A good ride out to Watchet, in blue skies and sunshine and met the Watchet Shantyman and Coleridge’s Rime of the Ancient Mariner statue - sentinels at the harbour side…

A fabulous but emotional farewell to Wiltshire ACF after serving with them for 23 years. Some generous mementoes to remember those years too…

This evening Alan has cooked Singapore style pork, with egg fried vermicelli noodles, matchstick carrots, cabbage, and a soy and honey sauce…

It’s Quiz Night…!

After the rains, a fine day out to the harbour at Watchet…

Second Craft Fayre of the season: Winsford a couple of weekends ago, and Withypool this weekend. Mrs Padre’s pottery stand seems popular with the locals…

A recent trip out to Combe Martin: rather sleepy at his time of year…

A visit to Ilfracombe yesterday: great architecture, dramatic cliffs, and Damien Hirst’s extraordinary sculpture: Verity - Truth and Justice…

A good walk today from the sandstone bridge at Withypool across Withypool Common to the medieval Landacre (silent d) bridge and back along the River Barle…

Exploring the local habitat, with a climb to Withypool Hill and the Stone Circle - no competition with Stonehenge or Avebury, but a good unrestored example, with 30 gritstones …

This evening, Alan has cooked a smoked trout and pea cacio e pepe, with tagliatelle and garlic bread, accompanied by a dry Somerset cider

It’s Quiz Night!!!

A visit to my 91yo mother, and she produced her WW2 National Identity Card; which she had updated the addresses until her current one - because she could “be fined, or imprisoned, or both”. Just saying…

Farewell Salisbury - thanks for the shared lived experience for 23 years… New adventures beckon.

Today, I was given an aerial tour of the Archdeaconry by a clergy colleague in their 1946 Auster… Flew over HQ, and all was well, and all manner of things will be well… Final service inside the cathedral this Thursday….

Another farewell tour as Archdeacon of Sarum - today to All Cannings, Etchilhampton and Bishops Cannings - five glorious years as incumbent… Just one more before I step away into retirement - The Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Thursday evening.

The start of my farewell tour as Archdeacon of Sarum - first to St Thomas, Ensbury Park, where I came to faith, and realised my vocation as a priest. Next to St Peter’s Parkstone, where I served as Curate for four years. Superb training and the happiest of days…

This evening Alan has cooked pigeon breast, steamed cauliflower and carrots, baby potatoes, served with a red wine, shallot and crab apple jelly jus…

This morning to St John the Baptist, Bishopstone, to preach at a farewell service for their Team Vicar…

This morning to Downton (no Abbey) Memorial Hall, for their Cuckoo Fayre Churches Together service. An inspiring address by the CEO of The Morning Star Trust - sail training for Young People and Vulnerable Adults.

This afternoon to S John the Evangelist, Sutton Veny, to officiate at a wedding…

This morning to St Margaret of Antioch, Knook, to preside and preach at their Parish Communion - outstanding organist and singing from the congregation…

Today, to the Trinity Chapel of Salisbury Cathedral, to the British Army Chaplaincy Wessex service - a celebration of ministry from veterans and serving chaplains, from this corner of the UK.

This morning to St Michael’s, Atworth, a full church, celebrated well, and beautiful singing from the village church choir - Alleluia, He is Risen!!

Whilst in this waiting period between the Crucifixion and the Resurrection, I offer you my collection of photos of the Chapel furniture at Becket House, home of the Armed Forces Chaplaincy Centre…. (Thread)

This evening to the church of St Mary and St Melor, Amesbury, for the three-fold Liturgy of the Washing of Feet, Last Supper, and procession to the Altar of Repose - and the Watch begins…

This morning to Salisbury Cathedral with the clergy and lay ministers of the Diocese to renew our vows and commitment in ministry…

A great beginning of Holy Week with a full service for Palm Sunday at St Laurence, Downton (no Abbey) this week…

A privilege to attend the Armed Forces Chaplains Chrism Mass at St Andrew’s Shrivenham…

This morning to Downton (No Abbey) St Laurence, for their Passion Sunday Eucharist

This morning to the Abbey Church of St Mary and St Melor, Amesbury: good choral Eucharist and new faces in the congregation since my last visit…

This morning to S John the Baptist, Hindon - really competent bell ringers; outstanding organist; and a welcoming congregation full of smiles…

And then to S Giles, Gt Wishford with its Bread Stones and village fire engine.

This morning to Great Wishford CofE school - and a wonderful experience of World Book Day, with some fabulous costumes from pupils and staff!!

This afternoon to All Saints Whiteparish, to dedicate their new servery…

This morning to Downton (no abbey) for Parish Eucharist - the bell ringers rang Aniseed Twist Surprise Minor - very good, and I was presented with an aniseed twist too!

Today, to Tilshead on Salisbury Plain, for the Glider Pilots Regt and Airborne Forces commemoration. A flypast by a Tiger Moth and Auster Mk1; and special appearance of a Slingsby Kirby Kite glider from 1937

It was great to welcome the Ven @apjeans.bsky.social to evensong at Potterne to licence Mark Harrison as our new Licensed Lay Minister in the Wellsprings Benefice. Mark has already been helping out since January 2024 - and is a fine preacher - but it is great to have him on the team formally.

This evening to Evensong at St Mary, Potterne, to license a Licensed Lay Minister to the Wellsprings Benefice….

This evening to HQ to meet with Salisbury’s General Synod reps to explore the Agenda for next week’s group of sessions in Westminster…

This morning to Shalbourne St Michael and All Angels, to preside at their Eucharist and present the Wiltshire Historic Churches Trust Junior Cup to their young cyclists, who raised significant funds - medals for their pedalling. Outstanding organist and refreshments…

This evening Alan has cooked a salmon Thai green curry, with potato and cauliflower Thai vegetables with steamed string beans with a lime dressing….

Presided at the 0930 Parish Eucharist at St John’s Tisbury, with superb choir and appreciative congregation… managed to walk up the inside of my cassock when ascending the pulpit steps…

An 0800 this morning in St Andrews Chapel in Tisbury St John the Baptist. - glorious new East Window by Tom Denny, to be dedicated in a couple of weeks…

This evening, Alan has cooked a chicken bhuna and a vegetable korma: with traditional Indian side dishes and poppadum…

Late morning to Shaw, and Christ Church, and Shaw Primary School: tour of the school and met staff and pupils before the pupil chapel wardens showed me their school chapel - beautiful!

Early this morning to Atworth - St Michael’s church and Churchfields Primary School: led collective worship, met pupils and staff, and Academy trust governance colleagues. Awesome singing from the children, and amazing staff. Their future looks bright…

A really engaging and energised meeting this afternoon shaping and developing mission partnership hubs across the diocese, in St Francis’ church Salisbury.

This morning to St John’s Upper Studley, Trowbridge for their Parish Eucharist….

This morning to High Street Salisbury to meet a former Army Chaplain colleague for coffee; lunchtime to Christ Church Warminster to commission a new Rural Dean; this afternoon to St Thomas’ Trowbridge for clergy interviews….