CEFAA Magazine April 2019

Dear Friends,
Greetings from Barnet – March 2019
As I write, it is officially the first day of spring. The weather, here
in Barnet, is certainly warmer than it was a month ago; the
daffodils and grape hyacinths are in full bloom, the days are
lengthening, and the bright green leaves of the new year’s growth
are beginning to show on the trees. I even spotted the first bumble
bee in the garden on February 19th. All these signs of spring
make me realise how fortunate we are to be able to enjoy the
richness of our seasons. In other parts of the world the climate is
so different.
This year I have been very lucky to experience other weather
conditions. As a child at primary school, I remember reading
about the wonder of the Panama Canal. The canal reduced the
sailing time of the ships travelling from the Atlantic Ocean to the
Pacific and vice versa. Most importantly, sailors did not have to
endure the dangerous voyage around the Cape Horn. In January,
as England was experiencing freezing temperatures, I was
enjoying sunshine, warmth and temperatures in the upper
twenties, and the fulfilment of one of my childhood dreams – to
transit the Panama Canal. It was certainly every bit as exciting
and memorable as I had hoped it would be. More about that in a
later issue.
One of the visits I undertook on that holiday was to the city of
Cartagena in Colombia. I always enjoy visiting churches and
cathedrals, and this trip was no exception. Colombia is a catholic
country in Central America. Unfortunately, the Cathedral was
closed for major refurbishment works but the nearby Church of
Santo Domingo was open and welcoming visitors. Now, I don’t
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