Wine and Cheese Party at the LMC

So much has happened...where to begin? Last week, I spent a lot of time and energy trying to figure out where I'll be living after my Europe trip, and how the move will be accomplished. After looking at two other options, I have settled on the option of moving to a village called Chase Cross, northeast of Barking. I'll be getting a double room in a modern house, which I'm sharing with three others. My biggest concern, that it would be far from Tube/train options appears to have been unfounded. Since I will be gone in August, Jody (the manager of Accomodations Solutions, who provides my housing) will move my things for me. The purging and packing has begun already, and will reach fever notch on Thursday/Friday just before Karen's Saturday morning arrival.

The last weekend before Karen arrives passed quickly. I went to a TimePlan social in Romford (a town just south of Chase Cross) Friday night, where I met two of my three flatmates, Esther and Ann. We had a good chat, and it was good for both them and I to meet each other now. As Ann commented, it's a bit disconcerting leaving on holiday, wondering who will be living in your house when you arrive back. We all felt good about the exchange, and I have their phone numbers to make arrangements this week to go and see the place before my trip.

Saturday I went to the LMC for an afternoon of Settlers with some friends from Wood Green. I played virtually no games the first months I was here, so it's nice to have found some friends who enjoy doing that. Then we headed off to Hampstead Heath (a large park area in NW London) for a birthday picnic. Three of us brought nearly identical foods, so there was plenty of carrots and hummus to go around! We nevertheless had a good time.

Yesterday, I went to Barking Baptist in the morning to say goodbye to friends there. They have just moved back into their main sanctuary after about six months of meeting in the fellowship hall during renovations to the sanctuary. So I was there for the re-dedication of the sanctuary. Then I flew home, grabbed lunch on the run and left again in about 7 minutes for Wood Green. We had a small group yesterday, as many folks were away, and some were helping at the London Catholic Worker soup kitchen yesterday. We considered the theme of journey through the lectionary readings and the songs we sang. As well, we welcomed back a newly-married Will, whose bride is still in China, awaiting processing of immigration documents before she joins him here in 2-3 months time. He invited us all back to the LMC afterward for an impromptu wine and cheese party to celebrate with him. It was a lovely day to sit in the garden and chat with friends over nibbles.

So now, I have three days of tutoring left followed by two days of packing/visiting my new house/changing all my address information. The excitement is building...