This IPTOC was my last, as I said a long time ago when I started blogging about it. On the last full day I left the room where IPTOC was meeting for the last session, leaving Michael to lead it. It was all his responsibility now. I spent that time editing as many of the minutes of each of our sessions as had been uploaded. they were not all there, but it still took nearly 2 hours. There was a lot. And it felt good to get it done, and to hand it over. I had done as much as I could. It was Michael's to look after now. I had done what was mine to do, and I felt good handing it on. Then it was time for the final service and farewell.
The next days Bonnie and I joined the small group for morning prayer, then after breakfast we left High Leigh. What a gift this time was for me. It did not all go as smoothly as I would have wanted. But I am grateful for those days, and for those years as Minister General.
The next week was spent with family. Bonnie and I spent the next couple of days with my aunt in Berkhampsted. She is my dad's sister. I have been able to visit her each time I went to England for TSSF and IAYN meetings over the last 20 years. We are not a big family and having that connection has been important. I hope to get back to see her one last time. There are more photos here
On the middle day we bussed to St Albans. Janet took us there on our first visit back in 1993, and I also came here in 2017 during IPTOC. It was university graduation time so the Cathedral was all decked out for that. But we could sneak in and pay our respects to Alban. Photos can be found here
Then we trained back into London and tried to spend some time with Rebekah when she was not working. Part of that was visiting the Portrait Gallery. They had some cool stuff going on in the street at Leicester Square. We went to see Moulin Rouge! The Musical - a great night out. We had a really nice dinner out, organized by Rebekah. Lovely. Although it is always interesting going to something like that with someone who has a Masters degree in script writing. I also shredded my brand new pair of trousers on the seat in front of me as I squeezed past some women who did not stand as I tried to get to my seat. It spoiled a great night. (I managed to buy a replacement pair at the Oxford Street M&S a couple of days later.
We also spend one day down at Brighton. Like Blackpool, it feels tired in many ways, trying hard to trade off its former glory - kind of like England really. We trained down from London, and had a great day doing the touristy things like the Brighton i360, the Brighton Palace Pier (which is famous for its seaside amusement park and classic pier architecture), and the Royal Pavilion (an exotic pleasure
palace in the center of Brighton built for King George IV. King George was Victoria's uncle. He is known as an outstanding, if extravagant, collector and builder. He acquired
many important works of art (now in the Royal Collection), built the
Royal Pavilion at Brighton, and transformed Windsor Castle and
Buckingham Palace. His fondness for pageantry helped to develop the ceremonial side of monarchy. The Brighton Royal Palace mixes Regency grandeur with the
visual style of India and China. It is a crazy thing to find in the middle of Brighton. We also found the Banksy art just by the train station. There are more photos here, and a video from the i360 here.
On the train journey back I experienced my generous daughter at her best. A beggar came down the train looking for money. Rebekah had none, she was poor. But she had a bar which she kept both for her and to give to beggars. I felt a little shamed really.
We had a grand last day. It began with delightful pancakes organised by Rebekah, followed by a wee walk eventually ending up at Soho Square, and then Oxford Street M&S for new pants. Then Bex went to work and Bonnie
and I visited the COVID Memorial wall; Crossbones Cemetery and Memorial Garden to the outcasts, one of my favorite places in London; Borough Market for strawberries; and
my first ever London taxi ride. Then Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,
many glorious hours of it. More photos here!
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