Tikhtak

Indian Mela in Regents street

On Sunday Irfana, Zara and I went into central London to see an Indian Mela street party which had taken over the entire length of Regents street. It was part of the India now festival this year to celebrate 60 years of Independence. We got there towards the end of all the fun, but enough to see an Indian Pipe band playing bollywood film tunes on bagpipes, good, food and fashion stalls and various stages and areas of performers. I also got a shudder down my spine as I came face to face with a white wedding horse again, but this time I didn't get on it...Check out more pic on flickr

Madonna with Child

My CMS Colleague and friend Jonny Baker took this picture of Zara and Irfana at Greenbelt and emailed it to me yesterday with the title "Madonna with child"  I think it is great as you an see Irfana's motherly love and fascination as she gazes down at Zara and Zara's mix of curiosity and vulnerability.

Rise festival in Finsbury Park

At the weekend we went to the Rise anti-racism festival in Finsbury park. There were about 7 music stages, a comedy tent and lots of stalls and events laid on. We did some bollywood dancing by the Mela stage and took shelter from the rain in the comedy tent. Not a bad line up with Richard Blackwood comparing and Bill Bailey to boot. Couldn't resist taking a picture of Zara with a London bobby, her first and probably not his. Check out the rest our our pictures on my flickr

Zara's ears are pierced.

Today we finally built up the courage to take Zara to Claire's to get her ears pierced. We carefully chose the ear ring for her, a yellow Gold one, and waited on a seat in the corner. The piercer explained what she would do and asked Irfana or I to hold Zara. I volunteered and Irfana held her feet. Zara sensed something was odd as we are never normally that interested in her ears, but before you knew it, the job  was done. Like the thunder that follows the lightning  Zara did cry and I think the piercer (who does this job every day) was moved by Zara's doughy eyes. Yes she cried but within minutes she was fine and reaching for a toy monkey thrust at her by a passerby. Zara was always a pretty little girl, but now she is a pretty little girl with jewelry. A picture of her in all her splendour will follow.

Father's Day

Sunday was my first Father's Day and I wasn't disappointed. Zara sent Irfana out to get me a lovely card, a Mug, a mouse mat with our picture together on it and a special glass for cooling drinks. It was also a special day as it was Zara's 7th Month with us. I have uploaded a set on my flickr called Zara 6 months. Check it out to see how we spent Father's day and I will add more recent Zara pictures to it in the next few days. Yesterday was also the day our new church warden and friend "Bird" AKA Jonathen Burdette finally got his staff. Also check out pictures from The Churches Clapham common Fayre on Saturday.

e-trax - Life's a donkey

I have just posted this months e-trax which looks ahead to April's trax16 podcast and our one year old birthday. We are challenged to live out our lives following Jesus' example of the conquering King, entering Jerusalem on the back of a donkey rather than a red carpet. Check it out on the e-trax blog and if you haven't why not subscribe

Be sure to keep checking the Free For All blog as next week we will be at Peterborough Cathedral and the week after on 9th April we hope to work with Macaulay School, Clapham performing at All Hallows church as part of the Free at Last exhibition where a replica of the Zong slave ship will be docked.

Myself, Irfana and Zara are on a journey of our own to visit family in Pakistan for a  holiday. For this reason I may have a blogging rest for a few weeks and will be back at it in mid April.

Zara "who am I?" or "Who is that?"

I have uploaded some recent pictures of Zara onto my flikr. She is growing so quick  that she is beginning to ponder deeper things like "Who am I?"  or "Who is that?" Meanwhile we are busy preparing to go to Pakistan so that Zara can discover a bit more about herself and her family.