Last blush

It's so nice on a cold autumn morning to see that there are still some blooms making an impact. I spotted these roses yesterday on my way home from church so I returned today to see if I could capture them and the spire.

Whilst snapping this I was accosted first by the local minister, who stopped for a chat. He's visiting those made homeless by the floods, and there's a lot of anger in the village about the lack of maintenance to the burn. Apparently it flooded 3 years ago (before we moved in) and work was promised but hasn't been carried out. Rev. Jim was acting as peace-maker, whilst ensuring that people have roofs over their heads.

Then I caught up with a neighbour who has been living in temporary accommodation in one village, while his wife and children were housed 30 miles away. The Council has been taxi-ing his children to and from school each day, but he's had no luck in finding a proper family home for months and months. Today, however, he was overjoyed because he's managed to get support from his brother to help with a deposit on buying a home. At last he and his family will be back together. Despite his difficulties, he still remains active in the community, helping others less fortunate than himself. An inspiration.

The roof over your head is such an important thing - both these conversations once again reminded me how lucky we are.