Dateline Sunday 8th November
Sunday morning service was at St Gluvias church, Penryn, a smidgen inland from Falmouth. The church (near the 'P' of Penryn) gives it's name to a small community that sits of the 'other side' of the river.
The church operated in 'High Anglican" mode, closely aligned with Roman Catholic tradition; lots of upstanding, down sitting, creaky kneeling (fbb didn't), bell tinkling and incense flinging! But at the heart of the experience was a normal-ish C of E Communion service.
Whilst the Gluvias rituals were somewhat ott for fbb, the powerful biblical words of a 'proper' Communion were far superior to the oft-cut-down version in many 'Reformation' denominations.
The service was short because "next up" was a Civic Service for Remembrance Sunday. The fbbs and their hosts did stay to observe the march from Town Hall to Church.
Then it was off to St Just In Roseland, near St Mawes and across the water from Falmouth.
... on the ancient but modern King Harry Ferry.
There has been a passenger rowboat ferry here for hundreds of years, which later allowed carriages to be transported ...
... with some jeopardy!
A chain ferry, powered first by steam and now by diesel electric propulsion, has been operated since 1888.
The Church at St Just in Roseland is, amazingly, dedicated to St Just. It sits on the waters' edge ...
... rather than in its eponymous village atop the hill on the main road. The waterfront area is popular with visitors and walkers all year round. There is an ample car park and a splendid caff ...
... whereat fbb enjoyed a superb bacon and egg sarnie and a potta. The caff opens every day except Christmas Day; But the treat was the church at which services are held regularly.
A wander round the exterior ...
... revealed a huge cemetery on a steep hillside ...
... and the main entrance round the back.
It was at the entrance porch that fbb received a big, big surprise.
What surprised fbb will be revealed in tomorrow's blog. As a clue, it was (actually, 'they were') on that notice board as seen above.
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Until Then : Good News and Bad News
MONDAY 23RD NOVEMBER
Meanwhile ...
East West Rail (EWR), fit and ready to run between Oxford and Bedford, has yet to see a revenue earning train due, it is claimed, to the intransigence of the unions.
But a decision has already been made to build a super swish depot for trains that EWR hasn't even ordered yet. These will serve the full Oxford to Cambridge line. The bit from Bedford to Cambridge hasn't been built yet. The mythical "They" haven't quite decided which way it will go, yet.
National Rail is seeking planning permission for this depot.
The locals are not at all keen.
So where is it to be?
The pleasant village of Newton Longville is marked ...
... with the rest of the housing being West Bletchley.
Whaddon Road runs from the village diagonally to join the main road top left. It is not yet clear where exactly the depot will be in relation to Whaddon Road, but possibly to the west thereof.
But you can understand the concerns!
At least it won't be as environmentally damaging as the former brick works!
So, if all goes well we shall have a depot with no trains. It is a bit like the Bletchley flyover, built at vast expense ...
... to carry trains to the new Swanbourne marshaling yard which was never built.
At least it has been repurposed to provide platforms at Bletchley for EWR ...
... eventually!
Next Ecclesiastical Omnibology blog : Thur 12 Nov
