 June 2007

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As it turned out, there was also a piece on the EDP Books page last week about my poetry prize, but I hadn’t spotted it until someone pointed it out. A bit overkill all in all, but I can hardly complain – though this one featured yet another photo of me I’d never seen before.

The image above was created by Tonia Jillings, one of our InPrint group, from a poem I’d done in response to a bigger work of hers. Think it looks rather fine, really.

We’ve just had a meeting of InPrint concerned mostly with preparations for Welborne, but also talking about the future – and it went much better than I thought it might. Perhaps that’s because I was acting as secretary and therefore didn’t know what was going on… The weather forecast for Welborne at the moment is disastrous – heavy rain – but as the BBC have never yet got a five-day forecast right, I’m pretty optimistic.

One or two other things. I may have done my last bit of NVQ assessing. We had a meeting on Friday at which it turned out – unsurprisingly – that Archant were thinking of switching to the NCTJ under a new system. All a bit vague, but at present no candidates to be assessed. End of an era?

The day before I went to a reading by Caroline Wood – one of the founder-members of InPrint – from her first novel, Noah Quince. The reading was in the Millennium Library, and was quite packed. Another InPrint founder-member, Marilyn Jeffries, was there and so was Peter Bright, former EN sub-editor who is a good guy. Had quite a long chat, went home and ordered the book on Amazon, together with poetry by Rita Anne Higgins, the judge in the Fish poetry competition. By sheer chance I have her reading one of her poems on a poetry CD I was given, and I’m delighted to say I really like it. Very Irish and witty.

At the weekend Dot and I dropped in on my nephew and his wife and showed them some of our pictures of Florida – seems like a lifetime ago. Very pleasant evening which included tea and cake.

Today Dot has been to Watton on a PSCL schools visit, and she should be back shortly.

6 June 2007

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Just back from a four-and-a-half-mile walk. The weather has turned cooler again, and grey overhead. Threats to rain have not materialised so far. Over the weekend it was sunny and warm, and we spent Friday and Saturday indulging ourselves with the grandchildren at their home and at Woodside Farm, a favourite spot, where Oliver steeled himself to feed the animals and succeeded! Amy dragged me into the play barn to go with her into the “scary bit”. As far as I was concerned they were all scary bits, because it was built for someone about a quarter of my size. But she needed me to, actually, so that was all right. Oliver is way beyond needing anyone to accompany him, and is on the verge of riding his bicycle without stabilisers: in fact he did a pedal or too while we were there. He also understands the difference between “need” and “want”, which is pretty amazing.

On the Saturday the Coomes came to visit, hence the picture of Phil and David. Their children are growing up fast, and Phil has reached an age we can’t mention.

Went into Bally on the Sunday afternoon (following church lunch) and stayed when Rupert had finished cleaning up from his paper-making workshop the previous day. Few visitors, and the Open Studios were not a success as far as numbers were concerned. But we produced some good work. On Sunday we meet to discuss where we go from here (after Welborne, that is).

Dot is busy working on her Oakington report, following a game of pitch-and-putt yesterday and a long session with Barbara on philosophy on Monday. I’ve had messages from various people following my unexpected appearance as poetry award-winner in the EDP Art, Antiques and Collectibles supplement. Amazing how many people read it from cover to cover.

31 May 2007

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These are my grandchildren, Oliver and Amy, taking part – albeit unwittingly – in an InPrint art installation at the Open Studios. The installation is called Shaded, by Rupert Mallin and Tonia Jillings: more can be seen on it at www.inprintartsandpoetry.co.uk. The children were just having a rest while we all chatted at the private view on the 20th.

I’m just back from a St Augustine’s LMT meeting at Horsford. LMT members: at least 10. Number present: 3. Clearly a priorities problem, except for Dot, who is in Caddington looking after the above grandchildren. I shall be going tomorrow. Today I cleared up a few outstanding things. After months of dithering I went to see about an improved gravestone for my parents’ grave, and I followed that by going to see a former colleague who is in Aylsham Hospital – hopefully recovering from cancer. Bit odd being in the place where my mother and father-in-law died. Good visit, though. J was very upbeat and looking quite well, though in a wheelchair. Her sister was also there.

Lovely day today for a change: some sun and warmth. Yesterday popped down to Bally again in between writing Monday’s page. Lone vigil by Annette. Piece appeared on my poetry prize in today’s EDP Art, Antiques and Collectibles supplement. Not sure which category I fall under.

