Author: Carol Purves

My latest adventure has been into Scotland (just) to visit the Devil’s Porridge Museum which records the history of HM Factory Gretna which produced cordite for use in ammunition in the First World War.

The area was 9 miles long by 2 miles long from Dornock in Scotland to Longtown in England.  At its height  30,000  workers, mainly women,   were employed, with two townships created  (Eastriggs and Gretna), 30 miles of road and 125 miles of rail track laid.

The unusual title was coined by Sir Conan Doyle who said the dangerous mixture of nitroglycerin and gun-cotton was like ‘devil’s porridge.’

Well worth a visit for those in the area at Annan Road, Eastriggs, 01461 700021  info@devilsporridge.org.uk

Carol, the museum visitor

Just visited a capital city – Edinburgh – Scotland.  Beautiful at this time of year and any time.    Went to South Queensferry.  The rail bridge is magnificent (not painted so often now) and the road bridge elegant.  I understand that my sister-in-law remembers the time before the bridge when there was only a ferry. (not long ago really).

And now there is a third bridge coming up.  We had a meal at the Three Bridges Hotel (once called the Two Bridges.)  I suppose it should now be called the Two and One Third Bridges. (not such a good ring to it).

Carol, the bridge spotter, whose older cousin was involved in building the Hull Bridge.

Are you looking for presents which are a bit different?  Why not buy one of my books, suitable for teenagers through to centenarians?

Chinese Whispers, missionary to China in the 1930’s to 40’s.

From Prussia with Love, the story of George Muller who through his children’s homes rescued thousands of children from the slums of Bristol.  All the money was prayed in.

Travels with Frances Ridley Havergal, the Worcestershire hymn-writer, who features in our hymns-books today.

All these are available from www.dayone.co.uk .

Finally From Jute to Jungle, the story of Mary Slessor, who went as a missionary to West Africa.  Available from myself.

Carol, freelance writer

Just seen an inspiring television programme about the life of William Tyndale (sorry foreign readers might not know much about him) by our local Melvyn Bragg.  This was extremely well done and made the point that Tyndale translated the Bible into a language than even plough-boys could understand, so that they would learn that salvation comes through grace alone and not by ceremonies or works.

I give thanks that the martyrdom of Tyndale and others gave us our clear concise understandable Bible. He brought into use many phrases which are in common usage today, which means people are always quoting the Bible!!  That might surprise them!!

Carol, the Bible reader

I don’t usually record small happenings in my life.  Today is an exception.

My car hadn’t been used for two days and about four inches of ice covered by snow had settled on the roof  which I didn’t have time to remove.  Fifteen minutes later driving through the centre of Carlisle I felt the ice/snow shifting.  I drew to the side of the road as my windscreen and side windows were completely covered by the former contents of my roof.  The quantity was so much I couldn’t use the windscreen wipers nor because of the volume of traffic passing could I get out of the car.

I laugh about it now but the lesson learned, clear snow ice off the roof  before driving.

Carol, the unsafe driver

Water – this was the subject of our homework and it is surprising how many different forms it takes. One member just made a list as the ideas occurred to her – tumbling waterfalls, a glass of water to drink, ice to skate on, rainwater gushing down the gullies and so on. Another wrote about the River Nile and the influence it had on the Hebrew people.  A couple of poems were offered as well as a Haiku.

The next meeting is on the day when the clocks go on an hour in March.  What will we write about then?

Carol, in the dry

Just having had a cataract operation, I can testify what a beautiful place is God’s creation.  I can now see colours clearer and appreciate all over again the beauties of this world in which we live.  I suppose it’s like life really; we put up with second best without ever realising what we’re missing.  With the hymn writer I can now say:-

Heaven above is softer blue, Earth around is sweeter green,

Something lives in every hue,   Christlike eyes have never seen.

Clear-visioned Carol

I’m sorry I’ve been silent for a while but a six day visit to hospital has thrown everything awry.  So I will just hope all my readers had a good Christmas and wish them and their families a blessed 2015.

Carol in 2015

Before thoughts of Spain become a distant memory I must tell you about our other adventures.

There was the party we planned for the children.  I say ‘we’ but I didn’t do much.  About 40 children enjoyed riotous games with our young people, in spite of the fact that they didn’t have a common language.  The rules were stretched a lot but a good time was had by all.  At the end a feast of food had been prepared which quickly vanished.

But our time wasn’t all about work.  We visited Morocco on one day, which for some of us was the first time we had set foot on African soil.

My next blog will tell you about the special Carol Service held in our local football ground for over 3,000 people.  How about that for a witness!!

Carol, safely back in Cumbria.

Back in Spain we carried on with our various activities.  Apparently afternoon in this country is not well-known, so we prepared such a meal for about  40 ladies.  (Men not allowed)  Church ladies, friends and a number of Muslim ladies all attended.

We thought we had prepared plenty of food, but it soon disappeared, some ladies taking food home for the rest of the family.  Unfortunately this probably meant there was hunger at home.

An update on the 22nd November visit to Midina Sidonia.   Only a small number from the church were able to go but many leaflets were given out and one lady prayed to receive Christ.  We pray this is the beginning of great things.

Carol, still remembering Spain.