... a 46 year-old me preached for the first time at the Gathering Place.

It was a beautiful spring day, and I vividly recall the colourful azaleas and rhododendrons blooming on the Botanic Gardens.

I remember the all age slot, where I spoke about Susan Boyle's recent appearance on Britain's Got Talent, before preaching on two of favourite gospel men, Peter and Thomas.  I've preached on them a lot since!

After the service we squeezed into the moderator's little red car and headed off to the, then, Church Secretary's home for lunch and 'grill the candidate' time.  Later, another couple took me to the Botanics and gave me tea before dropping me back to the airport.

The rest, as the saying goes, is history.

Today is an equally beautiful day, and my permitted walk took me close to the Botanics, though they were still closed as I was too early. Even so, there are azaleas and rhododendrons on full bloom, blue skies and birdsong.

Today I will reflect on Peter, in a service that borrows a title from that first one.  Being on Zoom is very different - and thankfully no-one (as far as I know) us sussing out my suitability! No lunch with church folk today, no probing questions, no flight to another place.  But lots of memories to cherish, very few regrets, and lots of glimpses of the grace and love of God.

Happy whatever it is to us all - God is good and the Gatherers are great: surely that is sufficient unto the day.

At the top of Kelvin Way in Glasgow, just set back from the road, stands this sign 'Scotland's Tree of the Year 2015', a Hungarian oak tree was planted in 1918 by the women's suffrage movement.  That if itself is interesting.

The poor tree has been heavily pollarded, and carries a huge scar in its trunk where bark has been torn away.  I couldn't help wondering if that was more significantly symbolic than anyone might intend?  A century on, gender-justice is still a huge challenge throughout the world.

I hope the tree recover - oaks, after all, can live for centuries - and I hope that the world-changing achievements of women will continue to be celebrated and honoured...

When I was a child, my Dad always told us to look up and look around - it was good advice, there is always so much to see and enjoy if we do.

This morning I ventured a little further than usual on my 'permitted exercise', at least if measured in a straight line, the overall circuit was about the same.

I took lots of photos, including this one at the Botany Building at the University of Glasgow.  What drew my eye, as it has many times over the years, was the elegant carving above the lintel... The tree, the fish and bell from the city emblem (where the bird might be, I have idea). A rather elegant royal crown.  And the university motto, 'way, truth, life' drawn from the gospel of John.

I guess I could try to link the symbols with the words - but that would need some curious contortions... fish for truth? bell for life? tree for way/road? Perhaps not!

Each day as I head out for my walk I try to identify a theme to enjoy as I do so - today it was mostly chimney pots, but around the uiniversity there are many intriguing sights to see, so I got a little bit side-tracked.  And that's OK too.

Tomorrow it's back to my early premises check - the weeks are fairly flying past, at least in my corner of the world.

I have posted various veiled references to a book project I've been involved with... today it has gone live and is on sale here.

With more than thirty contributors and running to 300 pages, it is incredible value at just £15 including P&P.  There just might be the odd mention of Dibley and the Gathering Place in there...

I am so proud of everyone who contributed, and so appreciative of the dedication of folk at BUGB to make it happen during what have proved very challenging times for them as an organisation last summer, and for the world as a whole this spring.

I have followed Archdruid Eileen for as long as this blog has existed, which is a long time (almost 15 years to be precise).  She and I have some shared geographical heritage, and though we have never quite managed to meet in life, I like to think of her as a friend.

She offers some unique Beaker wisdom on online services here.  Do take a look, have a few chuckles, possibly a phew 'hmms', and maybe even follow her amazing blog.