Thursday, 29 November 2007

Light & Mist




Autumn is a dazzling time. Walking towards the river at Pierrepont, I stopped, amazed at the dazzling sight of light through the trees. In the second picture, a fire was burning and the smoke wafting through the crisp, cold air made it look like I was in another world.

Frost




A few mornings, temperature was minus 4 Celsius. Frost covered the grass and the ground. This is what it looks like.




Saturday, 24 November 2007

Creativity Day

Creativity Day -- a day when we allowed God to lead us & challenge us to be creative. Above, Alice creating her Princess Bride banner. Below, Irey from Hongkong making a box.
Jenniffer from Taiwan preferred to blow bubbles. And Craig sewed a banner. Although he had no experience, with some guidance he created quite an impressive one... Any other men want to take up the challenge?


Sunday, 18 November 2007

Signs

Anyone for breakfast?
Duh....



Wednesday, 14 November 2007

Enormous tree

Alice, on the left, is a tall slim English girl. The tree makes her look like an elf.

Tuesday, 13 November 2007

Isn't he cute!

Everytime I see this little guy, he's eating. Now, that's focus.

Monday, 12 November 2007

The butterfly

I was really fascinated by this butterfly. It was so intent on getting the goodies from the flower that it refused to budge, even though I was just inches away. I think it was teaching me a lesson on being focused!

This is part of the stream that flows under the bridge which I always cross on the way to Little Pond. I find it beautiful.


Moss -- round, soft, spongy.

Sunday, 4 November 2007

Seeing Red

According to British folklore, the more the berries, the harder the winter. Oooh dear!


Along Priory Lane

Never knew a little lane could be so beautiful. This leads to Little Pond.

Friday, 2 November 2007

Little Pond

One could sit here for hours, just taking in the view

Autumn leaves

The leaves are pure gold, green, brown... beautiful.

The Old Post House


After crossing the bridge, I pass "The Old Post House." There's a post box (still working), to the right of this picutre.

View over the Bridge

Didn't know weeds could be this lovely. And yes, my charger is working! Found out I'd put the batteries the wrong way round (blush!)

Saturday, 27 October 2007

Swan pond

Ellel is situated in Frensham, which has a sizable nature reserve nearby. The woods are beautiful, covered with firs, heather, scrub, lichens, and with two man-made ponds, created in the Middle Ages. The ponds are called, ahem, "Little Pond", and "Big Pond".

This swan got out of the Little Pond and walked towards me. Looking for food, I expect! When they fly, they make a great "whomp! whomp! whomp!" with their wings. You wonder how they get their bulk into the air, but they do. In Singapore, we don't see them flying as their wings are clipped.

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Main House at Ellel Pierrepont


Over 100 years old, it used to be a boys' boarding school. Inside, there's a fireplace, a Great Hall, a Long Room, a Coffee Lounge. Upstairs, students share double, triple rooms. Volunteers tile, brick, paint, fix toilets, etc. There are over 100 volunteers working here, including a Young People's Team. The 35-acre property bustles with activity.
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Part of the woods

October in Surrey. Misty, cold, rainy, windy. Very enjoyable, provided that one is healthy! Great for long walks in brisk, cold air. I'm told as there are lichens growing on the ground, that means the air there is extra pure. If only one could bottle it.
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Monday, 15 October 2007

"Army" in worship

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Jesus' Army premises in London

Jesus' Army is a church attended by a friend of mine. They reach out to those who are more on the fringes of society. They got these ancient, yet rather beautiful premises for their meetings in London. It used to be a nunnery, and they meet in the chapel there. This painting is at the back.

Friday, 12 October 2007

First week

Am on my first week here. Very hectic. Ellel Pierrepont is 35 acres, full of woods, old buildings (and I mean OLD), bird & animal life. The place is buzzing with students, our schedule is very tight, it feels like I'm living in the midst of a train station -- yup, that's how busy it is!

It was foggy yesterday morning, and then cleared up to become nice & bright in the afternoon. Very temperamental, the weather...The birds start singing around 7 a.m. in the morning -- it's first light for them, although with my human eyes all still looks dark.

7.30 a.m. is a better time to take a walk. I have seen deer, stag, bunny rabbits, squirrels, woodpeckers in the woods and swans & wild ducks in the river. It's really worth exploring. The wonderful thing about Ellel is its natural beauty.

Think that's about it. Going for a walk in the woods before breakfast.

Blessings to you all. Hope you're keeping well.