It's a certain day every year. Like flying ants day. Or, when we were children, the start of the marbling season. You don't know precisely when it will be. But one day, not quite unexpected but certainly impossible to predict with accuracy, it will be Half-Price Pimms Day at a local supermarket.
At which point Hnaef fills his Toyota Pious up with the stuff, a tankerload of lemonade, several chickens and the remains of an entire cow, and the Liturgical Barbecue breaks out. Which is what happened today at Tesco in Kingston when he popped in for the weekly shop. And now a bunch of gin-sozzled, protein-imbued Beaker Folk are currently staggering across the lawn, tripping over the assorted cairns and croquet hoops.
There's a clash this year. I note that Half Price Pimms Day has fallen on the same day that a lot of the Church of England dioceses hold their services for priests (and the following day deacons). Which must be a terrible wrench. I mean, you can hang around the Close, nibbling cucumber sandwiches and telling your new parishioners that you're very blessed, or you can be two pints of Pimms down and the only cucumber is the bit you removed from your first glass. You can't do both.
Peterborough Diocese has moved its ordination services back by a fortnight, I notice. And yes, the rumours are it's something to do with a celebration at Launde Abbey so they've had to reschedule the ordination retreat.
But I've another theory. I reckon it's Pimms.
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The traditional day for ordinations is the Feast of St's Peter and Paul, but our diocese ordains in September? Not sure why, when I asked I was told "It's tradition stupid" which was quite offensive. But probably deserved.
ReplyDeleteAs for half price Pimms day,I have to state that that beverage has never passed my lips. And as a confirmed teetotal type, never will.
I'm waiting for the half-price Communion Wine day, which might be today at our Multi-Cultural Service, which is renowned for many languages, including Cockney and might provide an opportunity to see our guest preacher from the Windrush Project slur her words.
I have to confess an interest, because before she retired, she was my Clerical Supervisor who did great things without the benefit of alcohol, and it would be interesting to see the other side now she is more relaxed and eligble for Saga Cruises. She could get in training for the Captains Table.