29 May 2007

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Just my kind of path. An especially lovely section of a walk just outside Halesworth in Suffolk: almost like a way into another dimension. Taken on a beautifully warm day in April. Now, as we approach June, we have had rain almost non-stop since Sunday morning, and a particularly cold kind of rain too. Waiting in the Bally Art Factory for visitors to show up has become a bleak affair. On Bank Holiday Monday, when we might have expected a few small crowds, there were 20 all day: considering there were four InPrint members there, this was an unhealthy percentage. Not to be put off, we did a poetry reading, recorded by Rupert’s camcorder and played back on a laptop afterwards.

Saturday, when Lisa and Annette did a poetry print workshop, was bit more healthy, and so was Sunday. On the Saturday, when I was patrolling outside the workshop, I managed to sell four cards with my poetry on and a couple of books, which was a bit embarrassing as it looked as I had been pushing my own stuff. I am psychologically incapable of doing this, but still… It’s very nice to hear strangers say they like your poetry, though.

R is stepping down from being secretary of InPrint because of pressure of work, so I am taking over temporarily until it’s discussed at the June 10 meeting. I foresee a rather intense discussion as I know that different people have different ambitions concerning the group.

Dot has been working hard on school reports and has just about finished two of the three. This afternoon we took a break and went to look at a house in Thorpe End. Lots of pluses: intriguing nooks and crannies and unexpected rooms; large garden; excellent kitchen; good location. But I was put off by the proximity to a busy road and the evidence of eastern religion: grotesque statues and artefacts. Then there was the enormous dog… I guess if someone came round and gave us £400,000 for this house tomorrow, I would put in an offer, but this is unlikely.

25 May 2007

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Well, I managed to draw with DH on Monday, though I probably should have won: wasn’t confident I could pull it off with not much time remaining.

Today the weather did an amazing thing. I went into Bally at 2pm, wondering whether I should really be wearing a jumper on top of my short-sleeved shirt. Two hours later I emerged to be very glad of it – the temperature must have plunged about ten degrees while I was in there, and there was a very chilly wind. However, we did have one visitor to the exhibition – a guy who seemed very interested and said he’d be back over the weekend.

Earlier the gas meter reader called and told me I had a flat tyre. It turned out he meant my car. It wasn’t totally flat, so I drove it round to Kwik Fit, who kept it for two hours, mended it and didn’t charge me. What nice people. Dot was out for the day at Brome (just into Suffolk) for a SIAS training session (church school inspectors) and is now out again for a girly night at Vicky’s.

On Wednesday and Thursday we had an excursion to Cambridgeshire, where Dot was inspecting a school at Oakington. We booked into a B&B in Landbeach, a few miles up the road. Very nice place with a pleasant landlady who did an excellent breakfast. After leaving Dot at the school at 12, I drove to Coventry to see Andrew. He was much better than I expected, and we went out for a walk.

The journey there had been easy, but returning was a different kettle of HGVs, most of them trying to overtake each other – which is not easy in a kettle. Coupled with two hold-ups, this made me a little late back. Dot rang me just as I was leaving the Huntingdon roundabout, and at precisely the same moment, a car two in front of me swerved violently, causing the one in between us to jam on his brakes. I just managed to do the same in time, despite the distraction.

In the evening we went to the Bridge restaurant near the River Cam at Clayhithe, and I had a pretty good steak. We walked along the towpath and saw an eight and a four (from Gaius College) practising. The eight were girls and the four were men, but in each case a (different) female coach was cycling along the towpath beside them, shouting instructions. Back at the B&B, had a bit of a rough night: found it hard to sleep.

Next day, while Dot was in school again, I did another walk down the Cam from Clayhithe, probably about four miles in all. Finished with a cider at the Bridge, then drove back to Oakington to pick Dot up. We called at Ely on the way home but failed to find anywhere to park and continued across the Fens.

Spent part of today booking up various things, including a hotel in Bantry and a slot on Eurotunnel. After I’d booked the time, they revealed that we had to be there 75 minutes earlier than that, which will make it quite tight if my hospital appointment overruns. Very helpful – not. Why can’t they warn you abou tthe waiting time before you book?

The picture is of InPrint stars Rupert Mallin and Lisa D’Onofrio moving the poetry vending machine into St Giles Church for the Open Studios “taster”. Clearly we should have gone for something smaller – a poetry vending carrier bag, for instance.

