The ongoing adventures of a Master Mason

A sad start...

Anyway, preparations are underway for Monday and the Passing, and the presentation of my certificate which I'll need next month when I go on my Honeymoon to Sri Lanka and hope to visit the Victoria Temple in Colombo.
As it will be the Sinhalese new year, I doubt I'll get to see a ceremony, but it will be nice to visit the Temple anyway.

Several months ago, our WM commissioned me to write a website for the Lodge, and last month, after my Raising, I gave a copy, on CD to our Secretary to pass on to the IT department of GQS. Last night I checked my mail and they have approved the site and granted an electronic charter mark sanctioning the site.
Sadly the WM will never get to see it, but I'll be launching it in his honour and informing the Lodge at the meeting in a few days.
I'll also be reminding them of the procedure for booking in for meals. They've been members of the Lodge long enough to know and it's written on the summons, but several of them still can't seem to get it right...

Getting back we hurriedly checked with the baby sitter who had forgotten, then got booked a taxi.
On the night the range of dress was very varied from jeans and t-shirt to suit and tie. Obviously some had set out to try and impress.
We were greeted in the bar and treated to a drink by the PGS, with whom I'd had previous dealings, and then sat and 'people watched' until we were called up to the dining room which had been laid up for about 50-60 people, although only around 40 I'd say were present.
One of the Officers sat at each table to enable us to chat to them and the PGM started off with a brief talk on what Freemasonry was all about, some notables from various paths of life who were, or had been Brothers, a chat about the charities, and then announced supper was ready.
A range of meats and salads were on offer, with wine poured by our hosts, and a pleasant evening of chatter and eating then ensued.
We were fortunate to have the DPGM on our table who I'd also had some dealings with last year. He was a very amiable and knowledgeable fellow who had quite a bit to say about women Masons, all the while looking at my wife. (When we got back home she admitted that she might give some thought to joining once the boys are older. I nearly fell backward down the stairs!).
It was quite obvious that some people there were out to try and impress the top brass, and also just as obvious that they weren't...
After the meal we had a chance to tour the building, see the main temple, view an exhibition, the library and museum (nice cllection of firing glasses and porcelain) and generally just chat about the Fraternity.
The PGM met us in the exhibition room and was just as easy to talk to as our host was.
All-in-all, it was a very pleasant evening that was enjoyed by all.