The hexagonal basalt columns at the Giant's Causeway are instantly recognisable and Frank had to have his photograph taken at this famous natural feature. It was crowded as we enjoyed a warm and very bright autumn day. Trying to manage two cameras, a skunk and Eliot was a bit of a challenge - but the photographs are largely over exposed and rather unsatisfactory. Bright sunshine has that drawback. There are a number of the pictures on Frank's page .... I'm not sure if you can get access to it through this link?
We did the "tourist bit" after the Harvest Thanksgiving in Dunluce Parish Church. It is in Bushmills and there was time for a half hour walk before the morning service.
It has been beautifully restored and the inside is quite magnificent - very bright and cosy.
The present youth worker in Saint Nicholas' was baptised in the font here in Saint John the Baptist's! Small world!
The black and white tile design at the sanctuary was copied from old tiles that were original to the nineteenth century building and provide a very striking feature as you look towards the east end.
I enjoyed preaching there and telling folk a little about the Bishops' Appeal - how the money is used, the different kinds of projects and something of the human stories. It is not possible to help all who are in need but the gifts that we can send make a huge impact on the lives of those individuals and communities.
Eliot must have wondered if it was his birthday. Usually on a Sunday he curls up in his basket and knows that the morning is for sleep. To his surprise today he was called to the car and spent the day with me and enjoyed a wander over the Causeway and a bit of a walk in Ballycastle as well!
He always manages to be the centre of attention and we chatted to folk from America, Japan, Taiwan, New Zealand, a lady who has just moved from England to Bangor (County Down) and some "roughty toughty" bikers who were licking ice creams outside Mauds!
Photograph-wise it was an bad day. Everything was overexposed and the shadows too strong. Otherwise .... it was good to be in this beautiful part of Northern Ireland to enjoy the scenery, the friendliness of the parish and an excellent lunch in one of Bushmills' great hotels.
O God,
without you we are not able to please you:
Mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit
may in all things direct and rule our hearts;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer
Collect of the Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity.
1 comment:
I have wonderful memories of that area from a visit in 2005; I did not get inside the Dunluce Parish Church, however and now am quite sorry I missed it. It's very beautiful. Next time. Thanks for the vicarious afternoon out!
Penny
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