... the fascination of graveyards ...

On the way out to Warragamba Dam today, Dad and I happenchanced on a delightful little Anglican Church in Mulgoa - St Thomas' - the foundation stone of which was laid in August 1836 by Miss Jane Jamison. It was one of those "ooh I wonder where that road goes" serendipitous occasions. I have learnt over the years to always follow these byways as they often yield more value than the original purpose.

The gate was chained with two padlocks, but Dad - although hard of hearing, frail of body and inconstant of mind - has bloody good eyesight. "It's worth a try, Jools. I don't think those flamin' things are joined together". And neither they were.

As we wandered around, this old codger (probably my age) opened up and started to clean. Dad asked if we could come in and have a gander - he really talks like that; later he asked me to go and take photos as he wanted to blow in the OC's ear! The OC said that it was ten quid but that if we'd come this arvo it woulda bin free. Apparently it still has a healthy congregation; it certainly looked happier and more properous than many a church I have wandered into lately. Upon commenting that the stained glass window looked wonderful, the OC treated me to a sermon on how Frank Walker removed the offence of sacrilege from the books and now they get stones through their windows - sorry, winders!

I suggested to Dad that this would be a very peaceful place to rest. "Well, they're not gonna know, are they? So why does it matter?" Silence for a while.