1st November 2026 - King David is Dead

Thought for the day :"It’s true that exercise helps with decision making. This morning I went for a jog and I’ve now decided to never do that again"

Dry 

So, yesterday was a trip to Llanelli to die as King David - and we had five candidates.

Seems it went down well again - got another clap on my return ...

Update : Edit:

Received a copy of this email today form pone of the candidates and was rather chuffed 

"Dear District Grand Master, Deputy District Grand Master, and Past Deputy District Grand Master,

I felt compelled to write and express my sincere appreciation for the Silver Trowel Ceremony on Saturday.

Quite simply, I was genuinely overwhelmed by the experience. Having enjoyed many years in Freemasonry and witnessed ceremonies across several Orders, I can honestly say it was unlike anything I had expected and unlike anything I have previously experienced. It was a remarkable and memorable occasion that left a lasting impression.

As someone who strongly believes that our ritual is at its most powerful when delivered from knowledge, understanding, and genuine conviction, without reliance upon books, I was particularly impressed by the outstanding standard of the ceremony. The work presented was both inspiring and uplifting.

Iain's performance was, in my opinion, amongst the finest I have ever seen him deliver. Having had the privilege of witnessing his ritual on numerous occasions over the years and across several Orders, I consider Saturday's presentation to be one of his most accomplished achievements. It combined dignity, drama, conviction, and excellent delivery, creating an atmosphere that was both captivating and deeply meaningful.

My own progression within Craft Masonry this year has unfortunately prevented me from attending as many Installations and meetings as I would have wished. However, as those commitments begin to ease in the New Year, I look forward to supporting as many meetings as possible and renewing my enjoyment of the wider work of the District.

I shall certainly be encouraging any Companion or Brother who has the opportunity to participate in this ceremony to accept without hesitation, embrace the occasion fully, and savour every moment of the experience. It is a ceremony that deserves to be witnessed and enjoyed.

Please convey my congratulations and grateful thanks to everyone involved in its preparation and delivery. The time, effort, dedication, and commitment invested were abundantly evident, and the result was an outstanding piece of Masonic work of which all concerned should be immensely proud.

With sincere thanks and warm fraternal regards,

Adrian"

Meanwhile today has been steady, but also took time to do some more work on the Peacock enclosure.

In other thoughts...

Cantre Gwaelod

Welsh legend says there was once a whole lowland kingdom out in Cardigan Bay. Cantre'r Gwaelod, the Lowland Hundred, protected from the sea by a dyke with sluice gates that were opened at low tide.

In the best-known version, the man in charge of the gates, Seithenyn, was too busy drinking to shut them. The sea came in and never left, and people say the church bells still ring under the waves.

Then the beach at Borth gives you a reason to wonder 

At low tide, the stumps of an ancient forest stick up out of the sand. Oak, pine, birch, willow and hazel, drowned some four to five thousand years back and preserved in the peat. The storms of 2014 and Storm Hannah in 2019 uncovered even more, along with a timber walkway, hearth stones and human footprints.

The kingdom may be a story. The drowned land is real.

The original plans for Ceredigion Council of allied Masonic Degrees was to name it Cantre Gwaelod.

Cheers 

Dry November - DAY 1 completed 

Starting Weight  16st 0lbs    101.6 Kg