I’ve borrowed an intriguing book from TM – an interpretation of the Lord’s Prayer as it was in the original Aramaic. Fascinating language, with a much smaller vocabulary but many more meanings per word. Throws lots of new light on what Jesus actually meant, I think. Lots in common with poetry, with the ambiguities and (especially) layers of meaning.

21 May 2007

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Extremely busy few days has just come to an end. Weather has turned rainy again, but over the weekend it was sunny and warm, which was excellent for two reasons. One, it was my son’s 35th birthday on Friday, and he and his family came up over the weekend. This meant the children could play outside, especially on the Sunday afternoon, when Oliver was having a lot of fun on his tractor on the pavement. Amy unfortunately was a little under the weather, but she hung on in there bravely.

The second reason was that it was the InPrint Open Studios private view on Sunday. This meant that I was spending all day Thursday and Friday at Bally, doing all kinds of moderately heavy work, including moving around the most crazily designed screens I’ve ever come across. Also of course hanging the artwork. Brought Bronwen up from Beccles on the Friday morning, and we hung her superb photographic piece, Unable to Find North. Tricky, because three heavy long and thin pieces had to match up. Dot brought me up some sandwiches and took Bronwen home after we’d hung her other pieces. I remained at Bally to help Mike hang his and Annette’s pictures, which was OK after we got a rhythm going! In the evening Dot and I went to hear Jacqui Dankworth at the Playhouse. Excellent seats for watching the musicians in action, which was fascinating. Not my sort of songs, really, but they were just an excuse to show off the musicians’ – and the singer’s – virtuosity. Most enjoyable. Dot accosted Jacqui afterwards because they’d met at a headteachers’ conference.

On the Saturday I had to write, design and laminate some notices, then rush them up to Bally before the family arrived just before noon. Then on Sunday, after I delivered some boxes of wine and juice to Bally at 8.45, we played music at Finnan’s dedication at church before I had to rush back to Bally for the private view. Meanwhile Dot was preparing lunch for the family, who had been to see one of Vicky’s bridesmaids at Easton. Then they all came down to hear the poetry reading just after 2pm.

That went pretty well – about 30-40 people. The picture above is of the four of us about to set off, with Caroline in pole position and Bronwen’s piece-de-resistance behind us. Over 100 people came to our studios altogether.

Today has been a little calmer, though I did pop up to Bally with some more notices, filled the car up with petrol and took a film in for processing. Speaking of films, Rupert filmed the poetry reading, which should be interesting. I’m going to play DH at chess this evening, which probably won’t be relaxing.

15 May 2007

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This is my cousin Pat and her husband Brian, on the London Eye. We’ll get there one day.

I’m writing this at home because I have a stomach upset: I should be at our Tuesday gathering, tonight hosted by Ed at his place. I got there, but then had rather unpleasant pains, so came home. It’s better, but still complaining. Shouldn’t last long. I hope.

Been quite cold today. Went to Joyce’s funeral this morning: lovely service in the old church – read Psalm 23. Tea in the hall afterwards. Everyone had good things to say about her.

Back at home wrote my column for next Monday and revised some liturgy for NYFC. Dot arrived home from her inspection in Suffolk at about 3.40pm.

14 May 2007

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Weather has been pretty unpleasant – lots of rain, although fairly warm. Finished off my last trainee (could be better phrased, I guess) – this was E at Dereham, who I had taken over when her assessor became ill.

Had the Greens and the Higbees round on Friday evening – good time, though I was feeling under the weather, as I have been for several days: head and stomach not right. I had been thinking of driving to Coventry today, but decided against it. Instead went to Bally to use the long-arm stapler on my new book, but couldn’t get through the second set of doors. Got as far as the picture, which is the selling floor, but no further. Must be a trick to it. No-one else there, so no good trying to attract their attention.

Dot is away tonight, in the middle of an inspection at Cavendish, on the Suffolk-Essex border. I had been intending to go with her, but Joyce’s funeral is scheduled for tomorrow, and one of us had to go to that. Indeed, one of us wanted to. More precisely, both of us wanted to, but you can’t really postpone school inspections. I am reading Psalm 24.

Dot has just rung to say she loves the school and the B & B, so I may not see her again. She is lying on the bed, relaxing. I am cooking a lamb chop and wondering whether to go the chess club.