It's off to work I go ...

On Wednesday 1 July I started my new job! And guess what, there was a traffic jam on the A127 that I use to get to work, because of an accident.

Actually the accident was on the other carriageway, which was closed for quite some time. The reason for our delay was what has become known as "rubbernecking". That is, people slowing down to see what has happened. This, as the term implies, is seen as a bad thing - people gawping at an accident.

But, wait a minute. What if everyone drove on without a second glance? How callous would that mean we as a nation had become?

If I see an accident like that I actually take the opportunity to pray for those involved, their family and those who will be helping them, whether that's medically, practically or spiritually.

I recommend you do it also - but, of course, if you're driving, you must pray with your eyes open!

Another Heritage trail

I've just found out that Basildon in Essex has a heritage trail. So what, you may be thinking. But Basildon is only 60 years old! I think my understanding of the meaning of "heritage" must differ from theirs!

But, as we will be moving near to Basildon, we have decided we'll do it. It's all in the leaflet. We will see, among many other sights, Basildon Bus Station (opened in 1961), the Kingswood Medical Centre, the Westgate Shopping Centre and not forgetting the Eastgate Shopping Centre.

And we mustn't miss two water features, a fountain and a sundial.

However, there is a school which was built in 1877 and a church built around 1254. In fact they are the first and second items on the trail. Maybe you could call it a day there ...

Saving time ...

I pulled in to the Tesco filling station and there was only one available pump. It turned out to be a "pay at pump" one. I'm not greatly fond of those, but never mind, I thought.

I was surprised to see the "strap line" for the service is "save two minutes". Yes, folks it's two minutes quicker to pay at the pump! Have we really got to the point that two minutes is so important? If so, I think something has gone seriously wrong with the pace of society.

Oh, by the way, the pay at pump service wasn't working, so I had to traipse ten yards to pay the cashier. Oh, just to think of all the things I could have done in those two minutes!

The Joys of Essex

As we live in Essex we recently received Essex Works, a magazine produced by Essex County Council. In a 'feature' article it extolled the virtues of "Thinking local, buying local". It included the joys of holidaying in Essex and thus your spending stays within the county and supports the local community.

To support this, there were some pictures. One, uncaptioned, shows a bit of the Thames estuary. It is in fact a picture of part of Canvey Island, taken from somewhere near Hadleigh castle (for those of you who know the area). What they don't mention is just to the right but out of the picture is the oil refinery...

Then there's a picture captioned "Southend pier", except that it's not Southend pier, it's Clacton pier! I assume the editor doesn't himself holiday in Essex.

Why is it?

Why is it that when someone wakes up from a nightmare in a film, they always sit bolt upright? No-one ever does in reality, do they? Least of all if the nightmare is about a dodgy broadband connection!

And why is it that in a TV crime drama, when the title role policeman turns up at the murder scene, the pathologist has beaten him there by quite some time and is able to give a verbal report immediately? I mean, the policeman was on duty and the pathologist was only on call ...

Why is it that after I sweep and then wash the floor, half an hour later I see more dirt sitting on the floor? Where does it come from?

And now a "Why was it?" We travelled down Ongar Road on Friday morning to find ourselves held up by temporary traffic lights due to road works. However, the road works were almost complete and when we went down the road later in the day, as I thought, the road was completely open. HOWEVER, the traffic lights were still there and working! So traffic was dutifully stopping for oncoming traffic, even though the whole road was clear! How bizarre was that??

Starting soon!

Just to keep you up to date, my post as pastor at Laindon Baptist Church begins on 1 July. My induction service is Saturday 4 July and if any of you reading this who know me would like to come, please get in touch with me for more details.

Thank you to all who have been praying for us over the last nine months or so, it's all been very much appreciated.

A Good Day Out!

At a church I know quite well there is to be an outing this week for the senior citizens' Friendship Hour. Helpfully the coach can take wheelchairs and has a lift.

The outing includes a two course carvery lunch, a demonstration at "The Chocolate Lady" (luxury chocolates can be purchased), followed by a cream tea.

I suspect the lift will get increasing use as the day goes by!