Dear friends, You would be forgiven for not recognising today’s image as a shop. It is in fact a former mayor’s residence turned guitar shop. No prizes for guessing who brought this to our attention (thanks Bob!) and caused us to spend way more than the planned 30 minutes in the 18 rooms dedicated to these instruments. I suppose I should be grateful we didn’t leave with an extra guitar. If you are tempted you will have to travel to the Netherlands but you will get a free coffee and get to play as many guitars as you like without supervision of a pushy sales person. God bless, Dineke van den Bogerd Notes-20250914.pdf Weekly Notes Readings-20250914.pdf Weekly Readings Post expires at 8:05am on Sunday September 13th, 2026

Dear friends, The picture today is of a walkway into the Waddenzee from one of the islands (Terschelling) north of the Netherlands. The path leads to the monument I posted last week and floods in high tides. In fact it was getting wet underfoot when we made our way back to shore so it’s not unlike the road that leads to St Michael’s Mount in Cornwall. It reminded me that even though we cannot always see where our path lies, we know where we should be going. Sometimes we just have to use all our senses to find our way. God bless, Dineke Notes-20250907.pdf Weekly Notes Readings-20250907.pdf Weekly Readings Post expires at 9:56am on Sunday September 6th, 2026

Dear friends, Tomorrow is the meteorological start of autumn. We have much to look forward to not least some rain to drench our parched lands! Today’s photo is of a piece of art built into the sea on the south coast of one of the Dutch islands. I love it when you can be part of an installation like this. God bless, Dineke van den Bogerd Notes-20250831.pdf Weekly Notes Readings-20250831.pdf Weekly Readings Post expires at 7:05am on Sunday August 30th, 2026

Dear friends, After a successful Capel Show, Dik and I are off on a short holiday. Sleep has come easier in the last few days. After the upcoming post-mortem the committee will start planning for the next show and do our best to make it better still than the last one. From Boulogne-sur-mer (the basilique and the fort with the basilique in the background in the pictures) we wish you all a pleasant bank holiday weekend. God bless, Dineke van den Bogerd Notes-20250824.pdf weekly Notes Readings-20250824.pdf weekly readings Post expires at 8:35pm on Sunday August 23rd, 2026

Dear friends, The flowers in the picture today were donated by the flower show to cafe church in the marquee last Sunday. We had a most wonderful service with lots to think about. It was lovely to see so many people gathered celebrating. God bless, Dineke van den Bogerd Notes-20250817.pdf Weekly Notes Readings-20250817.pdf Weekly Readings Post expires at 7:25pm on Wednesday August 12th, 2026

Dear friends, Yesterday evening was a quiet moment before the week leading up to the Capel show. Leaving the Crown after a pleasant couple of hours with friends we saw this beautiful sight. God’s creation is wonderful and we must ensure to be appreciative and thankful at all times. The Capel show will be over by next Sunday but there is a lot to be done still and if you can spare some time to prepare or to help on the day please contact Helen Burt : helenmb0909@gmail.com or call/text on 07990597553. Not only is this one the main fundraisers for our churches this year, it ia also great fun to be part of the team. God bless, Dineke van den Bogerd Notes-20250810.pdf Weekly Notes Readings-20250810.pdf Weekly Readings Post expires at 8:27am on Sunday August 9th, 2026

Dear friends, Last month we took our house guests to the Hannah Peschar sculpture garden (see photo). It was the first time we went in the more than 20 years we have lived close by and we have missed out! It’s a beautifully laid out garden with a changing collection of sculptures. Worth a visit! God bless, Dineke van den Bogerd Notes-20250803.pdf Weekly Notes Readings-20250803.pdf Weekly Readings Post expires at 7:26pm on Friday July 31st, 2026

Dear friends, Summer keeps on giving this year but I for one am pleased that temperatures above 30 Celsius are off the cards for now. Many water companies have introduced hosepipe bans due to water levels in reservoirs falling very low. In our part of the world the reservoirs are natural aquifers in the North downs. Due to their size they do not empty very fast but they no longer fill up to former levels so we would do well to use water wisely anyway: this is not a limitless source of this precious liquid. The picture is of the dining room in Leith Hill Place with a gorgeous stencilling detail on the chimney. God bless, Dineke van den Bogerd Notes-20250727.pdf Weekly Notes Readings-20250727.pdf Weekly Readings Post expires at 9:56am on Sunday July 26th, 2026

Dear friends, This rather battered purple emperor landed on our picknick table last week. I guess he (or she) would not have lasted very long after I took this picture but it is nice to know that these beauties reside in our garden. God bless, Dineke van den Bogerd Notes-20250720.pdf Weekly Notes Readings-20250720.pdf Weekly Readings Post expires at 3:56pm on Saturday July 18th, 2026

Dear friends, I hope you are all well and coping with the weather. At least for now the temperature goes down to levels that make sleeping possible. The image today is a detail of the magnificent copper beech in the garden of Bob and Judy. Nature is so beautiful! God bless, Dineke van den Bogerd Notes-20250713.pdf Weekly Notes Readings-20250713.pdf Weekly Readings Post expires at 9:35am on Sunday July 12th, 2026

Dear friends, This week I heard two very inspired and inspiring speakers on inequality in society: Gary Stevenson and Kwajo Tweneboa. Both worth looking up to hear what they have to say. It took place in the union chapel in Islington and I just had to take a picture of the beautiful ceiling. Please spare a thought for the organisers and other volunteers who slave away at the Capel military show to raise funds for our church. I’m sure they’re all glad it’s not as warm today. God bless, Dineke Notes-20250706.pdf Weekly Notes Readings-20250706.pdf Weekly Readings Post expires at 9:16am on Sunday July 5th, 2026

Dear friends, Last Monday I found myself walking across Chelsea bridge and could not resist taking this photo. Only now, looking at the picture, did I notice the dove in the centre. It is holding an olive branch. How I wish for peace, not just for the 13 major wars in the world but for all the conflict. Think how far the money and effort could go if it wasn’t spent on fighting others. Please be aware that we have no service in the parish this week so all can come to the service of ordination in the cathedral. Details are in the notes and Dik still has room in the car if anyone needs a lift. God bless, Dineke van den Bogerd Notes-20250629.pdf Weekly Notes Readings-20250629.pdf Weekly Readings Post expires at 8:09am on Saturday June 27th, 2026