A note from confusedneil.com

My wife is always telling me that I spend too much time on the computer/tablet/phone, and if not on them I can be found in the study making extraneous noises on a piano/accordion/autoharp/whistle/guitar.

Annoyingly my wife is usually right and it was on the way to an accordion lesson in Middlesborough that a series of events began which have almost convinced me that I need to radically change my lifestyle. I hope a meeting at the Vicarage earlier was not an omen though. Martin, our lovely vicar, revealed that he is to introduce an Alpha course in the parish. My acquaintance with the suave Nicky Gumbell's sermons over the years have failed to change my life as promised and I think I am too old in the tooth to let him have another shot.

Where was I? Oh yes, technology. It began with a series of phone calls in the car ( l was not driving reader) regarding a crisis at the village hall which turned out to be a non crisis. The day continued with a string of emails in which I managed to confuse the Big Weekend committee talking about 2 bands, The Savage Myrtles and The Smoking Spitfires - that really is what they are called. The last straw was receiving a text message this evening but responding to one from the same sender 2 months ago. That REALLY had people confused.

I am left with 3 courses a) ditch the communication technology, b) give Mr Gumbell another chance or c) shut myself in the study.

I'll ask my wife!

Back to normal (whatever that is)

Have you noticed that when you return home after spending time away, as soon as you go through the door, it's as though you haven't been away at all. Homecoming is one of the pleasures of travelling, unless you are one of those itinerant people who have itchy feet and are already planning their next holiday.

There is, of course, the pile of mail on the doormat or, if you have a kind neighbour, it has been neatly placed on the table. I used to dread sorting through that pile, but retirement brings fewer letters of great importance. When I had sorted out this time's pile there was one letter for Kathy advising her that her winter fuel payment was on the way, a credit card bill and a party invitation for me. The rest was junk! And where, I might add, is my winter fuel payment?

We were back in time for Saturday's church jazz evening with village sax and clarinet player, Bill Goyder, with his quartet. What a great evening it was and it raised a good sum for church funds. Gainford seems to have an unlimited supply of musicians, with at least four bands that I know of, as well as three choirs. Sadly, the Gainford Singers will be giving their last concert next month, but the new community choir, Scherzo, is growing week by week, and will be singing at the Sage in Gateshead on the 10th December. OK, it's only in the large foyer overlooking the Tyne, but it's a  start.

In this morning's Eucharist, celebrating Christ the King, Martin reminded us that we are a 'saved' people - I've never quite understood the theology of salvation, even though I know it's supposed  to be one of the central beliefs of the Christian Faith, so a conversation with Martin is on my agenda.

Meanwhile Gegenforde prepares a suitable festive repertoire for the farmer's market at Raby Castle next weekend. Between Friday and Sunday I have to try and fit in 2 band practices and a performance, a Saturday family service at Gainford, Sunday's Advent service at Gainford, and an afternoon's Advent celebration at Winston.

So it's back to normal, the busy round of village activities and finding out all the gossip. I love it!

Pictures of the largesr standing stone on Barra (Brevig), with views

Our island parish (2)

Today is our final day and we catch the morning ferry tomorrow. Barra, its tranquility, beauty and people, is a difficult place to leave, you feel you are leaving something of yourself behind. The time has flown as usual but we are returning for three Sundays in May, when Gainford band, Gegenforde  will be joining us on the island for a week.

The weather has been mild with an occasional storm, far better than we had anticipated. This morning is no exception  and it looks as though the sun might shine. Just right for a stroll along one of the many deserted beaches.

typical pebbled beach

Our final evening will be spent with friends Graham and Mary who have very kindly invited us to supper. The perfect end to a perfect stay. They own the best Guest house, together with self catering accommodation on the island. If you are thinking of visiting Barrra then log on to http://www.barraholidays.co.uk

Our island parish (2)

It was 'goodbye' to Peter and Sandra as they boarded their flight to Glasgow this morning. It has been good to share this wonderful island and we enjoyed their company. Our last meal together was at the Castlebay  Hotel where we arrived to be welcomed by the chef and the waitress sitting in the bar waiting for us. Our own personal staff for the evening!

On our visits to the airport we have been impressed with the new baggage reclaim 'hall', indicating how busy this airport is....

On the way back to the manse we called at Barratlamtic, a large fish processing where we discovered they were preparing scallops and were more than happy to sell us a dozen which we will enjoy tonight.

The afternoon was spent visiting 3 neolithic sites with impressive remains of buildings and standing stones. The island's history goes back to at least that time and archaeologists at Sheffield University have undertaken extensive investigations.