Catch up on Sept News

Apologies for the long silence. I often feel like I am on a round about, and cannot get off. Besides working at The Consulate, there are Bible studies to lead 3 nights a week; ironing and cleaning the kitchen floor on Thurs evening; household chores and Bible study prep on Saturdays; Sunday School, Sunday lunch and evening service on Sundays. Some weeks are ok, but others find me tired, and struggling with bad health. That is my sad news. Now for the happier stuff.

Our lounge suite is starting to get thread bare, so I ordered throws from the UK to cover them and give the lounge a face lift. I replaced the manse curtains with Arthur's old bedroom curtains, a few scatter cushions, and hey presto, a new lounge.Danny has started helping me clean a manse room or two on Tuesdays and Thursdays. (We had to get her roped in to her new role....) I truly appreciate her help. The baby is growing at a rapid rate, and all seems to be well with both Danny and the baby.

I have been trying to find a well made cupboard ever since we arrived on St Helena, and more especially since we knew that we would have an extra person living with us from next month. At last, I found the nephew of one of our church's adherents, Alan Richards. He is an excellent carpenter, and had an 'almost finished' cupboard in the style (and price) that I was looking for. The finished cupboard will hopefully be delivered to the manse next Saturday.

Arthur's garden has been growing well. We had a few servings of lovely peas before worms got into them. They have also been feeding heavily on the tomato plants. We are learning to cope with the hassles and problems of gardening as we go. In spite of the worms, we have also had 2 very nice pickings of spinach, 3 lettuces and a constant supply of fresh herbs.

Last Sunday, the Sunday school children came over to the manse, as usual. They wandered into the kitchen and wanted to know what I was cooking for lunch, because all they could see was 'a bunch of green stuff'. (Saint children eat very little vegetables)

5 weeks to go before Danny and Arthur are married. It is going to be a VERY simple affair, but will also mean that life at the manse will change as first one, then another life swells our numbers.

Vincent and Vilma March left for a 3 month visit with their 2 sons on the Falklands, and Steve and Maureen Terry returned from their 3 month visit with their family and friends in the UK.