FLETCHERS 3

Haddington was the birthplace of John Knox and St. Mary's Church is where he would have attended as a boy. He was the instigator in having part of it restored in the 1500s.  The remainder was restored later. It is the longest Church in Scotland. George Wishart preached his last sermon in this church before being burned as a heretic at St. Andrews.

The old bridge which Knox would have crossed as a boy. Bob's artistic eye appreciated the stone work!

More stone work! The building of The Pineapple was begun in 1701.and was done  by skilled masons. It was built as a summer house and there were greenhouses attached to the walls on either side. These were heated cleverly heated from inside the building. There was also space for the gardeners to live.

What wonderful things people are able to do. But the work of the Lord transcends any human endeavors. He works in the hearts of men, women, boys and girls, making His own building - His Church - which will last forever.  This Spiritual building has a sure foundation, Jesus Christ,  who "suffered for sin, the just for the unjust that He might bring us to God"

FLETCHERS 2

 The Scottish weather has lived up to its reputation this year by being wet, dull and cool much of the time. However there were some hours of sun now and then as these pictures prove!

 Bob and son-in-law, Gary

Our friend, Janet accompanied us along Nairn Beach.

  

The famous rail and Forth Road bridges in the evening light.

THE FLETCHERS 1

 Meet Bob and Betty Fletcher, from New York State who visited us recently.

Also visiting are the Fletchers' daughter, and her husband, Brenda and Garry.

 

Yes, eating together is a wonderful occasion

Meet Angus our new gift for the garden

THE GENTLE GILLIESES

It is a long way from Stornoway on the Island of Lewis to Edinburgh, and the driving and the roads are something else altogether! But what a pleasure it is to meet up again with this lovely family.

Go for it Jonathan!

Will she manage to get a sound?

Your playing has come on so well, Joanna! Well done!

And so has your recorder playing, Jonathan. Keep at it!

A MAY VISIT 1

We have enjoyed a visit from friends from Holland and Transylvania. Our first visit was to see this amazing pineapple beautifully carved out of stone, set in old gardens.

Nature's own garden.

CARLIJN

We have known Carlijn's family for about 30 years now. (See earlier Blog "Goodbye Holland"). Carlijn was unable to be at Bill's birthday party but managed to come and see us last weekend. She is like one of our own family and we love her dearly.

We visited a restored and well preserved 16th century village not far from our home. It is called Culross, and shows the typical Scottish architecture of the time. Some of the colours are interesting!

We had some enjoyable music sessions too.

VISITING ROBB

Robb who does such a good job as sound and production engineer for our psalm-singing CDs had to spend a couple of days in hospital, so we went to visit him.

After days of snow and rain it promised to be a beautiful day as the mist cleared and let the sunshine reach us.

We were glad to find Robb much better and spent some time chatting in his home

He suggested we go to the Retirement Village where he does some work, for a bite of lunch. Everyone we met seemed to know him. Here is one of his special friends - Anina

Although Anina has bad eye-sight, she colours in texts and then puts them on her cupboards.

An old friend of our own also lives in this place so we paid her a visit also. It was so sunny that we were able to sit in her little patio. May has served the Lord faithfully for many years, and has been a mother to many who found her home to be a refuge to them in their time of trouble or need.

Robbie, comfortable but not quite relaxed.

GIRLS' NIGHT

Our congregation in Edinburgh and other friends are thrilled about the engagement of Steven and Sandra.

Our dear friend Sandra McKay organised a surprise night for Sandra McAulay to wish her well.

The first surprise of the night was for Sandra to see her sister, Ann who travelled about 200 miles to be at the girls' get-together.

One of the "girls", Carol McLeod

For the "bottom drawer"

This will be useful!

Can't be much more in there!

What else?

A scrapbook with household hints and recipes from some of Sandra's friends

Esther, who with her mother, helped to put the scrapbook together.

Yes, Sandra and Steven, we pray God will bless and guide you as you prepare to start a new life together and in the Lord.

A MUSICAL AFTERNOON

Today we enjoyed a pleasant afternoon of chat and Scottish traditional music with our friends, Bill and Flora Stark

Come back soon! Bill and Flora!