Tim Barker

A splendid addition to public art in Guernsey. Serenity, to be enjoyed in the beautiful grounds of Les Cotils.

On the one hand, fireworks are a noisy extravagance. On the other, they are glorious and life enhancing as a community watches, entranced. Thanks to the organisers of the North Show in Guernsey for a magnificent display.

At L’Eree in Guernsey. In the midst of peace and beauty, reminders of the turbulent past of this island. The concrete tower in the distance is a reminder of the occupation by Nazi forces la in the 1940s. The gun in the foreground speaks of older tensions - the Napoleonic Wars of the early 1800s.

Today, a day of variety in Guernsey. Two services at St Andrew’s church, the annual congregational meeting, and an afternoon in Guernsey Prison, speaking about St Peter to three groups of prisoners - and enjoying the beautiful Prison gardens.

Ministry in the @churchofengland.org is never dull.

Forty five years ago today, I was ordained as a deacon in Chester Cathedral.

Amazed and grateful for (most of) the different experiences and challenges of the past 45 years, and the people it has been my privilege to meet.

I thank God for the places where I have served - and continue to serve.

Looking back to last weekend with gratitude for the remarkable conference on the Nicene Creed at Chichester Cathedral - and the privilege of hearing the Ecumenical Patriarch, Bartholomew.

Although there are difficult decisions on the horizon for the new States of Guernsey Assembly, I came away from today’s encounter with prospective deputies more encouraged than I had dared to hope. Naive optimism? Perhaps. But this is better than despair.

Grateful to all the candidates whom I met for their willingness to answer questions and talk about their hopes and fears for Guernsey.

Thanks also to all the candidates who came to the information evening yesterday which the Guernsey churches had organised.

I spent far longer than I had planned at Beau Sejour today, talking to the candidates in Guernsey’s general election. This is direct democracy, with electors able to meet and talk to the candidates. It’s a great way of looking behind the manifestos and engaging with them.

I don’t claim the credit. Somebody pointed it out to me. But rather curious, none the less.

At Christ Church Cathedral in Oxford, a curious appearance of a ‘water closet’, recently invented at the time the window was made, in a depiction of a rather older scene. Look carefully!

Today is the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the internment camp in Biberach, where many Guernsey people spent the last years of the Second World War. It is a tribute to the costly work for reconciliation by many in Guernsey and Biberach that friendships flourish.

A desperately sad story.

Yes, it’s not surprising that there was an unimaginably complex combination of emotions. One of the saddest stories I have heard was of a girl who returned in 1945 in her teens; she had grown up and changed so much, and could not restore the relationship with her mother, who had remained here.

Since I came to Guernsey, I have heard many accounts of the difficulties families experienced after evacuees returned.

The Easter garden at St Andrew’s church in Guernsey. Happy Easter!

Thank you. Yes, I think that I have seen the ads.

What is the restaurant? Looks like Market Square?

A cool breeze on the Guernsey cliffs today. But we enjoyed the views and the exercise.

Just under three weeks to the 80th anniversary of Guernsey’s liberation. Reminders of the years of occupation are all around us, both in the people who lived through that time and in the structures that have remained.

Good Friday at St Andrew’s parish church in Guernsey. The beautiful crown of thorns was made the late Brian Hardwick in memory of his wife, Vida.

Photo of clergy in church

The Guernsey Chrism Eucharist was held in St Andrew’s church this morning. Thanks to the Bishop of Salisbury for coming to Guernsey. Always good when the island clergy gather to worship and spend time together. @salisbury.anglican.org

And the beautiful walks in Morialta and Barossa Valley. Few humans, even just a short distance from the city centre. Many animals.

We returned to Guernsey from visiting family in South Australia just a fortnight ago. Looking back on some of the highlights, including the amazing Chihuly Nights at Adelaide’ wonderful Botanic Gardens.

Mont Herault watch house

Information board from Mont Herault

Looking towards fortifications from the time of Guernsey’s occupation during the Second World War

And on the cliffs, reminders of past conflicts in Guernsey, from the time of Napoleon to the occupation of Guernsey during the Second World War. We will give thanks for Guernsey’s liberation 80 years ago, on 9 May.

Pink flowers

Gorse in bloom

Spring flowers in bloom

Guernsey cliffs, with gorse in flower

Guernsey cliff view

Guernsey cliff view

Guernsey cliff view

Walking along the Guernsey cliffs this afternoon was a delight. Warm sunshine, blue skies, glorious sea views. A tonic for body and mind and soul.

At Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Adelaide for the funeral of my father in law, the Revd Dr Elmore Leske. Academic, educator, musician and pastor, in South Australia and Cambridge. Much loved father and grandfather. And, in retirement, champion orchid grower. Above all, a devoted disciple of Jesus

Adelaide has become a second home over the years, as most of our family live in and around this beautiful city. When we visit, it is fascinating to see both the changes and the continuity. I delight in the beauty of Adelaide’s parklands and the valley of the river Torrens.

Good to be at St Peter’s Cathedral in Adelaide for the Sunday Eucharist. A place that I first visited 46 years ago and to which I am drawn every time we come to Adelaide to visit family.