Outspoken

I have just received in the post a copy of Outspoken - Coming out in the Anglican Church of Aotearoa New Zealand by Liz Lightfoot.  It was recommended in a discussion on Liturgy and at the time Rev Bosco Peters said he had a copy but had not yet read it.  Liz interviewed 11 people, I think in late 2009.  I have only read 4 so far.  Names are disguised which is okay but it is a bit frustrating that locations in New Zealand are also disguised. So far none are like me. One man and the two women (a couple) were married and have children. The other man,  James, is only in his 30's.  However I find his interview most interesting. At one stage he went to a cathedral (I would love to know which one) and asked to speak with the bishop as he wanted to be sure his sexuality was acceptable to God. The man he spoke to said the bishop was not available but would a canon do. Fortunately the canon was a sensible man and James describes the meeting as a positive experience and he left feeling God still loved him and he was able to serve God.

Unfortunately he moved to Sydney (a real named place) and the experience was very different. He made an appointment with someone at the cathedral (yes the thought of him doing that makes me shudder).  In his words:- "I think he couldn't wait to get me out of his office. His opinion was along the lines of, 'It's really wrong: don't do it and don't expect any acceptance here if you do.' So that was fine, I walked out of there. "
He dropped out of church attendance and lived a precarious life while in Sydney and attempted suicide.
This to me is an obvious result of the Jensenist attitude.
Interestingly he feels that the average congregation in Sydney is more accepting than in New Zealand while the clergy tend to be the other way. Of course most New Zealand clergy have not been brainwashed at Moore College and are allowed to think for themselves. However I have noted a tendency for those in charge in New Zealand to be afraid that if homosexuals are more fully accepted in the church it may turn others away. In the words of Caiaphas, it is necessary that some will suffer for the good of the whole.

The other part of James' interview that I found interesting was that his mother gave him the name of 3 psychiatrists. The first told him that being gay was not a problem and he did not need a psychiatrist. Unfortunately that was not the view when I visited psychiatrists in the 60's, things have improved greatly. The 2nd was in the Baptist church and told him he could be changed and sent him along to a group meeting. Fortunately a rather promiscuous friend went with him and the result was laugh out loud material. The friend recognised many of the members from the local beats and went up and greeted them by name. The third was a psychotherapist who asked if he really wanted to change and told him that apples might become oranges but they are not really very good oranges. A bit strange analogy but it showed him that he might be a rather pathetic straight guy or a successful gay guy.

James is now back in New Zealand and a member of an accepting Anglican congregation. He is walking the tightrope of being an out gay in the church and an out Christian in the gay community. 
Liz points out that it is very lucky that he went first to the canon in the NZ cathedral rather than the person in the Sydney Cathedral.  Unfortunately young gay people in Sydney do not have that chance unless they find one of the few welcoming churches in the city such as St James, King Street and Christchurch St Laurence.

Vale Margaret Olley

One of Australia's most loved and enduring artists, Margaret Olley, has died in Sydney aged 88.

Olley will be best remembered for her vibrant still-life paintings.

A 1948 portrait of her by William Dobell won the Archibald Prize and she was also the subject of this year's winning portrait by Ben Quilty.

Quilty is quoted by the Art Gallery of NSW as saying she was an "inspiration" and "a feminist ahead of her time".
He said Olley was passionate about social and political issues, as well as art.
"She said to me: 'I'm like an old tree dying and setting forth flowers as fast as I can, while it still can'. I think that was such a powerful metaphor." he said.
In an interview several years ago, Olley said she wanted to be remembered for helping people.

Snow in Dunedin

I moved here 18 months ago and chose to live in one of the higher suburbs above 300 metres. I was very disappointed last year when there was no snowfall before I left for my overseas trip in early August. There was a light fall the week after I left but 2010 had less snow than anyone could remember.

Ten days ago there was a fall for about an hour and I was very excited and took photos.

There was another fall two days later but during the night and it melted fairly quickly.
However today there has been quite heavy snow all day and I have made a movie (with appropriate dramatic music).



Since making the movie, there has been even more snow although I managed to go for a short walk in a break.

I am landscaping the front garden and  purchased plants last week. I laid them out yesterday but need to think more before actually planting them in the ground.

I know those who live in the Northern hemisphere will not be impressed but I grew up in the "Land of sunburnt plains"and have always dreamed of living where it snowed.

God send comfort to Norway

I was shocked to hear the death toll was 17 but now it is 87 and I am devastated. I spent 14 wonderful days in Norway last September, 3 of them in Oslo. A beautiful and peaceful city and country.

