Easter People

The final Easter People has finished and we are back to our mundane existence. Barbara is wading through the holiday washing and I am waiting for the dentist's anaesthetic to wear off so I will catch up.
We went off to Easter People last Tuesday. We took Clair K. and Tim M. with us and dropped them off at their kibbutz on the way into Blackpool. The journey across was okay with a stop at Birch services and only a small delay between J29 and J27 on the M62. We found out why that evening and met the causes. A minibus on it's way to E.P. had shed its roof rack load of luggage. We met the passengers at the Tuesday evening fringe. Shortages of shirts, skirts, knickers etc. were reported but no one was hurt.
We arrived at our hotel, the Blue C on Queens Promenade, around 2pm. We were asked by the owner not to use the jacuzzi after 11pm. I thought she was joking but realised she wasn't when we got in an found we did indeed have a spa bath! Stuart had done the booking and had allocated us rooms at random. As well as the bath, we also got a very nice room (29 if you want to book) with a settee as well as a king sized bed.
Barbara unpacked and I went off to do a recce. The Easter People events were in the Winter Gardens so I went down to see the routes, entrances etc. I walked down (about 2 miles) and had a look round then went and found the Metro offices so I could get us a bus pass. I got one for five days. With the over 55 concession, it cost £17 each. The tram fare from the hotel was £1.50 and we intended making 2 return trips so a good saving. I used it on the way back.
We had an excellent week. A bit disappointing the first evening because we couldn't get into the celebration service we wanted and the acoustics in the other one left a bit to be desired. Things were sorted out over the week (apart from the acoustics in the ballroom) and we had a wonderful week of learning. The morning celebrations featured the teaching of Charles Price from Toronto and the music of b4U. They were excellent. The other items on the programme were very good too with a couple of highlights being the worship led by yfriday, the MAYC Orchestra and Singers concert and the "The Word in one" by Rev. Andy Twilley of the Nationwide Christian Trust, even bought the DVD of that it was so good.
As well as Easter people, the fellowship we shared at the hotel was excellent as was the food. We used our bus pass to go up to Fleetwood and down to Starr Gate on the tram. However, the weather just got better and better and we walked down to the Winter Gardens a couple of times and explored Stanley Park too. A really satisfying week.
The week ended with a celebration on Sunday morning led by b4U and the MAYC C and S. A great end to a great Easter People. We then went and rendezvoused with Rev. David at the Pizza Hut on the New Preston Road. All the people from their kibbutz arrived for a lunch. The staff dealt manfully with us and we all got our meals. We then got a load of luggage to bring back and Clair K. and Vanessa T. as passengers. The journey back was straightforward and we were home by 5.30pm. A quiet evening was then spent.
I had an dental appointment to get a crown fitted this morning so I was out early. The only problem during Easter People related to the toothache I suffered throughout. Still not sure whether it was the abuse my mouth had taken when the broken tooth was treated or the temporary crown that had been fitted on it. Luckily, the pharmacy in Barbara's travel kit sustained me with painkillers and I didn't miss out on the events or food. Timing was of the essence with the dosage to get a decent nights sleep. I just hope the proper crown eases the pain. Meanwhile, I'll keep taking the tablets!!