So here we are in 2011, and here too is my 500th post. The year hasn’t shown any very promising signs yet, and some might say the same about the blog. I suppose it’s more a diary than a blog, but it’s a way of keeping track. Aiming to keep on the path less travelled, but tending to drift. The weather is a bit milder, but damp and grey, rather like a slight hangover.

Things have gone quiet with the departure of David, Oliver and Amy, two of whom have now transferred to Nottingham for a few days. Dot is revelling in her new MacBook Air (after we sorted out one or two issues), and I am just revelling, in a quiet way. The real extrovert revelling was on New Year’s Eve, led by Amy, who was surprisingly resistant to falling asleep and stayed up, with Oliver, until midnight. A born organiser, she made sure we played games and had fun, and didn’t doze off. Oliver was also lively right up to the wire. Where they get the energy from, I have no idea, unless they are extracting it from me in some way. I did manage to create a New Year Quiz, which David won despite disputing some of the answers.

Dot cooked a lovely Greek lamb and garlic meal, and I did sausages for the children, with pasta for Amy and potatoes for Oliver. We were joined by Anne and Philip, who survived the experience remarkably well and seemed to have a good time.

David and the children packed and departed by just after noon on New Year’s Day, which left us just about time to clear up before the arrival of Paul and Maryta for afternoon tea. During this Dot was offered a job as consultant, which may prove interesting.

Yesterday I preached at St Augustine’s on Epiphany – seeing the light. As usual I didn’t feel it came out quite right, but several people said they liked it. Howard led, and Vicky M brought her new baby, George, who is only a couple of weeks old and looked gorgeous, but with a slight air of “what have I let myself in for?” I guess most babies have that, with every justification. I suspect babies know more than they are telling.

Afterwards we went to see A Ethel, who has not been well over Christmas. She looked very frail. Dot made her a cup of tea and promised to return today, which she did, preparing her a little bit of lunch. Hard being alone in your late 80s when you’re not mobile. Dot is now preparing for a session she’s doing tomorrow on “The distinctiveness of a church school” for some staff in the Ringland area. At least, that’s where she’s doing it. I don’t know where the staff are from.