Today to be honest was a bit of a frustrating day to start with, more IT support – though fortunately I did not have to go up into the roof space to reset a wireless access point – I think the IT support is coming to an end – or at least it will quieten down It reminds me of some of the things I didn’t enjoy in IT.

That being said my frustration is probably due to the fact that it was hot last night and I didn’t sleep that well. Sorry for mentioning the weather, I know it is a bit cold back home.

This evening’s celebration of Ash Wednesday was a solemn High Mass with incense filling up to the rafters, I will be smelling of what I think is Rose Mystica for a few days. The Rectors sermon was a challenge to the community to be actively involved in the season of Lent. This is some that was discussed in the Ordinand’s Body meeting earlier on the the day where it was decided that Wednesdays and Fridays would be meat free days and the money saved would be going to a project that schools street children.

Here are some shots of yesterday, the reason for the photo of a full wine glass is that the college is dry.

Today was a quiet day, some writing done, alot of IT support – internet access went down yesterday and I went to get a hair cut, it was good to get out by myself and stroll into Grahamstown. But the highlight was the rectors dinner a formal dinner, all of us in our casocks, pictures coming tomorrow . We had a speech from the Judge President of the Eastern Cape about the importance of an independant judicial process. The formation group on chapel duty were also on serving duty, they have a busy week as tomorrow there is a full high mass for Ash Wednesday. It was a first, but I believe that it won’t be the last. It was a lovely meal with great company, and an opportunity to chat a bit more leisurely over a meal.

It has been rather hot over the past couple of days, apparently in Cape Town it hit 41C yesterday, it wasn’t that hot here. So the thunderstorm came as a great relief And it did bucket it down, the drains were just about coping with it, though the water will be appreciated in this area as there are signs all over the place saying that this is a water stressed area. Something that I notice on the news is the case for parts of the UK.

This weekend felt like a proper weekend, I don’t know why but it did. Thanks to those who have contacted me via the blog or email I have really appreciated reading your news.

I found out belatedly that Grahamstown was celebrating 200 years, so I and another ordinand went down, but found that things had already wrapped up, so we went to the pub

Visited the Ethiopian Episcopal Church in Grahamstown today, a truly wonderful experience, I didn’t understand 99.99% of the words spoken, and my eyes are still stinging from the African incense that they use. It was great to be in a service were I understood the liturgy even though the words were strange. I wasn’t expecting to see large altar parties, copes and biretta’s – food for thought for my essay

Our week of chapel duty is over, but have found that we are on duty before holy week. This means that we will be doing ‘experimental’ worship on Palm Sunday – I am going to try to convince others in my group to come up with the liturgy

On a completely different note, the guys want me to stay longer as today we were given an option of a cooked breakfast, usually on Sundays it is tea and toast. They think it is down to me being here, I don’t know, lets see what happens next Sunday. It was good to have a bowl of cereal before the service as it went on for three hours, though I have been warned that next week when I am off to St. Augustine’s in the township that services can go on longer there.

This evening I and group went to the cathedral to the student evening service which was a very pleasant way to round off the day and to chat with some of the Rhodes Students

A selection of pictures taken over the past two days…..

Well the first week of academic studies is over, and chapel duties are nearly over, just the experimental service (which I need to get the liturgy finished for). The lectures have been fairly slow so far as in the main they have been introducing the course for the year. But it has been interesting to sit in on them and contrast with lectures back in the UK. One thing to note the lecture of the mission course I am sitting in on is kindly rejigging the lectures so that we cover aspects of inculturation before I leave.

I have discovered this week that there is marmalade on the tables for breakfast, so I can be reminded of home through the sense of smell and taste It’s the small things that can make a huge difference

One thing that has also struck me in my short time here is the changeability of the weather, it is very British!