This has, I think, been my longest blog-break since I began this strange pastime. I don’t regret being away, but I have missed it. I’m grateful to Joel for his recent contributions, keeping the fires burning. Diolch yn fawr, as they say in these parts.
Of course, the worst thing about going away is coming back. There’s always too much stuff to catch up with and this time is no different. So this is more a ’statement of intent’ than a proper blog post. I’ve been on holiday, first on the Cornwall/Devon border (ironically, at the very time that Methodist blogger Turbulent Cleric had left those parts for a holiday in Swansea) and then in my native Yorkshire, catching up with family there.
I’ve done a bit of reading while I’ve been away. I put my hand on a discounted copy of ‘Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows’. I wasn’t going to bother but I’d read some good reviews by people whose opinions I respect so I gave it a go. I was more than a little disappointed: the book as at least twice as long as it needs to be and I did not find the theological depth I’d been led to anticipate. For me, the first book in the series remains far and away the strongest.
More seriously, I found myself considerably stretched by Stephen Wigley’s Karl Barth and Hans Urs von Balthasar: A Critical Engagement. I will be writing a review of this one. For now, it will have to suffice for me to say that I found this stimulating and well worth the effort I had to put in to reading it. Strong meat, as my old preaching tutor used to say.
During my time away I’ve also visited some splendid places. The Big Sheep probably takes the prize for best family day out, containing as it does entertainment for all ages. (I particularly enjoyed the onsite brewery!) The Milky Way adventure park was a good day out too, and if you’re ever in this corner of Britain you ought to visit Lydford Gorge. Beautiful. Highlight of the trip north was probably Crich Tramway Village, but Eden Camp ran it a very close second.
Anyway, that’s my brief summary of what I’ve been up to. Normal blogging service will resume as soon as possible.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Joel 08.27.07 at 7:59 pm
Richard,
Good to have you back. Yes, some vacations that are splendid at the time are muted a little later.
Employer: “Take a week off from making widgets; you deserve a rest.”
Employee: “Why thank you, sir, that is so very kind.”
Employer to returning employee, “I hope you had a great time while away. Now this week make me double the widgets from your absence and add another 100 so I can make sure you haven’t lost the knack.”
Employee: “Sir, next year if I pay for the lost profit from the widgets, may I take off a week free and clear of the catch-up work?”
Employer: “Splendid idea! Take a widget home with you as reward for your creativity in helping us develop a new paid vacation plan. In fact, take an extra week of paid vacation next year at a 10% discount.”
chrise 08.29.07 at 5:49 pm
Hi Richard I am amazed how many people holidayed in Cornwall this year. I was my first visit this year and I really fell in love with the place.
alice 09.02.07 at 11:18 pm
“the” Stephen Wigley?!
Richard 09.02.07 at 11:37 pm
Is there another?