The Diocese of Christchurch

I hope you might be able to find time to view the recent message from Bishop Victoria to the Diocese of Christchurch. While she lists the many problems she also describes the remarkable opportunities for ministry that are occurring and gives a basis for more informed prayer. it is in 2 parts, the first about 10 minutes and the second 8 minutes.

Renovations 1 - Kitchen

 Hopefully I have finished renovating the house I purchased in February 2010.
More for my own interest I have decided to do a series recording what has been done. First was the kitchen which had the biggest makeover.  The only original item remaining is the dishwasher, something I do not really need. In the first photo taken not long after I took possession of the house, the new refrigerator, chairs, toaster, jug and microwave can be seen along with the table I brought from Australia.

 In the next photo taken today, the cupboard on the right which hid the water heater has gone, the water heater is now under the house. The new stove and the original dishwasher are now there along with some narrow cupboards. I now have one and a half sinks and 3 good size cupboards underneath. There was only 1 drawer in the original kitchen.  I discovered the other was a false front, after I moved in.

 

 The next set of photos show that I now have a good set of drawers not just for cutlery but also for pots, pans and dishes. The microwave is now up and away from the bench.  The new stove has power points for the jug and coffee maker so I do not really need the extra power points I installed.





  

The final 2 photos show the new much larger pantry and cupboards on the opposite wall. I also had new vinyl tiles laid, tiles on the walls above the bench, and finally the walls and ceiling were painted but in the same colour as before.

Hong Kong and Home

I have been home a couple of days now. On my last day in London I went out to Kew gardens but found entry was 13 Pounds 50 (over 20 Australian dollars) and as I only had a few hours and the clouds were threatening I decided it was not worthwhile. It did begin to rain as I was  in the train back. I went to the British Museum for a while and as the sun came out again I went to  Regents Park (photo 1) and did have to run to avoid the next shower, so much for London weather.  I collected my luggage about 4pm and headed for Heathrow.

Two days were spent in the heat and humidity of Hong Kong. I had some rides on double decker trams and crossed the harbour on the Star ferry (Photo 2). When I was last there in 1976,  the Star ferry was the main way to cross the harbour and they ran continuously. As the gang plank to one was shut the next one opened on the other side of the wharf.  Now things are much quieter with several metro lines crossing under the harbour and the ferry runs about every 20 minutes.  I also caught the Peak tram up for a view over the city(Photo 3) then bought some new shoes. The final morning was spent in the comparative tranquility of the Nan Lian Gardens (Photo 4) and Chi Lin Nunnery (photo 5). These are both representative of the Tang Dynasty.

However I was quite happy to leave the heat and crowds. Fortunately the flight to Auckland had low numbers and I had 3 seats to myself.  But I still had to wait 5 hours in Auckland for a direct flight to Dunedin which was an anticlimax to the trip.  Air New Zealand was still flying despite the ash cloud. The plane just flew at a lower than usual altitude. Glad I never fly Qantas.

Regents Park, London

On Star Ferry, Hong Kong

Hong Kong from the Peak

Nan Lian Gardens

Chi Lin Nunnery

The temperatures in Dunedin were very different to Hong Kong but I was glad to be home again

Yorkshire & Cumbria

Moors overlooking Saltaire

Leeds Town Hall

Leeds City markets

Leeds Shopping Arcade

St Mary the Virgin, Gisburn

Tarn Hows

Easedale Tarn

Near Easedale Tarn

Grasmere

Grasmere from the track up to Easedale Tarn

I am now back in London preparing to fly tonight to Hong Kong, my European journey over. Here is hoping that Chilean Volcano behaves itself and I can fly right home to Dunedin next Wednesday.

After picking up a car and getting thoroughly lost in Manchester, I spent 4 delightful days with my friend Tony in Saltaire, near Bradford. He kept me fit with local walks, one up onto the nearby moors and also showed me how to play bowls and even making an attempt to teach me to throw a boomerang.  I let the Aussie side down.

Sunday being wet, we visited Cliffe Castle Museum in a furnished Victorian era home but also having displays of industrial history and Geology at nearby Keighley. On Monday, before the climb up on the moors (Photo), we visited an art gallery dedicated to local artist, David Hockney. It was in a renovated Cotton Mill and the whole of Saltaire is a world heritage site due to the village having been built by a far sighted industrialist who provide homes and other facilities for his workers that were much better than what was common in that dark industrial time.

