At the invitation of Chris (who you may recall I met while teaching in the West Bank) I decided to rejig my itinerary so as to have a handful of days in ‘The Mother Country’.
Chris lives in Brighton, well 'Hove, actually' (as the saying goes) and was keen to show me around the beach that has given name to so many other (better) beaches around the world.
Chris and his sister were also kind enough to drive me out to 1066 country where visited Pevensey Castle, which is rich in English history.
From Brighton I moved north (obviously) to catch up with Nathan, my little cuz, who is choosing to work in London (and live the good life) for one more year before returning to Oz.
We cruised down to Bathe on Saturday in Nath’s work van (all above board) to do Bathe stuff - which mostly involves looking at baths (not bathing in baths).
Turns out that doing Bathe stuff is quite fatiguing.
We also swung by the mysterious mystical stones at Stanton Drew – which form a far bigger circle than Stone Henge (and which are far less interesting than the weirdos who come to paddock to spin their funny little divining sticks and look wistfully towards the heavens).
While near Bristol I caught up with an old colleague and good pal, Andrew Thompson (who is completing his ophthalmological training with a fellowship in the local hospital) and his partner, the very lovely Kass (who I somehow failed to photograph - probably because she is much better looking than the two of us).
Chris and his sister were also kind enough to drive me out to 1066 country where visited Pevensey Castle, which is rich in English history.
From Brighton I moved north (obviously) to catch up with Nathan, my little cuz, who is choosing to work in London (and live the good life) for one more year before returning to Oz.
We cruised down to Bathe on Saturday in Nath’s work van (all above board) to do Bathe stuff - which mostly involves looking at baths (not bathing in baths).
Turns out that doing Bathe stuff is quite fatiguing.
We also swung by the mysterious mystical stones at Stanton Drew – which form a far bigger circle than Stone Henge (and which are far less interesting than the weirdos who come to paddock to spin their funny little divining sticks and look wistfully towards the heavens).
While near Bristol I caught up with an old colleague and good pal, Andrew Thompson (who is completing his ophthalmological training with a fellowship in the local hospital) and his partner, the very lovely Kass (who I somehow failed to photograph - probably because she is much better looking than the two of us).
The following day Nathan took me on a whirlwind tour of London; We moved around the city faster than a Rolls Royce around a monopoly board – as such, we saw a heap of places, none of which need a whole lot of introducing …
The most bizarre moment I had while in England was hearing the Queen's brass band break into Ricky Martin’s 'living la vida loca' during the changing of the guards.
The most bizarre moment I had while in England was hearing the Queen's brass band break into Ricky Martin’s 'living la vida loca' during the changing of the guards.
One of the last sights we visited in London was the All Souls Church – where John Stott (the closest thing Evangicalism has ever had to a pope) used to minister.
Low and behold, that evening the sermon was about the life and faith of Abraham, Nablus (where I started my pilgrimage and taught in the university) was even mentioned. (This was all very significant for me because Dr Stott played a large role in restoring social action to the theology of the Evangelical Church some 50 years ago (note the ultra slow trickle down effect) and, through his writings, was instrumental in helping me to see how I could pursue God’s Kingdom and better health outcomes for people in need at the same time and with the same activity; And as I have said before in this blog, this year I feel very much like Abraham, knowing that I have been sent out, but not really knowing where or for what exact purpose (but believing that He who directs me will make these things clear all in the fullness of time).
Low and behold, that evening the sermon was about the life and faith of Abraham, Nablus (where I started my pilgrimage and taught in the university) was even mentioned. (This was all very significant for me because Dr Stott played a large role in restoring social action to the theology of the Evangelical Church some 50 years ago (note the ultra slow trickle down effect) and, through his writings, was instrumental in helping me to see how I could pursue God’s Kingdom and better health outcomes for people in need at the same time and with the same activity; And as I have said before in this blog, this year I feel very much like Abraham, knowing that I have been sent out, but not really knowing where or for what exact purpose (but believing that He who directs me will make these things clear all in the fullness of time).
Keep them coming gorgeous. Always entertaining to read of your adventures.
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