I GUESS that not many people will know that this Sunday, September 14, is what is called “Holy Cross Day”. It is one of two days also known as “Devil’s Nutting Day”. It was said that those who went nutting (gathering hazelnuts) on this day would meet the devil doing the same thing. The devil was also said to go nutting on Sundays and the superstition may have been an attempt to discourage people from indulging, on a holy day, in any kind of frivolous activities. Well, I, for one, am glad that things have changed. No longer do we consider the devil to be a real-life figure but we have also moved on to understand that God is not against people having pleasure and enjoying themselves – yes, even on a Sunday or a holy day. I am convinced that God wants us to enjoy ourselves whatever the day and to gain pleasure from leisure activities, from spending time with our families and friends and to live life to the full. There is nothing better on a sunny Sunday afternoon than walking along the promenade in Rhos-on-Sea and Colwyn Bay and see people enjoying time on the beach, in the shops, riding jet skis and, when it’s open, the pier. God has given us the gift of life and leisure, of enjoyment and laughter and God enjoys seeing his creatures, you and me, enjoying ourselves and he loves to see us gaining pleasure from his creation. So, as you walk in the hills or along the promenade, give thanks to God for leisure time, for family and friends, for enjoyment pleasure. | 
