Deck the Hall

A warm and appreciative audience filled the baronial hall at the Ullet Road Unitarian Church on Friday, to enjoy the Christmas Celebration hosted by Liverpool Voice.

The evening was entitled ‘Deck the Hall’ and this was the song that got the evening off to a brisk start.  The programme moved on to ‘Wassail’ which turned out be be quite a theme for the first half. There were no less than three wassailing songs in all, and a reading that explained the two wassailing traditions - singing door to door round the village; and blessing the apple trees with toast. In the Gloucestershire Wassail, a traditional carol collected by Vaughan Williams, the verses were sung by three men in cloth caps enjoying the odd swig of ale from a wassail tankard.

Before this there were some serious carols, including the ‘Angel’s Carol’ by John Rutter, and one that was possibly the high point of the evening, ‘The Snow’ by Edward Elgar set to a poem by his wife Alice. For this piece, definitely seasonal but not actually about Christmas, the choir and piano accompanist were joined by three further musicians on violin flute and cello. It added up to a rich performance of a beautiful piece.

Ian & Lucy Gilchrist accompanied several pieces throughout the evening, Ian swapping between the flute and the double bass.  As well as Sophia on violin for ‘The Snow’, they were joined at points by Martin on the concertina, and Trombone, and Elspeth on accordion.

The trombone made an appearance for ‘While shepherds watched’ not to the traditional tune, but ‘Cranbrook’, a tune perhaps best known as ‘On Ilkley Moor bar tat’. It was a lot of fun.

Other than verses sung by various choir members, Andrea, Corrine, Erik, Jo, Lucas, Martin, Tim,  and Brenda and Jan later in the medley, there was just one solo piece, 'Babe of Bethlehem' sung by Kim Ford.

The first half was rounded off by the arrival of Santa Claus, who regaled the audience with the twelve days of Christmas, joined by the choir for just one line in each verse - ‘Five Gold Rings’

Fortified by mulled wine and mince pies served during the interval by Santa (Phil Waldron, the Unitarian church minister) and his helpers, and warmed by the real fire in the fire place, the audience took their seats for the second half, which got off to a crisp start with ‘Ding Dong Merrily on High’. Next came ‘Gaudete’ for which John McHugh, the accompanist picked up his guitar.

The Conductor and Choir Artistic Director, Lesley Bentley, introduced each piece, often with a brief description of its origin and background.

Just as in the first half, there was a single reading, this time an extract from a poem by Carol Ann Duffy about the Christmas day truce between the trenches in World War One, which introduced ‘Silent Night’ with the first verse sung, as in the poem, in German.

The audience joined in towards the end of the evening, with the Christmas songs medley, Jingle Bells, Winter Wonderland and the like, and with O Come All Ye Faithful, before the final number ‘We wish you a Merry Christmas’ - a rousing ending to a wonderful evening.

Liverpool Voice rehearses on Thursday Evenings in South Liverpool and the Artistic Director is Lesley Bentley, formerly Director of Arts College at Notre Dame Catholic College for the Arts. Choir members have a range of musical ability training and experience, Rehearsals are friendly and purposeful. The choir is always looking out for new members, although you may be asked to delay joining shortly before a performance, or to maintain a balance of voices. Currently here is a need for tenors and basses. The contact details for potential members or for performance enquiries is 07901349080 or info@liverpoolvoice.com

How to Stay Trim

Having managed to stay reasonably in trim through to late middle age, I thought it was worth setting out the guidelines that I think have helped me stay that way.

1. Eat and Drink Whatever You Want.  
I get to enjoy all the food and drink I like, but there are some that I try to keep to weekends and holidays. Regular episodes of rich plentiful food may serve to raise my cell metabolism, I can't be sure.  It does help me stay motivated during the week and it makes it an ongoing lifestyle, rather than a short term fix that will go into reverse later.

