The Prayer Room in Glasgow Airport.

When I arrived very early last Thursday morning nothing was open except the Prayer Room.

It's a very quiet, still space in a very noisy, busy place. The sound proofing is incredible, by use of effectively an airlock, no noise from the busy areas gets into the Prayer Room itself.

It's also an inclusive space. No-one may remove or cover the religious artefacts that have been placed there... there are prayer rugs, icons, candles, Bibles, leaflets, and many more.

The stained glass is lovely, incorporating the symbols of the largest world faiths, and some gentle, soothing colours.

I spent a very relaxed half hour in there, praying, reflecting and simply being... when I emerged the departure gates were just opening and I set off on my way to Florence.

Chaplaincy spaces are so important, and so valued by people of all faiths. I'm grateful to God for this space and the time it gave me in the wee small hours.

Florence was lovely, as was Pisa, and we packed plenty into our short break. 

I arrived in Florence feeling dreadful, with a heavy cold, blocked ears, sore throat and streaming nose... so it was straight to bed for a few hours sleep before taking an evening stroll.  Now I am home, my ears are still blocked, my throat is better and my cough has progressed to the 'productive' stage (tmi probably).

As is so often the case, a few major sites is lovely, but it's the unepxected bits that take my breath away... like the cloistered convent we stumbled across in a side street, or the (now) Orthodox church with air so heavy with incense it permeated my lack of smell!

Likewise with cafes, it was Il Vegetranio, frequented by locals, and serving honest peasant food, where we enjoyed the best meal of the holiday.

I was amused (and impressed) to be able to give directions to a French tourist in Pisa, using my limited French, and being understood.

Now it's auld clase 'n' parrtich...

Annual trip to breast clinic this morning, and all seems good (depends on outcome of mammogram) so I'm now 8 years a NED unless they tell me otherwise.

Lots of Admin and some service prep - and kitties reclaiming me!

In all this ordinariness, God is there and God is good.

Apologies, loyal readers, for lack of posting. Life is very busy, and I hardly have time to turn around.  Tomorrow morning I get up before God does to catch a plane to take me away to Florence for a few day's break.

Suffice to say, today I have a sore throat, a temperature and the start of a cold - deep joy!

When I am back there will new tales to tell, but for now, there is a meeting to prepare for, and a few loose ends to tie up, so I'm signing out!

This arrived today.

In theory, I should not be in this system because I am still under the care of the breast team at my local hospital, but surely better to picked up twice than not at all...

This appointment is for the day after my routine check-up at the breast clinic, so I don't actually need it but... if you 'decline' too often you are denied screening, and in two years time I need to be back in that system... Tricky one! Will have a mull before I decide what to do!!

All that aside, screening is important... so I'm actually happy to be double counted rather than overlooked.

If you are female, have breasts and aged 47-73 or 50-70, depending where you live, then Do. The. Screening!!

It's eight years since the 'morning after' my cancer surgery.  Eight years of life I might not have otherwise known. Eight years of mostly good health (drug side effects, some major, notwishtanding).  Eight years during which I have travelled to New Zealand, Hungary, Malta, Czechia, Finland, Madeirra, Tennerife, France and Italy.  Eight years during which I have conducted baptisms and weddings, baby blessings and funerals. Eight years that have been more full of joy than sorrow.  Eight years when I have at times struggled to deal with the long term emotional/mental/psychological impact of what life, more widely, has sent my way.  Eight years I am glad to have been given.

So, annual nag coming up - do the screening (even if targets aren't being met anywhere in the UK, the BBC never looks further than England), do the awareness/self checking and report lumsp, bumps, rashes, itches, bleeds, bloats, coughs, headaches or bloating that have no reasonable explanation or have gone on more than a couple of weeks.

Cancer treatment isn't fun, but it's better than the alternative - and avoids the guilt that can arise from if only...'