On Saturday I visited and had lunch with an internet friend, Jack (Sir),  in Leeds who showed me around the highlights of that city including the Town Hall and some very ornate shopping arcades (photos). We visited the Art Gallery which has many works by Henry Moore.  Leeds is much improved from the very dingy city I remember on a quick visit way back in 1974.

On Sunday I drove about 40 km to the little village of Gisburn and met my soon to be Vicar, Rev Eric Kyte. he leaves the parish of Gisburn (Photo) in 2 weeks and will be installed at Roslyn, Dunedin in mid-August.

I left Yorkshire on Tuesday and drove back across the Pennines to the Lake District where I spent 3 nights in Ambleside. I also spent 3 nights there last September and did several walks and wanted to do more especially with the use of a car.  I am not sure that was a good idea. the car gave me more flexibility but the parking fees are very high. It was a surprise to pay over 3 pounds for parking in a car park 2 miles from the nearest village. The weather was very mixed, raining at breakfast but fining up later on both full days there. Wednesday was spent around Coniston, walking about 6 km around Tarn Hows(photo) then, disappointed the ferry was not doing the whole lake to pass the island in “Swallows & Amazons”, I instead drove around Beatrix Potter territory to Hill Top and Hawkshead.

On Thursday I drove to Grasmere and climbed up to Easedale Tarn (photos), a little over 7 km round trip and 250 metres up. it provided wonderful views. I had planned another similar climb in the afternoon but thought better and instead did part of a walk, fairly level around the lake (photo) that I did last time but this time in much better weather. It is a very pretty area.

Yesterday I drove back to Manchester, left the car and continued by train to London.  I went back to the Royal Albert Hall for a program called ‘Strictly Gershwin’ by the English National Ballet with a big jazz band. It was a fitting finish to my tour of Europe as there was a long section at the end of the first half based on ‘An American in Paris” with views of Paris where I started my European journey on the large screens and later the main singer, Maria Friedman, sang “A Foggy Day in London Town. Fortunately mine was not foggy though rather wet but today looks fine so I think I am headed for Kew Gardens.

Did not have time to send this before leaving hotel on Saturday, did not make it to Kew gardens but am now in Hong Kong.

A Taste of Ireland

Cahir Castle

Galway

Cliffs, Dun Aengus, Aran Islands

Gap of Dunloe

Dingle

Blarney Castle

The weather has not been kind to me. On most days the temperature, about 14’C,  has not been much above that in Dunedin where it is the beginning of winter. Added to that it has been showery much of the time. As one driver said, “Ireland’s weather can be described as rain between the showers. “ The countryside  is quite pretty when the sun comes out.

On two overcast days with a little bit of drizzle I walked around Dublin. One walk was led by Donal, a graduate in Irish history and language. I learned a lot about the Irish rebellions and he was very amusing. Another walk, usually led by students, was through Trinity College but I was fortunate to have one of the university dons who also had a very dry humour especially about modern student use of the library which I particularly appreciated.  This ended with a visit to see the Book of Kells and other historic books from early Christian times in Ireland. They were in what is known as the Long Library, an immense room now only used for the historic collection. I also visited both cathedrals and another Museum of ancient books and artefacts covering all religions. In the evening I attended a performance of Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw who was born in Dublin. I thought it excellent and it was in the Abbey Theatre less than a block from my hotel.

I then set off on a train trip around mainly south west Ireland. First stop was Limerick where I rented a car for the day to visit Tipperary and more importantly the Rock of Cashel and the castle at Cahir.
The Rock consists of a number of ruined buildings mainly from the 12th and 13th centuries. The best feature, Cormac’s chapel, was closed for renovations but there are the remains of a cathedral and a large round tower. It was the seat of the Kings of Munster.
I preferred the castle at Cahir (Photo 1) which was also built in the 13th century but has been enlarged and remodelled since and was quite interesting to explore. The weather improved this day and the following day was comparatively hot, reaching 24’C.

On that day I travelled to Galway which was very lively at the beginning of a Bank Holiday weekend. (Photo 2 shows the river mouth). However the warm weather did not last and the following much cooler day was spent on a ferry to Inishmore, the largest of the Aran islands. We first drove through Connemarra to the ferry wharf. There are over a thousand miles of stone walls on the island.  We walked up to Dun Aengus, an iron age fort on the cliff tops (Photo 3). Some tourists were being driven around in horse and cart and there were many horses, donkeys and goats to be seen.

