Feedback on videos!

Receiving feedback on the effort behind video creation is gratifying, though infrequent. This comment pertains to my "St John the Baptist" video.

"What a lovely old church.  That was so well narrated and filmed, that drone footage of the church and the surrounding countryside is superb. I can imagine a fair bit of work went into the editing, excellent stuff".

Reply....

Thank you. It's rewarding to be acknowledged for the unseen effort behind these videos. This particular project involved several days of research, scripting, and narration, followed by two full mornings of location filming and about 10 hours of post-production. While my documentary-style videos are currently the most demanding, the "Castles, Kings, and Other Things" series offers a perfect creative outlet even when my Osteoarthritis (OA) limits my mobility.🤟

Link: Castles, Kings, and Other Things.

A Tour Of St John The Baptist Sutton At Hone.

In this video, I'll take you on a journey through time as we explore the historic St John the Baptist Church in Sutton at Hone, Kent. We'll wander through the ancient grounds, marvel at the architecture that spans centuries, and delve into the rich history embedded within these hallowed walls.

 

Sutton-at-Hone's St. John the Baptist Church boasts a rich history of over nine centuries, with possible origins as early as the 7th century, culminating in the present building, completed in 1335, a testament to the village's former political importance.

Following a fire in 1615, the church was rebuilt, and much of the existing woodwork dates back to this period. Subsequent restorations in the 18th and 19th centuries included replacing the 14th-century arcade with a colonnade of marble columns.

St John’s is part of the united church life known as the Darent Valley Benefice. —- The Darent Valley Benefice operates from three church buildings, the parish church of St John's,- and the neighbouring parish churches,- St Margaret's, Darenth, and St Mary's, Horton Kirby.

From March to November, the church is usually open Tuesdays from 10 am to 12 pm and Wednesdays from 12 pm to 2 pm. However, as opening hours depend on volunteer availability, it is advised to contact the church beforehand to confirm access if you plan to visit on a particular date. The vicar can also arrange to open the church upon request.

 If you can give, please give here: 

St John's Restoration Appeal

St John's Sutton-at-Hone.

Church Road

Sutton-At-Hone

Dartford

DA4 9HA

Paddling Around & Through The Ancient City of Canterbury.

 Join me for a paddle around the beautiful city of Canterbury.

 

SENIOR MOMENT ERRORS... 

I was certainly having a few senior moments during this trip out, don't shoot me. My apologies for my upstream/downstream errors. At the time, I was hiding the agony I was in with my osteoarthritis, and extremely tired after several 12-hour shifts. Normal brain function will (hopefully) resume on my next trip out, 😉 "On an adventure before dementia" (or maybe it's too late in my case). 

I used the Go Paddling (PaddePoints) route map to find a launch and exit point. However, I suggest you do not launch/exit upstream of Fordwich through to just outside Canterbury, as all the land is owned by riparian landowners.

As my YouTube channel grows and I evolve, so does my logo. "From little acorns, mighty oaks grow"

 So, why the new YouTube & Facebook profile image?

I want the image to encompass how I feel at this stage of my life, and how I want life to be moving forward.

I am a follower of the Bushido code. A practising martial artist for most of my life, and a teacher since the mid-1980s. I began to show an interest in the healing arts, such as Shiatsu, Reiki, and Zen philosophy, from my mid-40s. A warrior, a healer, and a man of peace. This logo represents my thoughts and how I wish (and try) to lead my life.

THE ELEMENTS OF MY LOGO:

Enzo (the outer circle) is the Circle of Enlightenment.

In Zen art, an ensō (円相, "circular form") is a circle hand-drawn in one or two brushstrokes to express the Zen mind, which symbolises enlightenment, emptiness, freedom, and the state of no-mind. It is a sacred symbol in Zen Buddhism.

The yin and yang symbol is hidden within the Enzo circle behind the tree of life on my logo, and it represents the interconnected and complementary nature of opposing forces in life.

Dualism:

Yin and yang represent the two opposing yet interconnected forces in the universe, such as light and dark, feminine and masculine, passive and active, and earth and sky.

Balance and Wholeness:

The concept of yin and yang emphasises the importance of finding balance and harmony by recognising and accepting both positive and negative aspects of life.

The Tree of Life:

The Bodhi tree is directly linked to the Buddha's enlightenment, making it a symbol of reaching a higher state of consciousness and understanding.

Interconnectedness. The tree's roots, connecting it to the earth, and its branches, reaching towards the sky, represent the connection between the earthly and spiritual realms.

Growth and Rebirth:

The tree's cycle of growth, shedding leaves, and then blossoming again mirrors the human journey of growth, decay, and renewal, highlighting resilience and the potential for rebirth.

Knowledge and Wisdom:

The tree's structure, with its branches reaching out and roots grounding it, symbolises the pursuit of knowledge and the balance between intellectual and spiritual pursuits.

Yes, it is complex and a deep explanation. On a lighter note, it is rather pretty 🤣