A couple of weeks back we had a beautiful sunset. The sky was all orange and red and yellow and pink and changed colour every minute or two. We are lucky to have brilliant sunsets here in Canterbury. It made me think of the words of that beautiful old song ‘All Things Bright and Beautiful’. Let me take you on a brief journey

The purple headed mountain,
The river running by,
The sunset and the morning,
That brightens up the sky.

I had said to Mary that I had not seen a fantail this year and then I looked out the window one morning there were six or eight fluttering around in a tree in our next door neighbours front garden.
I take my Corgi for a walk in Redwood Park and there must have been a good breeding season for the Swallows as there are many flying along, often 30cm off the ground and at full speed. Zooming here and there, around the trees, up and over. What a wonderful sight.

Each little flower that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colours, He made their tiny wings.

And then I look up and the Monarch Butterflies have started to congregate in the same tree as the last few years. They hang on the branches with their wings folded. The bigger ones (the females) are higher up the tree than the smaller ones (males) which are lower down. Last year there must have been 300 to 400 on that same tree—the only one they use in the park. When the needles start to fall, they all up and away to another park.
It is now autumn and the deciduous trees leaves are changing colour. From green to yellow and red and then they fall and get blown around by the wind. I love walking through the dried leaves with the lovely scrunching sound that they make. What beauty we have all around us.
Soon the daffodils will be flowering, the ducklings on the lake, the lambs playing in the spring sunshine.

The cold wind in the winter,
The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden,
He made them every one.

So all of these wonders remind me of that lovely old song.

All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small, all things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all.
Each little flower that opens, each little bird that sings, he made their glowing colours, he made their tiny wings.
(Refrain)
The purple-headed mountain, the river running by, the sunset, and the morning that brightens up the sky.
(Refrain)
The cold wind in the winter, the pleasant summer sun, the ripe fruits in the garden, he made them every one.
(Refrain)
He gave us eyes to see them, and lips that we might tell how great is God Almighty, who has made all things well.

I feel so lucky that I live in this part of God’s wonderful world. Thank you Lord. Alleluia

You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FT_oDqOEGpc

Bill Thew