From Galway I travelled to Killarney which I thought was a much prettier area. On the first full day I took a “tour’ to the Gap of Dunloe. This involved a short bus ride but the bus broke down and we continued with a competitor company to the starting point of a 7 mile walk. It was just as well I did not realise it was miles and actually over 11 kilometres. Some people travelled by horse drawn trap. The road is bitumen but narrow and climbs about 200 metres to the top. It passes 5 loughs or lakes in a valley formed by glaciers(Photo 4). Then there is a steep drop down to the lakes and we were taken through three lakes in traditional open boats with outboard motors. At one point we had to disembark and walk as the boatman navigated through a very shallow section. Wind and rain squalls as we crossed the largest lake did not really add to the journey. I was surprised to see large areas of wild rhododendrons which apparently are a weed here.

My second day in Killarney was much easier as I travelled on a bus tour around the Dingle Peninsula.  There was some very pretty scenery (Photo 5)  and some narrow cliff side roads when I was very glad not to be driving.

Then it was on to the city of Cork. I discovered that Blarney castle (Photo 6) could be reached by the local bus company. I managed to climb the stairs of the castle but gave kissing the stone a miss. I escaped the inevitable showers by having some scones, jam and cream.

This morning in Cork had much more promising weather and I followed some self guided historical tours around the city and through the cathedral. Then this afternoon I returned by train to Dublin where it was again raining. In fact, I was lucky that I delayed my departure for a restaurant as we had a hail storm.  I leave early tomorrow morning for the ferry ride back to Holyhead in Wales then several trains to Manchester where I pick up a rental car for the next week.  I have added a photo taken at Dun Aengus wearing my new Galway hoodie.

London

Kensington Gardens

Chelsea Flower Show

Chelsea Flower Show

Christ College Oxford

Hyde Park London

I have spent 5 nights in London so far and will be leaving on the 8.20 am train in the morning  to Wales to connect with a ferry to Dublin.

It has been nice to stop a while in one place and also somewhere familiar. I stayed in the same hotel last year when I was here for the Proms.

The weather was lovely on Wednesday but it  then turned cool and very changeable.
On Wednesday, after doing some necessary mundane shopping and having a haircut, I walked in Kensington Gardens (photo 1) which are only a few blocks from my hotel. It was very enjoyable and I would have liked to have done more but felt it wiser to return for a rest as I had a ticket that night to ‘Jersey Boys’.  I enjoyed the show with the nostalgia of the songs of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.

Thursday I went to the Chelsea Flower Show. When I planned my trip I had not realised I would be in London at the time of the show. Fortunately I discovered the dates coincided in time to make a booking as it was booked out.  I spent 5 hours there. The flowers in the main show tent were stunning. Thankfully the knowledge that I would not pass NZ customs prevented me spending a fortune on seeds. I tried to take photos, I took over 90 (Photos 2 & 3) with the labels but guess it will be hard to source the same back home.  There were intermittent showers and sunshine and by 2 pm the crowds meant it was getting hard to move around so I left and was back in my hotel when a severe thunderstorm struck.

That night I went to the Globe Theatre and saw “Much Ado About Nothing” It was an experience. Although I paid for a cushion, the seat had no back and I had not studied that play at school. It was very different form ‘Jersey Boys’.

On Friday I went by train to Oxford. The morning was spent wandering the streets and I did see part of Christ College and the cathedral (Photo 4). Other colleges were closed due to being the last day of term.  
However I had a lovely afternoon having lunch with Malcolm and his wife. Malcolm was a student at Kingsgrove High in my first year of teaching and went on the tour of New Zealand that year. He was a very close mate of Garry who died recently and we reconnected as a result. They now live near Windsor and kindly drove over to meet and take me to lunch. We talked until nearly 5 pm. Fortunately Friday night was my night ‘off’.

On Saturday  I visited the laundromat, it has been nice not to wash each night in the bathroom.  As the weather was still changeable, I went to nearby Notting Hill and the Portobello Road markets.  I was tempted by some antique prints of Sydney but decided they would be too much hassle.  Just as well there were none of Dunedin.

Then after another afternoon’s rest I went to see ‘Wicked’ The staging is brilliant and lively but I do not feel any of the tunes are memorable, unlike ‘Phantom’ or ‘Les Miz’. None stayed in my head to remove  ‘Walk like a man’ or “My eyes adored you’ from Jersey Boys.

Today, Sunday, I attended Eucharist at a nearby church then walked around Hyde Park (Photo 5) in a very cold wind. I have photocopied notes of park walks from a book out of the library which makes these walks more interesting. I will be back at this hotel for my final day in Europe so may do another in 3 weeks time.

Now it is 'Back on the road again'