Penrhiwceiber

If Wales had gone through to the quarter final I would have been in Marseilles today. I had to be content with supporting Fiji at a distance. It didn't do them much good.

I was also able to preach in Carmel, Penrhiwceiber as originally marked in my little red book. I have some preaching bookings as far ahead as 2011.

The saints were few and mature of age but the service was a real blessing. I'm looking forward to being back with them in December.

After tonight's match I feel really sorry for Scotland. Argentina are a joy to watch. I'm at that stage now where I am just enjoying the rugby and some chapels.

Australia 10: England 12

Today I sort of caught up with my family and my birthday getting a DVD player as a gift. It was just what I wanted for all those long train journeys that I go on and those away nights in church accommodation without Sky TV.

During the evening I went to see Atonement with my wife and daughter. It was really brilliant and I didn't anticipate the ending.

England did really well against Australia and they got, it must be said, through with style.

I have to say well done but
it's just asking too much for an avid Welsh fan to support the current world champions who are still in the game. That's the least that can be said tonight for Australia or the poor Old Blacks.

Tretower

The opinion polls have changed all of a sudden after the Conservative Conference. The Guardian has the two leading parties both at 38 per cent.

Tonight I went to Tretower to preach. There were some 90 there. I felt a deep sense of blessing.

Happy Birthday

My twin sister remembered my birthday this year. I remembered hers but bought an inappropriate (but not rude) card. I'll have to get something more discrete and a nice present for her.

It was just another day at the office otherwise except for the lecture by Professor Christine Trevett on "Women's Voices and Jewish Christian Relations".

Conwy Cytun and War

Had another long trip to north Wales today to the Conwy Cytun. It was a huge encouragement.

Because I arrived a little early I went to see the new film, War. I wish I hadn't.

Many Thanks

This morning on the way to work I received a phone call that meant a great deal to me. One of the veterans who was involved in Sunday's service phoned to say thank you on behalf of himself and his friends.

When arranging national events you can't please everyone. On Sunday, the veterans were the people I wished to please most. To know that a liturgy helped them to remember those friends they had lost in conflict was a huge encouragement.

I will remember these very special men in my prayers with thanksgiving. It was good to work with them on a very special day.

Johnny Delaney

I slept late this morning. I blame the long journey back to north Wales last night and the comfort of my twin sister's spare bed.

My left hip hurt all the way up last night. My sister's hip has also hurt of late. Weird again!

Today was my sort of good day off. I gave a brief talk about my CRE work in the context of the killing of the Irish traveller Johnny Delaney in 2003. Cwmni'r Fran Wen are doing some fantastic theatre in schools work around his story.

I was introduced warmly in Caernarfon for the first time as Wales' former Commissioner for racial equality. That title will stick for a while. It was good to be back north.