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Chiang Mai was in the grips of the pollution from the forest fires of Burma and Northern Thailand. My visit was more of an adventure that I had thought. Staying with a friend on the outskirts of Chiang Mai, the soaring temperatures of 40C made the visits planned a real challenge!

But I love it when plans change and life takes on a different direction.

Sam, had some wonderful accommodation in the edge of the forest and I learnt a lot about how to adjust to life at a different  life style. We travelled in Thai style, on a motorbike through the traffic. But because the petrol  crisis, driven by the war in  Middle East, there wasn’t much traffic at all.

We visited  Buddhist monasteries and temples, fascinating to see and to find out more about from Sam’s Buddhist perspective.

We spent time at a  beautiful swimming pool which gradually helped me to acclimatise to the heat, and were a welcome break from the UK long winter.

Next stop Hong Kong to be with family and to celebrate Easter.

Rev’d Sue Martin

Change is in the air!

The Dead Sea… is it an angel or a cloud overhead? Rev’d Sue Martin 2020

In January 2026, our ten parish benefice came out of interregnum and we are delighted to have a new incumbent, Reverend Joshua Whitnall, Rector of the Gayton, Grimston and Massingham Benefice in West Norfolk, Diocese of Norwich.

Whilst covering this interregnum for two and half years I have been thinking about what my future. Life is very different for me since August 2023. Sadly, my wonderful husband Richard died unexpectedly.  Since then I have been immersed in parish ministry with all its joys, quirks and complications.

And so I journey ahead, in fact I have a lot of journeys ahead! Plans for online ‘Sofa Pilgrimages’ to share with other and provide an insight into life in different places across the world.

Plans also for myself to find time both at home and in journeys across our wonderful world.

Watch this space!

Rev’d Sue Martin

Five of us waited all morning for the PNG bishops but we finally met for the Partners’ Meeting at 2:00pm. The others had a delightful visit to the museum, the cathedral and the craft market. Later, we had a wonderful meal at the Crown hotel to celebrate +G’s birthday.

Wednesday pilgrims flew to Port Moresby and had drinks and snacks with the British High Commissioner.

Tuesday pilgrims visited St Margaret’s Clinic, which is looking very tired.

Oro Bay & then swam in Oro Bay before visiting Newton Theological College.

Monday was a very busy day: the pilgrims visited the Melanesian Brotherhood, St Margaret’s School of Nursing and Popondetta Cathedral.

Visits were also made to Sisters of the Visitation & the Franciscan Brothers (phew!).

Notes from pilgrim Rosemary Mehers

The pilgrims stayed in Popondetta diocese from Saturday to Wednesday, staying at Birdwing Butterfly Lodge. Having no Wifi meant that posts have been delayed!!

Video taken by pilgrim Rosemary Mehers.

On Sunday six of the Norwich group went to Martyrs’ School to celebrate Martyrs’ Day unfortunately Phil was not well but fully recovered the next day.

Sunday evening our host, Polycarp, gave us a banquet of whole roast pig plus other food.

What a busy day! Visited St Mary’s, Gerehu that has a bell donated by a Norfolk church.

A tour of the Port Moresby Nature Park.

The Bomana War Graves Cemetery  is the final resting place of almost 3000 soldiers who held a force of Japanese trying to reach Port Moresby from the north along what is known as the Kakoda Trail.

If the Japanese had been successful this would have been the launch point for an invasion of Australia.

After the Japanese landed at Lae and Salamaua in March 1942, Port Moresby became their chief objective. They decided to attack by sea, and assembled an amphibious expedition for the purpose, which set out early in May, but they were intercepted and heavily defeated by American air and naval forces in the Coral Sea, and what remained of the Japanese expedition returned to Rabaul. After this defeat they decided to advance on Port Moresby overland and the attack was launched from Buna and Gona in September 1942.

Early in 1942, and almost without resistance, the Japanese established a considerable force and developed a useful base on Bougainville, the largest and most northerly of the Solomon Islands.

Bishop Graham presided & preached at Kimbe church followed by a presentation by Dieni Tapi and his team at Anglican Health Services on their vital work in the diocese and their plans for a new health centre in the Kandrian Gloucester District.

Revd Phil presented Mr Tapi with a donation from the Christian brothers and sisters at Taverham church in Norwich diocese.

A busy day in Kimbe, events unfold…

Bishop Graham’s photo’ of Diana showing local women her photos of her 7 years in PNG in the 70’s and 80’s. She remembers PNG independence in 1975 and is now here as they prepare for their 50th anniversary celebrations.

Sally and Rachel receive gifts.

How to open a coconut with a very long knife!

Wednesday afternoon we visited the Anglican parish of St Lawrence.

Liamo Beach Resort  with the prospect of the sea and a beer; surreal contrast between subsistence living in the village and ersatz opulence at the resort.