climbing hiking camping

Her name is Rebecca and I saw her on Saturday. She is maybe 9 or 10 years old, but I guess with a mental age of an infant. Her chair was amazing. It kept her body from twisting and held her head upright. There was a big smile on her face as her father teased her and tickled her and cheered her on as she ate. Her name is Jessica and I saw her on Saturday. I guess she’s in her 20’s. Her race was amazing. She pulled away from the opposition to win the heptathlon gold. There was a big smile on her face as the crowd cheered her achievement. Jessica has her gold medal. One day so will Rebecca.

I didn't realise just how patriotic I was until I watched the London Olympics Opening Ceremony last night. Well done to Danny Boyle for getting it just right. He produced a show which was self effacing, humorous, full of pathos and with a good dose of pride in our achievements. There was no doubting the message - as a country we don't always get it right but we have brought the world the industrial revolution, sporting achievements and invention, pop music, Shakespeare, Peter Pan, Harry Potter, David Beckham, James Bond, the NHS, Chariots of Fire, the World Wide Web and - oh - Mr Bean?! I loved his performance of the Chariots of Fire theme song. Great drama throughout, so much going on - I'm sure at one point I saw Lord Voldermort being zapped by Mary Poppins! The lighting of the flame was particularly powerful. From Beckham to Redgrave to seven young people lighting 205 copper petals, each petal having been carried in by a participating country. And then for each of the pe...

Fear less, hope more; Eat less, chew more; Whine less, breathe more; Talk less, say more; Hate less, love more; And all good things are yours. Swedish Proverb

Today sees the start of me being filmed on a regular basis- albeit, it's to do with pensions! I'm not sure I want to be called a 'Grumpy Old Pension Man' but it's a lot of fun. Check it out: Link:  Grumpy Old Pension Men

In another blog I have recently written about a handshake that changed our nation. There will be another handshake this week that reflects friendship and forgiveness. For the Queen to shake the hand of Martin McGuinness, formerly of the IRA and now a Sinn Fein politician, is brave for both parties. A line is being drawn and the past left behind. And hope is being celebrated. There will be cynics who see this as purely politics. There will be unforgiveness and anger from some. But there is hope too. I was impressed as I listened in to Radio 5Live this morning. Michael Gallagher lost his son and his brother in the troubles, both murdered by the IRA of one brand or another. He spoke of the positive reconciliation reflected in the handshake.The Queen too, lost her cousin, Lord Mountbatten, to an IRA bomb. Both are choosing forgiveness. Nothing can bring back those lost, nor should they ever be forgotten, but a handshake this week celebrates a hope and a future.

Today sees the start of a new blog. I've been fascinated by Christian history for many years and there are so many stories that are worth retelling. Many have gone before us and we can learn from each of them. We can be stirred by them. For some, history is a dead subject. I want to challenge people to think again. New days, new ways to communicate. The blog starts small and will grow in time. Take a look: Ralph's Christian History Blog.

Sixty years. We won’t see another diamond jubilee in our lifetime. As the amazing pictures of the flotilla of boats reached our screens yesterday, the pageantry of the occasion reflected on the worthiness of the subject. And the subject was the Sovereign. But a servant before a Sovereign. When a young Elizabeth II promised to ‘always work to advance the happiness and prosperity of my peoples’ in 1952, she meant what she said. She has kept her word. I’m not particularly a monarchist and hers is not a justifiable position in a truly democratic society, but the majority of her subjects would have it no other way. She has brought purpose and meaning to a ‘United Kingdom' through her service. She has brought a richness and colour to our nation. She has reminded us of our values and beliefs. Her 2011 Christmas message said: “Although we are capable of great acts of kindness, history teaches us that we sometimes need saving from ourselves - from our recklessness or our greed.   God sent i...