I'm out of hibernation!

It seems like I have finally come out of hibernation...I've been away from my blog for so long!

I have to say I've been a little busy lately, my first week working for the Bishop was a relaxed one, but then the pace picked up the following week. I was tasked with decorating the shop, as when we got the keys on 6th june it was roughly painted in a very poor quality white emulsion. This was done by the landlord simply to cover the previous colour of it's hairdresser days.....bright orange!!

This task involved removing mirrors, shelves, etc also. One of the mirrors, a 6ft tall one, came off of the wall quite well, but had been fixed on using silicone sealant...this took well over a whole day to get this off of the wall.

Anyway, after the preperations I was able to start painting. We have gone for magnolia on all of the walls, white ceiling and white satinwood for the woodwork. I have to say that I haven't done too bad of a job overall!

Once the painting had all been done it was time to buy the shop fittings, book cases, etc, etc. This involved hiring a van last Saturday and Roy and I taking a trip to Ikea at Lakeside. The finish that we have gone for is beechwood, this does seem to go well with the oak effect floor and the magnolia decor. Roy also needed to get a few things for his new office at Credo Care in Lydd...so one transit van full, an tired credit card, lunch....and 5 HOURS later, we were on our way!!!

Firstly we had to drop some bits off in Lydd, then we called into the Bishop's home for a coffee, and to pick up a couple of items for the shop which were being stored there...and then off to Canterbury to deposit half of Ikea's warehouse into our little shop!!!! Finally we were finished, both for the day and, I think, physically!!!!!! We took the van back to Maidstone and then Roy dropped me off at home.

I took that Sunday off of church as it was Father's Day, and my little boy wanted to take Daddy out!! Strange how I had to pay....don't quite think he has the concept here!

The Bishop offered me the Monday off, as a reward for my hard work over the last week or so. Whilst appreciated I decided to crack on. So earlier this week I built the office desk and chair and also some of the bookcase extenders. Sadly, I could not get on with the book/display cases as the boxes are too heavy for one person, and to attempt to do it would probably damage them. So it was decided to get me some help.

Last Wednesday was mass, after mass I met up with a carpenter who came to have a look at a few jobs that need doing in the shop. After this the Bishop kindly treated me to lunch. I then had to go and collect my new glasses from Specsavers whilst the Bishop returned to church to prepare for future events (inc. today). Once I had my glasses I returned to church and had a server's lesson. By the time all this was done it had just turned 5pm, so we both walked to Canterbury West station to catch the train to Ashford, from where I rode my motorbike home and the Bishop got a taxi back to Lydd.

I should have been in work on Thursday, and there was also due to be a mass. However, the Bishop was unwell, so emailed me early to say that mass was cancelled. He also suggested that I should have the day off. So I took him up on his kind offer, and for once was able to walk my little boy to school.

Friday (yesterday) was different altogether. It was Credo Care's annual Beaumont Grainger Awards presentation, to which I had been invited. This took place at Bridgewood Manor hotel in Chatham, and consisted of the awards ceremony followed by lunch. It was great to see so many people there. There were three awards. One was for Foster Carer of the Year (title may be slightly wrong...sorry), one was for External Professional and the other was for Staff Member of the Year. This award went to Roy Hipkiss, which was great, as it was he that originally had the Credo Care vision....a vision that became a reality and celebrates it's 10th year this year! The awards were presented by a special guest, a young guy called Jack, who was the very first child that Credo Care placed when then started out!

Today is mass at 12 noon...and it is going to be the ordination of Father Michael Clothier (from South Molton in Devon) to the Sacred Priesthood. Tomorrow Father Michael will celebrate his first mass, this will take place in Canterbury.

You never know, I may even get round to updating my blog tomorrow, to cover today and tomorrow.

Until then.......or should I say "until when"???!!!

Open all hours....well, not ALL hours....and not quite open yet!

It's been an eventful week so far. I officially started work for Canterbury Church Shop (which is another company that has been established by the Bishop Damien, Roy and their co-director Greg).

Tuesday was a fairly relaxed day, they are probably just trying to break in in gently. The Bishop and I went through some of the stock which has been purchased for the shop so far, and started looking at comparisons with what other chucrh supply companies stock and charge. I was also introduced to the staff who work for their other companies based in Lydd. This was partly so that I can feel part of a bigger 'family' and also so that they know me, as I will be, from time to time, in those offices using the facilities, so it is important that they don't think that I'm a stranger who has just walked in from the street and started to use the photocopier!

Yesterday was Wednesday, and we met at just after 11am in Canterbury, at church. The Bishop also expanded my role yesterday and appointed me as the church sacristan. A sacristan is responsible for the sacristy, the sacred vessels, etc. Duties range from dressing the chalice to changing candles, with everything in between! Obviously I'm having to be trained in this role, but, of course, liturgical training is essential for my future, and so it makes good sense to do it this way.

After mass we had lunch and then visited a few shops in Canterbury....checking out the competition!

Today is Corpus Christi, and because of this mass was held today at church. So we met at church again today. Mass was followed by Benediction of the Holy Sacrament. This was then followed by the usual tea, coffee and biscuits. I had a shorter work day today as the Bishop and Roy had to make an early escape from Canterbury, and so let me go home!

With regard to the progress of the shop, we have just agreed a temporary lease whilst the solicitors carry on doing their slow soliciting thing with respect to the longer term lease and all of it's small print. Hopefully we can get the keys on Sunday from our landlord, and then on Monday we can start by decorating the shop in order to get it ready for the shop fittings, etc. It all seems to be coming together now....it's all rather exciting! So work proper starts on Monday it would seem!

I'm in Lydd again tomorrow, I think that we are going to establish our final suppliers list and start preparing more orders, etc.

I'll try and post again on Sunday, but you know me!!!

Until then......whenever that may be...........