| Every now and then England has one of those memorable
summers that go on for a long time; for once one can
generally rely on fine weather. One fine summer in the
1950's we had two French boys staying with us for 3
months to learn English; for week after week we ate all
our meals outside and went swimming in the sea late
almost every afternoon. In 1960's, the year I took my
degree finals - in those days everything depended on the
12 three hour examination papers - for the summer term I
followed a strict regime never remotely followed
since, work until about 3 pm then an hours walk
across the Durdham Downs to the Clifton Bridge before tea
with friends and back to the books. In the middle of the
exams, one Saturday, I took the train to Marlow to watch
my younger brother rowing in the regatta. A day never to
be forgotten with the races, picnic, family and friends,
sunshine and back on the train a wonderful meal in a
British Rail dining car, a bottle of good white wine and
William Rees-Mogg at the next table with the next days
Sunday Times which he then edited.
Again in 2003, lunch outside with friends in a village
pub near Oxford in April. In May a walk along the Thames
from Clifton Hampden to Dorchester for a memorable lunch
and the walk back. In July a beautiful walk along the
Ridgeway with lunch sitting outside a good pub
overlooking a game of cricket on the village green. More
recently some fine crisp clear autumn days; the view of
360 degrees of trees in every conceivable shade of colour
from the top of the tower in Sissinghurst Garden.
Much
of life is given to us as gift - what we make of that
gift is up to us. Some people in the world inevitably
have more opportunities than others. The good news God
sent through Jesus is that we are to be thankful and to
share. That is sufficient challenge and joy for
a lifetime.
Christopher Morgan-Jones
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