Now and then I work part of a day from home to fit around meetings etc. at this end of my 'patch'.

Sometimes that can be tricky because one or other cat borrows my laptop to plot world domination (or check there are sufficient photos of them on social media).

Good job this is my lunch break, then!!

Sometimes we need to be reminded of, or given permission to do, these things

Nowadays it is comparatively rare for me to hand write anything of any substance.  I jot down notes for sermons, or key points for letters or emails, but that's about it.

Today I actually wrote out longhand a first draft of my reflection for Sunday, which meant the first typed draft was already partly refined.

And it was good.  Maybe I should do it more often! 

Maybe now the commentaries and worship books are nearer the desk and further from the computer, I will.

Anyway, in another rare event, for the second successive week by the end of Tuesday I have a full first draft for Sunday.  In theory this should lead to lots more honing; in practice time will tell!!

The annual theological reflection group BBQ - with the weather doing what it does best on the west side of these islands... blowing a hoolie/gale and bucketing/stoating/hammering rain.  So we put on our waterproofs, hats and gloves and had a JOLLY GOOD TIME in best British stiff upper lip/West of Scotland fatalism fashion.

The food was plentiful and delicious
The company was happy and vivacious

And by the time we were heading homewards, the sun broke through.

A really fun evening.  Huge thanks to B & K for their hospitality and to O & C who acted as waiting staff

We certainly weathered the weather, whatever the whether, whether we liked it or not!!

Photos copyright KF

As a rule, I don't do party politics... the annoying floating voter who cannot, ultimately, align with any one group.  But Iwas deeply saddened to wake to to the news that Charles Kennedy had died at the young age of 55 - just three years older than me, way too young.

A man of deep convictions and strong principles, who opposed the war in Iraq, who opposed the coalition with the Conservatives, who faced his own demons often in the glare of media speculation.  His speech on losing his seat at the last election was characterised by humour and concern for those who employment was contingent the re-election of candidates... the "night of the lang sgian-dubh" as he dubbed it.

I hope and pray that he is now at peace, released from all that troubled and taunted him.

I hope that all that was good in his life and political work will be honoured and continued by those who follow in his footsteps, within the Lib Dems, and in other parties.

I hope, too, that those who knew and loved him will find comfort in these early days of loss and grief.

Eternal rest grant unto him, oh Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.  May he rest in peace.