Sunday 30 December 2007

Z tires herself

There was just one church service in the benefice this morning, in our smallest church in the six parishes. It stands alone in a field, with a track leading to it, a mile or so from the village it serves. It has no electric supply and is heated and lighted by gas and candles, and someone pumps the organ by hand*. It is warm and welcoming and a pleasure to visit.

The Sage expected that I'd cycle. It's three or four miles away, I suppose, which may not sound a lot, but bear in mind that I am fat and unfit and it's winter. However, I clambered awkwardly into the saddle and set off, promising to bring the papers on my return some three hours later.

And so I did.

I have rewarded myself with a slice of toast and Patum Peperium - Gentleman's Relish, if you prefer. Not quite so rewarding was the soup, which was made from six carrots, two sweet potatoes, a red pepper, a chunk of ginger and two oranges, quartered; all cooked in ham stock and then liquidised, the oranges having been removed. I think it was those last that didn't quite work. It's all right, but I suspect will prove a little unusual for the Sage's taste, and I've at least four pints of it. Still, no need to wonder what I'll have for lunch for the next week.

I think, since I am unusually free for the time of day, I'll pop down to the pub for a pint of John's home-brew.

*Look, please read no dodgy meaning into this at all. I am not being crude or suggestive here. A church organ is powered by bellows, usually electrically operated, but in this case manually worked with a lever.

13 comments:

Dave said...

Do you know, I hadn't noticed the possible innuendo there, until you pointed it out.

Blessed are the pure in heart, etc...

Z said...

Sadly, dear heart, not everyone is as sweetly innocent as you are.

Unknown said...

Send the soup to me!

Z said...

Here you go, John, a big warm bowlful. A pint of local beer to go with it? ;-)

Malcolm Cinnamond said...

It never crossed my mind for the tiniest moment. . . I swear!

Z said...

You men are so capricious. If I'd said nothing I'd have had all sorts of salacious comments. No wonder I adore you.

dharmabum said...

you're fat huh? :P

hope u have a great year ahead, z - i'm glad to have known you.

Z said...

Getting thinner, however, Dh.

Me too, honey - happy new year

luckyzmom said...

It never crossed my mind until you crossed it for me!

Pat said...

Gosh I must be slipping; no dodgy meaning occurred to me. Put it down to somnolence rather than purity. I was up at 3am doing a post.
Is dh going somewhere? Before I drop off here's wishing you a really happy year for you and yours.xoxoxox

Z said...

I don't think so, Pat, and I hope not - a moment of introspection rather than valediction, I suspect.

Another 3 am blogger. Most of us come to it sooner or later.

Anonymous said...

The church sounds lovely.

Z said...

It's simple and quite plain - a nicely carved reredos, but no stained glass. There are wrought iron candle-holders at the end of each pew and some memorial stones on the walls - it's a tranquil place with a lovely atmosphere.