2. Drink Water, Eat Vegetables.
During the week, as much as possible, but without being awkward or unsociable, I try to avoid beer, wine, spirits, lemonade, crisps, salted snacks, sweet biscuits, cakes, pastries, pies, burgers, pizzas and chips (fries).  Like Daniel and his friends in exile in Babylon, I drink water and eat vegetables.  Except that I also eat meat, fish, eggs, milk, cheese, yogurt, fruit, and drink tea coffee and fruit juice.

3. Eat Small Portion Sizes.
It is good to educate your stomach to expect sensible sized portions. I came relatively late to this. I used to eat up what was on the table unless a meal sized portion could be stored in the fridge. Now even snack sized portions get put aside for later. If I stop eating when I feel 70% full, I am usually quite satisfied later.  If I eat till I am stuffed I can feel over-faced later.

4. Exercise Daily. 
We are not talking hours of jogging to burn calories. I do go running, see the next paragraph. My (almost) daily routine is a short and sharp ten minutes before the morning shower, press ups and the like, without any weights or equipment. There are three aims; to raise the heartbeat (because fat and fit is better than skinny and unfit), to build strength (because muscles take more calories to maintain than fat), and stretches for posture (because carrying weight is less important than how well you carry it).

5. More Exercise.
I go hill walking, road cycling and dinghy sailing for fun. I run to stay healthy; rarely more than 5k, often but not always more frequently than once a week.  It probably helps, but the main purpose is not to lose weight, for that I would run shorter and faster, more like interval training. Nor is the main aim to run fast, I am content to jog round at a comfortable pace, which does gradually get faster if I keep at it regularly enough.

6. Drink Water, Eat an Apple.
I am quite happy to eat a snack between meals. I try to avoid grazing. Sitting near an open packet of crisps is not a good idea. When I feel hungry I always drink a glass of water; to the extent I have mistaken thirst for hunger it is problem solved. An apple is a good stopgap between meals, even more so with raisins, though sometimes cheese suits better. The aim is to have a significant snack and then stop, rather than return 10 or 20 minutes later.

7. Weigh yourself Daily.
You need to take daily variations with a pinch of salt, and delay notching up a milestone until two or so readings have confirmed it, but I find weighing myself daily quite motivating.  I step on the scales on the first visit to the bathroom in the morning. After that, I drink a 250ml glass of water and a mug of tea, so the measurement is already fiction before the day has properly begun.

8. Master the Art of Chocolate.
It is very easy to wolf down a whole bar of chocolate, but not that helpful. To enjoy chocolate more often it helps to eat just one or two lumps, probably buying a more expensive brand.  Similar considerations may apply to an extent, for beer, cheese and bread.

9. Enjoy Christmas Pudding & Mince Pies.
Long before Christmas, cheesecake and yogurt give way to treacle tart and rice pudding, and quite right too. A little extra insulation against the winter cold is no bad thing.

10. A Last Word.
About this dieting. Buy trousers with a wide waste, in case it does not work. Wear a belt, in case it does.

Understanding Revelation by Ken Allen

Understanding Revelation: A Guide to the End-Times. By Ken Allen

This book is an excellent introduction and guide to those wanting to study the book of Revelation.

The subject matter ensures it is not a light read, but the style helps.  Using clear simple concise language, the author describes, explains and illustrates the various imagery, concepts, and ideas.

It helps to have an open bible close to hand. There are many references to other books in the bible, which illustrate or explain the Revelation passages. I feel I learnt as much about the rest of the bible as I did about Revelation, and have come to see Revelation as continuing the bible story, rather than a book set apart.

A significant proportion of the book is comprised by the introduction. It is here that many of the key themes are introduced. Such a broad sweep of ideas can make it feel as if you have read a whole book in the introduction alone.

The book includes the complete text of Revelation, translated by the author from the Greek. This is a literal translation, with precise but unfamiliar grammatical construction, a helpful addition to more readable translations.

The author never sits on the fence, saying “some people think this, other people think that” Instead he presents a complete credible picture of how sometimes apparently contradictory passages may add up to a single coherent whole.  

In doing this he does not claim to be right, but recognises that all commentaries are written by men with imperfect understanding, encouraging us to read widely, read Revelation itself repeatedly, and ask God for understanding.

