Lovejoy locations

Lovers of Lovejoy, who are interested in locations used in the TV series, may wish to know that the recently shown episode Members Only was filmed at Briggens House Hotel, Stanstead Abbotts, Hertfordshire, SG12 8LD.  The episode was originally broadcast in 1992.  Briggens House, a grade II listed building, is now sadly in a sorry state of repair, but the golf course is still in use.

You may like to see the satellite view of the grounds in Google maps.  Put in the postcode SG12 8LD in the Google search facility and then click on the satellite view of the map.

Sir Alex seethes and sees red as Manchester United go out.

Manchester United are out of the UEFA Champions League after a home defeat by two goals to one at Old Trafford.  Real Madrid scored twice in the second half coming from a goal down, and won 3-2 on aggregate.  The turning point was the red card shown to Nani after his foot went into the chest of Real Madrid's Arbeloa. United were one nil up at the time.  Nani was a surprise choice to play in this crucial game, which marked Ryan Giggs' 1,000th appearance for United. Rooney was on the bench , another surprise, until well into the second half when United were losing.  Nani had played well in the goalless first half, but his night ended in disaster. Sir Alex was seething and did not speak to the press or TV channels after the match.

Roy Keane believed that the referee Cuneyt Cakir had made the correct decision in awarding the red card but other commentators thought that a yellow card should have been given.  Sir Alex will probably not sleep sweetly tonight. But Jose Mourinho will enjoy his success along with Cristiano Ronaldo who scored the final goal which ensured Real's progression into the quarter finals. Luka Modric scored the other goal for Real, which was a superbly struck against the inside of the right post and beyond the goal line. No United player managed to score as Sergio Ramos scored an own goal for United.

Bashar al-Assad continues to oppress the Syrian people

Despite so much opposition, a dreadful refugee situation and thousands dead from the civil conflict, Bashar al-Assad refuses to step aside and talk to the rebels.  He is unwilling to meet rebel leaders unless they lay down their arms.  Now that's "naive, confused and unrealistic."  Words he used to describe Britain's position and support for opposition fighters with non-lethal aid.  The US is also committed to providing food and medical aid to the opposition.  Sadly many more Syrians will die in this conflict, which does not seem to trouble Bashar.

The Blue Lagoon, Abereiddy, Pembrokeshire, Wales

Looking through my blog posts I have noticed that photographs of the Blue Lagoon at Abereiddy, Pembrokeshire, are notably absent. I cannot understand how this omission has happened. It is one of my favourite places in Pembrokeshire, a place where I have been many times.  My video of the Blue Lagoon on YouTube has the most number of hits of all my uploads. I feel that I should now share my photographs of the Blue Lagoon at Abereiddy.

Abereiddy's Blue Lagoon

Diving into the Blue Lagoon at Abereiddy

Come off it,Tom Cruise is no Jack Reacher !

For those familiar with the Jack Reacher character in Lee Child's excellent thrillers, the author often emphasizes the fact that Reacher is at least six foot five inches in height and about 250 pounds in weight.
"He's a big guy." You could not describe Tom Cruise in that way. No way!

Now Hollywood has miscast Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher for the new film. The big, tough guy of the thrillers  is not the diminutive, pretty guy in the film. In the UK it comes out on Boxing Day. Lee Child has been very diplomatic about the casting and speaks generously about Tom Cruise's attempt to play Reacher.

 Jack Reacher was a hard former military cop, with real combat experience. He has been described by literary critics as a well-built, gruff, grizzly guardian angel, a tough, cerebral drifter, a latter day six foot five inch cowboy.  His size is an integral part of the character. Tom Cruise is not that guy!  Reacher is therefore more of a Stephen Seagal kind of guy. Dolph Lundgren is the same height and weight as Jack Reacher and Dolph would be ideal for the role in the future.

In time more Jack Reacher films will be made and a more suitable actor will be found.

Location of village in today's ITV3 Agatha Christie's Marple

For those who watched Agatha Christie's Marple, The Moving Finger, on ITV3 this afternoon, the charming village was Chilham in Kent, said to be most attractive in the garden of England.

A healthy church (assembly, not a building)

Christians sometimes ask themselves the question, what is a healthy church?  They are referring the fellowship or assembly, not the building though the infrastructure and administrative processes may be part of the answer to the question.

Having thought about what constitutes a healthy church I came up with the following points:

A healthy Christian church

provides good fellowship
preaches the Gospel, the good news of salvation and abundant, eternal life in Christ
performs acts of mercy, charity, loving kindness and grace
promotes faith in Jesus Christ
preserves the truth of God's Word
prays in the Holy Spirit
praises God for His goodness, grace and salvation
practises what it preaches
passes on the teaching of Christ and His apostles by evangelistic enterprise
prepares disciples to becomes leaders and servants who bring others into Christian service and ministry, to meet the demands of the next generation.