Happy Birthday LissaLou!

This event took place on Friday 20th February 2009 and I was so happy to be in Guadeloupe to take thesse photos!
Above are the morning events. Notice the photos on the wall behind Lissa. This is a new tradition that her mum has started - showing her life so far in pictures. Behind Papa mixing the birthday cake you can just catch a glimpse of 'Bon Anniversaire!'

Later we went to la campagne to have a barbecue and birthday party. The only problem was that it was a very windy day and the candles would NOT stay lit long enough to be blown out! So here you see Lissa pretending (pour faux?) for the sake of the camera.At our evening meal that day I lit a large table candle which she was able to blow out.
Lissa's is the only birthday in her class which is in February. Unfortunately the school was closed (the strike...) at that point. However when they reopened la maitresse was kind enough to do another bit of pretending and celebrate Lissa's birthday a bit late. Merci, madame!

AGM Sunday at St Augustines

Another fun filled morning at our friendly local C of E !
The sermon - abrreviated as it was - was based on a very short Psalm 133. 'Behold how good it is for the brethern to dwell together in unity' This is when it is possible for God to send down his blessings. In fact they trickle down like the annointing oil on Aaron's head... and beard.
A brave child volnteered to demonstrate - and was 'annointed' with a little water which trickled down his neck ( I hope it was warm water...)
Clive had also been talking about our roles in the church. We have those who teach the children, those who make the tea/coffee etc etc
He also wondered it the treasurer was going to report a profit in church finances this year.
Then, believe it or not, he put the two words together and produced a plate of profit e roles on which he poured a jug of chocolate sauce and we all watched it trickle down...
Then came the AGM and after all the excitement of Alda retiring after 12 years as church warden, and taking minutes, I completely forgot to wonder what happened to the profiteroles after the service!

To this...

Due to the general strike in Guadeloupe, I only went to the local supermarket once. This beautiful flower was one of many on a tree in the car park! Within yards there were broken windows and burnt tarmac on the roads where cars had been set on fire, also piles of stones and rocks that had been thrown by the demonstrators. In the other direction the supermarket was open - but guarded by the armed gendarmes - military police sent from France to control the situation. (The striking party may well have arrived to close the shopping centre down - as they did another day.)
Its very sad that a country so rich in natural beauty and sunshine, should have such poverty that makes peopole have to demonstrate like this in order to be heard.

From this...

The first signs of spring in London! Its actually a bit warmer today for the first time this year.

The end of week 6

On Thursday I visited some friends. I wonder if you recognise this lady who used to know you in the Guides. She's talking to her father - and her mother, who was surprised to be photographed.

On Friday morning within seconds of leaving the house, I met these girls who were carrying out a survey about people's opinions and memories of the local boys'secondary school ( except it now admits girls). Well! They picked the right person in me, didn't they!! The one sitting on the fence next to me used to learn French from a certain Monsieur E!

Full Moon.

This was taken from the top of the steps into the garden.

This one is taken down our street.

So is this one but I think I only got street lights, unless thats the moon behind the tree.

More of week 6

On Tuesday I did some hospital visiting and was relieved to find one longer term patient looking very much better. These two lovely ladies are PAs to the chaplains.