Before reading the book, I understood the second coming as a single event, but here the end times are presented as a series of episodes in which many prophesies, that we have yet seen only partially fulfilled, reach their complete and perfect fulfilment.

I found reading the book very faith affirming. Between reading sessions I found my heart full of praise, being more aware of the purposes and sovereignty of God as they are affirmed in the pages.

Alongside the explanations there are quiet observations about belief attitudes and practice prevalent in the church today. The language is not hard hitting but some of the observations can be quite telling.

If you find the Book of Revelation to be a mystery, this book may help turn it into the revelation it was always meant to be.

The book is available to buy on Amazon UK or Amazon.com

Ken Allen's web site

Small Island by Andrea Levy

This enjoyable book is currently very topical, as Gilbert Joseph arrives in London from Jamaica on the Windrush.
Jamaica is one of the larger Caribbean Islands, but when he returns there after serving in RAF during the war, Gilbert realises how small the Island is, and takes the opportunity to return to London as soon as he can. His wife Hortense joins him after a few weeks, when he has found a room to rent in the house run by Queenie Blyth, and finds 1948 post war London a drab and dreary place, after all the colour and vibrancy of Jamaica.
One of the features of this book is that each of the main characters tells their own story, but we also see how they are viewed by one other. In the opening chapter Hortense Gilbert is far from impressed by her husband, and in the next chapter we read what events conspired against Gilbert's best efforts to welcome Hortense to their new London home. It is quite comical.
Another feature of the book is that although the action takes place during a few days in 1948, much of the book's content has the characters telling us about "before". There are some childhood recollections, including life and education in Jamaica, but very largely it is describing events during the war.
For all the opening chapters make Joseph Gilbert look like a loser, he is an observant and able narrator, and we are treated to keen descriptions of racial tensions and prejudice both during the war and in the post war period.  For us white Brits, it is an uncomfortable read in places.
As the book progresses, we learn more about the main characters, how they met, and how it is they react in the way they do in 1948. The interplay of 1948 and before sets up some intriguing mysteries, some of which become clearer as the earlier stories are told.
The middle chapters are far from boring; there is plenty of action to keep us entertained, but it can feel a bit disparate, as each character tells their own story.  The final chapters on the other hand, are a masterpiece. Just as we have the measure of each character and think we know them, they surprise us again and again, chapter after chapter, to the end of the book.

Composting July 2018

Here are my observations about collecting the compost on Friday.

It is over three years since we have been using the hot-bin compost bin, you might think we would be experts by now.

As previously, I emptied material from the bin onto the ground, and then took a spade full or two at a time onto a tomato grow-bag sized tray, sifting through to remove unwanted material before tipping it into a 50 litre garden carrier.

What I removed was mainly - twigs, set aside to re-use; they help oxygen get to the composting process - tea bags,  to discard; it seems they are made of plastic as well as paper, - and stones, presumably from garden rather than kitchen waste. There was also a brass buckle.

What was left included a lot of eggshell fragments. I thought this would look unsightly, but even used as a top dressing, it looked okay.

I started the task in light drizzle, a bit of a rarity this summer, but it brightened up. I still ended up quite wet, from leaks and splashes using the hose to clear up.

I collected less this time than eleven months ago, hopefully I will continue with little and often. Including some additional tidying up, it took just under two hours.

By taking less, the remaining material stayed in place, making it easier to replace the door.  Later I pushed the material down while bracing the door with my knee.  The luggage straps holding the door closed had snapped since last time, and for now, the door has held good without them.

So that is it for a month or two, hopefully less than eleven.

