2010:365:252 A short run.

There were just a few hours this morning to enjoy some fresh air ... Diocesan Synod this afternoon demands my attention (and presence)!

The picture for technology was taken over my morning coffee and presented as a mystery object!  Now all will be revealed. 

One or two recognised it immediately ... it is possible that they own something similar.  Others knew how it worked but not the context in which this machine proves to be so useful.

A second picture will allow you to see the "business end" of the gadget.

One very sharp point there!  And it came with a spare spiral as well.

And here is the wonderfully efficient bottle opener complete with foil cutter.  Apart from being a beautiful object to have sitting around it is also a very useful tool that makes removing corks a very simple task. 

However, today's main photo shoot was in the Twenty One Acre Wood where autumn is beginning to touch the trees. 

One very grumpy couple with an over-protected dog were gathering blackberries.  They decided that their dog was too old to run ... in my experience .... dogs tend to know these things themselves but still don't mind a good sniff around a handsome stranger.  Eliot was a tad too persistent but you can't blame a fellow for eyeing up a rather attractive Dalmatian!

On the other hand, the young Murphy was more than ready for a game of sniff-and-chase!

He's gorgeous and his owner could chat for Ulster.  Indeed, her friend offered her a throat lozenge just in case she needed one!  Murphy was very friendly but when Seamus' owner arrived off he trotted knowing that his owner carried treats.  Maybe I should do that too if I'm going to meet so many friendly dogs.  Seamus is a great big golden Labrador and more interested in food than running (according to his owner).  

We went right to the cliff edge and Eliot explored a bit further down.  Wellies aren't the best footwear for slippery banks so we didn't go to the beach today.  I sent this picture off to the BBC (as well as the next couple) so one of them may turn up on the weather forecast.

The woods were magnificent in today's bright sunshine.  The little bit of leaf colour adds to the beauty of the trees

and the forest floor is just beginning to have its autumn coat of fallen beauty.  

It was good to be in Twenty One Acre Wood this morning and simply to allow my mind to wander around for a while.  It is a restful thing to do and means that you come home refreshed.  

O glorious God,

the whole of creation proclaims your marvellous work;

increase in us a capacity to wonder and delight in it,

that heaven's praise may echo in our hearts

and our lives be spent as good stewards of the earth;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen. 

Celebrating Common Prayer

from Thursday prayers.