Berry picking...

Yesterday Grace and I went berry picking, it was her first day outside after her operation so we took it slowly. 

We went down to the Oakley Beat on the River Test. Roger used to work here as a River Keeper for the National Trust Mottisfont.  

Looking towards the Oakley Hut  where Halford spent all his summers in the early 20th century until he hies in 1914.

Closer view of the River Test

One of the oaks on the river bank

The Mottisfont Oak, thought to be between 800 to 1000 years old!


Crocuses under the gate

Looking down stream towards Mottisfont

After looking around we drove up Back Lane and into the car park for a walk in the woods.  As we were walking we were looking and listening to the sounds of the wood... squirrels jumping from branch to branch... birds calling to one another... movement in the undergrowth, could have been Blackbirds foraging for worms and beetles... and then a larger group of rustling - we saw a herd of Deer run off to our right. 

We picked lots of berries - Hawthorne, Sloe, Blackberries and rose hips. 
I think I will make this Hawthorne Jelly recipe. 

Update on our adventures...

We have been and visited the town we were hoping to go to... no change at the moment. 

However we have gone and prayed in the church, and prayed with the Minister, who is feeling devastated at the moment. We will go for another visit in October and then November and see where that leads. 

I have finished the job I have held for seven years. I am glad to have finished and I am looking forward to some new challenges. 

 I eventually prayed for a  good job with the temporary agency my employers have and the day after I had prayed I was having some discussions with some senior managers who identified a problem which required someone with the knowledge I have for a short period of time to make some improvements. I offered myself and they have created a 3 month temporary job at my grade with the same day off I currently have...  God is good all the time.

I start on Tuesday 7th October and am looking forward to the new challenge while we wait for God's plans. 

This last week or two has been hard for both Roger and I...  we have been questioning what we have heard and is this opportunity right for us...  I have come to the conclusion that we mustn't listen to this.. The Lord has prepared our hearts and we feel called.... We must go in HIS timing.