Dear friends, For the first time in many years I feel I haven’t wasted January. Previously the dark days of deep winter seemed just long and dreary and the hours were there to get through somehow until better times arrived. Given the weather we have been having this is all a bit odd but never before have I noticed the signs of spring this strongly and this early in the season. The longer days and sunshine will stil be most welcome but I will try to recapture this winter feeling in future years. The picture today is of a beautiful moth called dotted border that was resting on a doorpost this week. We have an extra attachment this week: a letter from Bishop Andrew explaining about his health issues. Do read it. God bless, Dineke van den Bogerd Readings-20260215.pdfweekly readings Letter-from-the-Bishop.pdfletter from the bishop Notes-20260215.pdfweekly notes

Dear friends, When we moved to Capel, more than 20 years ago, we found a small bay sapling growing on a large stone next to the pond. We didn’t think it would come to much due to its ill-chosen position but, as you can see in the picture, it now reaches to the height of the gutters. There is another one that we should really have weeded out when we still could so if anyone would like some for seasoning stews, please let me know! God bless, Dineke van den Bogerd Notes-20260208.pdf Weekly Notes Readings-20260208.pdf Weekly Readings

Dear Friends, On sorting out some boxes that are in the way of our next insulation project I found these gloves. After my mother died I ended up taking home a lot of stuff that was of no interest to other family members. The gloves in the photo came out of one such box. It was lovely to see them again but they will be going in the clothes recycling now. As is written in Ecclesiastes: For everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven. God bless, Dineke van den Bogerd Notes-20260201.pdf Weekly Notes Readings-20260201.pdf Weekly Readings

Dear friends, An ancient curse goes ‘May you live in interesting times.’ We now live in a turbulent world with political uncertainties and a climate crisis unfolding. Let ‘s remember psalm 121: I raise my eyes to the hills: from where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. … and be God’s hands and feet to work in His creation. God bless, Dineke van den Bogerd Notes-20260118.pdf Weekly Notes Readings-20260118.pdf Weekly Readings Post expires at 8:47am on Monday January 18th, 2027

Dear friends, What a start of the year it has been weatherwise! We’ve had snow, ice, wind and (lots of) rain but also some glorious sunshine. I hope you are all keeping well and looking forward to the days lengthening again. The picture today is of a car windscreen. Nature generates some amazing patterns. This looks like feathers or ferns and it’s beautiful. God bless, Dineke van den Bogerd Notes-20260111.pdf Weekly Notes Readings-20260111.pdf Weekly Readings Post expires at 10:49am on Sunday January 10th, 2027

Dear friends, A happy new year to you all! We started the year with family visits in Belgium and The Netherlands, and the picture today was taken only yesterday when we drove home: a very Dutch winter landscape with pollarded willows and sheep grazing in the snow. God bless, Dineke van den Bogerd Notes-20260104.pdf Weekly Notes Readings-20260104.pdf Weekly Readings Post expires at 9:45am on Monday January 4th, 2027

Dear friends, The last issue of this year doubles for Christmas and the last Sunday of December with one set of notes and two sets of readings. The weather forecast is looking good for the foreseeable future: a bit colder but we are due some sunshine so try and enjoy it while you can! I know that we are planning some outdoor time in between shopping, eating and laying jigsaws. Have a lovely Yule tide and God bless, Dineke van den Bogerd Notes-20251225.pdf Christmas Notes Readings-20251225.pdf Christmas Readings Readings-20251228.pdf Weekly Readings Post expires at 8:58pm on Tuesday December 22nd, 2026

Dear friends, This Sunday sees the Winter solstice around 3 o’clock in the afternoon. The picture today is of a sign of new life on the tip of a yew tree branch but isn’t it magical how new life already shows on trees and shrubs in autumn when they lose their leaves? Buds are showing as soon as the leaves have fallen, ready to burst open as soon as the conditions are right in spring. Happy Christmas to you all and God bless, Dineke van den Bogerd Notes-20251221.pdf Weekly Notes Readings-20251221.pdf Weekly Readings Post expires at 10:13am on Sunday December 20th, 2026

Dear friends, The picture today was taken in Petworth House a week ago. Just one of many magical indoor displays. Do go and see if you have a few hours to spare. I am one of many who are trying to overcome a severe cold, but glad that the flu has passed me by so far. Think of those who are in the throws of it and need hospitalisation and also of those who work so hard to care for them. God bless, Dineke van den Bogerd Notes-20251214.pdf Weekly Notes Readings-20251214.pdf Weekly Readings Post expires at 11:28am on Sunday December 13th, 2026

Dear friends, This Friday we visited Petworth. It was a beautiful morning with blue skies and a light haze in the distance. Things turned a bit wet later but we really enjoyed those few hours of sunshine. Today’s pictures were taken in the grounds. Inside the house has been decorated for Christmas and I have a few lovely pictures for you to accompany the notes in the coming weeks. God bless, Dineke van den Bogerd Notes-20251207.pdf Weekly Notes Readings-20251207.pdf Weekly Readings Post expires at 5:42pm on Saturday December 5th, 2026

Dear friends, Like many, I find that the time leading up to Christmas inspires me to create treats. The photo today shows just such an attempt and the experiment failed spectacularly! I’m pleased to report though that the chocolate fondant shapes I made prior to this fruity variety were successful and are unlikely to survive till Christmas. In fact, chocolate fondant hearts are a traditional Dutch Sinterklaas (St Nicholas eve) treat so these ones may just about make it to 5 December. God bless, Dineke van den Bogerd Notes-20251130.pdf Weekly Notes Readings-20251130.pdf Weekly Readings Post expires at 2:02pm on Sunday November 29th, 2026

Dear friends, Look what I found: in the verge just outside our house there were two drinking glasses. A little bit dirty but undamaged so I ran them through the dishwasher and we have started to use them. It’s bad enough that people throw rubbish out of their car windows but this was obviously just left there. Would it not be nice if we could educate people to keep our living space (and that of wildlife!) clean? Suggestions on an email on how we can achieve that! God bless, Dineke van den Bogerd Notes-20251123.pdf Weekly Notes Readings-20251123.pdf Weekly Readings Post expires at 9:02am on Monday November 23rd, 2026