Last night I sauntered out to attend a church AGM type meeting. You expect such meetings to be endless but this one went through with no complaints, no objections, few queries and satisfaction all round. This does not always occur in such meetings, some churches have great debates and arguments, we are just doing very well at the moment. Well led, well behaved and all, mostly, pulling in the same direction.
The late night sky reminded me of the Edinburgh sky in late autumn, that sky is never quite black and dawn arises before the blue has disappeared. That is one thing I miss from Edinburgh. The rain which is more constant I miss not. I was happy walking back last night as I was feeling so much better than I have for months. Who knows I might even get fit and get back on the bike soon(ish).
On this day in 1599 as you know Oliver Cromwell came into the world. He became famous as a war leader and imitation king some time later. His attempt to amend the nation was well intentioned in some ways however you cannot run a nation by dictatorship as when you die this collapses and folks run back to the lowest common denominator. You cannot remove one despotic king and replace him with your despotic self unless the whole nation benefits, sadly Oliver failed there. He might be more popular today if he could take over...
On this day also in 1719 'Robinson Crusoe' was published. Daniel Defoe operated as a spy for the English government and while he sneaked his way about Scotland he came upon the tale of Alexander Selkirk a young lad who ran away to sea from Wemyss on the Fife coast and good riddance to him said the populace. He had been a bit of a brat so at 12 he boarded ship and by the time he was 21 he had been dumped alone on a deserted island in the pacific. I think it took three years before another ship rescued him. He returned home but was never the same after this.
ANZACs: on this day also the ANZACs, the Australian and New Zealand troops of the 29th Division landed on the Gallipoli peninsula. Their actions there over the rest of the year is lauded as the beginning of Australia and also New Zealand as an independent nation, and rightly so. Today Australia commemorates ANZAC Day to remember their men.
On this day also in 2012 the Scots hamlet of 'Dull' was paired with a town in Oregon called 'Boring.' This appeals to me as that sounds like a hamlet or small town that suits me perfectly.
7 comments:
Pleased you're feeling better, those viruses can linger on. It's interesting that you mentioned Daniel Defoe as I'm halfway through re-reading Robinson Crusoe. Whilst I read as a youngster you get a different perspective when reading it again when older. The story has always fascinated and left an impression on me after reading it the first time.
Dave, I always fin a second reading gives a different impression. Maybe I have grown up in between?
I love your first photo with the dark blue sky, the bright cross and the light coming from the building. Looks hopeful.
A meeting which went smoothly? Who nobbled the one who always rises 'on a point of order'...?
Kay, Yes it is good.
Fly, He was on holiday! :)
I am glad you're feeling better, this has lingered on for a while. The sky is very atmospheric. I can still remember being in the North of scotland in midsummer and being able to read a book at 3 AM outside. Now, of course, I wouldn't be able to do it without my specs!
Jenny, I canny imagine what you would be up to reading books at 3 am...?
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