Carlton Hotel International, Sorrento

This hotel has a lot going for it. It was great to arrive back mid afternoon and enjoy a swim in the pool, or enjoy sitting between the pool and the gardens, or by the bar.
The ground floor area was light, expansive, and decorated with generous quantities of marble, making it all cool and comfortable to be in when the weather was hot.
Being located just off Piazza Tasso made it ultra convenient for getting to all the shops trips restaurants and attractions.
Although we missed out on getting a room facing the front, with views across the bay of Naples to Vesuvius, we were very happy with the view from our balcony,  of the swimming pool and gardens, and of the mountains behind Sorrento.
Although it does not have a restaurant, there are any number within 5 minutes walk, including one very acceptable place literally next door.
The room was entirely adequate, with a good level of soundproofing; what we heard from neighbouring rooms was very muted indeed.
There was no kettle; the fridge was empty; the TV was small; it was a hunt to find the one power socket we could use to charge our phones; and we placed a spare blanket under the sheets to make the bed softer for Ann.
The shower was adequate, but the showerhead was fixed to the wall, making it inflexible and difficult to avoid the water before it got to temperature. It seems the whole bathroom was once a wet room; the advent of shower enclosure meant having to squeeze past the bidet to reach the toilet, which was not ideal for those of reduced mobility. On a similar note it was a significant step up into the  shower enclosure.
The breakfast room was spacious and airy with relaxed jazz playing as background music. The self service bar had boiled egg, cheese ham, yoghurt fruit cereal, and a wide selection of sweet breads and cakes, and fresh fruit. The coffee was served by waiters, sadly it was not always very hot.
We did not feel especially valued and welcomed, which was a shame. Several members of staff were very kind helpful and friendly on occasions, but the overall effect was a little impersonal. Perhaps we had been spoilt by staying previously in a smaller hotel. In part it was the location of the reception desk, way off to the left so there was no need to approach it unless you had a query.
The hotel entrance had two short flights of steps, with handrails too short for the top step in the first case. We were not made aware of any alternative entrance. The only toilets available from reception/bar/breakfast room were down one storey, with no lift access.
While by the pool I observed that what looked like an external fire escape was potentially dangerous being overrun with climbing plants. On closer inspection this was not a fire escape and the single central staircase is the sole means of escape for all 18 rooms on each floor. I was comforted that there was no wallpaper or carpets, just marble finishes, but I did note that the old lift, in the centre of the stairwell was housed in a wooden frame.

River Hotel, Florence

From the moment we arrived at the bottom of the stairs on the street in view of the reception desk, we were made to feel very welcome at the River Hotel.
They took our luggage, while one member of staff came round with us to the back door which gave us easy access to our ground floor room.
The decor throughout is a very modern, black and white design, with abstract art work breaking up what would otherwise be overly clinical. With LED lights around each doorway, it was very striking.
The room was very comfortable, and we slept well.  The wardrobe and drawers easily accommodated the contents of our cases. We did not make use of the well stocked mini bar, except to chill our own water bottle, but we did enjoy the the two tea bags of English breakfast tea, albeit without milk. There was large TV that we did not make use of.
The bathroom was bright and spacious, but suffered from having no shelf space. The shower was forceful by virtue of small holes in the showerhead rather than lots of water, but was entirely adequate, and had an adjustable hose. Access to the shower was easy, being on the same level as the bathroom floor. We think the extractor fan was working, but the bathroom steamed up somewhat, but with substantial shutters, opening the window was very feasible.
Although there is a lift, the breakfast room and restaurant is down a further half flight of stairs. Half the tables were awkward to reach, squeezing between tables when the room was full at breakfast. The breakfast bar had a wide variety of items, including scrambled egg and bacon, cheese and ham, yoghurt and fruit. The layout was a little confusing at first.
The restaurant food was good, but limited in choice and overly expensive.
The process of installing a spa was well managed, and was of no inconvenience to us.
The staff were wonderful, taking an interest in us, encouraging our limited italian, and reverting happily to english when we needed to. They were especially helpful when my wallet was lost or stolen, giving advice, directing us to the nearest police station, accomodating our late check-out, and offering to defer our extras bill until we were due home a week later.
The hotel is an easy walk from Piazza di Santa Crocé and the rest of the central attractions. It is also easy to get to as the No 23 bus stops just outside, on Lungarno della Zecca Vecchia.