Robin's Bloggin's

Kim and I spent yesterday at the PGA Golf Championship at Wentworth, with our friend, David. Rachael had very kindly arranged everything for us, and was a real star looking after us all throughout the day - many thanks Rach! Watching golf was a first for Kim and I. During my youth in Essex, I came to associate golf with elitism and the nobby echelons of society that I deplored then and still do today. Yes, I know that sailing often attracts similar types - I’ve generally managed to navigate around that stuff in my boating career, but not always!! Anyway, joining the Flippance family, when Kim and I got together, did a lot to cure me of that deep-seated prejudice against golf and golfers. I was warmly welcomed into a lovely blokey culture of sportsmanship and all that goes with it. It was assumed that I was an accomplished golfer, cricketer, footballer, rugby player, and similarly adept with racquet sports, darts and drinking beer. I think I passed on the last point, but it rapi...

Kim and I had a lovely, though all-too-short, break in the west country. We hired a VW camper van, which was a first for us. Really good, though took some getting used to. Our first night was in Bude with Jill and Craig. Great to catch up.  On Monday, we hired a tandem at Barnstaple, and rode along the splendid Tarka Trail to Torrington and back. We’re much enjoying tandem riding together, and are increasingly tempted to splash out on one... After a good overnight stop at a near-empty campsite in Croyde, we drove down to Exmouth on the south coast of Devon forour last day. We had a lovely evening with Pat. 

Kim and I spent a while in West Sussex this weekend.  This is an area that I'm not all that familiar with, but became fascinated about last year, when I started to plan a mountain biking ride along the length of the South Downs Way (in three stages).  I did the first leg in September last year (from Salisbury, via Winchester, to Butser Hill, adjacent to the A3, then down to Havant).  I hope to complete the other legs this year. I had intended to call this post 'East of Portsmouth', but then thoughts turned to John Steinbeck, and also to Jack Kelly.  I had huge fun in the early '80s, race crewing on a Sigma 33 named 'Off Licence', owned and skippered by Jack.  At that time, Jack was a dentist in Emsworth.  Thanks for some great times Jack! Anyway, on Friday evening, we went to the Southern Cruising Group spring supper at Chichester Yacht Club.  A hearty, happy gathering of the south coast Drascombe crowd.  Good food and fine company. On Satur...

May the road rise to meet you; May the wind always be at your back; May the sun shine warm upon your fields; May the rain fall soft upon your face;  and, until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand. Amen. The beautiful words of the Gaelic Blessing, spoken by the congregation at yesterday evening's service at Salisbury District Hospital chapel to send Kim on her way after her wonderful 16 years of ministry there. The warmth, love and fellowship was really moving.  Surrounded by the family of Chaplains and Chaplaincy volunteers, past and present, supporters and friends, Frances, supported by the whole magnificent team, led a service that was stirring, humorous, uplifting and completely fitting for Kim's departure. People's kind words made me feel very proud of my lovely wife, the work that she has done, and the impact that she has had.  I'm deeply aware of the magnificent work that the Chaplaincy does at the hospital in supporting so very many...