OH, THE SUMMER HAS COME

We have been enjoying changeable weather of late, currently it is humid and showery! Who knows what it will be tomorrow!

We've had a busy couple of weeks. I have been a little stressed thinking of all the things I have committed myself to. Yes, I know that's bad and I'm trying to change it. I try to factor a day at home in my week, but it hasn't been working out that way. I love to potter around the house (always have) and it's like a little bit of therapy I suppose. Obviously I worked myself up so much I got this awful neck/shoulder pain which hung around for 1 week. Roger was trying to encourage me to go to the Dr but I said "what will the Dr be able to do?"!! I am better now and will try and be a good girl, though next week isn't looking particularly good either, so I think I might have to forgo my Monday hike so that I can have a day at home! We'll see.

Had our first Nooma Night at one of the Starbucks in Basel on Tuesday night and it was great. It was a rather hot night so most people were sitting outside which left the 14 of us to use the space upstairs. We watched a pixal short video "For the Birds" then went around the group (2 groups - German speaking and English speaking conversation) answering set questions. The next evening will be on June 24.

Our friend Stefan from Church was there and he took us back to Loerrach afterwards. We all decided we would like some dinner so went to a little Italian Restaurant and had a light meal. We were able to sit outside and it was delightful. It's always good to catch up with Stefan and find out what he is up to. He is a young businessman in Loerrach, Germany with many good contacts and he has a real heart for what we are doing.

Roger and I have been catching up with many people one on one. This takes a lot of time and effort but we both enjoy doing it this way. Roger met with an NZ guy on Thursday and they plan to keep in touch.

Roger has the last of his Choir Concerts this Sunday afternoon in the open air in a beautiful place in Germany. Must make sure I take the camera to share it with you. A choir member is taking us in their car as it is difficult to get to. Here is a photo of last week's open air concert at Lange Erlen in Basel.

After this concert we enjoyed a light picnic dinner with choir friends on a late balmy Sunday afternoon.

You can check out the choir website for more pictures

http://www.esc-basel.ch/

HERE WE ARE ! ! ! Sunday 18 May

Sorry for the silence! It's not as if we haven't been working! Sometimes I just get blogged out! Many wonderful things are happening here, especially concerning friendships we are making. Roger and I are thoroughly enjoying being involved in the English speaking club 'Centrepoint' in Basel and tomorrow we will be doing volunteer training so we can help on the desk every so often. Centrepoint has lost a few volunteer's of late so were crying out for people to become involved, especially during the summer months when many people go on holidays.

It is Roger's Birthday tomorrow. HAPPY 55th BIRTHDAY MY DARLING ! ! !

We will be leading a hike from Schopfheim to Rheinfelden, about 13 km's. We have called it as 'Mystery Walk' as we haven't done it before and don't really know what the difficulty of the walk will be. Should be a good turn out.

After our volunteer training we will meet with some young ladies who own a Cafe in Basel. We want to talk to them about using the Cafe for future Mosaic events.

Roger had his first of four Choir Concerts at 5pm today (Sunday) in Basel. It was a great concert and thoroughly enjoyed by all those who attended, though the attendance was disappointing. Next one is Tuesday night and then at 4pm the next 2 Sunday's, in the open air (so we are hoping for good weather).

We are both trying to catch up with lots of friends this week. My diary is full and I can't possibly squeeze another person in.

We had a Mosaic Gathering last Wednesday. Derek, David, Amy and Lauren came from Zurich. It was held at Nellie Nashorn in Loerrach. A great cultural venue on a balmy night. Derek is such a great encourager of us and what we are trying to do. He's an awesome guy, as is his family.

Finishing the week well

It's Friday and we have just come home from Centrepoint. They had a book/video sale on and whilst we were there about 70 people came through. It was truly amazing. So lots of talking, catching up, eating and laughter. One of my friends said she wanted to talk to us about exactly what we are doing here, so opportunities are happening and we are very excited.

We've both had a great week. Monday we had a good hike and just missed the rain. I had a lovely bath and then got ready to go back into Basel.

