Weds 10th
Picked up at 1pm, we had to go and get the van weighed (for an insurance report after we had a bit of a bump in Scotland) then off to Keel’s to meet everyone else. Becca drove to Norwich in her car to make life easier there as everyone is staying so far apart, so Ben and Jack went in the car with her, leaving me, Keel and La Roche with lots of space in Linford! We arrived at Oak Grove Chapel just before 5, met Darren and Becky for a cuppa and quick plan of Thursday, then off to hosts for dinner. I was staying with Jo, Colin, Izzy and Steph for the night. In the evening Jo, Izzy and I went to Refresh, a women’s social at the church and basically drank hot chocolate and ate cake! I met Louise, a DNA student who will be working with us. Then home to bed as an early start Thurs!
Thurs 11th
Up just after 6, being very careful not to fall into the drum kit in my room and wake everyone up! At Sewell High School just before 7 to set up in the hall and start at 9.10. Record for the quickest set up, everything went according to plan! Had all yr7 for an assembly first thing, then saw them all in smaller groups throughout the day. We also did an impromptu song at lunch time and another assembly. A very busy but very good day, the staff loved it! Packed down and then headed to Joy’s Mummy’s house for dinner (affectionately known as Nanny Pearl). After a debrief, plan and pray we had the most gorgeous meal and chocolate brownie, followed by several games of Rummikub. Me and Keel made up the beginners team, but soon got into it! We have a feeling there may be many more games to come! Then back to hosts…now staying with Darren’s Mum Carol and I have a lovely comfy double bed!
Fri 12th
Up at 6.10, came out the bathroom to be greeted by the smell of fresh coffee…amazing! In The Hub, Catton Grove Primary School about 7.20 to set up. Having been to the school last year, the guys already knew the logistics so that made life a bit easier. I had a bit of a black material nightmare, but all worked well in the end and looked really good with our lights. Then followed a day of primary lessons…I loved it!! Yrs 4,5&6 in for an assembly, then the individual year groups back for lessons followed by a mini concert at the end of the day which ended up being the whole school, including the tiniest reception children! It was all so much fun, they were so enthusiastic and co-operative, it was brilliant! At lunchtime we were slightly mobbed to sign lots of flyers! Set a few more bits and pieces up for Saturday’s gig and then headed to Anglia Square shopping centre for the boys to go to the music shop for an hour. I went to Shoe Zone and bought some cheap boots…having not been able to find any nice ones for the past 3months, I relented and bought cheap ones which won’t stay waterproof for long! Then to Jack’s hosts for dinner in their massive house, then back to our hosts for the rest of the evening.
Sat 13th
Morning off so got up just after 10am and then Katie (Keel and La Roche’s host), Keel and La Roche came to pick me up and we headed to Wetherspoons for late breakfast. Met Ben there, and Lois came too, yay! Had good healthy fried breakfast and then all headed back to Katie’s for the afternoon where we relaxed and played Articulate. Me, Lois and Keel against Ben, La Roche and Katie. We won! Mainly due to me and Lois knowing what each other was thinking (poor Keel didn’t get a word in!) and Ben’s slowness when the decider was La Roche pointing to his palm and saying ‘It’s a kind of tree’…I got in there first! Linford came to pick us up just before 4 and Lois got to experience our travelling conditions! We went to The Hub and set up final bits for the gig. Dinner was our choice of takeaway and we had a long debate about whether or not Becky should get an iPhone. She is still undecided! Gig was 7pm-9pm and was attended by a wide age range! We had a fair few primary children, a large group from Jack’s home church in Sheringham and then various other youth groups. It wasn’t packed but it was still a good gig. We recorded the sound live, for the first time (as we have our recording gear for the activities week with us) so will be exciting to see how it came out! Lois went back to her halls and we headed to our hosts. Always difficult to wind down after a gig so took me a while to get to sleep!
Quotes from Articulate:
LR: It’s a fruit and a phone
BR: Nokia!
(Actual answer: Blackberry)
LK: An angry cow with a ring through it’s nose!
(A Bull)
Sun 14th
Happy Valentines Day! I am not a fan, commercial rubbish and all that, probably best not to get me started! Back at The Hub for 9am to get ready for Oak Grove’s morning service at 10am. We led the service, performing What’s It Worth and then Psalm 139 in the middle of Joy’s talk which was quite effective. The whole theme was God’s Love and it was a really good service. A couple of girls from Sewell High who were at the gig came along, not Christians but wanting to find out more. Please remember Oak Grove in your prayers, a major source of funding has been cut, affecting them and many other organisations, putting a lot of jobs on the line (including Darren and Becky). They do some incredible things in the community and are trusting God for the finance to be able to continue. We packed down everything and drove to Oak Grove Chapel where Nanny Pearl had set out some snacks…i.e. a feast! We ate lots and then unloaded and set up which took us til 5pm. Then to Katie’s for dinner and a team game of Articulate. Me, Keel, La Roche and Ben vs Jack, Becca, Joy, Andy and Katie. They won, but we’re not bitter! ‘A Flea’ was the best one on our team…there’s a story but it’s long and probably not that interesting, but I wanted to write it here so I can look back and laugh to myself. If you really want to know then ask me about it! Back to hosts and I’m preparing for the first day of our activities week tomorrow. Let’s see what happens!