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

Dear friends, On our travels earlier this year we came across these lovely street decorations. I hope that they are real and that they will lights the streets in the time leading up to Christmas. God bless, Dineke van den Bogerd Notes-20251116.pdf Weekly Notes Readings-20251116.pdf Weekly Readings Post expires at 8:45am on Monday November 16th, 2026

Dear friends, This adorable blue tit was one of a small flock that was going around the garden feeding. They landed on this roof and browsed around the tiles and the window before taking off again to a different feeding patch. They don’t worry about what they will eat but just take what they need day by day. What if we all did that and left enough for our fellow humans and the rest of God’s creation? God bless, Dineke van den Bogerd Notes-20251108.pdf Weekly Notes Readings-20251109.pdf Weekly Readings Post expires at 10:53am on Sunday November 8th, 2026

Dear friends, Autumn is here with a stunning display of colours. Today’s picture of a carp pond was taken a few weeks ago but I feel it captures the season beautifully. God bless, Dineke Notes-20251102.pdf Weekly Notes Readings-20251102.pdf Weekly Readings Post expires at 8:52am on Monday November 2nd, 2026

Dear friends, Another glorious day albeit chillier than we have been used to. The photo today is of firebugs we noticed on one of the last days of our holiday. The top one with the spots is an adult and the plainer one is a nymph. Don’t forget that the clocks have changed and enjoy the lovely weather. God bless, Dineke van den Bogerd Notes-20251026.pdf Weekly Notes Readings-20251026.pdf Weekly Readings Post expires at 9:11am on Monday October 26th, 2026

Dear friends, We’re just back from a trip through France and I have managed to take some lovely photo’s to show you in the next few weeks. Today’s picture is of some lovely street decorations with Amiens cathedral in the background. Taken only yesterday morning, it already seems longer ago. We visited the cathedral and it is stunning inside and out. We tend to visit churches when on holiday as there is always lots to admire, only this time I had an overwhelming sense of the hardship most people would have endured whilst fortunes were being spent on decorating this building. Let’s keep admiring the works of the past and do our utmost not to make similar mistakes again. God bless, Dineke van den Bogerd Notes-20251019.pdf Weekly Notes Readings-20251019.pdf Weekly Readings Post expires at 8:03am on Monday October 19th, 2026

Dear friends, There is an error in the notes attached that we can unfortunately not correct: please note that tickets for the murder mystery play are only available by contacting Corinne and NOT through the Capel Box Office. The picture today is of a ship on display in the Chatham historic dockyard that was built in the mid 19th century. Steam power was increasingly used but wind power was still superior as long as there was wind so this ship was built to use either. This original three master (it has lost the front one) could fall back on steam when the weather was too calm but its top speed was only reached under sail. When the sails were in use the funnel would be lowered. Have a lovely week and God bless, Dineke van den Bogerd Notes-20251012.pd fweekly notes Readings-20251012.pdf weekly readings Post expires at 9:22am on Saturday October 10th, 2026