York

Went to York for the first time yesterday.

Only 2 hours 1/4 from Peterborough.

We enjoyed the day.

Ate a yummy pub grub at the Cross Keys (I appreciate the pubs in England)

I was disappointed that they charge to go in the Minster. (£9.30 for adults).

Went into Yorvic - a centre that explains the

viking period with a mock village.

Went into St Michael le Belfrey Church where the late David Watson was the vicar.

I was surprised by the smallness of the city.

Acedia

reading Abbot Christopher Jamison's book 'Finding Happiness' and came across a word unfamiliar to me - acedia ; which is spiritual carelessness.

Our society on the whole is too busy to keep spiritual disciplines we don't have the time and if we did what good would it do us?

Quite a challenge for one living in such an age!

The Abbot goes on to say that prayer is essential - to come back to the present moment.

He describes monastic prayer as ' carving out a sacred time and space dedicated in rejoicing in God's goodness and repenting of the thoughts that impede that goodness in my life...so each of us need a sacred time and space that becomes as integral to life as brushing our teeth.'

The Story of Everything

Main Square Festival

Main Square Festival is a music festival held in Arras, a 30 minute max drive from where I live.

It's a three day festival, and I had the joy to attend on Sunday.

There was an impressive line up including Elbow, PJ Harvey, Portishead and Coldplay.

The site was also delightful, well organized and surprisingly roomy since it catered for 40,000 music lovers.

I've been listening to Bristol based Portishead for several years now. Sunday was my first live experience of the band. They were incredible, tight musicianship, creative visuals and the magical voice of Beth Gibbons was extremely impressive.

Elbow also gave an entertaining and emotional set. Guy Garvey was great, what a voice, and charisma.

Coldplay headlined the day. What can I say? Coldplay were Coldplay. Chris Martin was his usual high energetic self, great musician, super showman!