A splendid group...

...of young men, training for the priesthood with the St Martin Community contacted me  as they had heard that I led History Walks in London...

We had a wonderful day together, walking along the Thames, and talking over so many things ranging from history through , Britain, Europe, today's Church, the future, challenges, hopes...

They were a terrific group - from France, Germany and Austria, full of fun and with a sense of zest and enthusiasm, but also thoughtful, knowlegeable, and wise in discussing issues of faith, the Church,  and mission...

I was sorry to leave them as the afternoon ended, but I had to hurry to Victoria station to catch a train to Eastbourne, where I was due to speak to members of the Eastbourne Ordinariate Mission. This was a delight: Fr Neil Chatfield and his lovely family welcomed me to a family supper, and then we had a most enjoyable evening with the group, planning and discussing a schools venture for 2016...it was an evening of friendship and  talk and solidarity and with a happy feeling of plans for the future and good things to do...

It had been a day of searing heat, but with an evening promise of relief - and as the train headed for London the drama of a storm began, which reached a glorious crescendo at Clapham Junction with tremendous sheets of rain and flashes of lightning, an absolute torrent of water hurtling down like a mighty blessing on a parched and hot city...bliss to travel home through this, and to feel a busy week culminating in refreshment and rest.