Beware of the sign(s)
And so to the wedding near Lout with an h. My suggestion that we should perhaps sample a couple of pints of Timothy Taylor Landlord on the way to church was met with that abrupt and dismissive reaction, which I may have misread but seemed on balance to indicate that the idea did not find favour.
The service was religious. That in itself, if not a surprise, is an affront. I am all in favour of pretty little English churches, with all their local history, and charming atmospheric buildings, pretty flowers and the like, but where it all falls down for me is the religion bit. I do not see why non believers like myself have to sing hymns and praise a god that I fear does not exist, just to congratulate some friends in their decision to marry. It is hypocritical.
Don’t get me wrong, I totally agree with the moralistic values of marriage, it’s just the church which gets in the way for me. A moral code and appreciation of right and wrong should not in my opinion be dependent upon whether it is celebrated or endorsed in church, and all that hymn singing, prayer mumbling mumbo jumbo that goes with it. I love the singing of All Things Bright And Beautiful, and even have a favourite hymn, Jerusalem (what a great song, but how do the lyrics to that fit into Christianity?), and I sing then with joy but without the acceptance of the religious imagery contained within.
Anyway, a lovely service, a quiet country wedding in a lovely church with humour and passion was the result followed by a great reception, where they must have had generators brought in to supply electricity and despite the wasps and midges, Emma and Toby had a great day, as did we all.
Prior to the event, and in a bid to loosen some of the swathes of flesh one gathers when in Northern England to keep out the cold, we went for a stiff walk. Hills were of course out of the question in thsi flat wilderness, so power walking techniques were employed. Whilst walking I chanced across this house, and more pertinently this gate.
Gate, with no fence. perhaps a sign should be erected "beware of interbred yokels"
So, what is the point of this gate? I suppose even more pointless than its existence would be a sign saying “please close the gate” or “beware of dog”. If there were a sign should it say is ” beware of thick local residents”?.
I was also in trouble when I saw another sign outside a house which said “free range eggs” how nice, I thought, considering that I may have misjudged the locals, but as I filled up an egg carton with these freely offered items, I was informed rather pointedly that they were not free at all.
Today, we are able to escape back to civilisation which is France and I will be able to un-peel several layers of clothing by this afternoon when we will touch down at Nice in the sunshine, and there is the prospect of some edible food and, as I have come to realise does not seem to exist in England, fruit.
The Comedy Club in Cannes beckons for Monday, after which I am going to have an alcohol free week, until our next engagement on Wednesday.
Chris France
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Chris France's Blog 
“I do not see why non believers like myself have to sing hymns and praise a god that I fear does not exist.”
Good God! At last a Chrisblog with some provocative substance other than someone’s implied proclivity for sheep-shagging !!
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Glad to see you are still reading old chap! Hows it all going, havent seen you in ages….better make it soon before i get struck down!
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Hi Fracey. Well as one of your oldest and certainly wisest friends it saddens me to see how all that sun seems to be addling your once fine brain(or is it the alcohol)! Your absurd diatribe against religion was as bizarre as it was illogical. What did you expect from a church webbing, no relgious imput, or maybe a couple of lap dancers to distract you from the solemnity of what is a very serious undertaking for those who do believe. And how can a religious service in church be deemed hypocritical? You could argue that non believers who marry in church are being hypocritical but the service itself can’t be accused of such. If you don’t want to say the prayers or sing the hymns then don’t go to a church wedding. I suspect you felt embarrassed at having to do so and are hiding your own discomfort behind this nonsensical bluster. Your liking for the banal hymn all things bright and beautiful does rather reveal a somewhat childlike understanding of matters theological! You say you are all for the moral code imbued in religion but not the religion itself. Once again I suspect you haven’t thought it through. I had reason to write to the Mail the other week in reply to some other twit spouting the same drivel and I’ve attached a copy for you to read and inwardly digest on your other website.I’ve also attached a little ditty I penned about John Prescott accepting a knighthood which appeared in the Daily Mail while I was on holiday-now that was an example of arrant hypocricy! I think you’ll enjoy it,especially if you know the tune to the Red Flag. I’ve had some really nice fan mail in response.Wish I could go to Australia with you but alas the funds won’t allow it-neither will Nick! Glad you’re home safely.x
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