"YOU SWEEP THEM AWAY AS WITH A FLOOD; THEY ARE LIKE A DREAM."

Twenty years ago today the Berlin Wall was breached signalling the end of the Communist experiment in Europe. Within a few years the Soviet Union folded up and the world seemed destined for a unipolar future. Some even speculated that with the apparent triumph of Liberal - Capitalist- Democracy history itself had reached some sort of definitive conclusion.

Growing up in the 60's and 70's the mighty USSR seemed to be a monolithic power structure which would certainly outlast me - how wrong I was. As ludicrous as it seems now the Soviet Union and its empire seemed an unassailable fact of life and some of my contemporaries even saw it, on balance, as a force for good!

Psalm 90 seems apt;
"You return man to dust
and say, "Return, o children of man!"
For a thousand years in your sight
are but as yesterday when it is past,
or as a watch in the night."

It would be a bad mistake to put our trust in Mankind - whatever the political or economic ideology. The lesson of history is not the triumph of capitalism or democracy but the fragility of all that Man constructs and the hubris which asserts its ascendancy. Only God is "from everlasting to everlasting" and security is only found in Him! "Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations". Amen.

11th November 2009. A Wonderful Addendum!
I would like to add this additional comment: God sweeps aside these pretentions of Mankind - these mighty empires come for a season and wither; they are utterly insignificant to God. But in case we are tempted to feel that our individual lives have even less significance 2 Peter 3v8 relecting on Psalm 90 says this, "with the Lord one day is as a thousand years...." Nothing is insignificant to the Lord - He has all the time in the world for you!

Autumn leaves of our Cherry Tree.

Foundations of the SHARD!

People watching the Shard!

Dan's Favourite Aunt!


Paraphrasing (majorly) Dan Baker (and I appreciate I am taking a major liberty in doing so!) "if the only way you can discredit an assertion is by misrepresenting it then you are conceding that it CAN be taken on its own merits"!

The Voice of "Raven".

One of the most enjoyable things about my excursions to the Lake District is ending a walk with a journey on one of the 'Ullswater Steamers' back to my campsite at Pooley Bridge.

In fact the main reason I base myself at the wrong end of Ullswater rather than in Patterdale is so that I can enjoy the lake. Taking the first bus of the day along side the lake and returning on a 'steamer' (now actually diesel!)

At the end of a hard walk it is wonderful to sit back on the upper deck with a pint and watch the mountains go by - it is magical.

Back in the early 1990s when I first discovered this form of transport even the public safety announcement was wonderful. As soon as "Raven" set off an automated recording would be activated. "Welcome aboard the motor yacht 'Raven'." Sadly this has been replaced by the gruff sound of the captain, but back then it was a female voice with a mid-atlantic accent who spoke in such a mellifluous way - never has "float free buoyancy apparatus" and "self inflating life rafts" sounded so appealing!

For me, her voice will always be associated with "Raven"!

Lake District Adventure.

Most years I try to get away to do some walking in the English Lake District. I usually camp and do a series of walks over a week long period. This year I based myself at "Hillcroft" camp site near Pooley Bridge and used this as my base to do the following walks.

On Sunday 6th September I walked the length of Lake Ullswater from Pooley Bridge to Patterdale and around the south of the lake to Glenridding; I took in Hallin Fell (388m) en route. Ullswater is England's 2nd largest lake at 14.5km.

On Monday 7th I climbed "High Street" (828m) via Pasture Bottom and returned by way of Angle Tarn.

Wednesday 9th I went up "Fairfield" (873m) via St Sunday Crag and returned via Dovedale.

Thursday 10th I climbed up "Helvellyn" (950m/3,117ft) via 'Striding Edge' from Glenridding and returned by way of Nethermost Pike and Dollywaggon Pike and Grisedale.

CHILD PROTECTION!

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Today was a 'Team Away Day' mainly dedicated to a variety of mandatory training issues. We covered things like 'Infection Control' and 'Pain Control in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit'.

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We had a couple of major sessions on 'Child Protection'. One of the most distressing aspects of PICU is coping with the aftermath of a "non accidental injury". Sadly not all the kids make it!

"I'm not 52, I'm 18 with 34 years experience!"

"Striding Edge" in the English Lake District is a narrow ridge on one of the approaches to Helvellyn (950m/3,117ft), it is a tricky traverse and over the years several people have fallen to their deaths.

One noted instance is that of Charles Gough who was killed there in 1805 made famous by the fidelity of his dog which guarded his body until the skeleton was found some months later. The romantic poets wrote that the dog was sustained by "love sublime"............................. are you thinking what I'm thinking?

AMBIGUITY WARNING!
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While I was away in the Lake District recently I came across this bottle of beer in a shop there and immediately thought of Dawn and what an apt gift to send on to her.
I wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry about the surreal 'spin' she put on the birthday card I'd sent to her. I figured God was saying 'laugh don't cry!' So today I posted this gift to her but I did take the precaution of adding a warning.......and a special offer which I hope she will take me up on. The labels I added read as follows;

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AMBIGUITY WARNING!


It should not be inferred from this beer bottle label that I have ever participated in or approved of animal cruelty. No conclusion should be drawn from the kilted figure that I am anti-Scottish or racist. or that I condone the Highland Clearances. The gender of the animal is not intended to imply misogyny or indeed prejudice against any other engendered or transgendered sheep. Just enjoy the beer.

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Pete.
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ps GENUINE OFFER!
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Sometime when you are next in London I can give you a tour of where I work and you can get to know a bit more about me.