Surprise, surprise !
This is how I felt yesterday
I was in the church porch showing an acquaintance, I used to teach, with a photo of the staff  taking many years ago. We were trying to remember just how many years when I said it was before Damian was born and suddenly this " man " leaned over and agreed with me. I looked up to see Paul, Chris and Stephanie ( from Barry, south Wales ) who were all in fits of laughter at the expression of surprise on my face. They had suddenly decided that they would visit John, Chris's father ( in Liverpool ) and me before they go on a trip to Canada in two weeks time. I could hardly speak as I was so shocked which , of course made them giggle even more. My family seem to take great delight in arriving unexpectedly as just about a month ago Adrian and Gail ( from the Isle Of Man ) came without telling me first. I said to Paul that I was wondering if they were planning to end my days with a heart attack but he insisted that such a thought hadn't entered his head. TG ! It was great to see them and catch up with their news as we didn't get much " chat time " when we were in Barry for Gregory's 21st birthday celebrations. Sunday lunch was an ad hoc meal after a dash to Morrisons for pizza and garlic bread as they were only here for a few hours.
This evening as I finished my meal I had another surprise caller -a priest friend whom I haven't seen for about seven years. Fr. Johnny came to St. Bede's as a newly ordained priest some 18 years ago and he quickly became a special friend but when he moved we lost touch though he came to see me when he heard that Frank had died. I intended to keep in touch but as is the case I didn't ! Johnny is on retreat in a Jesuit house just a few miles away so took the opportunity to visit and renew our friendship. It was THE happiest thing that has happened to me for quite a while.
A not so happy thing was finding damp in the bedroom wall but the dear Blessed St John ( my son-in-law ) tells me that it isn't a huge problem and he will get some one to sort it out very soon. It seems that I need to have air brick put in the chimney breast wall which is on the outside of the house so it won't be a very messy job. Now I must motivate myself and get a decorator in to paint the kitchen-diner before I go away. It is in such a bad state I'm ashamed and dread asking any one to do it - but it must be done so this week I will make a phone call and get it organised. I WILL ! Watch this space, I will do it before I blog again- that is a promise I have made to myself.
Enough of my ramblings.
The weather has changed drastically during the last few days as the temperatures have dropped by more than ten degrees, it is chilly with easterly winds and most of us have the heating on at night- so much for the balmy days of June The news is that it will continue cool for the rest of the week so it sweaters, cardigans and long sleeves again for us. This time last week we were complaining that it was TOO hot - we are never satisfied are we ? At least the weather gives us some thing to chat about