Roger met with Stefan (German) and Rick (US) to talk about The Arts. A fantastic meeting for Rog and such an encouragement. http://crescendoarts.weebly.com/

We then went into Basel to the movies with some Aussie friends. This is the first time we have been to the movies in Basel since we have been here. We saw "The other Bolelyn Girl". Glad I didn't live in those days!! We then had a quick meal in a funky Asian place called Lily's!

Tuesday we were both having to catch up on administration. Rog was rather busy all morning then caught the train into Basel for Choir practise and afterwards to meet up with Bernhard.

I had a Brainstorming afternoon at Centrepoint, which was a great time to share ideas. I have been asked to go on the internal PR team for Centrepoint!

Wednesday we were trying to get ready for the Mosaic Gathering in the evening. Roger was busy putting a booklet together.

Roger went into German conversation on Thursday then (on his bike) looked at a few venue's for our future Nooma Nights which we would like to happen soon. He was able to have lunch with Fritz sitting on the stone fence on the Rhein. They needed their coats on, but the sun was trying to shine!

Thursday evening we were both going to English conversation in Schopfheim, but I just couldn't rally so Rog went on his own and got home very late! He said it was a great time.

Tonight is my Girl's Night for English chatting and there will be 9 of us. I made the Lasagne yesterday so it should be very yummy.

Schopfheim from one of the surrounding hills. We will be up here

with our hiking group on Monday.

Friday / Saturday activities

Gaynor had a lovely Saturday afternoon with some of her German friends watching Pride & Prejudice. It was a bit of a challenge at times, but well worth it.

Friday at 5pm we met at Galerie Weibel to say goodbye to the Galerie. We then walked to Fritz's new Business in the heart of Basel - Trade.ch - for drinks and nibbles and to see his beautiful new offices. It was a great time spent together. Afterwards we went to Bernhard and Lorraine's for soup and great company.

What we've been up to ! ! !

The last few weeks have been busy for us. Sorry we have not been keeping you up to date. I usually like to write something Sunday night but last Sunday night Bernhard and Lorraine were still here. They came for one of Roger's roast dinners at 12.30pm and because we enjoy their company so much we went for a walk, had arvo tea, played Zug um Zug then decided to have soup together. Before we knew it, it was 10pm!! They're such great friends and we relax very easily with them.

Last Tuesday after Roger's Choir Practise we caught the train to Zurich. Derek Webster and team were beginning Nooma Nights at one of the local Starbucks. We wanted to go along to see how it worked and participate of course. There were 11 altogether (2 groups - 1 English and 1 German). Our train timetable doesn't necessarily work out, especially after 8pm. We didn't get home until 11.30pm so were rather tired the next day but had too much to do to relax!

Thursday I had 2 ladies come to lunch and we had a wonderful time together. They are sisters from the US. One is living in Basel for 3 years and has been here about 10 months. Her sister was visiting.

Friday was a great morning at Centrepoint. We seem to be getting heaps of new people and especially people from Aust/NZ. We are in the middle of organizing a get together for Aust/NZ for Anzac Day. We will go to an English Pub in Basel, probably for Fish and Chips!!

FIRST WEEK OF APRIL

Surely it's not April already. My goodness the year is FLYING by.

We went on a great hike today. It was 3 hours and we came home rather weary and foot sore. But good conversations and airing of the lungs and accumulated cobwebs! Also it has helped to get rid of a few cakes that were consumed over Easter!

Roger has his busy Tuesday tomorrow. Gaynor will be studying, writing, making phone calls and probably going to Loerrach.

Wednesday we hope to catch up with a family that has just moved into the area.
We need to be working on another newsletter. It has been too long.

Thursday is Gaynor's writing and German learning. Roger is into Basel.

Friday at Centrepoint and we need to do some more investigation about where English speakers hang out in Basel.

AFTER EASTER

We had a wonderful time with Ruth and Andreas and the extended family. We arrived home early Tuesday evening to a rather cold home and too many emails and phone calls!

We had a fantastic time with Derek Webster here in our home for most of Thursday. He is such a strategic thinker and we always receive so much encouragement and energy from his visits with us.

He has given us lots of read, think about, pray about and go forward with. We will meet as a Mosaic Team during April. In the mean time we have much planning to do and contacts to make.

Thanks for your continued prayers for our ministry here.